K
AIETEUR No Confidence Tuesday Edition Motion passed NEWS September 10, 2019 - Vol. 12 No. 38
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Third draft of Local Content Policy “disturbing”, “grossly - Ramson Jr., offensive” to Guyanese Oil consultant Govt. officials tour Liza Destiny Grove man
dies days after plunge at highway creek Male security guard accused of stealing 12 dresses Arguments for resignation of Cabinet set for Sept. 30
Regulator to hold public hearing on new GTT bill - Telephone company says will only answer questions on that
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday September 10, 2019
Tuesday September 10, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Third draft of Local Content Policy “disturbing”, “grossly offensive” to Guyanese - Ramson Jr., Oil consultant
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ollowing his assessment of the third draft of Guyana's Local Content Policy, Attorney-at-Law, C h a r l e s R a m s o n J r. emphatically stated that the document is not only “disturbing” but “grossly offensive” to the citizenry. During an exclusive interview with this newspaper last night, the Oil and Gas Consultant said he was appalled to learn that the draft policy recommends no tax breaks for local suppliers, does not require foreign companies to be incorporated or registered
here, and seeks to make the local content plans and reports of the foreign companies confidential. With respect to tax breaks, Ramson reminded that based on the provisions of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana signed onto with ExxonMobil and its partners, all of its subcontractors as w e l l a s i t s a ff i l i a t e d companies and their subcontractors, would be given a tax free ride on imports. The same privilege however, is not stated in any contract, law or policy for locals. Considering this, the
Petroleum Consultant stressed that foreign companies should not have any advantage over locals, while stating that the playing field must be leveled. Further to this, Ramson bemoaned the fact that foreign companies are not mandated in the draft policy to register or be incorporated here before they are able to bid for contracts. “The lawyers and the accountants are the primary losers here,” added the Petroleum Consultant. The 35-year-old also found it shocking that the draft policy would propose
Driving classes underway for cops involved in crashes
Police ranks participating in the driving programme
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n Monday, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) launched a 'Remedial Driving Programme' for ranks who were involved in accidents for the first half of 2019. According to Traffic C h i e f , S e n i o r Superintendent Linden Isles, this initiative is a new one and was implemented as a way to curb the numerous reports of police officers being involved in road accidents. This has been giving the force a bad reputation.
The driving programme will be carried out at the Traffic Headquarters, Eve Leary, under the guidance of the Traffic Chief and is scheduled to last for a period of two weeks. It will seek to retrain 30 drivers in the police force. During the programme, the ranks will be required to go through the practical and theoretical aspects of driving. The drivers will be covering topics including defensive driving, principles of steering and cornering and how to use traffic signs.
Isles also stated that the programme will help the force drivers to always remember: “That policemen are here to serve and protect and are supposed to be setting an example for other road users to follow.” The Traffic Chief also explained that after the driving programme a monitoring system will be put in place to evaluate the ranks so if they are involved in any other road accident and found to be at fault, their force permit to drive will be permanently revoked.
that the details of the local content reports and plans provided by the foreign companies to the Minister of Business has to remain confidential. The lawyer questioned, “What are they trying to hide? ...” He insisted that the Department of Energy has to provide an explanation for this. Another provision in the draft policy that Ramson took issue with, states that the local content plan of the operator can be considered approved if the respective Minister fails to respond to the submission within 21 days. In this regard, Ramson said, “This type of affair does not happen in any law and it is highly unusual. Quite frankly, it is disturbing that it would be included in the policy to begin with. It makes me question whether the government even read the draft policy. And if they have, it is unbelievable and irresponsible for them to have it remain in the draft policy and be sent to stakeholders. This is just grossly offensive to Guyanese...” Ramson stressed that the foregoing issues must be corrected if local companies are to benefit the most from
Attorney-at-Law and Petroleum Consultant, Charles Ramson Jr. the oil industry. It was in February, last, that Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, had announced that British Oil Consultant, Dr. Michael War ner, w as h ir ed to complete the final draft of the policy. He was given the $22M contract for the said task even though he has no track record of independently producing a local content policy for a country. Subsequent to that
announcement, 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 that 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. In the Sunday publication of this newspaper, it was exposed that the government had only provided the draft policy that was done by Dr. Warner to a select few for review. Following this revelation, the government emailed the policy yesterday evening to other media houses and stakeholders for their perusal.
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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 Bahamas – bringing home the tragedy
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midst the disasters that lead to personal traumas and which bring national tragedy, there are the things that touch the core of the soul. They tell of what can be achieved when man rises from his knees and moves against the forces arrayed against him. There is nothing that is not worth doing; nothing that is undoable. There was this one awe-inspiring story (among many others) that towered against the raging winds and rushing waters of the countrywide tragedy that blasted and battered the Bahamas. On September 5, the widely read New York Times carried a story that shared the courage and never-say-die attitude of one Bahamian survivor. What a survivor he is, as the caption testifies: “In Bahamas, a Blind Father Wades to Safety, His Disabled Son on His Shoulders.” Fellow Guyanese are invited to experience the moment and reflect upon how much we could do, despite lifelong social, environmental, and national handicaps. To creep to that higher place of safety and from what weighs down and makes lesser men and women, a terribly lesser nation, of all of us. The New York Times reported that, the roof had blown clean off. Outside, the ocean surged, swallowing the land. Brent Lowe knew he had to escape — and take his 24year-old son, who has cerebral palsy and can’t walk, with him. But Mr. Lowe had another problem. He’s blind. So he put his grown son on his shoulders, then stepped off his porch, he said. The swirling current outside came up to his chin. Clutching neighbours, he said he felt his way to the closest home still standing. It was five minutes — an eternity — away. It is all there: limitations heaped upon limitations; great dangers that would make stronger men cower; and a blind man with water up to his chin and the weight of his world on his shoulders. There were also the helping hands of good neighbours; that’s what neighbours are for, the first families: the rope across the storms that imperil; the unwavering steel of shelter and sanctuary from those nearby, those lived with in fellowship for times just like these. And yet, despite these harrowing circumstances, there is this great story of struggle and survival, of reaching for and leaning against those who are there. Where are we these days in these things that were so much a part of us not too long ago? Where are we as Guyanese when today we are threatened by not the wrath of nature run amok, but by the overpowering winds of contentiousness that trap us in sludge up to the chin, if not higher? In the Bahamas, it is man and community and country against the raw power of frightening elements that align to drive facedown into the ground. They have nothing left, as Guyanese living there announce to the world. Yet amidst these incredibly superhuman challenges, there is selfsacrifice; belief; blind faith. Got to get there. Somehow. Must. Will. A blind man with a stricken son on his back showed the world what could be done. He showed us here in Guyana, too. We, who are so self-absorbed, selfsatisfied, self-serving, and self-congratulating. That blind man’s odyssey is but one among many, as the trickle of news gain body and frequency. The death count “could be staggering,” said Dr. Duane Sands, the minister of health, who updated the toll late Thursday. Some neighbourhoods have been reduced to rubble, almost entirely flattened by the storm. In others, 95 percent of homes have been damaged or destroyed (New York Times, September 5). In a mainly tourist destination, this is a wrenching national disaster, inconsolable personal and societal horror. Unimaginable for us here, so consumed with our precious selves. We have our own manmade disasters. Politics, it is called. Compliments of the New York Times, the fears and tensions over there come alive: “Blind Mr. Lowe said, the roof began to lift off, then slap back down. The group sought safety in the bathroom, where they huddled
Granger and the Miners - the message will be delivered loud and clear come Election Day DEAR EDITOR, On the 6th September, Caretaker President David Granger hosted an interactive business luncheon for stakeholders of the Mining community; members of the GGDMA, GWMO and NMS were present and related a litany of woes to Granger. President of the GGDMA, Mr. Terrence Adams raised concerns about the deplorable state of the roadways which led to mining communities, and what he described as a need for more government concessions. The GWMO president asked whether the Government would be able to render assistance to the mining industry. “How would miners be assisted? At this point, we do not have any alternatives to mercury but at the same time, we have the years that are counting down for us,” she said. The Caretaker President also said he would welcome recommendations of solutions from the mining sector, which would be sent to him directly. Granger explained that he was not previously aware of the issues plaguing the sector. In 2017, Granger introduced a 2% final tax on gold production; this was changed to a sliding scale in 2018 after strong representation by the PPP in parliament. Miners now have to pay to sell gold to the Gold Board;
14% VAT applies to the industry and has not been removed, despite numerous pleas. Miners who are not in possession of claim documents in the interior are threatened with jail. There is rampant corruption in the sector, with government cronies forming ‘syndicates’ and being allocated prime claims under most questionable circumstances. How can the President not know what the consequences of his policies are? Granger is meeting and promising as he did before elections 2015, can anyone trust him to care after elections 2019? Gold and Diamond mining contribute billions in hard currency to our nation’s coffers. Mining is the main pillar of our economy presently, how can Granger not know of the issues affecting production and profitability in this vital sector? This begs the question of: what does Mr. Granger do all day? For it seems every time there is an issue within a sector, he (Granger) asserts he has no knowledge of the problem; when the issues with the ExxonMobil PSA were being discussed, Granger’s advisor on Oil, Dr. Jan Mangal, revealed that “It was ExxonMobil who told me the contract was signed, not the Government. President Granger himself seemed surprised that a new
together and prayed, hoping for relief. Mr. Lowe’s son was nestled inside the bathtub, he said. That’s when the roof flew away. “…each person had to step out into the storm. They clung to each other and set out to find refuge.” Where in the teeth of that force? The survival instinct. Higher ground. Any safe harbour. Any welcoming space. “There are no words to convey the grief we feel for our fellow Bahamians in the Abacos and Grand Bahama,” Dionisio D’Aguilar, the tourism and aviation minister, said in a statement. “Now is the time to come together for our brothers and sisters in need, and help our country get back on its feet.” Politicians compelled by the strength of circumstances to display rare public honesty and the equivalent compassion. What we need here. Help to get our heads clear, the poisons drained, the politics principled. These Bahamians lost everything. Nonetheless, it is the home to which they cling, in which they seek comfort while surrounded by ruins that would make angels cry. “I have to go,” he said. “That’s where my family is. My kids are there, my brothers, my sisters, they’re all there.” Incredible havoc has been wreaked: “90 percent of the houses are compromised,” he said. Most likely this is unfathomable for us to contemplate, locked as we are in the cocoon of our own self-made tribulations and the tempests that come with them. This, too, could be unpalatable to digest, but this country has had it too good. Where we are so obese in vision, through sluggishness of mind and complacency of untroubled spirits that we simply batten down and batter each other. No sense. Nothing beyond the satisfactions flowing from wallowing in the hallucinations of the worst images of each other. Perhaps, a blind man in the Bahamas may help us to view and review life itself, and what could be done in our passage through it. Difficult times are ahead. Guyanese had better learn from the ordeals of others.
contract was already signed”. Following this, Granger assumed responsibility for oil, or so we were told, He (Granger) promptly handed over control of the newly-created Department of Energy to Dr. Mark Bynoe, who in follow-the-leader fashion, appointed Mr. Wilks, a retired oilman to run the department, while he (Bynoe) engaged in various political activities such as talks on ‘Christian oil’. Not to belabour the point, but here is another thing Granger does not seem to ‘know’; Declarations must be made to the Integrity Commission annually, otherwise we have no explanation for his (Granger ’s) move from a small house in D’Urban Backlands to a compound that includes a mansion and other buildings in Pearl within two years of assumption of the Office of the President. Granger knows an election can only be delayed for so long; as he temporizes, his Ministers are working for the first time in four years. One of them is visiting hinterland villages rolling out internet connectivity, but never mentions that this program was inherited from the PPP complete with US$17 Million as part of the LCDS, and never apologizes for the delay in implementation. Amerindian titling is suddenly a priority; roads in Georgetown and on the East Coast are being fixed hastily as the election fever grips;
Guyanese know that ‘fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me’ applies to this sudden flurry of care and new promises. There are major problems within every sector of the economy; Rice, Sugar, Bauxite, and Construction are suffering a marked downturn, along with the aforementioned Gold and Diamond mining; the Teachers, Security services and Public servants are unhappy; local businessmen want a vibrant Local Content policy backed by legislation to give them at least a level playing field in the new petroleum sector. Will Granger be meeting with all these groups for suggestions on solutions? If so, I would suggest he not waste everyone’s time. Following the meeti n g d e s c r i b e d a bove, a prominent miner asked me for a polite way to indicate to Mr. Granger that a return to the status quo that existed when Granger assumed office, i.e. the PPP policies, would suffice to solve all of the problems now plaguing the mining industry “just undo all the new taxes and give us back the concessions we had”. In reply, I suggested that the message will be delivered loud and clear by persons in every productive sector and the general electorate come Election Day. Respectfully Robin Singh
Thank you, GPHC DEAR EDITOR, They say you can’t put a price on care. I’d take that’s the reason it’s free at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Quality medical care is just what I received as I journeyed towards the birth of my first child and I must say, truly, I’m happy I chose the public system. My gratefulness stemmed from the poor conditions of the hospitals in Venezuela at the time, so I didn’t need to look too far. It was sad to learn that some hospitals in that oil-rich country hadn’t the mere necessities to render basic help to patients. Cupboards were empty and if doctors were available they hadn’t much to work with. Water - being one of the prime needs to humans - wasn’t available; a person would be asked to walk with their own… if possible. So what’s the care like over at the Maternity - GPHC? I write this article to erase all negative perceptions and to bring forth an opinion. It is from my experience, as opposed to someone else’s “hearsay”, which should be unacceptable. Al-hamdu lil-lâh (Praise be to God) I am happy that there were systems in place, I’m happy that medical professionals were available and attended to me around the clock, I’m grateful that water ran through the pipes every time I turned the taps on, I’m happy that equipment was functional and cupboards were filled with medication and clean sheets. I’m grateful for the simple yet most necessary things like new gloves placed on hands to assist me and for cottons that wiped my blood. And yes, I am happy that it free! I didn’t have the added pressure of worrying how I’ll pay for all of this. I couldn’t anticipate what childbirth would feel like, but (Continued on page 6)
Tuesday September 10, 2019
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GAWU has always stood on the side of the workers and the working class DEAR EDITOR, The GAWU’s attention was drawn to Mr. Earl Hamilton’s letter titled ”Another example of deception by GAWU” which was published in the September 09, Guyana Chronicle. The letter writer has sought to add his views to the spirited discussion between our Union and Mr. Lincoln Lewis regarding some aspects of the sugar industry. While certainly, Mr.
