Kaieteur News

K

More than 60% of Thursday Edition NEWS 'Belt and Road' projects AIETEUR

September 05, 2019 - Vol. 12 No. 36

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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

allocated to Chinese companies

Price $80

- Little known about selection process - World Bank Stakeholders' calls being ignored…

Online readership yesterday 106,543

Draft Local Content Policy plan is essentially for foreigners Demands no increased use of Guyanese labour force Makes no call for tax breaks for local companies Does not mandate foreign/local partnership Second NBS wrongful Former miner gifts dismissal suit...

Granger art piece made Lawyer grills with bulletproof glass

former manager on credibility of $550M claim

Guyana to help hurricane-ravaged Bahamas Former miner, Bobby Hussein, presenting the artwork to President David Granger

Beekeeper's car stolen from right under his nose

Venezuelan migrant children Repairs complete; Harbour Bridge being integrated into schools allowing heavier trucks to cross

Fired Town Clerk Royston King - as Judge sets to rule in to know fate todayunlawful dismissal case

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 05, 2019

Beekeeper's car stolen from right under his nose

C

ongress Drive, South Ruimveldt resident Francis Bailey, a bee keeper by profession, is now in a state of distress, after his car that he uses to offer his bee removal services, was stolen right under his nose between the hours of midnight on Tuesday and 05:00hrs yesterday.

The missing car is a silver-grey Toyota Premio with registration plates PPP 5767. The vehicle has a black rack on top and a ladder that was attached to the said rack at the time the vehicle was stolen. The rear view mirrors are missing their caps which were stolen some time ago when he was parked in the city.

Bailey said that he parked the car on the bridge of his premises, where it is parked every day, around 21:00 hrs on Tuesday, but he went to bed around midnight. “I came home and parked the car on the bridge around nine, but I went to sleep aro und like midnight.” he recalled.

Bailey said he awoke at around 05:30 hrs yesterday to start his day, since he had an early appointment to remove some bees and he was going to be out all day at other points doing removals as well.

“I woke up at around five-thirty and I went outside to pick up the bee suits from the line because my partner was coming at 6 o'clock because we had an early bee removal.” he said. He said after picking up the suits he looked below at the bridg e and realized that his car wasn't there.

Bailey said he contacted multiple police stations including the Headquarters at Eve Leary and CID at Brickdam. Surveillance footage has been retrieved from a number of CCTV cameras and is being looked at to see if the driver can be identified.

Beekeeper Francis Bailey's car that was stolen yesterday morning At around 11:00hrs yesterday, Bailey got a call from a former customer who is familiar with the car and saw his Facebook post. The vehicle was reportedly spotted heading towards East Bank Essequibo. Police at Leonora had set up a road block after receiving information, but this did not yield the desired result. Bailey believes that the car may have already passed the area by the time the road block was set up or the driver was probably hiding out and waiting for nightfall.

P olice are still on the lookout for the stolen car and the driver, and Bailey is hopeful that his vehicle will be found intact and is safely returned.

Up to press time the car was still not located.

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 05, 2019

PAGE 03

Stakeholders' calls being ignored…

Draft Local Content Policy plan is essentially for foreigners Demands no increased use of Guyanese labour force Makes no call for tax breaks for local companies Does not mandate foreign/local partnership

By Kiana Wilburg

A

bsent from the third, and supposedly final draft of Guyana's Local Content Policy, are three key things which stakeholders have long called for.

Firstly, the draft policy (a copy of which Kaieteur News has perused) makes no recommendation for local companies to enjoy the same tax breaks that are granted to the subcontractors and affiliated companies of the oil majors operating offshore Guyana.

Secondly, the draft policy makes no demand for oil companies and their subcontractors to increase their use of local labour and services overtime.

T h i r d l y, f o r e i g n companies will not be mandated to partner with local firms, despite a report

from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) calling for same. In fact, the draft policy states, “...it is the policy of the Government of Guyana to not mandate local-foreign joint ventures as a requirement for market access in the upstream petroleum sector, but instead to encourage such alliances...”

With respect to tax breaks, Kaieteur News would have reported on several occasions the oil companies, their affiliated firms, and all their subcontractors enjoy a range of tax exemptions. They are not required to pay Value

Added Tax (VAT) or import duties on equipment and supplies.

In fact, the only tax that these foreign subcontractors are required to pay is Excise Tax on fuel imports at a rate of 10 percent; meanwhile, locals have to pay 50 percent.

Taking this into account, Local Content Expert, Anthony Paul has said that such exemptions for foreign subcontractors can only be viewed as discriminatory to locals and should be addressed, whether by law or through the review of contracts.

Paul emphatically outlined same in a report that

Traffic Advisory for CPL fixtures

T

he Guyana Leg of the Caribbean Premier League 2019 will be held at the National Stadium Providence. On the following dates and time: Thursday 2019-09-05 at 15:00hrs Saturday 2019-09-07 at 16:00hrs Sunday 2019-09-08 at 14:00hrs Thursday 2019-10-03 at 14:00hrs Friday 2019-10-04 at 16:00hrs To facilitate the free flow of traffic, the following traffic arrangements will be put in place on the specified dates and time. The eastern lane of the eastern carriageway of the East Bank Public Road from Nandy Park to the Stadium will be used only for patrons with vehicles to access parking.

Traffic proceeding south along the

western lane of the eastern carriageway of East Bank Public Road will be allowed to flow continuously south to permit the free flow of traffic.

Public parking will be available at Providence Access Road (Red Road) in the compound on the south side of the road.

VIP and paid parking will be available at the second Access of the Stadium - the northern tarmac for paid parking and the southern tarmac for VIP parking. VVIPs and officials will use Greenfield Access Road for entering and exiting the stadium.

No parking will be allowed on both sides of the eastern and western carriageway in front of the stadium. Patrons are advised to use carpooling and share a ride to ease the congestion; signs will be erected to guide patrons.

he wrote on the request of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). That international organization had commissioned this report for the Government and it was handed over in 2016. In that document, Paul stressed that such exemptions undermine Guyana's local content efforts.

Further to this, the Trinidadian said in the same report that any Local Content Policy Guyana pursues should ensure all international oil subcontractors are made to have a local partner. In fact, the Chatham House Advisor said that it is in Guyana's best interest to have a policy which demands that such foreign companies collaborate with locals to get maximum local content impact.

THREE DRAFTS The first two drafts of Guyana's Local Content Policy were done by Paul,

but in February, last, Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, had announced that Oil Consultant, Dr. Michael Warner, was hired to complete the policy.

The cost of that contract was $22M. Kaieteur News had confirmed with former Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin, that this contract was never advertised.

Kaieteur News had also raised several questions a b o u t D r. Wa r n e r ' s connection to ExxonMobil; the firm which brought him to Guyana in the first place to train local businesses trying to access the supply chain.

Dr. Warner was actually a fixture at Exxon's Centre for Local Business Development on South Road for this matter.

But instead of facing Kaieteur News, the Ministry of the Presidency had released a video recording of the Head of the Energy

Local Content Expert, Anthony Paul Department, Dr. Mark Bynoe speaking selectively on issues related to the contract granted to Warner.

Dr. Bynoe had said that there are several procurement processes, which can be used to expedite the award of a contract. He said that the one used for the $22M Local Content Policy Contract is called a limited competitive selection of individual (continued on page 14)

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 05, 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 cesspool of hate

T

he USA Today headline of August 5 served up yet another confirmation. There is “A ‘direct correlation’ between rise of hate on social media and attacks, says SPLC.” Some extracts should help to shed more light on the rising anxieties over this and help to highlight the appropriateness of enhanced and continuing vigilance in this country.

That dangerous ‘direct correlation’ is emphasised, because, “Despite efforts from major social media companies to try to weed out hate groups…the reality is they are still all over the networks, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center advocacy group.”

“There is a direct correlation between the rise of hate groups on social media and the frequent attacks,” like the El Paso and Dayton weekend killings, says Keegan Hankes, a senior research analyst for the SPLC. This is troubling in general, and should be even more so in Guyana, which struggles with a longstanding racial problem that has degenerated inner and outer hatred, existing in casual and chronic ways, now taken for granted.

The hate is taken for granted; while the attacks (so far) have been limited to the verbal.

With increasing access to social media platforms and the mainstream media itself, in the local arena, there is growing danger of the transformation of generational racial prejudices to more hate-filled cyber rantings, that incite harder in-the-face sentiments in the daily intercourses of life. In an already vexatious elections season, social media is a convenient soapbox from which to stir the local cesspool of hate.

This has been seen with the instantaneous reactions on anything and everything related to the turbulent elections season: there is the quick, unthinking, reckless connection of race and bigoted motives to the political process, the work of GECOM, the decision-making of its chairwoman. It is a poor place in which to be; or in which to function with so much as a difference of opinion.

It is not easily addressed nor readily received. For not too long ago, a leading local politician denounced a watchdog agency’s flagging of alleged “broadcasting violations” of rising to the level of ‘censorship.’ Indeed, it can be a fine line that means different things to different beholders. But if left unchecked, then the worst instincts take off and hurt those unlucky to be on the receiving end.

Regard and observance of what is lawful is highly spoken of; but rarely manifested when interests are challenged.

For its part, the USA Today article continued, “In 2019, Facebook, Twitter and Google-owned YouTube have taken stands against conspiracy theorists.” It appears to be the proverbial losing battle and struggling to contain the many heads of a monster that keeps growing relentlessly.

Taking aim at a divisive figure, the SPLC’s Hankes is tougher on Twitter, President Donald Trump’s social media platform of choice, calling it an “absolute cesspool” of hate. “Twitter does one of the worst jobs of content moderation.” Content moderation must begin with the originator in a temperate, responsible manner: get point across assertively, without feeling it necessary to resort to the vulgar and the wounding.

Mr. Hankes describes Facebook as a “work in progress… but is still a platform of choice by hate groups.” Facebook is where birds of a feather flock together; it has proven to be fertile hunting grounds. All of this means that the social media giants must “do more to combat hateful conduct on their platforms…through greater enforcement of anti-hate policy.”

There are policies, but the required follow-up action leaves much to be desired.

Twitter’s stated anti-hate speech policy says it is not allowed because “it creates an environment of intimidation and…may promote real-world violence.” For its part, Twitter says that it bans participants who “promote violence…or threaten other people on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender….” and more.

So when examined carefully, all of the social media

Venting frustrations in the wrong direction DEAR EDITOR, Co-Chairman of the American Chamber of CommerceGuyana (AMCHAM-G), American Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch cautioned against the Guyanese push for a local content policy that is too heavy and could deter investors as it “may send a signal that some investors as well as the employment and know-how benefits they bring may not be welcome here”.

This statement evoked a knee-jerk response from Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Vice-president Timothy Tucker who said “We are the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and we have to do what is best for Guyanese businesses and that is why the Chamber has always been supportive of local content because it is what is best for Guyanese businesses,” “We

all see that her President [Donald Trump] is very prolocal content to his country, so we are very well on track with our local content to be pro-local content,”. I am of the firm belief that Ambassador Lynch, Mr. Tucker and the GCCI are venting frustration in the wrong direction.

Editor, it is the Granger administration’s failure to create any local content policy in the four years and four months since the announcement of the discovery of oil in commercial quantity offshore Guyana that is causing widespread discontent and malcontent nationwide.

The task is the remit of Department of Energy head Dr. Mark Bynoe. Bynoe has done everything else but provide a local content policy and supporting legislation.

David Granger has not reacted to this non-

performance in any way and Bynoe continues to operate in la-la land, holding talks with schoolchildren of all ages to explain future benefits of ‘Christian oil’ …whatever that is.

On the 25th August 2019, Dr. Bynoe release the eagerly awaited policy, which began with the disclaimer that “ this policy is limited in its scope to the upstream petroleum sector and currently is not intended to address directly or in their entirety the following policy areas: Mid and downstream petroleum sector opportunities, other policy issues related to the upstream petroleum sector— such as health, safety, security, environment, community impacts, tax and fiscal matters and other petroleum-related national issues, such as national development and planning” . This poorly constructed policy led to members of the

business community venting frustration. The American Ambassador responded and now we are in a tit-for-tat misunderstanding.

Guyana is years away from having capabilities for basic monitoring and verification of offshore activities, we will need many foreign firms to assist us, the more complex tasks will take even longer to master.

We cannot afford to succumb to xenophobic protectionism, similarly, foreign companies must be made to understand that we are not subservient, merely going through a phase of gross neglect and incompetence with the Granger administration at the helm.

Patience Madame Ambassador Lynch, Mr. Tucker et al. we will get through this soon enough.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

CORRECTING LINCOLN LEWIS’ FACTS ON SUGAR DEAR EDITOR, GTUC General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis in his column appearing in the September 01 Kaieteur News Edition, among other things, spoke about the sugar industry as he continued his public disagreement with Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo.

While we are aware that Messrs Lewis and Jagdeo have for some weeks now been caught up in a war of words regarding opinion and approach, the GAWU, at the same time, finds it necessary to correct some of the inaccurate statements made in the GTUC General Secretary’s column.

Mr Lewis charges that Mr Jagdeo, during his time as President, closed Diamond

Estate. This, however, is not true. The Diamond factory was closed in 1985 and a significant section of the estate’s cultivation was retired.

It was ironic that the factory was identified for closure in the first place having been upgraded just prior to its closure.

In fact, the Diamond factory has the distinction of having the first punt dumper installed in the industry. It appears that the closure of Diamond, like the recent closure of sugar estates, was not thoroughly considered but premised on whims and fancies.

The columnist also charged that the Diamond workers were represented by

leaders - Facebook, Twitter, and Google - are quick to state that hate speech is not allowed on their networks. Each points to their immediate efforts: “We remove content promoting violence or hatred against individuals or groups.”

That is helpful, but after the fact; damage is long done and not contained. A better standard would be to go beyond the identifiers of flags and block such incendiary material from seeing the light and spreading the contagious diseases of hate and violence. And blacklist them, so they are known and red-flagged by all platforms in the social media universe.

The networks must take more prohibiting action. Also, there must be closer collaboration with law enforcement to track serial abusers and inciters. In the current local climate, all right-thinking Guyana media watchdogs must be more than vigilant; they must come down hard and unsparingly on those individuals and groups that seek to divide and inflame toward still greater hatred. Behind the care, polite words in public, there are the infernos of animosity.

This society is already tormented by the sights, smells, and sicknesses of many cesspools. Why add or condone a brimming, poisoning social media - one that could overflow at the slightest encouragement?

