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Friday September 13, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Friday September 13, 2019
KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
The fall of all fundamentalists
I
t was inevitable that a hard fall had to come for a man who lived for the brink, the big stick of a bygone era, and power and might as the only solution to intractable problems. History is littered with fragments of the hubristic, fundamentalist, and egotistical. Now former White House National Security Adviser, John Bolton, is the latest casualty of being out of step and being put out to pasture. Like many things that characterise Guyana today, Mr. Bolton kept looking back. In a world awash with a culture of huddling for working things out through the temperateness of diplomacy, he reached for the military. Mr. Bolton’s miscalculation - in no small part a creation of the take-no-prisoners ethos of his president - was to recommend the all-out, headlong flight into fight first and pick up the pieces later. It just does not work that way anymore in a world that is so interconnected. He was behind his times. John Bolton was a man, who also left himself little room behind which to manoeuvre for possibly making a different stand. Waiting Guyanese voters know of such attributes across our own national leadership board. There are some like Mr. Bolton here in Guyana; unlike America, the Guyanese extremists and brinkmen last for ages. They neither resign nor are fired.Whether overseas or domestic, the record is of line after line in the sand; lines and sand run out eventually. Last Tuesday, the former National Security Adviser confronted his own 9/11 moment. He had to go. The year of one of the Vulcans came to a close. It had to, as there is only space for one president, one final decision-maker. He had outlived both usefulness and relevance; a product of his own excesses on just every boiling point: Iran, Venezuela, and Afghanistan. The Wall Street Journal’s September 11th editorial saw things differently. The Journal recognised the departing Bolton as the one sober voice (a dissenting one), and the only substantive restraint on the inconsistent impulses of his president. According to the Journal, “For all of his tough talk, Mr. Trump doesn’t seem to want a tough foreign policy. His desire for deals is the reason he flatters dictators and strongmen on the other side of the negotiating table despite their records.” It sounds like a policy of take the battle to the enemy and let the chips fall. The not-so-carefully nuanced offering from the respected Journal warned that, “Another danger is that Mr. Trump’s behavior is increasingly self-isolating.” And that is, “because Mr. Bolton stands for the Jacksonian wing of U.S. foreign policy…” That Jacksonian wing is hostile to broad-based international partnerships. It is committed to an aggressive defence of America’s vital strategic interests. Neighbouring Venezuela falls into that sphere, and with which the Journal included Iran, North Korea and Russia.To those, the New York Times of September 10 added a fifth, Afghanistan, in its coverage titled “Five policy clashes between John Bolton and President Trump.” Interestingly, whereas the Journal spoke of the man resigning, the Times called it a firing; and, pointedly, from the Times, “Mr. Bolton had also confronted Russia over its elections interference, a notoriously touchy subject for Mr. Trump, who sees discussion of it as undermining his legitimacy”. This ought to remind Guyanese of the resistance to issues over credentials and other sensitive matters.Moreover, in its September 10th editorial, the New York Times seized upon the ouster of Mr. Bolton to emphasise the chaos and uncertainties swirling around the current administration and U.S. foreign policy. The editorial titled, “What does John Bolton ouster say about Donald Trump” went to town on the president’s
Secrecy clauses and giving of concessions to foreign companies must be revisited DEAR EDITOR, Has our government, and (also) the preceding one, signed contracts to drive local companies out of business or render them uncompetitive vis-a-vis foreign companies? Contracts signed with oil and gas (O&G) companies seem to suggest such a fact (as illustrated by KN) where the cost of doing business by locals is substantially higher than foreigners. Based on the illustration provided, the cost of an identical product (imported) supplied by locals could be some 40 percent higher than when supplied by a foreigner. Foreigners are reported to be given special privileges and concessions to conduct business with the energy companies. The foreigners are exempted from taxes. This is a cause for serious concern. The government may not be cognizant of this fact and needs to be schooled in economics. It is not that our companies are on a level playing field. Foreign companies enjoy tremendous advantages over local companies in prices of products to be supplied to the energy companies and to government itself. Our government must revisit this is-
sue regardless of which government signed the contract. Politicians must be held accountable for errors or blunders and if they dont take corrective remedies, they should be held accountable as is the norm in their countries especially in diasporic countries where a million Guyanese are settled. Over 25,000 workers lost their jobs in recent years. Also, many local businesses have shuttered over the last four years putting hundreds more out of work. In addition, the economy has slowed causing businesses to lose substantial income loss of income of between 30% and 60% (of revenues obtained in 2015). Many companies are not even earning half of tota l revenues made in 2015. Now comes news that suggest (supported with illustrated evidence from KN) that our government has signed contracts with foreign oil companies and suppliers that will drive more of our local companies out of business and even put more of our workers out of a job. O ur business will not be able to compete because of major subsidies offered to foreign companies. Foreign companies are exempted from
import duties and all other taxes including VAT. Local companies should enjoy preferences over foreigners as the oil and gas (O&G) industry is developed. On the other hand, at a minimum, there should be a level playing field for all to give our companies a chance. In economics, it is unheard of for local companies to be punished and foreigners given privileges. For those of us who study economics, we know that no country operates that way. In other countries, local companies are privileged. But in Guyana, foreign companies are given duty free and other concessions to bring in products and offer services whereas local companies have to pay duties on imports and or in providing services. Such taxes would make products and services offered by local Guyanese companies more costly than those offered by foreign companies. How can our local companies compete? And the difference is not marginal. Since import duties could be anywhere between 15% and 100% (if not more) plus VAT, it means local companies cannot compete (will be at a disadvantage) with the foreign-
ers. Thus, virtually all oil and gas related products and services would be supplied by foreigners. Guyanese would not be major beneficiaries in this industry if rules remain in effect. And to think that such contracts were signed by our governments! Such contracts should be immediately rescinded. Right now, virtually all products and services are supplied by foreigners with virtually no benefits to locals. And these contracts have a secrecy clause preventing Guyanese from knowing the facts. The secrecy clauses and giving concessions to foreign companies must be revisited. Guyanese companies should be given some kind of preferences. And local content should be mandatory for all energy companies (more on this topic to be followed). All countries have a local content policy that benefits and provides advantages to locals. So should Guyana! Media reports on local content policy do not seem to provide substantial benefits to our companies. Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram
Guyana is becoming a territory of capitalistic such a transformation is care- ready successful entrepre- how will these people, many fully sought after in meaning- neurs were among the crowd, of whom lack the skills in, and venture ful and impactful ways is left consisting of people not be- the insights of, the lucrative
DEAR EDITOR, Guyana is becoming a territory of capitalistic venture. As Guyana furthers its economic relations with foreign states in the age of new opportunities, it becomes prone to a series of domestic political challenges. Furthermore, Guyana’s open market strategy, given the dawn of the local oil industry, places it on the geopolitical map, which comes with its own ramifications long associated with developing countries chasing after big revolutionary dreams. Although currently far from its founding socialist ideals of ensuring equality and equity to citizens, Guyana is undoubtedly on the verge of significant transformation. Whether political decisions will ensure
for history to inform us about the uncertainty that lies ahead. Yet, as of current, what we are witnessing before us at the political level is the rising effect of classism of the worst kind — elitism. When the Liza Destiny oil production ship arrived offshore of Guyana’s sovereign territory, it was celebrated by both the political and business elites at the sophisticated and luxurious Marriot Hotel — a place which attracts much political activities today compared to yesteryear when it was scrutinised on moral and financial grounds. The champagne was pouring in fine glass of crystal-clear appearance. Everyone was elegantly dressed and excited. Of course, prospective and al-
management of the nation’s affairs through such sharp phrases as, “zest for chaos” and “his mercurial, impatient, crisis-driven approach” and “the White House may be in turmoil…and adversaries may be seeking advantage…” and through all this, more of the dysfunctional prevails. Clearly, John Bolton’s overpowering instincts were out of touch with a more nuclear-armed world. It was also at odds with the unacknowledged reality of slowly dwindling American influence internationally. He was the wrong man at the wrong time in the wrong place with the wrong attitude…and the wrong president, too.
low the middle-working class. But it is those who fall below this class that make the entire thing disconcerting, and they certainly did not make it to the celebration — perhaps folks residing in Buxton and Enmore didn’t make it to the invitation list. The arrival of the Liza Destiny ship was to be celebrated nationally, since Government reiterated over the years about the many possibilities available to the people of Guyana during its production cycle. But who, really, are the ‘people of Guyana’ to benefit? Does it include the vast number of sugar workers who no longer work on the plantation? What about the bauxite workers who have been exploited by foreign companies in the industry? Alternatively, perhaps the mining workers of gold and diamond, though their experience in this industry is no different than that of the bauxite workers. Editor, there are the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’. The ‘have-nots’ are at an obvious disadvantage. So, it begs the question,
oil and technological industries, meet the promise of wealth and prosperity in the coming decade, as foretold by the Government? This is especially important since measures to elevate the poor out of poverty to prosperity have been, so far, a mute discussion on the national agenda. In fact, when these discussions are raised, they become immaturely dismissed. Consider the idea of a basic income for the poor. And then there is the glaring disadvantage poor working-class people possess when it comes to 21st century technology and business education. Who or what will lift them out of this disadvantage? Or are they to be left for fate to decide? Will that fate be controlled by the few elites or by their democratic will? There are many questions of this nature that have significant ethical implications for the overall social welfare of Guyana and its future. These questions need answers, sooner rather than later. Yours faithfully, Ferlin F. Pedro
Friday September 13, 2019
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Caribbean knighthood and honorary Is the world a better place 18 years later? DEAR EDITOR, One immediate there is broad consensus on Secretary General. Sir stance, who has been doctorates wealth September 11 marked 18 consequence of the attack one issue, namely, that an knighted by the Queen, Ron penned the following: years since the attack on the was the declaration by the architecture of peace is much
DEAR EDITOR, The award of knighthood of Geoff Boycott, former English batsman, last week sparked off criticism that a man who was convicted for assaulting his partner should not be given such a high and distinguished honour. The award also generated discussions in the social media whether knighthood bestowed to cricketers in Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados is recognized. Andy Roberts, Vivian Richards, of Antigua, Wes Hall, Conrad Hunte, are few of the knights from those two countries. Some bloggers feel that in as much they can be addressed as “Sirs”, they are not knights because the honours were not bestowed by Her Majesty the Queen. I looked at Google, which was not too helpful. I then sought the assistance of Sir Ronald Sanders, a senior diplomat, and wellknown commentator who was a candidate for the Common-
“Knighthoods bestowed by the governments of Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados are bestowed by Her Majesty the Queen who is the Head of State of both countries and is the Head of the Orders of Knighthood that are bestowed. The Governor General of these two countries officiates at the ceremony on behalf of Her Majesty and they do in all other official acts that they undertake as her constitutional representative. Therefore, persons who are awarded the dignity of “Knighthood” in Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados are properly addressed with the titles “Sir” or “Dame” in case of a woman. Just as knighthoods bestowed on “non commonwealth” cit i z e n s i n t h e United Kingdom is honorary so are knighthoods bestowed on “non Commonwealth” citizens in Barbados and Antigua and Barbados. Such persons, like Rudy Guilianil, for in-
should not describe himself as “Sir”. It is similar to Honorary Doctorates bestowed by Universities. The title is Honorary and the recipients should not use the prefix “Dr” before their names or call themselves “Doctor” although many do so, wrongly. Sanders received two knighthoods - Knight Commander of the Order of the Nation in the Antigua and Barbuda Order, and Knight Commander of the Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George in the United Kingdom Order. At his knighthood ceremonies, the Governor General officiated in Antigua on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen and Her Majesty herself officiated in the United Kingdom. He also received an honorary doctorate from the University of the West Indies and he does not use “doctor” before his name, He properly uses “Sir”. Oscar Ramjeet
It can happen in a flash with a splash! DEAR EDITOR, Did you know that hot drinks and food remain the number one cause of serious burns to young children? These burns usually range from first-degree superficial burns to third-degree fullthickness burns. YET, so many restaurant owners in Guyana are oblivious to the dangers involved and do not educate their staff, waiters and waitresses accordingly. Every time I go out with my family to dine, a reminder has to be issued to the serving staff to kindly do NOT pass hot beverages or food over our toddler.
It takes very little liquid to injure a childs face and upper body. Hot drinks can seriously scald a child up to 15 minutes after being poured. This includes hot drinks with milk added. On this note, parents and caregivers of young children are reminded to always use cups with secure lids for hot drinks and soups that will not spill easily and never hold or carry a child while you have a hot drink in your hand. Serious burns can occur very quickly and are extremely painful, often leading to lengthy treatment and per-
manent scarring. Please let us all be vigilant and remind others to take the extra care when serving or walking around with hot drinks or food when young children are around - and possibly under feet. Parents also, please be mindful of what is going on around you when out in restaurants and speak out and do not allow staff to serve dishes or beverages over your baby or young childs head in case it spills on them. Remember, “It can happen in a flash with a splash!” Sincerely, Mommy V
World Trade Center, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people including a few Guyanese. I have some vivid recollections of that incident. I had visited that imposing edifice a few months earlier accompanied by a close relative who was working on one of the upper flats of that building. As I watched that deadly inferno on television, my thoughts immediately flashed on her. In a matter of minutes, I received the dreaded news. She perished along with hundreds of others in the flames.
