Kaieteur News

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AIETEUR NEWS

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

Five held for alleged

Thursday Edition September 12, 2019 - Vol. 12 No. 37 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

gang-rape of teen

Price $80

- suspects video attack, share graphic images with friends

Online readership yesterday 113,588

Uncapped interest rates on loans will no longer be recoverable for future oil deals - Govt. says UK entrepreneurs to partner for US$100M onshore fund in Guyana - GO-Invest Head

More details released on Khashoggi's 'murder in Saudi consulate

CJIA US$150M renovation...

All four Passenger bridges down

923 persons granted citizenship in last four and a half years - Eight Haitians during same period - Minister Felix

Passengers disembarking a Copa Airline flight from Panama yesterday.

GRA beefs up capacity Carter Centre meeting to monitor, audit with several actors concessions to Exxon to be apprised of and subcontractors political situation

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 12, 2019

Thursday September 12, 2019

Kaieteur News

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"I was terminated without Uncapped interest rates on loans a reason" - Pathologist insists will no longer be recoverable

T

he Ministry of Public Health has severed ties with long standing Government Pathologist, Dr. Vivekanand Bridjmohan. This development was yesterday confirmed by the doctor himself.

Dr. Bridjmohan speaking with Kaieteur News via telephone explained that he was terminated nearly two weeks ago. He claimed that he was asked to uplift a letter to this effect from the Ministry of Public Health's Brickdam office in Georgetown.

He said the letter did not give a reason for the actions taken by the ministry but he accepted. He is, however, furious at sections of the media for insinuating that he may have been terminated because of issues he had with the police.

"I noticed that a newspaper had something that I cursed some Corporal or something to that extent but that was not

about that. In fact, they did not give a reason for the termination of the contract so if they had a reason, they did not put it in the letter but I have kept low since then but they are trying to taint my name and I will have to do something publicly against it," the Pathologist said.

Dr. Bridjmohan stressed that he has dedicated many years to the country and will not allow anyone to "defame my character".

He added that he had a year and six months remaining on his contract which was renewed every three years.

The doctor revealed that Region Six has been experiencing hardships to have post mortems done since he has been off. "People have to take their relatives' remains till to Georgetown or Fort We l l i n g t o n . I a m n o t bothered about myself but look at the hardships and the inconvenience the people have to endure…"

Meanwhile, Director of

Health Services, Jevaughn Stephens, speaking with media operatives yesterday via telephone said that he could not confirm if the Pathologist was terminated but stated that "he is no longer with us and I cannot say if he was terminated or left on his own." He had told the media that Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh will fill in and perform the examinations.

Dr. Bridjmohan has served as the Government Pathologist for over 15 years and as a Pathologist for 38 years. He has dedicated the majority of his time to providing his service to the public during which he has endured his fair share of negatives and positives.

He has conducted thousands of autopsies for the police and for the Ministry of Public Health.

Efforts to contact the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health yesterday on the matter were futile.

Port Mourant farmer returns to home on fire

A

small scale farmer from Miss Pheobe, Port Mourant yesterday afternoon lost his home to an unexpected blaze.

Deodat Kesoo, 46, is contemplating his next move after he returned home from gardening to find the home he shared with his mother up in flames. According to Kesoo, it was just around 17:00hrs when residents reported that there were fluctuations in the electricity (low and high voltage) that caused some of their bulbs to blow. Shortly after the fire started. He is convinced that the cause of the fire may have resulted from the voltage instability.

According to Kesoo, "I was at a shop not too far and somebody call me and tell me my house burning down so me rush home. When me go the house bin already burn down and the fire service come like about fifteen minutes after."

The man, trying to fight back his tears, said that he has nowhere to go on a long term basis and is already struggling to sell produce from the little gardening he does. He is willing to accept any assistance the public may want to give to get back on his feet. Persons willing to do so can make contact with him on cell number

Kesoo's home during the blaze yesterday afternoon (592) 626-7685.

The man said that his sickly mother is currently

staying with another relative until he is capable of taking care of her again.

for future oil deals - Govt. says

By Kiana Wilburg

A

fter holding several rounds of discussions, the government has decided to change its approach to the treatment of interests under Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs). In fact, a government document seen by this newspaper specifically states that, “interests would no longer be a recoverable/deductible expense” by oil companies.

T his move would follow recent revelations by this newspaper that the oil deals governing the Orinduik and the Stabroek Blocks allow for the op e r a t o r s t o r e c o v e r uncapped interest rates on loans taken to fund their exploration and development projects.

K aieteur News had interviewed University of Houston Instructor, Tom Mitro, on this matter and he had categorically stated that this arrangement leaves Guyana open to the abusive use of debt by the operators. Mitro had stressed that allowing recovery of interest rates, much less uncapped interest rates, is no longer a common practice. If it is allowed, the Consultant stressed that it is vital to establish strict rules

University of Houston Instructor, Tom Mitro that prevent potential abuse.

M itro said that the most common rule is setting a maximum debt to equity ratio that effectively limits the borrowing to no more than 6070% of the capital costs.

Also, Mitro said that these regimes may limit the repayment period of the local computations so that interest is not excessive.

A nother common rule the official pointed out is to cap the rate of interest. In this way, Mitro said that governments avoid companies pushing a lot of their corporate debt at inflated rates into the local project merely to obtain cost recovery benefit at the expense of the government.

Mitro said that there have been notable cases of abuse

in the absence of rules. In this regard, he noted that Chevron was accused by the Australian authorities of charging interest to its local affiliate at a rate that was well above actual borrowing rate merely to obtain tax recovery benefits at the expense of Australia. “ So I guess my thoughts with regard to Guyana or any country would be that permitting interest as part of cost recovery should only be considered if there are protective caps built in as noted above.

Otherwise, the risks become too great of Guyana ending up inadvertently subsidizing the corporate borrowing of mega companies,” Mitro had said.

K aieteur News understands that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is currently playing an instrumental role in developing a Mining and Petroleum Fiscal Regime for Guyana. This process has led to the review of the Income Tax Act where the issue of deduction of interest rates will be addressed.

T his newspaper also understands that a recommendation for policy guidance on the matter has been made by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

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Thursday September 12, 2019

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

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

EDITORIAL

Head teachers – their roles and obligations Education quite rightly attracts much attention these days.

For this country to position itself to take advantage of its still undefined, but largely anticipated, place in the world, education of the highest quality must be delivered. The foundations of a balanced, but demanding, curriculum must be built upon at all levels: in successive grades, across the school networks (public and private), and throughout the educators’ tiers.

Government after government has trumpeted commitment to overseeing, if not delivering, the calibre of education required for this nation to succeed. The current government is determined to continue the trend.

Though the public relations efforts are never lacking, the issues of depth and breadth linger worryingly. In other words, the quantity (eye-catching statistics) looks encouraging; while the overall quality (the spread) remains uncertain and subject to critical inquiry. The latest endeavour focuses public spotlight on the earliest days of school life and school career.

As carried by this publication, this took form under the umbrella of: “Empowering head teachers for accountable School Management,” a conference/retreat was held for 24 nursery school head teachers. In welcoming participants to the event, a District Education Officer for Nursery, made it clear that it was poised to provide them with a platform for the general development of the quality of education and care offered at the nursery level.

Indeed, it is the place to make such a laudable start, upon which to set the tone and build for the future, and to position young minds for the challenges ahead, through the intricate caring called for at that level. Also, head teachers are the people through whom the visions are channeled and from whom the energies and drives must issue forth to the surrounding cast.

As is well known, that cast may either be lacking in the requisite attentiveness or the ongoing interest in delivering what the myriad situations demand. There is challenge there, and not only at the nursery level, but at the others that come afterwards.

Who is in control of the academic environment? Who cares enough to make a difference in the life of one who is a flyer, but could be a higher flier? Who, more importantly, are involved enough and responsible enough to convert a possible failure (many of them) into causes for thanksgiving, pride, and joyful celebration? Who is living the training and seminars and policies ingrained annually? Who is there at the helm, whether in Nursery or Secondary, to ensure that all are held accountable to record the more than commendable?

Taken together, those are recognized as one tall order, the most testing of examinations. Among the objectives, highlighted by the government, was for “nursery school administrators to acquire the necessary skills and competencies to be effective and efficient school managers; effectively implement policies of the Ministry of Education while being creative and energetic change agents and to be able to assist teachers as they implement the Nursery Curriculum.”

To this end, it was reported that, the Regional Education Department is aggressively empowering and further developing its teachers (in the belief) that “head teachers are the key individuals to motivate teachers within the schools and to pilot the vision of the Ministry of Education”. That is one long mouthful, which if not carefully managed could lead to choking. Because “skills and competencies” and effective and efficient…managers” and “being creative and energetic change agents” have to come to represent more than the jargon of the moment.

They must resonate through sustained effort, devotion to duty, and the leadership will to overcome resistances. The head teacher (all teachers) is captain and coach, and teacher and preacher and beseecher. Thus, it is a restatement of familiar routines to articulate that the roles played by head teachers are of paramount importance to the overall development of teachers and students.

The proof must be in the performance, that separating line of achievement under fire, against expectations In the rat race lived by Guyanese in overseas settings, long grueling hours are expended in self-sacrificing for selfimproving. If not, it is the drudgery of the has-beens, the unrecognized, and the unrewarded. This holds in studying, singing, dancing: practice, refine, practice some more with more training. Enlighten mind and body to equip to educate others. These are challenges and life lessons experienced more through the exceptionalism of sterling individual commitment, rather than the rule that should be the dominant norm.

My response to Mr. James: This is the legacy of David Granger DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me to respond to Mr. Roger James of NICIL, who has publicly called on me to point out the mistakes caused by the proliferation of Caretaker President David Granger’s style of unilateral decision making. (Kaieteur News 10.09.2019) Mr. James spends an inordinate amount of time to state four points: 1. The acquisition of GUYSUCO assets did not need the approval of the Board or Minister of Agriculture.

2. The NICIL Special Projects Unit (SPU) was setup by Winston Jordan and does not need the approval of Cabinet for its transactions.

3. Borrowing at a highinterest rate while investing capital at a much lower rate are unique transactions and are not related.

4. The $30 Billion bond is not a costly mistake. Nothing is offered to back NICIL’s claims that these are good actions, save and except that “the establishment of the SPU has further enhanced the management and operation of NICIL”.

Editor, my reply to vesting of GUYSUCO assets is constrained by sub judice rules, suffice to say I have been advised by my lawyers

that it is trite company law that shareholders cannot deal with the assets of an incorporated company being managed by a Board; this is one of the questions that will be answered soon enough by the courts in the matter of GBL INC. V NICIL, of which I am the Plaintiff.

GUYSUCO itself issued a statement (6.12.2019) saying “NICIL had even speciously appointed its own Board of Directors in March of 2018, with Mr. Colvin HeathLondon as its Chairman, this decision was quashed by the Government, however, NICIL has never abandoned the misconception that, GuySuCo, an independent corporate agency, by Law, according to the Company’s Act, is neither a department, unit or owned by NICIL” I maintain the removal of Cabinet approval from the use of state assets is contrary to good sense, never mind best practice. Borrowing at high interest while lending at low rates is a recipe for bankruptcy, the drastic reduction in Government reserves since 2015 is proof that the Jordan ‘mathematical formulas’ are not working in the best interest of the public.

Granger’s administration inherited the following in 2015: Gross international reserve at BOG US$ 666.6

million. Non-Reimbursable and High concessional Financing: EU budget grants totaling €25.9 million of which €20.2 million relate to sugar support programme, with all conditions associated with disbursement already being met. Climate payments totaling US$ 250 million under the Guyana/Norway partnership of which US $190 million already earned and only US $ 40 million disbursed.

Concessional resources secured for developmental projects: - US $ 130 million from China’s Eximbank to construct a new International airport.

- US $ 66.2 million from IADB to fund road network upgrade and expansion project.

- US $64.6 million from IADB to fund power utility upgrade programme.

US $50 million from India Eximbank to fund East Coast to East Bank bypass road.

US $34.4 million from CDB to fund West Coast Demerara highway upgrade project.

- US $ 31.7 million from the IADB and EU to fund a water and sanitation infrastructure improvement project.

- US $ 15 million from IADB for new Citizen security project US $ 12 million from World Bank for a flood risk management project - US $ 10 million from World Bank for secondary education improvement project.

US $ 10 million from World Bank for UG science and technology support project.

US $ 7.5 million from CDB to fund a sugar industry mechanisation project.

With all of the above projects and financing in place upon assumption of Office, the Granger administration still pursued the population for money, raising existing taxes, introduction new taxes, closing ‘loopholes’, all of which increased revenue collection by over $80 Billion per year. Churchill’s contention that ‘for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle” is lost on this administration.

Amidst all this available finance left in place by the PPP for projects, NICIL approached the commercial banks for a loan of $30 Billion to finance the conversion of (Continued on page 6)

Appreciating the importance of learning from past events DEAR EDITOR, I take this opportunity to refer to that day of infamy – 9/11/2001 – and the attack on America by extremists.

In it, are lessons, which for some inexplicable reasons, leaders of every period and in every continent seem either unable or unwilling to learn.

Lessons which are quite simple.

If we pause for a moment and understand history, we will appreciate the importance of learning from past events.

Briefly in 1914, the heir to the Austrian-Hungary throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were shot and killed by a teenage Bosnian student in Serbia.

Because of existing tension and distrust among the civilized nation states of Europe, within weeks, war broke out on two European frontiers.

Millions of lives were sacrificed and there was damage to properties including treasured works of art. The reason: distrust and unwillingness to sit around the proverbial fire-side and

talk things through.

Have we civilized people learnt anything?

Four years later, the war ended in Europe with statements and pious promises for universal peace.

Twenty-one years later, this same month, September, the European Nations were again at war. It lasted longer in the First World War and ended around this time in 1945.

Why? Simple lessons were not learnt, to sit and talk things through.

Rather, we seem anxious to put unhelpful ingredients in the soup-pot, as we stir the soup of suffering, silliness and stupidity.

When will we learn to sit and talk things out?

I make these references, which cost millions of military and civilian casualties to refer to our own situation in Guyana.

If our Leaders, political, religious and community cannot develop the culture to sit and talk things through, we will certainly be on that prophetic path of self-

destruction.

To argue about a manmade Constitution and who or who is not in breach of it, is a frustrating, time-wasting exercise.

This obsession of daily carrying on a propaganda campaign will not help us.

I wonder if our Leaders realize this?

If we present to the outside world, investors, business people and potential immigrants, a solid united front or I prefer a National Front, they will know that there is little they can get away with.

In this way, we can easily secure a prosperous green economy, so that every family, every community can enjoy the basic comforts of life, free education, high level of health service, and advance in music, sports and culture generally.

Last Sunday evening I attended the Annual Music Teachers in Concert and was impressed by performances of our young people, and in particular, bands from Berbice and Demerara, where the Government was able to train young persons to play musical instruments; an

opportunity, that this moment, ordinary boys and girls could not have had.

And speaking with a representative of Social Cohesion, Mr. Tyndall, in the presence of Mr. David Dewar, I expressed some concern, that such forward steps are not in the public domain.

I did not see a battery of media personnel to cover this event. But I suppose, if there is a murder or the fulminations of some political figure or the statements of some modern day iconoclast, there would have been media coverage.

With the horrors, I refer to earlier, I can only plead with our Leaders - if they are really interested in Guyana and the succeeding generations - to put an end to this blame ‘the other man’s culture’ so that the blood, sweat and humiliation of our slave ancestors would not have been shed in vain; so that the indignities and sacrifices made by the Indentured Labourers would be fully vindicated.

The words of Billy Pilgrim, as I end on this note of optimism, ‘Can we do it?

Yes we can!’

Hamilton Green

Thursday September 12, 2019

The letter Mr. Singh wrote is downright atrocious and a misrepresentation of the facts DEAR EDITOR, The missive by Mr. Robin Singh published in the September 10, 2019 edition of the Stabroek News captioned “How can the President not know of issues affecting production and profitability in the gold and diamond sectors”, is most malicious and riddled with inaccuracies.

