Kaieteur News

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Bodies of NEWS boat crash victims found

Thursday Edition

AIETEUR

September 26, 2019 - Vol. 12 No. 39 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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

Price $80

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Earliest date for Elections is March 2, 2020 - Granger - Parliament reconvenes on October 10, 2019 for extension of Constitutional deadline

Suspect in KN grenade attack held after being - demands a signed proclamation deported from Cayenne as evidence that one has been set Crime reporter’s dad, 82, succumbs weeks after found beaten in home

PPP says Granger still to set Elections date

President David Granger

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

Commission to appeal court ruling in Royston King's dismissal - LGC

Guyana to receive its first share of Liza oil by February 2020 - IMF

Kaieteur News

PAGE 02

Thursday September 26, 2019

Six Guyanese policewomen Bodies of boat crash in US for major conference victims found - over 800 delegates from 43 countries participating

Dead: Sherry Khan

The damaged passenger boat which was involved in the accident on Monday

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The Guyanese contingent during the Alaskan parade on Monday.

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ix female officers of the Guyana P o l i c e Force/Guyana Association o f Wo m e n P o l i c e (GAWP)led by Deputy Commissioner Maxine Graham, DSM and assisted

by Superintendent Grace Davis on Friday departed Guyana to Anchorage, Alaska, United States of

America.

They are there to attend the International Association of Women Police 57th Annual Training Conference being held from September 23-27, 2019.

The conference, according to the Guyana Police Force, is being hosted in Anchorage for the third time and being held under

the theme: "Mentoring the Next Generation”, It attracted over 800 delegates from 43 countries.

The opening ceremony was held on Monday at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Centre, followed by the parade of the nations through the downtown area of Alaska.

During the conference, delegates will benefit from training in areas such as Leadership, the origins of Sexual Violence, Gender Equality in Law Enforcement and Human Trafficking, among others.

he bodies of the m i s s i n g passengers from last Monday's Essequibo River accident have been found.

Jose Francisco Joaquin, a Brazilian, and Osafo Anthony Roberts called Join wire, 25, an auto electrician of Philadelphia, East Bank Essequibo, went missing after two boats collided at Chalmers' crossing located at the western tip of Hog Island, in the Essequibo River.

Their bodies were found yesterday by a search party of policemen and coast guards.

Ceanna Williams, the wife of Roberts told Kaieteur News that her spouse was headed to Buck Hall to transport goods.

“He does drive for people

and carry up items for people in Buckhall. She said her husband got a call to go to Buck Hall a few days before the accident.”

Joaquin and Roberts were among eight passengers aboard an M&Y Express vessel headed in the direction of Buck Hall when it collided with a Venezuelaregistered fibre glass boat which was proceeding in the opposite direction.

The accident, which occurred around 18:00 hours o n M o n d a y, a l s o l e f t Suriname–based Guyanese businesswoman Sherry Khan, a mother of four, dead.

The survivors were later identified as Devindra Singh called Crank, 43, the captain of the passenger vessel, of Greenwich Park, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), Milton

Duke, 43, a businessman and h i s w i f e Ya l u t i n e Homankirk, Jaeva Viera Nun, a Brazilian National and Raymond Charles.

They were taken to the Leonora Cottage and West Demerara Regional Hospitals. At least two were moved to private city hospitals where they remain hospitalized.

Investigations into the matter have so far revealed that the captains of both vessels were using the lights from their cellular phones to help them navigate the waters when the accident occurred.

Reports indicate the Venezuelan vessel was under repairs and on a test run when it smashed into the passenger vessel. Police and maritime (continued on page 14)

Thursday September 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Earliest date for Elections is March 2, 2020 - Granger - Parliament reconvenes on October 10, 2019 for extension of Constitutional deadline

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resident David Granger has announced that the earliest date for the holding of General and Regional Elections is March 2, 2020.

Though it has been reported in other sections of the media that that date is Elections day, it should be noted that the President's statement did not explicitly name a date. It only said that that date is the earliest possible one.

His announcement came after discussions with his Cabinet of Ministers and Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), (ret'd) Justice Claudette Singh S.C. The President had been advised by Singh on September 19 last that GECOM will be ready to hol d elections by the end of

February, 2020, after weeks of back-and-forth discussions at the level of the Commission on a comprehensive work-plan.

After receiving the advice, the President had met with several Cabinet Ministers on the very day, and his full Cabinet on Tuesday last.

He said that the Ministers were guided by the advice of A t t o r n e y General and Minister of Leg al Affairs, B a s i l Wi l l i a m s . T h e President said that he also met with Justice Singh again, y e s t e r d a y, a n d t h e y discussed the statutory timelines for the upcoming elections.

The President stated that the extension of a period beyond three months of the Constitutional deadline as provided for in the nation's Supreme Law, is related to

the readiness of GECOM. Hence, he has declared that the Government must return to the National Assembly, “as a consequence”, to request an extension of that deadline.

During a press conference last week, the Alliance for Change (AFC) had called on the People's Progressive Party (PPP) to grant the extension when the National Assembly reconvenes, or risk frustrating the Constitution.

The extension requires two-thirds of all the votes of the Members of Parliament.

Such a motion would only pass if the PPP supports it.

The Parliamentary Opposition had held a press conference shortly after the AFC's request, at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, where Chief

Whip Gail Teixeira said that there is no Parliament because she contends that the Government is illegal.

The President told members of the media early yesterday that Government would also seek to return to Parliament if it finds that GECOM is in need of additional funds to prepare for elections. Kaieteur News understands that the expedition of several preparatory activities by the Secretariat requires additional funds, but it is unlikely that GECOM will need that, as iterated by Commissioner Charles Corbin.

The National Assembly reconvenes on October 10, 2019. President Granger noted, in his statement, that Constitutional Articles 70(2) and 73(2) grant him the right

PPP says Granger still to set - demands a signed Elections date proclamation as evidence that one has been set

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he People's Progressive Party (PPP) is not satisfied with the President's statement yesterday on the holding of General and Regional Elections, that the earliest possible date is March 2, 2020. The Opposition asserted that President David Granger has left the nation no clearer than it was before.

Certain sections of the media have already reported that Election Day is March 2, 2020. It should be noted that the President's statement did not explicitly say this.

The President has fielded severe criticism from some sections of civil society and the international community for not yet setting a date, since the Chair of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), (ret'd) Justice Claudette Singh S.C. informed him on September 19 last of GECOM's readiness.

The PPP has said that the “illegal” President's statement is further evidence that he tends to “flip-flop”.

It demands a signed proclamation from Granger, declaring a date for General and Regional Elections, as the only credible evidence that one has been set.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo In his statement, the President also linked the parliamentary extension he is requesting of the Constitutional deadline, from the PPP, to GECOM's readiness. Several coalition members have, for some time, stated that a refusal by the Opposition to grant an extension would mean that it is frustrating the Constitution.

The PPP has rejected that there is any valid link between GECOM's readiness and the extension of the Constitutional deadline, stating that his request is blackmail. “A

return to the National Assembly is wholly unnecessary for him to discharge his constitutional duty to proclaim a date for Elections and dissolve Parliament, nor is it linked to a requirement for GECOM to be ready for Elections,” it stated.

The party further asserted that the President is attempting to use an extension of the Constitutional deadline as a “legal cover” for illegal acts the party purports he has committed.

The party is of the view that this purported illegality includes the approval of billions in contracts.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, has said that the PPP, if victorious in the upcoming elections, will consider those contracts illegally granted.

“President David Granger is a threat to Guyana's democracy,” according to the PPP. It maintains that he has failed to comply with the Constitution, pushing the c o u n t r y i n t o “unconstitutional rule”.

President David Granger to dissolve Parliament and the ten Regional Democratic Councils (RDC) r e s p e c t i v e l y, a n d t h a t following the dissolution of Parliament, Article 61 states: “An election of members of the National Assembly under Article 60 (2) shall be held on such day within three months after every dissolution of Parliament as the President shall appoint by proclamation.”

That means that, despite calls by the PPP for him to dissolve Parliament; the President would not be adhe r i n g w i t h the Constitution if he did so before December 2, 2019.

Moving forward, the President said that Guyana is on the right path to preserving its parliamentary democracy.

He maintains, since the passage of the No Confidence Motion in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018, that Government has respected the decisions of the Courts and upheld the Constitution.

Of the court challenges that dragged on for months,

he said that those were only meant to clarify and interpret the Constitution, not to delay the consequences of the No Confidence Motion.

He said that he has respected the National Assembly at all times, and that he engaged the Elections Commission from February 2019 repeatedly.

“I insisted that credible elections be held at the earliest possible time.

Credible elections are essential to representative democracy.” Granger said.

In a statement released last night, the AFC welcomed the President's announcement, and concurred with the President's clai m t h a t Government has done nothing unconstitutional since December 21, 2018.

The party reiterated its request for the Constitutional deadline to be extended in the National Assembly, with the support of the Opposition.

The party further asserted that the APNU+AFC coalition will be returning to Government after the elections are concluded.

PAGE 4

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 26, 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

Racial discrimination in the workplace The first surprise was that there were not more of these workplace complaints, given how racially antagonistic is this society. The second is that so few racial discriminations reports were registered against the government; and this is in view of the more than a few stormy race-based charges made against the state, at least in the media.

What was encouraging? What was learned? What should be done going forward?

Though far from a perfect world, Guyana is not doing too badly, from a pure numbers’ perspective only. Still, it must be remembered that one racially-charged wound meted against any one racially-discriminated complainant is more than enough; whatever the source: the government or anywhere else.

Even one against government is a terrible mark. This is said because of sporadic allegations of more than a few - of witch hunts, ethnic cleansing, and politically-sponsored purges that made many a public round.

One would have expected a whole host of these things placed before the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC). Perhaps some did not care enough to go the extra lengths required to make known their situation and hurt; perhaps some, as in so many other areas of life, simply tighten gut, bear their chafe, and move on.

Not worth the bother; nor the wrong kind of publicity; nor the unwanted attention. It was surprising to gather from these numbers made available to the public from the ERC that, to a great degree, political claims of race-tinged work practices were either largely underreported or largely speculative.

It should be helpful to peer some more behind the numbers to determine what they said.

