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AIETEUR

Private Sector Commission looking to diaspora for nominee

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Natural Resource Fund… Saturday Edition September 14, 2019 - Vol. 13 No. 36

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Govt. informs GECOM of current court challenge to house-to-house ruling Corentyne mother on trial for accessory to murder Lalita Bollers at the New Amsterdam court yesterday

High Court reverses Royston King's dismissal as Town Clerk - declares City Hall CoI unlawful

GRA projects $42.2B increase in 2019 revenue GPL in race to find over 100 megawatts in next 3 years

Numerous barriers hindering locals from supplying oil industry - GCCI with goods and services President

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Kaieteur News

Saturday September 14, 2019

Saturday September 14, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Numerous barriers hinder locals GRA projects $42.2B increase in 2019 revenue from supplying oil industry with

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ccording to the G u y a n a R e v e n u e Authority (GRA), its revenue projections for 2019 represent an overall increase of 23 percent or $ 42.2B. GRA's Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia confirmed that there were notable increases being reflected from the 2018 approved budgeted collections with the largest absolute value being an $18.6 B increase in Internal Revenue and the smallest being a $ 5.54 B increase in Customs Taxes.

Kaieteur News understands that GRA's strategic thrust and the associated strategies for the year 2019 are expected to continue the foregoing trend.

Statia has been keen to note that increased projections are in part, attributed to the imminent improvements in the tax systems effectuated through reformatory measures.

During one of his visits to Linden, Finance Minister, Winston Jordon who has responsibility for the revenue authority, provided a comprehensive list of these “reformatory measures.”

The Minister reminded that there was a reduction in Company Tax for noncommercial companies from 30 percent to 25 percent; reduction in the Value Added Tax from 16 percent to 14 percent; increase in the VAT threshold from $10 million to $15 million; implementation of a special income tax rate of 25 percent for Small Businesses in addition to the numerous concessions available to such businesses under the various Tax Acts; increase in

the threshold for filing a property tax return from $0.5 million to $40 million, and reduction in the property tax rate on chargeable property.

Jordan also said that there was an exemption from Customs Duty, Excise Tax and VAT on a range of capital equipment, intermediate and consumer goods; removal of the remaining restriction on accessing the Export Allowance to “soft currency” areas in Caricom; and the introduction of easier processes that allow individuals and companies to get refunds of taxes from the GRA. At the individual level, the Finance Minister noted that the Government has reduced the personal income tax from 30 percent to 27.5 percent, increased the personal income tax allowance from $600,000 to $720,000 or 1/3 of gross income, whichever is higher; removed income tax from the employee's contribution to NIS; and gave equal t r e a t m e n t t o Va c a t i o n Allowance across the public and private sectors.

While these businessspecific reforms have been direct, the economist said that the tremendous increase in Government's expenditure on health and education, housing and water, and the physical and economic infrastructure, while maintaining low, single digit inflation and a relatively stable and free exchange rate; and rigorous measures to fight corruption have contributed immeasurably to the facilitative climate for investment in Guyana.

And weaving all these into a strong, durable fabric,

goods, services - GCCI President

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GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia he said, is the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) which, in turn, is linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He said the Government aspires to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

The Finance Minister also noted that other reforms have extended to measures aimed at greening our economy, including the imposition of an environmental levy; the banning of styrofoam used in the packaging of beverage, food and food products; removal of taxes on biodegradable containers; the waiver of all taxes on motor cars and motor cycles; the lowering of taxes on new vehicles and tyres; the restriction on the importation of reconditioned vehicles; and the banning of the importation of used tyres.

Jordan proudly stated that the foregoing without a doubt, allows for a more welcoming economic environment for all, not a select few, as what took place in the past.

hether it has to do with the c o s t o f industry certification or issues with securing the right partnership, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Nicholas DeygooBoyer asserts that local businesses are facing several challenges in their efforts to supply the oil industry with their goods and services.

The official made this assertion among others during a recent interview on Kaieteur Radio's programme, “Guyana's Oil and You” which focused on local content. The radio show also featured Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ramps Logistics, Shaun Rampersad and Local Content Expert, Anthony Paul.

In sharing his perspective on the issues facing locals, Boyer said, “...Our businesses are not big enough to service the needs of the sector and when goods or services are provided, there are delays in payments...”

In this regard, the GCCI President said that these delays put a strain on local businesses, since some or most of them are either selffinanced or are backed by

loans taken from banks. “So you may have sold them this can of juice but they pay you 60 to 70 days later...That waiting time is painful for businesses that are debt financed or self financed,” the GCCI President added.

Further to this, Boyer acknowledged that Guyana's business environment is now grappling with the rigourous standards that come with the oil industry. Deygoo-Boyer stated that while meeting these international standards is necessary, they are costly to implement.

The Chamber President said, “To be compliant is not that expensive, but to become ISO certified, you have to bring the auditor from Jamaica, pay airfare and hotel costs...So there are some barriers to entry.

Overtime, as the economy grows, those barriers will reduce from tall mountains to hills...”

In addition to this, Boyer expressed the view that the industry could do more to utilize services within the GCCI membership.

He said, “...If I took an informal survey and asked how many of my members have contracts with oil companies whether directly or indirectly, the answer is

GCCI President, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer probably a lower percentage than we would like it to be...”

The Chamber President acknowledged that indeed, ExxonMobil has funded a Centre for Local Business Development which is located on South Road. He noted however that there is still more that needs to be done.

Deygoo-Boyer said that at the end of the day, what is urgently needed is a local content policy. “We can't rely on just luck to get where we want to go. We need a plan that looks at how we are going to get more Guyanese participation in the i n d u s t r y, ” t h e G C C I President concluded.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday September 14, 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

Missing monies, no culprits

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here have been lots of charges involving lots of people. And, as confirmed by the record of the results, lots of legal failures, too.

What is going on with these cases brought by the state against allegedly cheating and deceiving senior public servants?

Again, what is going on when one defendant after another walks. Scot-free, it is; and time and again. The high-profile cases are made to look low and tainted with the cheapness of unsound causes. Causes that should not have been pursued in the first place, if this was how they were built. Or, it could have been those causes fall apart due to the confluences of environmental realities.

Let’s look at this, beginning with government first.

Monies are missing; lots of it.

The ledgers are not balancing. The first challenge was to find those telltale ledgers; and all their revealing pages.

What happened with most of those? Call that strike one.

Strike two took the form of people suddenly lacking in knowledge about anything or anyone.

The required self-supporting mosaic of key men and material fell short.

Thus, government’s failure to substantiate charges hurled at the many accused in many places; those charges became casualties of the political wars being fought: evidentiary testimonies went missing in action. All the people who were screaming about bureaucratic roguery through well-known swindling went silent (or absent). To repeat: strike two.

It could be that the government teams were given the customary pitchforks to trap mercury. It is not named quicksilver for nothing. Meaning that what started out as a preponderance of convergences petered out into that which fell short of a preponderance of evidence. Not making a case.

With hundreds of millions reportedly stolen, or unaccounted for, that is more than missing by a wide margin; especially given that so many were involved and for such a length of time and in so many different entities.

The questions are: were these public servants hauled over the judicial coals through being made the targets of witch-hunts, as alleged?

The innocent victims of ugly, race-based politically orchestrated purging?

Those contentions are never far from the public realm in the management and articulations of political positions; they have been overused to the point where when they may have merit, they lose traction. That is the tragedy of crying wolf too frequently.

Nevertheless, these are the facts that bear repeating: major amounts of money are missing, and somebody must be responsible, yet only darkness prevails. The buck had to stop somewhere, and those who needed to know had to know.

Such ignorance does not equate with innocence, and innocence, despite its many shades, is virtually extinct in this society. It’s just not believable, and in the many instances before the courts that much was discernable.

As for the courts, the litanies of white-collar crimes direct another batch of hard questions in that direction. In view of the intricate mazes weaved to conceal the accounting tracks of criminal activity, do local courts have the requisite expertise to sift through and interpret (present, absorb, decide) the volume of figures-related detail placed before them? Similarly, do the teams at the investigating and case-building agencies possess the skills and experiences to track down the skilled and less than scrupulous? And then connect the dots correctly? Sounds like shortage upon shortage.

Cumulatively, these are not mere matters of debits and credits, or additions and subtractions. They are also about shortages of genuine articles. Talk to most legal professionals and they will admit unabashedly that they deal in words and not numbers. Over their heads; beyond

The scale of corruption and cronyism is beyond the small mining syndicates DEAR EDITOR, Even though the two responses to my letter dealing with Caretaker President Granger’s meeting with members of the mining community come from disparate sources with markedly different tenor, I believe a cogent response can be delivered in a single reply.

Ms. Cherryl Williams, President of the National Mining Syndicate Inc. (NMSI) which was constituted in August 2019, claims “the establishment of mining syndicates can never be considered an act of cronyism”.

However, in 2017, it was noted in the Editorial of Stabroek News “the appearance at ‘syndicate meetings’ of contingents from places like Albouystown and parts of Berbice, creating the impression that the idea of syndicates seeks to target an audience that goes beyond traditional miners. That would appear to be consistent with the ‘philosophy’ of syndicates as articulated by Minister Broomes who says that the government is treating this initiative as an opportunity for Guyanese that goes beyond traditional miners.

The NMSI states clearly on their Facebook page that the syndicates were the brainchild of Simona Broomes (Junior Minister) who was also the person with lead responsibility on the allocation of lands for syndicates.

At the urging of the Granger administration, syndicates were formed, but soon complaints and stories of unusual transactions began to emerge. In October of 2017, a mining syndicate developed for small miners in the Toroparu, Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven, complained that it had been treated unfairly by the Government, after an application for 10 mining blocks has been turned down.

Chief Executive Officer of the Toroparu Mining Syndicate, Melanie Beharry said that the syndicate had initially applied for 29 blocks, based on the rules established that applications had to be for a minimum of 10 blocks. Three

applications later, the Syndicate was told that all the blocks it had applied for could not be granted as they were all currently occupied.

“We were told that it was given to a private individual.

We find this strange, because, during our meetings with the [Natural Resources Minister], Raphael Trotman and Simona Broomes [Minister within the Natural Resources Ministry], they emphasized that no one or two miners could apply for land in the closed area.”

The GGMC informed Beharry that the individual’s application was accepted, because he applied since January and applications were dealt with on a firstcome, first-served basis “But my major concern is, it doesn’t matter who apply for it first, it matters that it’s one person. You are going to give one man who doesn’t even have dredge, 20 blocks against a syndicate [of] 25 members.”

The Toroparu area was previously being developed

by ETK Inc., a subsidiary of Denver-based mining company Sandspring Resources Ltd. A pre-feasibility study completed for the Toroparu Project in 2013 at US$1400/oz gold outlined the design of an open-pit mine producing 228,000 ounces of gold per year over an initial 16-year mine life.

The estimated US$464 million pre-production capex is paid back in 2.6 years, with an after-tax IRR of 23.1% and an NPV5% of US$691 million.

This was public knowledge as it was shared on the Sandspring website.

The ploy/plight of syndicates was used to force EKT to relinquish the area. Many syndicate members exist as signatures only and have never engaged in mining.

Toroparu claims with solid geological evidence of gold were redistributed to APNU cronies and lesser ones to syndicates. The Syndicates also have no finance to build roads to the best claims, a deficiency that pooling resources were supposed to solve. Former Parliamentarian and Chairperson of the Karrau Mining Syndicate, Julia David-Blair made calls for an investigation.

“We want a full-fledged investigation and shuffling at GGMC…We need for this government to investigate.

We calling on SARU (State Assets Recovery Unit), we call on SOCU (Special Organised Crime Unit) to come in and help us investigate so that we can acquire the lands that we are asking for” Ms. Williams should produce data that supports her claim that the small miners are benefiting more than before.

Mere invective should never be a first response. The scale of corruption and cronyism is beyond the small mining syndicates who subsist on the crumbs that fall from the table.

The Public Affairs Officer for the Ministry of Natural Resources, offers nothing new in his ‘clarity’, save and except to say “a brief was prepared and submitted to His Excellency, outlining the existing areas to be discussed during the interaction” which rather proves my point that Mr. Granger has taken his eye off the ball and has left the batting to Mr. 2%, Raphael Trotman.

Mr. Granger’s spate of engagements with stakeholders from various sectors continue to reveal a pattern of disconnectedness, briefs are not enough, A President needs to be constantly engaged with the productive sectors.

It, therefore, comes as no surprise to me that David Granger has flown off on a ‘state’ visit to Berbice, where he plans to engage schoolchildren in New Amsterdam on the topic of Education; after all, he has not found a receptive audience for his hollow promises and platitudes among the adults of the nation.

Respectfully Robin Singh

No, you take a seat and read the relevant documents, Mr. Williams DEAR EDITOR, The letter by one Ranfred Williams, Managing Director of Quantum Technologies, exposes how desperate some elements are to target one of Guyana’s more formidable politicians, Bharrat Jagdeo – or as Ranfred Williams admits, a politician of “real caliber” – so desperate that they resort to blatant misinformation.

Ranfred Williams talks about Bharrat Jagdeo’s “expectation” of snap elections after the no-confidence motion was passed. Is Ranfred Williams not aware that Article 106 of the Constitution

their skills.

And yet these are the good folks standing as tribunes on behalf of a charging state or charged citizen. It is not a combination of circumstances that creates confidence.In conjunction with those, the shortages are also about deficiencies of character and the related ethics to drive these matters to successful conclusions.

And, last, they are about uncorroborated reports about attempts to ‘green the judicial environment’ (tamper) to realize specific outcomes. While these are argued over, these truths remain: the state looks incompetent and inefficient. Again.

The accused walks.

Again. The taxpayer has been shafted. Again. And the taxpaying public loses. Again.

of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana mandates that elections are to be held within three months of the passage of a no-confidence motion?

He talks about the importance of Local Government Elections being ignored under PPPC governments. Is Ranfred Williams not aware of what was taking place in the National Assembly, with the involvement of the PNC, which delayed the holding of Local Government Elections?

The letter writer also misleads when he says Bharrat Jagdeo referred to GECOM as a “runaway horse”, when it is headed by retired Justice Claudette Singh, who was chosen by Bharrat Jagdeo and nominated to President David Granger.

At no point in time did Bharrat Jagdeo refer to the GECOM Chairwoman as a “runaway horse”.

The GECOM Secretariat, however, is a different story.

Ranfred Williams seems ignorant of the distinction between the full Commission and the GECOM Secretariat that is headed by the Chief

Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield.

Before advising Bharrat Jagdeo to “take several seats”, Ranfred Williams should take just one seat and read the relevant documents that would ensure that when he chooses to criticize, he does so from an informed position.

Now in all this, there is one point that no one can run away from; not even the staunchest critics of the PPPC, and that is that Guyana’s standing as a nation that upholds democracy and constitutional rule is at risk.

After the no-confidence motion was passed in the National Assembly, the Caribbean Court of Justice said clearly that elections should have been held since March 21st, 2019.

It is now six months past that deadline. Are we as Guyanese prepared to suffer the consequences of being a nation where rule of law is not upheld by our own Government? I think not.

Yours Faithfully, Todd A. Morgan

Saturday September 14, 2019

WHERE IS APNU+AFC? DEAR EDITOR, As we very slowly but surely approach this much anticipated and unique general and regional election, something is strikingly odd.

Where is APNU+AFC? We are in election mode and the contemporary PPP Administration is very up-todate with information. There are interviews and press conferences very regularly on TV. They are also releasing these interview moments after airing on YouTube and on other popular social medial platforms.

I am not the biggest fan of social media, but it is the way of the world now, especially for young people. It is a very important tool to get your message out to the masses effectively, cheaply and efficiently.

At the time of penning this letter there was an interview “Discussion on issues of concern to young people” with Ifraan Ali - September 8, 2019, which was posted on their YouTube channel mere hours ago. There are also poster boards and outreaches around the country with information on the PPP’s manifesto. We know exactly what is going on with the Opposition quite amply.

Just for the heck of it, I decided to concentrate objectively on the Government for a change to get a better in-

sight and perspective of their programme and agenda for the country, in order to be fairminded, so I thought I would spend some time and search around for information.

No luck finding anything recent there at all! The last uploaded video on their channel on YouTube; “Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, visits the new building site of the Port Kaituma Hospital” was published on April 15, 2017 - more than two years ago!

I don’t have a Facebook account, so I really can’t say what is there, but I am sure nothing of recent significance, because these platforms reflect each other in some way or another and information is usually posted simultaneously by subscribers.

Even GECOM and other public offices which the government has involvement in are very obscure. This is not transparent or democratic at all, because the citizens have a right to know what is going on in the government at some level.So what is the reason for this disappearance? Your guess is as good as mine.

There is a stark difference, however, between now and when the parties campaigned in 2015.

I firmly believe that Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo answered it correctly when he said that they are terrified of the mere

word “election” they become ghastly pale and silent when that word is uttered within hearing distance. Mr Granger seems to be long gone somewhere, so ill-at-ease spokesman Joseph Harmon pokes his head out uncomfortably from behind a podium for a few moments now and then, mutters something and retracts back just as quickly into the shadows.

A shameful and cowardly bunch of people, resorting now to low “whisper campaigns” and other obstructive behaviour designed to stall the election process. Mr Jagdeo and his team are always trying to point out most kindly and respectfully to them that this “old fashioned” analog style of rigging elections - that was effective in the old Burnhamite/PNC days - cannot work in these modern digital times, where people are more educated and information is available at a moment-by-moment basis by almost everyone now.

Mr Granger should bite the bullet and call elections, get it over with quickly and face the inevitable consequences. It is the only decent thing left for him to do…because he and his “fossil” administration are only days away now from being totally non-existent.

Sincerely Shane Lindie

I am grossly disappointed in the failing system of Region Two DEAR EDITOR, The Kaieteur News of Wednesday, 11th September, 2019 on page 16, under the caption ‘Friction in Region Two reaches boiling point…

REO accused of assaulting Vice Chairman’.

Well, I like many others would not be surprised. I was not there, but the animosity that long exists between the two parties is palpable. Although I am not certain about the reason or reasons why, I know for sure that the relationship between the Re-

gional Executive Officer (R.E.O.) and the Regional Democratic Council (R.D.C.) or part of the Council, was not in the interest of the people of this Region.

I attended three consecutive meetings of the R.D.C. as a member of the public, and what I saw and listened to was disappointing to say the least.

I stopped going to those meetings because it was a waste of time.

The question is why the situation had to meet boiling point.

Students of a University shouldn’t have to suffer like this DEAR EDITOR, It is with pleasure that I applaud the University of Guyana for a timely restart to a new academic year.

On Thursday I had an International Finance class with Mr. Rawle Lucas. Mr. Lucas is a fantastic teacher. I don’t think anyone will have a problem with the way he teaches.

However, I could not have enjoyed the class because the room is hot! There’s no working fan inside of the room.

I mean, if the University asked me to help raise funds to have the fans purchased and placed inside of the room, I’ll be happy to do so. If otherwise, the room is as good as closed.

This is a class that is hot even after 6pm. Time after time I was stepping outside.

We the students cannot continue to sit and accept these types of treatment.

Jafar Gibbons

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I had written at least two letters to the editor of the major daily newspapers. I am not sure what was done or if anything was done, but by and large, the situation worsened to a point where it is now.

I am not pronouncing on who is innocent or guilty, but the system as it is currently has failed us big time.