The letter Mr. Singh wrote is downright atrocious and is a misrepresentation of the facts.

Firstly, the establishment of mining syndicates can never be considered an act of cronyism. Small miners banded themselves into groups and demanded a share of the national patrimony by having access to proper lands to work.

Your readers may recall that in 2017, when the Mining Syndicates were formed, it was after much agitation and several protests.

Our voices were finally heard after our continuous protests.

So, I ask Mr. Singh to explain how a group, like the mining Syndicates can be considered cronies of the Government? What evidence does Mr. Singh have to substantiate his spurious claims?

It is clear from Mr. Singh’s letter that he does not understand the issues at hand and the efforts made to have those issues addressed. It could also be a case that Mr. Singh has allowed his biased perspective to cloud his vision of the reality.

Secondly, the syndicate initiative was birthed after small miners demanded a seat at the policy table for the representation of their interests.

Thirdly, the issue of the sliding scale of tax on gold sold to the Guyana Gold Board is erroneous at best.

The sliding scale was implemented after consultations between the Guyana Gold Board and miners. Several proposals were considered and the sliding scale was agreed upon. I wish to remind readers that miners have always represented their interests, and for Mr. Singh to suggest otherwise, leaves much to be desired.

I call on Mr. Singh to arm himself with the facts before making public statements which have the ability to mislead the citizenry.

Ms. Cherryl Williams President National Mining Syndicate Inc.

Analysis of democracy using the incompleteness theorem DEAR EDITOR, Kurt Gödel, a m a t h e m a t i c i a n , incompleteness theorem proved using logic a branch of maths that: 1. All systems with rules are either incomplete or contain contradictions. 2. A system cannot correctly assess itself.

I use these 2 mathematical axioms to discuss the state of representative democracy globally.

Firstly the state of the United States (US) , the world’s most powerful democracy, political dilemma is a validation of those principles. Most of the world are taken aback by US President Donald Trump America first and don’t worry about no one else political philosophy. A country that claims to be land of the free elected a man with

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authoritarian tendencies. He brutal to anyone that opposes him and said the press is the enemy of the people. The second axiom suggest that the US cannot properly asses herself (axiom2). The US believes she is the good guy and those who oppose her (the US) are bad. That is the antithesis of a free world but the philosophy of a dictator which supports axiom 1 - the contradiction. The US has abandon multilateralism and employ bilateralism which is less democratic.

Secondly, let’s examine Brexit. The prime minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson have suspended parliament so that a law cannot be passed that would prevent a no deal Brexit. The contradiction is that a democratic elected leader is

preventing debate an integral part of democracy. It is legal under the UK system hence reinforcing axiom 2.

These 2 leaders have emerged out of the 2 countries regarded as the paragon of democracy and both are more focused on political agenda than the health of their country’s democracy and care far less about the global democratic order.

Looking at Guyana, a country know globally as a democracy has chosen to delay election that was constitutionally due 90 days after December 21, 2018;The day of the vote of no confidence against the Granger administration occurred. This is a contradiction because that Guyana constitution gave a 90 day limit. This delay was (Continued on page 6)

It’s time Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo takes several seats DEAR EDITOR, It’s not of my personality to publicly engage anyone, regardless of their injudiciousness. But it’s time that someone tells Bharrat Jagdeo to take several seats.

I’m following every move leading up to this stage following that daunting No confidence motion was proposed and passed in the National Assembly. While it was a show of real calibre and well thought-out political manoeuvre of your part Mr. Jagdeo, just like the present Government was surprised that it won the last Regional and General Elections, this Government and you were surprised of the No confidence motion success. Although many feel that it was some secret cohesion on the part of one Member of Parliament and your Political Party, I’m otherwise convinced. It’s my opinion that both you and the Government were shocked by the result of what I call a pure, political poker bluff that you played.

Although I respect the outcome, I believe that it was your expectation that there would be snap elections.

Although enshrined in the Constitution, neither you nor your advisors were aware that there were many conduits that the events following could be influenced by. The moves that followed judicially were unpredictable and nerveracking.

What appalls me more so is your eloquence at this time of being the greatest custodian of the Constitution of Guyana,

when you openly ignored and/ or violated it for your period of Presidency with the absence of bodies that were enshrined in the very Constitution of Guyana, including ignoring the importance of Local Government Elections.

At this stage you have again shown open disregard of the independence of the Constitutional Body, Gecom, to conduct a free and Fair election without the input or influenceofyourselforthePresident or anyone whatsoever.

May I submit to you that I thoroughly respect this Gecom Chairwoman as the fittest person for the position, being that she fits all the necessary criteria and had the decency to turn down your offer for

the post the first time you presented it to her. And on your second approach she accepted the position and her selection was assented to by the President.

Now you choose to label Gecom a runaway horse when it is guided by your selection as Chairperson. I find your behaviour appalling and akin to a spoilt child. Please Mr. Jagdeo, take several seats and let the Honourable Chairperson Retired Justice Claudette Singh do her job.

Mind you, if President Granger tries to intervene I would tell him the same thing.

Ranfred Williams Managing Director Quantum Technologies

What a game!

DEAR EDITOR The game between Jamaica Tallawahs and St Kitts/Nevis Patriots (Tuesday, Sept 10) in the current CPL season has to be the most exciting game to date and may very well be the game of the 2019 Season.

The huge number of boundaries and sixes on both sides made for exhilarating and exciting cricket.

Chris Gayle’s majestic century and partnership with Chadwick Walton was eclipsed by a very different

Patriots team, starting with Evin Lewis who set the tone of things to come in a nononsense way, all the way down to Fabian Allen.

The way the Patriots approached getting the total, it could be discerned, was never daunted by the mammoth score posted by the opposition which included a sizeable score under ‘extras’.

What a game...what a night....what a win!

CPL 2019 is well and truly on.

Shamshun Mohamed

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Thursday September 12, 2019

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT…What the APNU/AFC really inherited from the PPP/C in 2015 DEAR EDITOR, During a recent TV programme, an obviously irate caller, annoyed with the host for saying that the Granger Administration had done nothing constructive for Guyana since taking office, asked “What did the APNU inherit from the PPP?” This loaded question was meant to justify the non-performance of the Granger Administration by insinuating there wasn’t much they could have done

with a “bankrupt” economy.

Sadly, this caller was one of the many PNC/APNU apologists who are unwilling to think for themselves, and prefer to repeat the mantra started by the caretaker President himself, when he announced in the National Assembly that his government inherited a “depressed economy” from the PPP/C in 2015.

As we approach another national and regional election,

it is therefore necessary to once again set the record straight by reminding everyone what the Guyana economy was like when the PPP/C demitted office, and why the PPP/C is the best choice, the most experienced, the most knowledgable with the best leadership to rebuild this economy when this caretaker President and his minions are through depleting the treasury.

In 1992, the Guyana economy was bankrupt. The country’s infrastructure was in a state of disrepair. Schools and hospital buildings were dilapidated and unfunded.

Basic food items and pharmaceuticals were in short supply. And foreign currency was unavailable for the importation of vehicles, equipment, spare parts or

anything else. 153% of the country’s revenue was used to service foreign debt. In May 2015, this was reduced to just 5%.

The road to economic recovery came with a heavy price tag and lots of sacrifices. Over its 23 years in government, the PPP/C paid off US$3 Billion in external debts that the PNC had accumulated during its 28 years in government. It took prudent management of our resources by successive PPP/C administrations to rebuild Guyana to the robust economy David Granger inherited in 2015, and it was done without waiting for oil revenue.

From 2006 to 2014, the Guyana economy was the fastest growing in the region with a continuous positive growth rate of 4.5% per annum. This was also the longest period of

I daresay it is time for the international community to focus on elements within the GECOM Secretariat DEAR EDITOR, The comments by the PNC-led Coalition government-nominated GECOM Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, as captured in the Guyana Chronicle report on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 – captioned ‘No space for polls this year’ – make it clear that the Parliamentary Opposition’s criticisms on the role of the government Commissioners at GECOM are valid.

Vincent Alexander’s maintained demeanour during this uncertain period and comments demonstrate

clearly that the primary focus of the government Commissioners at GECOM is to delay General and Regional Elections that should have been held since March 21, 2019 – even as their principal talks are about elections being held before the end of the year.

I was part of the Parliamentary Opposition delegation that met with the full Commission on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, and the GECOM Chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh, was pellucid when she stated that the views articulated by the (Continued on page 24)

uninterrupted economic growth in the history of independent Guyana. By contrast, due mainly to poor management and excessive spending, this growth rate declined to 3.1% in 2015; 3.4% in 2016; 2.1% in 2017 and 3.4% in 2018. ( h t t p s : / / countryeconomy.com/gdp/ guyana).

In 2014, the last full year of the PPP/C in office, Guyana’s total international reserves were US$668 million.

By March of last year, that amount fell to US$518.5 million.

At the end of 2014, gold reserves in the Bank of Guyana totaled $25 Billion. In June 2018 this amount was reduced to $3.1 Billion, and today, this has further dwindled to a disturbingly low $589 million.

In 2014, the last year that the PPP produced a Budget,

the total tax take by the GRA was $135 Billion. Since 2015, the Granger Administration has introduced over 200 new tax measures on the backs of ordinary Guyanese, raking in $223 Billion in taxes, that’s $88 Billion more in tax revenue on an annual basis.

At the end of 2014, the total assets held at commercial banks were $421.8 billion. Commercial banks were therefore in a position to provide substantial credit to the private sector. Interest rates in 1992 were 35%. By the end of 2014, Interest rates had reduced to 10.8%, much more favourable to those borrowing.

At the same time, our exchange rate was very stable. It was $206 to US$1 in 2014, compared to $216 to US$1 today.

In addition, the APNU+AFC Coalition (Continued on page 24)

My response to Mr. James...

From page 4 the Skeldon estate compound to a resort, while the LBI estate lounge has been made into a ‘Sports bar’ luxury hangout for the APNU elite.

The retooling and restructuring of GuySuCo as outlined in the Government of Guyana State Paper on the Future of the Sugar Industry has not been attempted much less executed. GUYSUCO has complained that “NICIL/SPU are mere custodians of the Skeldon, Rose Hall, Enmore and Wales assets of GuySuCo for the specific purpose of facilitating divestments as envisaged in the State Paper on the Future of the Sugar Industry, the proceeds of which must be remitted to GuySuCo in order to fund its Strategic Plan, NICIL/SPU ought not to be the beneficiaries of the proceeds as currently obtains”.

The $30 Billion bond is backed by a sovereign guarantee, which means that the taxpayer will pay this ‘loan’ back in full, complete with $8.4 Billion in interest after NICIL is done spending on frivolous projects.

This is the legacy of David Granger; as he is being exposed as untrustworthy, lacking in management skills, demonstrating poor leadership, engaging in trivial pursuits and single-handedly moving Guyana from a Constitutional democracy to a dictatorship.

Respectfully Robin Singh

Analysis of democracy...

From page 5 further by the Caribbean Court of Justice which was coy and wanted to use moral suasion on the government axiom 1. The Caribbean Court of Justice has no enforcement mechanism. It has to depend on local enforcement mechanism. Axiom 2 is that it is constitutionally permitted.

The very Guyana constitution has no adequate remedy for the delay in holding election after a vote of no confidence.

You become by doing and globally and locally democratic norms are being bent. As a mathematician the incompleteness theorem explains these phenomena.

Whether capitalism, communism, democracy or dictatorship, they all obey the incompleteness theorem.

That is why I believe every system must evolve or become irrelevant or obsolete.

Yours truly, Brian E Plummer

Thursday September 12, 2019

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GRA beefs up capacity to monitor, audit concessions to Exxon and subcontractors

By Kiana Wilburg Oil companies as well as their affiliated companies and subcontractors benefit from billions of dollars in tax concessions annually. In fact, the operators and their primary subcontractors have in total, a list of over 700 pre-approved equipment and supplies that they can import without hassle.

Considering this magnitude of imports, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has taken steps to beef up its capacity to monitor and audit the concessions granted.

This was done following the advice of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The financial institution in one of its assessments noted that GRA’s Customs Department possessed a small post verification unit, with a staff of five. It is responsible for monitoring the use of all concession and exemption privileges.

This newspaper understands that this unit falls under the

Law Enforcement Division and has since established a Post Clearance Audit (PCA) department.

The Fund explained that the PCA would have a nonintrusive approach for verifying compliance with customs tariff classification, valuation, origin provisions, and will ensure the proper accounting of goods.

It was further noted that this unit previously focused on desk-based and limited scope reviews but its capacity since then has been significantly strengthened, especially in the development of accounting and audit skills, with a view of progressively moving toward off-site and more comprehensive audits.

Going forward, GRA informed this news agency that specialists from the World Customs Organization and other agencies would be providing critical support to the agency in the physical checking of items onshore and off-

shore so as to verify their use and condition as well as surpluses.

It was further guaranteed that all cases of suspected fraud or smuggling would be fully investigated.

PRE-APPROVED It was last year January that this newspaper exposed the fact that ExxonMobil and all its affiliates engaged in Petroleum Operations shall be permitted to import, free of duty, VAT or all or any other duties, taxes, levies or imposts, all equipment and supplies required for Petroleum Operations. There is a list of all these items that can be imported by ExxonMobil in Annex D of the contract governing the Stabroek Block.

The items include but are not limited to drill ships, platforms, vessels, geophysical tools, communications equipment, explosives, radioactive sources, vehicles, oilfield supplies, lubricants, consumable items.

Five held for alleged rape of teen - suspects share graphic images with friends Police last night confirmed that five youths are in custody for allegedly drugging and raping a teenage girl.

The incident occurred last Saturday night in a Region Five community.

Kaieteur News has also confirmed that the culprits recorded the entire ordeal, and posted the graphic images to their friends.

Police sources said that two of the suspects are related to a member of the Force, and that they have all confessed to “having sex” with the alleged victim. She has been medically examined, and a report was reportedly sent to the office of

the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) yesterday.

The suspects are to be placed on an identification parade today. Sources said that they can be easily identified through the videos that they have posted. According to an individual close to the case, the teen claimed that she was drugged and taken to an abandoned house by two youths.

About five others reportedly joined them and took turns sexually assaulting their victim.

There are reports that the alleged victim had initially denied that she was sexually assaulted, but by then the suspects had already confessed.

GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia The privilege has also been granted to UK operator, Tullow Oil for the Orinduik Block. According to the contract signed with the Granger administration in January 2016, Tullow, Eco Atlantic, Total and all their sub-contractors, non-resident or otherwise, shall be permitted to import all equipment and supplies free of duty, Value Added Tax (VAT) or all or any other duties, taxes, levies or imposts. It also has a pre-approved list of over 330 items which is with the authorities.

In addition to this, the companies are free to export

these items as they deem fit without any tax or fee being applied.

Joining them on this tax free ride are all the expatriate employees of the oil companies and their sub-contractors. The expats of affiliated companies and their subcontractors will benefit too. They all shall be able to import into Guyana free of duty and taxes. They will also enjoy the right to export from Guyana, free of all duties and taxes and at any time.

Taking the aforementioned into account, Local Content Expert, Anthony

Paul, has said that such exemptions for foreign subcontractors can only be viewed as discriminatory to locals and should be addressed whether by law or the review of contracts.

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

The Local Content Expert recommended that the concessions which are granted to the oil sector, be reviewed to ensure that Guyana is not giving away more than it should.

Paul suggested that a special Negotiating Task Force be established to handle that particular issue.

The Chatham House Advisor also cautioned that oil companies often engage local accounting firms to help them find the country’s fiscal loopholes. He said that to safeguard itself, Guyana would be wise to consider doing same, that is to say, hiring the right firms to help identify and plug the foregoing loopholes, among others, which can be used to keep significant revenue away from the national purse.

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Thursday September 12, 2019

Kaieteur News

Carter Centre meeting with several actors to be apprised of political situation assures it is only here to listen Representatives of the Carter Centre yesterday met with the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, at his Carmichael Street Chambers. A first on the Centres planned engagements with several local stakeholders is to be apprised of the political situation.