The details from the ERC - which is responsible for receiving these sensitive and painful matters - are enlightening. The focus today is strictly on reports of racial discrimination in the workplace.

First, there were just over 25% of the claims of race-based workplace discrimination (13 of 48); though not commendable in this small, suspicious society, this could have been more alarming.

Second, as pointed out before, government agencies had their share of complaints (25%), but much more was expected; that 25% number should be watched carefully and whittled down all the way to zero, whether in place of employment or other statecontrolled places.

Third, there was a surprise: the largest number of complainants (50%) wereAfrican-Guyanese, while Indian-Guyanese were lower at 34%; the reverse was expected when one considers the traditional ways that the power apparatus operates in the public sector; and different governments at the helm.

In fairness, a sound argument could be made that some of the other categories, such as economic marginalization, political issues, and religious discrimination may have had some element of racial bias; and were significant contributors to the negatives that were experienced. It is always sensible to remember that this is Guyana, where anything and everything is perceived reflexively through such an unforgiving microscope.

To bring this into everyday reality, there are those workers who underperform, are unresponsive, and do not capitalize on opportunities presented to correct their track record. When they are disciplined, they are quick to allege that it is unfair and unjust and unwarranted. Many develop convenient and short-term memories. For those on the receiving end of sharp reality checks, there is always the fallback option of racial discrimination, of being targeted because of political prejudice, or of being made an example through improper, if not illegal, workplace practices. That is, practices intended to weed them out; and clear the way for a more racially homogenous workplace environment.

Depending on the circumstances, this could be genuine, imagined, exaggerated, or just completely concocted.

Overall, the ERC reported that a little over 30% (18 of 48) cases were put to rest; though these can be difficult undertakings, an approximate 30% closure rate is a shade on the thin side. Further, the commission did not say specifically which complaints in which categories were completed. In addition, there were sketchy details in the media on the period covered by the numbers. Meaning, whether the 48 complaints (in all categories) were from last year when investigations commenced, or only this year, or otherwise.

In these racially hostile times, it would be better to have none of these complaints.

The real issue at hand: breaking the current banking oligarchy structure by issuing more licences DEAR EDITOR, The decision to deny Republic Bank (RB)’s bid to take over the assets of Scotia Bank leaves much to be desired. According to both Stabroek News and the Kaieteur News of September 25, 2019, it is reported that both the Central Bank Governor and the government are in agreement that the risks of acquisition are too high based on capacity concerns and the “concentration” and dominance of the local banking sector by RB. For me this represents a missed opportunity on behalf of the government of Guyana

to address the real issue at hand here: breaking the current banking oligarchy structure by issuing more banking licences.

In terms of the capacity concerns of the bank, both Republic and Scotia banks would have done their due diligence financial assessments to determine whether RB has the capacity to absorb the assets of Scotia Bank.

As it relates to the concentration argument, the country does not have much to lose, since the current banks operate in an oligarchic manner, where they all offer similar banking

products and services, and in particular the suppressive interest rate spreads.

Currently this oligarchy controls 100% of the market and should be more of a cause for concern over RB and Scotia merging to command a more than 50% share.

What should have occupied the government at this time isn’t trying to restrict the expansion of a CARICOM bank, but to allow the transaction, and to articulate a position that it has to open the banking sector and issue more licences and be more aggressive in attracting regional and global

banks to Guyana. No new banking licence has been issued in Guyana in the past decade, despite interest from regional banks and others.

Now that we are entering into a more sophisticated oil-based economy and our local companies are asking for local content legislation, Guyana will have to seriously address the current limitations of the banking system and look to encouraging new entrants to the sector and not look to impose limitations on the free market process of an acquisition.

Clinton Urling

Protest is a right; a must. But let there be temperateness and better sense DEAR EDITOR, What unfolded last Thursday in and around the Pegasus should not be repeated in any form or to any degree. By any group in this country. Nothing else should have to be said.

Today, I am not interested in who is engaging in damage control; too late. I do not care who is pointing fingers at whom, or where the actual blame lies.

Too pointless and keep the conversations at the same antagonistic intensity and in the same unconstructive place.

I embrace these postures because all there is to whatever public political (and media) post mortems ensue is maintenance of the endless cycles of low squabbling, lower instincts, and the lowest thinking that drags all of us still lower.

There is not much depth left to go lower: ballooning sentiments and mindsets have exhausted what was there before.

I sense a dangerous place.

Because what was stared last Thursday at the Pegasus in yard and room and table conveys the horrifying story of where we are as a society and as a people.

We are far from either; arguably nowhere.

Still, that was seen and had to be absorbed by adults and children; and across the political spectrum, the tribes, the nation.

If this is the best that we can present, then we might as well all be unseeing in blindness of to where we go. Not worth seeing. For in seeing, there would follow interpreting as to where we are and what could come next.

I humbly submit this, because if there is insistence of embarking upon and going down the road that is in-the-face, abundant in the partisan and physical and empty of the mental, then only menaces result.

That road does not end, except in the harrowing places where such usually ends.

Matters do not pause and stop but take on a life of their own; we have not the maturity nor the capacity to absorb the sharp blows.

Such a life can be an uncontrolled one, an injurious one. Is this what is desired? I don’t think so. The better way must be followed.

I maintain that any opposition has every right to protest: vibrant, pressuring, searing, and eye-opening.

But good sense should warn the local one that it does not have the depth, skill, stomach, and durability for protests of the nature displayed last Thursday.

It is a short, quick step from cornering and crowding and shoving to the easy deterioration towards retaliating.

Therefore, I strenuously

urge thinking and rethinking of where events can rush in a heartbeat.

As an aside, in the United States, there has been great turmoil over the interrelated issues of racial policing, police brutality, Black Lives Matter, balance of force versus excessive force (Blue Lives Matter), self-defence, and the ubiquitous, sometimes inconceivable claims of ‘fear for personal safety.’ In terms of the latter, I think that that could have been easily and not unreasonably drummed up last Thursday. What could that have led to? And where would that have ended?

Sober heads, and wiser calculations, must dominate.

Remember: wiser calculations. Mobs have no minds; the predisposition to mayhem and violence are well-known all over, including here; and especially during political seasons.

I say this because if we have descended to the situation when the office of the head-of-state is trampled upon, through lack of respect and dignity due, then the state is headless.

There is no controlling hand; a spectacle we become. If the claim is that government and president is illegal, then the argument could be made that so, too, is the opposition.

Then the only people of

standing would be the diplomatic corps; as we are all reduced to the level of refuges and illegal aliens. I take this further.

By the same thinking and token and postures so, too, is the flag and anthem. After all, these are the handiworks of one LFS Burnham, and he was a creature of rigging. Or does that not stand anymore?

Embracing the same yardstick, the much worshipped and trumpeted Constitution also must be without any sacred legal character, since it came out of the illegality of rigging.

How can we, therefore, in good conscience refer to it? Rely on it? To do what: perpetuate illegality? From my perspective, this means that our entire existence is predicated on a string of illegalities.

Moreover, this reiterates that this supports the assertion that we are a people and land of whimsical, capricious men and no laws, since just about anything of substance -document, office, national emblems and virtues - possess the potential to be deemed illegal conveniently rather haphazardly, through fluid and inconsistent postures.

Protest is a right; a must.

But let there be temperateness and better sense, all things considered.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Does the CCJ have anything to say to the Guyana Govt. and people of the Caribbean?

DEAR EDITOR, I join the handful of Caribbean citizens who have called on CARICOM to issue an official statement on the breach of the Guyanese Constitution and of the ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice to hold elections no

later than 18 September 2019.

I, along with other rightthinking Caribbean citizens, furthermore call on the Caribbean Court of Justice or the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission to make a statement or otherwise seek to have the CCJ ruling of 18 June

2019 implemented.

If the Caribbean Court of Justice wishes to become the final court of Appeal for all CARICOM countries, then it must demonstrate that its rulings can be respected and enforced.

If not, other Caribbean countries

will – unfortunately – continue to hold on to the Privy Council as the source of ultimate justice.

Dr. Kirk Meighoo Political Analyst, former Independent Senator Cunupia Trinidad and Tobago

Thursday September 26, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Continuing lies and mischief by a ‘’disheartened’’ PPP/C supporter DEAR EDITOR, There can be no moral expectation, of any degree, that can be expected from any PPP/C supporter. In fact, they all have been part of its scheme of national deception, lies, and misinformation of every conceivable kind - aimed against the President David Granger-led administration which has commenced since 2015, as a means of returning to power.

In quite clear terms, the treachery of the No Confidence Motion, the biggest political lie in the nation’s political annals; its perpetrators, and all their filthy lies, constitute the most dishonest and hypocritical period of the nation. And they come in all forms and guises, like one Michael Younge, whose piece of putrid effluence ‘Mr. Granger has lost all authority to govern and Guyana has descended into anarchy’, published in Kaieteur News of September 20, 2019, is a perfect example of a PPP/C supporter sinking to a filthy low.

In fact, all the fiction that he has so shamelessly conjured up, in his journey through the wonderland of lies, is representative of a political Munchausen category.

The ideal, in Younge’s case, would be to expose each of his dark fibs. But such is too lengthy an exercise, costly in time; hence the following examples of this supporter’s illinformed and distorted mind will suffice.

1. Of course, like his political handlers, he has attacked the Madame Ret’d Justice Claudette Singh; GECOM’s Chairperson, by first, stating that her timeline of February 2020, for national elections “must be rejected by all right thinking Guyanese’’, and

accusing her of “adopting the diabolical plan of the government Commissioners to further delay these elections…GECOM has thrown away any hope of Constitutional Compliance…”

This is an exhibition of deliberate ignorance, and disrespect for both the Chairperson, her functions, and of the constitutional body itself.

The letter writer in his ignorance, wickedness, and mischief must be reminded that it is the Constitutional right of GECOM to make all plans and decisions, through its secretariat, with regards the holding of national elections. In this key function of its responsibilities – it has discharged its stated duty, compliments of the unflappable Madame Chairperson.