then Bush administration of the ‘war on terrorism’ which saw in its aftermath the overthrow of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, the subsequent overthrow of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, regime changes in several other Islamic states including Libya and Tunisia. The alleged mastermind behind the attacks, Osama bin Laden was eventually killed by US military under the Obama administration. The relevant question is whether or not the world today is a safer place eighteen years later. Opinions are divided on this question but
more preferable than that of war. There is only one winner in an environment of war and that is the military-industrial complex, which rakes in billions at the expense of human deaths and suffering. The true cost of war is measured not necessarily in the actual money spent on weapons of mass destruction but on the number of people who could have received a better education, health, housing and water were it not for the billions spent annually on the military. Hydar Ally
Who do Mr. Mair and Dr. O’Toole want the trauma these accusations has made every effort to inarrested? vestigate this “monstrous” have inflicted on their lives. DEAR EDITOR, John Mair and Dr. O’Toole have made public statements regarding the inaction of the Guyana Police Force with regards to his horrific shooting seven months ago. However, which suspect do they want the Guyana Police Force to arrest and/or charge? Is it the suspect that Dr. O’Toole claims (according to a news report) was flown out of the country the day after the shooting? Is it the suspect that Dr. O’Toole “confirmed” he saw, but was later proven to have been in another country at the time of the shooting (according to another news report)? Maybe it is the suspect in the recording that Dr. O’Toole provided to the police (as reported by yet another news outfit)?Dr. O’Toole has accused at least three different boys, who seem to have been exonerated, with no regard for
Another curious fact about this case is the alleged dance by the shooter. Dr. O’Toole initially stated that before he could realise what was going on, he was down on the ground, and when he looked up, the gunman was nowhere to be seen (another news outfit reported). There was no mention of a dance, or gesture. Mysteriously, almost a month after the shooting, Dr. O’Toole suddenly recalled the person did a strange dance after shooting him. I am willing to bet a lot of money that there was no mention of a dance in Dr. O’Toole’s initial police statement either. The Guyana Police Force
incident. Although, one has to wonder; how can the police conduct a proper investigation when Dr. O’Toole’s account of the shooting changes more often than Trump changes political appointees? Sarah Williams
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Tackling Agro-poison Suicides DEAR EDITOR, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence has been quoted in the local media as stating that “investigations ought to be conducted in suicide deaths caused by the intake of pesticides or other toxic chemicals, to ascertain whether safety and best practices were breached.” May we remind the Minister that in early 2015, The Caribbean Voice (TCV) and a number of other stakeholders had met with the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) and an agreement arrived at that the PTCCB would unveil an adaptation of the Shri Lankan Model later that year. Nothing has since been heard about that unveiling. The Shri Lankan model encompasses: 1. Introducing a minimum agro-chemicals list restricting the use of pesticides to a smaller number of pesticides least dangerous to humans. 2.Placing import restrictions to ensure that more dangerous chemicals do not enter the country. 3.Restricting the availability of agro-chemicals by ensuring they are stored safely in locked boxes in rural households, along with all equipment with which these pesticides are used. 4.Ensuring that empty containers are safely and effectively disposed of. 5.Restricting sale of agrochemicals only to licensed premises and to licensed farmers. 6.Implementing administrative controls to ensure that sales outlets safely store all agro-chemicls. 7.Implementing an ongoing safe use policy to educate people about safe handling, use, storage and disposal. Concurrently, for small-scale farming, nonchemical methods, including organic farming, should be encouraged. 8. Improving medical management of pesticide poisoning: an important facet
of control because better management will reduce the number of deaths. Requirements are the better availability of antidotes (both in central referral hospitals and ideally in peripheral health units) and ventilation facilities, better training, and better evidence for interventions. 9. Constantly monitoring all measures to ensure ongoing conformity, including random home visits to check for locked box storage and field visits to ensure that only licensed premises and licensed farmers have access to chemicals and that safe handling, use, storage and disposal are in effect. In this context, the policy of sharing out cabinets to farmers makes sense. However, given that there are tens of thousands of farmers in Guyana, the few hundreds cabinets, doled out so far, is simply a band-aid approach, thus time for government to reach out to the World Health Organization and other potential international and local partners to come up with an effective, long term plan to tackle agro-poisons suicide. This plan must, of necessity, include a widely publicised list of all banned agro chemicals. Additionally, potent agropoisons such as gramoxone, the choice of poison in Guyana, must be added to that list. Gramoxone contains the lethal ingredient paraquat a substance banned in many nations across the globe. There is no known antidote and it has one of the highest death rates for poisons once ingested. While there has been no study on its usage in Guyana, a 1997 study by Dr. Daisley and Dr. Simmons on forensic analysis of acute poisonings in south Trinidad showed that of 105 deaths analysed, almost 95 per cent were cases of suicide, and almost 80 per cent of deaths were due to paraquat. An analysis of international literature,
especially a study in South Korea, shows that the introduction of national policies regulating and banning paraquat led to a significant decrease in pesticide-associated mortality. Yet access to this poison in Guyana is as easy as access to candy. And, considering that those who attempt suicide generally do not want to die, ingestion of gramoxone effectively takes away from them that option to survive. As well, at the Second Caribbean Regional Symposium on Suicide held in December 2015 in the Cayman Islands, a representative from the government spoke with UWI’s toxicologist and founder/head of UWI’s poison control centre, Dr. Verrol Simmons, and indicated to him that the Guyana government would employ his services in addressing agro-poisons suicides. At the third symposium in Trinidad & Tobago, Dr. Simmons disclosed to TCV that he never heard back from that individual or the government. Dr. Simmons also indicated that once a person ingests poison, critical first steps can be taken right there and then to start the life saving process. There is no doubt that such information is desperately needed in Guyana for training and for nationwide dissemination. As well, Dr. Simmons can provide technical and other assistance with respect to the poison control centers, which were supposed to have been established in mid 2016, according to a January 2016 disclosure in the media by Dr. Shamdeo Persaud. To date no such center has ever been set up. The combination of an adaptation of the Shri Lankan Model and training by Dr. Simmons, even without the poison control centers, can ensure that there are no gaps and that in the mid to longterm agro-poisons suicides would be significantly reduced if not eliminated. Sincerely The Caribbean Voice
Friday September 13, 2019
Clarity on Letter to the Editor by Robin Singh DEAR EDITOR, The Ministry of Natural Resources is aware of a letter to the Editor dated September 10 by Mr. Robin Singh regarding the President’s recent meeting with Miners United Movement (MUM). The Ministry has identified some of Mr. Singh’s concerns and wishes to make clarifications on the nature of the meeting and some of the sector related issues raised. In the aim of fostering greater interaction with the sector’s stakeholders, His Excellency President David Granger hosted the interactive business luncheon to further hear and discuss sector related issues with the stakeholders. Just as any other engagement involving the President and natural resources stakeholders, a brief was prepared and submitted to His Excellency, outlining the existing areas to be discussed during the interaction. This brief benefited from consultations by members of the mining community. During the interaction, the President reiterated the Government’s commitment to supporting the sustainable and responsible development of the sector. In this, he highlighted the significant contributions of mining and some of the cons involved, and the aim to have a symbiotic relationship between mining and environmental protection and preservation. Delving into interaction, President Granger encouraged the miners to speak on issues affecting them and to make recommendations to be further considered by Government. During the discussions, the well-known issues of taxation, infrastructure, and mercury use and alternatives were raised. His Excellency’s responses noted the gravity of the concerns and went on to highlight and explain to Government’s ongoing challenges and efforts
to comprehensively address each. Regarding taxation and concessions, the President noted the Government’s dependence on revenues along with ongoing efforts to review the aspect of Government policy to the extent of getting revenues from other sources. He further said that he would encourage the Finance Minister to examine fair ways and means of looking at concessions and their allocation. Also, he highlighted the efforts to develop infrastructure and its importance, along with the need for improved security and the continuous efforts of the Ministry of Natural Resources to address this through the Corps of Wardens. Public Affairs and Communications Unit (PAU) Ministry of Natural Resources 96 Duke Street, Kingston, Georgetown Tel: 231-2519 Finally, regarding mercury reduction and assistance, His Excellency, called for collaborative efforts in providing techniques and resources to assist in mercury reduction. He also took time to welcome any recommendations from the mining sector regarding a Decade of Development from 2020-2029 documents, which is being worked on. The Ministry and by extension Government has always seriously considered the concerns of miners and through its policies, enforcement and other strategies, strives to address each. The Minister of Natural Resources Hon. Raphael G.C Trotman has the responsibility to the stakeholders of the sectors and has continued to engage with them, hearing of issues, recommendations and identifying possible solutions. The sector remains vital to Guyana’s development and all avenues for its success while ensuring sustainability will continue to be explored. Mr. Stephon Gabriel Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Natural Resources
WPO CONDEMNS APNU+AFC APPOINTED REO’S ATTACK ON VICE-CHAIRWOMAN OF REGION #2 DEAR EDITOR, The Women’s Progressive Organisation condemns the recent physical and verbal onslaught on the Vice-Chairwoman of Regional #2, Ms. Nandranie Coojah, and calls on the government to stop the harassment and victimisation of political elected women and professional women in Guyana. Since 2015, several women have suffered emotionally, financially and in this case, verbally and physically by the Granger’s Caretaker government and in this specific case at the hands of the REO of Region #2. While this matter was reported to the police station at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast and is under investigation, the WPO will be paying keen interest to how the Guyana Police Force will be handling this issue of harassment, physical and verbal abuse. Women in Guyana is more than 50% of our population, and in the last three decades, women’s empowerment and gender equality have been gradually climbing to the fore of the national agenda. On March 8, 2016, the Caretaker President, Mr. Granger, at the International Women’s Day celebrations at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, committed his government to achieve women’s equality in governance of 50/50 by 2030 as recommended in the SDGs. In contravention to this commitment, the APNU+AFC politically appointed and directed official continues to indiscriminately violate the rights of elected women to political office. Reports received during the past 4 years suggest that the REO and his predecessors have used the powers of their office to discriminate, victimize and harass Ms.
Coonjah, who is an elected member and ViceChairwoman of the Regional Democratic Council, Region #2. It was said that the REOs have deliberately sabotaged the ViceChairwoman from effectively performing her duties by not providing her office with the necessary entitled amenities, which includes a vehicle and a driver. The Minister of Communities was written regarding the REOs blatant disregard for the rule of law, gender equality and gender equity. WPO is concerned about the continuous harassment at the place of work and remind those in authority that Guyana is a signatory to the Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW), the sustainable development goals (SDGs) that speaks to gender equality of 50/ 50 by 2030 and several other conventions that speaks to women’s empowerment and gender equality. Nandranie Coonjah is a member of the Central Committee, Secretariat and is the Assistant General Secretary of the WPO. Further, Ms. Coonjah is a Commissioner on the Women and Gender Equality Commission with responsibility for Regions #2, #5 and #6. WPO Calls on all women’s organisations, including the Women and Gender Equality Commission, to condemn the actions of the REO of Region #2 and for his resignation with immediate effect. Further, the WPO calls on the Minister of Communities, with responsibility for RDCs, and Minister of Social Protection with responsibility for Gender Affairs, to launch an immediate investigation into this matter. Women’s Progressive Organisation
Friday September 13, 2019
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Contracts approved by Caretaker Govt. will be deemed invalid - PPP General Secretary
The Peoples Progressive Party (PPP), according to its General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, will not recognise as valid, the contracts handed out by the Caretaker A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government, as its powers have been vastly reduced, following its defeat on December 21, 2018, by a Motion of No Confidence in the National Assembly. The Opposition Leader is confident that with him at the helm of the party and Mohamed Irfaan Ali as its presidential nominee, it will win the upcoming General and Regional Elections. President David Granger had said that the Government would limit its powers. In a statement following the CCJs orders, Granger had said “We obviously have to keep government running,” but provided that Government would limit its expenditure and not “embark on any controversial projects.” During a press conference
at his Church street office yesterday, Jagdeo said that in the most recent Post-Cabinet press briefing last week, Director General at the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, listed several contracts that were awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), and noted by Cabinet. Jagdeo addressed the companies which were awarded the contracts Harmon listed, stating “Let me just say… that none of those contracts are valid.” He continued, “And we will treat them as contracts that have been illegally granted.” The Opposition Leader has warned Government, several times over the past nine months, that contracts will be deemed invalid by a PPP government, should the party emerge victorious. But since the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on the No Confidence Motion in July, and its subsequent Con-
PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo
sequential Orders made it clear that this Government is operating in a Caretaker capacity, Jagdeos words became much more weighted. Harmon had said that the contracts awarded constitute much needed road construction and upgrades in regions four, six and 10. According to the Department of Public In-
formation, they total $729M. Harmon said that the projects are part of a larger set of rehabilitation projects planned by Government, and awarded for the respective regions. DPI has also provided that other roadwork for those regions, approved by Cabinet for 2019, amount in excess of $1.2B.
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Friday September 13, 2019
Special Prosecutors absence causes case to be dismissed against NBS directors The directors leaving the court after their case was dismissed
With bright smiles and big handshakes to their lawyer, three directors of the New Building Society (NBS) left the Georgetown Magistrates Courts in high spirits yesterday having just had eight counts of wrongful confine-
ment dismissed against them. The charges came about after several persons were locked in NBSs head office on Avenue of the Republic, following a five-hour standoff with High Court marshals. The marshals had moved to
The NBS Head Office on Avenue of the Republic
levy on NBS assets in a $59M judgment for former Chief Executive Officer, Maurice Arjoon. Anil Kishun, CEO Anil Beharry and Deka Tularam were on trial before Magistrate Dylon Bess. They had all denied the charge, which alleged that on January 23, 2018, at the Avenue of the Republic building, they wrongfully confined Ganesh Kalicharan, Goodish Singh, Alex Moore, Joseph Allen, Gina Arjoon, Patrick Higgins, Martin Brown and Ganish Hira, from proceeding out of the building. With no objections to bail from the Police Prosecutor at that time they were all released on their own recognizance (self bail). Yesterday when the matter was called, Special Prosecutor Sanjeev Datadin, who was assigned to the case by the Director of Public Pros-
ecutions (DPP), was not present in court. Even after the doorman to the courtroom called the attorneys name thrice outside, Datadin was still a no-show. According to defence counsel Nigel Hughes, the court waited in excess of ninety minutes for counsel to appear. Also several inquiries were made on whether the Prosecutor had informed the Clerk of Court or any other court official about his absence. The inquiries revealed that no such notification had been sent.The charges against the directors were then dismissed for want of prosecution. It was also noted that this was not the first occasion on which the Special Prosecutor had been absent. According to reports, on the day in question, the bank
Special Prosecutor Sanjeev Datadin closed its doors locking inside several customers, a Court Marshal, lawyer and a police rank, after a team of Court
Marshals went to NBS to levy on its assets in a $59M judgment for its former CEO Maurice Arjoon.
Friday September 13, 2019
Kaieteur News
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16 police ranks complete DARE programme
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ixteen police ranks com pleted a Drug Abuse Re sistance Education (DARE) Programme on Wednesday. The programme was facilitated by Assistant Superintendent Dellon Fraser and Retired Woman Superintendent Ingrid Wiltshire. The programme was hosted at the Police Officers’ Training Centre, Eve Leary, and aimed at sensitising ranks on a number of drug-related issues and how to efficiently approach, handle and manage them. Topics covered included the effects of mind-altering drugs, consequences of drug use, ways to say ‘No’, gang violence, and public speaking. Supt. Wiltshire indicated that DARE will be a seventeen (17) week programme to be taught in schools as part of their curriculum, and to assist in the reduction of the use of drugs and violence. However, an official of the Force indicated that while the suggestions were admirable, it still had to be looked at and approved at the Force Admin level before going any further. Requests for further comments were declined.
Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken and Retired Woman Superintendent Ingrid Wiltshire (both seated) with the ranks who recently completed the DARE programme.
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Friday September 13, 2019
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Ministers spending ‘nuff’, personal money This columnist is saying with emphatic assertion that a minister in the first week of this month bought a property in a fancy section of Georgetown, east of Sheriff Street, for a colossal sum. The seller is a woman who works for the government. I gave Peter Ramsaroop this information in the National Park yesterday. I have written about very expensive SUVs bought by ministers for personal use. The son of a minister told me that with duty, one of the SUVs will cost 60 million. He called this figure in the presence of some known citizens that I have named in two previous columns. I have been advised that the $60 million figure is too high and that it is $45 million. The personal purchase of a $45 million vehicle by a minister brings into sharp focus the Trumpian rhetoric, “draining the swamp.” If anything was certain in this world, it would have been the reaction of the PNC and AFC leaders, that the PPP ministers are living an ostentatious, sybaritic, debauched lifestyle, with many of them driving around $50 million SUVs which they purchased for their own personal use.
AFC and PNC leaders would have promised that they would drain the swamp if they were elected. In fact, like Trump, they did promise to drain the swamp. Trump brought in multi-millionaires into his Cabinet. In Guyana, rich ministers fill the Cabinet. Trump added lots of mud to the swamp. APNU+AFC has so filled up the swamp that the largest construction company will not be able to drain it in time for the 2025 election. The leadership of the AFC and PNC are on record as stating that Charrandass was in receipt of money to vote in support of the no-confidence motion - Moses Nagamootoo has been explicit on that accusation in the Chronicle. Charrandass has sued Khemraj Ramjattan, but strangely has not touched Nagamootoo, whose semantics in the Chronicle were far more libelous. It was Ramjattan who told Guyanese that someone told him; “listen maan, before he voted, ah hear Charran de mekking enquiries ‘bout buying gold.” Ramjattan said he passed over the information to the Commissioner of Police and thus began the inquiry
into bribe-taking. But let’s expose asininity in the exercise of power in Guyana. Here is a hypothetical example before we describe the asininity. A police officer is seen at a five-star hotel drinking often with a businessman. The politician says he is in the pocket of the businessman. But that is speculation. Suppose the man is paying for his own drinks. Suppose the hotel gives him a special discount. But the facts on the officer’s colleague are glaring. He actually has two expensive cars in his name and two expensive houses. What is the point? We can only speculate when we see the officer drinking, but there is no guessing with the second officer; he has serious assets. Let’s make a comparison with Charrandass and some ministers. Charran said he voted because of conscience. His detractors said he took money. Where is the money Charran took? Where are his extraordinary purchases? We can only guess. But there is no guessing. A minister bought a house last week for lots and lots of money. Two ministers are driving SUVS
that only capitalists with nuff money can buy. Here is my contention. If on the basis of how he voted, we are investigating Charran, why are we not probing the lavish lifestyles of certain ministers? That minister that did his thing last week just off Sheriff Street, can he be accused of being the recipient of bribes? If your answer is no, then how can you accuse a man of taking financial rewards because he voted against his own government? Prime Minister Boris Johnson did not know who among his party MPs would have voted against him to stop a no-deal Brexit. After the vote, when
he found out, he demoted all of them. So let’s put a question to Ramjattan. He is the man that instigated the Charrandass police inquiry, by publicly stating that he was told that Charran wanted to buy gold. But Charran has not bought any gold. The police are still to address the nation on what they have found incriminating about his gold purchase (except the evidence I can give to the police that he wanted to buy gold from me; my President’s Medal from UG). Ramjattan will know now from this column about the property bought last week and the high-priced cars two
Frederick Kissoon ministers recently acquired. So I expect Ramjattan to go to the police after making contact with me. My cell number is 614-5927. I think he has it already. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
DEM BOYS SEH
Guyana move from beggar to king Nuff people experience de situation wha Guyana experiencing. When people was down and out nobody even use to look at dem. Is like a pavement dweller. He don’t have no family or relatives. But as soon as he win de lotto he does get more family that he even know he had. All of a sudden he become Uncle This or Cousin That. Dem boys remember when Jagdeo try to go to Kuwait without invitation. He fly almost to de border of de country and announce he presence. De Kuwaitis radio and tell Jagdeo that he can’t land. Dem turn back Jagdeo in de air. Some airlines use to fly to Guyana and when things don’t suit dem de next thing people know is dem stop flying. Some of dem lef Guyanese stranded. When Guyanese travel to some country people use to tek dem eyes and pass dem. Dem treat Guyanese like sh*t. Old people always seh ‘Never cuss de bridge you cross.’ Don’t tun up yuh nose at people because yuh never know who gun
got to reach out a hand to you in de future. On Tuesday Soulja Bai accredit three ambassadors. One of dem come from de same Kuwait that refuse to meet wid de president of Guyana, even if was Jagdeo. Dem boys seh all of a sudden things change. People treating Guyanese like specialty. Dem seh dem wouldn’t be surprised if de Queen pay a visit in a hurry. Airlines that never look at Guyana suddenly flying to this country. JetBlue announce it coming even before de people know that it was in talks wid Guyana. But dem boys should have realize that from de time Guyana find oil this woulda happen. American Airlines start to fly as soon as Exxon announce oil. It start to fly to Miami. Now it challenging dem airline that use to fly between thick and thin. It flying between Georgetown and Timehri. Dem boys not happy that de politicians bowing to de newcomers. Talk half and watch how Guyana tun from beggar to king.