Leaders and groups may think they possess the stomach and capacity to absorb and overcome whatever is hurled their way in the never-ending battle for supremacy. The reality is that things are clearly not so. The cesspool of hate could easily and quickly transform into a cauldron of the uncontrollable.

now Minister Khemraj Ramjattan in order to receive their severance. This too is not correct. It was the GAWU that approached the Courts for its intervention after the GuySuCo did not wish to respect the workers right to severance.

In fact, Minister Ramjattan, at that time, indicated to a Union leader that he could not find in the law the relevant section which supported the workers right to severance pay. Our Union later withdrew the Court action, after the then Government intervened in 2011 and ensured that the relevant law was upheld.

Moreover, many of the affected workers were offered employment at Wales Estate and continued to work there until that estate was closed at the end of 2016. Our Union has drawn attention to these facts on several occasions now.

Of course, Mr Lewis would well know that the incumbent Administration ignored the very section and forced the Union and the workers of Wales to approach the Courts for justice. As we well know, justice prevailed and the Court ruled in the workers favour which saw them belatedly receiving their severance payments.

Similarly, the workers of East Demerara, Rose Hall and Skeldon estates had some of their severance entitlements wrongly withheld.

It was judicial intervention initiated by GAWU that saw that wrong being righted.

The GTUC General Secretary said too that Mr Jagdeo “…closed down LBI estate.

Thousands of sugar workers

were put on the breadline”.

Again, this is not an accurate statement. In 2011, a decision was made to close the LBI factory.

The decision was taken against the backdrop of the improvement of the Enmore factory and the construction of the packaging plant which yielded a higher price for the sugar produced.

Of the workers affected by the closure, some were retained at LBI to work in the enlarged workshop that was created while the others were transferred to work in the Enmore factory and the newly constructed packaging plant.

There was a small number that opted for early retirement instead.

We hasten to point out that in April, 2016, the Corporation actually closed the LBI Estate, under the guise of consolidation.

In so doing, LBI Estate ceased to exist and a number of workers were shown the door. At that time, the Corporation contended that the decision was taken to safeguard the future operations of East Demerara Estate.

As is now well-known, just mere weeks after that decision, the Corporation and the Government announced its intention to fully close East Demerara Estate and put thousands out of work.

We hope that this serves to bring clarity to the reality of the situation at Diamond and LBI Estates and will assist fellow trade unionist Mr Lewis in his future writings on the matter.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

Thursday September 05, 2019

THE HYPOCRISY OF IT ALL DEAR EDITOR, Please permit me a space in your newspaper to respond to a letter that was published in another newspaper, dated August 28, 2019 titled, “APNU+AFC gov’t destroying the independence of our institutions”. In that letter, the Former President Donald Ramotar declares that, “In the last elections campaign, the APNU+AFC made many promises that they had absolutely no intention of keeping”.

APNU/AFC made promises in their manifesto that within 100 days after assuming office there will be numerous changes.

One hundred days may have been too short a period to institute sweeping changes from the mess, narco-state, money-laundering etcetera left by the PPP/C administration.

Despite the restrictions the Coalition faced, it avoided public fanfare and triumphalism, the Coalition Government steered the country forward as a stable and growing economy; promoted and defended its sovereignty and territorial integrity; restored respect for Guyana as a democracy in which all human rights and press freedom are protected; and supported and encouraged social cohesion among our multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, plural population.

Let me remind former President Ramotar that despite missteps, this Coalition government has worked collaboratively to ensure the journey towards fulfilling its promise to all Guyanese not just a few cronies, families and friends.

It was the PPP/C, which introduced VAT on the Guyanese populace and the Coalition promised to reduce it, which it did, the Berbice River Bridge toll was also reduced.

It is this government that has sought to ensure the independence of our constitutional bodies by passing leg-

islation that has struck down provisions which sought to undermine the independence of bodies and agencies like the Public Service Commission, the Police Service Commission, the Teaching Service Commission, the Parliament Office, the Office of the Ombudsman and the, now much maligned, GEOCOM to name a few. Why was this not done under your tenure as president Mr. Ramotar?

For Mr. Ramotar to accuse this Coalition Government of disrespecting the Constitution and “destroying the independence of our institutions” is plain hypocritical.

S i n c e t h e th r e e - m o n t h deadline after the No Confidence Motion would have expired in the due process of litigation, which was the Coalition’s right to pursue constitutionally. Political expediency must not trump the Rule of Law or is seeking legal re-

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Kaieteur News

course the exclusive purview of the PPP/C? Over these past four years, the policies and programmes of the Coalition Government have favourably impacted every aspect of life in Guyana, from the coastland to the hinterland, and in our riverain and indigenous communities.

No government before has done more within such a short span of time.

Mr. Ramotar makes me recall Matthew 7:5 where I will substitute brother’s with PPP/ C and APNU+ AFC: -”You hypocrite, first take the plank out of the PPP/C’s eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from the APNU+AFC ‘s eye.”

Oh, the hypocrisy of trying to take the speck out of the APNU+AFC’s eye while the plank has been in yours for 23 years Mr. Ramotar!

Sincerely yours, Ceion Rollox

No one appears to care DEAR EDITOR, I was listening the CNS TV Programme on 3rd September 2019, and was not surprised of complaints made against the GWI and GT&T. Therefore, as a follow up, I am sending a copy of a letter, which I wrote to GT&T on August 6 to which I have not received any acknowledgment. Complaints were made for several months now and this is the attitude of GT&T especially since they had the last CEO appointed to serve, I authorise you to publish this communication; especially since I have been paying lots of money wrongfully to GT&T without any recompense.

With regards to GWI, I have also had the cause to write to them along the same lines asking for an explanation with the high charges but received no replies.

I have a problem now thinking who I should vote for at the coming election, no one appears to care.

Yours very truly S.M.V Nasseer

Teachers are called upon to build student’s humanity not just their teachers help build their classroom skills student’s humanity, not just

DEAR EDITOR, Teaching is considered one of the world’s oldest professions, and throughout history, there have been some extraordinarily amazing teachers such as Plato, Socrates and Aristotle who is linked with saying “educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all”.

I am now a retired teacher with over three decades in the trenches of public education. Although I have certainly weathered my share of conflicts like every battletested teacher, I have found more praise than criticism for my unconventional teaching methods. Why? Simply because, caring about students is the most effective teaching tool that any educator can possess when it comes to caring for today’s youths.

Unfortunately, we live in an age and culture where it is not cool to care, and where emotionless education has become the norm rather than the exception. Today being a teacher is risky business.

Teachers are afraid that their

emotions will be misconstrued for impropriety, and reluctant to show students how much they as teachers truly sympathise, empathise and prioritise them in their lives. Shakespeare’s King Lear Act 3 Scene 4, says it best, “That way lies madness”. In current times, that way spells a lawsuit. When educators allow love to define their role as a teacher, they do not need to try to become a student’s parent, best friend, therapist or doctor.

Teaching is not about who we are to children, but instead about how we treat them. Being an empathetic adult makes us human.

There is no shame in sharing our humanity or acknowledging that of the students.

How can we create fully human individuals without it? In his book “Teacher and Child” Holocaust survivor Dr. Haim Ginott makes a plea to teachers. He explained how the barbarities he witnessed in a concentration camp were effectuated by educated people, and requested that

Consider city base DEAR EDITOR, The west side garbage contractor whose city contractual operations and other commitments have been affected due to the recent bridge mishap should now consider having a base in the city or environs east side of the river.

To not be able to fulfill its obligations because of a situation beyond its control brings little comfort to those who are dependent on the provision of service the company provides.

Shamshun Mohamed

their classroom skills. According to Ginott, “Help your children become human.

Your efforts must never produce learned monsters, skilled psychopaths or educated Eichmanns”. Reading, Writing and Arithmetic are important only if they serve to make our children more human. Inquiring of students how they are doing before diving into learning, conversing with them after school, laughing and listening to what they have to say, is how teachers can share their humanity with their students. Let it not be forgotten that knowledge without compassion creates a world of smart inhumane people.

Teachers, it is your duty to make your students more human. There is something about being human, which is entirely unique among the remainder of the animal kingdom. No other living creature has the capacity for original thought and creativity as humans do.

Yvonne Sam

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Kaieteur News

THE POLICE OF WEST SIDE ARE PROMOTING A CLASS SYSTEM DEAR EDITOR, I decided to pen this letter out of absolute frustration. As a resident of West Coast Demerara, I am forced to traverse the Demerara Harbour Bridge at least six days weekly. Those who live on the west side are aware of how torturous crossing the bridge is on mornings, particularly between 6-9 am. On the East Bank, the traffic is relatively well-managed. However, I cannot share the same commendations for our side.

Mr. Editor, I speak mainly about the way the police handles traffic leading up to the bridge on mornings.

First, several vehicles are allowed special privileges of accessing the bridge using a ‘special lane’. The list of people being given special privileges seems to be expanding. I voted for this administration because I was tired of people being exalted above the poor and ordinary man because they knew someone in authority. It, therefore, hurts to see the police allowing this to con-

tinue by allowing so many people access to the special lane because they know someone in the police force and may have some level of seniority in the government.

My view is that any special consideration to access the bridge should be afforded to emergency vehicles and government ministers. Everyone else should be made to join the line and toil in the gridlock traffic like the rest of us. I did some assessment of the situation, and it occurred to me that the regular line of traffic accesses the bridge much faster when there are not many vehicles in the special lane.

It can reasonably be concluded that allowing so many vehicles to access the bridge with special privileges may be further compounding the traffic flow problem.

Second, the way traffic is managed is unpredictable.

You can never say for certainty what time the additional access road will be closed or how many lanes will be utilised.

This brings me to my final point. The police allow four lanes of traffic to head to the bridge, but these lanes are forced to automatically merge into two lanes (during 7:05-7:25), and one lane otherwise.

However, the police make no intervention on how this merging will be facilitated.

This results in several scratches and scrapes as vehicles forge ahead.

I believe what is required on the west side are critical thinkers, brilliant officers who can adequately access the situation and bring order and predictability to the morning traffic. Above all, let us not have a Guyana, where citizens return to feeling that they must watch the privileged benefit from the easy life, while ordinary citizens sit and suck it u p .

I am hoping for some intervention from the Commissioner of Police and the President himself, who is being promoted as the champion of the people.

Peter Thom

The terror of hurricane Dorian DEAR EDITOR, It wrecks my heart to hear about hurricane Dorian in certain Caribbean territories and Florida. It affects me greatly as I reflect on the aftermath of the hurricanes that resulted in the massive devastation and destruction that these Caribbean territories have not so long ago experienced. We saw Antigua virtually wiped out, we saw the Bahamas, Bermuda, Jamaica and parts of Barbados virtually broken into smitherines.

We saw how people’s lives were affected, where hopelessness took precedence and caused havoc in the minds of men, women and children. Leaders were left broken, loss for words, personally devastated, because of their inability to help their own citizens that have put them in power.

One thing I take with pride and strength is the fact that our Caribbean people have strength and fortitude in their hearts and their souls to recapture their faith in God, and to magnetised hope again so that they may achieve and grow to provide comfort and security for themselves and their families. With the limited

resources in the Caribbean, our people were able to rise again in glory.

We saw Saint Martin and the Commonwealth of the Dominica that were significantly battered, shaken and broken, but because of the resilient style and class of our Caribbean people, they were able to rise again like a Phoenix from the ashes. And just as they were about to settle and feel a sense of accomplishment, here comes Dorian with its appendages of terror like a devil on a mighty crusade to create pain and havoc on our already grieved citizens of the Caribbean.

The great and magnificent Bahamas, land of refreshment and enchantment, a healing to the tired and aged, and refreshment to the human eye, has been lashed recklessly by Dorian as if with a vengeance.

It may have taken lives and properties, but I know my people, I know that they will rise again and build to face yet another devastation; hopefully not within the next year.

I thank God for Guyana, God’s own country as I like to say.

Sometimes, we forget our fortunes because of our special geographic position. While

we may suffer from minor storms, we don’t get earthquakes nor do we suffer from tsunamis. A hurricane is far from Guyana, land of love and many waters. Thank you God for the merciful, glorious Guyana. I urge our Caricom nations, particularly the Government of Guyana to rise to the occasion. Let’s start a mass collection of clothing, building materials, food stuff and let us all be there for our Caricom families. Let our hearts plead to the creator for mercy and strength in these testing times. To the victims of hurricane Dorian, I am thinking of you. I pray for a speedy recovery effort for those affected by this terrible disaster. I pray that God keeps you safe.

At this crucial time, I beg for the political hurricanes and earthquakes in Guyana to watch their words and antics and work for peace in society in the great land of Guyana. The world is watching. The Creator Lord of the worlds is watching.

Sincerely, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan Chairman/Founder RK’s Guyana Security Services

Thursday September 05, 2019

Guyana has lost over US$65M in investment DEAR EDITOR, It is with great pleasure that I come to you from Florida. I’m a Guyanese by birth and a proud Lindener.

I’ve been living in the U.S. for just over 25 years. Like any other bold and shrewd businessman, I’ve managed to make a name for myself. Today, my business of steel and welding fabrications is operating in six states throughout the US. My other venture, which is that of construction, is also rapidly proliferating in my home state.

A few weeks ago, at a social event, I ran into a good friend who also happens to be Guyanese. He is in the business of selling and distributing heavy-duty construction equipment. Like any other like-minded Guyanese businessman, our conversation was centred on the future prospect of our economy (thanks to oil, this is now a common topic amongst businessmen).

One thing we discussed is the construction sector.

There is no doubt, given the network of deplorable roads in Guyana, investment in public infrastructure by the next government would likely reach unprecedented level. In fact, I think sometime last year, the Minister of Communities mentioned that the central housing and planning authority would need an additional $58B to fully pave all the roads in existing housing schemes. And note, this is just the housing sector. We are yet to include the Soesdyke/Linden highway, EBD to ECD road linkage, etc.

To make things even better, we have an abundance of labourer who are readily available. Based on reports by the media, Venezuelans are almost everywhere and are eager to find jobs. Economically, this is good. Because of the large supply of labour, an increase in demand would have a mild effect on wages; meaning the government could invest heavily without the fear of stoking inflation. By keeping inflation in-check, the economy wouldn’t run the risk of overheating which is great news for investors.

Another area we looked at is how the oil windfall might affect the current investment climate in Guyana. And here is where the discussion gets quite interesting. For any production to take place, we need land, labour, and capital.

Guyana naturally is well endowed with an abundance of fertile land, and they are ubiquitous. And labour is also omnipresent. According to reports, over 30,000 sugar workers lost their jobs, and currently, there is an influx of immigrant (Venezuelans and other nationalities). So, the only problem is capital. To get

this, we need investors; preferable foreign investors. At the macro level, there is no such thing as too much private investment. On the other hand, too much government spending could crowd-out private investment.