What Younge should be reminded is that his party’s invited commissioner, refused the Chairperson’s invitation, also extended to the government’s, to be part of the timeline decision making process, which she most likely opened for a consensus, but with sound evidence to support. The rest is now history – she made her decision in the most commendable manner, as is her right; and without fear or favour, unfazed by partisanship, ‘political rhetoric and political gamesmanship as Younge has libellously inferred, but only in accordance with the constitutional mandate. One wonders as to the decrepit low that PPP/C supporters have to descend in order to support their party’s horrible utensil pot of yellow lies.

2. Younge then attempts to attack the impeccable person of the President. This is committing political sacrilege, since as political leader cum president, David Granger stands head high in the pantheon of national leaders, in any era,

in any country. His credentials as a law abider are unrivalled and applauded; his genuine belief in the ideals of a democratic state, and noninterference in the work of constitutional bodies; and other state institutions are text book references for any aspiring would-be democratic leader.

As an accomplished historian and academic, he has read well, and therefore fully understands the consequences, the pitfalls for any leader who treats his country in the manner, as Nicolas Maduro, Younge’s reference, and those former PPP/C presidents. Let Younge present a PPP/C equal in democratic practice to President Granger, and I will tell him why in my opinion Saddam Hussein was a better president than either Bharrat Jagdeo or Donald Ramotar.

3. Here comes Younge, this time, with a figment of the greatest imagination, a now worn piece of PPP/C propaganda that would immediately attract the attention of both the Public Health and environmental authorities for the obnoxious smell it emits: ‘’Any government that holds on to power by trampling on the rights and freedoms of its people usually suffers embarrassing defeat at any free and fair elections……”.

4. Younge, has this time underlined his credentials, as a liar par excellence for his unsubstantiated attempt to ascribe an undemocratic practice to the coalition government. Who could have trampled on the ‘rights and democratic freedoms’ of its people more than the PPP/C? Younge, one should believe, is old enough to recall the teargassing of nurses and

other public servants during the last general strike in 1999; a similar treatment to sugar workers on the West Bank Demerara in the early years of the Millennium; the proroguing of parliament by president Ramotar without a debate, and not even informing the then parliamentary opposition – and the list can continue.

This government is democratic, and believes in a clean voters’ list for credible national elections and transparent results. Unlike the PPP/C that has objected to house-to-house registration that it had always supported, the Coalition insisted that this important exercise be done, for upholding the rights of the people, unlike the PPP/C which refusal would have threatened the disenfranchisement of first time voters, particularly.

5. One wonders as to the blinkered and selfdelusional state of mind of this PPP/C mouthpiece, whose claim about the ‘dark days have returned’; ‘‘business owners must distance themselves’’ from the government, while further asserting that “Permanent Secretaries and other public office holders have no duty to follow instructions..’’, and advising ‘‘…….youths to boycott all events attended by Mr. Granger….”, highlights the significant folly of Younge’s wishy washy wishes, conjuring the image of a country at a standstill.

Far from the truth. For one must enquire of Younge just how, when and why did these dark days return? For his guidance, very disappointedly, those kinds of days that once existed during his former party government’s regime, have

almost dissipated since 2015.

It is because of the APNU+AFC coalition that Guyana began to move forward, on clean money transactions, with an economy forecast at 4.4 percent growth for 2019, and in double digits for 2020; with business booming, a reported US $1B investments made in Guyana, and all senior sector officers continuing to support a government that allows them to function in a professional manner, which means non-interference in their daily administration, unlike the PPP/C micro managing system.

As to the nation’s youths, of course they are flocking to wherever president Granger and other ministerial functionaries are, because like me, they have a new lease on life; a better hope for tomorrow; and better selfesteem, all because of the numerous programmes that have continued to bring changes to their once hopeless lives.

And this concerns youths from all of our ten administrative regions. For example, the Hinterland Education Youth Services programme (HEYS) has been changing the lives of our indigenous youths, giving them a clear understanding of themselves as Guyanese and a part of the national family, with the right to be educated and play a role in national development.

While one will agree that there are existing challenges at the moment that will be resolved, there is a brighter sun shining over this land,

more than ever, with citizens continuing to make their contribution, and be part of the National renewal process, underway since 2015.

The many public voices of the PPP/C doom and gloom campaign, which is causing the opposite effect, and of which Younge is one of its shameful PR mouthpieces, prays and wishes daily for their naysaying wishes to come true. But the eyes of Guyanese are daily being awakened as to the threat of the lurking perils of the very political party which he so shamelessly represents, not only by way of their criminal governance for their two decades and years in office, but as a result of witnessing their villainous acts of seeking to grab power for selfish means.

Younge has described himself as a ‘‘young journalist’’ who is ‘’disheartened’’ at what is occurring. I would re-write this to mean: a young journalist whose high-class proclivity for diatribe as displayed in his letter, illustrates a young man, completely wallowing in deception, with a lie-filled brain that will explode at any time. Such will be his personal legacy to what he continues to create - all lies.

Regards Dillon Goring

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 26, 2019

Guyana shouldn’t look to Ghana for local content guidance DEAR EDITOR, The most recent version of Guyana’s local content policy has sparked much commentary this week, some helpful and some less so. As Guyanese cast about for other examples from which to draw lessons, I was surprised to see sections of the media lauding the “highly successful” plan Ghana has in place. It is my understanding that opinion is actually quite divided on the effectiveness of the Ghanaian policy.

First, allow me to state the obvious: local content policy is constructed based on local circumstances. Ghana and Guyana cannot be compared

as a 1:1. Local content policies share the same general goals of creating opportunities for local businesses, promoting technology and knowledge transfer and increasing tax bases for governments. How those policies pursue those goals can vary greatly.

For example, Ghana’s local content policy framework, as it stood in 2010, called for maximum local participation across all parts of the supply chain. There is a widespread belief that the targets set are unrealistic given the state of local businesses.

An article by one of Africa’s top analysts,

Stephen Yeboah, points out that it can lead to unfair or corrupt contract award processes. He proposes that policies should instead favour only local businesses with proper qualifications and technological expertise.

Despite concerns, Ghana’s local content policy was revised in 2013 to be even more strict, requiring 90 percent of goods and services in the oil industry to be sourced locally by 2020.

Experts have criticised this target as even more unrealistic, likely leading to reduced quality of services.

International investors and companies, forced to rely on less than effective local

Support for a Commission of Inquiry into Violence Dear Editor, Former President and current Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is reported to have said two days ago that he is not opposed to a commission of inquiry into (politically directed) violence from 1960 to now. It should be a no holds barred inquiry, with the commission being granted power to suggest prosecution of those who participated or encouraged or condoned violence.

Witnesses should be granted immunity. Those who refuse to testify or withhold evidence should be forced into testifying through a court order and be subjected to criminal prosecution if evidence supports culpability in political violence.

Does the government really want and support such an inquiry? There are some figures from that era still around. Let us hear their testimony and if found to

have lied, let the commission throw the book at them.

Guyanese I have spoken with in Guyana and in the diaspora fully and unconditionally endorse and support such a commission. I would encourage the starting date be 1957 when the PPP split into two ‘racialized’ factions that would subsequently trigger ethnic violence. The nation needs to know the facts pertaining to politically inspired violence that began with competitive party politics.

The starting date (of 1957 or 1960) should not be a major issue of contention; a commission of inquiry is needed, regardless of timeframe, so the public can know the main players behind the violence and their objective and how violence can be prevented.

There is much ethnic hatred in the country as a result of the political violence

of the 1950s till recently. An inquiry can help to bring about racial healing and forgiveness.

And since both major political forces have been trading accusations about each other on sponsoring racial violence, an inquiry will guide us on the facts and force both sides to pursue amends. The commission may help us with a proposal on how to prevent ethnic violence.

Since the former President said he is in favour of an inquiry, the two sides should meet and finalize the terms of reference.

May I suggest that the inquiry focus on four broad aspects: 1. Violence and elections including in riggings; 2. Violence as a destabilizing political factor; 3. Violence and ethnic persecution; and 4. Violence against the indigenous Amerindians, especially during the Rupununi uprising.

Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram

Let us ensure that light reigns over darkness.

DEAR EDITOR, Please allow my voice to be heard within the 83,000 square miles of Guyana, by publishing this article.

I am angry with the APNU/ AFC coalition government.

This government must take some responsibility for the madness that is presently spreading like wildfire all over Guyana.

Every Guyanese, local and overseas, including the

PPP/C supporters, know that the source of this madness lay squarely at the feet of the disgruntled opposition leader.

This present government seems helpless in bringing his reign of terror to an end. The question is, what more does he have to do before this government, who has the constitutional responsibility of protecting every citizen, take decisive action to eliminate the unnecessary fear and terror that lingers over our country.

There is a saying that goes like this, “When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers” The meaning of this figurative expression can accurately describe the present situation in Guyana.

Guyana needs a responsible government that feels the hurt of the people.

We cannot allow a disconnected dreamer to create mayhem in Guyana at his whims and fancies.

In the upcoming general and regional elections, I will continue to vote for peace, love and harmony. I will continue to view every Guyanese, irrespective of colour, creed and religious belief as my brothers and sisters.

Let us the people of Guyana, put aside our manmade political differences and ensure that light reigns over darkness.

Respectfully, Hector Lambert

businesses, often delay projects as a result.

Naki Mendoza, of the Council of Americas, discusses this issue. He believes that the target cannot be achieved due to, “capacity bottlenecks to allegations of corruption and graft. The setbacks stem from a mismatch between an industry’s demands and the constraints of a local market and can serve as a cautionary tale for countries that are in the early phases of managing natural resources”.

In short, blanket applications of high local content requirements has handicapped Ghana’s local content policy and potentially slowed the evolution of local businesses as a result. And lest there be any confusion about the effectiveness of Ghana’s policy, I note for readers that the government is currently reexamining its local content policy and considering changes to address the issues mentioned above.

There is no simple solution for Guyana’s local

content policy. While I am sure that Anthony Paul feels his policy for Ghana has been “highly successful,” we must be wary of taking the easy route and simply applying a template to Guyana. Our government has consulted a number of experts thus far, and it seems foolhardy to think that only one will have the right answer. Let us be patient, seek further input, and craft a policy that works for Guyana in the years and decades to come.

Sincerely, Clement Smith

Congratulations to NIS for its 50th Year DEAR EDITOR, We are writing to congratulate NIS, its management and Staff on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Organization.