Friday September 13, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Friday September 13, 2019
Opposition proposes random placement of polling day staff …to ensure quality control for electoral process Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, met with the full commission of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) at the last statutory meeting, and engaged them in several discussions. During a press conference yesterday at his Church Street office, the Opposition Leader said that he proposed to the Commission that it implement a system of random placement for polling day officials to ensure quality control for the electoral
process. “So nobody knows where theyre going, everybody is trained and then you have a system for random placement of polling day officials. So you cant have a pattern of behaviour.” Jagdeo said that he raised this issue to ensure that the General and Regional Elections are credible. He added that the recruitment process for polling day staff has to be transparent, saying that he is distrustful
of the Secretariat. Also pursuant to the holding of credible elections, he proposed having an international presence here on Election day. “I said to the commission, when I met with them, that we must seek immediately, to have an international presence for quality control… because we need another pair of eyes.” He said that the President should also have a vested interest in, and advocate for, international presence. “President Granger, if hes concerned about credible elections, how come hes not making the case that we can get a lot of international help?” Jagdeo asked. He said that the presence of international actors would safeguard the integrity of several aspects of the system, including the integrity of the voters list and the tabulation process. It is also necessary, Jagdeo added, to have those actors develop an independent report on quality control to present to the commission and the various political parties. Many organizations, such as the Organisation of Ameri-
GECOM’s Kingston Headquarters
can States (OAS), the United Nations, the Commonwealth, as well as several bilateral donors, would be willing to assist the Commission in assuring credible elections, Jagdeo said, because they have told him so.
He added that it is disappointing that Government had not heeded the advice of the UN when it sent a Needs Assessment Mission last year, which found that there was no need for a new voters list. Nevertheless, the Opposi-
tion Leader said he is positive that the offer by those bodies of their assistance is still on the table. “All of these things, we raised with the commission to ensure credible elections.” Jagdeo said.
Cattle buyer ambushed, shot and robbed at Babu Jaan - One suspect in custody Police in Berbice have arrested one suspect in connection with the shooting of a businessman at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, Berbice yesterday morning. This is according to a senior police source in the division. The injured man has since been identified as Abdul Hack, 64. Kaieteur News under-
stands he is currently a patient at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital nursing a gunshot wound to the left leg. According to information received, Hack travelled to Berbice to purchase cattle at the Babu Jaan location when a gunman confronted him and demanded that he hand over the cash he had in his possession. It is unclear at what point
during the robbery the businessman was shot, but a bullet was pumped into his left leg before the bandit escaped with over $600,000 in cash. Hack was rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital and subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he remains a patient. The police are investigating.
Bicycle thief sentenced to six months behind bars John Cameron, a 20-yearold mason was yesterday placed behind bars by Magistrate Dylon Bess after he decided to change his plea to guilty for a charge in which he stole a bicycle. The court heard that Cameron stole a $22,500 bicycle belonging to Marlon Walcott on June 8, last, at North Road, Bourda, Georgetown. Cameron was arraigned before Magistrate Bess in the Georgetown Magistrates Court. When the matter was recalled yesterday, Cameron offered to compensate the victim or work for him until meeting the cost for the item. However, Walcott told the
court that he is not of the opinion that the defendant would upkeep his promise of working to compensate for the bicycle. As such he asked if Cameron could not come up with the full cost of the bicycle, for the matter to continue. Cameron then decided to change his plea of not guilty which was made on the first occasion that it was called to admitting to the offence. Taking into consideration that he changed his plea before the commencement of his trial and the fact that he was honest, the magistrate sentenced him to six months in jail for the offence along with
a one-year bond, to be of good behaviour. It was noted that Cameron was previously charged for robbery and sentenced to three months in prison on that charge. According to information, on the day in question around 08:00hrs, Walcott rode his bicycle to his work place at Game Express. After several hours of working, Walcott made a check on his bicycle and found it missing. He decided to check the security cameras and on them he saw Cameron removing the bicycle. The matter was reported and Cameron was later apprehended and charged.
Friday September 13, 2019
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Kaieteur News
GTT grilled by PUC on absence of details on new phone bills - Company apologises for failing to notify consumers
Ramon Gaskin Guyana’s largest telecommunications and technology provider, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) faced a series of questions with regard to the omission of vital information in the new billing system. Officials of the company admitted to their shortcomings and apologised to consumers for failing to notify them of the new format at a hearing before the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) yesterday. The hearing was hosted by the PUC at the Cara Lodge before a packed room of representatives from the PUC, GTT, members of the public and media personnel. Among speakers at the hearing were Pat Dyal, Ramon Gaskin and former CEO of GTT, Dr. Yog Mahadeo. Representatives of the company were hauled before the utilities commission, when one of its customers, Ramon Gaskin, complained to the PUC that his bill received for the billing period May 01, 2019 – May 31, 2019 was presented in a new format. Gaskin had noted, with concern, that the telephone bill does not reflect an itemized list of (a) cellular calls, and (b) overseas calls, which would have been itemized in previous bills, and afforded consumers the ability to check and verify their activities for the preceding month. During the PUC hearing yesterday, Gaskin further registered his concerns as it relates to the omissions. He told officials attached to GTT and Commissioners of the
Chairman of PUC, Dela Britton
GTT legal and regulatory affairs VP, Mark Reynolds
PUC that the new billing format gives consumers no means of comparing or tracing the manner in which they have been using the service Gaskin said that with no breakdown of the charges, consumer cannot tell what exactly it is they are paying for. Gaskin was later told that consumers can get to uplift a detailed print-out of their bills at the main off i c e s o f G T T, o n c e r e quested. The complainant (Gaskin) nonetheless rejected the response “That is not true … GTT said you have to go online to get it, they want me to pay more money for another service. I want to make that clear that you have been misleading the commission”. “GTT is forcing persons to accept the new services… but you cannot do it unless the PUC allows you to make those changes. I want my original bills. Your license does not permit unilateral changes. You are not allowed to do so, I reject your apology!” Gaskin stated emphatically Mark Reynolds, Vice President of legal and regulatory affairs of GTT, acknowl-
edged that the company lapsed in that regard and would accept the blame for failing to notify the consumers of the new billing. He said that customers should have at least 30 days notice before the new billing format is rolled out. Reynolds contended nonetheless that the agreement and license do not indicate the particular details and format in which the contents of the bill should be. Responding to Gaskin’s concern on the new billing format, Vice President Customer Experience at GTT, Orson Ferguson, explained that GTT introduced its ebilling by means of the My GTT App in support of the country’s green initiative, coupled with the technological growth and direction of the company and the country. He argued that to date, through the initiative, GTT has seen a 30 percent decline in the number of customers being disconnected for non-payment – which speaks to the efficiency and convenience of the App. F e r g u s o n a l s o noted that a majority of GTT customers have welcomed the one-
GTT Head Office on Brickdam
page billing format. “Marrying what is to come and the days of old, GTT is pursuing more innovative ways of accessing bills at an earlier and more convenient means. Persons who have not opted into My GTT as an option to access their bills are sent a summarized one, and are able to obtain a more detailed bill through My GTT, 0488, or in stores.” Moderator of the hearing and Chairman of the PUC, Attorney Dela Britton raised concerns of the effectiveness of the paperless bill. S h e e n q u i r e d “ Wa s there a survey done to assess how many persons had access to the internet? Was there an education campaign given to consum-
ers before the new billing format was implemented?” “No there was not. We didn’t do an actual survey but we relied on data that was already available,” Ferguson replied. He told the PUC the data revealed that 70 percent of the population has internet access. “What about the remaining, 30 per cent?” asked Britton. To which Reynolds interjected. “GTT has number of ads out on the telling the public about the services. Again GTT takes responsibility and we apologise to Mr. Gaskin and the consumers…In terms of the accountability, GTT has been in compliance”. GTT officials had contended that the company
wrote the PUC informing that effective May 2019, a new bill format was disseminated to residential customers living in and out of Georgetown. According to GTT, the bill provides a summary of all charges for the specific month that it refers, including cell, landline and overseas calls. What the new format does not involve is the details of the specific calls which were made – however GTT can provide same based on a request received from the user. Representatives of the company had also mentioned the free access to the ‘my GTT app’ internet service. That statement was taken to task by Mahadeo, who noted there is nothing is free about the internet service.
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Friday September 13, 2019
Kaieteur News
2012 Anna Catherina home invasion murders…
Father testifies to finding bodies of slain daughter, grandsons Kumar Persaud, the father of murdered Anna Catherina woman, Jennifer Persaud testified at the Georgetown High Court yesterday about the 2012 home invasion murders. The matter is being heard before High Court Judge Brassington Reynolds and a mixed panel of jurors. Abishai Caesar, 34, formerly of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, is on trial for the murder of Persaud, an Anna Catherina liquor store owner and her two young sons. According to the indictment, between September 21 and September 22, 2012 at Sea View, Anna Catherina, Caesar murdered 41-year-old Jennifer Persaud called “Jenny” and her two children Afridi Bacchus, 6 and Jadon Ernest, 17 months. Caesar is accused of breaking into the home and robbing and killing the woman and her two sons. He had initially evaded justice until April 2016, when investigators were able to arrest him after his reputed wife went to told them that he mur-
Accused: Abishai Caesar
Jennifer Persaud
Afridi Bacchus
17-month-old Jadon Ernest
dered Persaud and her sons during the home invasion. The 74-year-old witness and father of the deceased businesswoman gave the court a gruesome account of finding the bodies of his daughter and her two young sons, dead in their home. Led by State Attorney, Seeta Bhishundial, Persaud told the court that back in 2012, he worked as a security guard. The man said
that he lived at Friendship, East Bank Demerara, with his wife and a grandson. Recounting the incidents that led to the discovery, Persaud said that he had spoken to his daughter just a day before. He said that she had called him the morning of September 21, just before he left for work. According to him, later that evening he received some
information which caused him to be concerned about his daughter, who was living miles away on the West Coast with her two sons. Persaud said that as result of information he received, he rang his daughter’s phone but got no response. The following day, still having not heard from her, the man said that he hired a taxi and went to Jennifer Persaud’s home at Anna Catherina. Once there, the witness said that the premises looked secure— both the front and side doors of the house appeared locked. He said that nonetheless he called at the gate. When he got no response, he enquired from
neighbours “if they had seen Jennifer.” Not satisfied with the response he got from the neighbours, Mr. Persaud told the Judge and Jury that he began to look around the yard. The man said it was then that he noticed a zinc sheet on the fence was loose. Persaud said that he climbed through the opening of the fence and found the back door of the house open. The witness said that his grandson (Raul) was behind him as they entered the house and began searching for his daughter and other grandsons. It was while searching
the home, the witness said, that he stumbled upon the bodies. Persaud said that he saw two feet hanging off a bed in the bedroom. “I held the two feet and they were stiff and cold. I went around the bed and I saw it was my daughter lying there with her throat slit and one of my grandsons (Afridi Bacchus) lying across her chest with his throat slit. Beside her was an ice gel cup with her jewels.” Alarmed by the sight, the man said that he rushed down the stairs and telephoned the police at the Leonora Station. Persaud said that he waited for the detectives to arrive before returning to the bedroom. He said that it was while cops were pulling away the mosquito net from over the two dead bodies that they discovered his youngest grandson had also died. “They were pulling out the netting when Jadon’s body roll out from between. I don’t know if he got stab or what,” the man recalled. Persaud was the second witness to be called to the stand. Earlier in the day Detective Sergeant Linden Sampson tendered to the court 35 photographs of the September 2012 crime scene. The trial continues today at 9:30 am.
Friday September 13, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Police accused of covering-up assault in station Forty-year-old Jermaine Wilson of Lot 50, West Front Road, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, is accusing the Guyana Police Force of covering up an incident where ranks at the East Ruimveldt Outpost, beat himself and his pregnant spouse, inside the facility on July 19. Wilson, who said he trades in vehicle spare parts, reportedly suffered a broken jaw and left hand as a result of the incident. Wilson is of the view that the police are deliberately dragging their feet on the matter and that nothing is being done, since he is unable to get a proper response on every enquiry, despite the fact that he has visited the Police Complaints Authority and other department on several occasions. Wilson said on July 19, 2019 he visited the outpost in the company of his spouse Jewel Bearam to check on her brother who was being held at the facility on another matter. He said he approached a rank there (name provided) , whom he recognised as being the ‘children father’ of a woman with whom he was intimate. He said the
Jermaine Wilson, who was allegedly beaten by police at the East La Penitence Police Station, in the company of his pregnant spouse, Jewel Bearam, also in photo officer was very rude to him, using profanity during their conversation. He said that he was even more shocked when the officer began accusing him of selling drugs, saying that he always wanted to kill him as well. (All this is quite audible from a video that was made viral) The businessman said that an argument erupted between himself and the rank, and it was during that period that the rank
ordered another rank to restrain him. Wilson said that in the argument, the officer informed him that he had gone to great lengths to disguise himself in a dress and wig to kill h i m ( Wi l s o n ) , b u t h a d failed to locate him. The businessman also produced a video of the attack and the conversation with the rank as proof of his story. He said the incident escalated to a point where
he was handcuffed at the station, and restrained by another rank. He said at that point he was punched in the face every time he responded to the angry t a u n t s o f t h e o ff i c e r. Wilson said he was also kicked about the body as he fell on the floor, and had his Rastafarian locks pulled at viciously by his attacker. Wilson said the male rank dealt him blows about the body with a wooden
club, resulting in him sustaining a broken jaw and left arm. He said his spouse was videoing the entire proceeding and was asked to desist by a female officer. When she refused, Wi l s o n ’s attacker reportedly cuffed her twice in her abdomen, although she was well advanced in her pregnancy. He said the woman fell to the floor groaning and no one attempted to assist her during the melee. Wilson indicated that he was thrown into the lockups with his injuries and was left there for seventy two hours, before anyone attempted to ensure he received medical attention. He said that police also ignored the pregnant woman for over
three hours, before getting her medical attention. The man said that however, when his spouse made the video of the incident viral on social media, while at the hospital things changed. He said he was released from custody shortly after and he saw a different approach from ranks who had abused them at the outpost. He said since July 19, he has been making every attempt at every departmental level within the police force to get justice, but seems to be going around in circles. When ‘A’ Divi s i o n C o m m a n d e r, Marlon Chapman was contacted on the matter yesterday, he would only state the matter was still under investigation.
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Friday September 13, 2019
Kaieteur News
Labourer, 69, crushed by truck Christian Bowlin, a 69year-old labourer of Parika, East Bank Essequibo, was yesterday crushed to death by a truck (GWW 4008) while he was on his way to the post office to retrieve his birth certificate. The incident took place around 13:45 hrs. According to reports, the father of ten who lives at lot 2089 Boodhoo Scheme, Parika, East Bank Essequibo, was riding on the main access road at Parika Outfall when he allegedly lost control of his bicycle. Reports revealed that Bowlin ended up in the path
of the truck owned by Bhola s Sawmill which at the time was being driven by a 30year-old male who also resides in the same area as the deceased. Kaieteur News understands that the man apparently lost control of his bicycle after it came into contact with the truck, causing him to fall onto the roadway and under the rear wheel of the vehicle An eyewitness who gave her name as Sharon told this publication that the driver stopped his about two corners away from the accident
scene and proceeded into a variety store to purchase something, totally unaware of the incident. However, he was soon after told of the accident and upon seeing the condition of the deceased, he abandoned the truck and fled to his residence where he was subsequently arrested by the police. Christian Bowlin was described as a very peaceful and well respected individual in the community. He leaves to mourn his 10 children and eight siblings. Investigations are ongoing.