The question now becomes, as potential investors should we invest? The short answer to this is a resounding NO! It’s simply ludicrous.

And I’m sure, hundreds of other foreign investors would share our view. First, political instability is any investor’s greatest nightmare. And in Guyana, the country is currently in political turmoil.

However, what is quite interesting about this specific “political turmoil” is that it is selfinduced by the government itself. When you have a government that fails blatantly to uphold the constitution of the land, like the David Grangerled administration, such gesture sends an obnoxious signal to investors. It tells us that that government cannot be trusted.

And lo and behold, we have already seen signs of such unscrupulous behaviour. Take for example the encounter with DIPCON. It is now public knowledge that the Minister of Finance singlehandedly blocked payments to DIPCON engineering company, a contracting firm, in the tune of billions of Guyana dollars.

DIPCON moved to the courts, and the Minister was subsequently ordered to “pay up or face jail”. However, neither of the two materialised. The President instead intervened and issued a Grant of Respite in relation to the judgment, and the Minister walked free. Hence, we remain resolute that it would be insane on our part to invest our hard earn savings into a country where the con-

stitution is trampled upon by the government.

The second major issue is the weak macroeconomic framework. Without a proper economic plan, our investment would be easily crowded-out or even obliterated due to the Dutch disease.

There is ample empirical evidence that points to the positive correlation between appreciation of exchange rate and dwindling manufacturing sector. In Guyana, I doubt it would be any different.

Now, could the same be said for the PPP? I guess not!

By all means, Irfaan Ali’s record as a statesman speaks for itself: he epitomizes progress with the transformational housing drive that unfolded under his tenure as Housing Minister. I could recall a visit to Guyana in 2012, two years after my last trip. I was astounded by the massive level of development that was taking place under the housing sector. Banks, fastfood outlets, supermarkets, malls were all scattered along the East Bank. Clearly, Guyana is in dire need for a leader of his calibre. And I say this with no reservation whatsoever; until a competent leader like Irfaan is in office, Guyana will never see our investment and countless others. The fact is we have no confidence in the Granger-led government.

Their incompetence and backwardness are overwhelming. So, thanks to them Guyana just lost over $65M USD in investment. And that is a conservative number.

And remember, “manufacturing is the engine of growth”, not Government. Oil will come and go, but factories will remain. My advice is, get Granger out! He is not good for business.

Thank you, Quincy Philips

THE CRIES OF A PUBLIC SERVANT DEAR EDITOR, I have been pondering for quite a while now on whether I should publicly express my disdain for the blatant lack of empathy and discrimination bestowed upon me by my employer at a government agency. I’ve recently completed my MSc and is now serving the government. Since my return, just under a year, I haven’t received an added cent in remuneration. On the contrary, my workload doubled and I still have the same job as I initially had before my departure to study. And to add insult to injury, my supervisor is a fresh graduate who has just completed his bachelors from UG. And best of all, I had to train him.

I made several complaints to PSM about my mistreatment, but nothing was done. It’s as if you have no one to turn to, but just endure. I must say, I’m quite disheartened and completely de-motivated.

My enthusiasm has now morphed into passive resistance.

And I’m not the only one. I know of tens of other young professionals, both Indians and Afro-Guyanese are going through the same. There is no future under this government for us. That is the sad reality.

Cheers, Saddened Public Servant

Thursday September 05, 2019

PAGE 7

Kaieteur News

MARAD to tighten regulations on vessels traversing Demerara River -strong tides reportedly pulled tug and barge into bridge after crew anchored vessel in restricted area Three days after a runaway tug and barge rammed into the Demerara Harbour Bridge, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) is recommending several stringent regulations for vessels traversing the nation’s rivers.

Kaieteur News has confirmed that a report with the MARAD recommendations is already in the hands of Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson.

MARAD is also conducting a probe into the circumstances that caused Monday’s mishap that resulted in millions in damage to the structure.

Initial reports had indicated that the Panama-

registered tug, Marina Oceanic and the barge, crashed into the structure after the tug’s engines failed.

However, sources close to the investigation said that it appears that the individuals operating the tug shut the engine off, and anchored the vessel “out of the anchorage point” (in an area where vessels are prohibited from anchoring) It is believed that the crew wanted to be among the first to pass when the bridge was opened for vessels to traverse. However, they apparently didn’t reckon with the strong tides.

“They may have wanted to be first when the bridge opens, (but) the current and the force of the water pushed

them into the bridge and they lost control of the tug,” a source said.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson confirmed yesterday that the owners of the vessels would have to bear the costs for the repair of the Harbour Bridge.

Officials are still to assess the costs, which will run into millions. “But it is not only the bridge; a young woman’s car has to be repaired. Also there is loss of revenue, since two days of revenue would have been lost,” Patterson added.

The Minister also confirmed that he had received MARAD’s proposals.

“We have notified the police, and MARAD

More than 60% of ‘Belt and Road’ projects allocated to Chinese companies - Little known about the processes for selecting them - World Bank Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was introduced in 2013 to build massive infrastructural projects in various countries. The move was intended to improve trade relations. But a number of signatories to the initiative have deemed it to be a debt trap cloaked with good intentions.

In an effort to help countries thinking of signing up for BRI, the World Bank has conducted an analysis that examines the inherent risks and opportunities.

One of the financial institutions many observations is that BRI offers countries, large infrastructure projects on a platter which can create

governance risks, including corruption and failures in public procurement.

Further to this, the World Bank said that the limited data it was able to access indicates that Chinese firms account for the majority of BRI contracts.

According to one estimate, the Bank indicated that more than 60 percent of Chinesefunded BRI projects are allocated to Chinese companies, but little is known about the processes for selecting those firms.

The World Bank said that moving toward international good practices such as open and transparent public procurement would perhaps in-

crease the likelihood that BRI projects are allocated to the firms best placed to implement them.

It also said that corruption risk varies across economies and correlates closely with the quality of domestic institutions. It noted that measures to reduce corruption include cooperation mechanisms to increase transparency in infrastructure projects and forms of community monitoring.

For over a year now, Kaieteur News has been at the forefront of exposing how the debt burden from Chinas BRI has been breaking the backs (Continued on page 11)

launched an investigation, and we even notified the people who hired the vessel that we will be seeking compensation.

MARAD PROPOSALS MARAD officials explained that there are already regulations in place which require the captains of vessels to notify authorities 72 hours before they come

into to port.

“But now they will have to also send information about the registration of the vessel, whether it is insured, whether the captain has a certified Masters Licence; and whether the crew is also licenced.”

This also goes for vessels that are going beyond the Harbour Bridge.

MARAD is also seeking to ensure that all barges are piloted by tugs that are adequate in size.

“Most barges can’t be operated by themselves. The size of the barge must correspond with the size of the tug. Some also need two tugs. “ MARAD is proposing that the owners of vessels notify officials about the size of tugs they require.

PAGE 8

Thursday September 05, 2019

Kaieteur News

Second NBS wrongful dismissal suit…

Lawyer grills former manager on credibility of $550M claim Attorney–at–law Devindra Kissoon yesterday called into question the $550M claim made by former New Building Society Manager, Kent Vincent, in the wrongful dismissal lawsuit.

Vincent, the Chief Executive Officer attached to Food for the Poor Guyana Inc., is leading the second lawsuit against the Society for wrongful termination.

NBS had faced a similar lawsuit filed by its former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Maurice Arjoon. The High Court ruled in favour of Arjoon, who had claimed that he and two his Managers (Vincent and Kissoon Baldeo) were set up and charged.

The trio had faced charges of conspiracy to defraud the NBS of $69M, back in 2007. The sum was allegedly withdrawn from an account belonging to a customer, Bibi Khan, using unverified bogus documents.

Arjoon had contended that the charges were trumped up.

Citing irreparable harm from the negative publicity and loss of salaries and benefits, Arjoon and Vincent moved to the High Court to seek redress.

Former NBS Manager, Kent Vincent

Attorney- at-law, Devindra Kissoon

In separate lawsuits, the former CEO and the former Manager each claimed $550 million in damages from NBS for the wrongful dismissal.

Vincent returned to the witness stand in the courtroom of Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane George as he faced further cross examination in the continuation of second trial, yesterday.

During the cross-examination, the attorney referenced several documents previously tendered as evidence in the trial. Included in the reference pile was the employment con-

tract, which Vincent signed with the Society.

“Do you recognize the document that you hold in your hand?”

“Yes I do.”

“Is that the contract you signed?” And you agreed to the terms of that contract?”

“Yes sir, that is correct.”

“You would have agreed to honestly and diligently comply with the rules of NBS?” “Yes sir, that is correct.”

The lawyer then asked the Plaintiff to give the court a breakdown of salary, benefits

The New Building Society headquarters and allowances that he was entitled to as an employee of the lending institution. He told the Court that the questions formed the basis of ascertaining how the Plaintiff arrived at a claim of $550M for his alleged wrongful termination.

Kissoon specifically pointed out that the salary,

benefits, allowances and pension combined could not amount to the multimilliondollar claim.

Alluding to the facts provided in the case, the lawyer noted that Mr. Vincent’s salary and allowances which included the monthly pay in addition to uniform, housing, entertainment, electricity, va-

cation allowances and a yearly bonus combined, would only amount to roughly $5M per year.

He suggested the calculation to the witness, who said that he could not be sure that is accurate.

The lawyer suggested further to Vincent that given (Continued on page 22)

Thursday September 05, 2019

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

A squandered opportunity The Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation did a commendable job in ensuring that the bridge was opened for traffic on Tuesday evening, and that the situation at the stellings did not get out of control. For those things the government can give itself a pat on the back.

However, in terms of an emergency response, the efforts of the authorities left much to be desired. As such, the government can be commended for the quick turnaround in effecting repairs to the bridge and in not allowing the situation at the stellings to get out of control. But the response can by no stretch of the imagination be deemed as an emergency response.

The bridge was closed to vehicle traffic on Monday

following an accident. A barge which was originally moored south of the bridge apparently broke free of its anchors and began drifting towards the bridge. By the time the SOS call went out, it was too late because Guyana does not have a fast-response marine section.

The barge collided into the bridge causing damage and forcing a closure.

Thousands of commuters who use the bridge each day were left with only the speedboats to provide transportation across the Demerara River.

The forced bridge closure represented a national emergency. The thousands of persons, including school children, affected and inconvenienced, the vehicles stranded on both sides of the river and the inability to

move goods and heavy vehicles from one to the other – which has now caused a garbage crisis in the city – all have combined to cause a national emergency.

In such a situation, emergency plans should have been put into effect which should have meant that Civil Defence Commission taking command of the situation, establishing multiple points for crossing and handling all the other contingencies which developed.

The Civil Defence Commission has to be ready for the next time something like this happens. They should have already simulated such an emergency and rehearsed their response.

There were major consequences to the closure of the bridge. West Demerara is an important link between Demerara and

Dem boys seh ...

Guyana got Tricky and Trawny There is a saying - No tricks; no living. Two men deh pun trial in de High Court fuh burning down a place and killing some people.

People does complain how dem got to spend a long time in jail before dem can get trial.

These two men been on trial; now dem got to go back in jail and wait fuh anodda trial.

De judge find out something and promptly abort de trial.

Anodda thing is how China getting into everything. Guyana know bout blackouts fuh nearly

forty years. All dem government spend millions of dollars to fix de problem.

When dem build de new Kingston power plant, Sam Hinds declare how blackouts will be a thing of de past. He probably did mean de past decades.

Every time dem open a power plant dem boys hear how blackout done. Now de government spending more money pun de electricity system. China alone did get a contract fuh develop a fibre optic system. It wuk part time.

Now China get anodda contract, but this time it got

to wuk wid India and Brazil to fix de electricity problem.

These three countries decide to join ranks. How dem gun share de money dem boys don’t know. Fuh sure, dem wouldn’t throw dice.

Dem boys hope de material come from Brazil because de shipping cost gun be less. If not, it should come from India because of de quality.

But dem boys want to know who Guyana gun claim any money from if de project fail.

Talk half and watch out fuh Tricky and Trawny.

Essequibo. A significant amount of agricultural produce, including from the Essequibo Coast and Islands, has to pass through West Demerara to get to markets in Demerara and Berbice. Goods and supplies from Georgetown for the hinterland communities would have also been disrupted. This was all the more reason why an emergency response, previously rehearsed, should have been put into effect.

In such a situation, the bridge becomes an important part of the transportation network connecting West Demerara to the rest of the country. This too should have ensured that an emergency response should have been immediately activated.

There was a response by the authorities,

including the bridge, the police and the coast guard, but this limited response cannot be classified as an emergency response. These are matters which should form a post-incident assessment by the government rather than trying to make excuses.

Another disturbing incident concerned the arrest of the captain and crew of the barge which had slammed into the bridge. It was reported that they were taken to the police. Now the damage to the bridge and the claims for recovery is a civil matter which has to be handled either through marine insurance or through civil action against the barge’s owners. So why were the captain and the crew taken to the police station? If true, this is totally unacceptable behaviour.

The problems of Monday are now behind us, but there are lessons to be learnt and improvements to be made. Contingency planning remains important, and there has to be an emergency response plan should something of this nature occur.

The bridge closure could have been a trial run for a future and more serious emergency.

Unfortunately, it ended up being a squandered opportunity.

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

PAGE 10

Thursday September 05, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Just in case you missed Sanjeev Datadin On Tuesday night, I hosted attorney Sanjeev Datadin on the programme on Kaieteur Radio named “The Legal Mind.” As the technical operator signaled it was time to close, I offered Sanjeev my opinion based on the action of the APNU and AFC leadership since the no-confidence vote (NCV) in December 2018.

I told him I see a tampered election coming up. I gleamed from the action so far of the political leadership of the government, a temperament of not wanting to give up power. Then I offered Sanjeev, my prediction. If the results show a APNU+AFC defeat, the APNU+AFC leaders will cite what they claim is an irregularity somewhere in one of the Regions, argue it could have changed the results, and file an election petition. The election petition will be the fulcrum on which they will not accept defeat, because they will argue that it is unwise to

leave government when the final court decision could prove that the contentious irregularity was illegal and did affect the shape of the election results.

I was walking my dog in the National Park the same day in the morning when Peter Ramsaroop approached me. Of course the GECOM controversy took up all of our exchange.

I gave him my theory which is outlined above. He intoned that he is concerned about rigging, but he thinks the PNC has a huge problem if they rig. He believes the PNC need to retain the AFC’s fifty thousand votes to win a minority presidency and since those votes are lost to the AFC, it will not be easy to acquire fifty thousand false or illegal or improper ballots.