I have served as a Regional Councillor for seven consecutive years during the tenure of two Regional Chairmen and abut four R.E.O’s, and what we are witnessing now, I am grossly disappointed.

Archie W. Cordis Former R.D.C. Councillor Region No. 2

Time to introduce our own legal education programme DEAR EDITOR, In discussions with lawyers, government employees and members of the public, I observed some uninformed objections to the establishment of a legal education certificate (L.E.C.) programme in Guyana. Most of the negativity seemed to be based on two sets of factors: lack of currency of knowledge, and protectionism.

Some believe that the introduction of such programme would be contrary to our commitment to the CARICOM Treaty. Others think Guyana already has too many lawyers. Yet, a sizeable number are in favour of such a programme.

As a strong advocate for the L.E.C. programme, which I am confident, would help to keep us along the path of sustainable national development and identity, I offer some light to opponents of the programme. Let me begin by stating that I am not totally opposed to protectionism, but those who hold steadfast should be cognizant of its limitations, especially, when the economic health our people and our national prosperity are at stake.

For those who believe we have too many lawyers, let them ponder the situation of the United States which has one lawyer for every three hundred people.

To come close to the U.S. scenario, Guyana would need to have about 2800 active lawyers.

Further, UWI’s Chancellor in 2011 stated that the region does not have too many lawyers. In like vein, Professor of Law, Justice Duke Pollard emphasized the strong connection between economic development and law and the legal system.

In essence, the protectionist view ignores Guyana’s dynamic as increasingly international business – economics-driven, and more importantly, the bourgeoning oil and gas economy in the current global context.

These new developments require a new breed of lawyers equipped with the relevant knowledge and skills to function transnationally.

Turning my attention to

those who are concerned about Caribbean integration, I would like to remind them that such integration has been at the crossroads from the inception.

Despite some positive trends in recent years, it remains a dream, depending on how one perceives it. Strong sociocultural and some economic cooperation will suffice, but to blend this medley of political economies into a functioning unified whole would be tantamount to mating a sheep and a goat.

More importantly, every country has a right to adopt and/or introduce policies and programmes that would benefit its populace.

Article 5 of the Council of Legal Education supports this position. The national development objective, therefore, must take priority and trump any conflicting regional policy.

Many would agree, too, that development requires among other elements, radical thinking matched by concomitant radical redesigning of the mechanisms necessary to usher and/or sustain progress. To that end, some countries have forged ahead.

In Jamaica, for example, the University of Technology has been offering the LLB degree since January 2009, and currently has an enrolment of over 200 students.

The leadership of that institution has also begun plans to offer a juris doctor

(JD) programme which is common in the US, and has gained momentum in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and continental Europe.

The common objective is not only to gain international recognition for their programmes, and by extension, their law graduates, but to prepare them to function effectively in an increasingly globalized world.

Similarly, Trinidad and Tobago has been in the forefront in its concern for the nation’s education.

It has more than 3,000 students studying through the University of London International (External) Programme.According to unofficial figures, as many as 40 persons graduate annually with an LLB through this distance programme.

In fact, on April 3, 2011, the University of London held a graduation ceremony at the Trinidad Hilton which had more than 100 students in attendance.

Further, the government has been facilitating students through the Government’s Assistance for Tuition Expenses Programme.

Not unlike Guyanese, many T&T LLB graduates find it difficult to gain places at the Hugh Wooding Law School. However, as an alternative, many go to England to complete a 7 to 9-month Legal Practice Course, and upon return, spend six (Continued on page 6)

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President David Granger’s Five B’s Initiative vs. PPP/C’s $10,000 per child one-off political gimmick DEAR EDITOR, I use this opportunity to respond to a statement that was made by PPP/C Chief Whip and MP, Ms. Gail Teixeira on the television programme, “Matters of Public Importance” on September 12, 2019 on CNS Channel 6, where she stated that, “President Granger removed the cash grant from school children.”

Ms. Teixeira should be ashamed to remind the nation that the APNU+AFC government has halted the $10,000 per child. The “Because we care” school grant which was an initiative under the previous PPP/C administration was a one-off political gimmick with the intention to enhance the PPP/C’s electoral chances in the 2015 elections.

However, the initiative was badly implemented and it was “fiscally unsustainable.”

The APNU/AFC Government has delivered significantly to Guyana’s education sector much more than the PPP/C did. Investing billions in the sector since taking office in 2015, the government has increased its annual contributions to various educational areas, which is clearly shown in the yearly budgetary allocation beginning from 2016.

In that year, a sum of $40.3B was given to the Ministry of Education. In 2017, another $43.1B was allocated.

A total of $44.1B and $52.3B was pumped into the same sector, in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

The move by the current administration has profited thousands, providing them with better opportunities for achieving a brighter future.

This commitment was made

Saturday September 14, 2019

Kaieteur News

by the Ministry of Education and by extension the government.

President David Granger’s Five B’s Initiative – providing boats, buses, bicycles, breakfast and books to students across Guyana also aided in many successes.

Under this programme, children in hinterland, riverine and targeted communities are now benefiting from the provision of buses, boats, bicycles, books and breakfast all free of charge. The ‘5 B’s Programme, has improved students’ access to schools and lowered the rate of school dropouts.

It has had a positive impact on education; much more than what the PPP/C’s offer of $10,000 to Guyanese children had, since primary school dropouts fell by 58% and secondary school dropouts fell by 25%.

Through this Five B’s Programme these school children can now enjoy having breakfast every morning in schools, if the parents are

unable to provide them with breakfast. Through this programme we can clearly see that the government is improving the lives of school children ten times more than the PPP/C did with the ten thousand cash grant, because these are not one-off initiatives.The PPP/C by now should take several seats when it comes to the Coalition government and education, since Guyana has recorded a 73% overall pass rate in grades one to three at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. This is the best performance the country has seen, with 11,467 students having written the exams.

In closing, education is the vehicle to success and the children are our future. With no doubt, the APNU+AFC government is committed to ensuring that education will continue to be placed as first priority under the David Granger administration.

Yours sincerely, Ceion Rollox

Why are the ABC countries still silent?

DEAR EDITOR, In a letter published in another newspaper on August 5, 2019, it was stated therein, that the ABC Countries need to be more specific with the PNC–led APNU+AFC Coalition Government (now of caretaker status) to call General Elections immediately in keeping the Constitutional timeframe.

To date no such call has been made by any member of the International Community with any degree of specificity, and their silence continues as if there is no justifiable reason for Guyanese to be concerned as the APNU+AFC Caretaker Government continues to function with full and unfettered powers and dominance over Guyana.

The ABC Nations profess

while, the relevant authority has been dragging its feet in permitting foreign common law-trained lawyers, including several with a University of Guyana LLB, to be admitted to practice under the reciprocity clause of the Act. It should be noted that we have benefitted from the voluntary exportation of intellect over the last several decades.

Legal training would now extend that realm, as our locallytrained attorneys would be able to easily enter foreign markets. But first, we need to have a programme that would adequately prepare them for the marketplace, both local and foreign.

Put simply, the current system which puts all emphasis on the L.E.C. at Hugh Wooding is discriminatory, and does not fit into Guyana’s long term national goals.

Further, the Department of Law at the University of Guyana should initiate negotiations with U.S., Canadian and Latin American universities to introduce study abroad semesters which would promote emulsification and diversification of our education and training, and culture.

Such programmes would have the added benefit of serving as long-term marketing tools for the University of Guyana, and ultimately the nation. It would bring many foreign students, and with them, foreign currency and cultural diversity.

appliance and presidential prerogative embodied in the Constitution) Parliament in November 2014, and pressured the PPP/C Government by way of spurious pronouncements to dissolve Parliament and set a date for General Elections.

From a civil standpoint, the ABC Representatives in Guyana should advise President David A. Granger without delay, to issue his proclamation of dissolving Parliament (National Assembly and Regional Democratic Councils) on or before September 18, 2019 and set a date for General Elections in order to avoid any political crisis, in the best interest of the Guyanese people.

Sincerely yours, Paul Ramrattan

THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TRUST IN GUYANA’S POLITICAL CIRCLES DEAR EDITOR, Guyana’s many problems stem mainly from distrust between the PPP and the PNC. This distrust came about

Time to introduce our own legal ...

From page 5 months under supervision at a Law office and thereafter, are admitted to practice in T&T. Clearly, this is a commendable initiative, which came under cloud recently.

Taking cognizance of the initiatives of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, it would be wise for Guyana to embark on a similar drive to facilitate and promote our LLB graduates. Currently, one such opportunity or lacuna exists for Guyanese, but unexplored by lawyers, most of whom have never read the Legal Practitioners Act. Mean-

amongst third world countries to promote and uphold democracy as the pillar of freedom of choice to govern and the civil rights of citizens.

Then why after nine-plus months of the passing of a valid No-Confidence Vote since December 21, 2018 - has no definitive call been made by the ABC Representatives for the Government to hold General Elections. Is there a reason for the ABC Countries’ soft stance towards the APNU+AFC Caretaker Government?

It is noteworthy to mention that the ABC Countries were very much instrumental and accommodating by joining the then APNU and AFC (combined) Parliamentary Opposition back in 2014-2015 when President Donald Ramotar prorogued (a legal

In essence, we should hasten to establish our own legal education programme, or accept some alternative initiative, as part of our push for sustainable development.

Myopic naysayers should seek corrective national, racial and political lenses. A failure to see the global picture would continue to leave many of our LLB skills undeveloped, and they will continue to walk around in ‘no-man’s’ land. At the end of the day, politics and the national economy would suffer.

The establishment of our own legal training programme therefore, is imperative.

Ronald Singh Barrister & Solicitor; Former Head, Dept. of Law, UG

when the PPP split, with Forbes Burnham forming the PNC and Cheddi Jagan holding onto the PPP. It has been over 50 years and yet this distrust has not been resolved.

This political distrust has translated into social distrust, at times leading to racial polarization, between mainly Indians (who tend to support the PPP) and Africans (who tend to support the PNC).

Guyana’s problems are not social and economic per se; it is political, which affects the country’s social and economic performance.

Many social commentators have acknowledged that Guyana has a political problem, yet few seem to want to make moves to build bridges to end this distrust.

It is now up to the ordinary Guyanese man and woman to say “enough is enough”.

The PPP and the PNC are not about to turn over a new leaf and work together to build trust. If anything, the politi-

cal scene is getting more and more acrimonious as we move into Elections. It is either they work together or Guyanese kick them both out of High Office.

The problem is that there are no viable alternatives and the PPP and PNC know this.

So what can be done?

The only alternative left is to go separate ways.

When reconciliation is not working, then it is time to explore going separate ways unless Guyanese want to spend the next fifty years repeating the mistakes of the past?

Some may say that partition is harsh, but the PPP and the PNC are the cause of Guyanese problems as they continually seek to blame each other for everything under the sun.

They’ve got to work together or go their separate ways, there’s no point in them dragging the Guyanese society down with them.

Yours faithfully, Sean Ori

LIFE BEYOND THIS WORLD DEAR EDITOR, It is awe-inspiring to see that the world has been given a gift of another planet beyond our solar system that has water. Per the Economist’s recent article titled “Exoplanets.

The first planet beyond the solar system confirmed to have water”.

This is a very humbling discovery and brings hope for the future of humanity as our technology, capabilities and population continue to blossom.

Every achievement and goal we have should be placed in the perspective that

there is another planet beyond our solar system that is twice our size that we may be able to inhabit. 110 Light Years away sits K2-18b, a planet which should help humanity remember their fragility and insignificance in the scope of our Galaxy.

Which would we prefer, to have to leave our Earth to start over in another one which is unknown where we may be prey, or to take care of what is ours and embrace our place in the Galaxy with humble regard?

It’s a beautiful and very mind-clearing experience to know that we are, but a small

part in the large beautiful work of existence. K2-18b!

It makes me think of how happy and content one should be with what is our own and how beautiful one can make it so that it endures beyond the time when man steps upon K2-18b to taste that water from another planet.

And while men dream of this, I will enjoy the taste of clean accessible water in my own home. Let’s make and keep our homeland beautiful and useable for generations to come.

Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee

Saturday September 14, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Saturday September 14, 2019

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GPL in race to find over 100 megawatts in next three years The countrys main electricity company which accounts for 203,000 customers is continuing to skate on thin ice when it comes to generation.

The story has been the same in the last decade or so…too little reserves, a growing demand for power and not enough money raised in time to build new power plants.

To compound all the woes about a downed submarine cable line, there is confirmation that within three years, a number of engines, totaling over 27 megawatts, will reach their life span, and be ready to be on standby or retired.

The disclosures were made yesterday at the Herdmanston Lodge, Lamaha Street, when board members of the states Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) and management engaged stakeholders including the regulator, the Public Utilities Commission; and members of the public.

There was a poor turnout

The public meeting yesterday at the Herdmanston Lodge. from the public but GPL was upbeat about the future.

On the short term, there is likely within the next few weeks of more outages.

This is because the damaged submarine cable across the Demerara River, which brings power to East Demerara and Berbice from the 26-megawatts Vreed-enHoop power plant is still under repairs.

The cable was badly laid and has been damaged a number

of times by anchors of vessels, GPL says.

The unavailability of the cable had forced GPL to run an alternative, smaller capacity cable leaving them short of six megawatts that are badly needed from Vreed-enHoop.

In past weeks, the shortage of power, coupled with engines taken down for maintenance, have been compounding the blackout woes.

According to Albert Gordon, the Chief Executive Officer, while under normal circumstances, there are 142 megawatts of power available, with the demand 116, leaving GPL with a about

26 megawatts of reserve power, the reality now is much different.

A number of downed engines and maintenance has left GPL tottering when it comes to generation. There are only 120 megawatts available currently, with peak demand at 116.

That is borderline, GPL acknowledged, Between the 2020-2024 period, GPL is forecasting a demand of 200 megawatts.

With power plants taking up to two years to plan and build before commissioning, the situation is a worrisome for GPL. Apologising and calling for patience, GPLs board

chairman, Rawle Lucas said that between, June 1 to August 29th, there were over 77 outages about eight outages daily with the areas between Charlestown to Timehri the most affected.

One of the biggest problems remains redundancy, with lack of alternative cables and transmission lines compounding the issues.

He said that moves are being made to build new lines between Sophia and Kingston and one that links Craig, East Bank Demerara to the West side.

However, these are more for the mid and long term/.

According to Gordon,

there are plans to add over 40 megawatts of solar power to the current Demerara/ Berbice interconnected system; Anna Regina, Bartica, Leguan and Wakenaam.

Next month, the damaged submarine cable is expected to be up.

Almost 16 megawatts more from Kingston will be brought back online shortly after maintenance, Gordon explained.

GPL said that it intends to hold the public engagements every quarter.

PUC, the regulator, has been reporting that GPL is the company with the most complaints.

Joe Biden confuses Guyana with Ghana Ive been to Ghana, Ive been all through Africa Washington Examiner – 2020 presidential front-runner Joe Biden confused the South American country of Guyana for the African nation of Ghana while speaking at a campaign event.

Biden, 76, joined Adam Sexton of WMUR in Manchester, New Hampshire, for a town hall in the network’s latest installment of Conversation with the Candidate, which aired on Thursday.

“Growing up as a child in Guyana, my grandfather used to tell us stories that God made the United States. He told us about the wonders and freedoms in this country. I live my life striving to be an American citizen and I’m proud to have achieved t h a t g o a l , ” Te r r a n c e Geenarain stated. “As president what will you do so that future grandfathers share the stories of our great nation?”

“I have been to Ghana, I’ve been all through Africa

and one of the things everybody has to remember is that we are — we have led the world not just by the example of power, but the power of our example,” Biden began. “ We h a v e b e e n t h a t shining city on a hill for real,” he continued. “Every generation that’s come here, whether it was my great, great grandfather Owen Finnegan getting on a coffin ship in the Irish Sea in 1849, or you coming from Ghana, everybody who’s come had to have courage. It took real courage to decide I’m going to change everything that I know, and leave everything that is comfortable to me, and what I’m going to, is I’m going to take a risk.”

Since entering the race months ago, Biden has consistently made mistakes while campaigning. Recently, he misspoke when retelling the story of a war hero, the dates of the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., while also claiming he was still vice president during the Majory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting despite him having been out of office.

Earlier this week, a member of the former vice president’s inner circle criticized the media’s coverage of his campaign, arguing, “I don’t know of anybody who has taken as sustained and vitriolic a negative pounding as Biden.”

Saturday September 14, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Where is my receipt?

Believe it or leave it! There are persons in Guyana who when they leave home, travel with exact money to make their purchases and pay for their transportation.

Years ago, during a period when the price of petrol had increased at the pumps, a particular minibus owner, who was also the buss conductor, decided to arbitrarily hike the fare by G$ 20. One commuter was neither aware nor prepared for that increase and therefore when he handed the conductor the old fare, he was told that he needed to pay $20 more.

He protested, saying that the amount he tendered was the regular fare that he paid.

The conductor was unsympathetic. He simply told the man

that the price of gasoline had increased and that the bus fare on his bus had also increased. The man protested.

He argued that the government had not approved any increase. This rattled the conductor who indicated that the bus was registered in his name and not in the name of the government and therefore the government could not determine how much should be charged.

The exchange between the man and the conductor was lengthy, since neither was budging. As such one of the other passengers offered to pay the $20, knowing that the man did not have the extra money.

The man however was un-

moved.

He decided that smart man was going to meet his match. He took the $20 that was offered but told the conductor that he wanted a receipt.

Now this is the first time in history that any passenger on a minibus had demanded a receipt. Before the conductor could protest, the man indicated that he was not paying any fare unless he got a receipt. The conductor obviously was caught off- guard but being a smart man himself he tore out a piece of paper, wrote a receipt and gave it to the man with outstretch hands waiting to collect his fare.

The man looked at the paper, turned it around and

Dem boys seh ...

People think Guyana bad People always talking bout crime in Guyana. A man snatch a chain and is a big thing. People suddenly calling pun Ram Jattan to tek action to keep such people off de streets.

A man park he bicycle outside he work place and anodda man pick it up and ride away. People does raise heaven and hell fuh de minister to put more police pun de streets.

Don’t talk bout when gunmen attack a house and rob and even shoot people.

This crime situation even tun a political issue. Dem have people who mek out Guyana to be de worse place when it come to crime. Of course dem have people who would seh

that things not so bad but when people show video of bicycle people attacking people and robbing dem at gunpoint don’t help de situation.

That why dem boys couldn’t help but notice a case that happen in New York. That is a place wheh police does respond like lightning. Dem have nuff police cars and sometimes when de police turn up close behind does be de fire service and de ambulance.

People does feel safe.

That is why people sometimes believe that Guyana is de wuss place fuh crime. Imagine de shock when a lady who never see a crime in Guyana go to New York and get rob at

she gate. This lady go on holiday wid she baby.

She never get rob in Guyana wheh she born and raise. A gunman tackle she and point a gun at she oneyear-old baby and rob she nuff money, some of which was not even she own. De shock mek she decide fuh pack up and come back home wheh she feel more safe.

Dem boys seh that people does cuss Guyana but if dem look around dem would realize that Guyana is not bad at all. People don’t get killed when dem go to de cinema or when dem go shopping.

Talk half and don’t believe Guyana as bad as some people seh.

asked, “Where is the revenue stamp?”

At present, there is no regard for passengers. You enter a bus and before you can be seated, the bus pulls off. You are thrown backward by the momentum. There is no concern for service and that is due to the lack of competition. And you have to pay the full fare!