Hamilton has a right to express his views, we contend such views ought not to be tainted, but rather, reflective of what really transpired and what is factual. Mr. Hamilton charges our Union as a mouthpiece, seemingly of the PPP/C. Contrary to such warped thinking, the GAWU is the mouthpiece of no one, but an ardent voice of our members and the working class of Guyana. We have steadfastly and continuously
stood on the side of the workers of our country as they face up to varied and multiple challenges in their quest for fairness, equity and social justice. The letter writer says regarding the sugar industry that the ”…decline and eventual death… would have affected the livelihoods of so many…” Indeed, as our Union and others had warned, this reality is right now playing out in
scores of communities at this very time and affecting too many Guyanese. The fact that this is generally recognizable brings into serious question the rationale that was advanced by the incumbent caretaker Administration regarding the industry’s minimization. Mr. Hamilton next contends that ”…workers’ legal action for severance that originates from employment with a state entity, is one
PPP/C fears APNU+AFC gains, desperate to stymie GECOM’s preparations DEAR EDITOR, Throughout its history, the PPP/C has always maintained that it alone held governmental office in Guyana legitimately and that all other governments, before and since, were contrived and illegitimate and that it had a duty to expose, undermine, disrupt and dismantle such a government until it could return to power. Former Presidents Ramotar and Jagdeo have been very clear that the PPP/ C does not, and never did, recognize the current APNU+AFC government which they consider as having “seized power in May 2015” in a fraudulent election administered by a PPP/C government. Having failed to prevent the loss of power in 2015, the PPP/C was energised last December by the action of former government M.P. Charrandass Persaud. Persaud’s choice was not inspired by any obvious, publicly decried, governmental abuse or excess, or conflict with other branches of government, certainly none comparable with the massive governmental expenditures refused by parliament or the killings of unarmed citizens as occurred under the previous administration, and none were cited during the No Confidence Vote (NCV) which was clearly inspired by a lust for power. Throughout this process, the PPP/C has demanded the resignation of the President and Cabinet and the dissolution of the National Assembly and it has severely criticized the decisions of
the Courts and GECOM when they have failed their expectations and demands, while alleging, at the same time, that the government “is destroying and emasculating all of our more important state institutions”. It has labelled the government illegal and has advocated for the imposition of regional and international condemnation and sanction. And while it has demanded the immediate holding of elections it has found numerous ways to frustrate, and delay, the preparations for those elections, the results of which they have clearly indicated they would not recognize or accept if it is unfavourable to them. Former President Ramotar has declared that “without doubt, the PNC has put its rigging machinery in full swing” ostensibly because of GECOM’s decisions to first, conduct house to house registration and then to merge the data with the previous Register of Registrants. Political commentator Freddie Kissoon is similarly minded; he sees a “tampered election coming up” based on his diagnosis of APNU+AFC possessing “a temperament of not wanting to give up power” evidenced by its refusal to resign following the passage of the NCV. E a r l i e r i n M a y, h e claimed to “believe the upcoming poll in Guyana will be tampered with by APNU+AFC” and that he sees “an improper general election where the West gets involved to bring about an APNU+AFC majority or APNU+AFC by itself rigs the
poll”. Both Mr. Ramotar and Mr. Kissoon claim to possess abilities to see into the future but have demonstrated no understanding of the recent past. In 2011, Donald Ramotar was elected with 48.60% of the vote and 32 seats in the 65-seat Nat i o n a l A s s e m b l y. F o u r years later the PPP/C’s improvement was marginal (49.20% of the vote) even after the Official List of Electors (OLE) grew, inexplicably, by over 110,000 registrants or by 23%. The 2015 OLE of 585,727 also appears to exceed the Guyana Bureau of Statistics Population Projections based on the Medium Variant Assumption for 2015 which projects 540,348 persons (19+ years old) and 610,391 persons (15+years old). Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has stated that there are legitimate reasons to believe that the
OLE, last employed in the 2015 General and Regional Elections, is severely bloated and offers the opportunity for electoral advantage and fraud. Former President Ramotar, on the other hand, has declared that this list, developed during his presidency, is clean and the PPP/C has rejected any suggestion that this list is padded and ought to be sanitized. GECOM is in the process of arriving at a Preliminary List of Electors and advancing its preparations for elections. The PPP/C is aware that a likely gain of at least 7% by APNU+AFC over the 2015 electoral returns would spell disaster for their party, so it feels that it must continue to frustrate GECOM’s preparations for elections and to allege election rigging and fraud long before the elections are held. Sincerely, Oscar Dolphin
brought against the State”. What the letter writer seems to say, in our view, is that the State has a beholden responsibility, whether directly or indirectly, to the workers of the industry. With that in mind, then it adds further confirmation that the State, led by APNU+AFC, has been practicing naked discrimination when it chose to award pay rises to all workers of the State, except those in the sugar industry. The letter writer may really wish to consider our views regarding worker and trade union collaboration and cooperation. As we have pointed out, on several occasions, our Union has zealously and continuously called, supported and advocated increased and improved trade union solidarity. Through our trade union centre – FITUG, the GAWU has expressed support and
solidarity with workers facing up to challenges at their workplace. In more recent times, GAWU, through FITUG, has stood together with the nation’s teachers as they sought a fair deal, and with the workers of RUSAL to demand respect for the Union from the employer. Our Union has a longstanding history of standing on the side of the workers and the working class. We have not forgotten from whence we came and we believe standing together makes us stronger. Today it is saddening that those who once called themselves friends and allies of the workers, and who are firmly ensconced in cushy positions of State, have all but forgotten about the workers and their struggles for a better today and tomorrow. Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU
Isn’t it about time that we have our own airline? DEAR EDITOR, A five-hour flight aboard a JetBlue aircraft from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York to Piarco Airport in Trinidad on a one-way ticket, including baggage fees and taxes cost US$214.70. A fifty-five minute flight on a one-way ticket, travelling from Piarco in Trinidad to Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Guyana aboard Caribbean Airlines, cost US $171.93. Go figure. Back in 2001, some intelligent people who were stewards of this country disbanded our national airline, leaving us the travelling public to the whims and fancies of others; read that as “exploitation” by which ever name is written on the aircraft doing business in Guyana. Isn’t it about time that we have our own airline? Yours Faithfully Milton Bruce
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I CHALLENGE ROBIN SINGH TO IDENTIFY THESE ‘MISTAKES’ DEAR EDITOR, I use this opportunity to respond to a letter that was published in the daily newspapers on Wednesday, September 4, 2019. The letter published under the caption ‘As ‘first oil’ rapidly approaches, we don’t have an acceptable SWF to manage our revenues’, has contained many inaccuracies and flaws. However, in an effort to set the record straight and correct to what I considered as Robin Singh’s deliberate and desperate attempt to misguide and misinform the public, I would like to respond. While the letter writer happens to be Robin Singh, known for spreading and spurting inaccuracies, NICIL/ SPU firmly believes that in an effort to educate Mr. Singh and others, I am providing a response to a number of misconceptions and falsehoods contained in the letter. While we would love to address his concerns with regards to whether Guyana has an acceptable Sovereign
Wealth Fund to manage our revenues from oil, we have chosen to address what we consider are his primary concerns regarding NICIL/SPU. It has become customary of Mr. Singh to mix half-truths to the level where he himself has begun to believe these. While it is an established fact that the 18 Million US was invested, the arrangements made by NICIL to borrow at 4.75% has no relation to the investment of that fund and therefore cannot be used to draw reference either. Further, if Mr. Singh has any mathematical and/or business-related background, he would understand that every transaction is unique in its own sense. As a matter of fact, Singh’s claim of the US$18 Million signing bonus being invested in a Canadian fund at 1% return, at the same time while NICIL was borrowing at 4.75%, is woefully inaccurate. I therefore urge Mr. Singh to spend a little bit more time acquainting himself with the
Thank you, GPHC From page 4 with the reduction of mental and financial stress, the physical became somewhat easier. After this life-changing experience, I would say that the courtesy training has helped personnel, especially when speaking to patients and this should be continued, my encouragement to the public is to forget the dark tales attached to this hospital and be thankful that it is still here and still a leader in medical care. Extremely thankful new mother
facts, rather than spreading propaganda, which is evidently geared at gaining political mileage. Despite the fact that elections in Guyana are evidently close, Mr. Singh should know better than to be using important issues to plague it with political points and/or tricks. I do, however, agree with him that indeed NICIL was incorporated as a Private Limited Company under the Companies Act, Chapter 89:01 in July 1990. Primary objectives of the company were that of subscribing for, taking or otherwise acquiring, holding and managing the Government’s shares, stocks, debentures or other securities of any company, co-operative societies or other corporate body. Singh alleges that up until recently, all decisions made by NICIL were subject to Cabinet review and approval, we would like to stress that the establishing of the Special Projects Unit has certainly helped and has further enhanced the management and operation of NICIL. Like any other business, whether private and/or public, decisions are an integral part of its success, and we are happy to state categorically that under the leadership of Minister of Finance, the Hon. Winston Jordan, he has conceptualised the solution to some of the challenges and difficulties that this adminis-
tration inherited with NICIL. Therefore, it was Minister Jordan’s foresight and leadership that saw the establishment of the SPU, which is responsible for the better management and operation of NICIL’s operations and its assets. While it’s evident that Mr. Singh certainly has an issue with the Minister of Finance, he has once again failed to address his concerns to the core of raising the issues, but rather, has sought to spout his ignorance and political biases in a failed effort to advance his political agenda. It is established that the issues regarding GUYSUCO, which, had it not been vested into the hands of NICIL, one could only imagine what this country and its leadership would have encountered. The poor operation, corruption and wanton wastage and mismanagement of GUYSUCO was allowed to continue unabated. While the SPU and/or NICIL had not been vested with certain authority, the Honourable Minister of Finance, is assisted by the very competent leadership at NICIL, in individuals like Colvin Heath-London, whose expertise are being effectively utilised, thus ultimately ceasing the evident haemorrhaging of GUYSUCO and its agencies that existed prior to 2015. Evidently from all reports
we can all agree that Mr. Heath-London has been doing an exceptionally great job, thus resulting in the Minister of Finance’s choice to head NICIL/SPU being one that needs commendation. Mr. Heath-London’s ability to garner the required finances and/or support in terms of garnering finances to borrow, has been highly impressive with NICIL/SPU garnering the best interest rates, even bettering what the government would have been able to secure. I state this firmly and boldly, that the acquiring of GUYSUCO did not require the knowledge or approval of the GUYSUCO board or the Minister of Agriculture, however like every democratically-run and respected government, they were duly informed and notified, and as sensible individuals, they consented and agreed that the decisions being taken were certainly in the best interest of everyone. Regarding Singh’s loose comments on the $30 Billion bond, we would humbly suggest to Robin Singh to get his information straight, as evidently he has either failed to follow the developments and/or has a deficiency in understanding facts. Singh’s attempts at quoting the opposition leader in an attempt to draw relevance and/or to justify his unverified claims, will not work.
I am confident that NICIL/ SPU is prepared to explain to Mr. Singh the arrangements that they and the Government of Guyana entered into with regards to the borrowing of the $30 Billion bond. Despite his inaccurate belief that NICIL/SPU is borrowing short to medium term, for long-term projects, I can only hope that this man verifies his information before misguiding and misinforming the general public. However, his views on the president are his own, and as such he is entitled to them. Nevertheless, he has stated that there has been unilateral decision-making which, according to him, has led to enormous costly mistakes at NICIL. As such, as a citizen of Guyana, I am humbly asking that he identify these ‘mistakes’ that he has spoken about, as our track record vividly shows that there continues to be significant and continuous achievements being gained at NICIL. Once again, I call upon Mr. Robin Singh to identify these ‘mistakes’ that he speaks about, or failure to do such, he should offer an unreserved apology and do the most honourable thing and avoid the letter columns, as his poor lack of knowledge has certainly been very depressing and annoying to say the least. Yours Respectfully Roger James
Tuesday september 10, 2019
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Flag hoisted on Liza Destiny as Govt. officials tour A high-level Government team yesterday toured the Liza Destiny, the Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel which will kick off the countrys oil production journey. It is expected that the first barrel will be brought up early next year. Yesterday, Minister of State, Dawn HastingsWi l l i a m s ; F i r s t L a d y, Sandra Granger; Direct o r, D e p a r t m e n t o f E n e rg y, D r. M a r k B y n o e ; Minister of Finance, Wi n s t o n J o r d a n a n d Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman viewed the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead on the Liza Destiny.
Sergeant Randell Williams of the Guyana Defence Force hoisted the flag. The FPSO, valued in excess of US$700M, arrived in Guyana last week after leaving Singapore, where it was built from a ship. It is now anchored about 100 miles offshore Guyana, in the Stabroek Block where ExxonMobil will be operating the first phase. Another FPSO has been ordered and expected to arrive in another three years for the second phase of development. Liza Destiny is expected to produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil daily.
Vandals disappear with 28 batteries from city’s traffic lights Tw e n t y - e i g h t t r a ff i c lights battery units were stolen and the cabinets have been vandalized within Georgetown. According to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, its electrical engineer has estimated these battery units to amount to approximately $2.5M. The Guyana Police Force is currently investigating the situation. “The Ministry of Public Infrastructure pleads with citizens to refrain from destroying much nee d e d infrastructure within our city. Persons are asked to report any act of theft or vandalism to the nearest p o l i c e s t a t i on or the Ministry’s Public Relations Department on 227-0799 or on Facebook at: Ministry of Public Infrastructure.”
The batteries have disappeared with the vandals leaving much damage behind.
Young cop awarded for music accomplishments The Guyana Police Force is congratulating L a n c e C o r p o r a l Ta v o n Cameron on his accomplishment at the Association Board of Royal School of Music (ABRSM). He gained a distinction in both the practical and theoretical aspect in the Trumpet Grade 3 Course. On Sunday, at a small ceremony at the National Cultural Centre, the young policeman who had a love for music since his early years was overwhelmed while making his way up the National Cultural Centre stage where he was awarded with a certificate and trophies.
Awarded: Tavon Cameron
The officials on board the FPSO yesterday
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday september 10, 2019
Arguments for resignation of Cabinet set for Sept. 30 Chief Justice Roxane George is set to hear extensive arguments on Monday, September 30, in an application filed by Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall asking the court to grant an order compelling Cabinet, including the President, to resign and give effect to the No-Confidence Motion which was successfully passed in the National Assembly on December
21, 2018. Similarly, an application filed by Attorney General Basil Williams for Nandlalls application to be struck out also comes up for hearing that same day. At a Case Management Conference (CMC) yesterday at the Victoria Law Courts, Justice George set out strict timelines for lawyers to follow in terms of filing written submissions.
Saying that an application filed by Nandlall for an order compelling Cabinet, including the President to resign is an abuse of process, Attorney General Basil William is asking the court to strike it out and award him substantial costs. In a Notice of Application (NOA), Williams says that the issue has already been dealt with by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)
which refused to make such an order. Instead, the court he said, declared that Cabinet and President remain in office but on a different footing in the nature of a caretaker Government. Nandlall in a Fixed Date Application (FDA) filed on Monday, August 26, in the alternate is seeking a Mandatory Order compelling the Cabinet, including the President to give effect to the resignation of the Cabinet, including the President, which occurred by operation of law, consequent upon the government being defeated by the No-Confidence Motion pursuant to Article 106(6) of the Constitution of Guyana. Further in the alternative, he is seeking a Conservatory Order or an order restraining the Cabinet, inclusive of the President, from meeting, making decisions as, or performing the functions of Cabinet, consequent upon the Government being defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of no- confidence on the 21st day of December, 2018, in accordance with and pursuant to Article 106(6) of the Constitution of Guyana. He is also asking for such further orders that the court deems fit and costs Williams, however, argued that the orders being sought by Nandlall is an abuse of the process of the court, an affront to the doctrine of stare decisis or rule of precedent and the court order ought not be granted since it requires the court to make orders which the CCJ has ruled on already. He further argues that
Former Attorney General: Anil Nandlall
Attorney General: Basil Williams
the claims by Nandlall are moot and clearly academic and a wanton abuse of the process of the court. According to Williams, the application filed by Nandlall is made as a matter of public interest and as Attorney General he is constitutionally mandated to protect the public interest. Williams, therefore, is arguing for the application to be dismissed as being an abuse of the process of the jurisdiction of the High Court. The premise for Nandlalls application is that a No-Confidence Motion that was tabled by Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo which was successfully passed by a vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly, and in consequence thereof, Resolution 101 was issued by the Clerk of the National Assembly, certifying that the said vote was lawfully and properly passed. In court documents,
Nandlall has specifically referred to Article 106 (6) and 106 (7) of the Constitution of Guyana. According to Article 106 (7), “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by a vote of majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly.” He is also relying on Article 106(7) which adds, “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.” Nandlall argues that nine months has already elapsed since the Cabinet, inclusive of the President, has failed, and or neglected, and or (Continued on page 22)
Tuesday september 10, 2019
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Kaieteur News
GECOM has been at the center of all of Guyana’s major political crises Guyana faces its greatest and gravest political crisis since Independence. Everyone knows this except Guyanese. Guyanese are living in another stratosphere. They do not understand the gravity of the crisis which is facing the nation. For the majority of Guyanese, there is no crisis at all. For them what the country is facing is a political contest between the APNU+AFC and the PPPC. Even if one accepts that blinkered view of things, this is no ordinary contest. The country is at a virtual standstill. Everyone seems to know this except the government. Investors are not going to come here given the present
volatile situation, one made far more risky for investors because of the takeover of the Berbice River Bridge and the activities of the State Asset Recovery Agency and the Special Organized Crime Unit whose actions have been described as stinking of political vendettas. Business has slowed tremendously. Crime is on the increase as it does whenever there is a political crisis. The business community is complaining because the Cubans are not shopping as much as they used to because they are being attacked and robbed. All of these problems have resulted because of the political crisis which
emerged since last December and which has not yet been resolved. The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), which is supposed to call elections to bring closure to this crisis, is no closer to doing so. How come it has not dawned on Guyanese that GECOM has been at the center of all the countrys major political crises since Independence? There was a crisis in 1968 when horses and the dead voted in elections in Guyana. There was a crisis again in 1973 when the army seized the ballot boxes and oldbloodedly shot down persons seeking to protect
Dem boys seh ...