Minister Williams said that the Centre has an interest in seeing free, fair and credible elections being held in Guyana. Otherwise, a representative of the Centre, spoke to the media after the meeting.

The rep, Brett Lacey, said, “We are here from the Carter Centre and we are happy to have an opportunity to meet with the Attorney General to hear from him about the laws of Guyana and his various arguments related to current circumstances in Guyana.”

One of the issues discussed by the two parties is that of overseas voting. The Attorney General said he discussed that it was former US President Jimmy Carter who helped introduce legislation that stopped overseas voting, under the Election Laws

Amendment Act 4 of 1991.

He also said that the team was given a chance to peruse the Constitutional Reform Report, which states that it is necessary for persons to be resident in Guyana at the time of General and Regional Elections to vote.

One of the reasons this matter was discussed is that a consequence of the recent ruling by Chief Justice Roxane George Wiltshire on the House-to-House exercise, is that the names of persons should not be removed from the list. He said that the rul-

Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, meets Brett Lacy of the Carter Centre (Photo: DPI) ing seems to suggest that overseas persons can vote.

The Governments appeal of that aspect of the CJs ruling is currently in Court.

Pursuant to that, Williams told the media that he intends to file a stay of that aspect of the Chief Justices ruling.

“There could be no ques-

tion of merging the current register with the new register.

We will have to argue these things before the court of appeal. I have appealed that decision and we will file a stay of that decision between [yesterday] and [today],” He said.

The team and the Attorney General also discussed

the prospect of elections, the series of events that followed the No-Confidence Motion, the powers of the Executive, and the work of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The Attorney General reiterated President David (Continued on page 11)

UK entrepreneurs to partner for US$100M onshore fund in Guyana – GO-Invest Head A partnership of entrepreneurs has indicated its intention to start a US$100M onshore investment fund in Guyana, namely Peter Hambro Ltd. and Dr. Lei Wang, according to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Owen Verway.

During a recent press conference last Tuesday, cochaired by GO-Invest and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Verway made this announcement, while discussing a recent oil and gas conference.

Verwey, along with public and private sector actors, recently returned from Aberdeen, Scotland, where they formed a contingent representing Guyana at the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Offshore Europe Conference & Exhibition, a biennial conference focusing on upstream oil and gas.

Peter Hambro Limited is a London-based business, primarily involved in the Russian mining business, and Dr. Lei Wang is a partner of Peter Hambro.

Although the conference was based on Petroleumbased, Verway, speaking to Kaieteur News yesterday, said that the fund is not intended to be limited to that sector, but is likely to be open to all sectors, such as tourism and agriculture.

Led by the Department of

GO-Invest CEO, Owen Verway Energy, the contingent sought to market Guyana to a series of receptive European companies and investors who work in or adjacent to the North Sea Petroleum Sector.

One of the highlights of this event, Veryay said, is that participants are exposed to international best practices in the sector and explore solutions to technological challenges.

The contingent visited the Aberdeen University where they were enlightened on opportunities for training and certifiying of government

employees to deliver on and/ or improve on the delivery of services in the oil sector.

“The programmes offered by the Aberdeen University are particularly beneficial to economic development, economic planning, legal and regulatory agencies in governments. A number of Guyanese attended, including those who are currently furthering their studies in Aberdeen,” Verway said.

He added that a visit was paid to the North East Scotland College. On that visit, the contingent was informed of the technical and trade skills development and certifying process requirements for local content development and industry sustainability.

Verway told Kaieteur News that Guyana could learn from a place like Scotland, where the local population is highly populated, making it difficult for foreigners to take over the market.

There was also an EIC (Energy Industries Council) event, where several companies showed interest in the Guyanese market, and procured information on how to navigate it. Notably, a Guyana reception was hosted

by Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Councillor Barney Crockett, “who presented further opportunities for these interested parties to network with the Guyana delegation,” said Verway. (By Kemol King)

Thursday September 12, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Guyanese should be ashamed of their government!

When Hurricane Ivan devastated Grenada in 2004, the rest of the Caribbean was left aghast as the scenes of destruction on the island were shown on television. Many people feared that the tiny island of Grenada would never be able to recover from that catastrophe.

People began to raise funds for Grenada, assuming the worst. They began to call on their leaders to do the same because they felt that Grenada was in dire straits and that its economy would never be able to rebound and its citizens would find great difficulty in rebuilding.

They were dead wrong.

Within one year, Grenada was on its feet and still enjoys a

per capita GDP which is twice that of Guyana’s. In other words, despite being a small island and despite being flattened by Hurricane Ivan, fifteen years ago, Grenada is still better off than Guyana.

We hear the same groans of despondency today over the destruction in the Bahamas. But let it be said that the Bahamas is among the richest Caribbean states and it will rebuild far quicker than Grenada did. The Bahamas is far richer than Grenada. In fact it has the highest per capita GDP in the region. It is richer than oil-rich Trinidad.

The Bahamas does not need any massive relief package. What it needs is

help to restore law and order, electricity and water. It needs emergency supplies and logistical support to begin to rebuild. And it will do so quickly and to the astonishment of those who feel that hard times lie ahead for the island-chain.

Caribbean governments have begun to offer assistance to the Bahamas.

The Prime Minister of Barbados and her counterpart from St Lucia toured the islands most affected by Hurricane Dorian. Barbadians are donating essential supplies which will be handed over by the Barbados Defence Force to Bahamas.

Trinidad and Tobago is donating half a million dollars to help procure medicines and

Dem boys seh ...

Not even Guyanese want citizenship Fuh a long time people know that nobody ain’t brucking dem neck to become Guyanese.

Even Guyanese running to be citizens of anodda country. Nuff of dem trying to become citizens of Uncle Sam hen half a million of dem live deh.

When dem don’t get through dem trying to become citizens of Canada.

Anodda set become citizens of all dem countries in de Caribbean. That is why dem boys couldn’t understand de rumour that people trying to become citizens of Guyana.

Felix release some figures fuh de last three years and when dem boys see de figures dem start to ask questions about wheh all dem Chinese who dem see applying fuh citizenship and who advertise de thing in de papers.

Wha dem boys believe happen is that dem same people use de Guyana passport to enter dem Caricom countries and nuff of dem probably move on to Uncle Sam. But that ain’t de problem. When people become citizens dem does vote

during elections. That don’t happen in Guyana because nuff of dem citizens use to pay plenty money. Dem boys know de story about who used to present TV to de police and money to de Minister of Home Affairs.

When de news buss out that dem Haitians was flooding Guyana dem boys did expect to see hundreds of Haitians becoming citizens. That is not de case.

Dem boys notice that people mek a big fuss about who meet wid de Haitians and de Africans. De man from SARA been to de meeting and that was a big talk. Now it look like people want to dictate who you can talk to and who you can meet with.

De Waterfalls boss man find out that people trying to decide who he must talk to.

Nobody can’t tell some people who dem must talk to but dem want tell people who to talk to.

Anyhow, dem boys know that this elections season gun spark some stupidness and all people got to do is keep on dem head.

essential supplies. It is also dispatching one hundred soldiers to restore order, along with workers from its electricity company to help restore power to the affected areas in the Bahamas.

Dominica has offered assistance. It has pledged an initial US$100,000 and is sending policemen, firefighters and workers from its water company to the affected islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama. St Lucia has pledged US$100,000 so far.

Jamaica is sending 150 troops to the islands.

While the Caribbean islands are mustering support for Bahamas, there has been no word as to what Guyana plans to do. It is strange since most persons in the Caribbean feel that Guyana will soon become one of the richest states in the region and therefore would have been expecting more from Guyana.

In the meantime, there are misinformed suggestions being made that Guyana should not be assisting the Bahamas because that islandchain is not a member of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy. Well what does membership of the CSME have to do with assisting a sister-Caribbean state?

Three Caricom states are not yet part of the CSME. The Bahamas, a full member of the Caribbean Community, is not part of the CSME. Monserrat is not a member of the CSME. Haiti is not yet a full member of the CSME or even the Single Market. It is expected to become part of the Single Market by 2021. And there was never any objection to assisting Haiti after the earthquake of 2010 or to providing help to Montserrat after the volcano eruption began in 1995 and destroyed more than half of the island.

The Bahamas decided that it will not be a member of the CSME because it is not supportive of the free movement of labour within the region since, given its extreme high standard of living, it will become a magnet for migrants from other parts of the Caribbean. Haiti’s membership into the single market will present serious challenges for the rest of the region because of Haiti’s low labour costs.

The economy of the Bahamas is strong. That country will recover very quickly. But this does not mean that Guyana should not lend its support, CSME membership or not. Guyana has always come to the

assistance of its sisterCaricom members affected by disaster.

That it is yet to do so since Hurricane Dorian roared through the region is disappointing and disgraceful. It is shocking that assistance to the Bahamas has become such a low priority for the APNU+AFC government. All that has been heard thus far is that bank accounts may be established to allow for private contributions to be made and that Guyana was willing to accept persons affected by the disaster.

Guyana spent far more than US$100,000 to send a contingent to Carifesta. Why cannot a similar sum be immediately pledged for the Bahamas? Shame on the government of Guyana!

(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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Thursday September 12, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Surely, GECOM’s work has to go on if Mr. Lowenfield is not available This columnist is of the inflexible view that when people fall ill, depending on who they are, humans must sympathize. By “depending,” I mean that some humans are terrible and should not be part of civilized society.

Just in case you forgot, the world has horrible people that would do horrible things to innocent lives. An obligation in civilized society is that we must always, at all times, extend our good feeling to

those who are ill.

The Chief Elections Officer (CEO) has taken ill. I would like to think that we can see him in perfect health in literally days. But the work of GECOM must go on, and has to go on. People have reduced their country to PPP versus PNC. Guyana comes last. You can violate the constitution, throw laws out the window, trample upon sacred, legal values, once these things are done either to

favour the PNC or the PPP. For me, as someone trained in history, I know it comes back to haunt you.

When you come to power and you make it legal to go through a red light because you want someone to have a special privilege in a certain village, when the shoe is on the other foot, it will come back to hurt you.

I am tired of telling people - up to this morning (yesterday) - that I will not vote for

the PPP. I do not want to see the PPP back in power, but I do not see the difference between the PPP and PNC, so I do not want to see the PNC and AFC back in power. I believe either one will win a minority presidency, but I want to see that the minority government’s wings clipped.

It is simple, because of a lack of majority in the House, the minority regime will have to compromise and offer concessions that could deepen democracy. Against this background, I am in support of the process whereby the ruling party must give meticulous recognition to what the sacred paper of Guyana stipulates. Our highest law-making body has ruled that a no-confidence motion (NCM) was passed. The Speaker of the House admitted he had the power to overturn the decision based on arguments presented to him, but he chose to allow for litigation in the court. Our highest court has ruled that the December 2018 NCM was passed. It also ruled there must be elections three months after the NCM. The president did not call a date for elections, because his party had a right to litigate. It was not the president who held up the elections by months. The court procedures are responsible for that. Court

drama is over. Elections should be held this month.

That is too late now. But elections should be held not far from September. If the list of registered voters has to be fumigated, it can be done without a period that takes us to March. It would appear that there is a chairperson in GECOM that has accepted that our constitution is the requirement for a country to be democratic. It would appear she has seen the legal need for GECOM to observe the constitution. And while we are on this promising moment, Mr. Lowenfield became ill. But the work of GECOM has to go on, and must go on right away.

The most important person in Guyana, even if Guyana has multi-billionaires, is the president. He spent time in Cuba and the government continued, because it has a deputy. The man charged with preserving national security, the Police Commissioner was on leave, and national security was preserved, because the force has a deputy.

In July, the University of Guyana’s Vice Chancellor resigned. The university’s administration is continuing because of the three deputies one is senior and is carrying on the university’s business.

Frederick Kissoon The CEO of GECOM cannot be indispensible. There cannot be and must not be a situation in GECOM where, for logistical reasons, once the CEO is not there, the nerves of GECOM cannot function.

One would hope that the CEO is back at his desk today when GECOM will make some important decisions that will have to do with the timetable for elections. If the CEO is not there, one would like to think the machinery will be set in motion for the preparation of a national election before December 2019.

I leave with a warning to short-sighted people. If the election produces a minority PPP government, the APNUAFC coalition has a chance to topple it through an NCM. Do not curse the bridge you have to cross.

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

Thursday September 12, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Thursday September 12, 2019

Kaieteur News

923 persons granted citizenship in last four and a half years … eight Haitians during same period - Minister Felix Since 2015, over 900 foreign nationals became citizens of Guyana.

This was reported yesterday

by Minister with responsibility for Citizenship, Winston Felix, during a press conference at his Shiv Chanderpaul Drive office.

The issue has taken front burner in recent months after it was noticed that a significant number of foreigners were in Guyana and being registered.

Among them are Cubans, Haitians and Venezuelans.

The Opposition has made it clear that it suspects that the Government was registering foreigners in exchange for votes.

However, the administration has vehemently denied this, stating there is sufficient evidence that the Cubans and Haitians were just using Guyana as a stepping stone.

There were 8,476 Haitians who arrived here between January and July 2019. There were 6,925 of them who reported to Brazilian immigration officials after crossing the border, which separates the two countries.

Yesterday, Felix stressed that open borders at Lethem, Region Nine and Berbice with its several back-track routes, have been posing significant challenges. In 2015, 141 persons were granted citizenship and between 2016

Minister Winston Felix and July 2019, the figures were 192, 230, 252 and 108. The persons came from on average 40 different countries.

During the same period, eight Haitians were registered.

The minister back in August, under pressure to explain the large number of especially Haitians who were shown not to be departing, said that Haitians arriving in Guyana are capitalising on the free movement of people within the region to travel to Guyana and to other

states.

There were little explanations why the foreign nationals were not stamping in at immigration at the Takutu Bridge, Lethem before crossing to Brazil.

The issue has been burning enough with accusations in some quarters that the Opposition wanted to whip xenophobia feelings using the Haitians as scapegoat.

Investigations by Kaieteur News had suggested an organized group of persons who

Haitians waiting at the airport to be picked up. were facilitating the arrivals of foreign nationals from Cuba and Haiti in Guyana for further transport to especially the Brazil border in Region Nine. Vehicles picked them up at the airport at Timehri before they were whisked away to city hotels.

Within hours, there were placed in minibuses and taken through several police checkpoints for a 12-15 hours drive through Linden to Lethem.

Persons were said to be collecting a premium, including drivers and others.

Felix said last month that 8,476 Haitians arrived here and 1,170 later departed officially.

Brazil’s immigration records show that 6,925 Haitians arrived in that country from Guyana.

Addressing the disparity in the figures between the Haitians’ departure from Guyana and the arrival figure recorded in Brazil, Minister Felix explained that some of the travellers would have departed Guyana without reporting to local immigration officers, although there are opportunities for doing so. But on arrival in Brazil, they would have presented themselves to the immigration authorities.

The Minister had recalled that he made a full disclosure to the Parliamentary sub-committee

on Foreign Relations after being summoned before it in July 2018, where he had provided an explanation on the movement of the Haitians. “In 2019, now that we are in an election cycle, the Opposition is at it again and they are going back to the very issues which we discussed in the Foreign Relations sub-committee – with added features. They are still claiming that there are large numbers of Haitian arrivals.”

Felix added, “They have not fact-checked anything I said previously, but they have come up with their own misleading information which has no basis in fact or in truth.”

Council to hold staff accountable for failing to address concerns of Stabroek wharf vendors The Mayor and Councillors of the City (M&CC) at its Statutory meeting held on Monday, passed a motion which will allow for improvement in the aesthetics of the Russell Square where Stabroek Market Wharf vendors are currently located.

Chairman of the Markets and Public Health committee, Councillor Trichria Richards, explained that the motion is necessary since the vendors were promised on several occasions that development would have been done to the area; however this has not been so. The motion seeks to work as a time stamp to hold City staff accountable.