50 years ago we joined

the staff of NIS in the capacities of Punch Card Supervisor and Finance Officer. Those early days were both challenging and exciting.

There were no models, no examples to follow. However staffers were guided by Senior Managers who were knowledgeable and committed to ensuring

the success of the Organization.

50 years now! Wow! We wish continued success to NIS, as NIS is vital to the needs of so many Guyanese.

Long Live NIS! Sincerely June and Carl Veecock Markham, Ontario Canada

Frequent, inconveniencing road blocks DEAR EDITOR, I am writing to express my deep concern over the inconvenience many people are facing due to unwarranted destructive protests and frequent, unannounced road blocks within the city of Georgetown. These selfish politicians and their ‘paparazzi’ become active only during elections period and are stirring out the gullible and helpless to champion their nonsensical

cause.

Now, yesterday morning I am running late to get to work and to Court, and to my surprise, the road was blocked in the vicinity of State House. And the build-up of traffic was enormous. Why is it that in this day and age we cannot get it right? Why is it that the ordinary man has to be a part of the fight between the divides?

And to put cream on the cake, the police and traffic departments are not informing the people… the people are clueless as to how

to traverse the roadways. On Monday it was the Arthur Chung Conference Centre area; Tuesday morning it was the vicinity of the Ministry of the Presidency, and now it’s State House – what’s next?

My suggestion is that the relevant authorities produce timely press releases and have text message blasts, or something, informing people of the various road blocks, so that we will not be caught up in this unpleasant situation again.

Yours truly, DSM

Demand for greater transparency and accountability in governance is gaining ground worldwide DEAR EDITOR, Some exciting developments are taking place on the local and international stage that could impact our domestic and global politics.

There is, for instance, the formal initiation of impeachment proceedings initiated by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi against President Donald Trump on the basis of allegations that he asked the Ukrainian President to investigate former Vice-President Joe Biden and his son.

Then there is the ruling of the English Supreme Court which found that the decision by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to prorogue Parliament ahead of Britain’s exit from the European Union

was unconstitutional and illegal.

At the national level, President David Granger’s administration is under intense pressure by the political opposition and the international community to call national and regional elections after a successful no-confidence motion by the political opposition last December.

These are all earthshattering developments which could potentially reshape the nature and course of global politics in deeply profound ways. In the case of Guyana, all eyes will now be on whether or not the forthcoming elections will be conducted in a fair and transparent manner.

The Guyana Elections

Commission has already taken a decision to commence the Claims and Objections period on October 1, 2019 which effectively set in motion the electoral processes, even though President has not as yet announced an election date.

We are living in exciting times. It is interesting to see how events will unfold in the period ahead.

One thing, however, is certain. Politics and by extension politicians are coming under increasing scrutiny by the local and international community and the demand for greater transparency and accountability in governance is gaining ground in all corners of the globe.

Hydar Ally

Thursday September 26, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Trade unions called on to be more active in workers education - as GPSU hosts 23rd Biennial Delegates Conference A section of the audience

President David Granger President David Granger, has called on the trade unions to play a more active role in the education of workers.

It was explained that a modern public service demands competent, proficient and versatile workers.

“Public servants must upgrade their training continuously if they are to remain relevant to the new e c o n o m y, w h i c h i s emerging.

Trade unions have a responsibility to invest in the well-being of their workers, including through collaboration with private and public agencies to improve workers education.”

The president was at the time addressing the Guyana Public Service Unions (GPSU) 23rd Biennial Delegates Conference at the Baridi Benab t o d a y.

He noted that the public service sector is improving, and as Guyanas economy continues to

transform, education is essential to guaranteeing a more highly specialised and skilled workforce to ensure a better-quality delivery of service to all citizens. “ C h a ng e i s t a k i n g place at a rapid pace and is transforming the nature of the workplace.

Workers who are not prepared for the continuous changes in the field and office could find their careers retarded and their service redundant.

Wo r k e r s w i l l b e u n able to adapt to this new workplace environment unless they receive constant training.

Education is essential to preparing employees to enter the labour market and once in the labour market, to adapt continuously to the changing nature of work.

It means that education must be continuous.”

The Public Service provides administrative

services to citizens, communities, companies and the entire country.

It offers agricultural services, birth, business and death registration, immigration services, port health services, postal services, legal and local government services, public education, health, infrastructure, telecommunications, security and social security among other services.

Therefore, the president noted, a modern public service demands competent, proficient and versatile workers, who can constantly adapt to changing technologies.

According to the Head of State, the GPSU, established 96 years ago, has the experience and the expertise to inaugurate a new compact, agreement, between the government, the trade unions and the private sector.

The GPSU one of Guyanas oldest trade unions has to lead by example, he said.

The president urged the conference to examine ways and means in which the union can work with the government to usher in a new era in our relations one in which there is cooperation and collaboration and wished the union continued success as it adapts to a rapidly changing labour landscape.

Also addressing the gathering was Prime M i n i s t e r, Moses Nagamootoo, who spoke of the interventions by the government to ensure workers are receiving a living wage. Apart from the minimum wage, which was increased by 52%, the government improved the nonwage packages.

“When we got into the government, although we were unable to pay the wages debts that we inher-

ited because of the nature and the quality of the revenue at our disposal, you still could not be unaware and unappreciative of the fact that some of the elements of the nonwages package were put into force with the duty free and some house lots and allowances and the raising of the income tax threshold ad the withdrawal of NIS from some levels of deductions.”

Administrative/Education Officer at GPSU, Vera Naughton reminded that the trade unions were the first mass-based organisation that e m e r g e d p o s t - s l a v e r y.

Naughton noted that over the years, the union has conceptualised and developed programmes that impacted change and

realise benefits that m a n y e n j o y t o d a y. S h e affirmed that the unions must negotiate, lobby and elect those who will best represent them and serve in the best interest of the trade union movement.

The conference is being held under the theme Championing a l i v i n g wage, respect for collective bargaining, striving for genuine working-class and nat i o n a l u n i t y.

I t i s t h e h i g h e s t decision-making forum of the GPSU. Over the next three days, participants will engage in intense discussions, which will charter the way forward for a more resilient public service sector.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 26, 2019

Guyana achieves first UN HIV 90-90-90 target ahead of 2020 timeline - allocates $10.9 M to widen response through civil society organizations

Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence Next year will be a very defining milestone for countries around the world. It will be the year that the United Nations [UN] will be gauging the achievements of countries as part of the global effort to end the scourge of AIDS. Guyana has been taking this task very seriously and is well on its way to achieving the goal of ending AIDS. Efforts in this regard are being measured by the United Nations 90-90-90 targets.

With an achievement timeline of 2020, the UN has predicted that the world will be well on its way to end AIDS if 90 percent of all people liv-

ing with HIV know their HIV status; 90 percent of all people diagnosed with HIV receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 90 percent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy have viral suppression.

Guyana has been able to achieve the first of the three targets and Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence, was happy to report this.

According to the Minister, “Of the estimated 8,200 people living with HIV in 2018, 93 percent know their status, making Guyana the only Caribbean country to achieve the first 90 of the UNAIDS 90-90-

90 target ahead of the timeline set for 2020.”

As it relates to the other targets, the Minister said Guyana has been able to ensure, thus far, that 73 percent of persons diagnosed are receiving sustained treatment and 81 percent have achieved viral suppression. With viral suppression, the Minister explained that those infected can no longer transmit the infection to their partners.

But despite the laudable gains, she made it clear that “our task remains challenging even as all stakeholders combine their efforts to accelerate the progress in reducing new infections and AIDS-related deaths in the country.”

Even as she committed to ensuring that her Ministry does not become complacent but rather work assiduously to meet the 90-90-90 in the new year, Minister Lawrence said that “we must target our 15-24 age group and new cases.”

In so doing she said that government will aim to remove all existing bottlenecks and barriers to ensure that the

next National Strategic Plan will end AIDS in the country.

In this vein, she said, the Public Health Ministry is making a clarion call to persons who are aware of their status and have not accessed treatment to do so, as this can result in them becoming virally undetectable. “We must express our thanks to our partners whose commitment and support have been unwavering in this our struggle to put a halt to the AIDS epidemic,” said the Minister as she considered that, “Achieving the set targets by 2020 and ending AIDS by 2030 would also require prevention of transmission of HIV from a mother to her baby.” The elimination of mother to child transmission is a human right issue and Minister Lawrence shared her optimism that Guyana will soon follow in the foots steps of Cuba, Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, among others, whose fight have been successful in ensuring that no child is infected with HIV in pregnancy, at birth and during breastfeeding.

“HIV is no longer a death sentence as life-saving drugs are available free of charge. It is now classified as a chronic disease like hypertension, cancer or diabetes. We do not need to stigmatize or discriminate those having the disease.

We are a country of love and must demonstrate this love by spreading the message of ‘Know your status’ to our brothers and sisters through-

out all our communities,” said the Minister.

Currently, the country’s national responses are coordinated through the National AIDS Programme Secretariat and, according to Minister Lawrence, these have been working very hard to achieve the targets set out in the Ministry’s existing Strategic Plan - HIV Vision 2020. So far, progress made in HIV testing and treatment cascade has been encouraging, said the Minister even as she stressed that “more still needs to be done.” “Our statistics reveal that there are 8,200 children, adolescents, youths, women and men living with HIV,” said the Minister who announced that of the total number of cases, 500 were new cases recorded in 2018 among key populations and young people.” Given the still existing threat of the disease, the Ministry has recognized the importance of the complementary role of community systems. With this in mind, Minister Lawrence said that her Ministry has gone ahead to implement social contracting with civil society organizations. Government has provided $10.9 M for 2019 to aid this endeavour and, according to Minister Lawrence, this has by extension made Guyana the first in the Caribbean to implement this approach in funding the work of civil society as a means of sustaining the HIV response while faced with shrinking donor funding.

But Guyana has yet been able to benefit in recent times from Global Fund in the sum of US$5 M, and USAIDS has been supportive to the Ministry’s new social contracting initiative.

“We are committed to our partnerships with all partners including the private sector and community to raise awareness of HIV to ensure that we end AIDS in Guyana by 2030. The Government will ensure that investment is sustained to bring about the desired results,” said Minister Lawrence.