Politicians talking fuh talk sake Politicians does talk to sound good. Fuh years people hear politicians seh things that dem couldnt even offer de people. Years ago Burnham promise to raise de minimum wage fuh three straight years. De first year he raise de wage but dem boys notice that goods start to get expensive as soon as de minimum wage raise. De second year was de same thing. When time come to raise de minimum wage again he tell de people that dem got to decide whether dem want de minimum wage or dem want hydro. Dem never get de minimum wage and to this day nearly forty years after Burnham dead, dem aint get de hydro. Years later Jagdeo
promise to mek Guyana produce sugar cheaper than some odda countries. He announce how he building a sugar factory that gun be de mudda of all sugar factories. That factory start up and use more cane than odda sugar factories to produce less sugar. Now Guyana cant even sell it fuh scrap iron and de sugar still expensive. De new presidential candidate promise to start up dem same old sugar estates and how he gun employ all dem sugar workers who stop wukking wid dem closed factories. Dem boys waiting to see how he gun start up de scrap iron factory. Dem also see wha wuk dem sugar workers gun do. Now Patto announce how he gun buy electricity
from Giftland. He mek a big announcement but when Giftland announce that he ready to sell Patto suddenly announce how he cant buy. He seh that Jagdeo mek some contract that prevent de power company from buying power from anybody. Dem boys want to know if he didnt know that before he open he mouth. That is wha people does call foot in mouth. Now he talking bout changing de contract but how he gun do that? He cant go to parliament and dem boys dont know if he can change it just like that. Talk half and watch how de Giftland boss waiting wid tears in his eyes.
the hijacking of the ballot boxes by a renegade military. There was a crisis in the run up to the 1990 elections when the voters list was so flawed that there had to be a political agreement to postpone the elections. Arising out of this process was a shakeup in the Guyana Elections Commission, including the removal of its Chairman, Harold Bollers, and a senior election official. The Carter formula was put into effect to appoint a new Commission. This process also led to changes in the elections machinery. Guyana is again facing a political crisis. Come the 18th September 2018, the tenure of the government expires, according to the Constitution. What happens then will have to be decided in the Court. But once there is no agreement to extend the life of the government by then, the government becomes illegal. And this is a far bigger political crisis than any previous one
which existed. And GECOMs failure to hold elections in a timely manner and the act of going ahead with house-to-house registration, even though when it was commenced there was no Chairperson, has eroded confidence in GECOM. It is time, therefore, for another shakeup at GECOM. The entire GECOM should be dissolved. Guyana is not going anywhere with such a divided and polarized Commission. There will be grave question marks over the elections if the present Commission and Secretariat is allowed to continue. Guyana will never develop if it keeps lunging from crisis to crisis. It is time to bring an end to this rigmarole. It is time to replace the entire GECOM Commission and its Secretariat. Pay everyone their benefits, thank them for their service, wish them good luck and appoint a new Commission and Secretariat drawn from external personnel to administer the elections. The Commonwealt h Secretariat and the Caricom
Secretariat should be invited to take over the entire election process. There are persons across the world who have experience and knowledge about voter registration and election management. Invite these persons to take over the elections and let us end the present political crisis. There is precedent. In 1992, there were changes in GECOM and Guyana put behind its ugly past of rigged elections. We can end the present stalemate by doing the same. The present Commission and Secretariat of GECOM are not going to inspire political confidence in our elections process. It is time for them to be replaced. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
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Tuesday september 10, 2019
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
1823 Monument: Questioning Guyana’s moral and philosophical quality I have one child and if I die today or tomorrow, I left her with a priceless philosophical instruction which I believe she has internalized, and for that, my soul can rest in peace. I have advised her that freedom, justice, liberty, equality, and other sacred values that hold civilization together will never become reality if good people do not contribute an effort, no matter how tiny or small, to saving civilization.
On Sunday morning, the Government of Guyana turned the sod for the construction of the 1823 Monument at Parade Ground, which is where the slaves who revolted were tortured and executed for their role in the 1823 rebellion (see the only book written on that event – “Crowns of Glory, Tears of Blood” by Emilia Viotti da Costa – I paid $13,000 for a softcover copy). The joint host of the
event, the 1823 Coalition for the Parade Ground Monument, invited me to attend. I got a call from both Rudy Guyan and his wife, Penda Guyan with the words, “Freddie you were intimately involved; you need to come.” I was one of the founding members of that organization whose trials and tribulations graphically demonstrate the poor moral and philosophical quality of a nationality named Guyanese.
I chose not to go because I know Guyanese, and I know how obnoxious most of the people who live in this land are. While the hypocrisy was on display at the Parade Ground on September 8 at 7am, at the same time, I was having fun with my dog on the seawall, listening to a CD by American R&B singer, Vanessa Williams, titled “Next.” Why did I choose not to go? Because I knew who would be there. I knew what the ambience would be like. I knew I didn’t belong to that environment. The 1823 Coalition for the Parade Ground Monument virtually stood alone in a sad struggle to have the PPP Government erect the monument there. I looked at the hundreds that were there on Sunday, and the scores of organizations, in the newspapers, and the question came so easily – where were these people when we were fighting to have the monument at Parade Ground? The PNC, the party that purports to speak for African Guyanese did not lend a hand. No PNC big wig ever attended our meetings; never offered us tangible support. Aubrey Norton was very helpful, but at the time he was not in the leadership of the PNC, so my statement stands. ACDA allowed us to use its building for our meetings. Ghana Day organization, led by Mrs. Penda, was the only
group that was active with us. We had a yearly walk from LBI to Parade Ground, and you could have counted the numbers. We had to discontinue it because each year the numbers dwindled. The last year we held it, the turnout was embarrassing. We held a yearly barbecue on Parade Ground to raise funds. That too saw numbers thinning out, so we discontinued it. We held a public meeting to galvanize people to agitate for the monument. It was done at a Christian church at the corner of Chapel and Hadfield Streets in Lodge. The turnout was poor. I formally presented our case on behalf of the organization to the then Mayor, Hamilton Green, when an official delegation met him. He asked us to submit an official document and an architectural outline. Our specific request to Green was to table a motion to the Council so we could have had official endorsement from City Council, in case the PPP Government tried to stop us. This was never done. Look at the large numbers that turned out last Sunday. Where were these people when we were marching in the sun from LBI to Georgetown to instill in the Guyanese nation the consciousness of having the monument at Parade Ground? Where were these people when we were
Frederick Kissoon selling cakes and barbecued chicken to raise funds to mobilize support for our efforts? I will always remember the words of David Granger, Leader of the Opposition in 2015. The PNC held a weekly picket outside of the Office of the President, demanding the end to the prorogation of Parliament. He came up to me and said, “Freddie, thank you for coming.” I was there more than once. The attendance was far from impressive. Mr. Granger became president and soon after, those who didn’t picket with him, were with him in his presidential suite. Civilization will never progress in Guyana if we do not put that little effort into an obligatory attempt to raise people’s consciousness. My dog and the music of Vanessa Williams were enjoyable last Sunday. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
Caregiver accused of $1.9M theft A woman, who was hired to take care of a three-year-old child and an elderly man was accused of stealing over $1.9M from the home of the person
who employed her, yesterday made her court appearance before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty. Forty-one-year-old Carla
Agard a caregiver from East Bank Demerara stood in the Georgetown Magistrates Court when the charge was read to her. Agard pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on September 3, 2019, at Festival City, North Ruimveldt Georgetown, she stole $1,500,000, cash and a total amount of jewellery valued at $430,000, from the dwelling house of Ayabo Watson, a total of $1,930,000. Police prosecutor Annalisa Brummell made no objection to bail being granted to Agard but asked that conditions be attached to the bail for her to report to the East La Penitence Police Station every Friday until the completion of the matter. Prosecutor Brummell also pointed out to the court that the defendant gave a different address while at the police station. Principal Magistrate McGusty released the defendant on $250,000, bail with the conditions asked by the prosecutor attached. Agard is expected to make her next court appearance on September 23, 2019.
Tuesday september 10, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday september 10, 2019
No confidence motion passed against Chief Constable - Council recommends dismissal By a majority no-confidence motion vote the Mayor and City Councillors (M&CC) of Georgetown expressed
their dissatisfaction with the work of Chief Constable, Andrew Foo. The councillors voted to
have Foo dismissed from office during a statutory meeting held at City Hall yesterday. The mover of the motion, Denroy Tudor, brought a strong case against Foo for which 19 councillors voted in
favour, two voted against and three abstained. During his presentation, Tudor nonetheless requested a recommendation that Foo be terminated from duties with all of his benefits intact and that the recommendation be forwarded to the Local Government Commission, (LGC) for approval. Toward the end of the meeting the Council agreed that the LGC will ultimately have the final say as to whether Foo “stays or goes”. But before that decision was taken, several councillors around the horse shoe table at City Hall registered their dissatisfaction at Foo’s conduct as Head of the City Constabulary Department —a unit chiefly responsible for the security of the Council, the residents, commuters and businesses in Georgetown. Tudor particularly stressed on Foo Laissez-faire approach to the work. According to him, Foo’s actions have had a negative effect on the entire department. “We have seen what conspires in the constabulary. This lax attitude is not just with Mr. Foo but it has translated to most of the city officers. There is a similar sort of nature that they all reflect.” The Councillor noted therefore that it is imperative that the Council takes action to ensure that the City Constabulary Department is shifted from a downward trajectory. “For the past nine months, I have sat at this Council meetings, I have heard numerous complaints about the constabulary. I think it is time for that to change,” he added. Councillor Eketa Edwards, who spoke in support of the
Chief Constable, Andrew Foo motion of no -confidence brought against Foo, asserted that as residents of Georgetown, people want to feel safe. “There are several of these officers stationed throughout the city on a daily basis but I beg to question why they are there?” Edwards asked adding, “Residents and commuters are being target and robbed. Businesses are being broken into and sadly no action is taken. The crime situation remains without redress.” “What is the Chief Constable doing?” “Is Georgetown too big Mr Mayor?” Added to the inaction on part of the constabulary to address crime in the city, Councillor Edwards pointed
to the inability of the constabulary to craft a security plan to deal with the situation. She pointed to instances where criminal activities were undertaken seemingly right under the noses of the City Constabulary. “There is the issue of the removal of the fence around Russell Square where no action was taken and the incident where a homeless person was able to remove louvre panes and was able to replace them for a night’s rest right in the Council’s compound and he did so without being noticed,” Edwards added. She emphasized that the constabulary department should be capable of providing parallel police services to (Continued on page 24)
Guyana says goodbye to Johnny Braff Scores turned up yesterday to say goodbye to the late John ‘Johnny Braff’ Randolph Massiah CrichlowBraithwaite. Since his passing was announced late last month, the country has paid tribute to the singer with top artistes gathering to belt out his hits. A musical sensation and pioneer to the music industry in Guyana, ‘Braff’ died on August 28th reportedly after going to the hospital while living at the Palms Geriatric Home. Braff, 82, was a resident of the institution for several months after being transferred from the Night Shelter, a decision that he often times didn’t seem too pleased about. In the 60’s and early 70s, Braff was belting out love songs that made him both a household name and symbol in his homeland and abroad. Braff shot to fame in the late 1960’s and 1970’s when
he opened local shows for American artistes, on many occasions outshining the main act. He recorded several hit songs locally and had them redone in the United States and Curacao, where they became more popular. “It burns inside”, which begins with the catch phrase “Stop the Music, it burns inside”, was Braff’s most popular song as he sang about holding on to love and never letting it go. From an early age, young Johnny showed an interest in music- entertaining and annoying his family by blowing on a comb wrapped in paper. His big break came during a performance to a packed audience at the Astor Cinema. It was then that he first performed his compositions ‘It Burns Inside,’ and ‘A Shower of Tears,’ two of his first major hits. In that audience was local
businessman and producer, Vivian Lee. Lee was so impressed that he met with him afterwards and suggested that Critchlow record his two songs. He would subsequently record ‘It Burns Inside’ at Radio Demerara, before rerecording it in the US. A few of his other hits, including ‘A Shower of Tears’, ‘Same Time Same Place and ‘Anything You can Do’ were recorded in the US and in Curacao. Braff has received several awards for his contribution to music, including the Guyana Folk Festival 2002 Wordsworth McAndrew Award. In July, Braff celebrated his 82nd birthday and was feted by the Ministry of Social Protection at a special concert held in his honour. Back in May of this year, he was awarded a national award, the Medal of Service, by President David Granger.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday September 10, 2019
PAGE 13
Male security guard accused Man dead, wife and child hospitalized after allegedly of stealing 12 dresses consuming poisonous substance
A
security guard attached to KMG security firm, yesterday stood before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty to answer to a simple larceny charge. Twenty-eight-year-old Lennon Alexander, a father of two of Lot 317 Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates' Court, where the charge was read to him. Alexander denied the charge which stated that on September 7, 2019, on Regent Street, Georgetown, he stole 12 dresses valued at a total of $60,000, property of Sunil Teotia According to Alexander's attorney, a porter who works at the same store admitted to putting the dresses in her client's bag, she further went on and made a bail application for her client to be released on a reasonable amount of bail, citing the fact that he has no previous antecedents and has two children to provide for. However, police prosecutor Quinn Harris made objections to bail being granted to the defendant based on the seriousness and the penalty the offence attracts. Prosecutor Harris stressed on the fact that the defendant was placed at the store to guard and protect, and prevent larceny. The court heard that the dresses were found in a bag in the trunk of the defendant's car. It was also mentioned that when the
S
Charged: Lennon Alexander
owner of the store asked to search Alexander's bag he made no objection and allowed the search. However, when the articles were found he immediately denied having any knowledge about them. While the investigation into the matter is incomplete, the dresses that are said to be working clothes are currently lodge at the police station. After listening to the defendant's attorney and prosecutor Harris, Principal Magistrate McGusty granted the defendant bail in the sum of $40,000, and the matter was adjourned to September 23, 2019. (By Renay Sambach)
hock waves rippled through the community of Martyr's Ville, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara yesterday morning, after a man reportedly committed suicide by consuming a poisonous substance. There are reports that the man forced his wife and child to consume the substance before doing so himself. Police are investigating the matter. Dead is Balkarran Persaud, 57, also known as Clement, a taxi driver from the East Coast village, while his estranged wife, Kavita Persaud, 37, is hospitalized with their threeyear-old daughter. The couple, according to family members, had “problems� and lived in separate homes. Their threeyear-old daughter, Sarswattie, lived with her father and every morning the child's mother would go to the residence to prepare her for school.
The now dead, Balkarran Persaud, and Kavita Persaud According to a neighbour who lives oblique to Persaud's house, the woman arrived at the home around 06:30hrs yesterday and was allowed to enter by the now deceased man. Neighbours related that between the hours of 08:30 and 09:00, they heard screams for help. This prompted a young man, who resides nearby, to rush over to the house. That neighbour said that he found the woman in the yard, Persaud lying on the floor of the house and the three-year-
old girl in her bed. The three were rushed to t h e G e o rg e t o w n P u b l i c Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the police were subsequently summoned. Persaud was pronounced dead on arrival at the GPHC, while the child and her mother are receiving treatment. Samdai Persaud, the now dead man's sister, related that the father of three was stressed over issues with his family, and often spoke of committing suicide.
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday September 10, 2019
Regulator to hold public hearings on - company says new GTT bill it will only
T
he utilities regulator is set to hold a hearing Thursday on the new billing format used by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT). The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in its notice said that based on its own motion and on a complaint by consumer advocate, Ramon Gaskin, it will conduct an investigation. H o w e v e r, G T T i s insisting that it will only be addressing particulars of the complaint. Also to be discussed are matters connected with the issue, PUC had said.