In moving the motion, Richards noted that under the Municipal and District Council’s Act, Chapter 28:01, the Council has the authority to manage and control the affairs of the City of Georgetown, inclusive of the establishment of Markets, Wharves and set out in the Municipal and District Council’s Act, Chapter 28:01 section 302, sub section (31)e and (37).

In the case of the Stabroek wharf vendors, a cease order was issued for the lawful tenants to remove from the Stabroek Market Wharf because

it became ruinous, deplorable, impassible and untenable, posing a risk to life and limb.

According to the Councillor, the tenants of the Stabroek Market Wharf have entered into an agreement, by virtue of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that is signed to remove and construct stalls to occupy the Russell Square, Water Street, Georgetown until such time as the Council may execute repairs or otherwise approve the occupation of the Stabroek Wharf by said stall-holders.

“Stall holders are plying their trade at Russell Square and the Council is in receipt of rent.

The Council agreed to certain conditions for the provision of lighting, water and security.

“Be it resolved that the Council on this day agree that the Council shall instruct the administration to honour all of the Council’s commitments stated in the aforementioned MOU no later than sixty days hereafter,” Richards told the Council on Monday.

She added too that it has been resolved that the Council will recommend disciplinary action against anyone who fails to comply with the decision.

Thursday September 12, 2019

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Thursday September 12, 2019

Concerned about the social effects of gambling…

Gaming Authority considers new regulation for betting shops, casinos

T

he Gaming Authority has moved to ensure a new regulation for service providers taking into consideration the social impact associated with operating betting shops, lotteries and casinos in Guyana.

A d d r e s s i n g a stakeholder's forum at Herdmanston Lodge, Queenstown yesterday, Chairman of the Gaming Authority, Roysdale Forde, expounded on the social and economic impact betting outlets and casinos can have on communities.

The Chairman asserted that while the gaming industry can generate growth for the country's economy, the social impact, especially on depressed communities, can be detrimental.

Moreover, Forde stated that the addiction to gambling can be crippling to patrons and have a domino effect on their families and

livelihood.

“So the social strain must not be underestimated, “he added.

Taking into account the impact, Forde told stakeholders that the authority has taken the lead role in ensuring the concept of responsible gaming is embraced. He said the authority wants to implement a new regulation as such.

According to Forde, the Gaming Authority in its licensing and supervisory capacity wants service providers to be more cognizant of both the positive and negative effects of gambling.

He said the authority wants to develop a comprehensive responsible gaming programme that addresses policies and procedures to deal with marketing, advertising, health and safety issues.

Forde said that the goal of such policies is to ensure

Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Mr. Joseph Harmon (third from left); Jamaica Responsible Gaming Specialist, Richard Henry; Director, Board of Directors, Gaming Authority, Christine King; Chairman of the Gaming Authority Board, Roysdale Forde; Gaming Authority Director, George Vaughn and Chief Executive Officer of the Gaming Authority, Lloyd Moore that gambling outlets are operated at the highest standards for fair and safe gaming experiences which protect players from the adverse consequences of gambling such as addiction.

“The responsibility is to inform on all possible

adverse effects of gaming and take steps to ensure measures are implemented to reduce, if not eliminate, these effects. This is a responsibility for the stakeholders – operators, customers and wider society as a whole.

So it is our responsibility to work together to ensure that the principles that we establish here minimize the possible harm and prevents irresponsible gaming.”

He stressed that responsible gaming is the only safe framework for

Guyana's betting operators taking into consideration the risks associated with the gambling.

“The aim is to have a holistic system and it is my hope that each of you attending today will take (continued on page 22)

Thursday September 12, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Thursday September 12, 2019

Incomplete Onderneeming health post becomes haven for goats, other stray animals

T

wo years after construction work commenced on the Essequibo Coast Onderneeming health post, the structure remains incomplete. In fact this publication has even found evidence to suggest that it has become a haven for goats and other stray animals.

Based on the reports, the construction of the health post to the tune of $13M was being done as part of the region's capital works in 2016. The contract was reportedly awarded in J a n u a r y, 2 0 1 7 t o t h e

An external view of the Onderneeming Health Post contractor (Boodraj) who halted works on the structure since only $2M was reportedly paid over to date.

The Onderneeming Community is a rapidly

Goat droppings strewed across the floor of the Health Post

developing community with an increasing population.

The completion of the health post was expected to play a major role in boosting health care delivery in the area, even as the Ministry of Public Health seeks to promote the primary health care concept.

During multiple community meetings, there have been repeated calls by residents for the health post to be completed.

E a r l i e r t h i s y e a r, Regional Executive Officer, Denis Jaikaran, promised that the partially completed building will be completed by this year. Jaikaran told this publication last February too that, “based on the reports received myself and a team

visited the area, we looked at the situation and we are satisfied to date that this project is 80 to 90 percent completed.

By the first half of the year we (are) going to conclude arrangements for the other works to be completed.”

Several months later, residents are still complaining that nothing further was done on the building.

During a recent government outreach earlier this year, there was also a promise that the health post will be completed by the end of July. Residents, as a result, have continued to voice their disappointment that the health post has not been completed within the time frame given.

“Is like a year and over and since the goats living

inside (the health post)... On the 29th of May when it had the big outreach on the Essequibo Coast, we were promised that it will be opened to the community by July month end, on to now no one never come back and the health post is the same way, half finish; plus not only that, but people breaking it all ready.

It's really terrible,” one resident lamented recently.

Army receives radio boost from US

A

s part of the U.S. commitment to bolster the abilities of Guyana's security forces to improve citizen security, Deputy Chief of Mission Mark Cullinane recently presented radio communication equipment valued at over US$700,000 to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

The US Embassy said the gift is part of the

Caribbean Basin Security Initiative.

The grant provided extensive training for the equipment that included radio transmitters, antennas, and high-power amplifiers, all intended to improve the GDF's maritime counter-piracy and drug interdiction capabilities. Colonel Trevor Bowman, Inspector General, accepted the equipment donation on behalf of the GDF.

Thursday September 12, 2019

Water woes continue for Onderneeming residents The GWI pump station at Onderneeming Sandpit

A

fter more than a month, the residents living in Onderneeming on the Essequibo Coast, are still suffering from an inadequate supply of water provided by the Guyana Water Incorporated [GWI].

Onderneeming Sandpit area is a newly established community on the Essequibo Coast with three housing schemes. The community depended on a pump that provided an adequate supply of water until last July when it malfunctioned.

Ever since, the community has been dependent on the Suddie pumping station for its supply of water. Based on reports reaching Kaieteur News, however, the Suddie Pump is incapable of serving the entire Onderneeming Sand Pit area, in addition to the Suddie communities.

A resident of the Onderneeming community told this publication yesterday that there are times when the community receives just one hour of service per day.

The concerned resident said, “It's since July our pumping station is down and the GWI started to give us water from the Suddie pumping station, like an hour or so a day or sometime

every other day.

Onderneeming is the largest housing scheme on the Essequibo Coast and not only that, but everyone can't afford to buy water.”

In the meantime, GWI officials have informed some residents that efforts are being made to have a normal service resume by this weekend. While residents are looking forward to normalcy, they are still unsure as to whether or not the utility company can pull off a repair within the time frame promised.

“GWI just promising us; they say by this weekend it will work but so far I ain't see a person come to visit it and the field workers tell the boss of the office up here that they (residents) are sharing (their black tank water) in the community when this is not so; we are tired of this situation,” said one resident.

Residents are even more disappointed that despite the poor service, they still have to pay their bills at the end of the month.

According to the resident, "In our community just a few have water meters and the rest have a flat price to pay ever month and you have $1,300 a month and the bills still coming the same way, never mind the water is coming ones upon time."

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Thursday September 12, 2019

Paying bills on time will improve credit scores - GTT

T

he Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), is pushing for more use of its mobile money app to help customers improve their credit score.

According to GTT, the prompt payment of bills can be done by way of the MMG platform which is facilitated

by Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) and paying on time can positively impact customers' credit score.

“GT&T encourages all customers to pay their bills on time so that their credit score can be maintained in good standing,” said Public

Relations Corporate Communications Manager, Jasmin Harris.

Harris noted that it is important for citizens to know their credit score as it helps them to understand how their payment behaviour can influence what credit facilities they are able to access from financial institutions.

“Customers desirous of receiving information on their credit score can access t h i s o n l i n e a t www.creditinfo.gy - either by obtaining a free copy of their credit report or pay for it by MMG, or at the

Creditinfo Guyana offices on New Market Street, Georgetown.”

Creditinfo Guyana Inc. was established in July of 2013 to provide credit information to financial institutions and other lending agencies. The company maintains a database comprising a factual record of an individual's credit history.

The Credit Bureau, facilitated by Creditinfo Inc., has collaborated with entities such as banks and various utility companies to make it easier for persons and businesses to borrow.

GTT says using its MMG app to pay bills on time will improve customers' credit scores

Thursday September 12, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Almost like club shopping…

Massy Mega Store comes to Guyana

M

inister of Finance, Winston Jordan yesterday opened Massy Stores, the secondlargest facility in the region – the Massy Mega Store – located in the MovieTowne

that foreign investment helps to create a more competitive business environment and enhance enterprise development. These are powerful reasons to welcome foreign investment into Guyana.”

has a contract to supply pumpkins, is assured of a ready market and can, therefore, cultivate his crop, and look forward to an assured income,” Minister Jordan said.

He also reminded that the

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan; Chairman of Massy's Integrated Business Unit David Affronso, and Minister of Business, Hemraj Rajkumar, flanked

by Massy executives at the opening of the Massy Store Mega

An external view of the Massy Mega Store

directors, management and staff for taking the company forward,” Minister Jordan said.

Chairman of Massy's Integrated Business Unit, David Affronso, described the new store as having a unique format. “The mega format is like a warehouse or club shopping experience which has become very popular in the US. Customers have the option to compound.

He commended Massy's management for over 50 years of operating locally and reiterated the Coalition's welcoming position towards foreign investors.

“We know that foreign investment is a major catalys t for economic development and modernisation. We know

The Finance Minister also reminded the Trinidadbased company that building local partnerships would ensure all-round benefits.

“Partnership and profit are not anathemas. It is a win-win for all. Supporting local producers whilst balancing variety, cost and convenience work out best all round. The farmer, that

Coalition Government welcomes investors, such as Massy, who utilise green practices and continuously invest in Guyana's economy.

“The company has stood firm in its vision and has continued to strive for excellence, Today Massy has opened another giant or mega store. Heartiest congratulations to the

purchase a wide variety of items in larger quantities at very affordable prices. The big difference with mega is that there are no membership fees. At Massy Mega, all are welcome.”

The Massy executive described the MovieTowne l o c a t i o n a s a n ot h e r convenience.

“This location is a hub of entertainment and provides (continued on page 22)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Thursday September 12, 2019

Health Ministry says 90% drugs in stock; lauds new procurement system

F

ollowing a revision of its process for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies, the Public Health Ministry has reported a commendable 90% stock level.

Between the years 2016 to 2019, the ministry was bombarded with countrywide drug shortages which affected the delivery of healthcare, according to a government statement.

According to Minister Lawrence, “for the past few months, according to MMU (Material Management Unit), we have had more than 90% of all our essential drugs in stock. You don't hear about drug shortages anymore because that is no longer an issue.”

Senior officials at the ministry, including Permanent Secretary Colette Adams; Deputy Permanent Secretary-Admin Shellon Bess; Director of Regional and Clinical Services, Dr. Kay Shako and Procurement Manager, Seewchan, led by Public Health Minister, Vo l d a L a w r e n c e r e c e n t l y conducted visits to several health facilities.

Upon checking, it was found that the pharmacies attached to various hospitals, health centres and health posts are well stocked.

Minister Volda Lawrence and Dr. William Adu-Krow inspecting drugs at a health facility This is owed to a revised drug procurement method implemented in 2017 and which took effect in the latter part of 2019. This process allows for the early stages of procurement for the following year's drugs and medical supplies to commence in the current year.

According to the government release, with earlier procurement, the country will now stock one year's supply of drugs and medical supplies for distribution throughout the country.

This gives the health ministry's procurement unit enough time to stock health facilities with essential

medicines and other items.

It was found that improper forecasting for the procurement of drugs was one of the main reasons for regular shortages Minister Lawrence said, “in 2017, there were no records for the consumption so you were just buying… so, the ordering was being done on assumption and not based on consumption, and we have tried to remedy that as far as possible.”

Currently, during supervisory visits, if there is a shortage of any amount, this is often as a result of a delay in the delivery of drugs to the

Drugs in a pharmacy of a district hospital health facility.

This is where the Regional Democratic Council's responsibility for health in the regions must be taken seriously.

“Equally important is the responsibility of the pharmacist and assistants to monitor stock levels and ensure consumption reports are prepared and the doctors and Regional Health Officers are furnished with this information.

This will allow the timely ordering of the items which will keep the stock at adequate levels.”

Representative of PAHO/WHO, Dr. William Adu-

Krow, who accompanied the team on the visit to Region 1, advised that there be a system established to ensure that all stocks must be utilised. In the cases where a facility might have under forecasted, a neighbouring facility with excess must be able to help out the other to ensure all facilities have adequate supplies.

Dr. Adu-Krow also said, to avoid the expiration of drugs, stocks must be issued on a first in first out basis. Also, the storage for essential medicine must be in k e e p i n g w i t h PA H O / W H O standards.

Thursday September 12, 2019

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

CJIA US$150M renovation...

All four Passenger bridges down

Woman found dead in Buxton home A woman was found dead in her bed at her Middle Street, Buxton, East Coast Demerara home yesterday. Police have identified the woman as 21year-old Latoya Thompson.

The discovery was made by the woman’s mother, Patricia Thompson, at around 13:30hrs.

The dead woman’s mother told this publication that her daughter, who lives alone, would normally visit her every afternoon. However, when her daughter did not turn up to visit as per norm, the mother said that she sensed something was amiss and decided to visit instead. It was then that her worst fears were confirmed.

“When I reach by her I start to shout for her and she did not come out so I went up and open her door with the

key that I have and that’s when I saw her lying In her bed already dead,” the distraught mother related.

The mother has, however, ruled out foul play. According to the woman her daughter was diagnosed with mental illness some years ago and had made several attempts to end her life. The woman nevertheless described her daughter as a very peaceful and well respected individual in the community.

In addition to her mother, the dead woman leaves to mourn four siblings. Her body is currently at the Lyken Funeral Home and a postmortem examination is expected to be conducted shortly. Police are said to be investigating the matter.

Carter Centre meeting...

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has suspended the use of its four passenger bridges to carry out emergency works in the area.

The bridges were key to increase the level of comfort for passengers who are arriving and departing.

Before time, passengers

were forced to make the long walk across the tarmac to the planes and to the airport terminal, in rain and sunshine.

According to sources, the decision to suspend the use of the bridges was taken Monday after it was found that the foundation which the structure was standing on was not stable.

It was only a matter of time before the safety of passengers would have been jeopardized, Kaieteur News was told.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure did not give much details.

It advised that the use of passenger boarding bridges at the CJIA has been

temporarily suspended.

“This scheduled suspension is required to facilitate the execution of other works of the Airport Expansion Project. We sincerely apologize for this temporary inconvenience and would like to assure you that works will be done within (Continued on page 22)

From page 8 Grangers words to the team that the President wants elections as soon as possible, and that hes waiting on GECOM to definitively speak on its preparedness so that he can name a date. The Centres team will be meeting with other local organs “to understand everyones perspective on current events here in Guyana”.

Earlier this year, the Carter Centre had visited GECOM to make certain proposals to better serve its mandate, but Lacy said that, this time around, the Carter Centre is “really just here to listen”.

PAGE 22

Thursday September 12, 2019

Kaieteur News

All four Passenger...

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From page 11 the shortest time possible. “ In 2011, the outgoing Bharrat Jagdeo administration inked one of the biggest infrastructural projects for the country. The US$150M project would have seen a brand new terminal, eight passenger bridges and a longer runway to accommodate wide-body planes.