Dead: Christian Bowlin
3 years jail, $4.2M fine for prison officer found with drugs in gift box A Prison Officer will, for the next three years, have to mix and meddle with the same persons whom he used to supervise, after he was found guilty on a charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. Devon Hercules, 25, a rank attached to the Camp Street prison, and of 19 Sheet Anchor, East Canje, Berbice, was found guilty by Magistrate Peter Hugh in the New Amsterdam Magistrates Court. The case for the Prosecution as presented by Chief Inspector Bernard Brown was that on Sunday 20th January, last, Hercules was among passengers in Hire Car HC 5821,which was stopped by policemen at the entrance of eastern entrance of the Berbice River Bridge. Hercules, who indicated to the officers that he was a prison officer
stationed at the Camp Street facility, told the cops that he had a gift box in the trunk which he was taking for family in Georgetown. The box was searched and the lawmen found three bulky parcels inside,wrapped in transparent plastic, with what appeared to be leaves, seeds and stems of the marijuana plant. The man was told of the offence and taken into custody. The items were subsequently weighed and tested and found to be 4,691grams of marijuana. He was subsequently charged. During the trial, Hercules told the court that he was given the box by a friend to deliver to somebody in Georgetown. However he could not remember who the friend was. He was found guilty and jailed for three years and fined $4,221,900.
The truck involved in the accident
Friday September 13, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Friday September 13, 2019
14 in custody as cops smash suspected Linden gangs P
olice appear to have dismantled what they believe are two gangs that were operating out of Linden, following the arrest of 14 suspects yesterday. The early-morning operation was spearheaded by ranks from the Major Crimes Unit and the Tactical Services Unit (TSU). Police also seized a number of items, including a part of a Guyana Defence Force uniform during the six-hour operation. Some of the detained alleged gang members are said to have implicated an 'E' Division detective in their operations. The rank has since been transferred. Commissioner of Police Leslie James is said to have been briefed on the matter earlier this week. Those arrested have been identified as R o d w e l l F r a s e r, 20, of 255 Amelia's Ward, Linden. He is being investigated for arson and possession o f m i l i t a r y paraphernalia including two camouflage shirts. Uriel Lewis, 28, of 464 South A m e l i a ' s Wa r d , Linden, is being i n v e s t igated for arson and possession of narcotics. L e n n o x Estwick called 'Matthew', 23, of 6 4 0 S o u t h A m e l i a ' s Wa r d , L i n den, is being investigated for possession of m i l i t a r y paraphernalia and six suspected incendiary devices. O r i n Valladares, 33, of 88 Buxton Side Line Dam, East Coast Demerara; Samuel France, 26, of 646 South A m e l i a ' s Wa r d , Linden; Leslie France, 22, of 464 South Amelia's Ward, Linden; Mark France, 19, of South A m e l i a ' s Wa r d Linden; Rondel Wilson, 25, of 1271 Central Amelia's Wa r d , L i n d e n , Jamain Lewis, 23, of 111 Tucber Park, New Amsterdam, Berbice; Lennox Oneil Estwick, 20, of 640 South Amelia's Wa r d L i n d e n ; Lennox Blackman, 30, of 13 South A m e l i a ' s Wa r d , Linden, and Marvin Fraser, 20, of 227 South Amelia's Ward Linden. They are all being investigated
for the offence of arson. Adrian Webster called 'Dutchin' 20, of 26 Canvas City Wismar Linden is being investigated for possession of narcotics and unlawful possession of a motorcycle, while Sheldon St. John called 'Yankee', 36, of G-31 Canvas City, Wismar, Linden, is being investigated for unlawful possession of a motorcycle and fraudulent imitation of an Identification mark Police sources have indicated that the operation is a direct result and spin-off of the ongoing gang wars between the 'Mob Family' and a gang being headed by an ex-policeman, who is wanted for the attempted murder of two women. The members of these gangs are reportedly battling for turf rights.
Friday September 13, 2019
Kaieteur News
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President's College celebrates 34 years of excellence
The dancers during their performance.
Awaiting the bell to go over to lunch at the dining hall.
W
e d n e s d a y, September 11 t h , 2 0 1 9 marked 34 years since President's College (PC), located at Golden Grove on the East Coast of Demerara, opened its doors to accept some of the country's top one percent of students who sat the Secondary Entrance examinations. On Wednesday, last, the school hosted a commemoratory march and a programme to celebrate the auspicious event. The entire student population took part in the march which commenced at the Golden Grove Primary School and proceeded past the first and second barriers, and concluding at the school's basketball tarmac in front of the Admin Building. The National Pledge was recited and the school's prayer. Subsequently there was the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead as the first stanza of the National Anthem was sung. Following that the school's
The entrance to the school's compound
flag was raised as the students sang the school's song. Teachers directed the flow of students as they made their way to the Dining/Multipurpose Hall fondly called D-Hall for the second half of the morning's proceedings. There was a buzz of excitement not only because they were missing the first half day's classes but also because they eagerly wanted to see what their colleagues has come up with. Prayers from three religions - Christianity, Hinduism and Islam - were recited and things went on their merry way. The audience was introduced to a few past students that were present as well as past teachers who came back to celebrate. There were a number of dances and musical renditions from the choir and the steel pan orchestra. A group of dancers from different classes performed an inspirational dance to Conqueror by Jussie
ivity
esday's act dents at Wedn u st e th f o n ctio
A se
Smollett and Estelle. Half of the dancers were dressed in white and the other half in purple, two of the school
colours, with transparent pink skirts over their clothing. They displayed several
disciplines of dance with their coordination, timely twists and turns, as they portrayed the lyrics of the
song through their moves, maintained eye contact and wore bright smiles, keeping (continued on page 30)
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Kaieteur News
Friday September 13, 2019
Kaieteur News
THE
Friday September 13, 2019
POP
CULT
THE REVIEWS ARE IN!!!
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Editoria All about Mink lashes By Latoya Zephyr aka the Lashes Boss
M Silence never sounded so terrifying By Peter Bradshaw
I
f ever a film had me mentally tiptoeing over a booby-trapped carpet of eggshells while silently gibbering with anxiety, it’s this brutal sci-fi suspense thriller, written by horror specialists Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and directed by John Krasinski, who developed the screenplay with them and stars – alongside Emily Blunt. It’s set in a postapocalyptic wasteland. But this isn’t a young adult drama, it’s a prematurely old adult drama, a world in which innocence, childhood and happ i n e s s h a v e b e e n b l owtorched off the face of the Earth. There has been some sort of ecological disaster or invasion and now all of humanity, or at any rate everyone in this indeterminate part of the United States, lives in fear of giant reptile predators who stalk the land. The thing is, they’re blind but have advanced hearing. So, as long as you can keep silent all the time, in a 24/7 hyper-alert state of anticipation, you’re all right. But making the slightest noise brings them out, doing everything but sniff the air, like a horrible m i x o f R i d l e y S c o t t’s Alien, Steven Spielberg’s T rex and Robert Helpmann’s Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Krasinski and Blunt play Lee and Evelyn, a couple who now run an efficient Trappistsurvivalist smallholding in the countryside, while making regular forays into the devastated town for supplies. We get the time-honoured scenes in the ruined supermarket, and that weird frisson of seeing stuff that you could just take if you wanted, but who cares now that consumerist law and order has utterly broken down? One of their kids wants to take a toy model of the space shuttle Challenger (p o i g n a n t l y y e a r n i n g for a rocket to take them all away from this ruined planet) but Lee fixes him with a bayonet gaze of disapproval, while grabbing this unexploded noise-bomb and silently removing the batteries. That thing’s too dangerous. Their son, Marcus (Noah Jupe), and daughter, Regan (Millicent Simmonds), are well drilled in the new soundless, wordless discipline and the point is that Regan is hearing impaired, so the whole family has already had to learn sign language to communicate. Lee has even got his soldering iron out and tinkered with adapting a new hearing aid for her. It is Regan’s disability that has enabled the family to cope – an elegant narrative contrivance from Beck and Woods. Yet, as the story c o n t i n u e s , t h e r e i s a new challenge. Evelyn is pregnant, and now
the adults must wonder how she is going to have the baby without modern anaesthetic and without making a sound. A world of horror is on the way. A Quiet Place allows you to worry at a strange thought: might it be possible to live life entirely safely and even normally in this situation, if you could somehow mentally train yourself, or evolve over a few generations, to do without sound? Might this be a workable, natural mode of existence? Could you internalise the fear and remain silent to avoid the predators in the way that you might naturally change your habits in some locales to avoid bears or snakes? Lee and Evelyn’s family have developed a habit of joining hands before they eat their meals. Perhaps this was what they used to do before saying grace, or perhaps they have started doing it now. In fact, there are certain circumstances in which they are allowed to make a moderate amount of sound, and they have war-gamed out certain situations in which the production of sound might help them in an all-out confrontation with the beasts. But the point is that suppressing noise makes them yearn for it, not simply as a kind of human expression but an entirely rational howl of rage or horror or despair at what is happening. The movie shows that suicide-by-scream is an open-ended possibility. In its simplicity and punch, this is a film that feels as if it could have been made decades ago, in the classic age of Planet of the Apes or The Omega Man. It is a cracking back-to-basics thriller that does not depend too much on what these creatures look like. Krasinski rather cleverly addresses this issue by keeping them glimpsed only subliminally at first, but then, without giving any clearer idea of what they look like, we graduate to a surreally extreme close-up of the beast’ s h i d e o u s , u n d u l a t ing ear. A satanically sensitive orifice.
ink lashes are produced using the fur of an animal called Mink. Minks are breaded and slaughtered on fur farms in gas chambers, then shredded of their furs for human’s luxury and fashion. Before these minks are slaughtered, they are placed under conditions of intense stress, fear, disease, parasites, physical, and other psychological hardships. After this, they are brutally killed in gas chambers. From there, they are cleansed and taken through manufacturing to make the fur into a marketable product. The picture below displays how Minks are packaged before being “brushed”. WHY YOU SHOULD NOT CONSIDER MINK LASHES 1) They are kept in fur farmsJust like meat and other animal based products, Minks are no different. They are confined on wired cages, where they are deprived of their natural surviving habits, such as: swimming, burrowing or bathing. In addition to that, they are also not given the opportunity to have basic necessities such as: food, water or medical care. It is advice that clients interested in Mink lashes also take into consideration the behind the scenes manufacturing processes and conditions. 2) According to Peta.org: “Minks don’t need to be “brushed” “. Then they further go on to say that Minks are not
The talented Latoya Zephyr aka Lashes Boss being “brushed”, but are likely being killed for their fur. 3) These trapped fur animals are violently killed on the farms; they are electrocuted, bludgeoned (repeatedly beaten with a baton or a stick with a heavy end.) With all that being said, any cruelty free and environmentally conscious person after being aware of the distraught reality of Minks and its lashes procedure, would not ask for the advantages of Mink lashes. Before wearing Mink lashes, consider what that animal had to endure before your purchase of their fur. For all potential and current lash clients, Lashesbytoya does not and will not support the use of mink lashes having considered the disturbing and cruel procedures taken for them to be produced.
Mink lashes are a representation of animal cruelty
W
Wine of the
Week
Antigal Estimulo Cabernet Sauvignon:
Deliciously Red, Smooth to perfection
T
his Antigal Estimulo Cabernet Sauvignon is a deliciously smooth and rich red wine that is perfect for any occasion. When you pour yourself a glass of this cabernet sauvignon, you will immediately smell the delectable fruitiness of this red wine. Pair it with a rich and decadent Italian pasta dish and you
will take your meal to the next level. This Argentine masterpiece can be found at the Wine Vault located at the Marriott Hotel. It is being sold for $4800 VAT inclusive. You can also find it at the Hibiscus Restaurant, Nice Restaurant and Bar, Palm Court and other leading hotels and bars.
Kaieteur News
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THE
Entertainment POLICE
Friday September 13, 2019
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Enetworks to air all CPL matches
T
he Caribbean Premier League kicked off at the Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain in Trinidad on September 4, last. That match and all the others to come will be aired on Enetworks. Below is a list of the dates and the respective matches. September 06, Friday Match 3- Trinbago Knight Riders vs Jamaica Tallawahs (Trinidad) Local Time20:00, IST- 5:30 (September 7) September 07, Saturday Match 4- Guyana Amazon Warriors vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (Guyana) Local Time- 20:00, IST- 5:30 (September 8) September 08, Sunday Match 5- Trinbago Knight Riders vs St Lucia Zouks (Trinidad) Local Time- 12:00, IST- 21:30 (Same Day) Match 6- Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Barbados Tridents (Guyana) Local Time17:00, IST- 2:30 (September 9) September 10, Tuesday Match 7- St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Jamaica Tallawahs (St Kitts) Local Time18:00, IST- 3:30 (September 11) September 11, Wednesday Match 8- St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Barbados Tridents (St Kitts) Local Time18:00, IST- 3:30 (September 12) September 12, Thursday Match 9- Jamaica Tallawahs vs St Lucia Zouks (Jamaica) Local Time- 18:00, IST4:30 (September 13) September 13, Friday Match 10- Jamaica Tallawahs vs Trinbago Knight Riders (Jamaica) Local Time- 19:00, IST- 5:30 (September 14)
September 14, Saturday Match 11- St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Guyana Amazon Warriors (St Kitts) Local Time- 20:00, IST- 5:30 (September 15) September 15, Sunday Match 12- Jamaica Tallawahs vs Barbados Tridents (Jamaica) Local Time- 12:00, IST22:30 (Same Day) Match 13- St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs St Lucia Zouks (St Kitts) Local Time- 17:00, IST- 2:30 (September 16) September 17, Tuesday Match 14- St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Trinbago Knight Riders (St Kitts) Local Time- 18:00, IST- 3:30 (September 18) September 18, Wednesday Match 15- Jamaica Tallawahs vs Guyana Amazon Warriors (Jamaica) Local Time19:00, IST- 5:30 (September 19) September 19, Thursday Match 16- Jamaica Tallawahs vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (Jamaica) Local Time19:00, IST- 5:30 (September 20) September 20, Friday Match 17- St Lucia Zouks vs Barbados Tridents (St Lucia) Local Time- 20:00, IST5:30 (September 21) September 21, Saturday Match 18- St Lucia Zouks vs Trinbago Knight Riders (St Lucia) Local Time20:00, IST- 5:30 (September 22) September 22, Sunday Match 19- Barbados Tridents vs Guyana Amazon Warriors (Barbados) Local Time18:00, IST- 3:30 (September 23) September 23, Monday Match 20- Barbados Tridents vs Jamaica
Tallawahs (Barbados) Local Time- 18:00, IST- 3:30 (September 24) September 24, Tuesday Match 21- St Lucia Zouks vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (St Lucia) Local Time18:00, IST- 3:30 (September 25) September 25, Wednesday Match 22- St Lucia Zouks vs Guyana Amazon Warriors (St Lucia) Local Time18:00, IST- 3:30 (September 26) September 26, Thursday Match 23- Barbados Tridents vs Trinbago Knight Riders (Barbados) Local Time18:00, IST- 3:30 (September 27) September 27, Friday Match 24- St Lucia Zouks vs Jamaica Tallawahs (St Lucia ) Local Time- 20:00, IST- 5:30 (September 28) September 28, Saturday Match 25- Barbados Tridents vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (Barbados) Local Time20:00, IST- 5:30 (September 29) September 29, Sunday Match 26- Barbados Tridents vs St Lucia Zouks (Barbados) Local Time- 18:00, IST3:30 (September 30) September 30, Monday Match 27- Trinbago Knight Riders vs Guyana Amazon Warriors (Trinidad) Local Time- 19:00, IST- 4:30 (October 1) October 02, Wednesday Match 28- Trinbago Knight Riders vs
Barbados Tridents (Trinidad) Local Time19:00, IST- 4:30 (October 3) October 03, Thursday Match 29- Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Jamaica Tallawahs (Guyana) Local Time18:00, IST- 3:30 (October 4) October 04, Friday Match 30- Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Trinbago Knight Riders (Guyana) Local Time- 20:00, IST- 5:30 (October 5) October 06, Sunday Qualifier 1 – 1st v 2nd Eliminator – 3rd v 4th October 10, Thursday Qualifier 2- Winner of Eliminator v Loser of Qualifier 1 (Trinidad) Local Time- 19:00, IST- 4:30 (October 11) October 12, Saturday Final- Winner of Qualifier 1 v Winner of Qualifier 2 (Trinidad) Local Time- 17:00, IST- 2:30 (October 13) (The Caribbean Premier League is an annual Twenty20 cricket tournament held in the Caribbean. It was created in 2013 and replaced the Caribbean Twenty20 as the premier Twenty20 competition in the Caribbean. It is currently sponsored by Hero MotoCorp and consequently officially named the Hero CPL. The inaugural tournament was won by the Jamaica Tallawahs who defeated the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the final.)