The hearing will be held at the Cara Lodge, Quamina Street. On July 5th, GTT wrote PUC informing them that effective May 2019, a new bill formatted was disseminated to residential customers living in and out of Georgetown. The bill provides a summary of all charges for the specific month that it refers. However, following a notice, on September 5th, 2019 the US-controlled telephone company wrote PUC's chairperson, Dela Britton, indicating that the notice that it has received has not indicated the reason why the hearing and what exactly
answer questions on that
GTT says it will be attending Thursday's public hearings on its new format for customers' bills but will only answer questions pertaining to that.
World Bank names new resident rep. for Guyana, Jamaica
W
ASHINGTO N, D.C., CMC – The World Bank has named German national, Ozan Sevimli, as its new resident representative for Jamaica and Guyana. H e will be based in Kingston and replaces Galina Sotirova, who held the position for the past four years. I t said that Sevimli's top priorities will be to lead the World Bank policy dialogue and manage the country programmes and teams to support the development
strategies of Jamaica and Guyana, working closely with government, private sector and civil society. “ I feel honored by this opportunity to help further expand and strengthen our excellent partnerships with both Guyana and Jamaica,” Sevimli said, adding “I look forward to supporting both countries on their development priorities for boosting growth and prosperity and reducing poverty”. S ince joining the Bank in 2004, Sevimli has held
several positions, including in the Bank's Africa Region and Europe and Central Asia region. Most recently, Sevimli served as the World Bank's Programme Coordinator for the South Caucasus based in Tbilisi, Georgia. T he German national holds a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas and a master's degree in Labour Economics from the University of Applied Sciences of Mannheim.
Ozan Sevimli
are the issues that are being investigated by the Commission. The notice of the investigation and 'other matters connected with and/or incidental thereto…' is not instructive as to what is the exact nature and purpose of these proceedings, Mark Reynolds, VP Legal and Regulatory Affairs wrote to PUC. “As it is, based on the notice GTT would only be addressing the particulars of Ramon Gaskin's complaint as is.” PUC as the regulator has powers to summon utility companies to answer for complaints about their performance. Over the years, the regulator has brought in the
Mark Reynolds, VP Legal and Regulatory Affairs Guyana Water Inc., the Guyana Power and Light Inc. and GTT to explain.
Tuesday September 10, 2019
Kaieteur News
PAGE 15
Pharmacists must help root out fake - Minister drugs from the sector Lawrence
F
ake drugs must be rooted out from the local market and Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, on Sunday called on recently-qualified pharmacists to join the government in this quest. Speaking at the 18 th Annual Pharmacy Convention held Sunday at the Pegasus Hotel Guyana, Kingston, Georgetown, Minister Lawrence reminded the audience that phoney drugs, medicines and pharmaceuticals comprise some 10 percent of exports to the sub-sector in low and middle-income countries. With the bourgeoning of counterfeit drugs globally, Lawrence reiterated the need f o r g r e a t e r 'pharmacovigilance' among local healthcare practitioners to help spot and remove the bogus items from the supply chain of the local market. “Failure to do so will compromise your integrity and defeat your purpose as medicine experts. Keep your ears attuned to complaints of medication not working effectively, presentation of adverse effects, investigate and help monitor the performance of drugs. Verify if the certificates of authorisation are in place. Give support to the GA-FDD (Government Analyst Food and Drugs Department),” she counselled. The 18th Annual Pharmacy Convention was held under the theme: 'Pharmacist: Your Medicines Experts, Bridging the Gap for Quality Health Care' and was organised by the Guyana Pharmacists'
Association (GPA). It drew some 200 participants representing the private and public sector pharmacies, University of Guyana (UG) students and the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). During her keynote address, Minister Lawrence examined the rationale behind the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2013 launch of the Global Surveillance and Monitoring system, reminding listeners it was to encourage countries to report falsified medical products in order to help develop a more accurate and validated assessment of the emerging and troubling problem. “You as medicine experts are cognisant of the risks and dangers to health with the use of substandard and falsified drugs which continue to find their way into the local markets. You know how detrimental to health these are and the threat it poses to healthcare delivery. Use your expertise to impact positively, so that the abuse of medicines and drugs can be kept at a minimum and our citizens can be protected from the use of falsified medication. The whole question of fake medicines is not only a global/regional issue but one that is right in our backyard,” Lawrence said. As a consequence, the GA-FDD in collaboration with the Regional Medicine Surveillance Department in Jamaica will conduct an assessment on Guyana's medical industry in a bid to c r a c k d o w n o n
Dr. Karishma Jeeboo receiving her award from GPA's President, Ms. Rosana Narine
pharmaceutical fraud in the local market and to help bolster patients' safety. “The patients' expectation of you as a pharmacist expands far beyond the product-oriented functions of distributing and dispensing medicines and health supplies. You are considered and seen as the main care-provider, as a
counsellor, as an adviser, depending on the scenario,” Lawrence reminded the pharmacists. In the health sector's pecking order, pharmacists usually play second fiddle to physicians being lost sometimes in the shadows of anonymity. But Lawrence challenged them to find creative ways to overcome
Minister Volda Lawrence these challenges. “You have earned the right to be recognised as
qualified practitioners as you now possess the requisite (continued on page 16))
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday September 10, 2019
Pharmacists must help root... From page 15 expertise and knowledge to influence the way pharmaceutical care evolves in our country. You are the trustees of the array of safe and effective medicines that would allow our citizens to derive optimum benefits from their use. I urge you therefore to use this responsibility with dignity, professionalism and ethical fortitude,” Minister Lawrence said. M e a n w h i l e , G PA ' s President, Ms. Rosana Narine, reminded participants of their key role in providing health and pharmaceutical care to the Guyanese public. “Pharmacist are experts in medicines and use their clinical expertise, together with formulation, qualitycontrol, practical knowledge, to ensure the safe supply and use of medicines by public,” Narine said. Meanwhile, Dr. Karishma Jeeboo, who recently graduated as a doctor of pharmacy from the Leslie Dan F a c u l t y o f P h a r m a c y, U n i v e r s i t y o f To r o n t o , Canada, received the GPA Special Recognition Award while Mr Carl Bacchus was bestowed the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists Life Membership Award.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday September 10, 2019
Grove man dies days after plunge at highway creek
Died: Theodore 'Theo' Perreira
A
long-serving staffer of Sterling Products Limited has died days after a shocking incident at a prominent highway creek. Theodore Perreira, known more popularly as 'Theo', was laid to rest on Sunday. According to colleagues, the 48year-old man was with other staffers and relatives during a fun-day hosted by his workplace at the creek. This was three Saturdays ago. Sometime during the outing, there were shouts and Perreira was seen lying on the
sand after being pulled from the water. From indications, he had plunged into the water and landed badly. He would have been in the water for a while as persons on scene reportedly administered CPR. He was rushed to the hospital and was supposed to have been flown out. According to colleagues, it appeared that Perreira hit himself after he plunged as he suffered severe damage to his back. He died late last week. The father of two was said to be a driver who played a critical role in Sterling's logistical operations.
Man pities neighbour, accepts $20,000 compensation for chop to neck
Y
esterday Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan dismissed a charge of attempted murder against a man who was accused of chopping his neighbour to the neck. Travis Garrett, a 34-yearold construction worker of Grove Squatting Area East Bank Demerara, was arraigned in the Georgetown Magistrates' Court where he was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on July 24, 2019 at Grove, East Bank Demerara, he wounded Ramchan Chunnilall with
intent to commit murder. However, as the matter resumed yesterday, the victim indicated to the court that he wishes to not proceed with the matter. He requested that a compensation of $20,000 be made so as to bring the matter to an end. According to Chunilall, “I would not be proceeding with the matter because his wife is sickly and she has small children to take care of. I would just like you to warn him because he is the breadwinner for his family and he has to take care of his sick wife.� The matter was then
dismissed against the defendant on the grounds of no evidence being offered. The facts of the charge stated that on the day in question, Garrett and the victim, who are neighbours, were involved in an argument. Garrett allegedly became annoyed and armed himself with a cutlass which he used to inflict a chop to Chunilall's neck. Chunilall was picked up and rushed to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries. The matter was then reported and Garrett was arrested and later charged for the offence. (Trishan Craig)
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We have such a big land we can accommodate Minister on everybody - Finance Hurricane Dorian “We have such a big land we can accommodate everybody.” This was stated by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, who has also called on countries to take stock of the devastating impact of climate change. Minister Jordan said the destruction wrought in the Bahamas, “is telling us something.” As such, countries prone to such intense tropical cyclones, need to heed the warning. According to the Finance Minister, hurricanes at 155 miles per hour are considered a category 5. Hurricane Dorian, however, was moving at 185 with winds in excess 200 mph. “The scale has been broken. If it were a new scale, this would have been a category 8. It is becoming more intense, and we have to take heed,” he noted. He added that those areas, in many ways, may have to be abandoned, noting that there is enough space in Guyana for those battered by the tropical storm. “Guyana will welcome
everybody with open arms. We have such a big land so we can accommodate everybody. We have a couple of small islands in the Essequibo, so we will want to do something about it,” he said at a forum on Friday. While Guyana's arms are opened to welcome victims, the government, through the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), has also been ramping up support for Bahamians, coordinating programmes to provide relief to the victims of the now post-tropical cyclone. Guyana has always been supportive and receptive of victims of tropical storms. When hurricanes Irma and Maria ravaged several Caribbean countries back in 2017, many Guyanese living in those parts returned home and were reintegrated. Among those countries were Dominica, Barbuda – the sister island of Antigua, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and Anguilla. Meanwhile, Minister Jordan said Guyana is fortunate as it is not in the
The devastation in a part of The Bahamas following Dorian's passage (Mirro.co.uk) hurricane, volcano nor earthquake belt. “What we saw in terms of the destruction [left by Hurricane Dorian], and the height of the water is not only frightening for those who are experiencing it, but is frightening to imagine.” On September 1, the eye
of Hurricane Dorian made landfall on the Abaco Islands with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph (295
km/h), making it the strongest hurricane on record to affect the northwestern Bahamas.
Hurricane Dorian killed at least 43 people in The Bahamas – 35 on Abaco and eight on Grand Bahamas.
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Tuesday September 10, 2019
Police ranks reportedly fail to intervene as brothers thrash sister inside Police Station
T
wo brothers will soon be charged and placed before the court after beating their sister in the enquiries office of a West Demerara Police Station, according to police reports. As if the situation was not bad enough, when the 14-year-old son of the victim attempted to rescue her, he too suffered at the hands of the attackers. The youth was reportedly bitten on the upper left arm. As the news of the attack circulated in the West Demerara District, residents were enraged that the incident occurred inside the Leonora Police Station. It is said that one of the men was armed with a firearm, but police failed to intervene when the beating began. Yesterday Divisional C o m m a n d e r, E d m o n d Cooper said the men have since been arrested and will soon be placed before the courts. H e w a s v e r y disappointed with the reports that ranks there failed to intercede when the woman was being beaten, and said the police force will conduct a full investigation and “carry the full steam against irresponsible and unprofessional ranks, if the investigation pinpoints anyone.” There are reports that one of the attackers who seemed to be familiar with police ranks at the station kept ordering a police rank to take away the woman's American passport during the incident. The attack reportedly stemmed from a family feud. At least this is what US
Melinda Anderson with her children just after the reported attack at the Leonora Police Station based Melinda Anderson, the victim, shared when she visited this publication shortly after the assault with her son, Tyrese Thompson. The youth, at the time, appeared to be in great pain from a very large wound inflicted from the bite he had received. They were in the company of Anderson's 17year-old daughter, Sereca Thompson. The woman said several months ago she had built a small computer research center in the yard of the home occupied by her mother and a smaller brother at Tuschen, West Bank of Demerara. She said she had received permission from her mother to erect the structure, and as such had shipped to Guyana six Apple computers to make the business functional. She said she visited Guyana in
April to set up internet for the shop. She said shortly after she travelled back to the US, her younger brother informed her that he needed GYD$1000 to purchase a USB cord for one of the computers to make it internet suave. The woman said she sent the equivalent of GYD$3000 via Western Union, which caused an eruption in the family since they were of the opinion that she should have sent a much larger sum. She said soon after her youngest brother told her she would have to pay him $42,000 as a monthly lease for the shop she had built in their yard, even though the shop was not yet operational. The woman said she refused and sent her 17-yearold daughter to Guyana since she was on vacation to manage the shop for a
month. She said that her brother handed over the keys to the shop to her daughter but kept a copy so that he
could continue to gain access. She said as a result she instructed her daughter to change the locks, but her brother took a hammer and beat the locks off the structure and placed chains on the door to keep her daughter out. The woman said when her daughter confronted her grandmother about this development, another brother was summoned. Upon his arrival the brother reportedly chased the young girl up the street with a belt forcing her to seek refuge in a police patrol car that was passing at the time. Anderson said she arrived in Guyana just last week with intent to remove the computers from the shop, and realized that her younger brother had reportedly changed the password on one of the computers. She
said she confronted him on Friday last for the password and an argument ensued during which, she claimed, he cuffed her to the face. She said that after placing the computers into her car, she drove away but soon after realized that a white CRV was trailing her. Sensing it might have been her older brothers, the woman said she drove to the Leonora Police Station and rushed in with her son and daughter in tow. It was while in the station the woman recalled that her brothers gave her a sound beating. Another sister said yesterday that the brothers are bullies and would normally abuse relatives. She recalled that another incident occurred several months ago where they dragged another sister from a vehicle and beat her too.
7-year-old girl succumbs to severe burns
S
haniya Persaud, 7, on Sunday evening lost her long and hard battle for life at the Shriner's Hospital in Texas, United States of America. The child had suffered 90 percent burns across her body. The Rotary Club of Georgetown in a release stated, “She fought very hard, she survived for much longer than expected. But her internal and external injuries were too extreme to heal. Her bravery is inspiring to us all.” On Saturday, the Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA) Organization reported that the seven- year-old lost one of her legs, a few of her fingers and a section of her ear was amputated. SHEA stated, “Shaniya has been fighting
Seven-year-old Shaniya Persaud an uphill battle and despite her doctor's incredible efforts to treat her extensive injuries, her wounds are not healing.” On August 5 last, Shaniya received second and third degree burns about her body when her family's North Mon Repos home became engulfed in flames. The seven yearold girl, by some miracle, survived walking out of the house through the scorching flames. Neighbours rushed her to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GHPC). Owing to the fact that doctors at that institution were unable to treat the severity of Shaniya burns, she was rushed to the US on August 10 through the collaborative efforts of SHEA and the Rotary Club of Demerara. “May her soul rest in Peace,” the organizations said in a joint statement following her demise.
Tuesday september 10, 2019
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Tuesday september 10, 2019
Kaieteur News
Arguments for resignation...
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From page 8 omitted, to resign in accordance with the unambiguous prescription and mandate of Article 106(6) of the Constitution, the Supreme Law of Guyana. In an affidavit in support of the NOA, Deputy Solicitor General, Debra Kumar says that the CCJ has already pronounced on the issue of the resignation of President and Cabinet in its consequential orders. She said that the CCJ opined, “It is important, however, that the Court makes this point. In mandating that the Government shall remain in office notwithstanding its defeat and the resignation of the President and the Cabinet, Article 106 envisages that the tenure in office of the Cabinet, including the President, after the Governments defeat, is on a different footing from that which existed prior to the vote of no confidence. Chancellor (of the Judiciary Yo n e t t e ) CummingsEdwards, citing Hogg, the Canadian constitutional VACANCY Teachers for Physics Biology, HSB, Integrated Science & Spanish. P.O Box 10573 to send application Experienced Cashier & Handyman apply with written application:American Variety Store 140 Regent & Light Street. One male cleaner for Eccles Office. Call: 642-9823 Experienced Female Accounts clerk.Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb Street. Experienced Lorry Driver.Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb Street Bourda
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expert, was right to note that: By convention, the government is expected to behave during this interim period as a caretaker and so restrain the exercise of its legal authority. It is this caretaker or interim role that explains the three month deadline, in the first instance that the Article lays down, in principle, for the holding of the fresh elections.” According to Kumar, The CCJ made it clear that Article 106 (7) also envisages the constitutional players extending the time for the holding of elections : “The Article goes on to state, among other things, that notwithstanding such resignation, the Government shall remain in office and that an election shall be held within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine …” Kumar argues that Nandlalls application is made in keeping with the overriding objectives of these that Part 1:01 (e) of the New Civil Procedure Rules which provides: “The overriding objective of these Rules is to enable the Court to deal with cases justly…allotting to the case an appropriate share of the Courts resources while taking into account the need to allot resources to other cases.”