However, the Coalition Government after an assessment on entering office in 2015 modified the project, without much explanation, keeping the old terminal, gutting it and giving it a facelift. A smaller building was constructed to house the arrival.

There is no viewing

gallery.

The eight bridges have been reduced to four…there is simply not enough space to take more.

The project has been dragging on now since its announcement in 2011.

The project was supposed to be completed in 32 months.

It has become a major scandal with inflated prices in the inception and now a modified project with little ideas where the money has gone.

In the meantime, there is no known sanction for the consultants, CEMCO and MMM Group from Canada and the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company.

However, the people of Guyana are obligated to repay the loan to China.

Gaming Authority considers new regulation for betting...

From page 14 back to your organizations a better understanding of the role that you play; so the way forward is a multifaceted approach to bring awareness to our stakeholders, both the operators and the general public and to put in place measures based on agreed principles that will impact and ensure a safe, fair and responsible gaming experience for all.”

The Chairman said that responsible gaming is to be viewed in the same seriousness as the anti-money laundering and countering financial terrorism considerations.

“As a result, he said the concept of responsible gaming will eventually become entrenched in the licensing aspect of the industry.

Eventually, it will be rolled out and become part of your internal eligibility for continuation of your licenses and for the manner of presenting your service to the general public,” Forde told stakeholders at the forum yesterday. He added, “Responsible gaming is the only choice for our country and we have no choice but to implement policies to minimize the possible harm.”

Meanwhile, Government's spokesman and Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, noted that the Government through all relevant agencies will support the efforts of the gaming authority to ensure that through the establishment of responsible policies, the gaming industry will have

a more positive than negative impact on the nation.

“Our Government recognises that gaming is a form of entertainment in our society and it should be permitted. However, we are committed to instituting all the necessary measures to ensure that responsible measures pervade our gaming landscape and form the basis of our gaming culture,” Harmon said.

He continued that “It cannot escape notice that some of these operations are in some of the specially challenged communities of our country and therefore, the urge to place monies on betting other than the other issues which will affect us as citizens and as families… will have some negative impacts… so I trust that the Gaming Authority pays very careful attention to this development that is taking place,” he said, before noting that given the fast-paced movement of Guyana's economy, the Government anticipates that there is going to be pressure on the Gaming Authority for licenses to open up more gaming establishments.

Harmon said that the new approach will set the equilibrium of scale given that the gaming industry already makes a notable contribution to the economy.

“So, we are thankful that the Guyana Gaming Authority recognizes the importance of responsible gaming,” Harmon added.

Massy Mega Store comes to...

From page 19 customers with many options at one location, world-class cinemas, premium dining options and now with Massy Mega, an exceptional shopping experience.”

In addition to traditional fresh and packaged food, the 34,000 square foot warehouselike store offers car care prod-

ucts, generators, camping gear, electronics, a bakery, pharmacy and deli. Its loyalty programme offers shoppers the chance to redeem points at the Turkeyen and the initial Providence locations.

The store opens from Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 9pm and on Sundays, from 9am to 6pm. (DPI)

Thursday September 12, 2019

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Need for strategic collaborations to end AIDS amplified - as PANCAP hosts second joint regional stakeholders’ dialogue

Participants of PANCAP’s second joint regional dialogue meeting Even as international funding dwindles to sustain the fight against HIV/AIDS, some Caricom Member States can still count their blessings. Recently this has translated to a US$6,500 grant compliments of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria which is expected to help advance the efforts aimed at ending AIDS. Speaking of this development this week was Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS [PANCAP] Director, Mr. Derek Springer. Springer was at the time speaking at PANCAP’s second joint regional dialogue with parliamentarians, faith leaders, civil society leaders, national AIDS programme managers and youth leaders held in Trinidad on Tuesday [September 10, 2019].

He explained that the funding being dubbed a ‘Multicountry Caribbean grant’ has not only been awarded to PANCAP but the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition [CVC] and the Centro de Orientación e Investigación Integral (COIN). The grant is expected to be utilised over the period October 2019 to September, 2022.

Describing it as unique since it is a joint PANCAP/CVC/COIN collaboration, Springersaid,“The grantisademonstration of the collaboration between Governments

and civil society partners...it illustrates the critical need for us to ensure that we position civil society as key partners within the HIV response.”

PANCAP, which is based in Guyana, was established by a declaration of Caricom Heads of government on February 14, 2001 in response to the threat of HIV to sustainable human development. Based in Jamaica, CVC is a coalition of community leaders and non-governmental agencies that are advocates and service providers, working with and on behalf of Caribbean populations whoareespeciallyvulnerabletoHIV infection or often forgotten in access to treatment and healthcare programmes.

COIN, on the other hand, was born out of the HIV epidemic in the Dominican Republic, and concentrates its efforts in implementing education and prevention programmes, healthcare provision, fighting against social discrimination against vulnerable groups, as well as empowerment of marginalised communities.

The tactical work of the three entities is crucial to the ending AIDS agenda. In fact it was in the quest to amplify the need for collaboration that Tuesday’s meeting was held. Delivering remarks at the opening of the meeting was Mr. Ian Ramdahin, Permanent Secretary (ag) of the Sec-

retariat of the National AIDS Coordinating Committee (NACC) with the Trinidad and Tobago’s Office of the Prime Minister.

Ramdahin emphasised that as the 2020 juncture for reporting on how each country and the region, as a whole, would have performed, regarding the 2020 targets set by UNAIDS, assessing progress in combatting HIV and AIDS is of paramount importance. He noted this will highlight and influence the adjustments required to chart the new roadmap for guiding the level of scale-up necessary for achieving the more significant target of “Ending AIDS by 2030.”

He went on to applaud PANCAP for the concerted effort in mobilising and engaging the key stakeholders, adding that they have important and influential roles in determining “how we protect those who are most vulnerable to HIV; and care, treat and respect those who are living with HIV and AIDS.” “I must commend PANCAP for establishing the mechanisms for monitoring the arrangements in place for responding to the HIV disease, which allows us to gauge and report on the progress to date,” Mr Ramdahin added, pointing to the fact that, “Through PANCAP’s sustained efforts, we are able to identify and re-evaluate the areas in need

of redress or further collaboration, and ensure that there is ongoing follow-up action.”

According to him too, “in aiming for our target of an AIDSfree world by 2030, where new infections are almost negligible, we must remember at the heart of this global campaign is the protection of the dignity of Human Rights, which is critical for attaining our Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

He noted that geopolitical instability, escalating impacts of climate change and unanticipated financial hurdles are impacting negatively to cause shifting of the disease burden and straining the Region’s ability to mobilize the much-needed resources to mount an effective response. “We can all agree that if we are to collectively work together towards the goal of ending AIDS by 2030, introspection at the individual and regional governance levels are necessary for fostering ‘greater collaboration’ among all stakeholders,” Ramdahin said.

He further emphasised that in achieving this state of “greater collaboration,” it is incumbent that dialogue be centred around conversations that are geared towards aligning synergies for creating a more diversely inclusive environment that is free of biases, mistrust, phobias, stigma and discrimination.” This is es-

pecially crucial at the national and regional levels, where Ramdahin said, “We can more efficiently identify tools and strategies to augment communication and collaboration of a richer and deeper quality.”

Meanwhile, the PANCAP Director, in his remarks reflected on the First Joint Regional Dialogue held in April 2018 which also brought together Parliamentarians representing government and opposition, Members of the Regional Faith Leaders Steering Committee and other selected Faith Leaders, Regional Civil Society Leaders who work with key populations, members of the PANCAP Youth Advocacy Steering Committee and National AIDS Programme Managers. He noted that the stakeholders of the first regional dialogue held inApril 2018 provided recommendations including the need to create guidelines for respectful dialogue between key populations leaders and faith leaders. In response, PANCAP prepared general principles designed to assist and support respectful dialogue between and among stakeholders, especially in cases where discussions are centered on sensitive and controversial issues. These include discussions that may involve social, cultural and doctrinal issues in conflict with each other.

Another recommendation from the first dialogue was the review and revision of the PANCAP Justice for all [JFA] Roadmap [2014] in light of developments over the last five years. In response, PANCAP, with inputs from various stakeholders’ dialogue, revised the JFA Roadmap.

The Director of PANCAP also highlighted that during the 2018 meeting, faith leaders indicated that they could not endorse the UNESCO Comprehensive Sexuality Education [CSE] models since they were unfamiliar with them. To improve their understanding, PANCAP developed nine info-graphics which illustrate the key components of the CSE models.

The Director further explained that the Second Regional Dialogue was positioned within the new Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS [CRSF] 2019 – 2025. He emphasised that the CRSF articulates the vision, goals, objectives, strategic priorities and key strategies which will guide the Region’s HIV response over the next six years.

“We are moving closer to ending AIDS, so we need all hands on deck,” stated Springer, adding that “With that in mind, we are required to be bold and innovative as reflected by the strategies within the CRSF 2019-2025.”

Man frustrated over milk and diaper sent to jail “My child mother called me and told me the baby needs milk and pampers,” was the statement uttered by a man yesterday moments before he was sentenced to jail.

Twenty-year-old Julian Cornette appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates Court to answer to a robbery with violence charge, which he pleaded guilty to and offered to give an explanation.

The Land-of-Canaan, East Bank Demerara resident, who claims to be a carpenter, stood before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty when the

charge was read to him.

The charge stated that on September 9, 2019, at Light Street, Georgetown, he robbed Elaine Vornel of one black Alcatel cell phone valued at $50,000, one handbag valued at $6,000, and $3,000, cash, immediately before, during or after the robbery, he used personal violence on Vornel.

According to the defendant, he left home the morning and was on his way to Berbice for his god-daughters birthday party.

However, he stopped at

Kitty Seawall with some friends where they were imbibing alcohol, moments before he received a phone call from his child mother.

“After she tell me, my son have to get pampers (diapers) and milk right away, I get frustrated because I didn’t had money.”

Cornette went on to tell the court that after the phone call he started to walk to town, “while walking I removed my shirt and my boots, because I start getting more frustrated thinking about it.”

“When I reach on Light

Street I saw the young lady and I walked up to her and pull her bag, but she start scream and the security guard that was passing by crank he gun so I throw down myself and tell them don’t shoot meh I have a son to live for, I rather go jail than dead.”

However, Cornette denied ever using any violence on the victim during or after the robbery.

Police prosecutor Annalisa Brummell, told the court that around 10:30hrs on Light Street, Alberttown the

defendant tried to snatch the victim’s bag but she held on to it and the defendant became annoyed.

He reportedly dealt her several cuffs around her body causing her to release the bag.

The defendant then tried to make good his escape and ran in a southern direction. At the time of the robbery a MMC security vehicle was passing by and the guards then started to chase after the defendant.

It was reported that after the defendant was caught he handed back the bag and was

taken to the Alberttown Police Station where he was positively identified by the victim and charged for the offence.

Principal Magistrate McGusty asked the defendant, why he was heading to Berbice to celebrate his god-daughters birthday knowing that he didnt have money and has a child to p r o v i d e f o r. C o r n e t t e , could not provided a plausible answer to the question asked.

He was sentence d to serve 2 years in jail for robbery with violence.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 12, 2019

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT…What the APNU/AFC really...

From page 6 borrowed over US$900 million - US$600 million of which was funded by the local banking system - adding to the national debt and making it difficult for ordinary citizens and the private sector to borrow money from commercial banks.

These figures, however, do not tell the whole story.

The strides by the PPP/C were made in a very hostile environment by the then political opposition. One must recall the riots and destruction by fire after the 1992, 1997 and 2001 elections when businesses suffered millions of dollars in damage. These were clear attempts to destabilize our country.

And we must not forget that the last three years of the PPP/C government were even more difficult.

APNU and the AFC displayed their total antidevelopmental and antinational side.

They used their combined one-seat majority to block every developmental project including the Amaila Falls

Hydro Electricity Project and the Specialty Hospital Project. They voted against paying government workers, voted to cut the capital budget of the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. They voted against money to help the sugar industry to restructure and m e c h a n i z e m ore of its operations in the field and factory, just to name a few.

The achievements were made in very unfavourable international circumstances as well. One may recall the destructive financial and economic crisis that gripped the world at the beginning of 2008 and lasted until 2012.

That crisis affected our entire region, including our major trading partners.

But impressive as the PPP/C government was in the economic sphere, it was not all they managed to achieve.

The PPP/C had secured US$250 million under the Guyana/Norway partnership on climate financing. Of this, US$190 million was already earned and only US$40 million disbursed to projects at the end of 2014.

The APNU regime, therefore, had a lot of money to spend. More than US$500M of resources was already secured to finance developmental projects.

These included US$30 million for China Exim Bank to construct a new airport; US$66.2 million from the I n t e r - A m e r i c a n Development Bank (IDB) to fund a road network upgrade and expansion project; US$64.6 million

from the IDB and EU to fund a power utility upgrade programme; US$50 million from the India Exim Bank to fund the East Coast to East Bank bypass road; US$34.4 million from the Caribbean Development Bank to fund the West Coast Demerara highway upgrade project; US$31.7 million from the IDB and EU to fund a water and sanitation infrastructure improvement project; US$15 million from IDB for a new Citizens Security project; US$12 million from World Bank f o r a F l o o d R i s k Management project; US$10 million from the Wo r l d B a n k f o r a n e w Secondary Education Improvement project; US$10 million from the Wo r l d B a n k f o r t h e University of Guyana’s Science and Technology Support project; US$7.5 million from the Caribbean Development Bank to fund a sugar industry mechanization project; and a firm commitment from the Indian government to help in the re-capitalization of the sugar industry.

The source of the above projects and figures were taken from several credible online financial institutions including the Bank of Guyana and The World Bank.

Forme r President, Donald Ramotar also contributed and alluded to most of these facts in a letter, “Under the PPP/C, Guyana had the fastest growing economy in the region”. Apart from the dynamic investments above, the PPP/Civic government had secured

n o t j u s t g r o w i n g local private investments, but some important foreign direct investments into our economy, many of which are now contributing in driving our economy.

The following are some of these investments that came into commercial operation at the end of the PPP/C administration, or shortly thereafter: Major oil and gas exploration activities, these included Exxon/Esso, Repsol and CGX; three major gold mines were ready to commence commercial operations, namely, Guyana Gold Fields Ltd/AGM, ETK/ Sandsprings and Troy Resources. Mining of other minerals including Reunion Manganese and First Bauxite; a large scale agricultural project in the Rupununi - Santa Fe farms; two large information and communications technology investments – Qualfon and Teleperformance.

The performance of the PPP/C government, therefore, generated great confidence in both local and foreign investors. The above is a snapshot of the robust economy that the PPP/Civic left. Our economy was clearly strong and growing fast despite the opposition and any challenges it encountered.

The APNU regime took over at a time when Guyana was leading the rest of the region. This regime had a very sound foundation on with to build upon. They screwed up big time.

Harry Gill PPP/C Member of Parliament

I daresay it is time for the international community to focus...

From page 6 Opposition Leader would be taken into consideration, with a view to having Elections before the end of 2019.

Despite this, Vincent Alexander insists, according to the Guyana Chronicle report, that the GECOM Secretariat’s election timeline has no space for an election this year. The election activities timelines that gives March 2020 as the election date, which was proposed by the GECOM Secretariat, can only be described as notorious, given the lengthy delays. For example: the allocation of 55 days between Nomination Day and Elections Day, when the standard period is 35 days.

The most recent version of the timelines of elections activities contemplates the start of Claims and Objections all the way until November 19,

2019. It also proposes other activities – the necessity of which has been discredited.

Also, only last week, I pointed out that any merger of data from the house-tohouse registration with the NRRDB is worrisome for several reasons. Firstly, the merger of the data with the existing National Register of Registrants will contaminate the database and it will/may take months to address any such contamination.

Secondly, the data gathered is suspect, since the gathering of said information was not scrutinized. Thirdly, the form used in the house-to-house registration was not the statutory form required for such a purpose.