Now interestingly, Sanjeev Datadin said he is pessimistic, but he doesn’t share the quantum of my pessimism. Then as we were

about to go off air, Sanjeev informed me of something I do not have access to. He described a horror show of hate taking place on social media by people who support APNU+AFC. He stated that these people are on a regime of dangerous incitement. He even cited the Chronicle.

I cannot see what Sanjeev sees on social media. I am really not interested in Facebook. I do not have a smartphone, though I must confess Glenn Lall agreed to buy the latest version for me, but I declined. From what the Chronicle publishes, I can comprehend the fear of Sanjeev. The editor of the Chronicle has far exceeded the excesses of the sycophantic editor under the presidencies of Jagdeo and Ramotar. Read the Chronicle since the NCV and those who criticize Exxon need to focus their attention on this tragic land that was self-destructive long before Exxon discovered

oil here.

Read what Barrington Braithwaite, Tacuma Ogunseye and Moses Nagamootoo said about the character of Charrandass Persaud and you will see an unchanging Chronicle, which personifies an unchanging tragic land. I am bamboozled by the insane frequency of the condemnations of Exxon, but no condemnation of the hate Sanjeev said is currently threatening Guyana.

Fortunately for me, I do not see the semantic miasma on Facebook , but I will cite an incident for you that tells me about the kinds of things Sanjeev has to watch on social media. My wife is a witness. She will never support a fiction I published in these columns and cite her as proof.

What you are about to read came from one of the most recognizable names in Guyana, the Caribbean Region and among Guyanese in

New York.

I was in the kitchen with my wife when he called me after the NCV. He described “everything” about the NCV. How much money Charrandass got, who were the key players (he even named the main actor -who he claimed was a female), how the deal was arranged. I was incensed . If he was not a friend I would have done a Ramjattan on him with the exclamation, “haul ya ass.” I simply asked how come he is far away in New York, and ruling politicians, journalists, business people and other strategically placed actors in Guyana did not have this information.

Brace yourself for a heart attack. You know what this well known, serious Guyanese personality told me? He said the top brass of the government knew about the Charrandass deal and how Charran would have

Frederick Kissoon voted. I will leave it at that.

If my friend wants to identify himself by replying to this article here well, the debate will begin.

If this influential personality can tell me such impossibilities, then I shudder to think what goes on social media. I guess I will be reading more and more about Exxon. Please! Please!

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

Thursday September 05, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 05, 2019

More than 60% of ‘Belt and Road’ projects allocated...

From page 7 of nations which signed up for it.

Sri Lanka for example was forced to sign over its strategically important Hambantota port to a Chinese state-owned company on a 99-year lease in 2017. The transfer of the port was to lift some of the enormous billiondollar debts Sri Lanka owed to Beijing, debts which came from loans that helped fund Hambantota in the first place.

Other countries which have landed in the same boat with Sri Lanka include Pakistan, Djibouti, the Maldives, Fiji and Malaysia.

(See link for further details: h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ category/chinas-modusoperandi/).

In spite of the revelations made by this newspaper and the international reports warning countries about the BRI being nothing more than a debt trap, Guyana still signed up it.

Other Caribbean nations which have done the same include Jamaica, Barbados, Ve n e z u e l a , C o s t a R i c a , Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, and the Dominican Republic.

Thursday September 05, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Fired Town Clerk Royston King to know fate today - as Judge sets to rule in unlawful dismissal case

By Feona Morrison

J

ustice Simone Morris-Ramlall is expected to hand down a ruling this morning in an application filed by Former Town Clerk Royston King who has taken the Local Government Commission (LGC) to court for unlawfully firing him.

King was fired in January following recommendations made by a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into operations of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, (M&CC). The CoI, which was headed by retired Judge Cecil Kennard, had recommended that King be charged criminally since he was cited for gross misconduct, abuse of office, recklessness, dishonesty, conspiracy, and misappropriation of funds.

As a result of the CoI's findings, King and several other council officials were sent on administrative leave, and subsequently King had his services terminated.

However, a few weeks after he was sacked, King moved to the court asking for a judicial review of the LGC's decision.

By way of a Fixed Date Application (FDA), King (the Applicant) through his lawyers Maxwell McKay and Patrice Henry, is seeking an Order of Certiorari quashing the decision of the LGC (the Respondent) to

summarily dismiss him from the post of Town Clerk for gross misconduct effective on January 23, this year.

The former Town Clerk is also asking the court to grant an Order of Mandamus compelling the LGC to reinstate him and/or immediately pay him all his superannuation benefits, inclusive of pension, gratuity, payments in lieu of annual leave up until he attains the statutory age of retirement on January 20, 2020.

King is also asking the court for an order that he be paid his superannuation benefits, cost and aggravated/exemplary damages for the deprivation of his benefits while on administrative leave, and pension rights under Article 149B of the Constitution, the right to work under Article 149A, which are properties under Article 142 of the Constitution and compensation for public embarrassment and humiliation.

Added to that, the Applicant is also seeking an order and/or declaration that the alleged charge of gross misconduct, and/or any other charge (s) is null, void and of no legal effect, and as a consequence the offences are not encoded in any schedule of offences under the LGC Act, or section 14 thereto, and ought to have been reported to the police

Retired Judge, Cecil Kennard

Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall

Former Town Clerk, Royston King

for an investigation and criminal charges, if necessary, instituted.

In addition, King is also asking the court for an order and/or declaration that his summary dismissal from his post as Town Clerk is incurably tainted by and is the consequence of a CoI report, conducted on September 24 to November 30, 2018, by Justice Kennard, is null, void, of no legal effect, and amounts to a nullity. King also wants interest calculated at 4% per annum from the date the FDA was filed up until judgment and at a rate of 6% per annum from the date of judgment up until fully paid on all money judgment, excluding costs, and any further or other order as the court may deem fair and just.

In his grounds for the application, King contends that the High Court has authority and jurisdiction to grant Orders of Certiorari and Mandamus against the LGC, which has no power to delegate its investigation functions to Justice Kennard, who he said is a stranger, and not a member of the Local government Organ, a staff or employee, as outlined in the Local Government Commission Act. According to the FDA, “The indecent haste by the Local Government Commission in summarily dismissing the Applicant without a hearing and on the recommendation of the CoI report, which terms of reference had nothing to do with the recommendations, and inadmissible hearsay

evidence was accepted and admitted and renders the dismissal nugatory.”

The FDA adds, “The Local Government Commission in summarily dismissing the Applicant took no evidence, acted solely on an unauthorized CoI Report which criteria for hearsay irrelevant evidence was rampant, and consequently this decision was disguised, as if an opportunity was granted to facilitate a hearing, when in fact same is cosmetic, null, void and of no legal effect.”

In an affidavit in support, King said that he began working at age 24 with the M&CC permanently and continuously from 1989, as an Environmental Health Assistant, up until, he became Press Officer, then

later Public Relations Officer, and finally Town Clerk at the time of his summary dismissal.

According to him, “My last appointment in the municipality was on July 14, 2015 in the capacity of Town Clerk for the city of Georgetown. While working in this capacity many challenges would have confronted the council and those which are relevant to my appointment. I would devise all legal and lawful methods to discharge my f u n c t i o n s e a r n e s t l y, conscientiously and sincerely in the best interest of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown.”

In fact, King, through the affidavit, is adamant that he never acted unlawfully, illegally or criminally during his tenure as a serving member of the M&CC to attract the attention of the police or any disciplinary authority. He says that he was never questioned by the police concerning the discharge of his duties. He further says that he executed his responsibilities consistently with his mandate under Section 77 (1) of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01 of the Laws of Guyana.

In the affidavit, King pointed out that he challenged the authenticity, validity and propriety as to (continued on page 22)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Thursday September 05, 2019

Repairs complete; Harbour Bridge allowing heavier trucks to cross

R

epairs are complete and as o f y e s t e r d a y, heavy trucks were being allowed to use the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

G e n e r a l M a n a g e r, Rawlston Adams, disclosed that there is an 18-tonne limit to vehicles until today, when normalcy resumes.

There will be no special crossings until further notice, with marine traffic to be allowed from this morning.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure again apologized to private businesses and essential services that were adversely affected by the closure and restricted access to unladen and fullyladen trucks on the bridge from Monday.

Shortly after midnight Sunday, a Panamanianregistered barge filled with materials and a tug drifted downriver from the Grove/Diamond area and slammed into the 41-year-old floating bridge.

It uprooted and broke several anchors and buoys, causing the bridge to be

shifted out of line and two spans to separate.

A car that was driven by a woman was stuck between the space that was created on one of the spans.

Guyana awoke to the news Monday morning, with the thousands of drivers on the West Demerara area caught in the confusion.

The bridge corporation worked round the clock, using over 50 persons to conduct emergency repairs.

On Tuesday afternoon, at 2pm, the bridge was reopened to light vehicular traffic.

With a number of the vessels bringing fuel for Sol and Rubis, there is worry.

The authorities were forced to depend on the old stellings at Vreed-en-Hoop and Stabroek to move thousands of persons.

A c c o r d i n g t o Government, it is moving to build a new bridge but that is a few years away, with the bid documents now being prepared.

The barge and tug owners will have to foot the bill for repairs, among other things.

Repairs have been completed on the Demerara Harbour Bridge with some degree of normalcy to resume today with regard to weight limits.

Draft Local Content Policy plan is essentially for...

From page 3 consultants.

He said this is consistent with the World Bank's regulations of July 2016, which was revised in November 2017 and further in August 2018.

Further, the Energy Department Head said that this process allowed for the use of a three CV process and

the subsequent assessment of the consultants based on their expertise and qualifications as well as their ability to deliver.

After this assessment, Dr. Bynoe said an evaluation report would have been completed and sent to the World Bank for its noobjection. Based on that, Dr. Warner who has no track

record of independently producing a local content policy for a country was selected as the “best candidate� to execute the consultancy.

In spite of the answers provided, Dr. Bynoe failed to say who were the other two individuals given the invite to submit proposals for the tender, who recommended

the individuals, what criteria were used to determine their ability to deliver, what level of due diligence was conducted on the invited consultants beyond the mere scrutiny of their work resume, and why three, and not all individuals familiar with providing such services to Guyana, were invited to submit proposals.

Thursday September 05, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 05, 2019

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 05, 2019

Mahaicony woman, 63, dies in Queens fire

A

Dundee, Mahaicony woman who suffered a massive stroke died in a fire at her Queens, New York home late Tuesday, the ABC New York news has reported.. Firefighters were called to the building on 219th Street in Queens Village as the flames quickly spread, and cell phone videos showed the intense flames shortly after 11 p.m.

Authorities say 63-year-old Azmin Jaomin who went by the name Azmin Shaw on her Facebook account, a former security guard who recently suffered a stroke and lived in the home with the help of a home health aide, was found dead after the fire was extinguished.

"She had a massive stroke, too, so her left side, her foot and hand were not working properly," her niece said. "Very nice woman, my aunt was a beautiful woman, beautiful. I'm so shocked to see that this happened to her."

The fire apparently began after the health aide left for the day, and Jaomin was trapped inside the home on the first floor and unable to get out. The home does have

Venezuelan migrant children being integrated into schools

A

Dead: Azmin Jaomin also known as Azmin Shaw other tenants, but it's unclear if they escaped or were not home at the time.

No other injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the medical examiner will determine the exact cause of death.

It is reportedly the second major fire to hit the family this summer.

PAGE 19

s the new school year began on M o n d a y , Ve n e z u e l a n m i g r a n t s expressed how joyful they are at their children's acceptance into local schools in the city of Georgetown and across Guyana.

Due to the current economic crisis in the Spanish-speaking neighbouring country, a number of citizens have migrated to Guyana in search of a better life, which includes quality education for their children. Although the problem exists of a possible language barrier, the Guyana's government has made it an objective to ensure that children of migrants are integrated into the local school system and are properly educated.

Yesterday Kaieteur News met with a few migrants whose children were accepted into various schools across Georgetown such as Sophia Primary School, Diamond Primary School, Ketley Primary School and a few privately-owned institutions n a m e l y, t h e A l l S t a r Elementary and the Caribbean First Class Elementary located in Charlotte Street.

These migrants were quite pleased with the efforts made by teachers and the schools to ensure that their children are well-integrated, well-taught and also learning English.

One mother said that her son was enrolled in January and has thus improved in his understanding of the English Language along with other subject areas. She also highlighted that he never

spoke English before, but now is able to associate and make friends in his class, and is even teaching her a few words in English. She is also quite grateful to his teacher for her dedication and also to the Government of Guyana for allowing her child the golden opportunity to continue his studies and someday become that engineer he longs to be.

Another woman expressed that her child began studies this month and a local Spanish teacher of the school was assigned to her to ensure that she understands what was taught during the day, and also aids in the translating of her homework.

Other migrants stated that they are quite pleased with the relationship that teachers are building with them in order to (continued on page 24)

Kwakwani main access road upgraded

T

The upgraded one-mile stretch of road in Kwakwani

he Ministry of Natural Resources has answered the call of the Kwakwani Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to have its main access road upgraded. The one-mile stretch of road that leads from the Kwakwani waterfront to the Kwakwani Park became a cause of concern for residents and loggers, who traverse it regularly.

Cort Simeon, a resident, explained that while the road upgrade may appear to be a small gesture, for Kwakwani residents it means a lot, since the livelihoods of many depend on the thoroughfare.

With the road in a deplorable condition, loggers have to spend more money to transport their logs, and truck owners also have to spend more on the servicing and purchasing of parts for their vehicles that are aected by daily traversing the road.

Regional Vice Chairman, Elroy Adolph, said that the community is very grateful for the upgrades, since the NDC does not have a grader or other equipment, to carry out those works. "This form of development on the coastland and the hinterland as well shows that the government cares, and we can be assured that they are making every eort to fulďŹ l promises made to make our lives easier," he said. In addition to the internal roads in Kwakwani, the Linden to Kwakwani trail is also being upgraded by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Extensive works were done on the road last year, but some amount of damage was created, during the recent rainy season.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, they want to ensure the Region 10 roads do not regress to their former state as was the case in the past.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Thursday September 05, 2019

Get compliant with industry standards and the oil companies can't rule you out

- GCCI tells local businesses

L

ocal businesses have been operating just fine for the level they're currently at. But when oil starts pumping, a relatively increased amount of cash will start coming in.

Companies are already here who operate on a global scale.

At that level, they expect the companies they do business with to hold their operations to certain standards.

While there is much advocacy for local content legislation, local companies have a part to play. To ensure those standards are met, local companies will need to secure certification.

Senior Vice President at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Timothy Tucker, said that if locals get compliant with global

industry standards, the international players can't rule them out.

“You will get contracts.”