Tuesday september 10, 2019
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Kaieteur News
National Library observes 110 years …local writers to be inducted on Wall of Fame; 110 schools targeted in reading competition
Books available for persons to read at the National Library.
Emily King, Chief Librarian. The National Library, situated at the juncture of Main and Church Streets in Georgetown, celebrated 110 years yesterday. In observance, it will be hosting one week of activities which commenced yesterday morning with an interfaith service and a pictorial exhibition.
The activities will be celebrated under the theme: “Preserve the past, embrace the future.” Speaking with media operatives at the event, Chief Librarian, Emily King, said the 2019 theme was chosen since the National Library is one of the nations repositories and reflects the role of the agency,
which supports the preservation of material. According to the Newspaper and Publication Act of Guyana, since its establishment in September 1909, the library has kept government publications and written works by Guyanese authors, and other persons in the diaspora. Those literary manuscripts are easily accessible to readers.
In terms of embracing the future, King said the library is working to keep abreast with technology. “We have portals online so that individuals can access our databases.” She said the government has been assisting with funding these initiatives, along with the business sector. Among the list of activities for the 110th anniversary, on Thursday,
there will be a health fair from 10:00hrs commencing on September 26. There will also be a champion readers competition targeting 110 primary school students from Grades 2 and 5. The event runs until November 14. Also, there will be the induction of several Guyanese writers from post and pre-independence to the wall of fame. “We want persons to know about the
quality of writers Guyana had and still has,” the Chief Librarian explained. “I think that if you embrace language, embrace reading, your understanding and your concept of our culture will be improved, and literature also gives you the motivation to write. So, I encourage persons to take advantage of the services the National Library offers,” The Chief Librarian underscored. (DPI)
Alleged rapist, convicted drug trafficker granted High Court bail A man accused of raping an underage girl and a convicted drug trafficker were granted bail last Friday by Justice Brassington Reynolds who is presiding at the High Court in Demerara. Accused rapist Cliff David, 22, of Wismar Linden was granted $250,000 bail pending trial. Elton Harewood who was convicted for trafficking 2,664 grams of cannabis was granted $400,000 bail pending the hearing of an appeal. According to court documents, during March, David was arrested and taken to the McKenzie Police Station where he was questioned and released on $50,000 station bail in relation to rape committed on a child under the age of 16. On July 22, David was charged for the offence and was remanded to prison by Magistrate Wanda Fortune who presides at the Linden Magistrates Court. According to the charge, on March 15, David engaged in
sexual penetration with the underage girl. His lawyer, Gordon Gilhuys contends that the offence for which is client is charged is eminently bailable. In an affidavit, Davids mother contends that her son is entitled to the benefit of the presumption of innocence and the refusal of bail by the Magistrate has the effects of punishing him and his family even though there has been no adjudication of guilt made against him. In this regard, the mother contends that the Magistrate should have used her discretion in favour of granting bail. According to the mother, “I was advised by my attorney-at-law and verily believe that the refusal to grant bail amounts to a breach of his constitutional right to pre trial liberty.” Meanwhile, Harewood was convicted a few months ago for trafficking 2,664 grams of cannabis. The 50-year-old of Lot 51 Castello Housing
Scheme, La Penitence, Georgetown, was charged with trafficking the narcotics on Friday, May 17 at Tabatinga, Central Rupununi. Harewood, who according to court documents, was unrepresented throughout his trial, had pleaded not guilty to the charge after he appeared before Magistrate Alan Wilson at the Lethem Magistrates Court. Subsequently, he was found guilty and sentenced to three years imprisonment along with a fine of $75,000. In the application for bail pending appeal, Harewoods lawyers Imtiaz Baig and Rizwaun Mohamed contended that their client was deceived by prosecutors into believing that if he remained silent throughout his trial he would receive a non-custodial sentence and/ or nothing would become of the matter as there was not sufficient evidence to yield a conviction. According to the lawyers,
“The prisoner (Harewood) was also persuaded by the prosecutors into believing that he had no need to retain an attorney-at-law and that due to him having no antecedents he was unaware of the trial process and relied solely on the assurance of the prosecutors.” Furthermore, the lawyers contended that due to the nature and complexities of the procedure of appeal, couple with a backlog in the judicial system, Harewood may serve the sentence impose on him before the appeal is heard which would be an injustice to him. Their client, the lawyer asserted, is desirous of having a fair trial by being represented by a lawyer and has no intention of absconding from the jurisdiction. Claude Stuart, who made the application for bail on behalf of Harewood, believes that Harewood has a good case on appeal. The Court of Appeal is yet to fix a date for hearing this case.
Justice Brassington Reynolds
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Tuesday september 10, 2019
Kaieteur News
RCC hosts workshop in observance of World Literacy Day
Students of President s College pose with their teacher The Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) yesterday held a Child Rights and Literacy Workshop in observance of World Literacy Day in the conference room of the East Coast Demerara, Grand Coastal Inn. Students from a few secondary schools on the East Coast, their teachers, commissioners of the RCC and Former Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnarine were all a part of the audience. Nicole Cole, a commissioner of the RCC, during her brief remarks encouraged the audience to learn a second language and not limit themselves to just English. She also noted that 2019 is the year of indigenous languages and that they should learn a bit from their Indigenous
brothers and sisters. “I want to encourage everyone here to learn another language. Guyana seated in South America, is strategically located. We have Suriname the Dutch, we have Brazil the Portuguese and then we have Venezuela the Spanish. It is important for us not to be boxed in by one language,” She said. “With regards to the high influx of migration and the many Spanish speakers coming into the country, it is important that we be able to communicate with them,” she said. The students were encouraged to learn a second language when they leave secondary school and go on to further their studies. At the event, a number of
young people recited poems and expounded after each recital. They highlighted themes in the pieces as well as the characters and their struggles and perseverance and how all of those instances can be applied to everyday life. There was also the distribution of awards. Jeremy Fraser copped the Best Camper Award as he acquired the most votes in the aspect of being the most fun, helpful and rounded person. Ian Henry copped the Youth Ambassador of the year prize. Both young men expressed their honour and humbleness to have such awards bestowed upon them and said they will continue to work to not only better themselves but also the
young people around them. Also speaking at the event yesterday was Dr Vidya Persaud who had a lot of empowering things to say. Indeed she captivated the audiences attention. She noted that more emphasis should be placed on young people not only attending school but staying in school. Provisions should also be made for them to have opportunities that stretch beyond their secondary education, she said. “I want to say to you, never stop learning and young ladies who taught you about limiting yourself? You are... limitless,” she advised. In closing she urged them to share the gift of learning and being literate, never say never, and never use age as a barrier to learning. Dr. Rupert Roopnarine was brief in his remarks. He echoed all the others who spoke before him but added that he was looking forward to seeing what was slated to be imparted to the youths in attendance would bear fruit and be applied accordingly.
A portion of Amar Pandays display A history lesson was given on the evolution of the word literacy and how its meaning was changed and added to over the years. “Literacy is about the acquisition of the instrument for the accessing of information, it is the skill of reading and writing,” he explained. Dr. Roopnarine said that the application of the skill is very important as that determines how the information would be used. Literacy is also the greatest enabler of the delivery of education. He ended on the note that the students should take this seriously and also share their knowledge with others. There was a short break
and the audience were allowed to walk around and view the artwork and books displayed from the personal collection of Amar Panday, a Leadership Advocate and Motivational Speaker attached to the RCC. After the break, the chairs were put into a circle and interactive sessions were set in motion. The entire gathering was allowed to spend the rest of the day learning and sharing experiences all in the aim of promoting literacy. World Literacy is observed globally every year to raise awareness and remind people of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights
No confidence motion passed against... From page 12 deter crime within the city. Edwards was specific to mention the report of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into City Hall which concluded last year. The report had stated inter alia Foo’s inability as the Chief Constable to lead his department. Fellow Councillor, David Allicock, in support of the call also pointed to the COI report. In addition to Foo’s lack of leadership in his department, Allicock noted that the COI, which was chaired by retired Justice Cecil Kennard, had recommended that the Chief Constable be dismissed from duties citing his corrupt and improper conduct. Allicock said that there is no doubt that Foo failed to demonstrate that he is in command of his department. “The fact of the matter is that he has lost control,” he added. Foo’s lack of competency, Allicock noted, was documented in the COI report.
Allicock said, “According to the report the city constabulary conducted several investigations but months and even years would go by and the investigations remain incomplete.” Added to that, the Councillor noted that the COI recommended that Foo be sanctioned for attempting to manipulate information brought before the commission. “Mr. Foo had handled a particular investigation into an alleged break and enter of the storage facility of the M&CC where the removal of books and accounting files from the municipal archives came to light when the Chief Constable appeared before the COI, and was questioned. He caused a report to be prepared to corroborate his story. The COI report states this is more than improper conduct it borders on criminality,” Allicock added. Quoting the words of the retired Justice Kennard in the report, the Councillor noted that a recommendation was made that “the corrupt, incompetent officer should be dismissed.”
Tuesday september 10, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday september 10, 2019
Parika NDC seeks outside help to relocate street side vendors Officials at the Parika Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) are seeking outside assistance to remove and locate vendors operating on the road shoulders of the public road. Yesterday, NDC Chairman, Jaio Sookhoo, said that for years now the Council has been up in arms with vendors who have always put up fierce resistance to being relocated. He said that stalls built at another location still close to the Parika Stelling remains empty as vendors continue to ply their trade by the roadside. He said that the situation has worsened since vendors are now extending their trade to areas more than just the road shoulders. Sookhoo said that the police at Parika have been very uncooperative in giving assistance to having the vendors removed, but when that police station was contacted yesterday, a senior rank there said they have always heeded the calls of the council for assistance but have always seen the return of the vendors to the roadways after a few days’ hiatus. Sookhoo noted that vendors are now blocking the entrance to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) building at Parika, and other entities as well. He said some vendors are even vending on
Vendors operating on the road shoulders of the Parika Public Road
‘No Parking’ signs that are quite visible on the roads, and are even brave to vend directly in front of the police station. He said some vendors have been erecting permanent structures on the road shoulders without permission from the Council. Sookhoo explained that they had a meeting with Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, at Vreed-enHoop last year regarding the issue, but noted that the Council lacks the required human resources to conduct
demolition exercises if necessary. Vendors on the other hand are arguing that if they relocate in the stalls provided, they would then be distant from the busy Parika Stelling and will not be able to garner sales in the area suggested for relocation. Meanwhile, the Council is also faced with the problem of being bombarded by a few vendors who have complied and moved to the location provided. Sookhoo said those vendors are now
City constables get on the spot promotions
accusing the Council of exercising favouritism by allowing some vendors to continue to operate by the
roadside. The Council plans to move to the Ministry of Infrastructure with the hope
of having them remove vendors who have erected stalls illegally, along the Parika Public Road.
Govt. suspends immigration crackdown NASSAU, Bahamas CMC – The Bahamas government says it has suspended the crackdown on illegal migrants in the Abacos and Grand Bahama as the death toll from the passage of Hurricane Dorian a week ago climbed to 45. Minister of Financial Services, Trade, Industry and Immigration, Elsworth Johnson said that with the country “presently experiencing a humanitarian crisis in aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, strict instructions have been given to the Immigration Department that our concentration is on assisting with the humanitarian efforts to rescue and save lives regardless of place of origin, nationality or immigration status” He said further, the authorities are “obligated to, and will continue to, secure our borders, all domestic apprehension exercises in the affected areas are suspended. “We also invite all in our community to assist as best
they can with the humanitarian efforts now underway,” he said. Prior to the passage of the hurricane, the Bahamas had implemented a crackdown on illegal migration, particularly directed at persons from Haiti. A Bahamian immigration policy requiring that all residents carry passports has led to increased raids of shantytowns and other areas with large undocumented populations. Following the devastation caused by the storm, the Miami-based Family Action Network Movement (FANM) and more than 20 other groups released a letter addressed to Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Minnis and other government officials. “Our agency has received several SOS from residents because they are scared to seek help because of their immigration status,” the letter noted. “Fear in Haitian immigrant communities is at an all-time high and, without interven-
tion, will prevent needy families from accessing vital services, including asking for shelter in public facilities, when needed, and protecting or assisting others,” the letter noted. The Royal Bahamas Police Force in a statement said that as of Sunday, September, 45 bodies have been located with 37 in Abaco and eight in Grand Bahama. “We anticipate the discovery of more bodies as the process of search and recovery progresses. There are many more persons presumed missing and we are appealing to the public to file Missing Persons reports, with the police, of those persons who have not been seen since the passage of Hurricane Dorian. We offer condolences to those families who have had loved ones die during the storm. And every effort is being made along with our local and international law enforcement partners to bring closure,’ the police said in the statement.
PM says election date is near The promoted ranks at City Hall yesterday Four ranks of City Constabulary within the Georgetown Mayor and City Council were granted on the spot promotions yesterday. At the statutory meeting held at City Hall, four officers were decorated with badges of promotion by Mayor of Georgetown Ubraj
Narine. The promoted ranks under the City Constabulary department include Assistant Superintendant Peter Livingston who was promoted to the rank of Superintendant. Assistant Superintendant Vijanand Gafoor was elevated
to Deputy Superintendant; Sergeant Marston McInroy to the rank of Inspector and Corporal Quincy Baveghems elevated to Sergeant. The ranks were promoted following recommendations by the Council and approval of the Local Government Commission (LGC).
ROSEAU, Dominica CMC – Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says he is very close to announcing the date for general elections, constitutionally due by M a c h n e x t y e a r, b u t widely expected to take place later this year. Speaking at the launch of the latest candidate of the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) on Sunday night, Skerrit, who became prime minister in May
2005, told supporters that they should be prepared for the polls. “Ensure that every one is registered because you will never know when that date will be announced. So be ready, put oil in your lamps, put on your breast plates and get ready to fight battle to defend the Dominica Labour Party and to secure the future of this country.”Skerrit said. He said that he was
not fearful about the outcome of the elections, given that he was “satisfied and convinced that the vast majority of Dominicans” were pleased with the performance of his administration over the years. He said while he has already decided on a date for the election, he thought it prudent to discuss the matter with his candidates and the campaign team before making the announcement.
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U.S. House panel to consider formalizing Trump impeachment probe WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee said yesterday it will consider steps this week to formalize an investigation that could lead to the impeachment of President Donald Trump. The panel, which hopes to decide whether to recommend Trump’s impeachment to the full House by year-end, will meet on Thursday to consider a resolution that Democratic panel aides said would better align the inquiry with formal ones of the past. House Democrats have broadly ramped up investigation of Trump as they returned from summer recess on Monday and unveiled an inquiry into reports that he pressured Ukraine’s government into assisting his re-election campaign. The measure to be considered at 8 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT) on Thursday would authorize panel Chairman Jerrold Nadler to designate committee and subcommittee hearings as impeachment proceedings. It would also allow for aggressive questioning of
hearing witnesses by committee attorneys, set procedures for reviewing grand jury material and allow the White House to respond in writing to evidence and testimony. “Hopefully, it enables us to move more quickly and more effectively,” Nadler told reporters. “We are examining the various malfeasances of the president with a view toward the possibility of recommending articles of impeachment.” Only two American presidents have been impeached by the House: Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1999. Neither was convicted by the Senate, which is required to remove a president. Former President Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 after the House Judiciary Committee approved articles of impeachment against him, but before the full House voted on the matter. An impeachment resolution against Trump was referred to the judiciary committee in February, three months after Democrats won control of the House in November 2018. It launched an oversight
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst probe of Trump’s presidency in March and has since rebranded it as an impeachment investigation. But the approach has been criticized by Republicans for avoiding a precedent from the Nixon and Clinton eras, when formal impeachment inquiries were authorized by the full House. This time, Democrats have
steered clear of a House vote that could prove risky for Democratic freshmen from swing districts, where impeachment is unpopular with many voters. “Judiciary Democrats are trying to pull a fast one on Americans,” Representative Doug Collins, the panel’s top Republican, said in a message on Twitter.