I wish to remind, that since March 2019, a work-plan was proposed by the Opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioners,

which would have seen election activities being run concurrently and concluded within 60 days. I wish to also remind that the 2015 General and Regional Elections were completed within 71 days of Parliament being dissolved on February 28, 2019.

The logical and simplest way, using a time-tested method, is a move to a Claims and Objections exercise, which would kick off once the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) is extracted from the NRRDB and published.

I daresay, it is time for the international community to focus their attention more closely on elements within the GECOM Secretariat, given what is at stake – Guyana’s standing as a constitutional democracy.

Sincerely, Bishop Juan Edghill, PPP/C Parliamentarian

Thursday September 12, 2019

Kaieteur News

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More details released on Khashoggis murder in Saudi consulate

Jamal Khashoggi was murdered by a Saudi Arabian hit-squad BBC A Turkish newspaper has published new details of a recording which reportedly captured the final moments of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The prominent government critic was killed in Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul last October.

It includes information such as the journalist’s alleged last words.

Khashoggi wrote a column for the Washington Post newspaper and was based in the US before his disappearance.

He was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October 2018 to obtain papers he needed to marry his Turkish fiancée.

His mysterious death piled scrutiny on Saudi Arabia, which released conflicting information regarding his disappearance in the aftermath.

Saudi authorities have since blamed a “rogue” operation for his murder and put 11 men on trial.

What does the newspaper say?

The Sabah has consistently made international headlines by carrying details - including some that have

been disputed - about the journalist’s mysterious death.

The newspaper published two new reports this week into Khashoggi’s death at the hands of a group they label a “hit squad”.

Their latest report details information from the alleged recording.

It includes details such as a forensic expert, part of a team sent from Saudi Arabia, allegedly referring to the journalist as an “animal to be sacrificed” prior to his arrival.

The Sabah report says Khashoggi, once inside the consulate, became suspicious and was told he had to return to Riyadh because of an Interpol order.

The journalist allegedly refused to comply with the group’s requests, which included texting his son, and was then drugged, according to the newspaper.

He reportedly then told his killers, in his last words, to not keep his mouth closed because of his asthma, but then lost consciousness.

Khashoggi was suffocated with a bag put over his head, the Sabah reports, with the sounds of a scuffle allegedly picked up by the record-

ing.

The newspaper also alleges the tape captured his alleged dismemberment at the hands of the forensic expert.

Reports of the existence of audio recordings from Khashoggi’s death have been around since last year.

Turkish officials have publicly confirmed their existence and say they have shared them with international governments but is unclear how the newspaper apparently obtained them.

Almost a year on from h i s d e a t h , K h a s h o ggi’s body has not been recovered, despite international pressure.

Earlier this year, a UN expert on extrajudicial killings called for an independent and impartial investigation into his death.

Special rapporteur Agnes Callamard described the journalist’s death as a “deliberate, premeditated execution” and alleges “the state of Saudi Arabia is responsible” and should be investigated.

The Saudi government rejected her report and has consistently denied those responsible for the death were acting on official orders.

Dorian’s toll: Bahamas officials say 2,500 missing in storm’s wake NASSAU, Bahamas (Reuters) - Around 2,500 people are feared missing in the Bahamas in the wake of devastating Hurricane Dorian, a number that may include people who fled to shelters around the Caribbean island chain, authorities said yesterday.

More than a week after the top-of-scale Category 5 hurricane ravaged Great Abaco Island, Freeport and other parts of the tourism-dependent country, the number of those officially registered as missing was another sign the storm’s death toll may rise significantly over the 50 reported so far.

“This list has not yet been checked against government

Thursday September 12, 2019

Kaieteur News

records of who are staying in shelters or who have been evacuated,” National Emergency Management Agency spokesman Carl Smith told a news conference. “The database processing is underway.”

Thousands of people are in shelters on the islands and officials have warned the number of dead is likely to rise substantially.

People all over Nassau are still searching for friends and family they have not seen since the storm.

“My friends are missing, a few of my cousins are missing over there, five in total, they lived in Marsh Harbour,” said Clara Bain, a 38-year-old tour

guide, referring to the Abaco town where officials estimate that 90% of homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed by the storm.

“Everyone on the islands are missing someone, it’s really devastating,” Bain said.

Dorian slammed into the Bahamas over a week ago as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, packing top sustained winds of 185 miles (298 km) per hour.

Smith said more than 5,000 people had evacuated to New Providence, the island where the capital Nassau is located, but that there had been a “significant reduction” in the number of people now asking to be relocated.

Miner who gave cops “the works” to arrest him, jailed wenty-six-year-old Orin Ridley, of Lot 173 Campbell Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, was yesterday sentenced to serve three years imprisonment after he was found guilty of four charges when he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates Court for the ruling on his matters.

Ridley was on trial before Magistrate Annette Singh for an assault, wounding and two robberies under arms charge.

During yesterdays court proceeding Ridley was found guilty of all four offences and was sentenced to jail.

The miner was sentenced to serve one year each for the wounding and assault charge and three years each for both armed robberies.

The sentences are said to run concurrently so he will only spend three years in jail.

But Ridley gave two police constables “the works” to have him arrested, as he reportedly wounded and assaulted them during the process.

The first charge stated that on March 12, 2019 at Lot 173 Campbell and Sussex Streets, Georgetown, Ridley wounded police constable Clive Clarke with intent to prevent lawful apprehension.

On the same date and location, Ridley assaulted police constable Nigel Reid with intent to prevent lawful apprehension.

On January 31, 2019 at Albouys Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, while being armed with a firearm, he robbed Saneka Ramlakhan of articles amounting to $24,600 and on the same date and location, while being armed with a fire-

arm, he robbed Akash Ramlakhan of a pedal cycle valued $18,000 property of the said victim.

According to Ridley, the police ranks arrived at his home and started to strike him to the stomach, stating they came to arrest him. “They just come saying they have an arrest for me.

They assaulted me; hitting me to my belly. I start bleeding from my mouth…all now I still in pain.”

Ridley also claims that police ranks told Saneka Ramlakhan to point him out, and he was assaulted in front of his three-year-old son.

He went on to say that, “The police have nothing to prove that I rob these people, because even the wife says I m not the person. No proper ID parade was done, your honour.”

CTU welcomes Suriname’s efforts at digital transformation PA R A M A R I B O , Suriname - CMC – The Secretary General of the Caribbean telecommunications Union (CTU), Bernadette Lewis, has commended the Suriname government on its efforts towards achieving digital transformation as the regional organisation has taken its recently launched Caribbean FurtureScape to the Dutchspeaking Caribbean Commu-

nity (CARICOM) country.

The CTU said that Caribbean FutureScape will allow citizens to experience how technology may be effectively applied to everyday activities in Caribbean life and the possibilities for an exciting future.

“I am pleased to see the commitment of the government of Suriname towards reaching 21st Century Government status, in launching

their e-ID service, which is a major stepping stone on the road to digital transformation.

This proves that such transformation is within our reach,’ Lewis said. “Citizens should no longer have to wait in long lines to transact business.

Government services should be made available online and be made accessible to all, throughout the region and internationally,” she added.

Thursday September 12, 2019

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Thursday September 12, 2019

Brexit in chaos after court rules PM’s suspension of parliament was unlawful LONDON (Reuters) Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s suspension of the British parliament was unlawful, a court ruled yesterday, prompting immediate calls for lawmakers to return to work as the government and parliament battle over the future of Brexit.

Scotland’s highest court of appeal ruled against Johnson’s decision to prorogue, or suspend, parliament from Monday until Oct. 14 — a blow for the government as it seeks to leave the European Union on Oct. 31 with or without a deal.

With seven weeks to go, the government and parliament are locked in conflict over the future of Brexit, with possible outcomes ranging from leaving without a deal to another referendum that could cancel the divorce.

“We are calling for parliament to be recalled immediately,” said Scottish National

Party lawmaker Joanna Cherry, who led the legal challenge, after Scotland’s Court of Session ruled the prorogation should be annulled.

“You cannot break the law with impunity, Boris Johnson.”

The government will appeal against the ruling to the Supreme Court, the United Kingdom’s highest judicial body, and an official said Johnson believed parliament remained suspended pending a decision by that court.

In a Facebook broadcast Johnson read out a submitted question from a voter, which said he was running an authoritarian government and asked “Why is home-grown authoritarianism better than EU rule?”

In answer, he said: “I must respectfully disagree with you in your characterization of this government. What we are trying to do is implement the result of the 2016 referen-

dum.” Still, a group of opposition lawmakers gathered outside the 800-year-old Palace of Westminster demanding its recall.

Johnson announced on Aug. 28 that parliament would be prorogued, saying the government wanted the suspension so it could then launch a new legislative agenda.

Opponents said the real reason was to shut down debate and challenges to his Brexit plans. The court was shown documents that showed Johnson was considering prorogation weeks before he formally asked Queen Elizabeth to suspend the legislature.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the ruling, saying it was a matter for the government.

Dominic Grieve, one of 21 Brexit rebels thrown out of Johnson’s Conservative Party last week, said that if

Johnson had misled the queen, he should resign.

Johnson, who was a figurehead for the Vote Leave campaign in the 2016 referendum, when 52 percent of voters backed Brexit, has rejected opposition complaints that he was undemocratically denying parliament the right to debate Brexit.

BREXIT UP FOR GRABS Johnson’s bid to quit the bloc “do or die” on Oct. 31 has hit the buffers: parliament has ordered him to delay Brexit until 2020 unless he strikes a deal, while a new Brexit Party is threatening to poach Conservative voters.

After three years of Brexit crisis, British politics is in turmoil, with the prime minister blocked by parliament and an election or even a second referendum on the cards.

In an excoriating judgment, the Scottish judges — who are part of the United Kingdom’s legal system —

ruled that the principal reason for parliament’s suspension was to stymie lawmakers and allow Johnson to pursue a no-deal Brexit policy.

“This was an egregious case of a clear failure to comply with generally accepted standards of behavior of public authorities,” concluded one judge, Philip Brodie, according to a summary of the court verdict.

Judge James Drummond Young had determined that “the only inference that could be drawn was that the UK government and the Prime Minister wished to restrict Parliament”, it added.

Last week, the High Court of England and Wales rejected a similar challenge by campaigners, saying it was a political not a judicial matter.

LABOUR SPLITS The 2016 Brexit referendum showed a United Kingdom divided about much more than the EU, and has

given rise to soul-searching about everything from secession and immigration to capitalism, empire and modern Britishness.

It has also triggered civil war inside both of Britain’s main political parties as dozens of lawmakers put what they see as the United Kingdom’s fate above that of party loyalty.

The divisions in the opposition Labour Party over Brexit were on display on Wednesday, when its deputy leader, Tom Watson, said he supported pressing for a second referendum before an early national election.

His argument, which puts him at odds with party leader Jeremy Corbyn, is that an election might fail to resolve the deadlock over Brexit. Corbyn says Labour would offer the people a second referendum on a credible option to leave against remaining in the EU after an election.

Thursday September 12, 2019

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Schutt, Healy ensure Windies whitewash NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – Fast bowler Megan Schutt’s final-over hat-trick coupled with opener Alyssa Healy’s dashing halfcentury underlined another dominant Australia performance as West Indies slumped to an eight-wicket defeat and a 3-0 whitewash in their ICC Women’s Championship series here yesterday.

Entering the contest at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground with two heavy previous defeats, West Indies could do little to avoid a third straight loss, posting an inadequate 180 all out off exactly 50 overs and then watching as the Aussies romped home in the 32nd over.

Healy extended her rich

vein of form with an audacious 61 off 32 deliveries, while captain Meg Lanning struck a mature, unbeaten 58 off 70 deliveries and all-rounder Ellyse Perry, 33 not out, to steer Australia over the line.

For Australia, the victory was their 15th straight OneDay International win and fifth successive series without defeat, confirming their status at the top of the standings.

Opting to bat earlier, West Indies got a top score of 40 from Kyshona Knight while Chinelle Henry stroked 39, rookie Sheneta Grimmond 34 and captain Stafanie Taylor, 23.

Schutt, wicket-less at the start of the final over of the innings, then knocked over Henry, Karishma Ramharack

(0) and Afy Fletcher (0) with the last three deliveries to celebrate her second hat-trick in international cricket.

Left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen (2-8), off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner (2-23) and leg-spinner Georgia Wareham (2-47) supported with two wickets each.

The hosts lost Reniece Boyce in the second over for one in the second over with as many runs on the board, caught at the wicket flirting at one from seamer Perry that held its line.

Knight, who faced 70 balls and struck seven fours, then anchored two stands to steady the innings, posting 41 for the second wicket with Britney Cooper (16) and a further 31 for the third with Taylor.

Knight’s dismissal in the

Thursday September 12, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your thoughts are emotionally charged, Aries, but you'll find that this can be used to your advantage. You have a great deal of knowledge at your disposal.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) The fast-paced frenzy of the day is just what you need to jump-start your brain and get it moving in the right direction, Taurus. Take control of the fire within and keep it strong all day.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) While you're on a crusade for peace and diplomacy, you may find that other people seem to be on a crusade for war. Do your best under the prevailing trends.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) There's action to be taken, Cancer, so make sure you get up early to make a fresh start.

You may be on stage today in more ways than one.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Be yourself and you can do no wrong. This is one of those days when you barely need to make any effort to go a long distance. You'll find power at your disposal and confidence in yourself.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) There may be a bit of restlessness due to strong forces urging you to take action. A dynamic feeling is in the air and calling on you to get up and get moving. Take this opportunity to push through some of your new ideas.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Charge ahead and use your emotions to fuel your fire.

You have plenty of mental acumen today that can help break through any puzzle.

New beginnings are underway in many areas of your life.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Be a bit selfish today, Scorpio. You have every right to look out for number one.

Sensitivity to other people's emotions and issues is noble, but it may leave you emotionally drained.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your mind is going to be sharp today, and you should be certain of all your words.

Take pride in who you are and what you believe.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Much of your focus is internal, but today it would behoove you to turn some of that energy outward, Capricorn. Take this opportunity to make a leap of faith in the right direction.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) There's no need to walk around with a frown on a day like this. You have a special spark in your eye and spring in your step that you should make great use of today.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You might feel a bit rough around the edges today, Pisces. There's a bite to the day that could leave you feeling upset and unnerved.

It may seem as if no one understands you.

27th over, bowled by Jonassen, started a wobble which saw four wickets fall for 31 runs but Henry and Grimmond combined in a resilient 64-run, seventh wicket stand to prop up the innings.

In pursuit of their modest target, Australia were off to a flyer thanks to Healy who blasted 11 fours and a six, in posting 71 off 47 deliveries for the first wicket with Rachael Haynes (19).

Healy, with scores of 122 and 58 from her previous innings in the series, took the attack to the West Indies bowlers with bold strokes on either side of the wicket before slapping off-spinner Taylor to Stacy-Ann King at square cover in the eighth over.

Haynes then put on 26 for the second wicket with Lanning before holing out to long on off leg-spinner Afy Fletcher in the 16th over, and Lanning, who counted seven fours, joined with Perry in an unbroken 85-run, third wicket stand to further deflate West Indies.

The two teams will square off in the first of three T20 Internationals starting Saturday at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Scores: WEST INDIES WOMEN 180 off (Kyshona Knight 40, Chinelle Henry 39, Sheneta Grimmond 34, Stafanie Taylor 23; Megan Schutt 3-24, Jess Jonassen 28, Ashleigh Gardner 2-23, Georgia Wareham 2-47).

A U S T R A L I A WOMEN 182 for two off 31.1 overs (Alyssa Healy 61, Meg Lanning 58 not out, Ellyse Perry 33 not out).

Record breaking...

From page 31 third six of the innings.

Keeper-batsman Leniko Boucher made his first Hero CPL half-century in an innings of increasing authority. Having taken 22 balls over his first 22 runs he added 40 more from the next 25 he faced to finish unbeaten on 62 with four fours and three sixes to his name.

It was Duminy, though, who was most responsible for lifting the Tridents to what would prove a match-winning total, smashing an unbeaten 43 from just 18 and striking the ball noticeably cleaner than his teammates. He sent four balls sailing way over the ropes with 73 runs coming from the final six overs when the South African veteran was at the crease.