Exciting features planned for Mash 2020 - Culture Director
P
‘Heritage Fantasia’ heads to Yarrowkabra Circuit-Ville nother segment of the annual Amerindian Heritage festivities will be heading to the Yarrowkabra Circuit-ville West location tomorrow as promoter, Deceius Mundo takes the observances to the undulating hills of the Soesdyke Linden Highway (Just after Second Creek). Starting at 10 am, the event begins with much excitement as spectators engage in the Arrow Shooting, Piawari Drinking,
A
and Takuma Worm Eating contests. There will also be competitive football, volleyball and athlete clashes. At 18:00 hrs, the venue come alive with a smashing cultural showcase of dance, song, drama, and the Amerindian folklore. Patrons will be able to sample and make purchase popular Amerindian dishes, while traditional fashion will also be on display.
lans are moving fast ahead as the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports gets into gear for 2020 Mashramani festivities. In a brief interview yesterday, Culture Director, Tamika Boatswain noted that her department is already meeting to plan ahead for the festivities next year. She said that for the event in 2020 they will be adding some new and exciting features geared at making the celebrations more entertaining and spectacular. She said that the Mash 2020 festivities will be officially launched in October of this year with a massive ceremony at a location to be named in the Mining Town of Linden. She added that the event this year will see a new feature of a ‘Mash Village’ being added to its calendar of events that will showcase exhibits in the areas of art and craft, fashion showcases, drama, vocal talent, and dance. This event will also see performances by some of Guyana’s most talented artistes, and new faces will be introduced with fresh talent as well. That aside, the Mash Secretariat has already begun advertising for entries for their 2020 Official Logo Competition. They have added a new feature of a Jingles Competition as well and the general public is invited to compete. Also on the agenda is the customary Mash Theme Competition,
Culture Director, Tamika Boatswain
which however, over the years has seen minimal entries. From interviews with members of the public and past participants, the Mash Theme Competition has not attracted many entries, since persons are discouraged by the GYD$50 000 offer as the cash prize, compared to GYD$1M that is advertised for the Logo Competition. Persons are of the view that the Mash Theme is just as important as the logo, and has not seen an increase in the incentive offered for over a decade. According to the Culture Director, the 2020 Mash festivities will feature the customary road and float parades, school competitions, but will also see organizers taking special segments of the celebrations to various regions as additional Mash presentations.
Kaieteur News
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Friday September 13, 2019
Fashion Designers host confidence-building project for Guyana's youths T
wo of the region's most respected fashion designers , Dr. Sonia Noel and Richard Young recently collaborated on a project that will not only lead to confidence building of Guyana's youths but also, the development of their overall deportment. The programme called, The Model Image--Fashioning the future you is the brainchild of Richard Young, who is touted as the Caribbean fashion guru. It has seen many young people throughout the region benefit from the techniques of etiquette and personality projection. Dr. Sonia Noel as part of her 'Living with Intention' mission adopted the programme geared towards the youth of Guyana. She saw the tenants of the programme as essential to developing the nation's youth. Along with contributions from Phillipa Morrish, a certified Social Protocol Consultant and the Founder of Etiquette Training International, the students who are part of the project, benefitted from a concise and comprehensive introductory course that has prepared them to be better human beings. Dr. Noel said she is very proud of the 16 young persons who opted for the first installment of this programme including children from the local orphanages. As a motivational speaker, she noted that she wants to afford young individuals the opportunity to live the best lives they are capable of living. Kaieteur Entertainment understands that the programme that was recently launched closed with a dinner and certificate presentation, which allowed them to practice their newly acquired skills of manners and good graces.
Fashion Designers Richard Young and Dr. Sonia Noel pose for a photograph with some of the participants
Carte blanche:
The most elegant all-white event of the year T
he Carte Blanche event which was launched last Saturday by dynamic philanthropist, Dr. Sonia Noel and renowned regional production designer, Richard Young , was not only breathtaking and imaginative but it was nothing short of pure elegance. This all-white event was a culmination of visual, culinary, decorative arts as well as fashion. The extraordinary show was held at the Promenade Gardens. One feature of the exposition was an auction of visual arts, which was executed by the legendary Merlene Ellis and speed performance visual artist, Winston Alexander. Performing talents at the event were singers, Hyomi Carty and Petal Bourne as well as pan ambassador, Ras Camo. Decorative arts for the event was coordinated by Shonta Noel, and crafted by Chey, Nelsion Nurse, at Nandre's Kreations, and the creative director, himself, Richard Young. Fashion pieces were presented by Vanda Allicock and Natasha David, in honour of Indigenous Heritage Month. In the interest of fostering youth empowerment initiatives, Carte Blanche
A scene from the inaugural Carte Blanche event
introduced youth advocate, feminist, and social activist, Sadiya Yahya, to shed light on her social work and volunteerism. Partners for this innovative enterprise
included Towers Suites, DeSinco Trading for Lipton's Tea, Spotlight Productions, Theatre Guild, Star Party Rentals, Le Treat Bakery, Pearl's Bakery, Oasis Cafe, Ann's
Coconut Biscuits, Metro Office and Computer Supplies, Crafted by Chey, Impressions Branding, Nandre's Kreations, Pizza Hut.
Friday September 13, 2019
Trade unions should combine forces - Minister Scott
Minister Keith Scott Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, has opined that in order for there to be future success of trade unions within Guyana, these unions should adapt and combine their forces. Some of Guyanas trade unions include the Guyana Labour Union (GLB); Guyana Teachers Union (GTU); General Workers Union (GWU); Guyana Local Government Officers Union (GLGO); Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU); Guyana Postal and Telecommunications Workers Union (GPTWU); Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU). The minister noted that with businesses in Guyana evolving each day, particularly in technological ways, the local trade unions need to adapt. However, he was keen to note that trade unions “have not kept pace with the new level that employers have gone to.” Minister Scott went on to say that, “…trade unions now have their backs against the wall. They have failed to keep in touch and abreast with the new era in the way business is being done. We have moved to a stage where you have information technology, robots, artificial intelligencenew ways of doing business. The trade unions have got to find a way to make ways for the technological way of development.” Currently in Guyana there are far less unions compared to that of the 1940s and 1950s, and Scott shed light on the even earlier history of the man who pushed for trade unionism in Guyana.
“The era when Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow began in 1902 to 1919, to have to fight for the recognition of trade unions, for the recognition that workers must have a voice, had really evolved. They more or less before had a partnership approach.” He was keen to note that within the United States of America there are far less trade unions because “they have more or less amalgamated with each other, so that In-Touch Credit Union (ITCU) and those other unions in America, they are coming and working closer together.” Dissimilar to the approach taken in the US, Scott noted that “Guyana still has each union fighting for their own individual territory”. The minister believes that a time, and hopefully soon, will come when local unions will recognise that they need to combine their resources to better serve the working population. Furthermore with this amalgamation, unions will find themselves having a more impactful and powerful voice. When questioned about whether todays unions are still capable of fighting for their workers, Minister Scott responded, “In the past, employers saw themselves as owners of labour and they exploited labour, and the workers were a little bit more impotent. Later on, with the rise of trade unionism in Guyana, they were able to carve a fantastic history that not only transcended trade unionism but impinged also on the political development of Guyana. That year was important and we can never stop giving them credit for that.”
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Kaieteur News
Friday September 13, 2019
Friday September 13, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Increased revenue due to improved administration not more taxes GRA Boss By Kiana Wilburg In 2016, revenue collection at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) stood at $151,745,525,000. But since then, GRA has seen an over 12 percent growth rate with revenue now pegged at $223,582,900,000. The political opposition has often argued that the foregoing increase is directly linked to the introduction of more taxes. But GRAs Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia strongly contends that this is a grossly inaccurate perception. The tax boss noted that the increased collections are due to improvements in tax administration as well as more stringent, equitable and transparent tax policies. He also said that enhanced capacity and capabilities at GRA contributed to same. Statia asserted that reforms at GRA included a refocused and fortified risk management, a risk-based debt management strategy, full operationalization of the Large Taxpayers Unit to serve some 243 taxpayers and improved trade facilitation for importers and exporters as a result of the new operating software for Customs called ASYCUDA. Further to this, the tax boss said that the stamping of alcohol and cigarettes to reduce the incidence of smuggling, and the increase in both the range and quality of ser-
vices countrywide have enabled the authority to improve its collection. The Chartered Accountant also pointed out that GRA has actually facilitated the reduction of a number of tax rates as well as introduced several measures to ease the burden on Guyanese. In this regard, Statia noted that the authority had introduced in 2018, an amnesty programme which allowed for previously non-compliant individuals and entities to become compliant with no punitive measure for known noncompliance. He said that this had led to a significant amount of revenue in 2019 being current and not disputed or in arrears taxes. The tax boss further argued that this is a direct result of the positive consequence of the amnesty programme. The Commissioner General also stated that there was no introduction or amendment of any tax type that served to increase the tax burden on the Guyanese population. Conversely, he said that the governments 2017, 2018, and 2019 budgets included a suite of measures aimed at alleviating the tax burden on the populace. He said that these included the corporate tax rate for non-commercial and manufacturing companies being reduced from 30 percent to 27.5 percent and then to 25 percent over two years. Statia noted that represents a total
The GRAs Headquarters on Camp Street
decrease of 16.67 percent. The tax chief also noted that the individual threshold was increased from $50,000 in 2015 to $55,000 in 2016; $60,000 or one-third of the total income in 2017; and $65,000 or one-third of the total income in 2019. Statia reminded also that the effective tax rates for individuals decreased from 30 percent in 2015 to 25.67 percent in 2017 while noting that small businesses benefitted from a decrease in the tax rate to 25 percent for both businesses and individuals. The Commissioner General also reminded that the Value Added Tax rates were
PPP not opposed to production of ID cards at this time -Jagdeo
D
espite describing the Guyana Elec tions Commission (GECOM)’s move to have ID cards produced as a delaying tactic, Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, has indicated that it is “not a big issue” for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). The PPP had contended that GECOM’s secretariat is making up different reasons to delay the elections, including this. But, during a press conference yesterday, Jagdeo said that if the production of ID cards is not “on the critical path” toward General and Regional Elections, then there wouldn’t be an issue. Commissioners nominated by the party had raised questions over the Secretariat’s plan to produce the ID cards, as it was calculated that they would take at least three months to print. But it was explained by other Commissioners that the
process would not affect the election date. In any case, Commissioner Charles Corbin explained that the production of ID cards runs concurrent with the preparation process, and that the election date does not depend in any way on the production of ID cards. He also said that, though the old ID cards would be decommissioned after the new ones are printed, an ID card is not necessary to vote. Before reneging on his criticism of the production process, Jagdeo had said that it would be too costly. The Commission had agreed that GECOM would produce its own ID cards. According to an Internal Memorandum (dated September 3, 2019), GECOM would procure its own card issuance system at a cost of US$495,000, inclusive of consulting and administration costs.
According to the document, it would take two weeks to acquire the equipment, three days to deploy and configure it, and about nine continuous days to produce 750,000 cards. However, Commissioner Vincent Alexander said that, in the interest of time, the Commission is considering printing only as much as is needed for the upcoming General and Regional Elections, for persons who would be over 18 years of age at a qualifying date. GECOM was granted funds in the 2019 budget specifically for the production of the ID cards, which are very different from the current ones in configuration, material and design. In criticising this, Jagdeo said “That is this APNU mentality.” He said that it would be more beneficial to only print IDs for new registrants at this time.
reduced from 16 percent to 14 percent in 2017 while the property tax rates for companies and individuals were equalized in 2019 and the threshold increased to $40M from $10M for companies. Statia in his concluding statements on the matter said, “In what is known as the silly season of electioneering, I will not allow the GRA to be used for political mileage. As a professional public servant, I intend to and will continue to discharge my statutory and ethical obligations, unfettered and unhindered, for the benefit of the people of Guyana regardless of the government of the day.”
GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia
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Friday September 13, 2019
Kaieteur News VACANCY Vacancy for: Accounts clerk, Purchase clerk, Operations clerk, Civil Engineer, Secretary, Truck drivers. Contact info: chungsvacancy@gmail.com FOR RENT
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VEHICLE FOR SALE
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1 bedroom fully furnished apartment in Providence. 2 & 3 bedrooms apartments at Diamond. Fully Furnished. Contact# 682-6238/617-2666
Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area. Call: 614-4358
Self contain rooms for working couple/single person $32,000 monthly,light & water. Lodge. Call: 623-0076 2 months security
Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Job entails cleaning and assisting cooks. Call 6182020.
(1) top flat (1) large bedroom with closets & verandah, fully grilled. Contact No: 650-2708/6897708
WANTED Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665/6493750 Kitchen assistant, Handyboy, Counter person. Apply @ Shanta’s 225 Camp St
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1 experienced driver, must have license for car/van/ minibus & motorbus, residing in G/town between ages 2450 yrs old. #225-1429/641-5075 Experienced Female to operate hotdog cart.Must have food handlers certificate, fluency in spanish an asset.6904722. Experienced Residential Domestic preferably from East Bank Area.2-3 days per week $3000 per day.690-4722. Experienced Handyman & Salesgirls with 2 yrs experience. CXC maths & english. Apply @ Christine's Variety, Lombard St. Contact: 227-8529
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Mental Health Director supports decriminalisation of suicide Director of the Mental Health Institute, Dr. Util Richmond- Thomas, says that she is in full support of the decriminalisation of suicide and self-harm in Guyana. The Director of the unit, which falls under the Ministry of Public Health, related that, “These are recognised mental health disorders, it was well documented in various textbooks, and we cannot criminalise something like that. I do support the decriminalisation. “This law that was drafted some 100 years ago when mental health experts did not know as much about the psychological disorders that drives people to commit suicide as they do today.” According to Chapter 8:01 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act of the Laws of Guyana, “Everyone who attempts to commit suicide shall be guilty of a misdemeanour and be liable to imprisonment for two years.” India recently announced the decriminalisation of suicide, but its neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, among others, still continue to consider suicide and suicide attempts a crime. However, Dr. RichmondThomas was keen to note that in Guyana, “people are way too careless with the storage of pesticides that most of these per-
sons use to fulfill a suicide act.” She added that she would like to see a drastic change in that regard and believes that more can be done with the police on their suicide investigations. Furthermore, she wants to ensure that persons are compliant with the laws and regulations under the Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Control Board. It was only on Monday of this week that Kaieteur News reported that Balkarran Persaud, 57, of Martyrs Ville, Mon Repos on the East Coast of Demerara, died after ingesting a poisonous substance. But before the man died, he forced his estranged wife and his three-year-old daughter to swallow the poison. Fortunately, neighbours came to their assistance, and rushed them to the Georgetown Public Hospital. The woman, Kavita Persaud, 35, and her daughter are still patients at the hospital, but their conditions remain stable. While a person who has died by suicide is beyond the reach of law, there can still be legal consequences in the cases of treatment of the corpse or the fate of the persons property or family members. The associated matters of assisting a suicide and attempting suicide have also been dealt with by the laws of some jurisdictions.
President's College... From page 21 the audience fully engaged. The performance was met with loud cheers and thunderous applause. There was a dramatic piece done by another group of students to give some amount of insight to the newcomers on the school's rich history. A number of scenarios were displayed including President Desmond Hoyte's visit and commissioning, and a few government officials sitting down to discuss the site for the school and proposed plans. Care was taken to keep the depictions as close to the events as possible even using direct quotes according to what records show. It was definitely a creative and one of a kind dramatic piece. Teachers who stood out over the course of the years were given acknowledgement and tokens of appreciation from the students. It surely was a sweet gesture and an emotional presentation as it was obvious that such wasn't expected. After much and words of encouragement for their teachers, principal and vice principal (acting), the students sang the National Anthem and they were sent on a lunch break. Interviews with a number of them boiled down to a few things, they were happy to not have class, they were lucky to be a part of such an outstanding institution, and they were thankful
for all they had and would continue to have in the future. Resident students were observed assembling on the walkway as they patiently awaited the sound of the bell to indicate that lunch was ready and they should make their way to the dining hall in orderly fashion. President's College indeed has a lot of history behind it. It was the brainchild of the late President L inden Forbes Sampson Burnham. The idea was for a boarding school that would be selfsufficient and receive top performers at the Secondary School Entrance level. And although he didn't live to see his dream become a full reality, the institution was very dear to his heart. The project to construct the school was launched in 1983 and it was officially opened to its first batch of students, a total of 42 - seven girls and 35 boys on September 11th 1985. It was commissioned by the then President, Desmond Hoyte. Presidents College has done exceptionally well over the years and continues to excel, as in every other institution there are hurdles but through perseverance and teamwork students and staff have seemingly managed to surpass them all living up to the last line in the school's credo “WE CAN, WE MUST, WE WILL”. Happy 34th Anniversary President's College. (Anasa Williams)
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Ebo coast questions preparedness for oil and gas
A few of the persons gathered yesterday. As Guyana prepares for its first production of oil in 2020, the Guyanese population continues to be sensitized on the potential benefits of the Oil and Gas industry. The Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Energy, yesterday hosted a consultation session with residents of Region Two, hosted at the Essequibo Technical Institute. Dr. Mark Bynoe, who is director of the Department of Energy, said that the session was geared at three vital areas. “The session was geared at improving sensitization and awareness building, sensitizing Guyanese on the Opportunities, and to allow interaction with the public.” As the interactive session
unfolded, one concern that was highlighted was the preparedness of Guyanese for the Oil and Gas sector. Former President of the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Deleep Singh, opined during his remarks yesterday that Guyanese are not yet prepared for Oil and Gas. Singh highlighted the fact that just a few Guyanese are participating in the Oil industry. “Guyanese are not prepared for the coming of oil and gas…Oil if managed properly will transfer Guyana… Cost of manufacturing, cheaper electricity, job opportunities are all things that we need to focus on. We need to put our differences aside and work in unity, otherwise there will be chaos.