If there was competition between transport operators, the service would have been better and fares would have been more economical. But since passengers are prepared to accept whatever is given to them even though they are paying, they are forced to be pricetakers.

It is the passengers who

have to begin to assert their rights by demanding to know the fare before they enter a bus and by demanding better service. If you are paying for a seat, then there should be no overloading.

And no police rank should have to enforce this rule. Once it happens, passengers should protest.

But too often what we see at bus parks is a mad rush to get on board, so much so that some passengers seem glad just to get inside the bus, even if the bus was overloaded.

In one instance, at the Stabroek Market Square, there was a mad scramble to board a bus. One man was desperately trying to get on the overcrowded bus.

But the more he tried the

more he was pushed away by the many persons already inside and others trying to get on. After a while, somebody said, “Theres no room. Its full !”

“But you must let me on!” shouted the man.

“Why, whats so special about you?” the people asked. ”Im the driver,” replied the man (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

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Saturday September 14, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Police rank abuses Business Minister The police rank who abused the Minister of Business on the ferry last week will probably be severely chastised or even suspended, because he was hostile to a minister of government. But think of how many times in each day of each year, police ranks have harassed and mistreated the ordinary citizens of this country.

What has each Home Affairs Minister learnt since Independence about the police force? There is a story I have heard since I was a little boy about the

localized market, the sugar industry and the police force. It goes like this. Each has its own sub-culture and it will never change.

One just has to live with it, because that is how market people, the sugar industry and police attitude are.

I grew up and came to see that reality for myself.

Any market you go to - in Berbice, Georgetown, Parika etc., market people have a certain style and behavioural pattern. It was the same on any sugar estate. It is the same with policemen. But the similarity

ends there.

The sugar industry is gone. A substantial number of people do not interact with market folks. They go to the supermarkets. The last time I went to the fish ponds of Bourda market was December last year.

But police culture affects the entire nation. The incident with the business minister was loud music emanating from the rank’s car. The minister spoke to him, pointing out the disturbing effects it had on other persons in the ferry.

The minister then received

what countless Guyanese endure in this country.

If there is a police culture that is not in keeping with civilized norms in Guyana and it is a hardened nut to crack, then politicians cannot ask for people’s vote then throw their hands up in despair and exclaim after they win power that this is how the police are, and it is not easy to get them to change.

In terms of human behaviour and the dynamics that drive human thinking, this explanation is nonsense. There is nothing in the mentality of leadership that cannot change the erring, illegal, unacceptable ways of police behaviour in Guyana.

For ruling politicians to say there is an unchanging police culture that is not easy to control is immoral deception. Leadership and obligation are the mechanism that can be used to change misconduct in the abuse of authority by lesser officials.

Ruling politicians (and this includes both PPP and APNU+AFC governments) are lying when they point to bad police conduct that cannot be easily eradicated. They simply do not want to confront the problem. What will never appear in the repertoire of columns from me anymore is the impropriety of random stops

by traffic cops.

I have written so many times of that unorthodoxy that I have become truly disgusted with the failure of senior police officers and ruling politicians to stop it. They do not want to stop it. They can, but they are just not interested.

I see random stops almost on a daily basis, in which traffic ranks push out their hand, stop drivers and request their documents. No reason is given for intercepting the vehicle. What is so intractable about this action that it cannot be eradicated?

The business minister had a taste of what ordinary folks go through. Unfortunately Ryan Crawford lost his temper and in the process lost his advantageous position. The rank had to offer him a reason for bringing the vehicle to a halt.

Once he didn’t offer a reason, Crawford should have remained silent, turned on the television monitor in his car and stayed there indefinitely. If a call was made to tow him away, he should have accepted that and fought for his rights.

Instead, he cussed down and got six charges.

The police rank was never disciplined for failing to offer Crawford a reason for stopping him.

Frederick Kissoon The story of the business minister and the police in the ferry is over. This very minister will go about his work in relation to his portfolio and will not lift a finger in the future to bring about changes in the police force.

I am assuming, though I admit I may be wrong, that he will argue that his jurisdiction in government is finance, commerce and business, and it is for the relevant ministers (Ramjattan and the President (Lil Joe is no longer second in command though he is de facto second) to deal with improper police conduct. If the minister argues this way he is wrong. He is a Cabinet member that has the power to change the way state authority is being abused.

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

Saturday September 14, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Saturday September 14, 2019

High Court reverses Royston King s dismissal as Town Clerk - declares City Hall CoI unlawful

By Feona Morrison Declaring that the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) which recommended that Royston King be sacked as Town Clerk is null, void and of no legal effect, Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall yesterday ruled that the Local Government Commission (LGC) acted unlawfully in dismissing him from the post.

According to Kings lawyers, Maxwell Edwards and Patrice Henry while the judge refused to grant an order reinstating him to the post, the judges rulings means that King remains Town Clerk with the status quo being of September 21, 2018 when he was ordered to proceed on administrative leave.

His lawyers said that King is still entitled to all the benefits that come with the post.

The Judge awarded costs to King in the sum of $200,000.

Reacting to the ruling, King told reporters, “I gave thanks to God and my lawyers whose advice I am being guided by and to all the people who cared and reached out to me during this hard time.”

Asked whether he would return to the post, King said, “I will be guided by the advice of my lawyers.”

He, nevertheless, stated he is very happy with the court ruling and has always exercised confidence in the court system.

“Today justice has been done and I have been vindicated,” King added. He says he now welcomes any lawful investigation the LGC wishes to undertake.

Following a CoI held from September 24 to November 30, 2018, and headed by retired Judge Cecil Kennard, King was cited for gross misconduct, abuse of office, recklessness, dishonesty, conspiracy, and misappropriation of funds.

Among the recommendations made by the CoI was for King to be dismissed.

King was sent on administrative leave, and subsequently had his services terminated. In ruling that the setting up, investigations, findings and recommendations of the CoI are null, void and of no legal effect, Justice Morris-Ramlall held that the LGC had no authority under the law to

delegate its investigatory powers to a CoI, which does not form part of the LGC or the local government body.

While the Judge said that the LGC is permitted under the relevant laws to delegate its investigatory powers, such powers have to be assigned to a body within the LGC. Kings lawyers had described Justice Kennard as a stranger since he is not a member of the Local government Organ, a staff or employee, as outlined in the Local Government Commission Act. The Judge said that the LGC misconstrued itself when it formed the view that Sections 14 and 19 of the Local Government Commission Act and Article 79 of the Constitution of Guyana gave it the power to transfer its investigatory powers to an outside body.

Section 14 of the Local Government Commission Act specifically deals with investigations by the commission.

Section 14 (1) states, “For the purpose of the exercise and discharge of its functions under this Act, the Commission shall have the power to initiate and conduct

investigations into the activities of any local government organ including the power regarding staff referred to in Section 13 (2).”

That Section adds, “The Commission shall deal with all matters relating to staffing of local government organs and in particular shall- (a) be responsible for employment, transfer, discipline and dismissal of staff; and (b) approve of remuneration, superannuation, training, leave and promotion of staff.”

According to Section 19 of the said Act, “The Commission may delegate, in written form, to any local government organ authority to perform duties and discharge function on its behalf as it may determine.”

Article 78 of the Constitution which deals with local government elections provides that, “Parliament may make provisions for the election of members of local democratic organs (including the commencement of balloting before the day appointed for holding an election) and for all other matters relating to their membership, powers, duties, functions and

responsibilities.”

Justice Morris-Ramlall held, “The intention of the Local Government Commission Act is clear. The respondent [the LGC] is permitted to delegate its powers but only within the local government system.”

She noted that the LGC acted blindly upon the recommendations of the CoI when it instituted disciplinary charges against King and later terminating his services. The Judge said that there was no evidence to show that the LGC conducted any independent investigations.

During the trial, lawyers for King have contended that the LGC dismissed their client without a hearing and that the Terms of Reference of the CoI had nothing to do with the recommendations. They had also argued that inadmissible hearsay evidence was accepted and admitted in the CoI which renders their clients dismissal nugatory.

According to the lawyers, “The Local Government Commission in summarily dismissing (King) took no evidence, acted solely on an unauthorized CoI Report which criteria for hearsay

irrelevant evidence was rampant, and consequently this decision was disguised, as if an opportunity was granted to facilitate a hearing, when in fact same is cosmetic, null, void and of no legal effect.” In an affidavit, King said that he began working at age 24 with the M&CC permanently and continuously from 1989, as an Environmental Health Assistant, up until he became Press Officer, then later Public Relations Officer, and finally Town Clerk at the time of his summary dismissal.

He added, “My last appointment in the municipality was on July 14, 2015 in the capacity of Town Clerk for the city of Georgetown. While working in this capacity, many challenges would have confronted the Council and those which are relevant to my appointment. I would devise all legal and lawful methods to discharge my functions earnestly, conscientiously and sincerely in the best interest of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown.”

King, through the (Continued on page 26)

Saturday September 14, 2019

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Kaieteur News

HIV gains could be lost if key populations are unchecked – PANCAP meeting hears The fight to combat the scourge of HIV/AIDS must remain valiant even as countries, Guyana being no exception, aim to end AIDS by the United Nations-proposed 2030 timeline.

But the gains made could be easily lost if key populations vulnerable to HIV are allowed to go unchecked, untreated and unsupported in their respective countries.

The outcome of this worst fear could see entire societies suffering, said Trinidadian Ian Ramdahin, the guest speaker at the Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS [PANCAP] second joint regional dialogue with parliamentarians, faith leaders, civil society leaders, national AIDS programme managers and youth leaders, this week.

He stated that the region recognises that HIV and AIDS are critical developmental problems which have the potential to affect the present and future quality of life, labour, families, communities and the national economy.

“We do not want to be in this state, so let us all work together for the common good of humanity,” Ramdahin urged those who attended the meeting spearheaded by the Turkeyen-based PANCAP. He further emphasised that the Region can rest assured that the improvements expressed and gains achieved thus far, as

Ian Ramdahin well as forthcoming recommendations, will not only serve to foster an efficient and sustained response to HIV and AIDS within the region but also contribute to other areas that impact on communities’ health and wellbeing.

He, moreover, challenged participants during the dialogue to take a deep insightful look at the PANCAP’s Justice-For-All [JFA] programme, which, he said, encompasses the adoption of the CARICOM Model Anti-Discrimination Legislation 2012.

The JFA programme also gives due consideration to recommendations that will improve the mechanisms for enhanced inter-regional collaboration within CARICOM member States and take into consideration the targets established by the

United Nations High-Level Meeting Political Declaration [June 2016] on ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. It also embraces the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs] approved by 192 nations at the United Nations in September 2015 and the commitments made by civil society, faith-based and other implementing stakeholder groups.

“Despite the successes to date, let us not become complacent or despondent about the world economic and financial downturns. We are here on a mission and tasked with ascertaining innovative ways for addressing how to sustain our responses for ending HIV and AIDS by 2030,” Ramdahin said.

He went on to note that the future goal of ending AIDS by 2030 is achievable and will only be sustained through the collective efforts of parliamentarians, faith leaders, civil society leaders, youth and National AIDS Programme [NAP] Managers working in harmony to ensure open, honest and consistent dialogue and collaboration to unlock and overcome the barriers for achieving regional and international goals.

“In making your respective contributions at this second Regional Dialogue, please be guided

by CARICOM’s Vision statement which proposes a Caribbean Community that is integrated, inclusive and

57 complete heavy-duty equipment and apiculture course Fifty-seven young people have completed heavy-duty equipment and apiculture training at the Madewini Training Centre.

The programme was facilitated by the Ministry of the Presidencys Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport, the Youth Empowerment Unit and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

Thirty-two graduated from heavy-duty equipment operation, while the remaining twenty-five graduated from the apiculture programme.

Delivering the feature address at the graduation ceremony, Assistant Director of Youth, Leslyn Boyce advised the graduates to use this opportunity to further their selfdevelopment and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

“You were all given a second chance to educa-

tion and have made good use of it. You have displayed discipline and commitment that are commendable…now that you are empowered much rests on your shoulder so I, therefore, charge you to go into your respective communities and make a difference,” she said.

“We are living in a culture in which time is changing every day.

Some of the occupations that you are involved in today were non-existent in the past. We hope that you use the certificate that you have received to not only gain employment but to also matriculate into other programmes so that you can remain relevant in society,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BIT, Richard Maughn urged.

The heavy-duty equipment graduates will soon benefit from excavator

training at Guyana Industrial Training Centre, as a way to solidify their existing skills.

Graduating from heavyduty equipment operation course, Sharmella Tyson stated that “the experience has been really great. I have learnt a lot, today, I can operate a bobcat machine”.

A fellow graduate, Analisa James said, while she has a “passion for computers”, she made a conscious decision to step outside her comfort zone.

She opted to enroll in the heavy-duty equipment operation to acquire a new skill.

“I really feel great about this programme. I know that it will have a positive impact on my life, and I will continue to work to develop within this field,” James said. (A DPI feature)

resilient; driven by knowledge, excellence, innovation and productivity; a Community where every citizen is secure and has the opportunity to realise his or her potential with guaranteed human rights and social justice; and contributes to, and shares in, its economic, social and cultural prosperity; a Community which is a unified and competitive force in the global arena,” Ramdahin urged.

He advised during the recent forum too that a vision is needed to start the process of charting the course and invited stakeholders to keep this vision in mind as they deliberate on the joint National and Regional Level Policy Formulation and Activities for advancing the short, medium and long term goals of the PANCAP’s JFA Roadmap.

The second PANCAP dialogue, Ramdahin said, represents yet another step in the way forward for laying the foundations for increasing engagement and promoting solidarity among stakeholder groups.

The PANCAP dialogue came to fruition even as Guyana redoubles its efforts to wage war against threatening HIV/AIDS trends. In its mid-year report, government admitted that the incidence of HIV grew to 142 cases per 100,000 persons, significantly higher than the 2018 rate of 117 per 100,000 persons.

In the face of this dilemma, “testing for HIV remains one of the most important activities in the fight against the virus,” government stated in the report.

To this end, and in its pursuit to achieve the 90-9090 Treat All HIV Policy, government said that it has committed to increasing HIV testing and, with the help of Non-Governmental Organisations [NGOs], aim to augment access to testing of vulnerable groups.

The 90-90-90 goal is one which aims to ensure that by next year all people living with HIV will know their HIV status; all people diagnosed as positive will receive sustained treatment and all people receiving treatment

will have viral suppression.

Even as moves are made to ramp up testing, government said that, through its Public Health Ministry, it is poised to ensure that the package of care offered through the collaboration with NGOs will include sensitisation, the distribution of condoms and linking persons to care and treatment sites. Furthermore, government in the report detailed plans to pilot new initiative as a countermeasure against HIV. Already set in motion is the establishment of a publicprivate partnership with doctors within the private sector to whom patients are to be referred for treatment.

“While the cost of treatment will remain free, the patient will be required to cover the doctor’s consultation fee,” the Mid-report outlined. Also government promised the introduction Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, which is a course of HIV drugs taken as a pre-emptive measure against the spread of disease, particularly targeted at vulnerable groups.

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Kaieteur News

Natural Resource Fund…

Private Sector Commission looking to diaspora for nominee The Private Sector Commission (PSC) is looking to the diaspora to find its nominee for the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee, tasked with overlooking the operationalisation of the Natural Resource Fund.

Passed in January, the Natural Resource Fund Act lists two committees that are to ensure it is managed properly: the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee and the Investment Committee.

During a presentation of the mid-year report last month, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, in response to questions about the countrys progression to First Oil, told members of the media that Government had sent out letters to all entities that will play a part in the fund, and that it had received from most of them, either notice of their nominee, or notice that theyre working toward naming someone.

Otherwise, he had said that Government still needs to receive nominees for two entities; the PSC and the Opposition, respectively.

The Opposition has rejected the opportunity to name any bodies. When

that the accounts will be opened, but that the operationalisation of the fund would be hampered by the refusal of certain entities to name their committee members.

In a recent telephone interview with PSC Chairman, Gerry Gouveia, Kaieteur News was informed that the Commission is currently working on naming a nominee. The Chair noted that the Natural Resource Fund requires persons of a certain standard to

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan

PSC Chair, Gerry Gouveia

asked about its reason for rejection during a recent press conference, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, had said that it has differences with Government that are “more fundamental than just sitting on the body.”

He contends that the Natural Resource Fund Act was passed during a period when the Government was illegal (following the December 21, 2018 No Confidence Motion), and that that means its illegal. He further stated that the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) would win the next

General and Regional Elections, and that it would in no time put all the necessary provisions in place to ensure Guyanas readiness for oil, including a repeal and replacement of the current Natural Resource Fund in a very short period.

Of the PSC, Minister Jordan said “We have sent out letters to the PSC and they have not even favoured us with a response as to whether they are going to name their people to the different committees or not.”

The Minister had said

perform the functions of the various committees, and provided that the PSC has resorted to looking overseas for capable candidates. Gouveia refuted any insinuation that the PSC may not have been cooperative with Governments efforts to operationalise the fund.

The Act states that the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee has the specific responsibilities of monitoring and evaluating the compliance of the Government

and other relevant actors with the Acts provisions; monitoring and evaluating whether the Fund is being managed in accordance with principles of transparency, good governance and international best practices; providing independent assessment of the management of the Fund and utilisation of withdrawals; and facilitating public consultations on the management of the Fund and utilisation of withdrawals.

Lyte left in the dark…

Teachers’ union demands “forward movement” on salary negotiations - says govt. failure to honour agreement stalling process With elections talks currently in overdrive mode, little to nothing is being said about salary negotiations between the Guyana Teachers Union [GTU] and the Ministry of Education. It was just such a development that resulted in the union agitating its members into industrial action on multiple occasions under this current administration.

Salary negotiations between the parties had commenced in March but were stalled due to failure on the part of government to entirely honour an agreement with the union. That agreement was inked in October, 2018, and expired by the end of the year. As a result some aspects of the agreement should have been honoured earlier this year.

The second half of the year has long commenced and the union is still waiting for government to honour its obligation. Lyte said the union is not pleased about this. Speaking to this publication yesterday, he said that while a circular had advised that teachers are likely to receive clothing allowances this term for the period 2016-2019 in accordance with the agreement, there has been no further word about other outstanding aspects.

According to the circular, teachers are expected to receive allowances on their September salaries which this publication understands should be payable by next Friday [September 20].

But the union, and by extension teachers, are yet to hear when they will be afforded an agreed upon $10,000 for Special Needs teachers and the monthly debunching scale for teachers. This publication understands the Ministry

GTU President, Mark Lyte should have applied a scaled debunching system for teachers since earlier this year. Based on the agreement, teachers were paid a one-off $350 M for debunching monies owed to them for the period 2011 – 2018 and the scaled system would have been activated this year.

Sharing his concern about the delay, Lyte said yesterday that the union is still waiting for the “forward movement in relation to the negotiations.”

“Our position still remains the same on this matter, we have been saying to the Ministry we are willing to resume negotiations, providing that the outstanding matters are resolved but they have not given an indication when teachers will be placed on their scales; they have not given an indication when the $10,000 for special needs teachers is going to be paid.”

There is, however, a positive amidst the disheartenment. According to Lyte, “Presently we are having the

committee meeting for the Housing Revolving Fund so that is in progress.”