On Monday, Minister Lawrence officially launched World AIDS Day 2019 at a forum held at the Brickdam, Georgetown office of the Pan American Health Organisation. World AIDS Day is observed annually on December 1 around the world and this year it is embracing the theme: “Communities make the difference.”

The theme chosen for this year’s observance, the Minister said, was carefully chosen to recognize the essential role that communities have played and continue to play in the AIDS response at the local, national and international levels.

“Communities contribute to the AIDS response in many different ways. Their leadership and advocacy ensure that the response remains relevant and grounded, keeping people at the centre and leaving no one behind,” the Minister asserted.

Thursday September 26, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Where are the Proclamations?

The naming of a date for elections does not mean that elections are scheduled for that day. The only time that certainty can be established is when the Proclamation is signed on paper The Proclamation makes the date of the elections legal. The naming of date in a public announcement is of no significance because that can change between now and the issuance of a Proclamation.

Another Proclamation is needed. The one that prorogues parliament. There has been no indication when that Proclamation will be issued.

The announcement of the date of elections was a rather deflated announcement. Normally, Heads of State are hyped when they make such announcements because it formally launches their elections campaign.

The President spent a great deal of unnecessary time going over grounds which were ad-

dressed previously namely, whether or not his actions were constitutional. It was neither the place nor time to repeat what was said already. The announcement should have been made about the date and left at that. No need for a preface or epilogue.

The naming of the date of the elections does not change the constitutional status of the government, at least in so far as the Commonwealth, the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union. All four of these were quite clear that the failure to hold elections within the specified timeframe provided for in the Constitution makes the government unconstitutional.

Nothing has changed.

What has also not changed is the likely freezing of development aid until elections are held. It is not likely that any additional funds from the United Kingdom Infrastructure

Fund, which are to be used to build an asphalted concrete road from Linden to Mabura, will be released. Development banks are also likely to adopt a wait and see attitude.

The government should not blame imperialism for these outcomes. Whatever it is facing it has brought onto itself.

There was no need for it to adopt the postures which it adopted. Minutes after the passage of the no-confidence motion, one of its Ministers went to the prop-government supporters outside the National Assembly and told them that the coalition had defeated the PPPC before and would defeat them again.

The supporters of the APNU+AFC were energized by what they saw as a betrayal. It was the best time gone to polls with your supporters mobilized. It did not happen because a decision was taken to delay the calling of elec-

Dem boys seh ...

People don’t have to go pun de road to get killed Bandits ain’t got regard fuh anybody and dem boys ain’t only talking bout de local bandits. Dem boys hear bout two big man who dead after bandits go in dem home while dem sleeping.

One of dem was a prominent man in de local aircraft industry.

De man live alone but somebody lef a door open.

Poor fella, when you go home and you tired you tek a lot fuh granted. The men who enter he house wasn’t satisfied wid robbing him, dem beat him and tie he up.

People didn’t know that de man was diabetic so imagine even if de beating didn’t kill him de diabetes would kill

him. Somebody gun face murder charge.

Then Lewoy Smith father who live he life without troubling anybody get beat up in he house. He get beat suh bad that he never wake up.

That is two murder and de people didn’t have to go anywhere to meet that end.

Dem boys know bout de bigger criminals. Dem read bout a big international airport that open in China. De money spent coulda build couple hundred airports in Guyana.

That is when dem seh that some of de money fuh build Guyana airport get tek out and help build de Chinese airport.

That is why de money run out before de Guyana airport fin-

ish.

But no police don’t charge such criminals. Dem got some who had nutten but de next thing dem boys see was some mansion in de criminal name. Only people don’t call dem criminals. Dem boys does call dem politicians.

Some got nuff property but if you check you wouldn’t know because de property deh in odda people name. That is why dem try to divert attention to Soulja Bai. De man tek control of he dead brother property.

People claim how Soulja Bai build a mansion.

Talk half and watch how criminals marching along.

tions through challenges to the Court.

The APNU failed to also capitalize on the PPPC naming less than its best candidate.

There was no way that had elections been called in March of this year that Irfaan Ali would have managed to defeat David Granger. That is now more than possible because the Alis detractors, within the PPPC, were so outraged by the antics of the APNU+AFC in frustrating the no-confidence vote, that they are closed ranks.

The shoe shifted to the other foot. The actions of the APNU+AFC energized the PPPC supporters. The PPPC which had regained back almost its fill base between 2016 and 2018 began to extend that base. And this was reflected in the partys showing in the 2016 and 2018 elections.

The PPPC is on a high.

Jagdeo has proven to be a

most capable Opposition Leader. He has been relentless in placing pressure on the government and was successful in isolating the government. It is only Caricom which has not yet taken shame out of its face and come out with a statement about the constitutionality of the government.

Local government elections are not the same as general and regional elections.

The voter turnout is far higher in the latter than in the former.

But the fact remains that many persons have been embarrassed by the performance of the regime and really could not give a hang about voting again for the coalition.

There are deep rifts within the coalition. Reports suggest that the APNU is not likely to concede the Prime Minister position to the AFC period. And the AFC has always said that this was non-

negotiable.

In the meantime, the WPA is in La La Land. It is debating about cash transfers of oil revenues to citizens without bothering to check where the money will come from for these cash transfers which it first said would be for the poor and then adjusted it to say for everyone. Where will the money come from? From the 1% reclaimable royalty?

The answer to that question is perhaps just as difficult to determine as the one about how the APNU+AFC will pull off a free and fair victory. Perhaps it has a plan!

PAGE 10

Thursday September 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

President Granger’s politics is becoming bizarre By the time this edition of KN is released, the date for the 2020 election may be announced. But the essential argument of this analysis here would not be irrelevant. It centres on words the President uttered yesterday morning in relation to accepting GECOM’s letter to him that GECOM can hold elections by the end of February. Granger is quoted as saying; “The dissolution of Parliament will occur when I am satisfied that the entire process as required by the Elections Commission can move without obstruction on to the date the Chairman herself has nominated …I have to find out from her (Gecom Chairman) if she has any needs and it is for that reason I have not dissolved Parliament and it will remain in session until…naturally we would like to get from

her more details … so I will meet the chairman to find out from her what her timelines are, what her schedules are… (that) she has all the resources the Commission needs and that she complies with the requirements of the law including ensuring Claims and Objections”.

These words of Granger are misleading and are dismissive of the constitution.

Granger is quoted as saying that he cannot name a date for election until GECOM is ready and GECOM tells him that it is ready.

He repeated ad nauseam that GECOM is a constitutional body that he cannot interfere with.

He even went on in his defence of not calling a date for election by saying he cannot print ballots, employ polling staff, etc., that is for GECOM to do.

GECOM has told the president that it is in a position to conduct the election. Granger has now moved the goalpost, for which he has no authority.

He said at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, the Cabinet did not examine the schedule GECOM has set itself.

The Cabinet has no constitutional authority to see the schedule.

The President and the Cabinet have no constitutional right to delay complying with GECOM’s timeline for holding elections because it did not see the schedule. The PNC has three commissioners serving its interests. If GECOM said it is prepared, then GECOM’s logistics could be explained to the PNC by its commissioners.

The question in relation t o t h e c o n s p i r a c y of APNU+AFC wanting to hold

on to power into 2020 and beyond is now graphically appropriate to ask. President Granger in simple grammar is saying, I will not dissolve Parliament if I am not satisfied that GECOM can hold the election. Which part of the constitution delegates that power to the president?

When the no-confidence vote (NCV) was passed and it was litigated in the CCJ, the chairman of the court asked why GECOM was not in preparation mode to conduct the election. The nation has now learnt from GECOM that it was not. It now is. But now new factors are at play. The President says he must be satisfied that GECOM is ready.

What the above quote from Granger has done is to put Justice Singh in a problematic position.

She said that GECOM will be ready in February.

In saying that he wants to be sure that GECOM can d e l i v e r i n F e b r u a r y, Granger wants to ask certain questions of GECOM. Is this a ploy to further delay the election (if there

wasn’t an announcement last night)?

If there is a date set, what is to make Granger change his mind, because since the NCV in December 21, he has violated the constitution and kept violating it even though the CCJ said election must be held by September 18? Granger covered himself by shifting the focus onto GECOM. GECOM has chosen the e n d o f F e b r u a r y. I s Granger telling us that GECOM made that announcement without doing its homework, so he has to dialogue with GECOM to see if it exaggerated its ability? Granger is getting deeper in shark-infested waters, because the three PNC commissioners did not object to February. It was the opposition that did so.

These glaring facts compel one to think that Granger and his colleagues in APNU and the AFC are not going to make the February deadline an easy task for GECOM. As I said above, I don’t know if a date was announced

Frederick Kissoon because this column was done yesterday afternoon.

But the above quote from Granger is troubling and unnerving.

All eyes will now be on the sycophants in civil society, persons at UG, some in the trade union movement etc., that have protected Granger, by insisting that GECOM must decide when election is, and not Granger.

Well GECOM has. But Granger wants more assurance from GECOM, a request he has no power to make.

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

Thursday September 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 26, 2019

Guyanese student charged with hoax Former GCAA chairman died bomb threats on Minnesota University of blunt trauma, strangulation

Minnesota- (startribune)A University of St. Thomas student was behind a series of hoax bomb threats since April, the most recent being phoned in last week, targeting buildings on the St. Paul campus where he had class on each of those three days, according to federal charges filed Monday.

Raymond G. Persaud, 20, of Blaine was charged in federal court in Minneapolis with a felony in connection with the threats he called in on April 17, Aug. 20 and Sept.

17. Persaud appeared in court hearing Tuesday afternoon and was ordered to remain in custody ahead of a detention hearing on Friday.

Persaud is a third-year undergraduate student at St. Thomas who commuted from his familys home, according to St. Thomas President Julie Sullivan.

Sullivan said Persaud has been suspended and barred from being on St. Thomas campuses in St. Paul and Minneapolis pending a school investigation.

“If found responsible,” she said, “he will face immediate expulsion from St. Thomas.”

The FBI task force investigator noted that “bomb threats to educational institutions are sometimes phoned in by students seeking to avoid examinations or assignments,” according to the criminal complaint.

The investigator found that Persaud had classes in buildings he mentioned on each of the days he made his threatening morning phone calls.