Scores: Barbados Tridents 186 for 2 (Boucher 64*, Charles 52, Duminy 43*) beat St Kitts and Nevis Patriots 168 for 9 (Evans 64, Drakes 34* Lamichhane 3-22, Walsh Jr 2-33, Holder 2-37).

Pacer Megan Schutt … grabbed a hat-trick in the final over.

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Thursday September 12, 2019

Limacol football tournament 2019

Santos and Mahaica record second round group wins

Play between Santos FC (left) and Timehri Panthers.

The fourth annual Limacol football tournament that is also sponsored by Croxley Paper continued on Tuesday night at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on Carifesta Avenue with a double header in which fans witnessed wins for Santos Football Club of Georgetown and Mahaica Determinators of the East Coast of Demerara.

In the feature match, Santos under-20 made light work of Timehri Panthers, 41. Santos’ Marcus Wilson was

the first to add his name to the score sheet in the 17th, but Timehri’s Daniel Moshettete (26th) equalized soon after. Santos were finally able to break the tie just before the half ended in the 44th as Rondel Peters kept his cool to calmly slot home.

During the second half of play, Santos were dominant once again, with Brandon Solomon (62nd) and Stephan Reynolds (67th) netting once each for the team to end the clash 4-1 in favour of the

Action in the Mahaica versus Police B (white) match on Tuesday night.

youngsters.

Mahaica Determinators squad was intent on turning their fortunes around in the 2019 edition of the Limacol football tournament after their first round loss last week and they got the win when they matched skills with Police B in Tuesday night’s first match.

The game was a six-goal thriller that Mahaica won 4-2 courtesy of a hat-trick from Eon Abel (6th, 29th and 33rd minutes) and a solitary strike

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League – WDFA

Three matches slated for this weekend be looking to consolidate their respective positions.

Sunday will see two matches being played where point’s leaders and the only unbeaten team in the League, Eagles Football Club of Stewartville will be going after their fifth triumph when they take on Wales FC from 10:00hrs.

The second and final match of the day brings together the home team, Den Amstel and Hurry-ATE from 12:00hrs.

Competition in the West Demerara leg of the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 Intra Association League will continue this weekend with three matches at the Den Amstel Community Centre Ground, West Coast Demerara.

The lone match tomorrow from 16:00hrs will see bottom of the table Wales Football Club coming up against Pouderoyen FC which sits third in the standings. With all the teams having at least one win, they would all Latest Points Table Team Eagles (Stewartville) Uitvlugt Warriors Pouderoyen Hurry-ATE Den Amstel Wales FC

P 4 5 4 4 4 3

W 4 3 2 1 1 1

D 0 0 0 0 0 0

L 0 2 2 3 3 2

GD 6 2 -1 1 -1 -7

Points 12 9 6 3 3 3

Neymar rape accuser charged with extortion...

From page 28 in May, but he alleged the encounter was consensual and prosecutors said in August they were dropping the case against him due to a lack of evidence.

Sao Paulo state police also said in a statement on Tuesday they were indicting Trindade’s former husband, Estivens Alves, on fraud charges.

The BBC reported Trindade’s lawyer as

saying the indictment had taken him by surprise and that his client rejected the accusations.

The case received worldwide attention and posed sponsorship headaches for Neymar, as well as hurting his international career.

The former Barcelona and Santos forward always denied the accusations against him and released private chats and lurid photos he had exchanged with Trindade.

from Martin Willis in the 84th minute.

The score stood at 3-0 at the first half before Shamar Charles netted the first consolation for the Policemen in the 59th while Leroy Charles netted the second in the 74th minute.

The New GPC Inc. and

W.J. Enterprise sponsored competition continues tonight with another double header. Dynamic FC will face off with Pele FC at 19:00hrs, while Riddim Squad will be pitted against Pouderoyen FC 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.

(Calvin Chapman)

RHTYSC, MS congratulates Gajnabi and Grimmond on their International Debut “The Patron, President, Executives and the entire Membership of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club would like to congratulate Club Members, sisters and friends Shabika Gajnabi and Sheneta Grimmond on their International Debut versus Australia in the current One Day International series.

Gajnabi and Grimmond are products of the long standing relationship between the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and Metro Office Supplies, the sponsor of Guyana’s only Female Cricket Team, the Rose Hall Town Metro Team,” the club stated in a release.

It continued, “Gajnabi during the first One Day International became the third RHTYSC Female Member to play for the West Indies, while Grimmond became the fourth during the second match. It was with total pride that we watched on as the two RHTYSC Members added sixty runs for the seventh wicket against a dominant Australia bowling unit and earned the praises of cricketing legends Kenneth Benjamin and Sir Curtly

Ambrose. Gajnabi joined the Club at the tender age of thirteen while Grimmond did so at fourteen and have both benefitted from the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club well organised cricket structure and a simple formula of hard work, faith in God, personal discipline and dedication. They also benefitted from practicing daily with their male counterparts and regular coaching sessions with Level Three Coach Winston Smith.”

“The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club is very proud of its massive investment into Female Cricket since 2008 but was bitterly disappointed that we remain the only Club in Guyana to do so. It is very sad that our girls have to play against males and we would like to call on other established Clubs to invest into Female Cricket. Gajnabi and Grimmond have now joined Shemaine Campbelle and Erva Giddings as our International products and with players like Sherica Campbelle, Marian Samaroo, Oma Matadin, Dian Prahalad working hard every day, we

are very confident that more Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Members would soon follow in their footsteps.”

“We would like to express gratitude to the Management and Staff of Metro Office and Computer Supplies. The Company since 2009 has invested heavily into our Female Cricketers and special mention must be made to CEO Avia Lindie and Mr. T. Jadunath. The Management of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club would like to reassure the cricketing public that we would uphold our high standard. During the brief twenty nine years history of the Club, we have produced a total of seven players for the West Indies; Campbelle, Giddings, Gajnabi, Grimmond (Female), Assad Fudadin (Under-15, Under19, Test) Royston Crandon (ODI) and Esuan Crandon (Sixes). Kevlon Anderson is on the verge of making the West Indies Under-19 World Cup Squad, while Jonathan Rampersaud was last year named in a West Indies Under-15 Training Squad,” the release concluded.

Thursday September 12, 2019

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Brooklyn-based Guy Saints Coach Fernandes hoping for consistency Ballers to be headed

by Louis Webster Bounty Paper Towel & Solo Drinks hockey leagues

The Bounty Paper Towel Quicker Picker Upper- men’s and Women’s Outdoor, Second Division and the Solo Drinks Under-20 Girls’ and Boys’ Outdoor Development Leagues resumes this weekend after an extended four-month break with six highly anticipated matches in both the under-20 and second division leagues at the Saint Stanislaus College (SSC) ground.

Saints Hockey Club (SHC) lead both the men and women’s categories of the second division, while they lie second and fourth in the under-20 girls’ and boys’ division, respectively.

Head coach of the SHC setup, Robert Fernandes, who was instrumental in the clubs’ resuscitation and formation of the women’s team which is just a few years old, is hoping that the SHC teams remain focused as they look to hold on to their lead for victory in the Bounty Paper Towel – Quicker Picker UpperMen’s & Women’s Second Division Leagues.

Although not leading in the under-20 girls’ division, Fernandes is optimistic in the side’s ability to leapfrog leaders Bingo GCC Spartans.

SHC are still some way

behind before being a force to be reckon with in the first division but the club’s development is evident and they boast the largest pool of players in the development leagues that will resume this weekend with initial play in the second round.

The fixtures for this weekend’s play are as follows, on Saturday, the action hits off at 15:00hrs sharp with second place GCC Pitbulls battling fifth place YMCA Old Fort (OF) Generals in the boys’ under-20 division. At 15:50hrs, second place GBTI GCC will fancy their chances of getting past last

ranked YMCA OF Wild Cats in the women’s second division league. GCC The Sequel will play Hikers Cadets in the final match on Saturday at 16:40hrs in the men’s second division.

Three men’s second division matches are scheduled for Sunday. In the first match at 15:00hrs, Hikers Cadets play OF Rusty, while YMCAOFAces will clash with league leaders Saints Savages before YMCA OF Rusty play their second match of the day, this time against Saints Hockey Club (SHC) Shockwave at 16:40hrs. (Calvin Chapman)

Saints and national men’s Coach, Robert Fernandes, gives instructions to National Midfielder Kareem Mackenzie.

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League – East Bank FA

Grove Hi Tech bangs 23 in two matches - Panthers A&B, Friendship, Mocha and Soesdyke also win On a hectic weekend which saw a total of 40 goals being sco r e d i n f i v e matches, the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) leg of the GFF/ NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 Intra Association League continued at the GFF National Training Centre, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

A total of four w a l k o v e r ’s w e r e a l s o recorded but it was Grove H i Te c h t h a t s t o l e t h e spotlight, racking up a massive 23 goals in their two matches which saw them maul Herstelling Raiders 16-0 on Sunday last, they set the tone the day before when they trounced Samatta Point/ Kaneville, 7-0.

Leading the way on Sunday were Kurwayne Lyte with a helmet-trick (13th,

14th, 31st, 41st), Samuel Garnett tucked in a hat-trick (5th, 27th, 36th), goalkeeper Usher Jones had a brace (65th, 69th) with one apiece to Rasheed Evans (38th), Vincent Chin (49th), Devon Padmore (53rd), Safwan Cordis (55th), Jamal Thorne (59th), Oneil McKenzie (61st) and Orwin Hunte in the 67th minute.

Their 7-0 triumph on Saturday against Samatta Point/Kaneville was crafted around a double off the boot of Samuel Garnett who hit the network in the 37th and 47th minutes respectively.

The other goals came compliments of Jomal Thom (16th), Kurwayne Lyte (20th), Jonas Isaac (23rd), Rasheed Evans (46th) and Ty r e s s e McKenzie in the 51st minute.

Soesdyke Falcons

collected full points and two goals as a result of Swan Football Club not showing up for the match. In the other match on Sunday, Mocha Champs also capped a fine weekend with back to back wins when they got past Diamond United 5-2.

Crafting the win was Tyresse Prowell with a hattrick in the 50th, 55th and 59th minutes. Opening the scoring was Warren Williams in the 10th minute and closing out same was T. Price in the 61st minute. Diamond United got their goals from Steffon Castello and Shaquan Joseph.

Friendship All Stars romped to an exciting 2-1 win over Diamond United thanks to a Kobe Robertson double in the 16th and 52nd minute; Rick Ramotar’s 45th minute effort had brought parity to the game for Diamond United but Friendship restored their

advantage and eventually rallied for the win.

In the battle of the Panthers, the Timehri ‘A’ side showed that they were still a few notches above their ‘B’ counterparts when they defeated them 7-1 after the match was tied 1-1 at the half way mark.

Scoring for the ‘A’ team were Nerron Barrow with a brace in the 46th and 52nd minutes, Shannon Samnauth in the 42nd, Shaquan Caleb (60th) and Tyrell Khan (66th) along with own goals in the 23rd and 49th minutes led the ‘A’ team.

The ‘B’ side had taken the lead in the 11th minute of play by virtue of Joel Williams’ goal.

There were walkover’s for Timehri Panthers ‘A’ over Soesdyke Falcons, Timehri Panthers ‘B’ from Herstelling Raiders and Mocha Champs over Agricola Red Triangle.

- Intends to give back to sport in Guyana Several former basketball players, who congregate at weekend at the South Pacific Park to have pick games, have firmed themselves into the Guy Ballers organization with the intention of giving back to the sport in Guyana.

Following a meeting last Sunday, the unit of past players who played competitive basketball in Linden especially, are seeking to throw support behind the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) which concentrates on playing its competitive matches at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.

Louis Webster, who once was a promising player before he migrated to the United States, will head the Steering Committee of the new Guy Ballers body which has Larry Bobb as its 1st vice president, Terrence James the 2nd vice president, former National centre/forward Dwayne Roberts as Secretary, Treasurer Dexter Walton, Assistant Treasurer Carl Wills, Organizing Secretary Ashton Angel (Jr.) and Seon Charles.

The Committee Members are former National forward Neil Marks, Rae BayrdWebster, Errol Hinds and Marcelle Angel. At the initial meeting the name was suggested and confirmed earliest this week, while the executive has committed to paying a monthly contribution towards fund raising.

Congratulating the formation of this new group was Joseph Chapman, Secretary of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association and the Mackenzie Sports Club and former World boxing champion Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite who also finds time to be with the basketball players on the playground.

Chapman was also asked to update the body on what obtains with basketball, especially in Linden. The problems in getting a new fibre-glass backboard for the Mackenzie sports Club hard court. Chapman discussed the needs for support to the game back in Guyana and the efforts which were made to obtain a new one after appeals were made to the

Louis Webster various authorities for assistance without success.

He however, said, there was hope through the initiative of the Social Cohesion Ministry which has made funds available to start the upgrading of the basketball courts at Amelia’s Ward, Retrieve, Silvercity and Christianburg and one at Kwakwani recently. But the one at Christianburg has not received any of the cash to get their project off the ground as yet.

At the same time, Chapman, who is also Assistant Secretary of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), outlined the intention for the GABF’s National Club Championship by the end of the year and this makes the MSC hard court getting a new fibre-glass backboard an immediate need, to ensure Linden clubs are prepared for the National Club championship popularly known as the Road To Mecca championship. He said the LABA and the MSC had retrieved one of the discarded metal backboards it had taken down some years ago, to substitute for the broken fibre-glass backboard which was damaged since November last year.

The Guy Ballers is one of two groups of basketball players who have an interest in restoring the game in Linden as the other is stationed in New Jersey and has among its planning team former National players Mike, Clifton and James Brusche, and former National coaches Linden Alphonso, John Davidson and Gary Stephens.

PAGE 32

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 12, 2019

BCB Office and services getting major upgrading as support pours in Over the last nineteen months, the Berbice Cricket Board has concentrated on organising numerous Cricket Tournaments, Coaching Programmes, assisting Clubs and Cricketers and raising finance to return Berbice

Cricket to its rightful place after a two years period of internal problems. With Berbice Cricket on firm footing once again, the Berbice Cricket Board is now undertaking a major upgrade of its New Amsterdam based Office and its services to the general public.

The upgrading is being done as

part of the 80th Anniversary Celebration of the Berbice Cricket Board.

BCB President Hilbert Foster, MS who is spearheading the project, stated that with Berbice Cricket Back on its feet, it was important for the administration to strengthen its operations to better serve

BCB President Hilbert Foster hands over a quantity of items to BCB Office Administrator Angela Haniff.

the cricketing public, sponsors and all Clubs in the Ancient County. Noting that the present Executives took over a Board with no finance, no structure in place or an office, Foster stated that the main objective is to make the Berbice Cricket Board, the role model organisation in West Indies Cricket. The old office left much to be desired and was totally inadequate for the Management of Berbice Cricket.

The upgrading would include tiling of the floor, installing PVC ceiling on the roof, repairs to the washroom facility and making the operation of the Board totally self reliant. Berbice NGO, the Caribbean Nation Group (CNG) and Delmur Shipping have contributed financially to the ceiling programme, while overseas based Guyanese Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh has committed to funding the floor tiling project and purchasing new furniture. The Berbice Cricket Board has also received committment of a Desktop Computer and Printer from Barbados based Guyanese Dr. Puran Singh. West Indies

A Representative of the Caribbean Nation Group hands over donation to BCB President.

Players Devendra Bishoo and Anthony Bramble donated a 32 inches Television Set and water dispenser respectively. The Board has also received a DVD Player, Electric Fan, kitchen utensils, large water cooler, office decorations, cleaning equipment, stationery, Telephone Set and Fax Machine. The donors so far have included National Player Gudakesh Motie, University of Guyana, Tain Campus, Poonai Pharmacy, Balram Shane General Store,

RHTYSC, Attorney-at-Law R. Jugmohan and Bakewell who have contributed 100 souvenir cups for the historic anniversary. Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu and Office Administrator Angela Haniff both expressed gratitude to all of the donors for supporting the Berbice Cricket Board. They also urged former Executives, overseas based Berbicians and the Business Community to support the Berbice Cricket Board efforts to lift Berbice Cricket even higher.