Reiterating the union’s stance, Lyte added, “There are things outstanding we want to see movement on, and until such time no further negotiations are going to take place.”

When asked if the union has a timeline by which it expects government to fulfil its obligations, Lyte would only say that the union will make such developments public knowledge after consultations with its membership on the way forward.

Last month Lyte was optimistic that the salary negotiations would have resumed early this school term. At that time, too, he disclosed that the union had been able to address with the Ministry matters such as the schools’ remediation programme.

He’d also shared the union’s expectation that a circular on Whitley Council leave would be disseminated to schools early this school term.

Saturday September 14, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Govt. informs GECOM of challenge to House-to-House ruling Governments appeal of Chief Justice Roxanne Georges ruling on the challenge to House-to-House Registration was one of the matters discussed at a meeting yesterday, between the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition.

That and several other aspects of the discussion have drawn the ire of Opposition-nominated Commissioners, who are accusing Government of trying to intimidate the Commission into delaying General and Regional Elections.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Minister of Public Health and Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) Chairwoman, Volda Lawrence, said that Government has been assured that the information from the House-to-House exercise will be used in the upcoming elections. But it doesnt end there.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, had told reporters on Wednesday “There could be no question of merging the current register with the new register,” as he explained that he intends to file an application for a stay of the effects of the Chief Justices ruling, as Government waits for a resolution of its appeal of the ruling.

Government has raised several concerns over the as-

GECOM and APNU+AFC in a meeting yesterday pect of the Chief Justices ruling, which states that persons should not be removed from the list.

According to Commissioner Charles Corbin, the Attorney General explained this matter to Justice Singh at yesterdays meeting, at her request, as she had sought clarity on what exactly Government intends to achieve from the challenge. Corbin told Kaieteur News that the meeting was very amicable.

But Commissioners Sase Gunraj, Robeson Benn and Bibi Shadick, are now accusing Government of trying to intimidate GECOM. A press statement from the three Commissioners reads “It seems as though he [Williams] wants to delay the

holding of elections until the hearing of this matter, possibly by the Caribbean Court of Justice.”

In a telephone interview with Kaieteur News last night, Gunraj explained that the meeting happened very abruptly, as it wasn t scheduled until after the Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, and his delegation met with GECOM. He also said that the large delegation of nine ministers likely means it was their intention to intimidate.

A certain utterance by Justice Claudette Singh, to the Leader of the Opposition, during their meeting on Tuesday, had left many to wonder whether she had committed to having General and Regional Elections held before the end

of the year, despite several Commissioners stating that the timelines currently proposed by the Secretariat can only place elections as early as March, 2020.

But yesterday, after the meeting of the Commission and the coalition, it was revealed that the Chair did not commit to having elections held before year end.

She only said shed like to have it held as soon as possible, perhaps before the end of the year.

Gunraj posited that the

delegation had made a specific inquiry about that matter.

Justice Singh elucidated on her statement, that she would like to see elections held as soon as possible, Minister Lawrence said, and that the Commission is trying to determine whether any aggregation of statutory and administrative timelines would allow GECOM to hold elections before the year is over. The Commission reportedly assured GECOM that it will not shrink any of the stat-

utes as defined by law. Minister Lawrence made it clear: “Theyre still working on their timeline, so they couldnt give us a definite time.”

Lawrence also said “We did not posit the High Court ruling, but the commissioners did allude to that… We have read the High Court ruling; we know it doesnt stop there…

The learned Judge [Singh] went on to say the methodology thats used must be the same as in the Registration Act… She said if thats going (Continued on page

Kaieteur News

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Kitty biker dead, pillion rider injured in collision

A

late night collision on Thursday has left one dead and the other injured after a motorcycle collided with a truck around 23:00hrs near Pearl, on the East Bank Demerara public road.

Dead is Devon Atkinson, also called “Wild Buck”, 33, of Lot 31 Railway Line, Kitty Georgetown.

Atkinson had reportedly visited a bar on the East Bank of Demerara shortly before the accident occurred.

According to reports, a truck driver was proceeding north and was about to turn into a lumber yard while Atkinson, who was riding CD 7536 and towing a pillion rider, was proceeding in the same direction.

He reportedly failed to stop and collided with the truck. He was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The pillion rider who was said to be female was treated and sent away.

The truck driver, said to be a 36 year old resident of Kuru Kuru, underwent a breathalyser test, which reportedly showed that he was way above the legal limit for alcohol consumption.

Saturday September 14, 2019

57 complete heavy-duty equipment and apiculture course

F

Dead: Devon Atkinson called “Wild Buck” Atkinson was remanded on July 17th, for having an unlicensed gun in his possession.

He was charged for discharging a loaded firearm while partying at a creek on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway a few days before.

He appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Providence Magistrate's Court where the charge was read to him. Atkinson denied the charge which stated that on July 14, 2019, at the Soesdyke/Linden

Highway, he had in his possession a Bushmaster Carbon 15 AR-15 Pistol when he was not a licensed firearm holder.

Atkinson was represented by attorney-at-law Siand Dhurjon who made a bail application for his client to be released on a reasonable sum of bail.

According to reports, on the day in question Atkinson was at a creek partying outside the Splashmin's Resort when he whipped out the gun and fired several shots.

ifty-seven young people have completed heavy-duty equipment and apiculture training at the Madewini Training Centre.

The programme was facilitated by the Ministry of the Presidency's Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport, the Youth Empowerment Unit and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

Thirty-two graduated from heavyduty equipment operation, while the remaining twenty-five graduated from the apiculture programme.

Delivering the feature address at the graduation ceremony, Assistant Director of Youth, Leslyn Boyce advised the graduates to use this opportunity to further their selfdevelopment and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

“You were all given a second chance to education and have made good use of it.

You have displayed discipline and commitment that are commendable…now that you are empowered much rests on your shoulder so I, therefore, charge you to go into your respective communities and make a difference,” she said.

“We are living in a culture in which time is changing every day.

Some of the occupations that you are involved in today were non-existent in the past.

We hope that you use the certificate that you have received to not only gain employment but to also matriculate into other programmes so that you can remain relevant in society,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BIT, Richard Maughn urged.

The heavy-duty equipment graduates will soon benefit from excavator training at Guyana Industrial Training Centre, as a way to solidify their existing skills.

Graduating from heavy-duty equipment operation course, Sharmella Tyson stated that “the experience has been really great.

I have learnt a lot, today, I can operate a bobcat machine”.

A fellow graduate, Analisa James said, while she has a “passion for computers”, she made a conscious decision to step outside her comfort zone. She opted to enroll in the heavyduty equipment operation to acquire a new skill.

“I really feel great about this programme. I know that it will have a positive impact on my life, and I will continue to work to develop within this field,” James said.

(A DPI feature)

Saturday September 14, 2019

Kaieteur News

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PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Saturday September 14, 2019

Water 'smelling like urine' flowing from Timehri taps - GWI to send trucks to affected residents Water from a Timehiri tap

S

omething stinks at Timehri. For the past two weeks, residents of that East Bank Demerara community have been expressing alarm over the discoloured and smelly

water that is flowing through their taps.

Some residents said that the water is 'rusty looking', and is emanating a smell reminiscent of urine. They (continued on page 23)

Saturday September 14, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

Schoolboy stabbed to death, Sophia man remanded for allegedly setting girlfriend on fire 17-year-old neighbour detained

T

wenty-five-yearo l d Wa z i m Perreira of Sophia, Greater Georgetown was yesterday remanded for allegedly setting his girlfriend on fire four days ago.

The charge was read to Perreira by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts.

However, the matter was heard in-camera.

It was alleged that on September 9, last, at Sophia, with intent to commit murder, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded his girlfriend.

The prosecutor of the case objected to bail being granted to Perreira on the grounds of the serious nature of the offence and the penalty it attracts.

Further objections were made by the prosecutor based on the fact that the woman is still hospitalized at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

She is said to be receiving treatment for second degree burns to her face, chest, abdomen and back.

Magistrate McLennan then remanded Perreira to prison until September 25,

Mechanic jailed for chopping colleague who owed him money

A

2 7 - y e a r- o l d mechanic will have to serve 18 months in jail for wounding a colleague who owed him money for his labour.

The sentence was handed down on Seon Bobb, of Norton Street, Lodge, G e o rg e t o w n , w h e n h e appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The charge stated that on September 9, 2019, at High Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Anthony Allen, who is also a mechanic.

A bruised and bandaged Allen was in court when the sentence was handed down.

Police prosecutor Christopher Morris told the court that the two men had worked together for two years at the same mechanic shop on High Street. But according to Bobb, they fell out because Allen owed him money.

“Me and Anthony work several times before and he

never give me my money… that man don’t pay when you work with him.”

Bobb said that when the incident took place, they were working on a minibus.

He claimed Allen promised that he would give him all the money that was owed when they were finished working on the bus.

When the work was completed, Allen refused to pay Bobb for his labour.

Bobb left the mechanic shop and returned with a cutlass and chopped Allen to the left shoulder. Allen then ran around the bus to escape, with Bobb in pursuit. He was rescued by passersby and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

The defendant was arrested and admitted to committing the offence.

2019, when he will make his next court appearance.

It is alleged that Perreira and his girlfriend were at their home when they got into an argument.

Perreira reportedly threw a mixture of gasoline and kerosene on his partner, then set her alight.

Neighbours, alerted by the woman's screams, allegedly apprehended her attacker until the police arrived.

His girlfriend was admitted to the GPHC.

A

feud between neighbours ended on Thursday with a 17-year-old being stabbed to death at Graham Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, and police taking a 17-year-old into custody.

Dead is 15 year old Derril Wong, of Lot 142 Plaisance. He was a student of Cummings Lodge Secondary School.

According to reports, Wong was banned from entering his neighbour's yard. However, on Thursday, he ignored the “ban” and went over. He reportedly ended up in a physical confrontation with a 17-year-old, who stabbed Wong with a knife.

The suspect's sister reportedly found Wong lying in a pool of blood in her home. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Dead: 15-yr old Derril Wong

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Kaieteur News

Saturday September 14, 2019

Kaieteur News

Saturday September 14, 2019

PAGE 23

No human rights violation…

Facial recognition cameras only placed at airports; Moleson Creek - Telecoms Ministry - UK security experts conduct training

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eeks after unveiling a major security project that involved the placement of over 100 cameras across the city, the administration is now assuring that there is nothing nefarious in the facial recognition capabilities.

It stated that the information involved with citizens is not being shared.

According to the Ministry of Public Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s yesterday, privacy concerns have been raised over possible facial recognition and tracking technologies used by cameras currently being installed as part of the Safe City Component of our National Broadband Project.

“We are pleased that many persons recall that the Ministry of Public Telecommunications first introduced this initiative to the nation more than two years ago as a valuable resource for the security forces in their fight against crime. We now reiterate that the new system is designed solely for everyone's safety and security, and is not intended to infringe on an individual's right to privacy,” the ministry assured.

It was explained that the

Safe City initiative provides for the construction of an integrated National Emergency Response Command Centre (NERCC) with a network of CCTV cameras located around Georgetown.

Guyanese operators of the Command Centre are currently being trained by a consulting team of British security experts who are developing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide the operations of the Centre.

According to the ministry, the Safe City programme operates on an independent governmentowned fibre optic network managed by the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), an agency of the Ministry of Public Telecommunications.

It was assured that the system is protected from hacking.

“It has no points of entry or gateways for any third party – individuals or companies. This network is physically independent with all trunking and cabling standing alone.

It is physically isolated from the eGovernment platform which provides connectivity to Government institutions,

The security cameras in the city do not have the capabilities of facial recognition, government says

At the launching of the Safe City project earlier this year

agencies, schools, health and other public facilities.”

In fact, the ministry said, access to the CCTV network of cameras is only possible by authorized security personnel who are stringently vetted before they are assigned to the NERCC. “Their operations will be guided by the standard operating procedures (SOPs) being developed by the consulting team of UK security experts.

These procedures will include adherence to an agreed set of security standards and operating practices, with strict, limited and supervised access to the operations of the Command Centre. Strong penalties are in place for persons who breach these requirements.”

The ministry explained that under this project, facial recognition technology will only be deployed at the official ports of entry in Guyana- Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri; Eugene F. Correia International Airport, at Ogle, and the Moleson Creek Ferry Crossing, Corentyne, Berbice.

The ports' cameras have different capabilities, it was pointed out.

“The specialized cameras at the official ports are very different from the CCTV cameras erected in public spaces. These cameras are the only ones capable of comparing images generated from automatic facial recognition software against databases administered by the Guyana Police Force, and (continued on page 24)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Saturday September 14, 2019

Facial recognition cameras only Govt. to review labour laws to protect workers in the oil and gas placed at airports; Moleson Creek sector - Minister Scott

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lans are in the making to review the labour laws of Guyana, including those in the oil and gas sector.

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott made this disclosure on Thursday on t h e N a t i o n a l Communications Network's (NCN) radio programme 'INSIGHT'.

Scott said there are too many reports from the private and public sectors of workers being mistreated as it relates to the laws that govern the labour force.

“The Department of Labour specifically deals with labour and manpower survey and gathering of statistics, among other crucial areas. To eradicate labour law issues within the private sector, we are in constant discussions with the Ministry of Natural Resources since many private businesses are formulated under that ministry.”

According to Minister Scott, the Department of

Labour is “very keen on Unions” since they function as direct representatives of workers in Guyana. He noted that one of the goals of the Labour Department is to strengthen communication between unions and employers, to build a stable industrial relation climate.

The department, he said, regularly advises employers on the labour laws and this has led to a significant reduction in protest action in Guyana.

“We want to move away from the politics of confrontation and with that said, we are pushing trade unions to seek out employers and employees, assess issues on the worksite to enable them to function through good partnership, where proper wages are paid and good treatment and encouragement are given to workers.”

Stating also that the emerging oil and gas sector will be the breakthrough for Guyana's economy, Scott reiterated that the department will put every

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott effort into ensuring that Guyanese workers in the sector are treated fairly.

“We are in discussions with the Attorney General's Chambers, looking at ways and means to update the labour laws that exist in respect to employers.

Especially when an employer is summoned to visit the labour department to address matters, it must be carried out, which all comes back to obeying the country's labour laws,” Minister Scott remarked.

(A DPI release)

From page 23 by recognized international security agencies that Guyana has bilateral relationships with.

While the cameras installed on the streets are of extremely high quality, they are not equipped for automatic facial recognition.”

The ministry made it clear that the Government of Guyana has no plans to install specialized facial recognition cameras in city streets anytime in the foreseeable future.

“We also wish to assure the public that personal data stored by agencies such as the Central Immigration and Passport Office, Guyana Elections Commission and Guyana Revenue Authority, have not been and will not be shared under this project.

In fact, the laws and regulations that govern these agencies prevent unauthorised sharing of such data.”

It was stressed that in a post 9/11 world of heightened security, facial

recognition at ports of entry is now an international standard that most of the travelling public is aware of and subjects itself to.

“The technologies and equipment installed in this Safe City project will remain in the possession of the National Emergency Response Command Centre (NERCC), and will only be shared with local law enforcement and foreign countries with whom Guyana has bilateral agreements for security cooperation.”

With regards to the command centre, the ministry disclosed that its main purpose is to enhance the safety and security of communities by providing security services with increased operational capabilities.

Its objectives include efficient deployment of law enforcement staff; better multi-agency response to incidents and emergencies; increased success and efficiency in bringing criminals to justice;

enhanced security coordination for major public events; efficient disaster management and increased awareness of threats to public security.

The idea is also to establish integrity of data and information for the Criminal Justice system; presentation of 'hard' evidence in court cases; improved response time for all emergency services and the establishment of a single response number, e.g. 911, for any emergency.

On July 26, 2019 Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes, under whose purview the Safe City initiative falls, took the media on a tour of the Network Operations Centre, explaining the project and its intentions.

The ministry said that for the first time, police and emergency services will have their own dedicated network for real-time communication to protect and assist the public, and for disaster relief.

Saturday September 14, 2019

Kaieteur News

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First Lady says National Library is a - urges administration to 'Cathedral of Learning' consider lending eBooks

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irst Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger yesterday said that the National Library is a “Cathedral of Learning” which still remains relevant today. The First Lady was speaking at the Library's Staff Appreciation C e r e m o n y, h e l d i n commemoration of its 110th Anniversary.

She commended the Library for making positive steps towards embracing technology with its “Reading and Robotics” programme, which was the end result of a collaboration with STEM Guyana.

The First Lady urged the Library's administration to incorporate the necessary technology to facilitate the lending of eBooks.

“I look forward to the

Water 'smelling like urine' flowing from Timehri taps From page 20 said that no amount of boiling removes the smell or makes the water any clearer.

The Timehri residents have been forced to purchase water to cook and do their chores.

They alleged that despite numerous complaints to the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), no officials have visited the area to resolve the issue.

Yesterday, Permanent Secretary of GWI, Mr. Emil McGarrel confirmed that GWI has received numerous complaints from residents.

He said several GWI officials visited Timehri and surrounding communities.

However, after checking several wells and underground water mains they were unable to ascertain what is causing the contamination.

Mr. McGarrel also said GWI will be dispatching trucks with water to the community until the issue has been resolved.

A section of the audience at the Staff Appreciation Ceremony, in commemoration of the National Library's 110th Anniversary.

Library services being developed to be a vibrant partner in ICT and its lending services expanding to the loan of eBooks and circulation of reference material… The

library remains relevant and remains an organisation in transformation as it adopts and adapts to our new focus on education … It is the national repository of every book written by Guyanese,

in Guyana, on Guyana,” Mrs. Granger said.

The Library also presented the First Lady with a token of appreciation for her support of the “Library Link”

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger (left), receives a token of appreciation from Chief Librarian, Ms. Emily King programme, which is a literary initiative targeting senior citizens.

Chief Librarian, Ms. Emily King, thanked the staff for their commitment to the job.

Chairman of the Board of the National Library, Mr. Petamber Persaud also attended the function, which was held in the Library's conference room.

First ever Agri-tourism Expo launched!

T

he Department of Tourism and the Ministry of Agriculture yesterday launched the country's first Agri-Tourism Expo and Business Forum which is to be held on 31 October to 2 November 2.

The launch was attended by key players in the forum including Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar, and Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes.

Delivering the feature address, Minister Holder alluded to the fact that as Guyanese, we already engage in agri-tourism with the simple things we do, such as picking fruits in the countryside, having a 'bush' cook using the very ingredients from the farm.

“However, in Guyana, Agri-tourism is a category that needs to be exploited, to be branded as a unique product from Guyana. Not only to attain foreign arrival targets but also to put more

money in the pockets of our farmers and the nation in general. It is a sustainable tourism program that promises a win-win outcome,” Minister Holder said.

Already, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has begun branching into Agri-tourism with their cultural and heritage tourism product, where visitors are given a first-hand experience of sugar estate operations such as Uitvlugt Estate in Demerara, Albion Estate in

Berbice, and plans for a Sugar Museum and a 'Sugar Heritage Park'. Minister Rajkumar, in his remarks, spoke to the continuously increased levels of development in both the Agriculture and Tourism Sectors over the years.

“These are two high growth sectors, both of which are of great importance to national development, we also are aligned with the tenancies of the green state development strategy 2020, which is to

promote green and inclusive growth. This Agri-tourism Expo represents part of our efforts to link these two sectors that align well with each other to capture the full benefits from them.”