Tucker said, during a press conference at the Chamber's headquarters, last Tuesday.

The Chamber had had its inaugural business development forum in 2018, which focused on making businesses competitive and compliant with industry standards.

Now, it has the second forum slated for September 27-28, 2019.

In a bid to establish a cultural emergence of Guyanese businesses onto the international stage, the Chamber is hoping to get micro, small, medium and large scale enterprises to all congregate for this critical forum, ahead of first oil.

Tucker explained, “If we take our largest corporations in Guyana and compare

them to the turnover of those companies, these are small businesses.”

GCCI is hoping to bring tools used all over the world to the local stage.

Executive Director of the Chamber, Richard Rambaran, said that at this juncture, information is key, and that local businesses need to understand where to position themselves in the Petroleum sector.

The forum will be held at the Savannah Suite, Pegasus.

To pull it off, GCCI has partnered with the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), Ansa McAL Group of Companies, Ministry of Business, Cacique Accounting College, Republic Bank Guyana Limited, and several others.

This year, the theme of the forum is “Evolve Your Brand, Fuel Your Finance”

and it will focus discussions on two main areas of business development.

The first, Marketing, will be headed by four speakers.

Vi s h n u D o e rg a o f ActionCoach Guyana; Rosh Khan of SocialRank Media; Rowen Willabus of IntellectStorm; and Sara Bharrat of Conservation International, will delve into various marketing issues.

The second area of focus for the forum will be

Finance, Projects and Investment.

The speakers are GCCI's very own Executive Director, Richard Rambaran; Lyndell DanzieBlack of Cerulean Inc.; Ramesh Persaud of Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED); Fazal Bacchus of Cacique Accounting College; Nigel Deosaran of Aspire Investment Group; and Eric Hansen from the Inter-

Senior Vice President of GCCI, Timothy Tucker American Development Bank, who will present on Opportunities in the budding Oil & Gas Sector.

North R/veldt Multilateral enjoys fruitful CSEC 2019

Eight of the standouts pose with their Headteacher, Ms Allison Cosbert (seated at left) and Ms. Donessa McDonald, Head for the Business stream

2

019 will go down as a record-breaking year for North Ruimveldt Multilateral School in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Exams, with an overall pass rate of 80% from grades 1-3, with 41 students having registered. The school is said to offer 24 subject areas, and the results are being viewed as a significant achievement given the stigma that was attached to the school which in some cases saw students being transferred.

The top CSEC student for the school this year, Erykah Baptiste, secured 11 subjects seven grade ones and four grade twos. An aspiring accountant, the young lady emphasised that success for her was not possible without the help and motivation from her teachers and parents.

“All the teachers were behind us, especially 'Sir' Quacy. He would be there during middays, and if passed by the class and saw we had nothing to do, he would give

us work,” she reflected.

Baptiste revealed that she applied to the Bertram Collins College of Public Service, and when asked why, she said “For me, it is a better opportunity… and this whole thing with unemployment… when you go through the college you are sure that you will get a job at the end”.

The second best performing student, Johanna Davidson secured 11 subjects with six grade ones, four grade twos and one grade three, while Daniel Wharton, one of two boys who were standouts, wrote nine subjects and gained three grade ones, four grade twos and two grade threes.

Other top performing students are Mikaela Folkes, Shanique Morris, Savannah Austin, Faith Fraser, Aaliyah Trotman, Abigail Barkoye, Zishel Williams and Shaquan Greene, all who secured grades one to three in their subjects.

According to the Headteacher, Miss Allison Cosbert, The school's

matriculation rate - that is, passes in five subject areas along with Maths and English has improved with a 71% pass rate. She even explained that the school was commissioned in 2015 as an 'A' List school because of their CSEC performances over the years.

The school saw 100% passes in 15 subject areas English, Agricultural Science, Family and Resource Management, Electronic Document and Preparation Management, Principles of Business, Office Administration, Technical Drawing, Mechanical Engineering and Information Technology.

“We place much emphasis on Mathematics and English and that is why I think 71% of them were able to gain passes in those and in other subject areas,” the Headteacher said.

It was noted that the school currently has a population of a little over 400 students and is in need of upgraded computers and more textbooks that cater to the curriculum.

Thursday September 05, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Guyana to help hurricane-ravaged Bahamas The Government of Guyana through the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has activated its response mechanism to facilitate assistance and support for the Caribbean island of the Bahamas, which has suffered devastating effects from Hurricane Dorian. Director General of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, said that he will be meeting with members of the Private Sector Commission today, with the view of mobilizing and dispatching resources to the hurricane-ravaged island.

He noted that the Minister of State Dawn Hastings-Williams has been updated on the situation and has already briefed Cabinet on Guyanas prepared-

ness to respond.

Colonel Craig said that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency ManagementAgency (CDEMA) is monitoring the effects of Hurricane Dorian. The Rapid Needs Assessment Team (RNAT) located in the Bahamas has prepared a pre-impact analysis, in collaboration with the national lead agencies, which is currently being reviewed by the Government of the Bahamas through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The devastation is reportedly unprecedented and extensive, with many homes, businesses, vehicles and other buildings completely or partially destroyed. According to the Direc-

tor General, water pumps, reverse osmosis plant, bladder tanks, generators and hygiene kits were the immediate needs identified by the country, but the most appropriate need at this time is financial support. He noted that the CDC plans to establish accounts at various commercial banks in Guyana so persons can make donations for relief efforts in the island. The accounts information will be circulated as soon as they are made available.

The monies raised would be used to support response teams deployed, establish and manage shelters, and procure relief supplies.

The commission will also be reaching out, through the Min-

istry of Foreign Affairs, to Guyanese living in the Bahamas, who were impacted, to determine what level of support is needed.

Additionally, the CDEMA has made a request for an oil and gas specialist in refineries to be identified within the member states, so they can be deployed to the island as part of the RNAT. The CDC is in contact with the Department of Energy and other key partners to identify such an expert.

On Sunday, September 1,

Hurricane Dorian, a category five storm, made landfall on the Bahamas at Elbow Cay, Abacos Islands at approximately 12:40hrs with 185 mph winds. On Tuesday, September 3, it downgraded to a category 3 hurricane, still exhibiting slow forward movement.

As such, the impact to Grand Bahama lasted several days. The total population affected on Grand Bahama and Abacos Islands was estimated to be 76,278.

Seven persons have been confirmed dead.

In 2017, when the category five Hurricane Irma and Maria struck the U.S Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, the CDC received more than $20M worth in much needed relief supplies from the members of the Private Sector Commission and the Government of Guyana.

The hurricanes, which were only two weeks apart, were deemed the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since Mitch in 1998, with a total of 3,193 fatalities.

PAGE 22

Thursday September 05, 2019

Kaieteur News

Fired Town Clerk Royston King to...

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FOR SALE

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PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

From page 13 the appointment of the CoI, its Chairman and its findings. He added, “I attended the aforesaid Commission of Inquiry, under protest, since it was unlawfully appointed and in breach of the Local Government Commission Act (supra) Laws of Guyana.” According to him, on January 7, 2019 he received another letter from LGC Chairman Mortimer Mingo under the heading 'laying of complaints/ disciplinary charges'.

He recalled that immediately after receiving the letter, he contacted his lawyers and attended a meeting with them.

He added that his lawyers pre-

2 Bedroom B/Flat apartment @ 39 Ujwana H/S LBI E.C.D.Price $50,000 per month.Preferably working couples Contact:694-2398 PROPERTY FOR SALE (1) 3 bedroom house located at Middle St, Stewartville.

Tel#625-3299/268-3129 WANTED Seamstress. Contact: 6911918. Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm Experienced Workers for Land Dredge and 1 cook for Interior.Tel#629-8280 1 Private female tutor to teach grade 5 girl, preferably from East Bank.Call:616-3952.

Front end loader operator for interior location. #223-5273/4 Black Kakaralli Piles 65 ft long #223-5273/4 One cook to work in a bar #679-2612 Preferable from West Bank Demerara.

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WANTED

VACANCY

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Vacancy exist for a Spanish Teacher- must be able to teach (2 & 7) years old. Call: 600-6887 for more information

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pared a letter dated January 8, 2019 which was addressed to the Chairman of the Local Government Commission.

At that time, King said his lawyer was an integral part of a team of lawyers in the No Confidence Motion constitutional matter which was before the High Court. He also said that because of the magnitude, complexity and importance of that matter, its preparation and presentation precluded him (his lawyer) from attending a January 11, 2019 meeting with the commission.

The Applicant said that this was communicated to the commission and an extension of seven days was granted. He stated that within the stipulated period the said constitutional matter intensified, and despite his plea for a further date after a ruling was rendered in the matter, he was dismissed.

He said, “I pleaded with the commission for another adjournment, and even cited the volume of charges which would have required several adjournments to conclusively conclude the meeting, but this necessary facility was promptly refused despite me having a lawyer on record.”

Among other things, the Applicant contends that he

was advised by his lawyers and does verily believe that his summary dismissal is null, void, and of no legal effect, and ought to be set aside, quashed and disregarded.

King notes that since his unlawful dismissal, he is embarrassed, unemployed and deprived of his pension rights.

Further to this, he says that he is not a contracted employee and as such has a legitimate expectation to be treated fairly, equally and in conformity with Article 149A of the Constitution, otherwise his right to work will be violated. King noted, “I was advised by my attorney-at-law and do verily believe that I am entitled to all the benefits, reliefs and/or remedy aforementioned having regard to the circumstances of my application and evidence…”

It his contention that the allegations leveled against him were criminal in nature, but unlike the universally unaccepted principle of equality, transparency and equity, the LGC acted as judge, jury and executioner in its own cause, as opposed to calling in the police and obtaining advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, since state assets and monies were allegedly involved.

Lawyer grills former...

From page 8 the terms of the agreement, he signed with NBS, in the scenario of termination from duty, the most he would be entitled to, is three months’ salary, which would have been about $1,725,000 back in 2007.

Again, the Plaintiff replied that he was not certain.

The lawyer later asked the witness if he knew what his benefits would have been had he left the Society.

The line of questioning met with objections from Vincent’s Attorney, Robin Stoby S.C. Stoby described the question as hypothetical and unfair. Chief Justice George found Stoby’s objection to be fair, given the fact that Mr. Vincent had not voluntarily left the institution but was fired. She gestured the attorney to move on from the question.

The attorney therefore went on to ask the witness about his familiarity of the NBS pension scheme.

“The NBS pension scheme is governed by rules?

“Yes sir,” replied Vincent, admitting that he has very little knowledge of the rule.

Asked to give a breakdown of his contribution to the scheme, Vincent told court that during his 13 years of employment at NBS, a monthly deduction was remitted to the scheme.

According to the witness, the deductions amounted to

6 per cent and his then employer would double that, making it 12 percent.

The former Manager said, however, that he could put a figure to his employer’s contribution to the scheme.

“I cannot say for sure what that figure would be.”

The witness was later questioned about his familiarity with the institution’s system manual, as it relates withdrawals.

He agreed that two senior officials had to approve the withdrawal.

“You are saying that the relevant documents must be forwarded for approval by senior officials before a transaction?”

“Yes that is correct!”

“So, someone could not walk into NBS with the photocopy of an ID card for the purpose of transaction?” asked the lawyer before his question was met with objections from the court.

“What is the relevance of the question in this trial?” asked the Chief Justice “The relevance is in relation to authenticity of the document used in the transaction,” Kissoon responded “But there is nothing in this case about a photocopied document … only stick to the relevance Mr Kissoon,” cautioned the Chief Justice, just before the matter was adjourned.

The trial is expected to continue at the High Court today at 1:30 pm.

Thursday September 05, 2019

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Patients, caregivers edified on how to live productive lives pre- and post- stroke With the aim of ensuring that the Guyanese public, caregivers and more importantly patients are “strokesmart”, the Palms Rehabilitation Department and the Ministry of Public Health yesterday hosted a programme titled, Stroke Survivors Forum.

The forum, which commenced at 9:00hrs yesterday at the Palms Geriatric Home on Brickdam, facilitated discussions on strokewhat it is, its causes, risk factors, what one should do when a stroke attacks them, and the myths that surround the disease.

While the disease remained the topic of the day by the staff at the rehab centre, more attention and light was shed on healthy living, treatment and therapy that are offered at the Palms after a person is unfortunate to be affected by the disease.

Kaieteur News spoke with physiotherapist at the centre, Ms. Findlay, and she reiterated that prevention of the disease is pivotal to a healthy life. She stated that with practicing a stable blood pressure, low sugar intake, a healthy diet and exercise, one can prevent ones self from getting a stroke, or any disease for the matter.

Findlay was keen to note and point out some myths circulating in Guyana that are associated with strokes.

“A stroke can affect anyone at any age. You dont have to be 40 or 50 years of age to experience one. Another

Some of the participants at yesterdays forum

thing is that a lot of people think that a stroke can happen in the heart or in the hand and thats not true. Its a brain injury and whatever area the brain controls, that is where is affected.”

Discussions were also conducted on the patients lifestyle, behavioral changes, depression, and communication problems.

Findlay says that “all of these things happen after a stroke, and we want our patients to be stroke-smart, to know what to do, and to encourage them.”

Vanessa Wickham, who is also a physiotherapist, was

tasked with informing the patients on the importance of physiotherapy to them, poststroke.

“I had to emphasize why they should do their exercises, the exercise prescriptions, and how frequently they should be doing their exercises, the intensity of the exercises, type of exercises, and the amount of time they should spend doing their exercises, and benefits.

Walk or jog for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, can do so much for you. Even after therapy has been completed they still need to be doing their exercises

to maintain what they would have gained through therapy,” Wickham related.

She added that many of the patients who arrive at the rehab centre start in wheelchairs, but after treatment they progress to using walkers, some graduate to canes, and some even walk without assisting devices.

“The only issues we

have with those patients who do not exercise are the ones who are depressed or those who dont have a good supportbe it family or caregiver.

But those who want to be reintegrated into society, they do their part. They would come here, do their exercises, and follow their home exercise programme.

These programmes are just

to reinforce their drive for physiotherapy.”

Peggy Julian, 58, who experienced her first stroke in May of this year, was quite enthusiastic about the forum and the information gathered from it. “My stroke affected me in the left side of the body, and it has been very rough. But the therapy here at the centre has been very good.”

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 05, 2019

Lawmakers furious after learning how military will pay for Trump’s wall Washington (CNN) - The Pentagon’s announcement that it will divert $3.6 billion in military construction funds to help fund President Donald Trump’s border wall has sparked bipartisan anger from lawmakers who learned Wednesday that their states will be impacted by the decision.