At least 134 House Democrats support an impeachment inquiry, a Reuters head count shows. While that is a majority of the party caucus, the number is well below the 218 votes needed for the House to approve a resolution. A Democratic aide said the new steps follow procedures used in previous impeachments. But the resolution would not go to the full House for a vote. For much of the year, the panel has focused on former Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, including instances of Trump behavior that Democrats say provide evidence he obstructed justice by trying to impede Mueller’s inquiry. Nadler has since broadened the investigation to other kinds of potential misconduct, including accusations that Trump has improperly mixed his business interests with his role as president, dangled pardons to encourage official misconduct and paid money during the 2016 campaign to silence women
claiming to have had affairs with him. The panel has also sued in federal court to gain access to Mueller’s grand jury evidence and to compel former White House Counsel Don McGahn to testify. If the committee approves the new resolution on Thursday, the more aggressive questioning format would be in place for a Sept. 17 hearing where Trump’s former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, is scheduled to testify, along with former Trump White House aides Rob Porter and Rick Dearborn. Democrats want to question the three men about an episode described by Mueller, in which Trump allegedly tried to pressure former Attorney General Jeff Sessions to redirect the Russia probe away from his 2016 presidential campaign. But it is not clear whether the White House could seek to stonewall the hearing by directing Porter and Dearborn not to testify. Lewandowski has said he intends to appear.
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USA ease past Brazil as Australia edge France BEIJING (Reuters) - Holders United States romped into the basketball World Cup knockout rounds with an 8973 win over Brazil and booked a quarter-final clash with France, who were edged by Australia 100-98 in a thriller yesterday. The U.S. win over Brazil also sent the Czechs through to the last eight despite their 84-77 defeat by Greece but they now face a daunting clash with the Australians, who stretched their perfect record to five successive wins. Those two quarter-finals will be played tomorrow while Serbia take on Argentina and Spain will start as strong favorites against Poland in todays action. Mondays results also mean that the United States and Argentina qualified for
next years Olympic Games in Japan as the two top-ranked teams from the Americas in the 32-nation tournament in China. They joined Australia, who earlier booked their berth by advancing into the second group stage as Oceanias bestplaced team with New Zealand dropping into the 1732nd place playoffs. The top two teams from Europe will also qualify as well as one each from Africa and Asia. Brazil held their own against the more athletic Americans in the opening half and were level 23-23 at the end of the first quarter before the champions engineered a 43-38 halftime lead. A barrage of fast breaks coupled by Marcus Smarts audacious three-pointer on
the buzzer gave the U.S. a 6857 lead at the end of the third quarter and the Brazilians ran out of steam in the final 10 minutes. Guard Kemba Walker and center Myles Turner netted 16 points each for the U.S., who dished out 21 assists to Brazils 12 and racked up 11 steals. Australia, who reached the 2016 Olympics last four, appear set to at least emulate the achievement after they garnished another impressive performance with a dramatic win in the last few seconds of a rip-roaring contest against the French. The lead changed hands throughout with both teams trigger-happy from threepoint range before Matthew Dellavedova and Mitch Creek sank a free throw each in the final few seconds to seal
Tuesday September 10, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) With some leisure time on your hands, you'll find an opportunity to start fresh in some area that has challenged you, Aries.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today your creativity might be stimulated by some free time, Libra. You can try and save it for later, but you may not feel the same way then.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Today you might want to try something completely new, Taurus. If you've never done this before, why not try expressing yourself through dance?
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You probably have a knack for listening to other people and noticing when they need help or a shoulder to cry on, Scorpio. Today may be excellent for you to help another person out.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) If you're not already so inclined, Gemini, why not try expressing yourself through song? Even if you're convinced you have a tin ear, you might be surprised at what happens if you just let yourself go. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Cancer, you may discover today that you have a talent for something you've never even thought about before. If you always stick to what you know, how will you ever experience anything new? LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) It's a new day, Leo, a good day to let your caring side show. Take the time to smile and chat with as many people as you can. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today brings the opportunity to see things as they are and not as you'd like them to be. It'seasytofoolyourselfsometimes, but you can only get away with that for so long before the truth comes out.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) It's possible that someone will question your motives or wonder whether or not you're genuine, Sagittarius. Don't take it the wrong way. You don't take everything at face value either. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today's a good day to work toward the goals you've set, Capricorn. The aspect of the day influences your ability to focus on the necessary steps to achieve what you want. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You may watch the clock today, Aquarius. It can be hard to focus on tasks when you're thinking about relaxing, but do your best. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) If someone you know is going through a rough time, Pisces, they could come to you for support or advice. People see you as genuinely concerned and a good friend, especially when times are tough.
- Jaylen Brown of the U.S. in action with Brazil’s Anderson Varejao. (REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)
Australias win as France threw away their last possession. San Antonio Spurs playmaker Patty Mills shone with 30 points for Australia, Joe Ingles added 23 and Aaron Baynes chipped in with 21 as the Boomers ironclad backbone carried them again. Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier nailed a gamehigh 31 points for France and Nando De Colo added 26 but the French will rue spilling a 70-61 lead in the third quarter when they appeared to be in
the driving seat. Greece needed to beat the Czechs by at least 12 points in the days opening fixture and hope that the U.S. beat Brazil in order to advance, but came up short although they were 65-53 ahead early in the fourth quarter. Their top performer Giannis Antetokounmpo, last seasons most valuable player in the NBA, fouled out shortly afterwards and the Czechs managed to slash the deficit thanks to some lethal longrange shooting.
Brady’s Patriots... From page 31 battling back from deficits of 17-0 and 20-7 with three straight second-half touchdowns and a field goal on four possessions. There were a couple of other big comebacks, including for the Buffalo Bills, who rallied from a 16-0 deficit to beat the New York Jets 17-16 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals nearly finished an improbable comeback on the rookie’s debut, rallying from an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter to tie the 24-24 at the end of the fourth quarter. The Cardinals had two chances to win in overtime and so did the Lions, but all they could do was trade field goals and settle for a 27-27 tie.
Reggae Boyz beat Golden... From page 32 matched by stout defending from the visitors. Head Coach Márcio Máximo in an invited comment after the match said that they paid a big price in the first half but were able to fix their mistakes in the second with some tactical adjustments being employed whilst also stating that the policy was to give more exposure to the local players. ”Its a good lesson for us, Jamaica is a good team, of course we are a good team as well and need time because its a long way and Im not magic and football also dont have magic; you should take lessons from each game for next game and be better.” Máximo also stated that the competition has just begun and is confident that the team would be better going forward. “You need time to develop the players, also team.” Meanwhile, Antigua and Barbuda defeated Aruba 2-1 in the other Group G, League B match yesterday.
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Contract signing completed for Mercedes’ Wolff says controversial Leclerc move ‘over the line’ Not in MY House boxing card
B
oxing returns to Guyana as Nexgen Global Marketing, Caribbean Knockouts and HJ Entertainment have teamed up to promote an anticipated and unique International boxing card. Scheduled to be hosted at Durban Park on the 28th of this month, the ProAm card dubbed “Not in MY House” will feature some of the best local boxers competing against fighters from the USA, Colombia and Trinidad & Tobago (T&T). The main event of the night will see Guyanas star fighter Dexter Marques vs. Jose Antonio Jimenez from Colombia in 10 rounds of flyweight action and winning will be everything for the Guyanese since victory against the Colombian that has 21 wins under his belt will
give Marques a shot at a major fight. Yesterday at Abdool & Abdools Insurance Brokers on Avenue of the Republic, the contract signing for the event was conducted with most of the local fighters that will be on show on the 28th present. The event is the first of its kind in Guyana as entry to the stands is by complimentary admission only and to top the night off, fabulous entertainment is promised to be provided by HJ Entertainment. Vice-President of the Nexgen Global Marketing (one of the organisers), Aleem Hussain, noted that with just 18 days remaining, he is very excited at what is in store for the local boxing fans. Over 56 rounds of action are sched-
uled with four amateur fights set to complement the six Professional bouts. The amateur bouts have not been released as yet but the professional fights are as f o l l o w s : Fight 1: (Catchweight 6 rounds) Romeo Norville versus Edmond DeClou Fight 2: (Junior Welterweight 4 rounds) Joel Williamson versus Keeve Allicock Fight 3: (Middleweight 4 rounds) Patrick Boston versus Bryan Cuvero (USA) Fight 4: (Welterweight 4 rounds) Anson Green versus Raymond Willburg (USA) Fight 5: Light Heavyweight 6 rounds) James Moore versus James Walcott Fight Six: (Flyweight 10 rounds) Dexter Marques versus Jose Antonio Jimenez (Colombia)
Greece demand wholesale bans after MVP Antetokounmpo exits World Cup AFP - Greece are calling for the officials who oversaw their final game at the Basketball World Cup to be banned after NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and his team exited the tournament amid rancour yesterday. Greece’s coach said that star man Antetokounmpo had been the victim of a lack of “respect” after being fouled out in the 84-77 victory over the Czech Republic. The Milwaukee Bucks standout picked up a questionable, fifth foul midway through the fourth quarter and even though Greece won, it was not by the margin of 12 or more points that they needed. A team spokesman confirmed to AFP that the Greeks were writing to governing body FIBA seeking a ban for the three referees in charge. “Also (a ban) for those who nominate the referees and also watch the video and announce the results,” the spokesman said in a text message. Greece, chasing the big win they needed to reach the quarter-finals, were up by 10 points with just over eight minutes left. They reached the magic 12-point lead, only for the Czechs to immediately hit back to narrow the deficit once more, then came the loss of the 24-year-old Antetokounmpo. He was seen remonstrating with the officials after Greece’s fate was sealed, but overall, the reigning MVP was not on the top of his game at
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 12 points, nine rebounds and four assists against the Czech Republic before he was fouled out. (AFP / Nicolas Asfouri) the World Cup. Antetokounmpo had 12 points, nine rebounds and four assists before his afternoon — and Greece’s tournament — came to an early end. “He came every day to fight on the court, of course he did not get the respect he wants and I mean about the two fouls he received today, the third and the fifth,” said Greece coach Thanasis Skourtopoulos. “You cannot call these kinds of fouls on this kind of player. “That’s finished because I don’t like to talk about the referees too much.” It is not the first controversy involving referees at the World Cup in China. FIBA on Sunday removed from the competition blundering match officials who made an error in the dying seconds
of Lithuania’s tournamentending loss to France, but the result was allowed to stand. The crucial mistake occurred with the French leading just 76-75 at the time. The Czechs now need a USA victory over Brazil later Monday to reach the quarterfinals. Skourtopoulos made the surprising admission that he and his coaching team had failed to get the most out of the so-called “Greek Freak”. “It’s the first time we had him with us with this status of MVP, in these 25 days we tried to do the best we can... I can say maybe we did not make the correct options. “We worked very hard to support him.” He added: “I am sorry because we disappointed a lot of fans in Greece and fans who supported us here.”
Leclerc blocked off Hamilton en route to winning the Italian Grand Prix. (AFP / Miguel Medina)
AFP - Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said he thought Charles Leclerc’s controversial block on Lewis Hamilton en route to winning the Italian Grand Prix was “over the line”, but admitted the stewards would have needed “a police escort” to leave Monza on Sunday if they had penalised the Ferrari driver. The Mercedes team chief made clear he was unhappy with the officials’ decisions, but accepted them, after Leclerc gave Ferrari a first home victory since 2010. Defending world champion Hamilton finished third behind Leclerc and teammate Valtteri Bottas after twice taking evasive action to avoid a crash as the young Monegasque blocked him at the second chicane and the Curva Grande. The stewards took note and issued a black-and-white warning flag to the Ferrari driver, a move that allowed him to run unpenalised to the chequered flag and Italian euphoria. “They are in such a difficult position, a very difficult one,” said Wolff. “To come up with the right decisions - they are not always clear-cut - and right now I have enough of my own problems to solve. “I don’t want to have (race director) Michael Masi’s problems on top of that.
“But the racing was very hard, maybe over the line and Lewis was instrumental in not making it into an incident. “At the end of the day, what can you do? To give a Ferrari, leading at Monza, a five-second penalty? That’s out of the question because then you’d need a police escort to get out of here!” Wolff also criticised the way in which more aggressive and dangerous racing had been permitted to creep back into the sport in recent months. “There are more cars touching, there will be more it will be more of a common practice,” he said. “In my opinion, it’s going to go the point where it will end up again in a collision - and then we have to bail out of it again or crawl back. “But this is the modus operandi and until then, we let them race.” Hamilton was also aggrieved by the manner in which Leclerc defended his lead and said he intended to “have a word with him, in private” to discuss the race and their issues. Leclerc, who was barged off the track in Austria by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen as they battled for the lead, said: “Since Austria, it’s clear we can go a bit further in the way we defend and overtake...
“I believe that Austria helped me to change this approach and today it’s also thanks to this that I managed to win. It was obviously very on the limit but I’m happy to race like this.” Hamilton said: “We’ve just constantly asked for consistency. There was a rule put in place and then it wasn’t abided by today.” - Ferrari ‘need to stay realistic’ Leclerc’s triumph came just seven days after his maiden win in Belgium and he is now 13 points clear of his Ferrari teammate and fourtime world champion Sebastian Vettel, who finished 13th at Monza. But Leclerc thinks Ferrari could struggle at the Singapore Grand Prix in two weeks’ time despite their recent upturn in fortunes. “We need to stay realistic,” said the 21-year-old. “I think we expected that Spa and Monza would be very good races for our car, but we also know that the next few races will be a lot more difficult for our car. “So, we need to be realistic and it’s not going to be easy. I think especially Singapore.“I think it will be a nice surprise if we are better than we expect, but we expect to struggle there. We’ll see in two weeks.”
IAAF bans former Diack lawyer Cisse for life (Reuters) - Habib Cisse, former legal adviser to disgraced IAAF ex-president Lamine Diack, has been banned for life for corruption and fined $25,000, the IAAF Ethics Board said yesterday. The IAAF said its ethics panel had found Cisse guilty of helping to cover up doping violations by Lilya Shobukhova “and other Russian athletes”. Cisse was accused by in-
dependent investigator Dick Pound in 2016 of being part of a clique run by Diack that covered up organized doping in the sport. Diack, who is to be tried in France on charges of corruption and money laundering, diverted the handling of Russian doping cases to Cisse, who was serving at the time as the Senegaleses personal lawyer. “The decision (to ban
Cisse) enters into force on 9 September 2019, being the date on which the decision was communicated to the parties,” the IAAF said in a statement on its website. The world governing body added that it would not publish the full reasons for its decision until police investigations and legal proceedings against Cisse and others had ended.
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Relief for Germany as Gnabry BCB 80th Anniversary Celebration seals narrow win in Belfast Twelve youths to benefit from Minister Ramjattans donation to Berbice Cricket Board
AFP - Goals from Marcel Halstenberg and Serge Gnabry steered Germany’s Euro 2020 qualifying campaign back on course as Joachim Loew’s side edged to a nervy 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in Belfast yesterday. The victory sees Germany go top of Group C and ends Northern Ireland’s spotless record in qualifying so far, as the first game in five that Michael O’Neill’s side have failed to win. Germany came to Belfast under mounting pressure after their 4-2 home defeat by the Netherlands in Hamburg last Friday, and their nerves showed in the first half against a fearless Northern Ireland side. Conor Washington forced an early save from goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, and nearly bundled the ball in at a goalmouth scramble shortly before half-time. Left-back Halstenberg broke the deadlock with an inch-perfect half-volley just after the break, smashing a bouncing ball into the top corner to pick up his firstever international goal. A string of chances followed for Germany, with
Marcel Halstenberg scored the opener in Germany’s 2-0 win over Northern Ireland yesterday. (AFP / Paul Faith) Marco Reus and Timo Werner both forcing saves from Bailey Peacock-Farrell. Having ridden out the storm, Northern Ireland quickly began to expose Germany’s defensive frailties again and almost equalised through Stuart Dallas just after the hour mark. Yet Bayern Munich winger Gnabry finally sealed the win two minutes into injury time, squeezing the ball past Peacock-Farrell from the tightest of angles. Germany now leapfrog
Northern Ireland to go top of Group C on goal difference, with both sides having picked up 12 points from their opening five games. The Netherlands, who have played only four games so far, sit in third with nine points after their 4-0 victory over Estonia. Despite their four wins so far, O’Neill’s side still have a mountain to climb to qualify, as they face two clashes with the Dutch and a trip to Germany in their remaining five games.