The overall expectation is that this push for the melding of agriculture with tourism will be an overwhelmingly positive boost not only for tourism but for the farmers who are ready to get involved by adding a new revenue stream to their business.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday September 14, 2019

‘No case of fraud since introduction High Court reverses Royston... of new birth certificate’ - Felix - 100+ requests for visas, work permits received daily Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, has made it clear that there has been no case of fraud since the introduction of the new birth certificates.

This disclosure was made during a recent press conference.

According to the minister, when the Coalition assumed office, one of the first things they did was to create a birth certificate with security features. “Since those birth certificates are in use, we have not had one case of fraud, not one,” Minister Felix underscored.

The minister was also being asked about a reported 300,000 birth certificates that was ordered.

While unable to say how many were used, he disclosed that the demands for certificates have necessitated the order of a significant number of forms to ensure there is no shortage.

Persons coming in have been asking for four or five copies of certificates when they come. The questions about the forms would come on the heels of reports of several fake birth certificates

Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix surfacing in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region during the recent House-to-House Registration process. It was found that persons were attempting to be registered using these documents. However, the attempt was thwarted as the enumerators were informed on how to spot such irregularities.

Minister Felix indicated that the issue of the forged birth certificates which surfaced is “under investigation”.

He also reported that his department receives over 100 requests for visas and work permits to work in the oil and gas sector; and anticipates that the numbers can increase. “I gather that the numbers can pick up when other oil blocks come into operation.”

The minister noted that his department has been dealing with such requests for over a year.

“We are dealing with the current applications for permits with a degree of efficiency, which does not disrupt the works on the drill ships, and we have been doing so for over a year now,” he said. While there are few hiccups, Minister Felix pointed out that there are no areas of weakness that are insurmountable. He added that the department has been addressing these as they arise. “We work closely with the oil companies… so if the oil companies feel that there is a backlog in their applications, they would inform us, we would meet and discuss to sort out the issues,” he stated. (A DPI release)

From pag 12 affidavit, is adamant that he never acted unlawfully, illegally or criminally during his tenure as a serving member of the M&CC to attract the attention of the police or any disciplinary authority.

He said that he was never questioned by the police concerning the discharge of his duties.

He further says that he executed his responsibilities consistently with his mandate under Section 77 (1) of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01 of the Laws of Guyana.

In the affidavit, King stated that he challenged the authenticity, validity and propriety as to the appointment of the CoI, its Chairman and its findings.

He added, “I attended the aforesaid Commission of Inquiry, under protest, since it was unlawfully appointed and in b r e a c h of the Local Government Commission Act (supra) Laws of Guyana.”

According to him, on January 7, 2019 he received another letter from LGC Chairman Mortimer Mingo under

the heading laying of complaints/disciplinary charges. He recalled that immediately after receiving the letter, he contacted his lawyers and attended a meeting with them. He added that his lawyers prepared a letter dated January 8, 2019, which was addressed to the Chairman of the Local Government Commission.

At that time, King said his lawyer was an integral part of a team of lawyers in the No Confidence Motion c o n s t i t u t i o n a l m a t t e r, which was before the High Court. He also said that because of the magnitude, complexity and importance o f t h a t m a t t e r, i t s preparation and presentation precluded his lawyer from attending a January 11, 2019 meeting with the commission.

He said that this was communicated to the Commission and an extension of seven days was granted.

He stated that within the stipulated period the said constitutional matter intensified, and despite his plea for a further date after a ruling was rendered in the matter, he was dismissed.

He said, too, “I pleaded with the Commission for

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

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

Further to this, he says that he is not a contracted employee and as such has a legitimate expectation to be treated fairly, equally and in conformity with Article 149A of the Constitution, otherwise his right to work will be violated.

It is his contention that the allegations leveled against him were criminal in nature, but unlike the universally unaccepted p r i n c i p l e o f e q u a l i t y, transparency and equity, the LGC acted as judge, jury and executioner in its own cause, as opposed to calling in the police and obtaining advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, since state assets and monies were allegedly involved.

Saturday September 14, 2019

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Kaieteur News

LAWLESSNESS

A irresponsible and uncaring citizen dumped this pile of stone at Covent Garden, EBD, earlier this week. For days, it sat there without any actions despite the clear and present danger to motorists.

Contractor, Komal Singh of Gaico Construction, readily offered to remove it yesterday and this was done.

Govt. informs GECOM of challenge...

From page 15 to happen, you cant just do it willy nilly. You have to follow the process as laid out in the law.”

Asked about accusations that Government is trying to delay elections, Minister Lawrence said that the coalition is ready for elections, and that i t i s t h e Leader of the Opposition who has, for many months, been trying to dictate to GECOM, an independent body, how it should do its work.

“Its just another talk by the Opposition Leader. We have shown throughout the process, from, December 21 [2018] t o t o d a y, t hat we have complied with the law.”

Lawrence added.

At this juncture, the Commission is currently waiting on various parties to be definitive on the timelines and costs required to get their various tasks done as soon as possible. This includes the companies that will be cross matching the fingerprints and supplying the ballot boxes. Corbin told Kaieteur News that the Commission had reached out to certain diplomatic channels to try to crunch the timelines as tightly

as possible.

Doing this would affect funding. So, Minister Lawrence said that the coalitions delegation assured the Commission that it is ready to lend support in any way, including providing additional funds.

For Government to do so, it will have to go to Parliament. In the likelihood that it decides to so do, the Opposition is going to raise concerns about whether Government is overstepping its authority, as it has been declared by the Caribbean Court of Justice ( C C J ) t o b e a cting in a Caretaker capacity.

Asked whether Government would go to Parliament at this time, Lawrence said “Im quite certain that all of us would agree that if

we are to get the results which we would like to have from GECOM, and them carrying out their task, that if they need to have more finances, then of course, we will have to ensure that we put that at their disposal.”

On the specific amounts, Lawrence said “They do not have an initial amount at this time,” but she expects them to speak with Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, in the event that they are in need.

But Corbin told Kaieteur News last night that GECOM doesnt anticipate any issue arising with respect to funds. The National Assembly had, earl i e r t h i s y e a r, g r a n t e d GECOM over $3B for the holding of General and Regional Elections.

Overpass elevator breaks down, operator, others trapped for over an hour It was literally high drama at Eccles, East Bank Demerara yesterday after one of the recently commissioned overpass elevators broke down, with the operator and others inside.

The occupants were trapped for over an hour before another operator arrived to release them.

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Corentyne mother on trial on charge of accessory to murder Lalita Bollers, 45 of Lot 1E Ramphal Street, Corentyne, Berbice, is on trial before Justice Priya Sewnarine Beharry and a mixed jury, on a charge of being an accessory in the murder of a security guard.

It is alleged that she received and comforted her son Carlos Bollers, and Yuvraj Singh, knowing that they had murdered Munesh Prem Ayasammy Munien, called Tad, in the course of a r o b b e r y .

This allegedly happened on Sunday, April 1, 2018.

Prosecutor Mandel Moore is presenting the states case.

Attorney at Law Tanya Warren Clements is appearing for the accused.

On Saturday, March 31, 2018, Muniens body was

Lalita Bollers found at the back of the Sukhram General and Agro Chemicals Store, at Rose Hall Town Public Road. He was

employed there as the night guard.

The body reportedly bore a gaping wound to the throat, head and other parts of his body. A large quantity of cash was reportedly missing from the store.

After investigation a number of persons including Carlos Bollers and Yuvraj Singh were taken into custody.

Further investigation led police to the home of Laita Bollers, where they reportedly recovered some money and other materials.

She, along with the Carlos Bollers and Singh, were charged with the crime. The woman was subsequently charged with accessory after the fact.

The Prosecution is expected to call 10 witnesses.

Turkey’s Erdogan says to discuss with Trump buying U.S. Patriot missiles ISTANBUL (Reuters Exclusive) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said he will discuss buying U.S. Patriot missiles with President Donald Trump this month, saying his personal bond with the U.S. leader could overcome a crisis caused by Ankara buying Russian air defense systems.

Turkey’s purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system in July raised the prospect of U.S. sanctions, and the State Department has said an offer to sell Raytheon Co’s Patriot missile defense system to Ankara has expired.

However Erdogan told Reuters he had discussed buying Patriots in a phone call with Trump two weeks ago and would follow up when they meet at the U.N. General Assembly, which opens next week. “I said no matter what package of ... S-400s we get, we can buy from you a certain amount of Patriots,” Erdogan told Reuters yesterday. “But I said we have to see conditions that at least match up to the S-400s,” Erdogan said, adding that he was referring to the possibility of joint production and favorable lending terms.

“He (Trump) said: ‘Are you serious?’ I said: ‘Yes’,” Erdogan said, adding that he told Trump they would discuss it in greater detail when they meet.

Asked whether he would also ask Trump to prevent the U.S. Treasury imposing a heavy fine on Turkey’s mainly state-owned Halkbank for violating U.S. sanctions on Iran, Erdogan said he was confident they could avoid such a “mistake”, citing what he said was “a different kind of trust” between the two men.

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Kaieteur News

“In my opinion a country like the USA will not want to hurt its ally Turkey any more.

This is not a rational behavior,” he said in an interview at the Ottoman Dolmabahce palace complex on the Bosphorus in Istanbul.

‘SAFE ZONE’ Erdogan and Trump will also discuss plans to establish what Turkey describes as a safe zone along 450 km (280 miles) of Syrian border stretching from the Euphrates river to the Iraq border, a region controlled mainly by U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish YPG fighters.

On Sunday the two countries launched joint military patrols in the area, but Erdogan says that Washington has dragged its feet in an operation Turkey sees as crucial to driving the YPG, which it designates a terrorist group, away from its border.

Turkey has warned it will act alone if the safe zone is not established this month, raising the prospect of a third Turkish military incursion into northern Syria in three years.

“The peace corridor is the essential thing. We will not allow a terror corridor on our borders and we will take whatever steps are necessary on this subject,” he said.

The U.S. alliance with the YPG in Syria has angered NATO member Turkey, which has faced a decades-long insurgency in its mainly Kurdish southeast and fears growing Kurdish military power on its southern border.

“It is Turkey which is fighting with these terror groups... We are your partner in NATO. You give them the weapons for free that you will not sell for money to your NATO ally,” he said, referring

to U.S. arms supplies to the YPG. “We are fed up with explaining this... I think Trump must understand us,” Erdogan said.

Russia and Iran back Syrian President Bashar alAssad against rebels who sought his overthrow. The United States, European and Arab allies as well as Turkey have supported different rebel factions.

Assad has regained control of most territory lost in the early stages of the eightyear conflict and has vowed to retake every inch of Syria including the northwestern province of Idlib, where Syrian and foreign radical fighters hold sway alongside other more moderate factions.

Erdogan reiterated a warning that Turkey would be forced to let Syrian refugees on its soil leave for Europe if Western nations did not provide greater support to Turkey and support its plans for a safe zone where Syrians could be settled.

“If you can’t accept this business, we will open the gates. Let them go from there wherever they want,” he said.

Establishing the zone 20 miles (32 km) inside northeast Syria would allow refugees in Turkey “to return to their lands, and allow for all their needs - from education, health, shelter - to be met. It will allow them to live on their own lands and break away from the tent life and container cities,” he said.

Erdogan said the financial aid Turkey was receiving from the European Union was not sufficient to ease the burden of 3.6 million Syrian refugees who have fled to Turkey since the civil war erupted in 2011.

PM Johnson says ‘rough shape’ exists for Brexit deal

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during the Convention of the North at the Magna Centre in Rotherham, Britain September 13, 2019. Christopher Furlong/Pool via REUTERS GARRYVOE, Ireland/ LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said yesterday there was “the rough shape of a deal to be done” over Brexit, as he prepared to meet European Commission President JeanClaude Juncker in a renewed push to reach an agreement.

But Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar played down the prospects, saying the gap between Britain and the EU remained “very wide” and he doubted Johnson could make the compromises needed to get a deal and have it ratified

by UK lawmakers.

With just seven weeks until Britain is due to leave the EU, Johnson will travel to Luxembourg on Monday for his first meeting with Juncker as he seeks to reneogitate the exit deal his predecessor Theresa May reached with the bloc.

Johnson says Britain will leave the EU on Oct. 31 whether or not he reaches a deal. But parliament passed a law last week over his objections ordering him to seek an extension if he fails to reach an agreement with the bloc.

“We are working incredibly hard to get a deal.

There is the rough shape of a deal to be done,” Johnson said at a convention of local politicians in northern England, during which he was heckled by a protestor for a decision to suspend parliament for more than a month as the Brexit deadline rapidly approaches.

Doubt over Brexit has created Britain’s biggest political crisis in decades.

Johnson’s opponents say

he has no real prospect of reaching an agreement with the EU on terms of Britain’s exit from the bloc, and was instead steering the country on a course to crash out without an agreement.

The prime minister says he does want a deal but needs a credible threat to leave without one if he is to persuade the EU to compromise.

Johnson said he would also be meeting with EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Monday.

“We’ll talk about the ideas that we have been working on, and we’ll see where we get. I would say I’m cautiously optimistic,” he said.

Incoming EU trade commissioner Phil Hogan on Friday also said he saw “some cause for optimism” about a breakthrough in negotiations, Irish broadcaster RTE reported.

The main disagreement has been over plans to guarantee the border in Ireland remains open, known as the “backstop”.

The deal reached last year with Johnson’s predecessor May would guarantee regulatory alignment between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland to help keep goods flowing.

But the British parliament rejected it three times, with both supporters and opponents of Brexit saying it would leave British territory subject to EU rules with no control over setting them.

Johnson says the border backstop must be replaced to reach any deal.

The EU says any replacement must have the same effect, and so far London has offered no proposals that are good enough.

WIDE GAP “We always said we are willing to explore alternative arrangements ... But so far I think it is fair to say that what we are seeing falls very far short of what we need,” Varadkar told Ireland’s RTE radio in an interview.

“The gap is very wide,” he said. He later told another Irish broadcaster, Virgin Media News, that he was not sure Johnson would be able to make the compromises necessary.

A report in the Times newspaper suggested Johnson could opt to tweak the backstop by having some EU rules apply only in Northern Ireland, not the rest of the United Kingdom. But Johnson’s government’s Northern Irish allies rejected the report, which suggested they might agree to such a move.

“We will not accept a Northern Ireland-only backstop,” Sammy Wilson, spokesman for the Democratic Unionists whose 10 lawmakers support Johnson’s government, told BBC Radio Ulster. “It won’t be a backstop by any other name either. We will not be accepting separate arrangements that cut us off from the UK.” He suggested that the Northern Ireland assembly would require an effective veto of any EU regulations, something the EU and Ireland have repeatedly rejected.

Saturday September 14, 2019

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LEGALNOTICE

SERVICES

FOR SALE

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.

Virgin Coconut Oil, Cassava Bread, Cassareep at Cocolight, 25 BB Eccles EBD. Tel# 614-5193

ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

Eagle’s re-gas AC, Fridge, Washing machine & computer repairs, Gas stove, Plasma flatscreen, Electrical installation & more. Call: 6972969/646-0966 LEARN TO SWIM EVERY WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY, ENMORE ESTATE. CALL SHANICE #652-7496/ ANDREW #661-2828 $6000 MONTHLY. Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158 FOR SALE/RENT 1200 Sq ft from main shipping port, encompassing operable machine shop, also foundry for brass castings. Tel#2271830, Anand #416-704-2155 PROPERTY FOR SALE 1-House with (4) master bedroom $55M, 1-House with (3) bedroom $35M Gated community @ Schoonard W.B.D, 1-House with (3) bedroom @ Blankenburg $22M.Contact#650-0402/6031402 Property for sale in Cummings Lodge. Contact# 648-3542/ 672-7431 LAND FOR SALE Soesdyke/Linden Highway Front 33.25 acres.Contact 6479498 Transported land 11.6 acres, Lot 15 Public road #2 Village W.C. B/ce 5 mins from B/ce Bridge. Contact# 686-4818/ 648-7109 Parfaite Harmonie $1.3M Tel#651-1969

FOR RENT

WANTED

VACANCY

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

Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665/6493750

One male cleaner for Eccles Office. Call: 642-9823

Experience Salesperson, Apply in person or email: eric@whypaymoretrading.com, Why Pay More Trading, 7 Public Road Houston

Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area. Call: 614-4358

Spacious one bedroom apartment at Nandy Park recently renovated and free wifi. Call: 641-3318 1 bedroom fully furnished apartment in Providence. 2 & 3 bedrooms apartments at Diamond. Fully Furnished. Contact# 682-6238/617-2666

VEHICLE FOR SALE 1-Tundra $1.7M, 1-Audi $2.4M, S2000 Honda $2.4M, 1416 Caterpillar Backhoe $3.5M, 1-Caterpillar Generator 75KVA $1.8M.Contact#6500402/603-1402.

One Mitsubishi canter long base wide front (4D35) engine in good condition. Tel#6243556/233-0159

Self contain rooms for working couple/single person $32,000 monthly,light & water.

Lodge. Call: 623-0076 2 months security (1) top flat (1) large bedroom with closets & verandah, fully grilled.

Contact No: 650-2708/6897708 Upscale (2) bedroom apartment,short or long term, more info. Call: 225-1418/6250266/601-1585

Wanted:Evening and day workers.Age 35-50 yrs.Call:678-5206.

Millenium Manor Hotel.

Cook/House keeping, Apply in person, Lot 43 Hadfield St 1 male to work on Chicken farm in the interior. Must have experience in Chicken farming.

Contact# 680-2702 Lorry Driver,Male and Female Factory workers.Apply in Person to R.P’s Enterprise Area ‘K’ Le Ressouvenir ECD 220-2818.

Live-in couple for Essequibo Resort, Boatdriving, maintenance, housekeeping.

Tel#225-3557 VACANCY

Car King- Nissan Sylphy, 2015 and 2017, low mileage, fog lamps, backup camera $3.75M. Contact# 614-6948

3 bedroom apartment (1 master room) to rent in Providence EBD, unfurnished $85,000, Semi furnished $140,000. Contact# 648-0353

Looking for a job & educational services?

Contact The Job Centre 43 Croal & Alexander Street or call 502-4002/600-8457

LEARN TO DRIVE

WANTED

N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561/681-2808

Cashier with POS experience.

Apply or email eric@whypaymoretrading.com, Why Pay More Trading, 7 Public road, Houston

Needed urgently: 1 male, exp cooking on grill, multi-tasking, 4pm-2am. #675-2550/656-9313

PEN PAL

Ablebodied Porters. Apply in Person, Why Pay More Trading, 7 Public Road Houston

Mature man (54) Loving and Generous, desires a special friend. Whatsapp with picture today # +1-246-835-6908 Graphic & web designer.

Experienced only. Call #6288944/718-845-2700/email: SPECTRUMIMAGING32 @GMAIL.COM One experience Driver, apply Hack’s Halaal with handwritten application 5 Commerce Str.

CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL: 656-0087 / 643-5122 ,EMAIL:PRO_ A U T O R E N TA L @YAHOO.COM DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL @ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM

Experienced hire car drivers and dispatcher at Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel.Contact 265-7075/6165419.