Domestically, just under $1.8 billion is being shifted away from projects in 23 states and three US territories.

Additionally, the Pentagon will defer more than $1.8 billion in military construction projects overseas to free up over $3.6 billion in funds for 11 wall projects on the southern border with Mexico, according to a complete list obtained by CNN Wednesday.

In total, 127 domestic and overseas projects are being put on hold to help fund the wall that Trump initially promised would be paid for by Mexico.

Among the s i t e s a f fected are facilities used to store hazardous waste, repair Navy ships and conduct cyber operations, that had been identified as being in need of repair or additional construction.

Puerto Rico was among the hardest hit of all US

Military to pay for Trump’s wall

states and territories as it will see more than $400 million in funding for planned military construction projects diverted to the wall under the Pentagon’s plan.

Trump has consistently sparred with Puerto Rican officials while he’s been in office following 2017’s Hurricane Maria.

Overseas, $771 million in projects at various locations in Europe will be impacted.

These projects, including airfield upgrades and staging areas in Eastern Europe, are meant to improve the defense of US allies from Russian threats.

“All these projects are important to us but we also have

to respond to the emergency we’ve been directed to respond to on the southwest border,” a senior US defense official said Wednesday.

“Projects on the list have either existing capabilities or temporary solutions to mitigate any delays, all projects on the list are important and we will work with Congress to support them,” the official said while adding that there are no “guarantees” that the money will in fact be back filled.

Defense officials said Wednesday that there is no guarantee any of the money will be replaced for domestic or overseas projects. On Tuesday, chief Pentagon spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman said the Defense Department will not be seek-

ing congressional funds to backfill the reprogrammed funding for overseas projects.

Bipartisan criticism The Pentagon notified individual lawmakers from states that will be impacted Wednesday, sparking bipartisan criticism. Utah’s Republican senators, Mitt Romney and Mike Lee, expressed their concerns in a joint statement after learning military construction funds for projects at Hill Air Force Base would be reprogrammed.

Specifically, they were told that $26 million was being diverted from Hill AFB Composite Aircraft Antenna Calibration Facility and another $28 million from the Utah Test and Training Range Consolidated Mission Control Center.

“In April, Senator Lee and I expressed our significant concerns to the Secretary of Defense regarding the potential diversion of funds for critical military construction projects in Utah,” Romney said. “I’m disappointed that despite those concerns, two key military construction projects totaling $54 million will be delayed as a result of the February 2019 emergency declaration.

“Congress has been ceding far too much powers to the executive branch for decades and it is far past time for Congress to restore the proper balance of power between the three branches,” Lee said. “We should start that process by passing the ARTICLE ONE Act, which would correct the imbalances caused by the National Emergencies Act,” Lee added.

Venezuelan migrant children being...

From page 19 ensure their children's safety and wellbeing in school.

They further stated that they noticed major improvements especially in area of understanding and speaking the local language of English.

In an interview with Kaieteur News yesterday, Mr. Brushell Blackman, Senior Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ministry of Education, stated that his ministry has implemented a Language Training programme for teachers in order to equip them to offer classes in Spanish and other languages, and is currently seeking to broaden or extend this perspective in schools across the country. He also added that migrants have to go through the mandatory registration

process in order to enroll their children, who are then placed in schools that are in proximity to their respective communities, along with the availability of a Spanish teacher in the school's staff.

Mr. Blackman also went on to highlight that the ministry is currently in the process of identifying schools that have the most population of Venezuelan migrant-students in order to implement training for teachers among other systems to accommodate better learning for the Venezuelan nationals.

One such school that has a large number of Spanishspeaking students is the Stewartville Secondary School located on the West Coast of Demerara. According to Blackman, this school

has been equipped with Spanish teachers not only to teach Spanish as a foreign language, but also to help the Spanish nationals to integrate in the school's society and curriculum.

He also claimed that the acceptance of the Spanishspeaking migrants into our schools is very beneficial and can be called a mutual relationship, since Spanish is taught as a foreign language in our schools at the CSEC level. In other words, with Spanish-speaking students in local classrooms the opportunity is there for Guyanese students to have firsthand knowledge of the foreign language through interaction which will better equip them to be successful at their Spanish Exams.

Thursday September 05, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 05, 2019

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam to withdraw extradition bill (BBC) - Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has said she will withdraw the highly controversial extradition bill which has triggered months of protests. The proposal, introduced in April, would have allowed criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China. The bill was suspended in June but Ms Lam stopped short of scrapping it.

Full withdrawal was one of five key demands of protesters, who also want full democracy. Some rejected Ms Lam’s move and vowed to keep on protesting.

In a televised address on Wednesday, Ms Lam also announced other measures that appeared to be designed to soothe unrest.

She said two senior offi-

cials would join an existing inquiry into police conduct during the protests.

An independent investigation into alleged police brutality against protesters is another of the activists’ key demands.

On Monday, Ms Lam was heard on leaked audio tapes blaming herself for igniting Hong Kong’s political crisis,

and saying it was unforgiveable of her to have caused such huge havoc.

The extradition bill quickly drew criticism after being unveiled in April. Opponents said it would undermine Hong Kong’s legal freedoms and might be used to intimidate or silence critics of Beijing.

Hong Kong is now in its

14th successive week of demonstrations, and saw fresh violence between police and activists last weekend.

What did Carrie Lam say?

In her pre-recorded message Ms Lam said the government would “formally withdraw the bill in order to fully allay public concerns”.

She said the protests had

“shocked and saddened the Hong Kong people” and the violence was “pushing Hong Kong towards a highly dangerous situation”.

“No matter what discontentment the people have towards the government or the society, violence is not the way to resolve problems,” she said.

Venezuela military exercises on border a ‘threat’ - Colombia minister BOGOTA (Reuters) Venezuela’s planned border military exercises are a direct threat to regional stability, Colombia’s foreign minister said yesterday, as the neighbouring countries renewed their frequent verbal sparring over security.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro late on Tuesday ordered the armed forces to be on alert for a potential attack by Colombia and announced military exercises on the border, after a group of former guerrilla commanders said they would rearm.

Thursday September 05, 2019

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

Bad boy Medvedev too good for Wawrinka

Daniil Medvedev of Russia waves to the crowd after his match against Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland (not pictured) in a quarterfinal match on day nine of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament. (Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)

NEW YORK (Reuters) Daniil Medvedev may not win any popularity contests at Flushing Meadows but remained on course for a U.S. Open title on Tuesday, taming Stan Wawrinka 7-6(6) 6-3 3-6 6-1 to reach his first grand slam semi-final.

The villain and hero roles for this match could not have been more clearly defined if the Russian bad boy and the even-keeled Swiss were wearing black and white cowboy hats.

Wawrinka may not be as popular as his countryman Roger Federer, but “Stan the Man” has earned considerable respect, along with three Grand Slam titles including the 2016 U.S. Open, for a workmanlike approach to his craft.

Medvedev has not just accepted the villain role but

Thursday September 05, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) If you meet new people today, Aries, be careful. Some can appear interesting because they're bold or dangerous. Perhaps they do things you'd never dream of doing.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You might have to make a choice between telling the

truth and a lie. Sometimes this can be a difficult choice, especially if you're afraid

you'll hurt someone's feelings.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Kindheartedness is wonderful, but being taken advantage of can be a danger. You really need to trust your instincts to keep this from happening.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You have an intense nature.

You probably feel things deeply and spend time lost in thought. Too much intensity can take a toll on your well-being.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Consider putting your problem-solving skills to the test today, Libra. You have a real flair for investigating situations and figuring out what happened.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Scorpio, try not to be fooled by others. If you don't know a person well and you aren't sure about him or her, trust your instincts.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) It can be very easy to get carried away today, Sagittarius. You might get caught up in some excitement. You need to use your head on a day like this. Double-check everything and moderate your activities.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The energy you feel today may have you so jittery that others don't know what to do. The day's aspects can really bring a boost and you'd be wise to plan to do things so you have an avenue to spend it all.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Feed your mind today, Leo. While you enjoy being active and social, you do get bored quickly. You'll need to give yourself a constant supply of intriguing, fresh material in order to feel your best.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Venturing into something completely new and different may be what you need, Aquarius. You have a solid practical side, but the need for excitement and adventure is likely just as strong.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) If you're trying to prove you have something valuable to offer, Virgo, think this through. You're naturally friendly and can get along with almost anyone.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Learning about things that interest you most is something you may want to do today. At work and home, there's a schedule to tend to.

embraced it, harnessing the negative energy and using it to fuel a run to the quarterfinals.

The Russian fifth seed was greeted by a chorus of boos when he stepped out onto Arthur Ashe, but it was far from an intimidating welcome with the massive stadium sparsely filled for the early session.

There is seldom a need to urge any New York sporting crowd to express their opinion yet while Medvedev did not win many friends, neither was he lustily showered with jeers as he had been in earlier matches.

In his third-round win over Feliciano Lopez, the 23year-old Russian angrily snatched a towel from a ball person, threw his racket and showed the crowd his middle

finger, which led to fines totaling $9,000 and a shower of boos.

The match ended with Medvedev, arms raised amid a chorus of jeers, sarcastically thanking the spectators at Louis Armstrong Stadium then telling the New York crowd to bring it on.

The crowd let him have it again after his fourth-round win over Dominik Koepfer on Sunday when he performed a dance after match point.

There were none of those antics or sparring with the crowd on Tuesday as a focused Medvedev put his head down and got on with the job.

“I have to say sorry guys and thank you,” said a sheepish Medvedev, extending an olive branch to the crowd. “I have two words (to describe

the U.S. Open).

“First one for sure electric because it is electric and second controversy because what I have done is not good.

“So many people support me still, so many people like my interview, so many people dont like me and I can just say I try to be myself guys.”

Despite nine double faults, two foot faults and an injury time out to have work done on his left thigh, Medvedev somehow managed to snatch the opening set with an 8-6 tiebreak.

Having reached three consecutive ATP Tour finals coming into Flushing Meadows, including a win in Cincinnati, Medvedev looked much more like the hottest player in tennis in a dominant second set.

The lanky Russia got his serve under control, avoiding any double faults, and secured the early break before opening a two-set lead against an increasingly frustrated Wawrinka.

Yet the barrel-chested Swiss is nothing if not a battler and broke Medvedev at the first opportunity in the third before holding on to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Medvedev, however, grabbed the early break in the fourth and a second to go 5-1 up before closing out the match with a cheeky lob.

Henrietta edge Dartmouth...

From page 33 his club at the best venue on the Essequibo Coast, it would certainly not be the last.

NAMILCOs Finance Director, Mr. Fitzroy McLeod also congratulated the champions, reminding that his company has been making the rounds to ensure the development of Guyanese sportsmen and women. ”As the title sponsor for this League, we are very pleased to see Essequibo completing yours, given the challenges we would have been experiencing with the rain. Lots of talent has been coming to the fore as a result of this investment we have made with the Guyana Football Federation. We will continue to put the enhancement and empowerment of our young people at the helm of what we do as a company.”

Also sharing the moment was NAMILCOs Personal Assistant to Managing Director Bert Sukhai, who was unavoidably absent, Mr. Atomaram Lakeram who expressed his companys gratitude to Baksh and the Imam Bacchus group for being gracious hosts.

Kaieteur News

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Thursday September 05, 2019

Warriors battle Zouks in CPL clash tonight at Providence Warriors Coach says taking one game at a time

T

he St Lucia Zouks defeated Guyana Amazon Warriors by five wickets at Providence in their first match against each other in CPL T20 cricket back in 2013, while the last time they met at Daren Sammy Stadium last year, St Lucia again won by six wickets.

And when the bell rings this Evening at 18:00hrs what is anticipated to be a capacity partisan crowd will be expecting a winning start for the home team, which oppose St Kitts & Nevis Patriots on Saturday and Barbados Pride on Sunday in their first three matches.

Skipper Sammy, the first St Lucian to play Test Cricket, says he is focused on leading Zouks to its first title this year, while using the seventh edition of the Hero CPL, as an audition to get back into In-

ternational cricket.

Sammy, who has had lukewarm tournaments over the last two seasons, said he is aiming to lead from the front.

The experienced 35-year Sammy has played 68 T20 Internationals and led West Indies to their only two T20 World Cup victories.

Apart for Guyanas IPL trio this year, Chris Barnwell joins Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shiv Chanderpaul as the only other Guyanese to play in the IPL. Tonight Barnwell is to set play for the visiting team which Sammy described as the most consistent team; reaching the semis twice in addition to their four runnersup placing.

Sammy said that Barnwell brings experience to the team and if he plays tonight he is expected to perform well.

Warriors Captain Malik

said that while he agreed with Sammy on the Warriors consistency, the team was taking one game at a time to reach the semis and take it from there.

For the first time in the history of the CPL, the Warriors have eight local players in their squad including the three 22 years and under who participated in the 2019 IPL. “We are not looking so far ahead (winning the CPL) and we don t have senior and junior players when we are on the field,” informed the 37year-old Pakistani.

“Those players who have played many International games will look to mentor the young players to help prepare them for West Indies teams,” Malik explained when asked about his relationship with the young players.

Sherfane Rutherford, who

AIU will not appeal USADA decision to withdraw charge against Coleman

turned 21 last month, 21-yearold Keemo Paul and 22-yearold Shimron Hetmyer have all played in this years IPL, but Hetymer had been off the boil since the IPL. When asked what was Hetmyers role as Director of batting Head Coach Johan Botha said he was unaware that it was an official role but added that the Berbician carried the batting last year but this year he has several others who are capable of helping him.

“We have three local players who have just played in the IPL and thats a plus for us and if everyone does well then its a bonus but if just a few perform we will have enough performers to win matches.”

The Warriors had two practice matches on Monday when Brandon King made 66 and Chanderpaul Hemraj (44) added 88 for the first wicket in 7.2 overs and another on Tuesday but the games were marred by the malfunctioning of some of the lights on Monday and a complete Blackout after the Warriors innings had ended which resulted in Tuesdays game being abandoned.

On a track which had some

grass on it yesterday, the ball should come onto the bat more than it did in the practice games but Pakistan legspinner Shadab Khan, who had 3-14 in the last Warm-up game and off-spinners Malik and Australian Chris Green, who could get plenty of support from the fans in the Green stand, could be the Warriors main weapon.

Ben Laughlin, Keemo Paul and Romario Shepherd should offer pace support while King, Hemraj, Malik, Hetmyer, Rutherford, Nicolas Pooran (who do the wicketkeeping duties) and the allrounders should provide the bulk of the runs for the Warriors.

Andre Fletcher, John Campbell, Andre McCarthy, all rounders Thisara Perera from Sri Lanka, Rakeem Cornwall, S a m m y a n d Barnwell could do batting, while Krishmar Santokie who replaces Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga for the first two games, could lead the bowling attack.