Michael Schumacher admitted to Paris hospital for ‘secret treatment’ - Le Parisien PARIS (Reuters) - Former Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher was admitted to a Paris hospital for “secret treatment” earlier on Monday, Le Parisien newspaper reported. Schumacher turned 50 on Jan. 3 but has not been seen in public since a skiing accident in the French Alps five years ago that left him with severe head injuries and in a medically-induced coma for
several months. Schumacher was taken to the Pompidou hospital in southwest Paris yesterday afternoon, Le Parisien said, without citing its sources. The French newspaper said the former champion would undergo treatment based on stem-cell transfusion by French surgeon Philippe Menasche. A spokeswoman for Schumacher did not immedi-
ately return a request for comment. Schumacher remains motor racings most successful driver, with a record 91 grand prix wins. He won his first two titles with Benetton in 1994 and 1995 before five in a row with Ferrari between 20002004. In January his family released a statement saying he was in “the very best of hands”.
Second Limacol football tourney round of group matches begins tonight The fourth annual Limacol football tournament that is being supported by W.J Enterprises Croxley Paper brand resumed on Sunday evening with yet another double header at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground which saw Riddim Squad thumping GT Panthers 5-2 in the opener and Timehri Panthers proved the more lethal of the cats with a comfortable 2-0 win over Camptown in the feature clash. Wendell Joseph banged home a hat-trick for Riddim
Squad with his strikes coming in the 47th, 65th and 68th minutes after Ian Mars had opened the scoring in the sixth minute of the encounter, while James Bowman also etched his name on the score sheet with a 64th minute goal. Joshua Anthony (6th) and Seon Urquart (52nd) scored for GT Panthers. Meanwhile, Jarel Walcott (7th) and Tyrone Khan (85th) were the main men for Timehri Panthers 2-0 win over Camptown. The action continues tonight with second round play
from 19:00hrs at the MOE ground on Carifesta Avenue. Mahaica Determinators play Police B in the first match, while Santos under-20 will play Timehri Panthers at 21:00hrs. 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.
Twelve outstanding Under-13 Cricketers drawn from across Berbice would benefit from a donation of cricket gears as the Berbice Cricket Board continued its celebration of its 80th Anniversary. President Hilbert Foster and former President Malcolm Peters on Thursday last visited the Office of the Vice President and Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan who handed over $250,000 worth of cricket gears to Guyanas most vibrant Cricket Organisation. The donation included bats, batting pads, helmets, wicketkeeping pads, stumps and wicketkeeping gloves. Foster, who is spearheading the month long celebration expressed the Berbice Cricket Boards gratitude to Minister Ramjattan and praised the Minister for remembering his home county of Berbice. The BCB President stated that the celebration is being done in four ways “Honouring of Heroes, Investing in Promising Players, Educational events and Upgrading of the BCB Office/ Operations”. Foster stated that the twelve cricketers would each receive a piece of cricket gear, while two Clubs in the Upper Corentyne area would each get a complete set of stumps. The Players would be drawn from the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Rose Hall Canje, Albion Community Centre, Blairmont Community Centre, Port Mourant, Upper Corentyne and West Berbice. The Berbice Cricket Board in the last nineteen months has assisted dozens of young cricketers with over $2M worth of bicycles, educational materials, school bags, cricket bats, batting pads, batting gloves,
Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan hands over cricket gears to BCB President Hilbert Foster as Malcolm Peters looks on. helmets, bowling boots and wicket keeping equipment. The Berbice Cricket Board boss also stated that the Berbice Cricket Board would also shortly assist another fifteen Under-15 players with their own batting pads or gloves. The Berbice Cricket Board Office is also undergoing a major upgrade as the Board seeks to improve its services to the general public. Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu stated that among the
programmes for the 80th Anniversary are “Tribute to Heroes, Unveiling of Berbice Greatest Players, 80th Anniversary Book, Youth Information Booklet, Educational Competitions in Schools, Distribution of School bags, Induction into Hall of Fame for Cricketers and Administrators, Newspapers pull out, Religious Service, Feeding the Inmates of Senior Citizens and Pensioners Breakfast Programmes at the Rose Hall Town Post Office”.
Allicock off to World Boxing Championship in Russia Guyana and Caribbean Bantamweight champion ‘Lightning’ Keevin Allicock is currently in Yekaterinburg, Russia to participate in his first World Boxing Championship. Allicock departed Guyana on Saturday and has moved up to the featherweight division as the bantamweight category has been left out of the World Championships. He will have his first bout
tomorrow (Wednesday) against Finland’s Arsian Khataev. Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) President, Steve Ninvalle said that his association worked tirelessly in order to get the talented boxer to the championships. “The World Championship is only second to the Olympics and it is my commitment to keep exposing not only Mr. Allicock but all of our boxers to the highest level of
training and competition,” Ninvalle shared via social media with the press. Guyana’s last appeared at the World Championship in 2013 in Kazakhstan with Dennis Thomas and Imran Khan participating and Allicocks trip to the Russia this year has cost in excess of $1.3m. Guyana first ever International Technical Officer, Elton Chase, is also at the World Championship.
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Kaieteur News
Concacaf Nations League Group G/League B Reggae Boyz beat Golden Jaguars 4-0 to remain unbeaten
Substitute Stephen Duke-McKenna taking it to Jamaica last night. Story and photos by Franklin Wilson Jamaicas Reggae Boyz romped to their second win in as many matches last night at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, a 4-0 triumph over Guyanas Golden Jaguars. Coming off their 6-0 win over Antigua and Barbuda on Friday last in Jamaica, the Reggae Boyz looked a well oiled unit in chalking up another three points. Guyana too, were winners of their opening round match away to Aruba on Friday last via a 1-0 margin but were
never allowed to get settled let alone, pose any threats to the confident visitors. After the first ten minutes during which the home team displayed signs of intent to make a match of it, their focus fell away for the remainder of the half which allowed Jamaica to have things their way, and that they did. Sending the lads from Reggae land on their way was Elvis Powell (FC Cincinnati) who netted the first of his two goals in the 14th minute, he found the Guyanese backline lapsing and fired past Akel
Clarke between the uprights. From thereon in, Jamaica controlled proceedings and went further ahead in the 26th minute, Powell completing his double. The Jamaicans were not done just yet and further put the match out of the reach of Guyana when Dever Orgill (MKE Ankaragucu-Turkey) latched on to the ball to finish appropriately in the 44th minute; Jamaica 3 Guyana 0. The second half saw a much better showing by the home team which were being constantly encouraged by the 750 fans in attendance, chant-
BCB/Stag Beer 50-Overs cricket bowls off on Saturday 14th September The Berbice Cricket Board First Division Season for 2019 would start on 14th September, with the hosting of the Stag Beer 50-Overs Round Robin Tournament. The Tournament was originally slated to start in May, 2019, but was postponed due to the recent lengthy rainy season which left most of the grounds in an unplayable state. The Eleven teams in the county have been divided into three Zones. West Berbice, Blairmont Community Centre and Tucber Park are in Zone A. Rose Hall Town Thunderbolt Flour, Rose Hall Canje, Young Warriors and Police Sports Club are in Zone B. Zone C would consist of Albion Community Centre, Port Mourant, Upper Corentyne and Skeldon. The top two teams from each Zone would advance to the Playoffs, where they would be involved in a Knockout phase to reach the
finals. Berbice Cricket Board President Hilbert Foster stated that the 2019 First Division Season is expected to consist of 50-Overs, 40-Overs, 20/20 and the historic Two Days Tournament. Albion and archrivals Rose Hall Town would start as Pre-Tournament favourites but still challenges are expected from Tucber Park, Blairmont Community Centre and Young Warriors. Among the players expected to participate in the Tournament are Romario shepherd, Devendra Bishoo, Clinton Pestano, Kevlon Anderson, Jonathan Foo, Keon Joseph, Veerasammy Permaul, Garfield Benjamin, Shimron Hetmyer, Alex Algoo, Demetri Cameron, Rishi Persaud, Javed Karim and Kevin Sinclair. Teams are reminded that walkovers shall be granted half hour after the scheduled start of play, while Captains would forfeit their rights to the toss, if they are not present
by 09.15 hours at the venue, to allow for a prompt 09.30 start. Teams are also required to be properly attired and the host teams are to provide snacks and refreshments to both teams and the Umpires. Only Berbicians are allowed to play. The fixtures for the Opening Rounds are: Zone A: 1) Blairmont Com Centre Cricket Club vs West Berbice Cricket Club @ Bush Lot 2) Tucber Park Cricket Club BYE Zone B: 1) RHT Thunderbolt Flour Cricket Club vs Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club @ Canje 2) Young Warriors Cricket Club vs Police Sports Club @ Cumberland Zone C: 1) Albion Com Centre Cricket Club vs Port Mourant Cricket Club @ Albion 2) Skeldon Titans Cricket Club vs Upper Corentyne Cricket Club @ Upper Corentyne
Guyana’s starting X1 vs Jamaica, CNL Sept. 9, 2019
Matthew Briggs (#3) brings the ball forward for Guyana against Jamaica last night at Leonora. ing, Lets go Jaguars. But even with a more robust performance in the final 45 minutes, Guyana were not able to get on the score sheet. Head Coach Márcio Máximo rang the changes; the first coming just after goal number four was scored, Orgill achieving his second in the 54th minute. At that juncture, Guyanas hero at their inaugural appearance at the Concacaf Gold Cup in June, Neil Danns made way for Pernel Schultz. Four minutes later, Stephen
Duke-McKenna replaced Kelsey Benjamin; the fresh legs introduced did bring some energy to the Golden Jaguars quest to score but they came that close but could not crack the Reggae Boyz back line and goalkeeper Andre Blake who also wore the Captains armband as he marshaled his troupes from behind. Guyana came close in the 72nd minute when Pernel Schultz dribbled two Jamaicans and crossed the ball into the area only for a defender
to nullify the effort by clearing the ball away. Another opportunity came when a free kick was awarded to the home team, which was taken by Duke-McKenna. The Bolton Wanderers FC player did well with the shot that was destined for goal but it was denied by excellent goalkeeping from Captain Blake who palmed it away, airborne too. Benjamin too enjoyed a good moment in the Reggae Boyz defensive third but his ambitions were (Continued on page 29)
Tickets for final 2 GAW home games on sale
T
icket Sales for the Guyana Amazon Warriors final two home matches of the 2019 Hero CPL began yesterday at three locations. Patrons are asked to avoid the last minute rush and secure tickets from the CPL OPCO (Guyana) Office located at Lot 238 Camp and Quamina Streets, Georgetown; 19 Princess Elizabeth road New Amsterdam and at Imam Bacchus General Store at Affiance Essequibo Coast. Tickets can be purchased
from 8 AM to 5 PM on Weekdays, 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays and 9 AM to 2 PM on Sundays. The costs of tickets are as follows: “ GREEN STAND G $5,000 “ RED STAND G $5,000 “ ORANGE STAND G $3,000 “ GRASS MOUND G $2,000 “ INTERNAL PARKING G$1,500 The first three home matches for the Guyana Amazon Warriors saw sold out
crowds and the interest is higher now for the remaining matches. The remaining Guyana Amazon Home Matches are; “ Thursday October 3 Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Jamaica Tallawahs at 6:00 PM “ Friday October 4 Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Trinbago Knight Riders at 8:00 PM For further information on ticketing please feel free to contact the CPL OPCO (Guyana) office on telephone numbers 231-5344, 502-0448 or 502-0454.
Tuesday September 10, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Brady’s Patriots stomp Steelers, Chiefs beat Jags despite losing Hill AFP - Tom Brady passed for three touchdowns and 341 yards as the New England Patriots began the defence of their Super Bowl title with a 33-3 rout of Pittsburgh in a bruising opening Sunday of the NFL season. The 42-year-old Brady completed 24 of 36 passes and improved to 6-0 at home against the Steelers. He threw two touchdown passes to Phillip Dorsett and one to Josh Gordon. Stephen Gostkowski added four field goals. “The defence played great and gave us a lot of opportunities,” said Brady. “We made some big plays on the pass game.” The Patriots, who held a pregame ceremony to celebrate their championship, started quickly leading 7-0 after the first quarter and 20-0 at halftime. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was 27 of 47 for 276 passing yards, and an interception. The win comes just days before the Patriots add Antonio Brown to their lineup. New England reportedly has guaranteed the wide receiver $9 million this season. Brown, a four-time All-Pro and one of the league’s most dynamic pass catchers, is not eligible to be signed officially until yesterday. Brady said he hopes the Patriots can find a receiver
Tom Brady of the defending Super Christian McCaffrey of the Carolina Bowl champion New England Patriots Panthers hurdles Los Angeles Rams directs his offence in a 33-3 season player Eric Weddle in the Rams’ opening rout of the Pittsburgh Steelers NFL season-opening victory over at Gillette Stadium. (Getty Images the Panthers. (Getty Images North North America/AFP / Maddie Meyer) America/AFP / Jacob Kupferman) role for Brown. “It is about getting him up to speed,” Brady said. “He is a great player and we are excited to have him. I played against him for a long time. “We will try to incorporate him into the lineup the best way we can.” Elsewhere, reigning Most Valuable Player Patrick Mahomes threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Kansas City Chiefs to a 40-26 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Sammy Watkins grabbed nine passes for a career-high 198 yards and three touchdowns, taking over as the top target for Chiefs quarterback Mahomes after Tyreek Hill
departed with a shoulder injury days after he inked a three-year, $54 million (48.9 million euros) deal last week. Hill was later transported to hospital with what Chiefs head trainer Rick Burkholder called a “sternoclavicular joint injury which is where your clavicle comes into your sternum”. The news was possibly worse for the Jaguars, who lost quarterback Nick Foles to a broken left clavicle less than a quarter into his debut. Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said there was no timetable for Foles’s return after surgery expected yesterday. “It was unfortunate,” Marrone said. “You’d really
BCB/Trophy Stall Under-13 Tournament
RHT Poonai Pharmacy Under-13 Team emerges as Zone B leader A brilliant spell of fast bowling by twelve years old Khemraj Tika spearheaded the strong Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy Under-13 Team to first innings point against archrivals Albion Community Centre as the Berbice Cricket Board/Trophy Stall Under-13 Championship continued in the Ancient County. Bowling with a fair amount of pace and great control, Tika led his team to the top of the points table for Zone B, while Albion also advanced to the semifinals after they had earlier in the week got past Port Mourant on first innings. Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy Under-13 won the toss in sweltering heat and was given a solid opening partnership of 30 by openers Tyrell Hutson 21 and Tyrese Smartt 16. Khemraj Tika 17 and Zaker Mohamed 12 both supported well as Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy were bowled out for 95. Afraz
- Khemraj Tika takes 7 for 4 in brilliant spell of fast bowling Budhoo 4 for 10 and Retesh Nathor 3 for 24 were the main wicket takers of Albion Community Centre Cricket Club, who in reply was bowled out for a meagre 24 from fifteen overs as all rounder Khemraj Tika returned with the ball to claim seven wickets for three runs with a hostile spell of fast bowling. Afraz Budhoo topscored with 8 as none of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club batters reached double figures. Off spinner Deeraj Ramjit supported Tika with two wickets for five runs. With an overall first innings lead of seventy one crucial runs, Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy reached 34 for 5 in their second innings. Tyrell Hutson scored 13, while Tika continued to impress by ending on 10 not out. Afraz
Budhoo 2 for 14 and Devin Lallbehari 3 for 6 were very impressive with the ball for Albion Community Centre Cricket Club. Set the impossible task of scoring 106 to win in fifty minutes, the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club Under-13 Team ended on 9 for 2 from ten overs. Medium pacer Tyrese Smartt bowled Shazad Ali for 01 and Devin Lalbehari 00 to end with 2 wickets for five runs from five overs. Dion Seetal 01 and skipper Afraz Budhoo 03 were the not out batsmen when the game ended. Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy would clash with the runner up of Zone B at the Area H Ground while Albion Community Centre Cricket Club would travel to the winner of Zone A for the two semifinals.
like to see how the game would’ve worked itself out with Nick.” In his absence, rookie sixth-round pick Gardner Minshew threw for 275 yards and two touchdowns in an outstanding debut that still wasn’t enough. “I was really proud of him for stepping up,” Foles said after the game, talking to reporters with his arm in a sling. “And I’m going to be here to help him any way possible.” Los Angeles Rams safety Eric Weddle suffered a frightening head laceration in his team’s 30-27 win over the Panthers in Carolina. Weddle was carted off the field in the first half to have treatment for the bloody wound and a concussion evaluation. With less than six minutes left in the second half, Weddle attempted to tackle Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey as he rushed toward the right sideline.
Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes looks to pass in the Chiefs’ 2019 season-opening NFL victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. (Getty Images North America/AFP / Sam Greenwood) McCaffrey tried to hurdle over Weddle and ended up catching him with a knee to the right side of his helmet. - Ravens soar Early division clashes saw the Baltimore Ravens run riot in a 59-10 victory over the Dolphins in Miami, where Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson threw for a careerhigh 324 passing yards and a club-record five passing touchdowns. He connected on 17 of 20 passes for a club-
record 85 percent completion rate. The high-flying Ravens offense saw tight end Mark Andrews record eight catches for 108 yards — both career highs. Rookie wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown reeled in four catches for 147 yards, and two touchdowns. In Philadelphia, the Eagles rallied for a 32-27 victory over NFC East rivals Washington, (Continued on page 29)
Imran Tahir and Qais Ahmad to join Guyana Amazon Warriors The Guyana Amazon Warriors have announced that Shadab Khan, the Pakistan international leg-spinner, will only be available for the first three games of their Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season due to domestic commitments. He will be replaced by South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir. Tahir played for the Amazon Warriors in 2018 where he claimed 16 wickets at 17.75 as the team made it to the final where they were beaten by the Trinbago Knight Riders. Tahir was part of the South African s q u a d a t t h e 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup where he claimed 11 wickets in his nine matches in the tournament. The Amazon Warriors have also announced a replacement for USA player Saurabh Netravalkar who will
Imran Tahir
be unavailable due to international commitments. Netravalkar was drafted as the Amazon Warriors ICC Americas player, but draft rules allow for him to be replaced by a Caribbean or overseas player. Netravalkar will be re-
placed by Afghan leg-spinner Qais Ahmad who played for the St Lucia franchise in the 2018 Hero CPL. Qais has 35 wickets in T20 cricket at the very impressive average of 18 from his 27 matches in the format.
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Tuesday September 10, 2019
Kaieteur News
Pollard new white-ball skipper as Holder, Brathwaite sacked PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC Cricket West Indies have sacked both Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite as one-day and Twenty20 captain respectively, and have appointed experienced batting all-rounder Kieron Pollard to lead the Caribbean side in the white-ball formats. In a media conference here yetserday, CWI said they had accepted the recommendation of the selection task force headed by its vicepresident Dr Kishore Shallow and including director of cricket, Jimmy Adams, to implement specific red-ball and white-ball captains, and had subsequently ratified the choice of the 32-year-old Pollard. “Kieron Pollard, with immediate effect, has agreed to take up the position of captain of both our T20 and ODI white-ball teams,” CWI president, Ricky Skerritt told media here. “This appointment directly results from the recommended restructuring in lead-
ership by the same task force in its quest to produce better selection and performance results. “I want to publicly congratulate Mr Pollard on his appointment and to thank the task force for the excellent work they have achieved and for the very important transformational recommendation they have made in Mr Pollards appointment.” Largely a T20 specialist, Pollard has not played a single One-Day International in the last three years, his last appearance coming on the illfated series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates when West Indies suffered a humiliating whitewash. His record has also been unflattering, averaging 25 with the bat from 101 ODIs with three hundreds, and taking 50 wickets with his slow medium at nearly 40 runs apiece. In T20s, the Trinidadian has played 62 matches with a batting average of 21 with three fifties. His 58 against India last month was his first
West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard … appointd captain for white-ball formats. half-century in seven years. However, he brings massive leadership experience in the shortest format, having led Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League for five years and then also taking over at St Lucia Stars last season. This year, he is leading his native Trinbago Knight Rid-
Barty reclaims number one spot, Andreescu up to fifth (Reuters) - Australias Ash Barty has reclaimed the number one spot in the WTA rankings less than a month after losing it while U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu moved up to a career-high fifth after her maiden Grand Slam win in New York. Andreescu beat Serena Williams 6-3 7-5 in Saturdays final to maintain a 13-match unbeaten run, where she also won the Canadian Open, to break into the top 10 for the first time in her career. “I dont want to take anything for granted. These are the moments you live for and Im just beyond blessed,” Andreescu, who moved up 10 places, told Reuters. After taking the first set and leading 5-1 in the second, Andreescu was broken twice by 23-times Grand Slam winner Williams before eventually breaking back and winning the contest to become the first Canadian to win a major in the professional era. “It definitely wasnt easy in the final against Serena Williams,” the 19-year-old added. “I think Im most proud of how Im able to get into my zone and I was able to block out the crowd too because they were really, really loud. “If I didnt do that, Im sure Serena would have won that second set so Im really glad with how I handled everything.”
Ashleigh Barty of Australia hits a backhand against Qiang Wang of China (not pictured) in the fourth round on day seven of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament. (Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports/file photo) French Open champion Barty exited the tournament in the last 16 but regained the number one spot after last years champion Naomi Osaka was also knocked out at the same stage. The Japanese, who also beat Williams in last years final, slipped to fourth in the rankings with Czech Republics Karolina Pliskova and Ukraines Elina Svitolina leapfrogging her to move up to second and third respectively. Wimbledon champion Simona Halep fell two places down to sixth while Williams
fell one spot to ninth despite her run to the final. In the ATP rankings, there was no change in the top three with Novak Djokovic leading mens champion Rafa Nadal, who won his 19th Grand Slam on Sunday, and Roger Federer but this years runner-up Daniil Medvedev moved up to a career-high fourth. Medvedev has had a stellar record since a third-round exit at Wimbledon, reaching the finals of his last four tournaments, winning the Cincinnati Masters last month.
ers in the absence of regular skipper Dwayne Bravo who has been ruled out of the tournament with injury. “Im truly honoured to be appointed captain of the West Indies and I would like to thank Cricket West Indies Board of Directors for placing their faith and confidence in me,” Pollard said.
“I cant wait to work with the coaching staff and players as we start building towards future World Cups and give the fans more reasons to get behind the team.” Both Holder and Brathwaite enjoyed modest success in their roles, leaving Pollard with teams ranked ninth in both formats, only above the likes of minnows Afghanistan and Nepal. The 27-year-old Holder, appointed ODI captain in December 2014 after just a handful of international games, won just 24 of his 86 games in charge. Instructively, West Indies never won a series under the world-rated Barbadian all-rounder. More, the Windies suffered an abysmal World Cup campaign in England earlier this year when they managed just two wins in 10 matches in their opener against Pakistan and in their finale against Afghanistan to finish ninth of 10 teams and produce their worst ever performance at the showpiece. Brathwaite, meanwhile,
fared little better after taking over from two-time T20 World Cup-winning skipper, Darren Sammy, in August, 2016, just five months after the Caribbean sides capture of the T20 World Cup in India. The Windies won just 11 of 28 matches and three of 11 multi-match series under Brathwaite, and have lost 12 of their last 15 T20 Internationals. Adams said the shifting of the captaincy was an opportunity for both Holder and Brathwaite to further develop their own game. “I would like to place on record the significant contributions and leadership that both Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite have provided the West Indies white ball teams,” said the former Windies Test captain. “And we look forward to both players focusing on their own games and enjoy the freedom of playing with the reduced responsibility.” Holder, however, will remain in charge of the Test side.
Babel’s brace spurs Netherlands to 4-0 win in Estonia
Ryan Babel scored twice, converting Daley Blind’s cross from close range. (Getty Images) TALLINN (Reuters) - Ryan Babel scored twice as a rampant Netherlands claimed a comfortable 4-0 victory over Estonia in their Euro 2020 Group C qualifier yesterday. Memphis Depay added an excellent third to mark his 50th cap and Georginio Wijnaldum netted the fourth late on as the Dutch recorded back-to-back wins under manager Ronald Koeman for the first time following Fridays 4-2 victory in Germany. The Netherlands remain three points behind the top two in the pool, Germany and Northern Ireland, who have 12 points each. The Dutch have a game in hand.
Estonia slipped to a fifth successive loss in the qualifiers. The home side started brightly though and created a few half-chances before the visitors took the lead in the 17th minute. Daley Blinds low cross from the left was prodded home by Babel, who had ghosted in between the Estonia central defenders and was left with the relatively simple task of placing the ball past goalkeeper Sergei Lepmets. Wijnaldum saw his shot from the edge of the box saved by Lepmets and the Dutch, for all their domination of possession, failed to add to their
tally before halftime. They scored a second three minutes after the break as Babel rose to head home a Depays cross from the right in what was another easy finish. Netherlands skipper Virgil Van Dijk headed just wide from a free kick, but the visitors got their reward for some adventurous attacking play when Depay controlled the ball on the edge of the box and place a left-footed shot into the corner. Wijnaldums fourth was a gift from Lepmets when his header went under the goalkeeper in what should have been a routine save.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday September 10, 2019
PAGE 35
Staying consistent is the key - Warriors skipper Malik By Zaheer Mohamed The Guyana Amazon Warriors have begun their 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League campaign in fine fashion, winning three out for three games at Providence, and their skipper Shoaib Malik said remaining consistent in the tournament is the key. Following their victory against St. Lucia Zouks in their opening encounter on Thursday night by 13 runs, the Warriors defeated St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots by eight wickets on Saturday night before beating Barbados Tridents by 47 runs on Sunday night in front of a packed stadium. Malik has led them admirably so far and speaking with the media following Sunday night encounter he admitted that their confidence is high. “When you win games, of course the confidence is there in the dressing room, especially the players who are in good form, we just have to stay consistent in the tournament, its just the beginning. We will be on the road for the next five games and we are looking forward to those games. We will try putting a good combination considering the grounds and opposition, we have all good players in the dressing room and staying consistent in the tournament is the key.” Malik is pleased with the support from the Guyanese public, adding that he felt at home. “It doesnt feel like I am outside of Pakistan, the ground was packed and people love and have so much passion about cricket, even whenever we come out
Chandrapaul Hemraj from the hotel we get lots of support from all these people, its great to see and I would like to thank them for the support and thats what I expect”, he added. Malik entrusted Chandrapaul Hemraj with the new ball and he responded brilliantly by providing the Wa r r i o r s w i t h t h e breakthrough on Sunday night, removing the dangerous Alex Hales without scoring off the very first ball of the Tridents innings. “The ground has some history of supporting the spinners and thats why I had one thing in mind, if I start off with Chandrapaul, he can give us a good start and take wickets. He took a very crucial wicket upfront and as we all know Alex Hales is a dangerous batsman and can score runs for his team, but Chanderpaul gave us a good breakthrough to start off with,” stated Malik. The skipper said that members of the team are gelling nicely which is a plus. “We are gelling well and Hetty (Shimron Hetmyer) makes sure the dressing room is lively, its all about supporting each other. I am happy with the performance today; its a great sign for the
team.” “To be honest we have performed in all three departments, its just the fielding we need to improve in and we are going to have some fielding sessions and look forward for whats coming our way.” Malik pointed out that the fitness level is good and they will take some time off and get ready for their next assignment. “We will give a couple of days off to our guys so that they can relax a bit and prepare for the fixture in St. Kitts on September 14. Hemraj scored his first T20 half century on Sunday night and laid the foundation for the Warriors sizeable total. He said its a wonderful experience and thanked the fans for their support. Its a great experience, I must thank the crowd for the turn out for the three games, it was really amazing.” He added that he enjoys bowling and is pleased with his form at the moment. “Its important to make the most of the opportunities; I am hitting the ball well and I just want to remain consistent and bat deeper in the innings. The Warriors next play St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots in St. Kitts on September 14.
Shoaib Malik
The crowd support has been tremendous for the Warriors
Odyssey Sightseeing Golf Extravaganza Golf Club President Aleem Hussain excels as Shivraj and Escarraga also take top honors
From left: Sung Soo Han, Ravindra Harry, Brian Hackett, Guillermo Escarraga, Aleem Hussain, Mr Feroze Barakat, Lekhnarine Shivraj, William Walker, Avinash Persaud and Mr Troy Khan. With the summer weather in full swing, golfers took to the course excitedly for the rescheduled Odyssey Sightseeing Tours Guyana Inc. tournament on Saturday September 7 last.Club President Hussain produced an outstanding performance to emerge Best Net (overall champion) ahead of great performances also from Guillermo Escarraga and Brian Hackett. “It was a peculiarly splendid days performance for me,” President Hussain explained, “I hit the ball straighter and longer than I had ever done before, and on almost all the par 5s I was putting for eagles! It was great!” Meanwhile, keen performances from other golfers ensured that he was only one stroke in the lead at the end of the day. Veteran golfer and host of the tournament CEO Feroze Barakat, who also participated, indicated that Odyssey Sightseeing Tours was delighted to be supportive of the Golf Club and was committed to continuing that support. Manager Troy Khan was on hand to assist with the distribution of prizes to winners of the Odyssey Tournament. Prizes were awarded to the first 2 Net places in each flight. Winners and golfers of honourable mention in the three flights played were as follows:In the 20 28 flight: Guillermo Escarraga (68/22) 1st; Brian Hackett (also 68/22) 2nd; Philbert London (73/21), Maurice Solomon (73/24), Carlos Adams (74/26) and Eureka Giddings (75/28) performed creditably.In the 11 19 flight:
Lekhnarine Shivraj (71/16) 1stand Ravindra Harry (72/16) 2nd. In fact, 2nd place was a tie between Ravindra Harry, William Walker (72/12) and Patanjilee Persaud (72/16). Additionally, David Harry 74/16 andFeroze Barakat 76/17 performed well. In the 0 10 flight: Aleem Hussain (67/9) 1st; Avinash Persaud (72/2) 2nd. Former Captain Patrick Prashad produced a fine 74 off a 9 handicap to be placed 3rd in that flight. Specialty prizes Nearest the Pin was won by Brian Hackett, while Longest Drive and Best Gross were won by reigning Guyana Open champion Avinash Persaud. Other specialty prizes were awarded to William Walker for the close 2nd tie with Ravindra Harry, and to Sung Soo Han Architect of the new United Nations complex in Kingston - for the Most Honest Visiting Golfer.For more information on how you may learn the game absolutely free, visit Lusignan Golf Club on Facebook, or call 220-5660. Odyssey Sightseeing Tours (web address: www.odysseysightseeing.com)overseas (US) phone # 1-647-200-6461, and local (Guyana) phone #s 001-592-223-2471 or 592-275-0091 or 592-624-0468, and Email: odysseysightseeing@gmail.comand Odyssey Transport Services located at 171A Light Street, Bourda, (Facebook Odyssey Jet Boats)in addition to providing excellent River and Sightseeing tours of Guyanas Interior, is also a provider of jet boat service since 2012 to the interior regions of Guyana.
Concacaf Nations t League Group G/League B r o p S
Reggae Boyz beat Golden Jaguars 4-0 to remain unbeaten
Golden Jaguar Matthew Briggs (#3) being challenged for the ball by Reggae Boyz’ Elvis Powell who scored a double last night in Jamaica’s 4-0 win.
Contract signing Allicock off to World completed for Not Boxing Championship in MY House boxing in Russia card Keeve Allicock (left) and Dexter Marques at yesterday’s contract signing.
GBA President Steve Ninvalle is flanked by Keevin Allicock (left) and Elton Chase prior to their departure.
Pollard new white-ball skipper Staying consistent is the as Holder, Brathwaite sacked key - Warriors skipper Malik Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.