Gasoline Mechanic and Trained Mechanic needed.Please Call:623-0318 Experienced cooks, Kitchen assistant, grill man, cashier and servers needed with Jamaican experience.UG Road.Call#608-7452 Kitchen assistant, Handyboy, Counter person. Apply @ Shanta’s 225 Camp St

Female cleaner Office & Home. Call: 642-9823

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 Driver,Bond Clerk, Factory worker, must have CSEC, for more information. Please call: 223-0090 Office Asst/Accounts Clerk, 5 subjects, quickbooks, NIS, PAYE. Teamplayer, Customer Service experience. #2270176/227-0186. mimadecor12@gmail.com

Room attendant, Desk staff.Age 25-45yrs.233 South Road Lacytown/225-0198.

Annabel’s Bistro 36 Public road LaGrange is seeking cooks with baking skills to work in Restaurant.500-1500/ 675-7313.

1 music teacher (piano & guitar) to do at home teaching for two boys. Perferably from East Bank. #698-4432

Welder/Fabricator to work Interior. Call: 223-5180

Vacancy for: Accounts clerk, Purchase clerk, Operations clerk, Civil Engineer, Secretary, Truck drivers.

Contact info: chungsvacancy@gmail.com Caretaker to work in Georgetown, must be 60 years or older, free accomodation.

Salary $35,000 per month.

Tel#500-5779 Teachers for Physics,Biology,HSB, Integrated Science & Spanish. PO Box 10573 to send application.

Experienced Driver- Apply in person, Wieting & Richter, Water Street, Georgetown.

Counter clerk (5) subjects or more and computer literate persons. #225-9230 Clerk & Domestic live-in Facilities for Berbicians and Essequibians 219-5354.

LEGALNOTICE 2019-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-801 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO. FD-801 BETWEEN (NAUGHTON) MEGAN ENA nee BROWNE Petitioner – and- (NAUGHTON) RAYON ORLANDO Respondent TO: RAYON ORLANDO NAUGHTON (Last Known Address) Lot 153 Stanley Town, West Bank Demerara.

Guyana TAKE NOTICE that on the 21st day of June 2019 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by MEGAN ENA NAUGHTON nee BROWNE, the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 21st day of August ,2019 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issue of the Kaieteur News Newspaper, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FUTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry) Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 28(twentyeight) days after the date of the second and final publication of this Notice TAKE NOTICE that the matter is fixed for Directions Hearing on Tuesday the 22nd day October 2019 at 9:10am before the Honourable Madam Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in the Directions Hearing Room of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown.

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts, [Georgetown, Demerara].

The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 29th day of August, 2019

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Venezuela investigates Guaido over photo with suspected Colombian criminals CARACAS (Reuters) Ve n e z u e l a ’s state prosecutor ’s office said yesterday it would open an investigation into Juan Guaido after the interior minister presented photos on state television showing the opposition leader in the company of two suspected members of a Colombian drug-trafficking group.

Guaido yesterday said the two men had asked to take a photo with him when he secretly crossed into Colombia from Venezuela in February via an informal border route after a Venezuelan court had barred him from leaving the country.

He denied knowing who the men were. “We didn’t ask for their criminal record to take a photo,” he told reporters in Caracas.

Ve n e z u e l a n I n t e r i o r Minister Nestor Reverol said on state television that the two men were leaders of a “Colombian paramili-

tary organization” called the Rastrojos. Reverol said he would send the photos as evidence to the state prosecutor’s office, which later opened the investigation.

Colombian police sources confirmed the men were members of the Rastrojos, a criminal group made up of ex-paramilitaries that engages in drug trafficking across the country, including along the Venezuelan border.

Guaido crossed into Colombia before a U.S.-backed attempt on Feb. 23 to send trucks loaded with humanitarian aid into Venezuela from the Colombian border town of Cucuta. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, however, had ordered the border’s closure and told the military to block the aid’s entry.

At the time, it was not clear how Guaido had crossed the border. He appeared at an aid concert by Cucuta on Feb. 22 dressed in the same clothes as he

was wearing in the photo with the two men.

Maduro, in a speech later yesterday, said the photos were evidence of a “tremendous scandal,” alleging they showed that Guaido had a “criminal alliance with a gang of drug traffickers.”

Colombian President Ivan Duque sought to downplay the significance of the photos and praised Guaido. “Beyond whether there are photos or not, if he greeted or didn’t greet a lot of people ...

I want to emphasize who he is. He is a titan, a hero fighting for his country’s democracy,” Duque told reporters.

Guaido assumed an interim presidency in January after denouncing Maduro as illegitimate for securing a second term last year in an election widely viewed as fraudulent. Most western nations now recognize G u a i d o a s Ve n e z u e l a ’s r i g h t f u l l e a d e r, t h o u g h Maduro labels him a coupmongering U.S. puppet.

Saturday September 14, 2019

Antigua and Barbuda condemns OAS vote ST. JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – The Antigua and Barbuda government has condemned a vote at the Organisation of American States (OAS) earlier this week that could open the possibility for a military invasion of Venezuela where opposition parties with the backing of the United States are seeking to oust President Nicolas Maduro from power.

ForeignAffairs Minister, E.P. Chet Greene, was also critical of Haiti, a Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country that voted in favour of a 72-year-old treaty that would allow for the possible invasion.

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have long called for non-interference in the internal affairs of Venezuela and have not supported any military invasion of the South American country.

He said this action was taken on Wednesday, during a session of the Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States (OAS) from which 17 of its legitimate member states were excluded.

Greene said that the Council allowed the representative Juan Guaido, the self-appointed In-

terim president of Venezuela, to participate in the deliberations.

A government statement here said that 10 governments and Juan Gauido’s representative invoked the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, also called the Rio Treaty, under which its signatories authorise themselves to use military force against a country on a pretext of common defence and for the maintenance of the peace and security of the Continent.

Only 17 legitimate member states of the OAS are signatories to the 72-year-old Treaty which was created after World War II and which has no relevance in international law today. Of the 17 states, only three CARICOM countries are signatories: the Bahamas, Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago.

As a result, 16 OAS member countries, including Antigua and Barbuda were excluded from voting, alongside five signatory countries that opposed the resolution.

“The invocation of the Rio Treaty is clearly a ruse to use an anachronistic treaty to promote an invasion of Venezuela on the pretext of that

country’s aggression, even though no evidence of such aggression has been disclosed, nor is there any shred of proof that it is a threat to peace and security in the hemisphere,” Greene said.

“The entire world should be alarmed at this dangerous action which violates the Charters of the United Nations and the Organisation of American states and may result in the heavy loss of life and wrecking of peace in the hemisphere”, he added.

Greene noted that Trinidad and Tobago abstained in the vote on the resolution and that the Bahamas was absent.

“Antigua and Barbuda is deeply concerned that Haiti, a member state of CARICOM, voted to open the door to invasion of a country, particularly since Haiti itself is a victim of an invasion from which it has never recovered”.

“Standing for international law and the peaceful settlement of issues, small though we are, Antigua and Barbuda, will raise its voice in every international forum against this dangerous action”, he said.

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Gasol saves Spain to set up World Cup final with Argentina AFP - NBA champion Marc Gasol saved Spain on Friday as they beat Australia after a thrilling double overtime and will play Argentina in the Basketball World Cup final.An enthralling semi-final between Australia and Spain was 71-71 at the end of regulation time and the two sides could not be separated at the end of a nervy first overtime.

Finally, the 2006 world champions Spain jubilantly emerged in Beijing to reach tomorrow’s final after the Boomers appeared to run out of juice.Sergio Llull hit two three-pointers in the second overtime for Spain to cap their comeback 95-88, having trailed for long periods during regulation time.

Gasol, the Toronto Raptors centre, finished with 33

Spain beat Australia in a thrilling match to reach the Basketball World Cup final. (AFP / Greg Baker) points, six rebounds and four assists after stepping up

when his country needed him most.

Tuesday September 14, 2018 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–May20) 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, Gemini. 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 (June 21–July 22) 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.

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.

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.

You might find the subject fascinating and learn a lot, but you'll be less comfortable when the conversation changes from a discussion to a quarrel.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) - Today you might be required to fumble through a lot of paperwork in order to locate certain information, Sagittarius.

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.

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.

Argentina’s Luis Scola dominated the court in their semi-final against France. (AFP / Greg Baker) “We came back, we stuck together through tough times, that means a lot,” said the 34-year-old, a three-time NBA All-Star.The Spaniard played a key role in the Rap-

tors’ historic run to the NBA crown and knows that victory against Argentina tomorrow will cap the perfect season.

“It’s been great, I have been very fortunate,” he said.

“I knew that it would not be easy physically (going from the NBA Finals to the World Cup) but it’s definitely worth it.“Not because of the final but passing along those values to the team. It’s our turn to pass on the legacy to the next generation (of the Spain team).”Ricky Rubio was also pivotal once more for Spain with 19 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds and four steals.

Red-hot Patty Mills, one of the players of the World Cup, was unfortunate to be on the losing side, leading Australia with 34 points.

He did though miss a free throw with four seconds left in regulation that would have put Australia in the final for the first time.

Australia coach Andrej Lemanis called it “a hell of a game of basketball and fun to be involved with”.

“Tough to lose, no doubt, it comes down to a couple of plays here and there,” he said.

“At the end of the day, we had chances to win the game, we had every opportunity to win the game.”

- ‘Complete domination’ Argentina are one win away from their first World Cup title since 1950 after they brushed aside France 80-66 in the other semi-final.

Cheered on by a group of fans decked out in their national colours, Argentina made a fast start against France, who had ousted the US in the previous round.

Argentina opened the game up with a 10-2 run that saw Luis Scola, the age-defying 39-year-old, dominate the court.The South Americans led 39-32 at half-time and were never in serious danger of surrendering their advantage after that.Scola, the grand old man of basketball, finished with 28 points, 13 rebounds and two assists. He was given a huge ovation when he stepped off the court near the end.Argentina coach Sergio Hernandez gave an insight into what drives the veteran.“In the locker room, he said, ‘We have 25 minutes to celebrate, after that we turn off the noise, no social media, just focus on the next game, it’s 40 minutes to make history’,” Hernandez said.

“That’s why he is still playing.”

France will play Australia for bronze tomorrow and Rudy Gobert, a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, had no complaints.

“They were just the better team from the first minute to the last, more aggressive, played better as a team,” said the towering Frenchman.

“Complete domination.”

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Saturday September 14, 2019

Tokyo 2020 Olympics organisers test snow machine to beat the heat BBC News - It was 25C (77F) in Tokyo, but snow fell in well-ordered flurries at a canoeing event in the Japanese capital.

It wasn’t freak weather, but the latest innovation being tested by 2020 Olympics organisers hoping to keep spectators cool and comfortable when the Games take place next summer.

Around 300kg (47st) of artificial snow was sprayed over stands at the Sea Forest Waterway venue.

The goal: to see if it could lower heat and humidity levels.Tokyo regularly sees temperatures of 35C and 80% humidity in July, prompting concerns that spectators could suffer heatstroke.

Sea Forest Waterway will host Olympic and Paralympic rowing and canoeing events.

Half of the 2,000 seats are uncovered, after plans for a full roof were scaled back to cut costs.So on Friday, members of the Tokyo 2020

It’s one of many strategies to keep the Games cool. (EPA) organising committee filled the stands for a five-minute snow machine trial, during a test event for the canoe sprints.The result may not have been what they hoped for, however.

The temperature there was 25.1C before the snow -

and exactly the same afterwards.

Takashi Okamura, head of communication, command and control on the organising committee, told the BBC the result was “not as expected”, but said the snow had other merits.“The advantage of this

Osaka sacks her second coach of 2019 (Reuters) - Twice Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka has sacked her second coach in seven months, splitting with Jermaine Jenkins in the wake of her disappointing U.S. Open title defence.

Jenkins, a long-time hitting partner of Venus Williams, replaced Sascha Bajin in February, weeks after Osakas Australian Open triumph.

“Im super grateful for the time we spent together and the things I learned on and off the court but I feel like now is an appropriate time for change,” the Japanese 21year-old wrote on Twitter.

“Appreciate you, forever warmed by you ... Thank you for everything, it was a blast.”

Top seed at Flushing Meadows, former world number one Osaka struggled with a knee problem before being upset by 13th seed Belinda Bencic in straight sets in the fourth round.It continued a difficult season for the power hitter since her second Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park, with early exits at the French Open and Wimbledon.

The Australian Open win made her Asias first world number one and the first player of any nation to claim the first two Grand Slam titles back-to-back since Jennifer Capriati in 2001.

However, the top ranking and the attention that goes with it proved a heavy burden, she admitted, after a tearful first round exit from the

Jermaine Jenkins, coach of Naomi Osaka of Japan looks on as she practices on stadium court to get ready for the BNP Paribas at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 4, 2019.

(Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports) Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in February.

Australian Ash Barty later took the number one spot in the leadup to Wimbledon where Osaka crashed out of the first round, saying the fun had gone out of her game.As Barty faltered during the North American

hardcourt season, Osaka reclaimed the top ranking in the leadup to the U.S. Open despite tepid form in Cincinnati and Toronto.

Her early exit from New York has seen her ranking slide to four behind world number one Barty, Karolina Pliskova and Elina Svitolina.

machine is having a spray device to help the audience feel refreshed - and the amusement factor.”

Snow, misting machines and umbrella hats The machines, which have previously been used at music festivals, make snow by crushing ice and mixing it with air, and can cover an area of 15m (49ft) in windy conditions. Their cost has not been disclosed.

The organising committee has not firmly decided to use the artificial snow and said more tests would follow - including a second yesterday.“Today is just a first trial,” said Tomoaki Matsumoto, an official in the committee’s venue services department. “But it is possible for us to use it.”

Olympic chiefs have been developing cooling strategies since Tokyo was awarded the Games in 2013, trying everything from misting machines at stadiums to extravagant umbrella-shaped hats.

Recent summers have done little to allay fears of a boiling 2020 Games.

In 2018, the government declared a natural disaster after at least 65 people suf-

Japan declared last year’s heatwave a natural disaster. (AFP/Getty Images) fered heat-related deaths in a week, while July 2019 saw more than 5,000 people seek hospital treatment during a searing heatwave.

Last month, the International Triathlon Union shortened the running leg of an Olympic qualifier in Tokyo as temperatures reached 32C, declaring that conditions had reached an “extreme level”.

Olympic officials initially appealed to Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to adopt daylight saving time so endurance events could take place at the coolest time of day.And while the clocks won’t be going forward, the marathon races will start earlier than usual at 06:00 in a bid to beat the heat.

Paralympics concerns Technology is playing its part too. Roads on the 26-mile (42 km) route have been coated in a heat-shielding material that reflects infrared rays, lowering their surface temperature by up to 8C. The move is especially important for Paralympic athletes who use wheelchairs in outdoor events, as the design of such wheelchairs puts them very close to the

ground. That can raise competitors’ body temperatures by an additional 2-3C compared to someone standing.In other measures, trees are being allowed to grow as much as possible to provide shade for spectators lining the roads, and buildings with air conditioning have been asked to throw their doors open to weary fans.

Organisers may also break with tradition to let spectators bring their own bottled drinks into the Games venues - something banned at previous Olympics due to issues around sponsorship and security.

The 2020 Summer Olympics will run from 24 July to 9 August, with the Paralympics scheduled from 25 August to 6 September.

Before that, though, the country will welcome an estimated 400,000 overseas visitors for the Rugby World Cup. While Tokyo will host the 20 September opening ceremony, the battle for rugby’s ultimate prize will unfold in 12 stadiums around Japan - bringing a boost for regional tourism.

Munro (96*), Simmons (86), Pollard (45*) on fire in TKRs record breaker From page 42 Munros 50 and he celebrated with a reverse swept four to bring-up the 150 before Simmons deposited Khan into orbit to post the 100 stand.

Simmons then went on a rampage; plundering Thomas for four consecutive boundaries before being caught off a free hit to trigger a comedy of errors which climaxed with Simmons being run out looking for a third run at 179-

2 in 14.4 overs.

Munro clobbered Green for consecutive sixes before Pollard swung a Taylor no ball for six and Taylors fourth no ball of the night saw Pollard being dropped as the sloppy catching continued.

In the last over Munro cover drove Green for four to move to 94 with three balls left before he copped a beamer on his hand as he took evasive action and Pollard

took a single from the free-hit leaving Munroe to hit a six for three-figures.

He just got a single but getting the record total was like asking a turtle to reach the summit of the Blue Mountains in Jamaica.

The tournament continues to tonight from 20:00hrs when four-times runners-up, Guyana Warriors face-off with St Kitts & Nevis Patriots at Warner Park in St Kitts. (Sean Devers)

Saturday September 14, 2019

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Archer claims six wickets as England take charge of Ashes finale AFP - Jofra Archer took six wickets as England bowled Australia out for 225 to gain the upper hand on the second day of the fifth Ashes Test yesterday despite another Steve Smith masterclass.

Joe Root’s team are desperate to level the series at 22 to end their historic World Cup-winning season on a high but have been consistently dogged by the peerless Smith.

The former Australian skipper has now amassed 751 runs in just six innings — more than double the tally of the next highest runscorer on either side.

But he was forced to settle for his lowest score of the series — 80 — when Chris Woakes trapped him lbw in the evening session, leaving the sun-drenched Oval crowd dumbfounded.

Despite a late flurry of runs, Australia had to settle for a first-innings deficit of 69, with paceman Archer finishing with figures of 6-62.

Smith came to the crease with Australia in trouble at 142 in reply to England’s firstinnings total of 294 after Archer had removed openers David Warner and Marcus Harris.

Smith, who only returned to Test cricket last month following a year-long ban for his role in a ball-tampering scandal, was watchful at the start of his innings.

Englands Jofra Archer celebrates the wicket of Australias Marcus Harris.

(Action Images via Reuters/ Paul Childs)

Australia’s Steve Smith bats on the second day of the fifth Ashes Test against England. (AFP / Glyn Kirk) But he soon found his touch, bringing up his 10th consecutive Ashes fifty with a six over midwicket off leftarm spinner Jack Leach.

Smith appeared to be playing a completely different game from all the other batsmen but he had a lucky escape after tea when, on 66, he edged a Sam Curran delivery to Root in the slips, only for the England skipper to shell the chance.

Earlier, Warner, who was

also banned over the balltampering scandal, was again dismissed for single figures, caught behind by wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.

- Warner struggles It was the eighth time that Warner had been dismissed in single figures in the series.

Archer then struck again with a 90-miles-per-hour thunderbolt, with Ben Stokes holding onto a sharp chance from Harris at second slip.

That dismissal brought

Smith to the crease and he was immediately greeted with a sharp bouncer, much to the delight of the packed crowd.

Smith and Marcus Labuschagne repaired the early damage, putting on 69 for the third wicket before Archer struck again, trapping Labuschagne lbw for 48.

Matthew Wade was lbw to Sam Curran for 19 as Australia slipped to 118-4 but the unruffled Smith eased to his half-century off 91 balls.

Bounty Paper Towel & Solo Drinks Hockey Leagues

Stick will cross today as action resumes The Bounty Paper Towel -Quicker Picker Upper- Men’s and Women’s Outdoor, Second Division and the Solo Drinks Under-20 Mens and Womens Outdoor Development Leagues will resume with the start of the second round of matches this afternoon after an extended hiatus in both the under-20 and second division leagues at the Saint Stanislaus College (SSC) ground.

Today, the action hits off at 15:00hrs sharp with second place GCC Pitbulls battling fifth place YMCA Old Fort (OF) Generals in the boys under-20 division.

At 15:50hrs, second place GBTI GCC will fancy their chances of getting past last ranked YMCA OF Wild Cats in the womens second division league. GCC The Sequel will play Hikers Cadets in the final match at 16:40hrs in the mens second division.