The Warriors also has a replacement with Qais Ahamad coming in for Saurabh Netravalkar who is representing the USA at the International level.

The West Indies four West Indies players (Cornwall, Campbell, Paul &

Hetmyer) also with the Warriors assistant Coach Rayon Griffith arrived in Guyana yesterday from Jamaica.

E-Networks will provide TV coverage, while NCN Radio team of Inderjeet Persaud, Sean Devers will provide live Radio coverage with former Guyana pacer Jermaine Neblette and Roddy Lovell will do the analytical comments.

Guyana Amazon Warriors Shoaib Malik (Capt), Shadab Khan, Ben Laughlin, Chris Green, Nicolas Pooran, Brandon King, Odean Smith, Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Anthony Bramble, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Veerasammy Permaul, Romario Shepherd, Clinton Pestano, Qais Ahamad Johan Botha (Head Coach).

St Lucia Zouks Daren Sammy (Captain), Keddy Lesporis, Chris Barnwell, Andre McCarthy, Jeavon Royal, Roland Cato, Rakeem Cornwall, Obed McCoy, John Campbell, Kesrick Williams, Andre Fletcher, Thisara Perera, Fawad Ahemd, Kaveem Hodge, Najibbulla Zadran, Kishmar Santokie, Hardus Viljoen, Colin de Grandhomme, James Foster (Head Coach). (Sean Devers)

GCOS hands over prizes to lucky winners of fund raising raffles

Christian Coleman wins 100m semifinal in 9.96 during the USATF Championships at Drake Stadium. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo) (Reuters) - The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said yesterday it would not appeal the decision by the U.S. AntiDoping Agency (USADA) to withdraw a whereabouts charge against American sprinter Christian Coleman.

USADA had charged Coleman with three failures to properly file whereabouts information in a 12-month period, but withdrew it on Monday after receiving guidance from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on how to calculate the window.

The AIU, which oversees integrity issues in international athletics, including doping, had the right to appeal but said they would not exercise that option.

“Based on the facts of the case and clear advice about the interpretation of the cur-

rent International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI) received from WADA, the AIU has decided not to appeal the USADA decision regarding Coleman,” AIU chairman David Howman 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 cannot contact the athlete at the designated location three times inside a 12-month period, he is considered to have committed an anti-doping violation and subject to a ban of up to two years.

USADA said Coleman had whereabouts failures on June 6, 2018 and January 16 and April 26, 2019, but under ISTI guidelines, the first failure is

backdated to the first day of the quarter, which in Colemans case would have been April 1, 2018.

His April 2019 failure, therefore, fell outside the 12month window and was not considered an anti-doping violation.

The AIU said it would welcome changes to the rules to ensure filing failures are no longer backdated.

“We note that the ISTI is currently under review by WADA and we would support a change in the wording to ensure that in the future, filing failures are recognized when they occur and never backdated,” Howman added.

Coleman is set to represent the United States in the 100 and 200 meters at the Sept. 27-Oct. 6 world championships in Doha.

Junior Cornette (center) receives his $1M cheque from GCOS member Leslie Black in the presence of other committee members and winners of the other raffle prizes.

The Guyana Committee of Service (GCS), a benefactor of numerous sporting disciplines, athletes and the performing arts, recently pulled its raffle and former national sprinter, Junior Cornette emerged winner of the $1M grand cash prize.

The raffle that ran for close to a year also saw four others persons winning big and they received their prizes yesterday at Payless Variety Store, located on Wellington Street.

Carla David of Berbice won a microwave;

D. Geer of Enmore is now the owner of a Smart Television. Jocelyn David of Bartica won a refrigerator and Vanessa Dwarkanand rode off with a Hero motorcycle.

All the proceeds of the raffle will go towards the GCOS performing its mandate, which is to support athletes and the performing arts.The GCOS also ran track and field summer camps at various locations around the country and gifted uniforms, backpacks and vouchers to the attendees.

Thursday September 05, 2019

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Kaieteur News

‘Baby Fed’ Dimitrov comes of age with Federer upset NEW YORK (Reuters) Grigor Dimitrov stepped out of Roger Federers shadow on Tuesday to claim a spot in the U.S. Open semi-finals with a shock 3-6 6-4 3-6 6-4 6-2 win over the wounded Swiss.

Coming into the U.S. Open, the 78th ranked Dimitrov, dubbed “Baby Fed” because of the similarities between his game and Federers, did not look much of a threat, posting just one win from his last eight matches.

But the Bulgarian, who had been ranked as high as number three, has found some form on the New York hardcourts and claimed his first win in eight meetings with the 20-times Grand Slam winner.

“Even if I would have gone two sets to love down, I wouldnt have give up,” assured Dimitrov. “I would still stay on the court and just try to do as much as possible to make sure that whether I rattle him or put him off balance.

“I kept on pushing, I kept on believing.”

Dimitrov will now face Daniil Medvedev tomorrow for a place in final, the Russian advancing to the last four with a 7-6(6) 6-3 3-6 6-1 win

Roger Federer of Switzerland looks at the board between points against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in a quarterfinal match on day nine of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament.

(Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports) over another Swiss Stan Wawrinka.

While not as crushing as his five-set loss to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, is was another bitterly disappointing missed opportunity for Federer to add to his Grand Slam haul.

After a sputtering start to the U.S. Open that saw him drop the first set in his opening two matches in astonishingly submissive style, Federer had looked more like the silkly smooth Swiss maestro fans have come to expect.

He was virtually flawless in his next two contests, dropping just nine games total in straight sets wins setting the tennis world buzzing about a possible Grand Slam Big Apple final showdown with old rival Rafa Nadal.

“Just disappointed its over because I did feel like I was actually playing really well after a couple of rocky starts,” said Federer. “Its just a missed opportunity to some extent that youre in the lead, you can get through, you have two days

Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria hits a forehand against Roger Federer of Switzerland (not pictured) in a quarterfinal match on day nine of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament. (Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports) off after.

“It was looking good.

“But you got to take the losses. Theyre part of the game.”

Federer looked razor sharp to start the match but was not able to maintain his usual high level against the

“Disappointed” Pybus believes he, Cameron were on “right track” KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC Sacked West Indies head coach, Richard Pybus, believes he and former Cricket West Indies president, David Cameron, had the right tools and vision to transform the beleaguered Caribbean side into a successful team again.

Breaking his silence for the first time since being removed from the helm of West Indies last April, the controversial Englishman said his early work with the team had the makings of something special and that he had been praised by many for the way the side performed against England earlier this year.

“Of all the sides I have coached around the world, this group was fantastic. We had a very good understanding as a collective group,” Pybus told the Gleaner newspaper here.

“The attitude was right, and we had a mutual respect and belief as to what we wanted to achieve as a whole, and this team was ready to start winning.

“We had some really good guys in our back-room staff, guys such as Vasbert Drakes, Mushtaq Ahmed, Toby Radford, and Esuan Crandon. All these guys did an excellent job. The players

responded to them well as most of them are well known around the region.”

He added: “I have had persons tell me that they loved the way the team played in that England series with passion and aggression.

“That is the philosophy that we wanted across the board, and yes, I am disappointed that I was not able to carry on, but that is the nature of a democratic process, and these things do happen.”

Pybus was controversially appointed to lead West Indies for Englands tour of the Caribbean last January and oversaw a 2-1 win in the threeTest series.

The Windies also held England to a 2-2 draw in the three-match One-Day International series before being thrashed 3-0 in the Twenty20 series.

However, once Ricky Skerritt toppled the incumbent Cameron in the CWI presidential elections in March, the new administration sacked the coaching staff, appointing former West Indies captain Floyd Reifer as interim head coach.

Pybus, a former CWI director of cricket, contended the vision established by himself and Cameron had shown

gritty Bulgarian.

The turning point came in the fourth set, Dimitrov fighting off five break points to win the set and level match at 2-2.

“I was trying to stay in that game and make him stay on the court as much as possible,” said Dimitrov. “After that he started slowing down.

“Its a best of five sets.

Anything can happen.”

And something unexpected did.

Before the start of the fifth set Federer called for the trainer, who, after a brief con-

versation with the 38-yearold, escorted him off the court for a medical time out to deal with a back problem.

When play resumed Dimitrov seized his chance, breaking Federer to open the fifth and then a second time with the Swiss unable to mount any defense as the Bulgarian went on to claim the biggest win of his career.

“I just needed some treatment on my upper - what is it - back, neck,” said Federer.

“Just needed to try to loosen it up, crack it and see if it was going to be better.”

Albion Community Centre Cricket Club 10/10 cricket competition set for this Sunday

Former West Indies head coach, Richard Pybus. signs of bearing fruit.

“Dave Cameron and I set out to formulate a long-term plan, whereby we wanted to lift regional cricket from a semi-professional set-up to a fully professional one, whereby players understand what it takes to play international cricket and can perform consistently once they get to that level,” Pybus explained.

“A number of players had committed to the philosophy and wanted to play for the West Indies, and we were on the right track for long-term continued success.”

Since Pybuss depature, West Indies have continued their struggles, finishing ninth of 10 teams at the ICC

World Cup and failing to win a single match against India in any format, on the Asian sides just-concluded tour of the Caribbean.

Pybus said it was critical the current Windies coaching staff kept the side motivated despite the losing trend.

“Winning is a methodology that requires doing a lot of homework and preparation.

The team has to have the right professional attitude, and the coaches have to find a way to let the team stay positive,” he noted.

“It is a team that wins, and not any one individual, so its going to take a collective effort quality planning coupled with superb execution.”

After being previously postponed due to the inclement weather the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club (ACCCC) one-day second Division 10/10 cricket competition has now been set for this Sunday 8th September at the Albion Community Development Center (ACDC), Albion, Corentyne, Berbice.

The tournament will feature eight (8) teams namely Fyrish, Chesney, Jai Hind, Tamarind Root, Belvedere United, Hamid X1, Albion Community Centre and the Kendalls Union Sports Club.

The winning team will take home $50,000 and a trophy while the runner-up will receive $30,000 and a trophy. There will also be rewards for outstanding individual players.

Trophies will be presented to the batsman with the most runs and the bowler with the most wickets in the tournament.

The fixtures-Round 1: Tamarind Root oppose Kendalls Union, Round 2: Chesney take on Albion, Round 3: Fyrish battle Belvedere United and Round 4: Hamid XI match skills with Jai Hind.

Semifinals Winner of Round 1 verses winner of Round 4; Winner of Round 2 vs Winner of Round 3. The grand final will be played under lights between the respective semifinal winners. (Samuel Whyte)

PAGE 30

Kaieteur News

Limacol football tournament

Pele trump Determinators on Tuesday

Thursday September 05, 2019

Daniels to stage cricket coaching programme from Sept. 14 at NOC

Pele FC’s Dorwin George who scored one goal on Tuesday night in attack against Mahaica Determinators.

(Calvin Chapman photo)

Match night two of the fourth annual Limacol football tournament kicked off on Tuesday evening at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on Carifesta Avenue.

The nights play that was scheduled to commence at 19:00hrs was delayed since power outages by Guyana Power & Light (GPL) Inc. had the venue, which is dependent on floodlights, in darkness.Pele FC drubbed Mahaica Determinators 3-0 in the opening match, which was both teams opening round-robin group clash, while the feature encounter was a stalemate that finished 1-all between Beacons FC and Pouderoyen.

Daniel Gibson opened the scoring for Pele in the 21st minute after being played through on goal with a brilliant searching pass from the defence and he made no mistake, expertly slotting the ball

into the back of the net.

In the second half, Derwin George then expelled the pressure that the East Coast opponents were building by banging home the Georgetown based clubs second goal in the 52nd minute of play. Ten minutes later, a Mahaica player found himself on the score sheet after inadvertently turning in Peles third into his own net, the culprit was Kevon Giddings.

In the feature match, West Demeraras Pouderoyen FC couldnt hold on to a 1-0 lead that was achieved in the 26th minute of their match against Georgetowns Beacons FC when Eon Sullivan found the back of the net. Sullivans strike was cancelled out halfway through the second half when Beacons Wesley Greenidge slotted home to decide the game 1-1.

The tournament continues tomorrow with another

double header at the same venue from 19:00hrs. In the first match, Buxton Stars will take on GFC who are looking to break their decades long duck of not winning a senior tournament in both teams opening group round-robin fixture. Meanwhile, a talented Fruta Conquerors under-20 side will match skills with current Turbo football champions, Northern Rangers FC, in what is expected to be an electric matchup.There are four groups of four teams contesting the group round-robin stage, the top two sides in each group will advance to the quarterfinals. The winners of this edition will pocket $400,000, second $200,000, third $100,000 and the losers of the third place playoff will walk away with $50,000.

The tournaments flagship sponsor is New GPC Inc. with support from W.J. Enterprise.

(Calvin Chapman)

Caribbean Premier League sells out sponsorship programme for 2019 season The Hero Caribbean Premier League has once again filled out its partner programme with some of the biggest brands from across the Caribbean and from around the globe partnering with the unique and exciting Twenty20 cricket tournament.

Hero Motocorp has renewed their title sponsorship with the league for the second time, deepening their commitment to one of the worlds great cricket leagues. One of the Hero CPLs founding sponsors, Guardian Life, have also renewed their association with the tournament and they will continue to support the hugely successful volunteer programme which has played such a big part in making the Biggest Party in Sport such a great experience for the hundreds of thousands of supporters who come to matches each year.

Continuing as part of long terms associations are El Dorado Rum, Carib, Republic Bank, Dream11, Sunshine Snacks and Caribbean Airlines who are all working on unique and innovative ways to engage with CPL fans, both at the ground and away from the stadiums. CPLs Founding Partner, Digicel, will also be back for this season.

There are also new commercial partners joining the CPL family. VISA, FedEx Express

Latin America and the Caribbean, Angostura Lemon & Lime Bitters and 10Cric will also be associated with the Biggest Party in Sport for 2019.

Jamie Stewart, Commercial Director of Hero CPL, said: “It is a great pleasure to have a combination of the Caribbeans best and most forward-thinking companies and some of the worlds leading sport sponsors as long-term Partners of Hero CPL. A special Hero CPL welcome to 10Cric, Angostura LLB, Visa and FedEx Express Latin America and the Caribbean, who join the fun for the first time this season.

Without this support we get from our amazing set of sponsors, it wouldnt be possible to deliver what is truly “the Biggest Party in Sport.” On behalf of the players, the League and the fans a big thank you to all our brand supporters.”