Mohendra Persaud told

Charged: Ray Persaud the Star Tribune that law enforcement officers arrested his son Tuesday morning at the familys home, but they did not explain why. The father said he was reluctant to say more and was preparing to attend his sons hearing.

Raymond Persaud attended schools throughout his youth in the AnokaHennepin School District and graduated in 2017 from Blaine High School, where he played football for three seasons, according to information provided by the district.

According to federal prosecutors: On April 17, Persaud called St. Thomas and said there was a bomb on the St. Paul campus, specifically mentioning McNeely Hall. He called the university three times that morning making bomb threats. In response, the university evacuated and

closed the entire campus, including a child-care center located in one of the buildings.

“Caregivers wheeled infant children still in their cribs out of the building and onto the sidewalk in order to remove the children from the danger zone,” the criminal complaint read.

The FBI determined that the calls came from a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which allows users to have multiple telephone numbers.

On Aug. 20, Persaud again called St. Thomas via VoIP and said there was a bomb in the John Roach Center, a classroom building, which was then evacuated and closed for the day. Some of the classes were holding final examinations that day.

On Sept. 17, Persaud called using VoIP multiple times and stated there were bombs in the OShaughnessy Science Hall, the John Roach Center, the Anderson Student Center and the Facilities and Design Center. All four buildings were evacuated.

Investigators were able to trace the origin of the calls to his familys home.

In each case, searches on campus turned up no suspicious items connected to the calls.

“I am very relieved that a suspect has been identified and arrested and that our community is not in danger from these hoax threats,” Sullivan said.

Colleges and schools both locally and across the nation are confronting campus threats, some of which have been deemed unfounded by law enforcement. Its still unclear whether school officials have seen an upward trend in threats.

In any event, St. Thomas officials and other college leaders are sharing tips on how to address such incidents and find the people behind them.

Strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head have been deemed the cause of death of former Chairman of the G u y a n a C i v i l Av i a t i o n Authority (GCAA), Mr. Hugh Adrian Denbow This was revealed during a post-mortem examination by Governm e n t p a t h o l o g i s t , D r.

Nehaul Singh.

Police are still to make an arrest.

According to information reaching this publication, on Saturday evening, a person (or persons) broke into the man s home, tied him up, physically assaulted him, and proceeded to ransack the house, looking for valuables.

Denbow, who was last seen on Friday by residents, worked as a n e n gineer at Orinduik Development Incorporated. His concerned m a n a g e r, M r. B r i a n B a cker made a report to the Prashad Nagar Police Outpost after numerous calls to him went unanswered.

On Monday morning, Backer and a team of police officers ventured into the mans property and made the grisly disc o v e r y. D e n b o w w a s rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Due to the severities

Dead, Hugh Denbow, 63 of his injuries, he succumbed on Monday evening at the hospital.

The police revealed that there was no forced entry into the property, but found an unsecured southern door.

Te r r i q D e n b o w, t h e distraught son of the victim, expressed t h a t , “ To k n o w t h a t I live in the USA while he lives in South America k i l l s m e inside, because I was ju s t t h e r e o n l y t e n days ago, and I only got to spend two days with him. If anyone r e a l l y knows me, they know that Im very close with

my dad. My dad is really my right hand man.”

The son said that he had not seen his father for two years prior to their most recent reunion.

A male neighbour described Denbow as a “gentle, amiable elder”.

The neighbour said he became suspicious when he walked by and noticed Denbows gate wide open.

“I call for he and I didnt hear nothing, so I went a w a y, ” the neighbour recounted.

Hugh Denbow leaves to mourn his three sons.

Fingerprints obtained from scene of Anna Catherina murders were blurred, smudged - detective The fingerprints obtained from the scene of the September 21, 2012 murders of businesswoman Jennifer Persaud and her two sons were not useful to detectives, as they were smudged and blurred.

This is according to Police Sergeant Detective Kurt Williams who was called to testify yesterday when the trial of Abishai Caesar continued at the High Court in Georgetown.

C a e s a r, a b a r b e r, formerly of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo is accused of murdering Persaud, who operated a liquor store at Anna C a t h e r i n a , We s t C o a s t Demerara and her two young sons Afridi Bacchus, 6 and Jadon Ernest, 17 months.

The accused, who is being represented by attorney-at-law Maxwell

McKay, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder.

Ye s t e r d a y, S e rg e a n t Williams told the court that he was among a party of policemen from the Criminal I n v e s t i g a t i o n s Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown who visited Persauds home on September 22, 2012 at Lot 67 Sea View, Anna Catherina where she and her sons were found with their throats slit.

According to Sergeant Williams, when he arrived on the scene, he met with Sergeant Singh who told him something which caused him to examine several items in the woman s home for fingerprints.

Led by State Prosecutor Lisa Cave, the police witness recounted that he dusted the wardrobe

drawers, bed head, the eastern part of the backdoor and several items in the shop area.

Asked to explain his reasons for examining the items, Sergeant Wi l l i a m s s a i d t h a t , “They appeared disturbed.”

He said he obtained about four latent fingerprints from the eastern part of the backdoor after which he returned to the Crime Laboratory at CID Headquarters. He told the jury that he examined the fingerprint expressions that he obtained but they were smudged, blurred and devoid of specific characteristics, hence they were unfit for comparison.

This trial is continuing before Justice Brassington Reynolds.

Thursday September 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Thursday September 26, 2019

Guyana to receive its first share of Liza oil by February 2020 -IMF A

By Kiana Wilburg

ccording to the International Monetary Fund (IMG), Guyana can expect to lift its first entitlement of one million barrels of crude oil as early as February 2020.

Kaieteur News understands that this will occur at approximately 60-day intervals.

This would also indicate that oil production is highly likely to start before the end of 2019. The financial institution noted that while Guyana has opted to take its share of production from the Stabroek Block's Liza One field, and market same on its own behalf, there are some crucial factors which have to be considered in the process.

The IMF advised the government that if it is to successfully monetize oil production, it needs to be able to qualify pricing of crude oil by quality, quantity and pricing. Maximizing the sales it said, will depend on the type of sale, the sale price, the buyers and where the proceeds go.

The organization which is headquartered in

Washington D.C noted however that currently, Guyana lacks both the capacity and technical systems to price crude oil sales. It stressed that correctly pricing oil requires an understanding of petroleum market drivers as well as basic use of hedging within a trading environment to properly evaluate and challenge prices achieved by the lifters.

This observation by the IMF is also in keeping with that of University of Houston Instructor, Tom Mitro, who had told Kaieteur News that Guyana opting to sell its share of the oil might not necessarily be the best decision at this time. He said that it would be wise to consider other options.

The official had stressed that selling crude requires a good deal of marketing expertise and Guyana would need to get people trained in order to do this effectively.

Mitro cautioned that this could take several years.

M i t r o a l s o acknowledged that the advantage of Guyana selling its own oil is that the

Government's appointed managers of the oil would see and understand the market firsthand and not have to rely on Exxon to sell the crude at a price that may not be ideal.

As one example, The Oil and Gas Consultant noted that Angola's stated own oil company, Sonangol, had set up its own crude oil marketing company years ago with offices in Houston, London and Singapore.

Mitro stressed that it took quite a few years before they were able to stop relying on expatriate secondees to these operations and becoming more independent, fully staffed, managed by Angolans. “So what I am trying to tell you in simple terms is that this is a long term process,” Mitro noted.

The Oil and Gas Consultant also stressed that an alternative for Guyana is for the Department of Energy to rely on the operator being Exxon, to sell the crude. He reminded that this option is already envisioned in the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). He said that this can be done right

from the beginning while noting that Exxon certainly has the expertise to do it.

The official said, “Also, this could mean the government gets to sell its share of oil on a more regular basis since its entitlement would probably be combined with Exxon's when planning tanker loading logistics.

Otherwise, they would have had to wait until their entitlement accumulates enough to comprise a full tanker size lifting.”

Mitro noted however that the problem with this approach is that the Ministry would need to be able to verify that the prices obtained are in line with the market. He said that if Exxon sells to its own downstream affiliates, that gets much more difficult to do. He stated too that Exxon will charge a fee for this, noting that this fee will most likely

range from anywhere from US$.02-US$.07 per barrel.

In addition to the foregoing, Mitro asserted that Guyana's other alternative is that the Energy Department can hire a third party crude oil marketing firm to do this for them.

Mitro said, “This could mean they obtain a slightly higher price from time to time, but with the risk that the marketing firm may not be able to easily dispose of the oil at times when the market is declining as they don't have access to refineries.” He said that this is the same risk if the Energy Department would opt to sell on its own without a marketing firm. He also stressed that the charge from a third-party firm may be even higher than what Exxon would charge.

Overall, the Oil and Gas Consultant said it makes s e n s e f o r t h e E n e rg y

University of Houston Instructor, Tom Mitro Department to develop a strategy that evolves overtime.

One such strategy he suggested might involve requesting Exxon sell the government's share over the first few years, and at the same time, request to have one of its own be seconded to the Exxon trading offices in order to learn the business.

At the same time, Mitro said they can perform independent reviews or audits of the prices using publicly available pricing data from S&P Global Platts.

Suspect in KN grenade attack held after being deported from Cayenne

M

ore than three years after issuing an arrest warrant for him, police have finally detained Shemar Wilson, one of the key suspects in the June 6, 2016 grenade attack outside of Kaieteur News' Saffon Street offices.

Police sources said that Wilson was taken into custody on Tuesday night after being deported from French Guiana. He had been arrested there recently for illegal entry.

It was while he was being processed at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary that a rank reportedly recognized him and said: “You is the grenade man.”

Police had issued a wanted bulletin for Wilson, then 20, in June, 2016.

The bulletin was issued for Wilson, also called

Shemar Wilson also called 'Abdue' 'Abdue,' who is wanted for questioning in relation to 'attempting to cause explosion' which occurred on June 6, 2016, at Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown.

Wilson is said to be from Lot 43 North Sophia, Georgetown and from Lot 51

Bodies of boat crash...

From page 2 sources later confirmed that the captains of both vessels were navigating the dark waters without the use of proper lights.

At least one survivor, Charles, was able to recount the incident. He said that the passenger boat overturned several miles away from their destination.