Three mens second division matches are scheduled for tomorrow. In the first

Promising striker Tamar Bhagwandin on the attack for the GCC Hurricanes.

match at 15:00hrs, Hikers Cadets plays OF Rusty, while YMCA OF Aces will clash

with league leaders Saints Savages before YMCA OF Rusty play their second

match of the day, this time against Saints Hockey Club (SHC) Shockwave at 16:40hrs.

Wickets tumbled after tea, with Archer removing Mitchell Marsh and Curran dismissing Australia captain Tim Paine and Pat Cummins in successive balls.

Smith’s dismissal left Australia 187-8 but Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon played enterprisingly to add 37 for the ninth wicket, with Lyon smashing Woakes for a six over square leg.

Archer bowled Lyon, while Rory Burns took a sensational catch to end Siddle’s knock.

Batting a second time England withstood a testing few overs to end on 9-0, a lead of

78.

At the start of the day England added just 23 runs to their overnight score, with Jos Buttler out for 70.

Marsh took five wickets on his return to the Test side while Pat Cummins took three.

Australia won at Old Trafford last week to take a 21 lead in the series, meaning they will retain the Ashes urn regardless of the result at the Oval.

But they are hungry to wrap up their first series win in England since 2001.

Close: England 294 and 9 for 0 lead Australia 225 by 78 runs.

KMPA foundation introduces weekly podcast The KMPA Foundation has announced the launch of a podcast programme this month. This podcast will be found on the organisations w e b s i t e www.KMPASPORT.org and will feature conversations about sports with special emphasis on Track and Field.

Founder and organiser of the KMPA Foundation, Andy Medas-King, noted that the reason for the podcast was to give people access to what it takes to get the games going and because of limited access to media channels when it comes to thanking sponsors and volunteers.

In the correspondence to Kaieteur Sport, Medas-King stated that having regular conversations with the athletes will only benefit the entire country since the KMPA Foundation is about bring-

ing changes and implementing new standards.

On the platform, education will be discussed, advice would be given and training schedules would be talked about among other topics.

This Monday, the first podcast will be uploaded to the website, followed by weekly updates every Sunday. In the press release, Medas-King reminded athletes to register for the third annual junior Olympic Games online at meetregister.org or KMPASPORT.ORG. There’s a $1,000 registration fee which is going to cover the costs of the live streaming services and also the development of the ground.

The KMPA Foundation is also appealing for other sponsors who would be able to contact the organisers directly via the website.

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Saturday September 14, 2019

9th Courts 10k runs off tomorrow, Unbeaten Roberts claims Keith Moseley Memorial Billiards title in three-way final athletes urged to be on time The lucrative and annual Courts 10k road race is runs off tomorrow at Courts Main Street branch.

The event will speed off from 06:00hrs sharp and the head of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson, noted that no late additions will be allowed into the race so athletes are encouraged to be on time.

Courts Guyana Inc. has contributed $2million to the marquee road race on the AAGs calendar which will go towards the top finishers and logistics, while the junior athletes will receive vouchers for school supplies.

The total prize money remains at $1.15 million since its increase from $960,000 in 2018 and the top six overall finishers will benefit.

In addition to the 10k, there will also be a golden mile race for the youth athletes and the 3k race for Courts Guyana Inc. employees.

The winners of the open male and female categories will pocket $100,000 each, while

From left Stephen Grant, winner Troy Roberts and Avery Trim.

Kezia Murray (left), senior female winner 2018, poses with COURTS Director Clyde de Haas. the intermediate runners up will take home $80,000, $60,000, $40,000, $20,000 and $10,000 respectively.

Last year, Winston Missigher broke the winning streak of

Cleveland Forde in the open mens category, while Aliyah Moore won the open womens category.Banks DIH through their Rainforest Waters brand are part sponsors of the event.

Vinales quickest as Yahamas dominate practice in San Marino Misano Adriatico (Italy) (AFP) - Maverick Vinales was the fastest of the Yahamas as they dominated yesterday’s two practice sessions ahead of this weekend’s San Marino MotoGP. The Yahamas took four of the top five spots at Misano, only separated by the Honda of championship leader Marc Marquez who was third quickest.

Vinales, who won the Dutch GP at the end of June, set the pace with a best lap of 1min 32.775secs which was just 0.057secs quicker than his French teammate Fabio Quartararo, who had topped the first session.

Behind Marquez, who has a 78-point lead over Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso in the title race, were the Yamahas of the evergreen Valentino Rossi and Franco Morbidelli.

“Obviously if one of the Yamaha riders goes on to win this race it would be good,” said the 20-year-old Quartararo.

“It’s always good to have someone pushing your limits and we always look to see who is the top Yamaha rider”.

Seven-time world champion Rossi, who has won his home San Marino GP three times, said Quartararo was pressing for a first race victory.

The rookie already has three pole positions and three

Troy Movements Roberts, known for his music playing and plane making skills, turned in a brilliant performance to win the first ever Keith Moseley Memorial four ball billiards tournament which was hosted by the Mackenzie Sports Club as the MSC seeks to encourage more membership following its recent elections.

Roberts was unbeaten after taking on Avery Trim and Stephen Grant in a three-way final which began with Trim

getting past Grant in a close encounter 100-96.

But in his next game, Trim suffered a 100-80 defeat to Roberts who then took home the bragging rights with a 10099 thriller that crowned him the Keith Moseley Memorial championship which ended at the MSC last Sunday.

In that final game between Roberts and Grant, after taking the advantage just past the half way mark and looking in good form, Roberts lost control and Grant caught him

at 89 and with a fine display led 99-97 before Roberts pushed past in a nail-biting finish 100-99 as Grant was left high and dry.

For his win Roberts walked away with $15,000, Grant collected $10,000 and Trim $5,000.According to the organisers two more tournaments are planned for the rest of this year with the Hardcourt Warde Classic in November and the John Emmanuel Trim Memorial Classic in December.

FIFA panel bans and fines former Russian soccer official for ethics breach ZURICH (Reuters) - A FIFA panel has banned former Russian soccer official Alexander Shprygin from taking part in any soccer-related activities for two years after its independent Ethics Committee said he had breached its code.Shprygin, a former member of the Executive Committee of the Football Union of Russia, broke rules on discrimination in media statements and social media posts published in 2014 and 2015, FIFA said.

Maverick Vinales was quickest in practice for the San Marino MotoGP as Yamaha took four of the five top spots. (AFP Photo/Marco Bertorello) podiums to his credit this season.

“To win a first race, you have to be 100% in every sense and making a good start is essential,” said the 40year-old, now in his 20th season in MotoGP. “We are not completely ready but we are almost there.”

A third free practice session will be held this morning before qualifying in the afternoon.

Practice standings

1. Maverick Vinales (ESP/ Yamaha) 1min 32.775sec, 2.

Fabio Quartararo (FRA/ Yamaha-SRT) 0.057, 3. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 0.339, 4. Valentino Rossi (ITA/ Yamaha) 0.695, 5. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Yamaha-SRT) 0.749, 6. Pol Espargaro (ESP/ KTM) 0.849, 7. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) 0.953, 8. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 1.051, 9. Alex Rins (ESP/ Suzuki) 1.099, 10. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/HondaLCR) 1.132

He was also fined 10,000 Swiss francs (£8,135).Shprygin told Reuters he was aware of the ban against him but had yet to receive an official notification from FIFA. “It came as a surprise to me,” he said.Shprygin was among a group of Russian fans expelled from France after violent clashes before and during Russias 2016 European Championship match against England in Marseille.

He managed to re-enter

St. Lucia National Netball Association name team for male tourney in Grenada The Grenada Netball Association (GNA) will be hosting a Male Regional Championship and Inter Sector tournament at the Tanteen Stadium, Grenada from Friday September 20 to Tuesday September 24.The teams participating are Antigua, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and the host country along with an added local team.

Meanwhile, the St. Lucia Netball Association has named the following players to represent them in the Regional Championship: Darrion Roberts, Jerry Charles, Durocher Antoine, Rydell Baptiste, Afernee “Berbettoe” Ferdinand, Neighman Leroy Lascaris, Danie Moses, Augustin Faulkner and Miguel Clairmont. Team Management: Shem Maxwell (Coach), Sanya Antoine (Manager), Wayne Benti (Umpire).

President of the AllRussian Supporters Association (ARSA) Alexander Shprygin attends a news conference in Moscow, Russia June 23, 2016.

(REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin/File Photo) France later in the tournament, only to be expelled again.Last year Shprygin was denied a World Cup fan ID, a document that proved its holder had been vetted and approved by security officials to attend World Cup matches.($1 = 0.9875 Swiss francs)

Saturday September 14, 2019

Golovin in tennis comeback after 11-year absence

Golovin originally retired in 2008.

(AFP/File / Torsten Blackwood) AFP - French player Tatiana Golovin said yesterday she will return to competitive tennis despite having retired 11 years ago, a day after Kim

Clijsters announced her shock comeback.

The 31-year-old Golovin, a former world number 12 and a US Open quarter-finalist in 2006, was forced to retire

aged 20 due to lower back inflammation.

“The idea has been taking shape for a year and since this summer I’ve been really serious about it,” she told French television channel BeIN Sports, where she works as a pundit.

“The goal was to be ready early next year, but things are going fast and now I plan to resume perhaps by mid-October.”

Golovin, who was born in Russia and spent years training in Florida, won both of her two WTA titles in 2007.

Former world number one and four-time Grand Slam champion Clijsters, 36, will return to the WTA Tour next season seven years after retiring for a second time.

Smith unfazed by burden of Australia Australia’s Steve run-scoring Smith has enjoyed

AFP - Steve Smith refused to blame his inconsistent teammates for their batting failures during the Ashes after he again shouldered the run-scoring burden for Australia yesterday.

The former skipper scored 80 at the Oval — his lowest total of a sensational series — as the tourists were bowled out for 225, 69 runs short of England’s first-innings total of 294 on the second day of the fifth and final Test.

Smith has now amassed 751 runs, a sizeable chunk of the team’s overall tally of 2,508 runs over the entire series even though he has missed three of the nine innings after being hit by a Jofra Archer bouncer.

When he was asked for reasons for Australia’s batting failures he said conditions had not been kind throughout the series but that players would learn from performing in unfamiliar conditions.“We haven’t seen any huge totals really throughout the whole series so it’s not been easy,” he said.

“There’s always been something there, I felt. If you bowl in good areas for long enough then I think we’ve seen you’ll get rewards.”

“Playing in England is completely different from playing back home and you’ve got to find ways to play away from home,” he added.“Sometimes you need to change certain little things that can help you play in certain conditions and adapt accordingly but I think it will be a good learning curve for all

a sensational Ashes series with the bat.

(AFP / Glyn Kirk)

of our batters.”

- Pressures Smith said he was able to shut out pressures and focus on the job in hand despite the weight of expectation on his shoulders.

“I just sort of do my thing and what people say it doesn’t really bother me, it’s just each time I go out to the middle I love batting and I just want to bat and score runs and help out the team,” he said.“People can say whatever they like, nice things, bad things, whatever. It really doesn’t bother me.”

The 30-year-old, lbw to Chris Woakes, was disappointed not to reach his fourth century of a stellar series on Friday but said he had struggled with “flu” during his innings.England paceman Archer took six wickets to put his side in the driving seat and Smith was asked whether

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a great rivalry could develop between the pair.But the Australian said it was too soon to tell.“Who knows? When’s the next Ashes series? I don’t even know,” he said. “Will I still be playing? I’m not sure.

Who knows the answer to that? We’ll see.

“He’s a quality performer.

He’s got two five-fors in four Test matches (Archer has twice taken six wickets in an innings) and you don’t get guys bowling 90 miles an hour growing on trees and with the skillset he’s got.

“He’s a terrific bowler and there’s no doubt that he’ll gain a lot of confidence from his first Test series.”

Australia, 2-1 up, have already retained the Ashes urn but are aiming to win their first Test series in England since 2001.England lead by 78 runs with 10 second-innings wickets remaining.

Bel Air Lions Domino Competition gets sponsorship from Creative Jewellery and Pawn Shop Tenisha De Ally supervisor of Creative Jewellery and Pawn Shop presented sponsorship to Mr. Colin Boyce of the Bel Air Lions recently, which is for a Domino Competition to be held on the 19th and 20th of October at the Bel Air Lions Den. Ms De Ally expressed gratitude in Creative Jewellery and Pawn Shop being able to partner with Bel Air Lions, which is a charitable organisation, in giving back to the society especially the needy and wished the organisation a successful competition.

Mr. Boyce was very thankful to receive the sponsorship on behalf of the Bel Air Lions and indicated that all proceeds from the competition, which will be run by the GDA, will go towards a community project.

Tenisha De Ally supervisor of Creative Jewellery and Pawn Shop hands over sponsorship to Mr. Colin Boyce of Bel Air Lions.

Neymar back for PSG after Barca transfer saga

PARIS (Reuters) - Neymar is available to play for Paris St Germain after being left out of their squad as negotiations took place over a potential return to Barcelona, coach Thomas Tuchel said yesterday.

The Brazilian is likely to make his first appearance of the season for the Ligue 1 leaders at home against Racing Strasbourg today.

Barca spent the bulk of the close season negotiating with PSG to bring Neymar back to the Camp Nou, two years after he left for a world record 222 million euros ($245 million) but the Catalans failed to strike a deal with the Ligue 1 champions.

Tuchel told a news conference that all players were available except Thilo Kehrer, Julian Draxler, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe.“Now that the transfer window is closed its not a distraction anymore,” Tuchel said of the Neymar saga.

“Life is not too hard for him, living and playing in Paris.”Neymar is likely to get a cold reception from the Parc des Princes crowd after saying during the summer that his best memory as a footballer was PSGs humiliating 6-1 defeat by Barca at the Camp Nou in the Champions League in 2017.

“I cant control how the fans will react,” said Tuchel.“But the more you talk about something the more it becomes a big thing.”

PSG lead the Ligue 1 standings with nine

Brazil forward Neymar (10) looks on after the South American Showdown soccer match against Peru at Los Angeles Coliseum.

(Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports) points from four games.

They start their Champions League campaign next Wednesday with a home game against Real Madrid.

Neymar will be suspended for the match, however, for insulting match officials following the French sides elimination from the competition last season.

U.S. groups investigated on handling of...

From page 38 U.S. Senators Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., issued a joint statement.“The U.S. Olympic Committee and its affiliated national governing bodies enabled Larry Nassar by turning a blind eye to criminal conduct and then trying to sweep it under the rug.

“Everyone who allowed abuse to continue must be held responsible for any and all violations of the law.”

USA Gymnastics said it “is striving to be-

come an athlete-centric organization that keeps athlete safety and well-being at the forefront of everything it does.”

It added USA Gymnastics has cooperated fully with any governmental investigation and will continue to do so in the future.”

In a separate statement, USA Taekwondo said: “While we are limited in what we can say while legal proceedings move forward, we want to state clearly that above all else, our top priority at USA Taekwondo is the safety of our athletes.”

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Saturday September 14, 2019

U.S. groups investigated on handling of sex-abuse claims - report (Reuters) - The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) said yesterday it was cooperating with government inquires after it was reported U.S. agencies were conducting a widespread investigation into U.S. Olympic sport organizations.

The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the investigations, reported U.S. Justice Department is pursuing multiple wide-criminal investigations into sexual abuse in U.S. Olympic sports organizations and into potential

financial and business misconduct throughout the U.S. Olympic system.

The inquiries follow in the wake of the sexual-abuse case against former national gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar and include not only the USOPC but USA Gymnastics, USA Taekwondo and other organizations, the Journal said.

Nassar, 55, was given an effective life sentence by a Michigan court for sexually abusing young female gymnasts entrusted to his care. He is also serving a 60-year sen-

tence for a federal child pornography conviction.

The USOPC declined, in a late afternoon teleconference, to comment on the report beyond reading a prepared statement.“Every instance related to potential or actual abuse of athletes warrants thorough investigation,” spokesman Mark Jones said.

“We have cooperated with all government inquiries and will continue to do so.”

Jones added if there were inquiries on the call, “you will receive the same answer.”

The Journal reported that

Limacol football tournament Pele & Dynamics draw, Riddim Squad win on Thursday Match day two of the second round of group matches in the fourth annual Limacol football tournament kicked off over an hour late on Thursday evening at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on Carifesta Avenue. Two matches were scheduled for the night and first and second games were reduced to 30 minutes and 40 minutes per half respectively, instead of the full 90-minute game.

The opening match between Pele FC of Georgetown and Dynamics FC of the East Coast of Demerara was a sixgoal affair that finished 3-all but the match blew off at 20:11hrs instead of 19:00hrs and the delay was majorly due to ground not being visibly marked. The officials informed the organisers that they will not be officiating unless the ground has been marked and after the shoddy job was

completed, that match was reduced to 30 minutes per half.

Julius Hamilton banged in a hat-trick with his goals coming in the fourth, 37th and 51st minutes of the match for Dynamics that would have been disappointed to lose the match which they were leading 3-1 before goals by Mark Jhalu (54th) and Akosie Jarvis (58th) earned a vital point for Pele FC. Dorwin George scored a penalty in the 18th to give Pele FC their first equalising strike of the night.

In the feature match, Riddim Squad thumped Pouderoyen FC 3-0 after coach of the losing side; Travis Bess, had protested the officials decision of allotting the game only 35 minutes per half, that matchs time was increased to 80 minutes.

Kevin Gordon bagged a brace in the 10th and 53rd minutes, while Michael Charles

ensured that the winners had a healthy 2-0 lead at the end of the first half with a goal in the 24th minute.

The tournament continues tonight with another double header in the group round-robin stage. Scheduled for 19:00hrs, Camptown are set to clash with Black Pearl in the first match, while the rampant Conquerors U-20 will match skills with GFC, who lost their first group match, at 21:00hrs.

There are four groups of four teams contesting the group round-robin stage, the top two sides in each group will advance to the quarterfinals.

The winners of this edition will pocket $400,000, second $200,000, third $100,000 and the losers of the third place playoff will walk away with $50,000. (Calvin Chapman)

Canelo to face Kovalev on November 2 AFP - Middleweight king Canelo Alvarez is to make a two-division jump in weight classes to take on Russia’s WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev, it was confirmed yesterday.

Alvarez, 29, announced the November 2 date in Las Vegas in a short post on Twitter. Online streaming service DAZN also confirmed the bout.

World Boxing Council title-holder Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 KOs) has never fought at light heavyweight before.

Alvarez and Kovalev, 36, had been in negotiations earlier this year to fight in October, only for Kovalev to reject an offer from the Alvarez camp.

Alvarez meanwhile was stripped of his International Boxing Federation belt after

refusing to accept a fight against mandatory challenger Sergey Derevyanchenko.

In comments to ESPN on Friday, Alvarez said he was relishing the challenge of facing the naturally bigger Kovalev, who retained his title with an 11th round knockout of Britain’s Anthony Yarde last month.

“The second phase of my career is continuing just as we had plan n e d , a n d t h a t ’s why we are continuing to make great fights to enter into the history books of boxing,” Alvarez told ESPN. “That’s also why I’ve decided to jump two weight classes against one of the most feared champions of recent years.