When there is chaos, the wealth can be taken away from us.” Dr. Bynoe pointed out that there is sufficient wealth in the oil and gas sector. Bynoe noted, however, that if Guyanese were to truly enjoy the benefits of the sector, they must first live in unity putting aside race, corruption and their political differences. Bynoe also mentioned that Guyanese should play a more vital role in securing employment within the Oil and Gas sector. “There are discussions on local content, but the applications that we often receive are few. It either means we dont have the skills or are not prepared to go through with the industry. We need to en-
sure that the capacities are built…As a small developing country, we have a small core to draw from, greater collaboration must then be established… We need the people to execute and provide the services we need in the industry.” The Essequibo Technical Institute is already making efforts to have young Guyanese prepared for the oil industry. Principal of the Institution, Rawl Pearce, said that the institution is presently offering courses related to the Oil and Gas sector. “The institution is making rapid progress in participating in the oil and gas sector. At the moment we are hoping to secure accreditation for our courses,” said Pearce.
Guyanese woman cutting US trip short after gun pointed at baby NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) A brazen gunman held up a woman and a 1-year-old baby outside a home in Queens. The traumatized woman is in New York on vacation and spoke with CBS2s Hazel Sanchez. She was terrified to show her face, and asked CBS2 not to share her name after the gunpoint robbery with her 1-year-old niece in her arms. “I didnt scream because I didnt even know how to scream. I just hold the baby and didnt want her to look anywhere,” she told Sanchez. It happened just after 6 p.m. Friday night. The 34-year-old victim is visiting from Guyana. She was standing on the steps outside the babys home on 135th Place in South Ozone Park, Queens. Surveillance video shows the gunman opening up the front gate and walking up to the house. He heads up the steps and pushes the victim inside. “When he pushed me in the house, he took the gun out and said Give me the bag. Give me whats in the bag. I
The robber entering the yard. said no,” she said. “And he keep putting the gun to my rib when I say no and then he put the gun to the baby. And at that point when he put the gun to the baby, I just give him what he wanted.” Video shows the man taking off down the street with the victims purse. Inside it was her passport, $7,000 in cash including her personal spending money and rent, plus cash to buy luxury items for a friend in Guyana. She
had that friends two Rolex watches in her purse too, which she planned to handdeliver. Police say the suspect took off in a dark-coloured car. “I just been traumatized. I cant sleep. I keep thinking over and over what if, like, I didnt call for the baby or, like, if Id done things differently,” she said. The victim says the day before the robbery, she was with casual acquaintances who knew what she was car-
rying in her purse. Her family is convinced she was targeted. “I think she was set up. How you gonna be like Whats in the bag? So you knew what was in the bag,” one family member said. “I just feel depressed. I get anxiety and panic attacks. I just feel scared all the time,” the victim said. She planned to go back to Guyana next month, but is now cutting her trip short.
Dr. Mark Bynoe, Director of the Department of Energy
Sussex St. man jailed for robbing couple on seawall Seon Ray, a 20-year-old unemployed man of Sussex Street, Albouystown, was yesterday sentenced to three years in jail by Magistrate Dylon Bess after he was found guilty of robbing a couple on the Kitty Seawall almost three months ago. The defendant was on trial in the Georgetown Magistrates Court where he had pleaded not guilty to the two charges made out against him. The first charge alleged that on June 15, last, at Kingston, Georgetown, while in the company of another, he robbed Terryl Chu of two cell phones, a haversack and a bottle of perfume. Also on the same date and at the same location, also in the company of another, he robbed Ishan Singh of items including jewellery. Ray was jointly charged with Navin Ally who had pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to two and a half years on each charge by Principal Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus. Those sentences are to run concurrently. The facts of the charge stated that on the day in question, the victims, who are in a relationship, were having lunch at
the seawall near the construction site at Pegasus. They were facing the ocean when Ally allegedly came from behind. He reportedly shouted, “Dont move or I will shoot.” He then relieved the victims of the articles mentioned in the charges. An alarm was raised by the victims to persons at the construction site and a police officer on duty at the Pegasus Hotel. A police patrol responded to the alarm and was able to apprehend Ally who was found with Singhs property. Ray was subsequently arrested with Chus belongings. The men were taken into custody where investigations were carried out. Aconfrontation was held between the parties and the victims maintained their story. Ally reportedly apologized to them. The prosecutor had indicated that Ally was not found to be in possession of a firearm based on his threat to the victims. After being found guilty of the offences, Magistrate Bess imposed a sentence of three years for each charge in the case of Ray. The sentences will run concurrently.
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Report: NBA banning ‘ninja-style headwear’ this season Reuters - The NBA has decided to ban “ninja-style headwear” beginning with the 2019-20 season, according to an ESPN report. Teams were notified in May of the decision, and the issue was expected to be further discussed by the NBA Competition Committee at meetings in Chicago on Monday. Details such as the size and length of the headbands will be determined prior to
Philadelphia 76ers guard Jimmy Butler. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports.
making an official rule change. “The ninja-style headwear is not part of the NBA uniform and hasn’t been through the league approval process,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass told ESPN in a statement. “Teams have raised concerns regarding safety and consistency of size, length and how they are tied which requires a thorough review before consideration of any rule change. “When some players
began wearing them last season, we didn’t want to cause a disruption by intervening midseason, but we notified our teams in May that they would not be part of this season’s uniforms.” Among the players known for wearing the headwear in the past are Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat, Jrue Holiday of the New Orleans Pelicans and KarlAnthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Cornwall’s blistering 75 give Zouks first points...
Friday September 13, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A lot of energy might be expended on an artistic project that you probably won't like, Aries. You could get halfway through and then toss it away. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Family members might discuss a possible vacation today, Taurus, but everyone wants to go to a different place! Arguments could occur, taking all the fun out of the discussion. Perhaps you should draw straws! GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today it may appear that a lot of people are arguing over very strange things. Usually you can see both sides of a disagreement, but today you might wonder if there's any side to what you're hearing. CANCER(June21–July22) Tempers could be short in a group with which you're affiliated, Cancer. What started as a meeting could end with disagreements. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today's energy might be especially draining for you, Leo. Your tasks could require more effort than usual, and you could be exhausted by midday. This isn't the day to prove anything. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Old emotions could well up from your unconscious today, Virgo. Your nerves could be on edge. You might even lose your temper on occasion. Stop and take a look at why you're upset. Consider what's coming up from the past and then release it.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today you could visit a friend who's recuperating from an illness or injury, Libra. This person may be bored and antsy, and you should be prepared to hear all about the frustrations. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A debate over a controversial subject involving politics or social issues could take place today, Scorpio. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today you might be required to fumble through a lot of paperwork in order to locate certain information. This might be a drag, and you might not find what you're looking for in spite of it all. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Tempers could be on edge in conversations between you and some of your close friends, Capricorn. Even you, who are usually very laid back and easygoing, might be tempted to snap at people. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Stress and strain could take their toll on you today, Aquarius. Your significant other might be in a foul humor. When the two of you get together, you might want to sit in companionable silence and not say much. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today you could spend a lot of time running errands. There might be delays due to circumstances beyond your control. You could experience that old mounting frustration.
From page 36 leave the score on 137-5. Springer cover drove Viljoen for four to post the 150 in 17.3 as he and Green helped their team to what seemed a defendable total. Two-times Champions Tallawahs battle defending Champions Trinbago Knight Riders tonight at Sabina Park in the next game while the Zouks face-off with Barbados next Friday in
St Lucia. The Warriors and TKR are on top of the points table with six from three wins, but the Warriors are leaders by virtue of a superior net run rate. Patriots are on two points from four matches, Tridents sit on two from two, Zouks came off the mark with two points from three matches while the Tallawahs remain pointless after three matches.
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Pollard appointment backward step, says Sir Andy Bridgetown, Barbados, CMC – Fast bowling legend Sir Andy Roberts has questioned the timing of Kieron Pollard’s appointment as white-ball skipper and argues that sacked one-day skipper Jason Holder was not at fault for the West Indies’ wretched one-day form in recent years. In fact, the outspoken Antiguan believes that neither Pollard’s appointment nor the acquisition of a new head coach will have any impact on the Caribbean side’s fortunes, as the fundamental problem lay in the dearth of quality players available. “A captain is only as good right now as the players he has,” Sir Andy told the Mason and Guest radio cricket show here. He added: “I have no issues with what they’re (Cricket West Indies) trying to do but I’ve always said that the least problem we have is the coaching, our biggest problem is to find players. “It doesn’t matter who
you have as head coach – if you could bring the best head coach in the world today with the players that we have you’ll be getting the same results because the coach goes not go on the field.” CWI announced Monday that Pollard would take over from Holder and Twenty20 skipper, Carlos Brathwaite with immediate effect. Also, the regional governing body said it had formally begun the recruitment process for a new permanent head coach, to fill the role currently being performed by ex-West Indies batsman Floyd Reifer on a temporary basis. It was Pollard’s elevation to the ODI captaincy, however, which made the headlines. Age 32, the Trinidadian has not played a single one-dayer in the last three years. Further, he boasts an unflattering batting average of 25 with the bat from 101 ODIs with three hundreds, while taking 50 wickets with his slow medium at nearly 40 runs apiece. “He’s [32]. [When] the
next ODI [World Cup] comes around he will be 36, 37. We should be looking to get good players [around 23]. As usual, we’re always looking backward,” Sir Andy pointed out, adding that Pollard should have been given the captaincy five years ago when Holder was appointed. “They should have made him (Holder) understudy to Pollard [back then]. Once they gave him (Holder) the captaincy and they stuck to it, then I don’t see the reason to go back to Kieron Pollard now.” Holder failed to win a single series during his tenure and also oversaw West Indies’ worst-ever showing at a World Cup last July, when the side finished ninth of 10 teams with just two wins. Sir Andy said CWI should have persisted with the 27-year-old Holder but afforded him the benefit of an experienced coaching staff. “What are they basing Jason Holder’s captaincy on? Results or tactics on the field? If we’re going to be building
Serbia beats Team USA in World Cup Reuters - Serbia beat Team USA 94-89 in a consolation game at the FIBA World Cup in China yesterday, continuing a spiral that will conclude tomorrow with no better than a seventhplace finish in the tournament. It is guaranteed as the worst showing in international play by the United States, as the topranked team in the world will wrap up the World Cup with another consolation game tomorrow. In 45 major international competitions, Team USA had never finished
worse than sixth and medaled 39 times. Serbia exploded with a 327 advantage in the first quarter when it nailed 8 of 9 attempts from 3-point range and added six free throws courtesy of fouls on 3-point tries. Serbia finished out the victory behind a game-high 28 points from Bogdan Bogdanovic (Sacramento Kings), who was 7 of 14 from 3-point range. Team USA came right back in the second quarter, outscoring Serbia 33-12 on 72 percent shooting, but shaky defense and the inability to
consistently score allowed Serbia to keep a comfortable cushion. The Americans, paced by Harrison Barnes with 22 points, played without Jayson Tatum (ankle) and his Boston Celtics teammate Marcus Smart, who injured his left hand. Tatum has missed the past five games. Vladimir Lucic scored 15 points for Serbia. Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets) added nine points. The winner of PolandCzech Republic will face Serbia for fifth place, with the loser taking on Team USA.
Serbia’s Vasilije Micic in action with Jaylen Brown of the U.S. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
and looking towards the future, I think you should stick with a younger captain who is in there for three, four years,” Sir Andy contended. “What they should have done is give him (Holder) the experience that is required with the coaching staff. That’s what they should have done. Are they blaming Jason’s captaincy for the results we’ve been having? If we don’t have good cricketers, those are the results we’re going to get. It doesn’t matter who is in charge as captain or who’s in charge of coaching. “I think our problem is that we’re not developing good cricketers – there is not enough pressure placed on
Sir Andy Roberts. players for personal development and I’ve been saying that for the last 10, 15 years. If these guys don’t
take the opportunity to develop themselves, we are going to be stuck where we are.”
Defensive commitment lacking, changes needed: Lawrence Port of Spain, Trinidad, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago head coach Dennis Lawrence has pointed to a lack of commitment defensively after his side blew a two-goal advantage and was held to a 2-2 draw by Martinique in the CONCACAF Nations League on Monday. The hosts led 2-0 early in the second half at the Ato Boldon Stadium before conceding twice through set pieces, to register their second successive draw against the French Caribbean side following their 1-1 stalemate in Fort-de-France last Friday. “We [couldn’t] defend set pieces. It’s a problem we identified in the first game. We didn’t have enough people in the box ready to put their head on it and take a cut. It’s that simple,” Lawrence told a media conference here. “We had it in the palms of our hands, and we gave it away all because we couldn’t defend set pieces the way we were meant to defend set pieces. We didn’t have people in the box ready to put their head on it and take a cut to defend the corners.” The result left T&T second in the three-team group on two points, and they will next face Honduras twice in the space in the space of our days starting October 10 here. Without a win in 12 outings, Lawrence said there was a possibility new players could come in for the
Dennis Lawrence upcoming fixtures. “Before you talk about changes, you need to have options. We need to find the options first, then start thinking about changes. There are a couple that we’re working on, to bring in to represent T&T,” he said. “I’m hoping that, between now and October, that their documents would come into play so we can put some more pressure on the boys that are in the squad. I think we need competition.” He added: “We, in the past, would select squads based on performances for your football club. We have got to a stage now where we are selecting squads based on players just playing football. “The past is the past and you have to work on the future but when you look on what we used to call on before, it’s not on the same. We are calling on a different
level of players. “So now the target for a lot of these players is you need to be selected based on your performance and not just playing.” However, Lawrence reserved praise for Ryan Telfer, the 25-year-old Canada-born winger who made his debut in the first fixture against Martinique, and then scored his first goal in the second game on Monday. “I have to give credit to Ryan Telfer because when you look at him, he is performing for his club and he comes and performs for Trinidad and Tobago and I hope he continues,” the former national defender said. “And I hope the boys can learn from his example because he has been pristine as a professional since he has been with us and I hope it can rub off on some of the players for them to understand what professionalism is all about.”
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History-maker Gattinger relishing Rugby World Cup opportunity In an historic first for World Rugby and Rugby World Cup, Canada’s Team Manager Alana Gattinger is set to be the first woman to ever serve in the role at the global tournament in Japan. The 30-year-old from Whitby, Ontario, started her career with Rugby Canada as an intern in the summer of 2012. Gattinger worked under Jennifer Smart, Rugby Canada’s director of events who also has the great honour of working at this Rugby World Cup, as match manager at the Tokyo Stadium. Since then, Gattinger has served the union in numerous roles, including events, team services, and logistics, eventually working her way up to manage Canada’s senior men’s team that will now embark on their eighth Rugby World Cup campaign. She has been living in Langford, British Columbia – the home of the Al Charron Rugby Canada National Training Centre that serves more than 150 highperformance rugby players from across Canada – since 2014. Gattinger began travelling with the team in November 2014 before joining Canada’s logistics team at Rugby World Cup 2015 in England. “Going to my first World Cup was eye-opening,” said Gattinger. “It’s one of the biggest sporting events in the world and to see rugby embraced at that level was a totally new experience for me. “The pressure is so much greater because the stakes are as high as they can get. These players have worked their whole lives to get here, and
every single aspect of the planning and execution matters. “Being there with the team in 2015 lit a fire in me. I decided then and there that I loved touring with the team and working in this role, and I set a goal for myself that someday I was going to be the team manager at a Rugby World Cup.” History-maker - The road from 2015 until now has not been without its challenges. Not coming from a traditional rugby background, Gattinger had to go above and beyond to learn the game and earn the trust of players and coaches. In addition, she set her sights on a history-making goal within the world of rugby. “My goal from the very beginning was to learn as much as possible about the game and the players so I could anticipate what was needed when they’re on the pitch training, or in a game,” said Gattinger. “A managers’ job at the end of the day is to make sure that the players and coaches can focus on the task at hand,” said Gattinger. Four years later, Gattinger is set to realise her goal and will be the first woman to manage a team at a Rugby World Cup. Off the field, Gattinger handles all team and staff logistics, operating as the liaison between the team, tournament officials and World Rugby – on top of being responsible for all aspects of team travel and accommodation, which can become a complex exercise when moving 31 players and up to 20 support staff and coaches. Gattinger officially took on the role as team manager
late in 2017 when head coach Kingsley Jones was appointed, and all eyes turned towards qualifying for Rugby World Cup 2019. Great motivator “Kingsley saw my skill-set and my potential and was able to get the best out of me. He sees the potential in people and he’s a great motivator. When he joined on it really refocused me – we were both working towards the goal of getting this team to the World Cup.” Canada were the 20th and final team to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2019 after winning the Repechage tournament in Marseille last November, and are one of only two tier two nations (Japan being the other) to have qualified for every Rugby World Cup since the tournament began in 1987. While this year’s tournament will be Jones’ first Rugby World Cup with Canada, the Welshman has recently been announced in an expanded role for Rugby Canada where he will serve as director of men’s highperformance rugby. “Alana has been a fantastic support to me since coming into the role,” said Jones. “She is one of the hardest working and most diligent people I have met. She has great rapport and respect from the whole group.” World Rugby has also expressed their support for Gattinger, recognising the unique position she will be in at Rugby World Cup 2019. “Alana epitomises what a great team manager should be – professional, approachable and is excellent at her job,” said Enda Connolly, RWC
Alana Gattinger. Photo by Arden Gill
2019 team services director. “We are delighted that she is blazing a leadership trail for women in rugby and look forward to working with her and the Canada team at Rugby World Cup 2019.”