According to him, the other vessel appeared out of

nowhere and slammed the passenger boat which capsized with the travellers and their goods. “The thing happen so fast because we barely see the white boat and next thing we know everybody overboard,” he said.

The captains of both vessels have since given statements to police as investigations into the matter are continuing.

We s t L a P e n i t e n c e , Georgetown.

Janeil Howard, 20, of 322 Section 'C' Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara; Alfie Garraway, 36, of Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown; and Leroy Williams, 25, of 11 Durban Backlands, are accused of conspiring together with other persons to cause an explosion by way of grenade, likely to endanger lives and cause damage to property.

Garraway is out on $300,000 High Court bail.

The other accused remain on remand. They have been committed to stand trial in the High Court.

Kelvin Walters, a taxi driver and a key witness in the case, was gunned down last January.

According to reports, on the day of the attack, a security staffer heard an unusual sound coming from near Lall's vehicle PRR 8398, which was parked on the western side of Saffon Street. On checking the front of the vehicle, the staffer spotted a grenade lying near one of the front tyres.

Video footage from the company's CCTV cameras showed a grey-coloured vehicle, slowing as it approached Lall's vehicle.

The driver accelerated after the explosive device was thrown.

Thursday September 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Feasibility study on seawall rehabilitation of the seawall from Kingston moving ahead to- 7.5km Ogle slated for construction in 2020 Section of the seawall at Kingston

Representative of Mott MacDonald UK, Peter Phips

T

he rehabilitation a n d reconstruction of the seawall from Kingston to Ogle is progressing; as the government moves a step further with the feasibility study and design.

A public consultation was held at the bandstand located at the Kingston Seawall. The consensus of the consultation is that the public is pleased and supports the initiative.

Senior Engineer within the Sea and Rivers Department of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Maitland Stewart told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that Mott MacDonald UK, the company tasked with completing the feasibility study and designs, took a look at the area that spans 7.5km.

Stuart explained that the study aims to “improve the whole flood protection infrastructure. Incorporated in this study are some ancillary designs in waterfront development to

improve the space.”

Monies approved by the United Kingdom under the Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has made the project possible.

According to a representative of Mott MacDonald UK, Peter Phips, “the main purpose of the project is to look to rehabilitate and make the sea defence more climateresilient in the face of climate change and sea-level rise”.

In October, the UK based company plans to conduct an environmental and social impact assessment. This will be done while the preliminary design is being finalised for its November deadline. Between December to March of 2020, a detailed design of the project will be prepared.

Once accepted, the procurement process will begin for the project's construction. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure has oversight for the seawall project. (DPI)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Thursday September 26, 2019

Finance Minister calls on 'shaky' NIS to review sustainability plan

Minister of Finance,. Winston Jordan with Deputy Postmaster, Jessemy Lynch alongside NIS General Manager, Holly Greaves

I

n honour of its Jubilee anniversary, officials from the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), on Tuesday unveiled a commemorative stamp to celebrate the milestone at a simple ceremony at the Umana Yana.

In his address, Minister of Finance,. Winston Jordan said he is cognisant of the challenges the NIS faces to maintain financial sustainability. This, he said, was revealed in a 2016

International Monetary Fund (IMF) report conducted on social security schemes in the Caribbean, the minister said.

An ageing population, slow economic growth and high unemployment were major contributors to the actuarial deficit that social security schemes face in the Caribbean.

He then called on the agency to review their sustainability plan noting that the several

recommendations to reverse the trends were also in the 2016 IMF report “I am not suggesting all the reform measures proposed by the IMF study are suitable for our country… however, I enjoin the Board of Directors and management to urgently review the scheme sustainability plan and come up with country-specific solutions to address these challenges,” he underscored.

This, he said, will help

the scheme to offset the billions lost due to a reckless Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO) investment in a bygone period.

Additionally, with the recent oil finds, Minister Jordan said Guyana will be one of the world's top oilproducing nations per capita.

That, in itself, will see the economy of Guyana expanding by double figures. As such he urged the agency to be ready to “seize the moment”.

“You must continue to build capacity and put the necessary institutional

measures in place to ensure that all employers, employees and selfemployed individuals are registered with the scheme and that their contributions are remitted in a timely manner.”

The Finance Minister also noted that the NIS' 50 years of service to Guyanese citizens is indeed a significant milestone worth celebrating symbolically. He said, over the years, the agency has evolved and continues to develop to serve the citizens of Guyana.

Underscoring the fact that access to social services is

pivotal, Minister Jordan assured that the government will make every effort to ensure Guyanese continue to enjoy bigger and better benefits.

D e p u t y P o s t m a s t e r, Jessemy Lynch said the launching of the stamp is not only a “good thing” for the NIS but all of Guyana.

“Postage stamps are used by nations to portray their history, their culture, as well as other historical subjects. It is a major way in which subjects are noticed and repromoted. In this manner, today NIS has been immortalised.”

GTT Unveils Prepaid Mobile Plan for Teachers

The company's team informing a group of teachers about the plan

T

he Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) relaunched its Teacher's Prepaid Mobile Plan on September 16th, 2019, which made it easier for teachers to register for the special plan. The company said that teachers across the country will continue to receive 25% more on any prepaid mobile service.

GTT's Product Development Executive, Jamal Delph said, “The purpose of the plan is to give

back to our teachers in recognition of the integral role they play in shaping and developing the country's future workforce. We want them to know that GTT appreciates all they do for the future generation of this country.”

Approximately 200 teachers have registered, and the plan is specially designed to provide all teachers with a 25% bonus on all purchased mobile products and service, including Data plans, Mobile Bundles and Top up credit the company stated.

Delph explained that

teachers must have an active GTT SIM card, a job letter from their school or the Ministry of Education and a valid photo ID in order to qualify for the special plan.

He added that they can go to any GTT Retail Store and sign-up for the plan. “ A d d i t i o n a l l y, w e recognize that it might be challenging for teachers to visit our stores given their work schedule and our hours - so we will also have our representatives visiting schools to do activations,” Delph noted.

Thursday September 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Coastland residents warned of high tides next week

T

he Ministry of P u b l i c Infrastructure is advising the public, especially residents of low-lying coastal communities, to take precautions, as the period of Spring tides – 26th September- 2th October 2019 is here.

Some of the areas are considered to be particularly susceptible to flooding due to the storm surges which may induce overtopping of sea/river defence structures.

According to the Sea and River Defence Department, these areas include Pomeroon River Banks; San Souci to Sarah and Maria's Pleasure to Meerzorg , Wakenaam Island; Cane Garden to Leguan Island; Windsor Forest to De Willen, West Coast Demerara, Parika Market area and Salem to Sparta, EBE, Water Street ,

Georgetown, Helena Nos. One and Two , Mahaica , Fairfield/Dantzig , M a h a i c o n y, We l l i n g t o n Park/Tarlogie, Corentyne .

In addition to those locations, Government advises persons residing along banks of rivers and lowlying coastal areas to also take precaution, as well as mariners, including those operating fishing vessels and larger vessels.

According to the Public Infrastructure Ministry, the highest tides are expected to be on Sunday September 29th, 2019 at 4:38pm at a height of 3.36 metres and on Monday September 30th, 2019 at 5:15pm at a height of 3.23 metres.

The use of beaches and foreshore areas for recreational purposes is not advised during this period.

Photo showing the scene at the sea walls during high tide

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Thursday September 26, 2019

Failure to follow-up may undermine success - Canada-based rate of stomach bacteria treatment Gastroenterologist

P

ersons affected by c o n s t a n t indigestion, stomach pain and heartburn should never take these symptoms for granted.

This was recently posited

by Canada-based Gastroenterologist, Dr. Trevor Seaton, who recently told this publication that such conditions could be an indication that an individual's digestive tract has been infiltrated by Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori]. H. pylori is a type of bacteria which can enter the body and live in the digestive tract for many years.

While many people can go to their graves without the bacteria severely impacting their health, Dr. Seaton noted that there are some cases when persons do develop stomach ulcers. There are

even a few rare cases in which these stomach ulcers can develop to cancer too, he revealed.

While these bacteria can be easily treated with antibiotics, Dr. Seaton, who has been lending his expert services to the Annandale, East Coast Demerara Doobay Medical and Research Centre [DMRC], said that the problem with treatment is that sometimes physicians do not confirm that patients are properly treated.

Confirming that the treatment has been effective is crucial since, according to Dr. Seaton, a repeat of the same regimen of antibiotics will always prove to be ineffective.

“I have seen people who have been treated three or four times by doctors who

Gastroenterologist, Dr. Trevor Seaton confirm H. pylori and treat them again, but they [doctor] treat them with the same treatment they got the first time,” said Dr. Seaton. He explained that “If we confirm that the treatment failed we need a completely

different regimen or cocktail of medication.”

“The problem is not the treatment because people are being treated quite correctly here, but usually after treatment it is hard to confirm that the treatment worked,” said Dr. Seaton, as he went on to note that most treatments only work 80 to 90 percent of the time.

“This means that one in 10 or two out of 10 times the treatment does not work.

“What we usually do is about six to eight weeks after the patient has taken antibiotics, we should confirm that the treatment has worked. If it didn't work it basically means that you would need a different set of antibiotics.”

An initial test for H. pylori is usually done by examining a blood sample in

a laboratory. This method of testing is useful in a person who has not been previously treated for bacteria.

“You can't use the blood test again and the mistake people are making is that they're getting the blood test which is an antibody test and the antibody will stay for years...once you have been treated the antibodies will stay positive for a while so you can't use the blood test again,” said Dr. Seaton.

The alternatives are stool or breath tests. The stool antigen is offered at DMRC, Dr. Seaton said.

Once the bacteria are effectively treated, Dr. Seaton said that all of the associated symptoms will be eradicated.

“The ulcers will heal once we get rid of the H. pylori and they won't come

back but if you don't treat the H. pylori, 80 percent of them will be back within six months to a year.

So the people who have what they describe as ulcerated stomach and recurrent symptoms often get it because they were treated for their ulcers, but the H. pylori was not eradicated.”

According to Dr. Seaton, most persons who are tested positive for H. pylori have the bacteria from childhood.

The possibility exists that the bacteria can be passed to them from their parents.