Birbal Constructing Establishment T20 final set for September 29 The Wakenaam Cricket Committee is set to commence their new season shortly and according to its Secretary Nazeer Mohamed there are two tournaments to be completed.

Mohamed told Kaieteur Sport that the Birbal Constructing Establishment T20 final is set for September 29 at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground, while the Mike’s Pharmacy and Trophy Stall U19 40-over tournament will continue this weekend. Both tournaments were put on hold due to the recent inclement weather.

Good Success and Sans Souci Jaguars have qualified

for the T20 final following victories in their respective semi final games, while the U19 tournament is being contested by Sans Souci/ Good Success/ SS Jaguars, G Square Cavaliers, Zeelandia/ Maria’s Pleasure and Noitgedacht SC. Mohamed indicated that they are currently cutting the centre ground and the committee is in the process of starting another senior T20 competition shortly, adding that they are in the process of soliciting sponsorship.

Good Success, who defeated Sans Souci in their semi final game, will rely on the likes of Tulsieram

Ramadeen, Mahase Ramnarine, Vickram Ramnarine, Bhumeshwar Ramkissoon, David Chalitar, Nazeer Mohamed, Imran Khan and Wazir Khan. Sans Souci Jaguars, who overcame Maria’s Pleasure in their semi final encounter, will depend on Safraz Mohamed, Beesham Moses, Nokta Moses, Siddiq Mohamed, Gladwin Henry, Zameer Zaman and Derwin Daniels.

The Wakenaam Cricket Committee consists of seven clubs; Good Success, Sans Souci, Sans Souci Jaguars, G Square Cavaliers, Maria’s Pleasure, Noitgedacht SC and Zeelandia.

Neymar rape accuser charged with extortion SAO PAULO (Reuters) Police in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo said on Tuesday they had indicted the woman who accused soccer star Neymar of rape, charging her with fraud, extortion and slander, in what could be a major relief for the Paris Saint Germain striker.

The former Brazil captain was accused of raping Najila Trindade in a Paris hotel room (Continued on page 25)

Brazilian soccer player Neymar leaves a police station in Sao Paulo, Brazil June 13, 2019.

(REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez/File Photo)

Thursday September 12, 2019

PAGE 33

Kaieteur News

GBA applauds Allicock for good showing at World C/Ship Guyana’s Keevin Allicock campaign at the World Boxing Championship that is being held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, came to a premature end after losing his first bout to Finnish

pugilist, Arsian Khataev, Tuesday night.

However, in a correspondence to Kaieteur Sport, President of the Guyana Boxing Association

(GBA), Steve Ninvalle, noted that he was pleased with the young fighter’s performance which he described as commendable.

Khataev is a seasoned

Keevin Allicock (right) and Arsian Khataev listen to the Referee’s instructions prior to the start of the bout.

France knock holders U.S. out of World Cup medal rounds BEIJING (Reuters) France caused the biggest shock of the basketball World Cup in China after beating holders the United States 8979 to reach the semi-finals of the 32-nation tournament yesterday.

France will meet Argentina on Friday for a berth in Sunday’s final while 2006 champions Spain take on Australia, who overpowered Czech Republic 82-70 in the day’s other quarter-final.

The United States, favourites to win their third successive and sixth overall world title, dropped into the 5-8th place playoffs after they failed to reach the medal rounds for the first time since the 2002 tournament in Indianapolis.

The Americans were beaten in a last-eight clash by the former Yugoslavia in that tournament and they next face Serbia, who were billed as their most likely rival in a goldmedal clash in this year’s event.

With 17 of their top NBA players pulling out of the roster in the build-up to the tournament in China, the U.S. lacked depth but their coach Gregg Popovich, the winner of five NBA titles with the San Antonio Spurs, refused to make excuses.

“It is a disrespectful notion to even bring something like that up,” Popovich told a news conference.

“To say ‘hey you guys didn’t have this guy or that guy,’ that’s disrespectful to France or whoever else is in the tournament. France beat us.

“It doesn’t matter who is on the team. I couldn’t be more proud of these 12 guys who sacrificed their summer having never played together before.

“They put themselves in the arena and competed.

They deserve credit for that just like France deserve credit for winning. It’s not about ‘the United States didn’t have their other guys.’ There is no such thing as ‘other guys.’”

Having ground out a barely deserved 93-92 overtime win over Turkey in the preliminary group stage, there was to be no escape for the U.S. this time against an athletic French side who dominated them in every department.

AGGRESSIVE DEFENCE An aggressive French defence forced a flurry of first-half turnovers and having engineered a 45-39 halftime lead, they surged 5141 ahead early in the third quarter thanks to inspired performances from Evan Fournier and Rudy Gobert.

As the duo began to tire, Team USA hit back thanks to a one-man show from Donovan Mitchell, who netted 14 of his 29 points in the third quarter to give the 2014 champions a 66-63 lead

ahead of the final 10 minutes.

But Mitchell stayed scoreless in the fourth quarter while his Utah Jazz team mate Gobert and Orlando Magic guard Fournier hit top gear.

Trailing 72-65, France went on a 17-4 run and cool free-throw shooting in the last 90 seconds of the clash gave them a memorable win as Gobert finished with 21 points and 16 rebounds while Fournier netted 22 points.

The towering Gobert also produced two crucial blocks in the final minute as the Americans lost their momentum and threw away several key possessions.

The only positive they will take from the tournament is that they have qualified for next year’s Olympics in Tokyo alongside Australia, Argentina, Spain, France, Iran and Nigeria.

Japan gained an automatic berth as hosts and four other nations will complete the 12-team field after next year’s qualifying tournaments. The impressive Australians, who have never won a major medal, lived up to the billing of dark horses after a mature performance gave them a sixth successive win in the tournament.

The Czechs fought hard throughout to stay in touch but were undone by another fine display from Australia’s Spurs guard Patty Mills, who racked up 24 points.

fighter on the European circuit according to Ninvalle and he disclosed that the Fin had to drop some pounds to drop from Lightweight to Featherweight, while Allicock had to move up from Bantam to featherweight but judging from the

youngster ’s spirited performance, Ninvalle is confident that more exposure will only c o n t i n u e h i s gradual improvements.

“We at the level of the GBA applaud Keevin for being able to represent Guyana well. He was against

a taller and stronger opposition and he gave a very good account of himself,” the correspondence read.

In video footage seen by this publication, Allicock was sharing blow for blow with his opponent and the fight could have gone either way.

PAGE 34

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 12, 2019

Grimes aiming to shine on debut at CAC in Dom. Rep. next month While not being able to win the Mr. Guyana Men’s Physique at this year’s national championship held last month, Stephon Yannick Grimes, who placed third, is now focused on making it count at this year’s CAC championships set for the

Dominican Republic, October 11-14, next where he will be appearing for the first time.

Speaking with Kaieteur Sport, Grimes stated that initially, he was not going to compete at this year’s senior nationals but had to quickly change plans after he was told

that he had to. This resulted in his entire training routine having to change to accommodate competing at the Guyana Amateur Body Building and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) competition.

He further informed that he

had to add super sets and work more on his conditioning in order to bring up his definition and thickness in the back and shoulders to be ready for the expected high level of rivalry that he had to contend with.

His main rival, Emmerson Campbell again reigned supreme with Tariq Dakhil coming in second.

Not deterred by his third place, Grimes is now focused on being in the best possible shape as he seeks to take care of his opponents, come next month.

Grimes’ decision to compete at CAC this year was mainly due to the fact that he has been able to garner sponsorship towards his preparation and also able to raise the requisite funds to make the trip to the

Dominican Republic.

“I’ve always wanted to compete at the highest level in our region since I started competing in 2014 but I would not have been able to in the past due to the prohibitive costs for airfare to the countries that have been hosting. I am now locked and focus on the task at hand since I look at CAC as the pinnacle of bodybuilding in the Caribbean but with there being so many elite pro shows coming now, I want to use this as a stepping stone towards 2020 where I look to push for higher heights.”

In order to be in the best shape however, eating habits and a consistent and disciplined training routine are necessary the multi talented athlete posited.

“Dieting has always been

simple and easy for me having competed over and over, I keep it to what works for me and my diet always works for me. Nothing out of the ordinary, sweet potatoes, grill or baked chicken, fish, oats, greens like steam ochro and bora. I also consume a lot of pineapples and oranges for vitamin C.” So far so good the former cricketer who has also done well in powerlifting shared. He is expressing gratitude to the following sponsors for their support so far, BK International, Star Party Rentals (Mr. Lennox Cush), Space Gym (Mr. Matos), John Lewis Styles, Windjammer International Hotel and Cuisine, Shakie Mining Company, Stefan John and the D&J Group Inc., among others.

Cycling action set for National Park on Saturday Cycling action is expected to return to the National Park on Saturday with another Hassan Mohammed-organized 11stage programme pedaling off from 09.00hrs.

The event is sponsored

by Banks DIH and for the first time will be run under the Trisket Biscuits Midwest

cookies and tea biscuit brands.

The featured event will be the 35-lap featured school boys and invitational race where riders such as Andrew Hicks, Michael Anthony, Jamaul John, Briton John, Alanzo Ambrose, Deeraj Garbaran, Paul De Nobrega, Christopher Griffith, Marcus Kieler, Christopher Cornelius,

Andre Green, Romello Crawford and others will take part.

The veterans category is expected to be keenly contested with the likes of Paul Choo-wee-nam, Leer Nunes, Jaikaran Sukhai, Warren McKay, Ian Jackson and Junior Niles vying for supremacy.

Bobb, Smith boost Avengers; United Brothers, Speedboat among victors A useful all-round performance by Marvin Bobb coupled by a fine 46 from Ceion Smith handed Avengers a seven-wicket victory over Success Youths when the 592 beer/icool water 10/10 softball competition continued last Sunday at Malteenoes Sports Club.

Success Youths batted first and were bowled out for 92 off 9.2 overs. Mahendra Seepersaud made 31 and Michael Salikram 28; Marvin Bobb picked up 4-19 and Ajay Persaud 2-23. Avengers responded with 94-3 off 8.2 overs. Smith’s knock led the chase while Bobb assisted with 22; Raj Narine had 3-21.

EC All Stars beat Avengers by 25 runs. EC All Stars scored 105 in 10 overs, taking first strike. Travis Alphonso made 34 and Suraj Boodoo 27. Marvin Bobb took 3-14 Deshon Andre 324. Avengers were sent packing for 80 in 9.2 overs in reply. Ceion Smith made 24 while Bobb contributed 20 as Karamchand Persaud grabbed a helmet-trick (four wickets in four balls) to finish with 4-10 from two overs,

Ricky Sergeant while Gary Singh had 2-15.

Farm XI went down to Avengers by one wicket.

Farm XI posted 105-8, taking first strike with Ameer Khan scoring 56; Ajay Persaud snared 3-21 and Marvin Bobb 2-14. Avengers replied with 108-9 in 9.4 overs. Chatram Somwaru made 38 and Ceion Smith 35; Ricky Sergeant had 3-23 and Khan 2-22.

Speed Boat beat Farm XI by 11 runs. Speed Boat made 114-9, batting first. Anand

Bharat scored 44, R. Adams 19, W. Sundar 16 and K. Joseph 15; Ameer Khan claimed 2-7. Farm XI scored 103 all out in 9.4 overs in reply.

Ajay Kishan made 34, C. Seymour 29, D. Singh 21 and R. Reddy 12. Greg Singh, Travis Drakes, Anand Bharat and Safraz Esau claimed two wickets each.

United Brothers defeated Low Land CC by 53 runs.

United Brothers took first strike and managed 123-6.

Quazim Yusuf slammed 55 while Daniel Scott 23, Leon Fazal 17 and Sunil Rajbance 12; Vishal Premdass had 3-25.

Low Land CC responded with 70 all out in 8.3 overs. Rahul Ramesh struck 35 as Gary Singh bagged 5-10 off two overs while Karamchand Persaud had 2-20.

United Brothers beat Farm XI by six wickets. Farm XI batted first and scored 129-3. Ricky Sergeant stroked 83, while Kesho Ramsaran made 35; R. Pades had 2-18.

United Brothers replied with 130-4. Shazh Rover hammered 55 while David Narine made 27; Ameer Khan took 2-18.

Tuesday September 12, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 35

Record - breaking Patriots humbled by Tridents CPL - Having chased a Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) record of 242 on Tuesday night, St Kitts & Nevis Patriots were brought back down to earth by Barbados Tridents last night.

While Jamaica Tallawahs had been unable to defend 241/4 here 24 hours earlier, 186/2 proved enough for the Tridents to run out 18-run winners.

After the previous day’s heroics, the Patriots would have been confident of another victory but they were immediately placed on the back foot in their runchase by Tridents skipper Jason Holder. He removed Devon Thomas with the first ball he bowled – a beauty that nipped away just enough to find the outside edge – and then had another of last night’s key performers Evin Lewis skying a catch to cover in the same over.

Laurie Evans made a classy 64 from 41 with boundaries all round the ground, but nobody else was able to stay with him and score at the required rate.

Jason Mohammed was strangled down the legside

by Roshon Primus for 12 before the Tridents’ legspinners made a decisive move with four wickets in three overs before rain held up the victory charge. Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane bagged two wickets in his third over.

First Shamarh Brooks was smartly caught by Ashley Nurse running back from

cover for 13 before the key wicket of Evans, caught by Josh Lalor at short fine-leg from a top-edged sweep.

A pair of googlies brought two more crucial breakthroughs in the next two overs, Fabian Allen bowled by Hayden Walsh Jr and Carlos Brathwaite lbw to Lamichhane for just a single run between them to leave the Patriots deep in trouble at 107/7 needing 80 runs with just 31 balls left when a sudden downpour sent the players scurrying for cover.

The rain, which came down hard, held up the Tridents by 45 minutes.

When play resumed, Walsh Jr promptly bowled Usama Mir, who got nowhere near an attempted slog and lost his off stump.

Rayad Emrit fell looking for his second six of the night but instead picking out Jason Holder at long-on off Lalor.

Dominic Drakes had some fun despite the hopelessness of the situation, hitting Holder for three huge sixes in the 18th over and in all slapping 34 not out off 13 balls in an unbroken 10th-wicket partnership of 49 with Alzarri Joseph to end the night as the Patriots second top-scorer and make the final margin of defeat far closer than it might have been.

There may not have been as many records as the previous day’s game, but here was one: Drakes’ 34 not out is the highest ever T20 score by a number 11.

T h e Tr i d e n t s w e r e indebted to an explosive late injection from Duminy to get a competitive total on the board after being tied down themselves for much of their innings.

Alex Hales got things off to a lively start with four fours through the offside inside the first three overs of the innings, but after he was dismissed caught behind trying to run Emrit down to third-man, the scoring rate dropped dramatically.

On a ground where a record-breaking 37 sixes

were struck the night before, the Tridents didn’t clear the ropes until Johnson Charles picked a length ball up off his pads over the legside off Brathwaite.

Charles had started slowly but began to find his range and struck back-toback Hero Maximums off Usama Mir to reach his halfcentury in 41 balls. He fell two balls later, though, picking out Brooks – who also dropped a couple of simple catches – at deep midwicket looking for a (Continued on page 29)

Barbados Tridents players celebrate their triumph. (CPL)

Grimes aiming to shine on debut at CAC in Dom. Rep. next month France knock holders U.S. out of World Cup medal rounds

t r o Sp GBA applauds Allicock for good showing at World C/Ship Keevin Allicock (right) and Arsian Khataev exchange blows in a competitive match that Allicock lost.

Stephon Yannick Grimes on stage at GABBFF Seniors, 2019.

France’s Evan Fournier in action against the US during the FIBA World Cup in China. (REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon)

Record - breaking Patriots humbled by Tridents 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.