Gattinger concluded by praising Canada as a land of opportunity. “I’m lucky that I work in Canada and live in a country where opportunities like this exist for women in sport,” she
said. “It’s a testament to our union and our country. I am not treated any differently, and that’s exactly what I want. I hope this serves as an inspiration to young girls that anything is possible.”
Joshua reveals Wladimir Klitschko hit him harder than Ruiz as he prepares for rematch
Five-a-side football to be hosted by South Turkeyen SC on Sunday South Turkeyen Sports Committee and Belfield Sports Club will be hosting a 5-a-side small goal and penalty shoot-out football competition on Sunday at
Belfield ground. Action is set to get underway at 10:00hrs with teams from Georgetown and East Coast battling for supremacy. Entrance fee is
$5,000 and at stake are trophies and medals donated by Trophy Stall, Tent City, Region 4 RDC, CEO Carry Cargo, ACDA and Henry Chase.
Man City hit five in last 25 minutes... From page 35 from the edge of the box beat Dossey at her near post with five minutes left before Scotland international Weir got her second with the final kick of the game. The only downside for City was a concern over England forward Stanway who limped
off having been injured while scoring the opening goal. In other results: Fiorentina Femminile 0 Arsenal Women 4, RSC Anderlecht Ladies 1 BIIK Kazygurt Women 1, Spartak Subotica Women 2 Atlético de Madrid Femenino 3, Sporting Braga Women 0 Paris Saint-Germain Féminines 7.
Ruiz also sent Joshua to the canvass during his only professional defeat against the Mexican. Mailonline - Anthony Joshua believes he was hit harder by Wladimir Klitschko than by Andy Ruiz, despite going on to lose his heavyweight titles against the Mexican. Those two opponents remain the only fighters to knock down Joshua during his 23 professional fights. Despite Ruiz sending Joshua to the floor four times in their bout in June, Joshua maintains it was Klitschko who did the most damage when they fought in 2017. Joshua told Pound For
Pound podcast: ‘Who’s hit me the hardest? Yeah, Klitschko. ‘I was gonna say Ruiz, but when he hit me that was like a concussion on the back of my head. ‘When I went in with Klitschko, yeah, I just knew this could go two ways. ‘I could either win or I’m going to be laid out on my back. You know when you get carried out on a stretcher?’ The British fighter knocked Klitschko down in the fifth round, but the veteran Ukrainian fought back to send Joshua down in round six.
In an epic bout that was named the 2017 Fight Of The year by The Ring magazine, Joshua eventually overcame his rival with an 11th round stoppage. Joshua then faced Ruiz in June this year after the Mexican stepped in to replace Jarrell Miller following a failed drugs test. Joshua dropped Ruiz early in the third round, but was then felled twice himself before the bell. Ruiz knocked down the incumbent champion twice in the seventh to take the IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO titles.
Friday September 13, 2019
Top Nations League performances in Groups A and B of League B Miami, Florida – There were many standout performances throughout the first week of the Concacaf Nations League, with some of the best coming in Groups A and B of League B. Among the ranks of the goalkeepers, Saint Lucia’s Vino Barclett was at his very best in making 13 saves, 10 and 100 percent passing accuracy clearances over the course of a 3-0 defeat at El Salvador and a 1-1 draw at Montserrat. Saint Kitts and Nevis GK Julani Archibald was not that far behind either, with nine saves and five clearances for the Sugar Boyz in their 2-1 defeat at Grenada and 2-2 draw with French Guiana. There was no shortage of top-notch defending in the two groups, with Grenada’s Alexander McQueen leading the charge. The Spice Boys won their first two games, only one of three teams in all
of League B to do so, and McQueen was a big part of that with his three steals and six shots in 2-1 victories over Saint Kitts and Nevis and Belize. El Salvador’s Roberto Dominguez also continued to show why he is one the best center backs in Concacaf, with four steals, one clearance and a 95 percent passing accuracy. In midfield, one can see how Adrian Clifton’s play reflects Montserrat’s improvement. The Emerald Boy scored a goal and had three steals in helping Montserrat beat the
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Dominican Republic 2-1 and draw 1-1 with Saint Lucia. El Salvador ’s Marvin Monterroza also seemed to always be in the mix, with a goal, three steals and seven shots. Up front in attack, Grenada’s Jamal Charles was a force to be reckoned with. Not only did he score two goals, but each proved to be the game-winning goal and were both scored in the final 10 minutes of the match. Charles was also razor-sharp with his passing, registering 92.31 passing accuracy, while also contributing in defense with a steal.
Women’s Champions League - 1st Leg
Man City hit five in last 25 minutes to trash Lugano
Courts pumps $4.4m into PEE-WEE football tourney By Zaheer Mohamed Furniture giants Courts in collaboration Banks Malta Supreme and Rain Forest Water have once again teamed up with Petra Organisation for the staging of the eight annual Pee-Wee U11 football tournament which is set to commence on September 21. Courts Guyana Inc. has injected $4.4m into the tournament which was launched yesterday at their Main Street office. Some 24 teams would be competing and matches will be played at the Ministry of Education ground commencing at 13:00hrs. Teams will be divided into six groups where the winner and runner-up along with the four best third place teams will go through to the knock out stage. Speaking at the launching ceremony, Co-Director of Petra Organisation, Troy Mendonca said this is one of the main grassroots programmes especially in Georgetown area. “To have Courts and Banks DIH investing in this tournament for eight years speaks volumes of their commitment towards the development of the sport. Their investment also helps
to develop future leaders and provide an impetus into the football programme,” he added. Communications Manager of Banks DIH Troy Peters stated that another wonderful tournament is anticipated, adding that Courts and Petra Organisation have given them the encouragement to stick with this tournament due to the fact that it is growing from strength to strength. Roberta Ferguson, Brand Manager of Courts Guyana Inc., expressed gratitude to Petra Organisation and Banks DIH for their continued support. “We have seen great success from the tournament and I must say that we are satisfied. I must thank the schools, for this tournament helps to bring other youths to the sport and we hope to see players joining the Guyana national team and go on to greater heights in the future.” Bryan Joseph of the Guyana Football Federation added that they are pleased to be associated with the sponsors and organisers for the development of football. “Over the years we have seen marked improvement
with our national teams in junior tournaments and this competition has played an important role in their performances. “The most important thing for players is for them to have an opportunity to compete, that’s where most of the learning takes place for these players. At this level the main focus is to ensure the youths have understanding of the game so that they can develop a love for the sport at an early age.” He lauded the teachers for their efforts, adding that part of their progress focuses on how to develop the coaches. “CONCAAF has now made available to us and we are making it available to the teachers to participate in the licensed coaching courses because the knowledge can be handed down to the players,” he said. Joseph stated that they will be having scouts at the matches and expressed gratitude to the organisers and sponsors. Among the teams set to participate are Marian Academy, Smith’s Memorial, West Ruimveldt, Sophia Primary, Stella Maris and F E Pollard. The tournament is set to conclude on November 2.
Haiti and Curacao battle to hard-fought draw Port-au-Prince, Haiti – Haiti and Curacao battled to a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw on Monday afternoon in Group D of League A at the Stade Sylvio Cator in Port-auPrince. The 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinalists enjoyed a strong start and had the home fans on their feet in the 15’ with Frantzdy Pierrot finishing
Pauline Bremer had only scored two goals for City in her injury-hit time at the club before the trip to the Swiss side. BBCsport - Manchester City look certain to progress from the last 32 of the Women’s Champions League as they scored five goals in the final 25 minutes to thrash Lugano 7-1 in the first leg. Georgia Stanway gave the English side a 25th-minute lead, but Kaela Dickerman levelled just before half time. Aoife M a n n i o n ’s penalty seconds after the restart put City in command. Two Pauline Bremer goals, two from Caroline Weir and one from Janine Beckie in the closing stages sealed it.
City should have been out of sight before last s e a s o n ’s S w i s s l e a g u e runners-up equalised. Bremer struck the post from close range and just shot wide after rounding the goalkeeper, while Weir hit the crossbar with a long-range effort. However, a dogged Lugano side, with a strong American contingent, caught City on the break to make it 1-1, and they could even have gone ahead when Sofia P e d r a z z i n i ’s s h o t w a s deflected over after a poor clearance by goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck.
But City were back in front seconds after the restart when Mannion wrong-footed goalkeeper Kelsey Dossey with her spot-kick after Lee Geummin was fouled in the box. Bremer’s exquisite lob after Steph Houghton’s 70-yard pass ended the game as a contest, and the German forward turned Alana O’Neill inside out before slotting home the fourth. The fifth from Weir was a calm strike after good control 12 yards out, and she hit the post a minute later. Beckie’s low effort (Continued on page 34)
off a well-constructed goal by Les Grenadiers for a 1-0 lead. Curacao showed plenty of fight on a night when they were playing with heavy hearts following the passing away of GK Jairzinho Pieter on Monday. The Gold Cup quarterfinalists dug deep and managed to pull level in the 41’ when Elson Hooi
hammered in a volley with his right foot to make it a 1-1 affair. Both sides were keen to find a winning score in the second half, but the defenses ruled the final 45 minutes, leaving the two sides to settle for the draw. With the result, Curacao sit atop the table with four points, while Haiti are second with one point.
Tahir and Qais Ahmad join Amazon Warriors The Guyana Amazon Warriors have announced that Shadab Khan, the Pakistan international legspinner, will only be available for the first three games of their Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season due to domestic commitments. He will be replaced by South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir. Tahir played for the Amazon Warriors in 2018 where he claimed 16 wickets
at 17.75 as the team made it to the final where they were beaten by the Trinbago Knight Riders. Tahir was part of the South African squad at the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup where he claimed 11 wickets in his nine matches in the tournament. The Amazon Warriors have also announced a replacement for USA player Saurabh Netravalkar who will be unavailable due to international commitments.
Netravalkar was drafted as the Amazon Warriors ICC Americas player, but draft rules allow for him to be replaced by a Caribbean or overseas player. Netravalkar will be replaced by Afghan legspinner Qais Ahmad who played for the St Lucia franchise in the 2018 Hero CPL. Qais has 35 wickets in T20 cricket at the very impressive average of 18 from his 27 matches in the format. (CPL)
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Friday September 13, 2019
Kaieteur News
Cornwall’s blistering 75 give Zouks first points as Tallawahs lose by 5 wickets Watched by a large and vocal Sabina Park crowd, Chris Gayle, back in the Jamaica Tallawahs set up for the first time in two seasons of the Hero CPL, failed to lead his team to victory after getting a first ball duck as the St. Lucia Zouks led by an explosive 19-ball 70 from Rakeem Cornwall, won by five wickets last night despite an impressive spell of fast bowling from Oshane Thomas who took 3-26. The Tallawahs were spearheaded by an 87-run stand between Glen Phillips’ 34-ball 58 with eight fours and a six and Rovman Powell whose 44 came from 22 balls before an unbroken 33-run stand between Shemar Springer (14) and Derval Green (17) rallied them to 170-5; legspinner Fawad Ahmed took 228 and was supported Obed McCoy who had 2-32 for Zouks who reached 171-5 from 16.4 overs. Man-of-the-match Rakeem Cornwall blasted 75 from 30 balls with eight sixes and four fours while Andre Fletcher finished unbeaten on 47 from 36 balls with three sixes and two fours, Colin de Grandomme chipped in with 25 despite Thomas’ spell. Zouks began their chase in positive fashion with Andre Fletcher smashing Jerome Taylor for two sixes before Rakeem Cornwall, on the ground he made his Test debut, drove Taylor over midoff for six and brutally pulled him for another six when he bowled short before hitting the former West Indies pacer for a massive six. The burly Antiguan launched into Deval Green
and pulled him ‘miles’ out of the ground, executed a glorious cover driven boundary next ball before a top-edge for six off Oshane Thomas brought up his teams 50 in 4.2 overs. Fletcher also joined the party with some pugnacious shots of Thomas. Cornwall greeted George Worker with back-to-back sixes to reach his third CPL fifty from just 19 balls which is the second fastest halfcentury this season. He displayed his batting ability with three sixes as massive as the big man himself off the expensive Green before he got an inside edge and dragged Springer onto his stumps to end the destructive opening stand at 130-1 in nine overs. John Campbell fell for a duck off Ramaal Lewis and then Sammy, who led West Indies to both of their T20 World Cup trophies, joined Fletcher but fell to Thomas for five at 155-5 with 16 needed from 28 balls before Thomas kept the game alive by removing Rolando Cato (1) two runs later after which Fletcher and Periera saw their team home. Earlier, playing on home soil for the first time in this season, Tallawahs, on a hard bouncy track and fast outfield had a horrendous start when Gayle, holder of the records for T20 centuries (22) and most CPL hundreds (4 with Dwayne Smith) got a ball that bounced and nipped away from the left hander for a catch to ‘Keeper Fletcher, McCoy removing the Universe Boss for a first ball duck at 6-1. Gayle who turns 40 on October 21, led Tallawahs to
Andre Fletcher their two titles in 2013 and 2016, and also top-scored in both of those finals against Guyana Amazon Warriors but his demise last night was a big body blow to the Tallawahs under a full moon and floodlights that were not as high as the players would have liked. Chadwick Walton who featured in a record CPL second wicket stand with Gayle in the last match joined Phillips who clipped McCoy past mid-on for four before the left-arm pacer had Walton pull a short ball to deep backward square for eight at 27-2 to stun a less than capacity crowd. Phillip lofted leg-spinner Ahmed for an effortless six over his head, pulled Kesrick Williams for four while
Rovman Powell played a similar shot for the second four in the over. Phillips eased Williams over long-on for six and at the end of the six-over power play Tallawahs had galloped 59-2. A spanking four by Phillips was followed by two more boundaries from Powell. Cornwall’s first ball was clobbered into the stands before a boundary from Phillips brought up his fourth CPL fifty from just 26 balls as the runs flowed for the Tallawahs despite McCoy’s early success. After 10 overs the score was 108-2 and Ahmed was greeted by a disdainful six from Powell but in trying to repeat the shot next ball he was taken on the long-off
Andre Russell is taken off the field after receiving a nasty blow. He was taken to the hospital for a scan and the results from the scan are all clear. He later returned to the team hotel to rest and recover. #CPL19 boundary by an alert de Grandomme who parried the ball before going over the ropes and returning onto field to complete the catch at 1143. The left-handed Phillips tried hit against the spin and was taken on the long-on boundary as Ahmed struck a crucial blow at 134-4. Andre Russell leaned into a short ball from Hardus Viljoen, missed the pull and was hit flush on the back of his helmet
Glen Phillips
Captain Darren Sammy and his winning team take the field in Jamaica last night.