“Kovalev is a dangerous puncher, and he’s naturally

Middleweight king Canelo Alvarez will go up two weight classes to fight Sergey Kovalev in Las Vegas on November 2. (Getty Images North America/ AFP/File / Al Bello) the bigger man, but that’s the kind of challenges and risks that I like to face.”

federal prosecutors have spoken with potential witnesses about alleged abuse and misconduct in Olympic sports organizations, including USA Gymnastics and USA Taekwondo.One focus of the investigation appeared to be on failures in the Olympic system to respond to signs of widespread child abuse, the newspaper said.It said prosecutors have already spoken with some witnesses and have received documents from SafeSport in response to a grand jury subpoena.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport is the organization formed in 2017 to handle sexabuse cases in the Olympic world.The newspaper also reported that USA Gymnastics said in bankruptcy filings that it has been responding to Justice Department subpoenas as recently as April.

In response to the report, (Contionued on page 35)

William Strampel, a former Dean at Michigan State University and former supervisor of convicted USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, is arraigned by video in 54B District Court in East Lansing, Michigan, U.S., March 27, 2018. (REUTERS/Rebecca Cook)

No evidence Pybus was architect of Wisden success: Skerritt PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC Cricket West Indies president, Ricky Skerritt, has downplayed Richard Pybuss role in West Indies shock Test series win over England in the Caribbean earlier this year.

In fact, Skerritt said there was “absolutely no evidence” that the controversial Englishman was behind the 21 series result, which saw the home side recapture the prestigious Wisden Trophy for the first time in a decade.

“The team beat England in two Test matches. There is no reason to believe that it was because of Pybus,” Skerritt told i95FM in a wide-ranging interview aired here Thursday night.“Theres absolutely no evidence to believe that Pybus caused that, nobody has been able to show that.”

Pybus was appointed head coach just days before the start of the series last January, a move that was embroiled in controversy, especially after it emerged he had been hand-picked by then president Dave Cameron.

The home side then crushed England in the first Test at Kensington Oval by 381 runs, behind captain Jason Holders magnificent unbeaten maiden double hundred and Roston Chases eight-wicket haul in the second innings.

West Indies then pulled off a 10-wicket in the second Test in Antigua to win the series, before going on to suffer a comprehensive 232-run defeat in the third Test in St Lucia.

Englishman Richard Pybus … oversaw West Indies Wisden Trophy triumph.

Skerritt, who ousted three-term incumbent at CWI elections last March, said the series result had simply represented a “peak” for West Indies, but pointed out that overall, results had continued in a negative direction.

“We have had our peaks and troughs over the years but if you look at the success curve, its been trending downwards,” the former St Kitts and Nevis cabinet minister explained.“So even when you get a little peak and then a trough, youre getting more troughs than peaks so youre continuing to go downwards.

The England Test series was a peak; what we have to do is get more peaks than troughs so that the curve turns and starts to go upwards.”

Pybus was removed as head coach following Skerritts arrival and replaced by exWest Indies batsman Floyd Reifer, in an interim role.

CWI announced this week it was launching its recruitment process for a permanent head coach and Skerritt said the qualities being now sought had not been reflected in Pybus.

“We need a coach whos going to be able to teach young people and follow them through on the fundamentals and help them be the best they can be,” Skerritt asserted.

“Pybus was hired as a high performance director; he had no achievements as a high performance director.

Pybus only wanted one job and that was to be coach. We want a coach who wants to be a teacher of the best young people in the Caribbean.”

The regions former director of cricket, Pybus and CWI parted ways after he was reassigned to his substantive role as as high performance director.

Saturday September 14, 2019

PAGE 39

Kaieteur News

The T20 game: India haven’t figured it out yet, but they are willing to change ESPNcricinfo - “One-day cricket and T20s have vastly different identities and one cannot look at it through the mere lens of ‘white-ball cricket’,” Ravi Shastri, India’s coach, told Times of India recently. “T20 is a wholly different ball game, and that is how we are going to pursue it.”

Better late than never, you’d think. For far too long, India have approached T20Is as an extension of the ODI, investing more values in wickets than boundaries. Now, though, with two T20 World Cups to be played before the next ICC ODI tournament, India have got the planning in place. Not only are there signs that their attitude towards the format has changed, but they are also giving themselves an unprecedented number of matches in the lead-up to the World Cup. Between the start of this home season with a T20I against South Africa on Sunday and the actual World Cup in Australia’s early summer next year, India are scheduled to play 27 T20Is. Dates and venues have been assigned for 18 of them. They won’t play a single Test between February next year and the T20 World Cup. The BCCI has done its bit by making sure India have such a schedule, and now it is up to the team to hold its side of the bargain.

One of the first issues to be identified is by the leadership itself. Virat Kohli, the captain, and Rohit Sharma, the vice-captain, are the mainstays of the batting but are not among the fastest Powerplay scorers in the IPL. Shikhar Dhawan is not too different.

Over the last five IPLs, their

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli run during their second-wicket stand. (Associated Press)

Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav celebrate a wicket. (Associated Press) strike rates have been 127.67, 127.33 and 126.17. It is important to look at these IPL stats because when with India, the same batsmen can get away with slower starts as India traditionally lack the hitting depth of other T20 sides, making it difficult for the main batsmen to take risks.

Kohli and Rohit have high averages, they score a lot of runs, and their strike rates rise as innings go deeper. Kohli, in fact, has an overall strike rate of a shade under 140 in IPLs at an average of nearly 48 over the last five years. For India, he averages more, but strikes a little slower. Is an average innings of 48 off 35 what you want from your best batsman?

The answer to that question depends also on what India get from their revamped later order. What mix of stability and explosiveness Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya provide will determine how much Kohli and Rohit change their approach. There will even be debate over whether three similar batsmen -

Dhawan, Rohit and Kohli - are one too many. One of them might have to decide to change his game to make maximum use of the 20 overs.

It will help if, during this period, the team management doesn’t follow the temptation outside the team to castigate the likes of Pant for every dismissal to an adventurous shot. It’s the percentages of those shots coming off that should matter; they also need to be weighed against results that more traditional batting produces.

If the 2016 World T20 semifinal was a lesson to the batsmen to value their wickets less than they do, the final of the 2014 edition was a similar lesson to the bowlers. India were consistently the better-attacking side in that tournament in Bangladesh, but in the final, the Sri Lanka bowlers put up a great defensive masterclass, keeping India to 130 even though they took just the four wickets.

For a while now, India have looked to extend the wickets-slows-runs wisdom from ODI cricket to T20Is, but

Andre Russell’s scans clear after blow to helmet ESPNcricinfo - Andre Russell was stretchered off the ground by medical staff after a blow to his helmet in the first innings of Jamaica Tallawahs’ clash against St Lucia Zouks at Sabina Park on Thursday.

Following the incident, he was taken to hospital for a CT scan. A medical update from the franchise confirmed that Russell was later cleared of serious injury. Having been advised rest, he returned to the hotel and didn’t play further part in the game.

The incident took place in the 14th over, after Russell, batting on zero, failed to connect with a pull. Zouks pacer

Hardus Viljoen had bowled it short and at the body, and the ball struck Russell’s helmet near the right ear.

Russell had backed away before Viljoen had delivered the ball, and so the bowler followed the batsman, cramping him for space. Russell immediately dropped to the ground and the Zouks fielders then removed his helmet.

When the medical team rushed in to check on Russell, the batsman looked dazed but stood up on his feet.

Russell was beginning to walk off, retired hurt, when he was made to stop. A stretcher was brought in, and Russell with a neck brace on - was

taken off. At first look, it appeared that Russell’s helmet did not have a neck guard.

Three overs after the incident, Tallawahs head coach Donovan Miller told the broadcasters that “there was no update on Russell just yet”, but at the innings break, the commentators informed that Russell had been taken to the hospital for further checks.

Tallawahs finished their innings on 170 for 5, adding only 38 runs in the last six overs.

They eventually lost by five wickets, suffering their third straight loss of the campaign.

there are finally signs they now trying defensive options too. Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav are by no means out of contention, but India are currently resting them to see how other, lessattacking spinners go in the format. Captains often say they will take 2 for 70, well above the going rate in the five years, from their spinner any day over 0 for 50, slightly under the average scoring rate over the same period, in ODIs. However, you won’t as readily say that about 2 for 40 and 0 for 30 because those two wickets have a much bigger impact on how teams face the other bowlers in ODIs than in T20Is.

Not only are those auditioning less attacking bowlers, but Krunal Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar happen to be better batsmen than Chahal and Kuldeep too. It’s not the runs that they score that matters as much but the freedom their presence provides the lower middle order.

Wristspinner Rahul Chahar’s presence tells you they haven’t entirely given up on attack either.

India don’t know what the best way to play T20 cricket is yet, but what is important is they are aware what they have been doing is not the best, they are willing to change it, and they have the means and

the time to do so.

“At best, four, or, maximum, five cricketers from the present 50-over set-up fit in a T20 perspective right now.

We need to begin with that perspective and build on it,” Shastri said.

If four or five are certain of a T20 spot, only two Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar - can be sure of the role they should be playing in the side. Shastri and the rest of the leadership have a possible 27 matches now to settle in on the rest and their roles.

It is a better approach than persisting with what has promised a lot but has fallen short of delivering.

Bulgarian FA slams England boss Southgate over racism concerns SOFIA (Reuters) - The president of the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) Borislav Mihaylov has expressed his indignation and disappointment over comments by England manager Gareth Southgate about the prospect of racism at next months Euro 2020 qualifier in Sofia.

Southgate, who plans to consult his players before the Oct. 14 game, said he feared they could face racial abuse in Bulgaria after an away fan allegedly targeted winger Raheem Sterling when the teams met at Wembley last Saturday.

The FA said an individual was ejected from the stadium for “discriminatory abuse” during Englands 4-0 win.

But in a statement bfunion.bg/news/46366/0 on its website yesterday, the BFU said such concerns were “groundless, inappropriate and unnecessary”.

In a letter sent to European soccers governing body UEFA and the FA, former Bulgaria goalkeeper Mihaylov said: “We have not received

England manager Gareth Southgate during the Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group A - England v Bulgaria. (REUTERS/David Klein/File Photo) any official information regarding discriminatory language used by a Bulgarian supporter at Wembley Stadium.

“Even if this were the case, however, we believe that generalisations and the creation of needless tension by official members of the English team is absolutely unacceptable and in contradiction with the spirit of mutual respect and fair play, the core values of both UEFA and the BFU.” England top Group A with

a maximum 12 points from four games, while Bulgaria are bottom with two from five matches.UEFA has ordered the BFU to partially close the Vasil Levski national stadium for Englands visit after supporters were found guilty of racist behaviour in matches earlier this year.

Bulgarian supporters made monkey chants at the visiting black players when England last travelled to Sofia in 2011, prompting UEFA to fine the BFU 40,000 euros (£35,468).

PAGE 40

Saturday September 14, 2019

Kaieteur News

Hero CPL T20

Lendl Simmons and Colin Munro run between the wicket during the record showing

by TKR. (CPL)

Munro (96*), Simmons (86), Pollard (45*) on fire in TKRs record breaker It was anticipated to be an epic battle between the two most successful teams in the seven-year history of the CPL T20 cricket.

Defending Champions and three times winners Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) and two-times Champions Jamaica Tallawahs (JT) clashed last night at Sabina Park and when the dust had settled TKR had extended their winning streak to four with a 41-run win in a record breaking run.

The Jamaicans suffered their second loss on home turf to remain pointless from four matches and the win was the seventh by TKR from 15 matches against the Tallawahs.

TKR smashed 171 runs in the last overs to reach 267-2; the highest total in Franchise cricket.

TKR was led by Man-ofthe-Match South African Colin Munro who smashed a belligerent unbeaten 96 from 50 balls with six fours and

eight sixes and shared in an unfinished 96 third wicket stand with new West Indies White ball Captain Kieron Pollard who clobbered four fours and three sixes in a 17ball 45.

Lendl Simmons capitalised on being dropped thrice and caught twice off noballs to hit his 13th CPL fifty and second in a row with an explosive 42-ball 86 with eight fours and five sixes as he added 55 for the first wicket with Sunil Narine who made 20.

Tw e n t y - y e a r- o l d Afghanistan left-arm wrist spinner Zahir Khan took 1-42 from three overs.

On good track and fast outfield in a game marred by poor catching and seemingly inadequate flood lights, Tallawahs reached 226-5 as Chris Gayle who made 39 from 24 balls and Glen Phillips, who made 58 on Thursday night, added 88 in 7.2 overs after 67 came in the six Power-Play overs. Phillips hit back-toback fifties making 62 from 32

balls.

Gayle missed a big swing and was bowled by Mohamed Hasnain (2-52 from 4 over) before Chadwick Walton (6) fell eight runs later but Phillips kept going until he was deceived by a slower ball from Pollard at 166-3 after Chadwick Walton (6) had departed at 96-2.

And despite some big hitting, when Rovman Powell was forced to retire with abdominal pain it was all over bar the shouting.

George Worker (18) provided Hasnain with his second scalp and Green (15) was bowled by Narine who was clobbered for three consecutive sixes.

Lewis, who finished on 37 from 15 balls and Jevelle Glen, who made 33 from 24 balls, continued to entertain the large crowd with some lusty hitting to take Tallawahs past 225 in a losing effort.

TKR won the toss and Simmons swiveled and pulled Green before he bowled a bouncer to Narine which

sailed over the Keeper s head for four.

Jerome Taylors no-ball problem from the previous night continued and when he overstepped with his first ball of the night and the free-hit was flicked for four by Simmons.

Narine was peppered with quick short balls while Green also utilised his two bouncers per over and after swishing and missing, Narine uppercut a wide ball over the point boundary before clipping the next one past mid-wicket for four.

Simmons whipped Taylor audaciously behind square for four and another Taylor no-ball saw Simmons taken at mid-on.

Narine got a top edge to a big swipe before smashing Oshane Thomas one-bounce to cover for consecutive boundaries to post the fifty in 4.4 overs.

Simmons got a fortuitous boundary to end an expensive first over from Thomas who had 3-36 the previous night but leaked 63 runs last night.

Khan was introduced and Narine missed a full ball and was bowled at 55-1 before Munro, the leading run scorer in last years CPL, got going with a slash to the cover boundary before hitting Khan for six as 65 runs were conceded in the Power-play.

Simmons pulled Khan for six but while the other pacers

banged it in short, Powell bowled six yorkers in his first over.

Simmons greeted offspinner Ramaal Lewis with a huge six before he was dropped by Taylor as his bad night continued before Simmons was again dropped to the dismay of Lewis.

Munro drove Powell for four to post the 50 partnership after the 100 had come up in the 10th over.

Simmons and Monro continued to score freely with Munro lofting Powell into the stands for six and without Andre Russell and Shemar Springer, Tallawahs were under pressure.

A six off Khan brought up (Continued on page 34)

Guyana Karate College commissions new Dojo building

The new Guyana Karate College Dojo under construction.

The Guyana Karate College (GKC) moved a step closer to completing the construction of its new Dojo located at Lilliendaal, East Coast Demerara, when it engaged the local firm of Kares Engineering to complete this task.

On Thursday last, Shuseki Shihan (World Karate Master) Frank Woon-A-Tai, 9th Dan, M.S., head of the International Karate Daigaku (IKD) handed over the building plan to Ms. Nirmala Robindra of Kares

Engineering in a simple ceremony held at the site of the new Dojo to mark the occasion.

The College Dojo sits on one-acre of prime land located near to the CARICOM Secretariat. The foundation of the building has already been laid and the partial frame and roof erected.

The estimated finishing cost for walls, windows, doors, lights, cooling/ventilation, water, toilets/showers, and change rooms is between

G$20 to 25 million dollars.

In addition, the GKC has 700 mats on pending order from China. Speaking at the ceremony, Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai explained that, “The college dojo gives the children of Guyana, and all Guyanese, the opportunity to experience the many benefits of karate such developing discipline, confidence and skill in the various techniques.”

He noted that when completed, the Dojo would serve

Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai hands over the building plan to Ms. Nirmala Robindra of Kares Engineering while other GKC officials share the moment. as the International Karate Daigaku’s South American headquarters and would be the site of future regional

tournaments. The expected completion date for “Project Budokan” is May 2020.

The Guyana Karate Col-

lege welcomes donations or any other forms of assistance towards this very worthy endeavour.

Kaieteur News

Saturday September 14, 2019

Fourth EBFA/Ralph Green U-11 League launch and kick off set for today Twelve teams, including defending champions Timehri Panthers Sports Club will from today be battling for top honours when the Fourth edition of the East Bank Football Association Under11 League sponsored by USA based Guyanese, Ralph Green kicks off.GFF President Wayne Forde will deliver feature remarks at the launch following the marchpast of the competing teams before they get into action.

The tournament has been keenly contested in the previous three years and the E B FA e x p e c t s t h e Mt.1 Team 1.Timehri Panthers 2.Agricola 3.Mocha Champs 4.Riddim Squad 5.Diamond United 6.Grove Hi Tech

carrying the EBFA logo, while each team would again receive branded jerseys, each team a different colour. Each player would also receive a knapsack bearing the association logo.

Each player from the first and second placed teams will each receive a replica trophy while the third and fourth placed teams would receive medals. Plaques would be presented to the Most Va l u a b l e P l a y e r, B e s t Goalkeeper, Highest Goal Scorer, Most Promising Player, Most Disciplined Player and the Best Coach.

Team Vurlon Mills Academy Herstelling Raiders Swan FC Friendship All Stars Samatta Point/Kaneville Kuru Kururu Warriors

competition among the future stars of Guyana will be even more intense this time around. The association has invited two non-EBFA teams to compete, Riddim Squad, a Mocha based team and Vu r l o n M i l l s F o o t b a l l Academy which is based in t h e c i t y .

They will be coming up against ten (10) EBFA teams, Mocha Champs, Diamond United, Samatta Point/Kaneville, Swan Football Club, Agricola Red Triangle, Grove Hi Tech, Kuru Kururu Warriors, Herstelling Raiders and Friendship All Stars.

There will be two groups of six teams each and after round-robin play, the top two from each will advance to the semi finals with the respective winners contesting the final, while the losers will play in the third/fourth place encounter.

Last years competition was so intense that the champions, Timehri Panthers won by a single point (30) ahead of Grove Hi Tech, the latter team being the only team not to lose a match in their 11 encounters; Timehri lost one match. Agricola ended third with Swan FC fourth.

Once again the tournament would be played with branded size 4 balls

Time Venue 10:30hrs GFF NTC 10:30hrs “ “ 11:00hrs “ “ 11:00hrs “ “ 12:00hrs “ “ 12:00hrs “ “

Proceedings today will get underway at 10:00hrs

Gr. A B A B A B

followed by six matches as follows:Day 1 - Saturday September 4, 2019.

PAGE 41

Limacol football tournament

Pele & Dynamics draw, Riddim Squad win on Thursday t r o p S

Dymanic’s Dwain Jacobs (no.7) looks to dispossess Pele FC during the two teams’ 3-3 draw on Thursday night at the MOE ground. (Calvin Chapman photo)

Andre Russell’s scans Archer claims six clear after blow to helmet wickets as England take charge of Ashes finale England’s Jofra Archer took six wickets as Australia were bowled out for 225 in the fifth Ashes Test. (AFP / Glyn Kirk) Andre Russell is dazed after a blow to the helmet. (CPL via Getty Images)

Fourth EBFA/Ralph Green Munro (96*), Simmons (86), Pollard U-11 League launch and (45*) on fire in TKRs record breaker kick off set for today Hero CPL T20

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