Title Sponsor Hero Motorcorp Limited Founding Sponsor Digicel Official Partners El Dorado Rum, Republic Bank, 10Cric, Carib, Angostura LLB Official Sponsors Caribbean Airlines, Sunshine Snacks, Guardian Life, Nescafe, Dream11, FedEx Express Latin America and the Caribbean.

Some of the members of the Zorg SC female team.

By Zaheer Mohamed Following the conclusion of a clinic for male and female cricketers which was held at Zorg SC and NOC SC, Coach Forbes Daniels has decided to embark on another venture to help raise the standard of the game in South Essequibo.

Daniels and the Young Guns Cricket Club hosted Achievers Youth and Sports Club of West Berbice in three T20 matches last weekend to bring the curtains down on the clinic.

Speaking with Kaieteur Sport on Sunday at the NOC ground, Daniels said the players are calling for more such clinics so he decided to embark on a new programme.

“The players have shown the willingness to learn and I am pleased with their response.

They need the necessary exposure for their talent to be properly harnessed,” he added.

Daniels will be assisted

by Daniel Stoll, Javed Azeez, Akini Adams and Debra Daniels and sessions will be

held on weekends; on Saturdays from 11:00hrs to 16:00hrs and on Sundays from 09:00hrs. Sessions will target male and female junior and senior players.

Daniels stated that he is impressed with the attitude of the female players there. “The female players are always willing to learn and participate, they always make themselves available and one of the positives that came out from the previous clinic is that they are learning pretty quickly.”

“We are looking at raising the level of cricket here so we have approached the administration at NOC and they requested a programme which has already been submitted.

This programme, which involves outdoor coaching, will last for a period of 17 weekends.

We have seen cricketers such as the Fredericks brothers, Rayon Thomas, Royston Alkins, Devon Ramnauth, Dillon Heyliger and Anthony Adams emerge from this area, so we are hoping that more talented crickets can surface

following this clinic. We are looking at the minimum of one cricketer in each national junior team.”

Daniels added that the feedback from the various stake holders has been positive. “Last weekend games against Achievers Youth and Sports Club generated much interest and I am hoping that at the end of the programme we can gain the support, so we can continue to stage such events and help the players to develop continuously.”

“Cricket is not what it used to be like 15 years ago where the entire village used to attend matches in support their team. You dont find that anymore. So we need a programme for the youths which can also help to get more people involved. This programme is designed to prepare the youths for future engagements and so far the president of South Essequibo Cricket Committee Andy Ramnarine has been outspoken in his support for all development programmes.

Ruthless Serena earns 100th US Open win to reach semi-finals New York (AFP) - Serena Williams earned her 100th win at the US Open on Tuesday with a brutal 6-1, 6-0 demolition of Chinese 18th seed Wang Qiang in just 44 minutes to set up a semi-final clash with Elina Svitolina.

Six-time US Open champion Williams smacked 25 winners against Wang, who failed to hit a single one, in a complete mismatch that was the quickest at this year’s tournament.

“Wow, wow,” said Williams, who brought up a century of US Open wins to move

to within one of the all-time record held by Chris Evert.

“It’s really unbelievable, literally. From when I first started here, I think I was 16, I didn’t think I would ever get to 100. I didn’t think I would still be out here.”

The 27-year-old Wang had not lost a set en route to her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, a run that included a defeat of reigning French Open champion Ashleigh Barty in the last 16.

However, she was powerless to stop the Williams onslaught at Arthur Ashe Sta-

dium, winning just four points in the second set and 15 in total.“When I play someone who is playing really well, I know I have to either step it up or go home and I wasn’t ready to go home. I had to come out here and play really well,” Williams said.

“Physically I’m feeling great. More than anything I’m just having fun every time I come out here.”

Williams is now two wins shy of capturing her 24th career Grand Slam title to match Margaret Court’s all-time record.

Thursday September 05, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Our Own cart off second Toronto Cup Masters crown TORONTO, Canada Our Own Sports Club became the first team to capture two Toronto Cup titles when they turned back the challenge of Canadian Legends in last Sundays Masters over-40 final, played at the University of Toronto ground, Scarborough here.

Set 106 for victory, after limiting their opponents to 105 for eight in their allotted 20 overs, Our Own reached 106 for seven in 18 overs.

The tense three-wicket victory over their Canadianbased counterparts was also reminiscent of their two-wicket triumph over the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) in the inaugural final, played at the same venue in 2015.

As in 2015, Our Owns skipper Mahendranauth “Bobby” Parasnauth opted to ask the opposition to take first strike and again his decision proved decisive and correct despite some anxious moments as victory neared.

Canadian Legends huffed and puffed their way to what seemed an inadequate 105 for eight in the face of some damp conditions, occasioned by a wet playing surface and outfield.Ironically, Troy Gobin, the former Guyana Under-19 batsman, who was the mainstay of Our Owns batting with an undefeated 43 in 2015, led Canadian Legends this time around with a top score of 33, holding the top half of the batting together as wickets tumbled

MVP Asif Ally collects his prize in the presence of Toronto deputy mayor Michael Thompson.

Chien Gittens receives one of his two awards from Devi Sunich, wife of Trophy Stall proprietor Ramesh Sunich. around him.

Stuttering at 54 for six in the 11th over, Gobin, who struck a single boundary in his solid knock, received fine support from Shazam Baksh (15), the two adding 49 for the seventh wicket to bring some respectability to the total.

Opener Richard Driffield with 16 (one four and a six) also contributed while extras were a healthy 23 (13 wides).

The ever-green Aftab Shamsudeen, who made the early inroads, finished with two for 13, Anil Mahadeo two for 21, Anil Veerasammy one for seven, Parasnauth one for 12 and Imran Ali one for 18.

Like Canadian Legends, Our Own also stuttered at the

top, losing the key wickets of openers Hemnarine Chattergoon and Uniss Yusuf cheaply. It took the experience of New York-based Asif Ally who anchored the middle and lower-order brilliantly to take Our Own to a deserved victory. By the time Ally was dismissed for a top score of 36, which included four fours, the eventual winners only needed 14 runs to compete victory. The burly Jai Deonath, who caused the early damage, finished with the impressive figures of three for 16 in his four overs, while Shazam Baksh supported with two for six in his lone over.

Hero CPL to broadcast the biggest party in sport around the world

T

he broadcasters for the Hero Caribbean Premier League have been confirmed for the 2019 tournament with deals with key partners in place in India, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, America, Canada and South Africa . In addition, the tournament will be live streamed over Twitter and Facebook, so no matter where you are in the world you will be able to enjoy the Biggest Party in Sport.

With this excellent spread of broadcasters around the globe the tournament is expecting an increase in viewership for the seventh successive year. Each game will be shown live, with a highlights package being available for all our partners.

In addition, CPL will be producing a weekly round up magazine show that will focus on the best of the action from each week of the tournament.

Sunset+Vine, who delivered outstanding coverage of

the recent Cricket World Cup in the UK, will again help to raise the bar in terms of production quality more than 24 cameras capturing the on field action alongside a stellar line up of commentators, including International favourite Danny Morrison and local greats, Ian Bishop and Darren Ganga.

Huw Bevan, Sunset+Vines Head of Cricket, said: “Sunset+Vine are excited to be producing the CPL once again this year for its global rights holders.

Our planning is tailored towards showcasing competitive cricket in one of the most vibrant atmospheres around the globe.

This year we are adding new aerial drone coverage to our 23 strong contingents of cameras to provide the most comprehensive view from inside and outside the grounds. “New graphics, power hitting data and an array of story-telling initiatives will keep viewers in tune with the ebb and flow of every

match and its key personalities.

Not forgetting, of course, an 11 strong line up of commentators and reporters led

by Ian Bishop and Daren Ganga with the knowledge, expertise and gravitas to bring the Biggest Party in Sport to life like no other.”

As well as Morrison, Bishop and Ganga, the other members of the commentary and reporting team will be Tom Moody, Samuel Badree, Nick Compton, Dirk Nannes, John Hastings, Mark Butcher, Alex Jordan and Naomi Cowan.

The Hero CPL will feature the best players from across the Caribbean and around the world.

With Alex Hales, Chris Gayle, Daren Sammy, Colin Munro, Kieron Pollard and Sohaib Malik amongst the star names that are due to take part fans can expect plenty of entertainment when the tournament gets underway on the 4thSeptember in Trinidad.

Asif Ally copped the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, earning a gold chain and pendant, sponsored by Gologistics and engraved by Trophy Stall. Chien Gittems (Canadian Legends) took home prizes for registering the highest score (90) and the most runs (143), while Shamsudeen copped the prize

for the best bowling figures four for 19.Our Owns Yusuf was voted the Player of the Tournament after tallying 128 runs and claiming six wickets.

Apart from capturing the winning trophy, Our Own were also the recipient of US$2500, while Canadian Legends collected US$200 and the runners-up trophy.

Both teams were also the recipient of medals. The trophies and medals were sponsored by Trophy Stall (Guyana). The occasion was graced by the presence of Torontos Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson and councillor Jennifer McKelvie of Ward 25 Scarborough Rouge Park.

PAGE 32

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 05, 2019

Concacaf Nations League to Serve as Pathway for 2021 Gold Cup Miami - The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) yesterday confirmed that the inaugural Concacaf Nations League, set to kick off today, September 5, will serve as the qualifying pathway for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, for all 41 Member Associations.

The new centralized mens national team competition represents a new era of national team football for the Confederation.Created to maximize the match dates available within the FIFA international calendar, and as part of a wider strategy to provide more competitive football for all Member Associations, the Concacaf Nations League group stage will take place in the September, October and November FIFA windows of 2019. After roundrobin play, the four League A group winners will advance to the Concacaf Nations League Finals to crown the first-ever competition champion. The Concacaf Nations League Finals, originally scheduled for March of 2020, will now take place in June.

Additionally, the group winners from League B and

League C will be promoted to League A and B, respectively, while the teams at the bottom of League A and League B will be relegated to League B and C, respectively, for the next edition of the Concacaf Nations League.

The official draw, which subdivided the three Leagues into groups took place March 27, 2019, at the Chelsea Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada. ”The Concacaf Nations League is about uniting the Confederation through meaningful competition, while providing an exciting pathway to the Gold Cup,” said Concacaf President Victor Montagliani.

“Through this tournament, all 41 Concacaf Member Associations are able to follow the dream of competing on a more consistent basis, opening the door for continued development across our entire region.” As announced in March of 2018, the Concacaf Nations League qualifies the regions top teams to the Concacaf Gold Cup. The qualifying process for the 2021 Gold Cup will be as follows: Concacaf Nations League A (8 teams): After group stage play in November 2019, the

The Golden Jaguars will be aiming for Gold Cup qualification once again.

top two teams from each of the four League A groups will qualify directly to the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. Concacaf Nations League B (4 teams): After group stage play in November 2019, the winner of each of the four League B groups will qualify directly to the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. Gold Cup Qualifiers (4 teams):

After Concacaf Nations League group stage play in November 2019, the thirdplace finishers in League A, the second-place finishers in League B and the first-place finishers in League C will advance to a two-round qualifier, to be played in March and June of 2020.

For the first round of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup Qualifiers,

the second-place finishers of League B will face the firstplace finishers of League C in March of 2020. After homeand-away play, the four matchup winners will advance to the second round, where they will face the third-place finishers of League A in June of 2020. The four matchup winners of Round two will qualify to the 2021 Gold Cup.

For the FIFA Mens World Ranking, all 2019-2020 Concacaf Nations League matches will be granted a coefficient score which corresponds to qualification matches to a Confederations final competition, rather than friendly international matches played during FIFA International Match Calendar window.

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 05, 2019

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League ECPFA

Henrietta FC U-17 Captain, Ezekiel Scott is presented with the winning trophy and cash by NAMILCO’s Fitzroy McLeod (left) and Atomaram Lakeram.

An Aldrin Austin brace was all that was needed for Henrietta United to win the Essequibo Coast Pomeroon Football Association leg of the G F F N A M I L C O Thunderbolt Flour Power U17 League, which concluded on Sunday afternoon last at the Imam Bacchus Cricket ground at Columbia in the C i n d e r e l l a C o u n t y.

On a day when history was created as it was the first ever football game to be hosted at this venue, host of the day, Mr. Sam Baksh of the famous Imam Bacchus & Sons business group, said that they were more than grateful to be hosting the footballers as part of the NAMILCO 50th

Anniversary Sports programme, Essequibo leg.

The footballers first enjoyed the T20 cricket match between Imam Bacchus CC and the NAMILCO Thunderbolt Team, which the former won by eight (8) wickets. When it was their turn to entertain, they did so w i t h l o t s o f e n e r g y.

The champions wasted little time in stamping their authority with Austin nailing the first goal in the 9th minute much to the delight of his teammates and supporters. That advantage was doubled in the 27th minute when Austin was again able to breach the Dartmouth defence and c u s t o d i a n .

PAGE 33

Henrietta edge Dartmouth Dominators to be crowned 2019 champions

Henrietta United, the 2019 NAMILCO, GFF U17 Intra Association Champions seen with representatives of the sponsors as they display their trophy and medals.

That advantage was maintained until the 58th minute when Dartmouth Determinators displayed some determination to score through a Steffon Clarke goal that gave them a glimmer of hope. However, the Henrietta lads were not going to be denied on the day as they defended their goal advantage until the final whistle, which resulted in an eruption of joy to win the League and bragging rights f o r t h e n e x t y e a r.

The win brought with it a first place prize of $50,000 as the match also formed part of the National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) 50th Anniversary celebrations. Dartmouth did

not leave the venue empty handed as they received $10,000. Both teams also

received trophies.

Baksh, in extending congratulations to Henrietta,

stated that while that match was the first to be hosted by (Continued on page 27)

Warriors battle t r o Sp Zouks in CPL Warriors Coach says taking one game at a time clash tonight at Providence (From Left) GAW Head Coach Johan Botha, Skipper Shoaib Malik, Zouks Captain Daren Sammy and Zouks head Coach Head Coach James Foster.

St Lucia Zouks practice in the ‘nets’ at Providence yesterday.

We ready to rumble! Warriors Captain Shoib Malik and St Lucia Zouks Skipper Daren Sammy at the Marriott Hotel yesterday. (Sean Devers photos)

Ruthless Serena earns 100th US Open win to reach semi-finals

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League ECPFA

Henrietta edge Dartmouth Dominators to be crowned 2019 champions

Daniels to stage cricket coaching programme from Sept. 14 at NOC Limacol football tournament

Pele trump Determinators on Tuesday Serena Williams bulldozed Wang Qiang in the quarter-finals of the US Open. (AFP Photo/DOMINICK REUTER)

‘Baby Fed’ Dimitrov comes of age with Federer upset

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