and was floored; he was unable to continue and had to be taken off the ground before he had scored. George Worker, dropped off a no-ball for height by John Campbell who again put him down off Ahmed before a classy cover driven boundary raced to across the lightning fast outfield. Worker smashed Thisara Perera for four before being bowled next ball for 16 to (Continued on page 32)
Friday September 13, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Buttler rescues England after Marsh swings things Australia’s way ESPNcricinfo - This was a strange day of Test cricket. Tim Paine raised a few eyebrows by bowling and for the first half Australia’s performance suggested that the Old Trafford celebrations might have been a touch more exuberant than the two out of ten Justin Langer suggested. Yet they surged back into the ascendancy through a man playing his first match of the series as Mitchell Marsh bagged 4 for 35 with some brilliant swing bowling only to be stopped in their tracks when Jos Buttler flicked the one-day switch. So much fitted to type for England as they slid from 170 for 3 to 226 for 8 and it appeared they wouldn’t bat out the day. But all of a sudden, Buttler changed gear - perhaps deciding to live by the two-letter expletive on his bat handle - with a pair of straight sixes off Josh Hazlewood on the way to his first half-century of the series and alongside Jack Leach added an unbroken 45 for the ninth wicket. It made things look a little better for England, but in reality it was a rescue mission that shouldn’t have been needed. The top seven all reached double figures (before today a top five in the series hadn’t managed that) including Joe Root’s 57 as the captain again couldn’t convert into three figures despite being dropped three times between
Mitchell Marsh celebrates the wicket of Sam Curran Getty Images 24 and 30, extracted by another off-stump rip-snorter from Pat Cummins. However, the game really swung, in every sense, in the hands of Marsh who found significantly more movement than any of his team-mates. A short ball accounted for Ben Stokes, but it was full-length movement that removed Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran and Chris Woakes. Cramp stopped him one ball into his 16th over and though he returned the chance for a maiden five-for had to wait. There had also been movement - of the seam variety - with the new ball
after Paine inserted England, citing a decent covering of grass and some cloud cover. Only Joe Denly succumbed, though, driving loosely at Cummins with Steven Smith taking a juggling catch at second slip. Root and Rory Burns moved along at a decent clip against bowling that lacked the consistency of much of the series. Playing a Test on his homeground for the first time, Burns, who was given lbw to Hazlewood on 4 before DRS overturned it, looked in excellent touch as he got off the mark with a well-timed square drive before adding an
on-drive and cover drive to the tally before lunch. Root, too, started with a sparkle, making a concerted effort to get forward to Australia’s quicks rather than be caught on the crease, before the innings took on a very different character. On 24 he hooked Cummins and got a top edge to deep backward square where Siddle’s under-par morning got worse when he couldn’t hold on. In Cummins’ next over, Root aimed a backfoot drive at Cummins which produced a thick edge that Paine palmed away. Then, in the first over after lunch, Smith dropped a tough
chance at second slip off Siddle. It was looking as though Root should play Friday’s EuroMillions which is worth £143million. Life now looked much harder for Root, although there was one moment of relief when he drove Hazlewood through the covers to take him to 7000 Test runs - the third youngest batsman to reach the milestone after Alastair Cook and Sachin Tendulkar - before a fortunate fifty came from 105 balls. By then he had already lost two team-mates to poor cross-batted strokes. Burns miscued to mid-on and Stokes, batting at an elevated No. 4, skewed a big top edge to point to give Marsh his first. Be like Stokes had been the message to Marsh, this wasn’t a bad start. For all that England had been solid for large parts of the first two sessions there was always the feeling of it being an innings on the edge. Either side of tea Australia really turned the screw and they earned their rewards swiftly at the start of the final session. Only one run, a leg bye, had been scored since the interval when Cummins shot one past Root’s outside edge for the second time in two innings. Then it was over to Marsh. He produced a wicked
inswinger to trap Bairstow who had faced 21 consecutive dot balls and been set up beautifully by a series of outswingers. Curran edged a booming drive to slip to end a skittish stay which included a hooked six of Cummins and a reprieve when he was lbw only for Cummins to have over-stepped. Marsh’s fourth came from another swinging yorker which took Woakes on the back leg. When Jofra Archer edged Hazlewood, England had lost 5 for 56 and thoughts were turning to how many Smith might score but Buttler, who had kept his place ahead of Jason Roy when Stokes’ shoulder injury forced a reshuffle, produced a calculated counterattack. Two straight sixes gave Hazlewood neck-ache and he added a third with a pull over deep square leg before he unfurled a reverse sweep against Marnus Labuschagne. Such was the woeful over rate that just 82 overs were bowled in a six-and-a-halfhour day and by the time the second new ball was briefly taken there were weary Australian bodies, and perhaps minds. However, this is far from an overwhelming total (although Buttler may have power to add in the morning) and England will still need to find a way of stopping Smith.
Afghanistan Premier League postponed due to payment issues, ‘risks for league’s integrity’ ESPNcricinfo - The second season of the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) has been postponed to 2020 after the league’s commercial partner failed to pay the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) rights money. The ACB has terminated the agreement, also citing concerns about the integrity of people associated with Snixer Sports, the partners. The tournament had been scheduled for October this year. “The failure by Snixer Sports to pay the complete rights fees of the first edition as per the fees and payment schedule of the agreement, and concerns about risks for integrity of the league posed by people connected to Snixer Sports are the reasons for termination that form material breaches of the agreement,” the ACB said in a statement. The allegation around the integrity of the people involved is especially pertinent, given the talk swirling around the league in its first season. Mohammad Shahzad reported an approach and it was one of the leagues the I C C ’s A C U w a s k e e p i n g a n
especially close eye on: there were, it is understood, a number of other approaches made that were reported by players to the anti-corruption body. The ACB hjas written to the Attorney General’s Office of the Government of Afghanistan to “fully investigate the administrative allegations of corruption in the league” and that it remained committed to “ensuring transparency in all its affairs and is accountable to all stakeholders.” Following the signing of the tournament’s MoU in January last year, the first edition of the league was held between October 5 and 21 in Sharjah, UAE and featured a host of international names. Chris Gayle, Shahid Afridi, Andre Russell, Brendon McCullum and Rashid Khan were picked as icon players by the five franchises, representing Paktia, Kabul, Balkh, Nangarhar and Kandahar. A tender for commercial rights to the second season of the league will be issued in due course. The league is the second
The inaugural Afghanistan Premier League was held in 2018 and several high-profile international names Associated Press. T20 league to run into problems in as many months. In August, the inaugural season of the Euro T20 Slam was cancelled, only two weeks prior to its scheduled start. The Euro T20 Slam organisers, led by Gurmeet
Singh’s Bombay Sports Limited and Woods Entertainment, the same group in charge of the Global T20 Canada, had run into increasing financial difficulties. The Global T20 Canada, too, faced issues, with player protests over unpaid wages.
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Friday September 13, 2019
Kaieteur News
NexGen Global Marketing & HJ’s ‘Not in My House’ Boxing
Marques promises to KO Columbian; Allicock to box in amateur bouts By Sean Devers At age 33, Flyweight Dexter ‘The Kid’ Marques is in the second phase of his Professional career and after a 17-month hiatus from the ring he is set to headline the Guyana Boxing Board’s sanctioned, NexGen Global Marketing and Hits & Jams’ ‘Not in My House’ Pro-Am Boxing Card on September 28 from 18:30hrs as Durban Park is set to host boxing for the first time. Durban Park, known for hosting Horse Racing back in the day, will make its debut as boxing venue; joining GCC Bourda, Pegasus Hotel, Princess Hotel, Giftland Mall, Thirst Park, the National Park and Cliff Anderson Sports Hall to host professional boxing. Marques, with 20 fights ( 18 wins and 2 losses with 6 knock-outs) promises his fans a knock-out against Columbian Jose Antonio Jimenez, (22 fights - 17 wins, 4 losses and a draw with 9 KOs) in the fifth or sixth round of the 10-round main bout. The card has seven professional fights including
Flyweight Dexter Marques a female match-up and four amateur bouts with two boxers from the USA and Jimenez being the foreign fighters. Marques last fought professionally in January last year when he beat his
Venezuelan opponent at the Sports Hall before taking a self-imposed exile to dabble in boxing promotion. “The promoting did not really work out and since I never retired from boxing I
NSC assists Mahaicony Flames Circle Tennis Club
decided to give it another shot. I am taking this fight very seriously since when I win here it can open doors for me. I am focused on my career since things seems to be looking up. I have four to five years left in me as boxer so I am determined to make the most of it” explained the route 48 (Sophia) Bus Conductor. “I have watched videos of his fights and he has beaten some good fighters and my preparation going well and I am ready for a seventh knockout “ said Marques, who was born in Albouystown before moving to Sophia where attended the Redeemer Primary School and later the St. Mary’s Secondary. Marques, a four-time Caribbean Amateur Champion in the 105-112 weight division, competed at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Australia and the CAC Games and during his amateur career, which ended in 2006, fought 65 times suffering only two losses. His Pro debut began in 2006 when he beat Charlton Skeete in a Flyweight contest
at the National Park and became the only Guyanese to get a title fight in his second outing as a Pro when he knocked out Orlando ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers in the eleventh round to take the Guyana Flyweight crown. “This is a very important fight for me and I have been training from 4:30 to 6 from Monday to Thursday mornings with Coach (Sebert) Blake and from 4-6 in the afternoons at the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) Gym before doing sparring sessions at the six-head Gym on Fridays and Sunday with Coach and Coach Joseph Murray” said Marques who has two brothers and three sisters. Marques, who spent four months in Canada in 2010 after spending some time in Cuba, lamented that his biggest challenge is not getting enough fights in Guyana adding that he always wanted to campaign overseas but there are things preventing that happening at this time. The Pugilist thanked Giftland OfficeMax for being
his main sponsor for this bout. Marques is married and has two sons, (Dexter Junior who is 13) and (Deanaer who is 2) but young Dexter plays cricket and rugby. But boxing runs in the blood of their father, who was born on June 13 1986 to Terrence Marques and Angel Howard. “I got interested in boxing from seeing my uncles (Vincent and Richard Howard) training and started to box when I was 13. My aunt, Ann Howard was also a boxer and also my grandfather Vincent Howard Senior” the very confident Marques concluded. Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that that the Caribbean’s top amateur boxer Keevin Allicock, will join his sibling, Keeve (Professional Card) on the historic event and will fight in the amateur bouts. Keevin Allicock is expected to return from the World Boxing Championship in Russia on September 22 and if plans bear fruit, he could match gloves with an amateur fighter from Trinidad & Tobago.
Golfers to tee off in Crown ECO tournament at LGC
LGC President Aleem Hussain accepts the cheque from Junior Director of Crown Mining Supplies Avashti Persaud.
May Bourne receives the equipment from NSC’s Rickey Nunes in the presence of club members. In an effort to have more villages across Guyana participate in Circle Tennis, the National Sports Commission yesterday made a donation to the Mahaicony Flames Circle Tennis Club.
Club Member, May Bourne stated that the equipment came at a time when the team is preparing to compete in Minister Dr. George Norton and Director of Sport Christopher Jones ‘Revival of
Our National Game of Circle Tennis’ tournament scheduled for this month end in Region 10. Racquets, wickets and balls were presented to aid in their preparation.
Some of the nation’s top golfers are set to match skills tomorrow when the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) hosts the Crown Eco tournament from 12:00hrs. Crown Eco is a division of Crown Mining Supplies located on North Road, Georgetown where the tournament was launched. The competition will be contested in the 0-9, 10-18 and 20-28 Flights while there will also be prizes for the longest drive and nearest to pin. Speaking at the launching ceremony yesterday, LGC President Aleem Hussain said the tournament is
expected to attract a large field of golfers and the public is invited to experience the thrill of the game and the ambience of the Lusignan Golf Course. He added that it is going to be a fantastic tournament and expressed gratitude to the sponsors. Hussain noted that the course is in fine shape and this competition is the kick off of the second half of the golf season for the year. Avashti Persaud, Junior Director of Crown Mining Supplies said they are happy to be on board and encouraged the public to
support the tournament. She wished the players well, adding that she is looking forward to a successful and exciting tournament. The company’s massive newly expanded headquarters is home to their new division of eco-friendly products such as airconditioning units, refrigerators, and all types of solar lighting. Among the players set to participate are Pur Persaud, Max Persaud, Hussain, Dr. Joaan Deo, Christine Sookram, Shanella London, George Bulkan and Vijay Deo.
Kaieteur News
Friday September 13, 2019
Banks supports AAG for Courts 10K
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GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 Tourney
East Demerara FA clubs commence KO rivalry this weekend The East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) leg of the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 Intra Association tournament which will be played on a knock-out format is set to get underway tomorrow at the Victoria Ground. Double headers are slated for tomorrow and Sunday with a total of nine (9) clubs vying for supremacy; Buxton United, Buxton Stars, Melanie, Golden Stars, Dynamic, Victoria Scorpions, Ann’s Grove United, Mahaica Determinators and Rising Strikers will compete.
AAG President Aubrey Hutson (right) accepts the cheque from Rain Forest Water Brand Manager Colin King in the presence of representatives of AAG and Banks DIH. Banks DIH under their Rain Forest Water brand has thrown their support behind the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) for the staging of the Courts 10K which is set for Sunday. The entity yesterday handed over a cheque to President of the AAG Aubrey Hutson at their Main Street office.
Hutson said a number of overseas athletes are expected to take part and the event is expected to be keenly contested. Troy Peters of Banks DIH said they have partnered with the athletic fraternity to ensure that the athletes are given the necessary exposure to excel and they are happy to be associated with the event.
GASA has new President and executive
President Brian Goodridge flanked by the new members of the GASA executive.
Less than a year into his third term as President of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) Ivan Persaud has been replaced by his Vice President, Brian Goodridge following fresh elections held at the Guyana Olympic Association last week Thursday. The decision to have new elections was made by the members of the association following meetings which reviewed and discussed the challenges plaguing the body. Persaud served as GASA head from 2014. The new executive is as follows:
President - Brian Goodridge, Vice Presidents - Shefetah Tzedeq and Elke Rodrigues, Honorary Secretary - Yelema Phillips, Hon Treasurer – Valmiki Singh, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer - Renée Charles. President Goodridge in his acceptance speech said that he was happy with the confidence reposed in him by the clubs promising that all would be involved in decision making. “I hope that we could get the support from all the clubs as well and look at the bigger picture of developing swimming in Guyana.”
Following are the fixtures: No. Matches 1. Mahaica Determinators FC vs Ann’s Grove FC 2. Victoria Scorpions vs Golden Stars FC 3. Buxton United vs Dynamic FC 4. Melanie FC vs Buxton Stars FC 5. Rising Strikers FC vs Winner of 1 6. Winner of 2 vs Winner of 3 7. Winner of 4 vs Winner of 5 8. Loser of 6 vs Loser of 7 9. Winner of 6 v Winner of 7
Date 2019-09-14 2019-09-14 2019-09-15 2019-09-15 2019-09-21 2019-09-21 2019-09-22 2019-09-28 2019-09-28
Time 14:00hrs 16:00hrs 14:00hrs 16:00hrs 14:00hrs 16:00hrs 16:00hrs 13:00hrs 15:30hrs
GBA introduce Badminton at Mackenzie High School
T
he Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) made a donation of rackets, nets and shuttlecocks to Mr. Shavin Greene, Physical Education Teacher at the Mackenzie High School (MHS) in Linden to start its Outreach Programme aimed at getting Badminton restarted in Linden. Mr. Greene who did a two-day training session last month with the association was exposed to the necessary rules and regulations of the sport which will serve him and the students well at MHS. The GBA will from
GBA executives, Mr. Marlon Chung and Ms. Emelia Ramdhani handing over gear to Mr. Shavin Geene. time to time visit the school to follow up on the progress and give the necessary advice where needed. Meanwhile, the GBA will be
hosting a tournament on the second weekend in October where schools would be competing in the Under-11, 13, 15 and 17 categories.
DCC travels to play Port Mourant on Sunday in U-15 clash
H
ost Port Mourant and the visiting Demerara Cricket Club Under-15 teams will face off in a 40-overs friendly match on Sunday from 11:00hrs. Trophies for this encounter have been sponsored by The Trophy Stall, Port Mourant branch. Teams: DCC - Jadan Dowlin, Kareem Caesar, Jayden Campbell, Janathan Van Lange, Romeo Deonarain, Shaquan Walters, Jeremiah Hohenkirk, Wavell Allen, Mahai Khan, Myhiem Hopkinson, Gabriel
Rookhun, Mohan Ragnauth, Keshawn Silas, Mark Seecharan and Romel Singh. Gavin Nedd (Coach), Travis Dowlin (Manager). Port Mourant Cricket Club - Rampertab Ramnauth, Salim Khan, Abdul Munroe, Mark Ramalho, Rampersaud Ramnauth, Farouk Mohamed, Joshua Douglas, Brandon Harripersaud, R omesh Bharrat, Vishal Williams, Balram Chappelle, Romel Budhawah, Sudesh Maniram, Pawan Ramkellawhan. Vick Seubarran (Manager), Leslie Solomon (Coach).
rt Spo
Courts pumps $4.4m into PEE-WEE football tourney
The organisers, sponsors and students display the cheque at the launching ceremony.
Tahir and Qais Ahmad join Amazon Warriors Imran Tahir.
Cornwall’s blistering 75 give Zouks first points as Tallawahs lose by 5 wickets
Rahkeem Cornwall blows Jamaica Tallawahs away with a stunning innings
GASA has new President and executive
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