“We don't know how people get it later on in life, but we do know that if you get rid of it, it is unusual to get it back; it is not likely that you will get it from your spouse or anything like that,” he said.

CANU probes video of officer allegedly planting ganja on female passenger

A

t least one officer of the Customs AntiNarcotic Unit (CANU) may be in deep trouble after what appeared to be a shakedown of a female passenger at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Tuesday night.

In the almost comical, two-minute long video which was posted on the

social media, sparking outrage at what could possibly be a regular occurrence, the outgoing female passenger could be heard angrily denying that she had an illegal substance in her suitcases.

She dared to the cowering officer to speak loudly and demanded he bring his supervisor.

The rank, believed to be a

CANU operative, meekly allowed her to return to her seat at the end of the video, while begging her not to call the supervisor. The incident has reignited concerns over weaknesses of the systems at the airport and travellers' protection. A spokesman of CANU acknowledged that the existence of the video on social media has been brought to the attention of

the entity and an investigation has been launched.

In the beginning of the video, the officer, dressed in blue and with his security pass displayed prominently, was heard quietly asking for the woman who was in the departure lounge, to stop recording.

“Ma'am, please tek off the phone. Me and you

The passenger allegedly accused this officer of attempting to plant what appeared to be weed on her having a conversation.”

However, the woman insisted on her “privacy”.

The officer told her that he was doing her a “favor”.

However, the woman told him if he has nothing to be afraid of, then he has nothing to worry about being recorded.

“So why you talking so quietly? The woman asked.

“You is the officer. You don't have to be afraid.”

The woman demanded he bring his supervisor and refused to follow him.

She refused to talk to another colleague of the CANU officer.

The officer was seen to be dodging her recordings.

She insisted that whatever was found in her luggage could not have been there as the officers at all time had the substance in their possession.

According to the passenger, who was firm, she had been in possession of her luggage in her own home in Guyana.

Thursday September 26, 2019

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Commission to appeal court ruling in Royston King’s dismissal - LGC The Local Government Commission (LGC) is to appeal the recent court ruling which rendered the dismissal of former Town Clerk Royston King invalid.

This is according to LGC Chairman Mortimer Mingo.

He confirmed to Kaieteur News that the Commission has discussed the matter and will be moving to the Courts to appeal the decision.

Justice Simone MorrisRamlall had ruled that the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) which recommended that Royston King be sacked as Town Clerk is null, void and of no legal effect In her ruling, the judge held that the LGC acted unlawfully in dismissing him from the post.

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

Royston King

Mortimer Mingo

of funds. Among the recommendations made by the CoI was for him to be dismissed.

King was sent on administrative leave, and subsequently had his services terminated.

However, King’s lawyers successfully challenged the decision in the High Court.

Last month, 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. King’s 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 MorrisRamlall 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.

Meanwhile King’s lawyers, Maxwell Edwards and Patrice Henry said that while the judge refused to grant an order reinstating him to the post, the judge’s 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.

Union finally allowed to visit Aurora Gold Mines The National Mine Workers Union of Guyana (NMWUG) is expected to visit Aurora this week, then followup with a visit to Buckhall.

NMWUG President, Sherwin Downer, told Kaieteur News that a meeting the union had last Tuesday with officials of Aurora Gold Mines (AGM) Incorporated was a cordial one.

He said the union was able to familiarize itself with Guyana Goldfields Inc. s recently appointed Director of People and Culture, Emma Geist. Her capacity in the parent company concerns Human Resources.

During that meeting, Downer raised the complaints he has received of what appears to be an abuse of contract employment, where the company is alleged to be using the convenience of contract employment to hire and fire workers, without explanation and with impunity.

Kaieteur News reported that as late as Saturday last, three contract workers attached to the Aurora Mines Department were informed by the Human Resources Department of AGM Inc. that they should not return to work. This publication has now received word that at least one worker at Buckhall has had his services discontinued as well. These workers were reportedly told that they would be made permanent after a three to six month period.

This publication was in-

legislation or regulation that permits workers to be exploited in this way.

The meeting w a s t h e first between the union and AGM parties since the union gained official recognition as the representing union for the rank-andfile workers of AGM Inc. Earlier this month, AGM, which is a whollyowned subsidiary of the

NMWUG President, Sherwin Downer

Director, People & Culture at Guyana Goldfields Inc., Emma Geist

formed that this issue also concerns the fired workers, since they have been paying toward an insurance policy for the period they worked at AGM. As their services are discontinued, they no longer have access to that insurance, and hope to be reimbursed for the funds paid into the policy.

Kaieteur News has also been reliably informed that, when the Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, visited AGM Inc. following the last strike action, he told the workers that the Labour Department would work to have this matter rectified because theyre not supposed to be employed for extended periods without being made permanent.

It is also understood that

the Aurora workers who were fired were those on the front line advocating for the rankand-file workers to be unionised. This raises obvious concerns about whether they were victimized.

Downer said that, when the issue of the alleged abuse of temporary contract employment was raised during the Tuesday meeting, the response by the AGM delegation was that the temporary employment process is one that the workers agreed to, and so AGM contends that it did nothing wrong.

On the other hand, the NMWUG President believes that the Labour Department has failed the workers.

Downer said that it is necessary for Government to work swiftly to rectify any

Canadian Guyana Goldf i e l d s I n c orporated, acknowledged receipt of a Certificate of Recognition identifying the NMWUG as a majority union for its workers. It had requested some pursuant to organising a visit to the Mines Site by a team from the union.

The company stated that it is actively adhering to applicable laws and regulations

and that it is facilitating communication with relevant authorities. But it seems to be cooperating with Downers request for a visit.

A workers strike over alleged workers right abuses in early July, had set a series of events in motion that ultimately resulted in the NMWUG getting bargaining rights for the workers below the Supervisory level.

PAGE 22

Thursday September 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

Father of crime reporter dies after being found beaten in home

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Leroy Smith (left) and his father Leroy Peters The father popular crime reporter Leroy Smith succumbed three weeks after he was found beaten and unconscious in his home.

The victim has been identified as Leroy Peters, 82, of Anns Grove, East Coast of Demerara.n Leroy Smith, his son, recounted that on September 13, he made an impromptu visit to his fathers home. On arrival, he was greeted by several neighbours.

“I saw persons at his house and that was when I became aware that something was wrong,” Smith related.

Another son, said to be aged 10, had found Mr. Peters, also called John Wayne, lying in a pool of blod in his ransacked home. The elder man

was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). He never regained consciousness. Five men were arrested but later released.

One of the suspects has been arrested on several previous occasions. He was allegedly a suspect in a case in which a woman was raped and her house was torched.

Smith is convinced that there are individuals in the community who know the identity of his fathers attackers. He is pleading with them to contact the police.

“People in Anns Grove have been way too silent and I know there are people in there who have information, you folks should come forward with it.”

Kitty resident on $300,000 bail over causing death of motorcyclist A Kitty, Georgetown resident was yesterday released on $300,000 bail, two months after he was involved in an accident which resulted in the death of a motorcyclist.

Appearing at the Georgetown Magistrates Courts before Principal Magistrate Sherlock IsaacsMarcus was 29-year-old Joel Thomas who was not required to plead to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

Particulars of the charge alleged that on July 8 at Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, Thomas drove motor car PTT 2510 in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing t h e d e a t h o f S t e p h on Beckles. According to reports, Beckles, who was riding motorcycle CH9859, was proceeding south along the eastern lane of Vlissengen Road, at a fast rate of speed, when he collided with motorcar PTT2510,

which was proceeding north along the western lane.

The police report states that the motorcycle rider ended up in the latter lane and collided head-on with the car. Beckles, along with the pillion rider, fell onto the road, and they both received injuries to the head, arms and other parts of the body.

Andy, still conscious, was picked up by public spirited citizens and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he is presently receiving medical attention.

Beckles, who was unconscious, was also taken to the GPHC, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

In court, Police Prosecutor Adunni Inniss made no objection to Thomas being released on bail. She, however, asked that conditions be attached. In that regard, Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus ordered that (Continued on page 24)

Thursday September 26, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Trini cargo company targets oil and gas sector with local office With the aim of providing their full freight forwarder and logistics services to Guyana, Trinidad-owned Cargo Consolidators Agency Limited (CCA) launched their local operations last Friday.

Its commemorative ceremony was hosted at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

Managing Director of CCA, Sean Patience, noted that the company has been involved in the international movement of supplies for the oil and gas industry since its launch in 1976.

Patience said that because the company has years of hands-on experience in the oil and gas sector, he saw it necessary to expand their chain services, as well as train the professional Guyanese team.

The managing director explained that: “As a family-run business started by my father, we maintain his founding values of integrity, reliability and efficiency, in order to build win-win relationships with our customers, agents and vendors. We have utilized 43 years of experience in moving international freight to

transfer knowledge to our Guyanese team to cater for the demands of the oil and gas companies and to apply these same high standards to all other industries being retail, telecommunications, manufacturing and construction,” Patience said.

This company offers air and ocean freight, including transshipment cargo, import and export, consolidation, customs brokerage, door-todoor delivery, local transportation, break-bulk service and dangerous goods packaging.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, was keen to note during his presentation that there are endless possibilities in Guyana s oil and gas industry.

As such, he believes that Trinidad can transfer their knowledge and skill-set towards the development of Guyanas extractive industry.

President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer, related that there are many companies in Guyana that lack proper knowledge and

Managing Director, Mr. Sean Patience (centre, front row), and members of the CCA Guyana team expertise in the oil and gas sector.

In light of this, he applauded the CCA for extend-

Six years for mason who killed fellow villager at back-to-school event A 47-year-old mason of Lot 16 ‘A’ Williamsburgh, Corentyne, Berbice was sentenced to six years imprisonment for manslaughter committed on his fellow villager, Vishram “Ajai” Mohabir, also a mason.

Paul Ivor Thom, although sentenced to six years, will only spend four with two years deducted from the time he was incarcerated.

The sentencing was handed down at the Berbice High Court by the Judge Priya Sewnarine-Beharry before a prosecution led by Attorneyat-law Mandel Moore. Thom was represented by Attorney-at-law Suriya Sabsook. In addition, Thom was also sentenced to two years for unlawful wounding Kunal Singh, brother of the deceased.

Prior to the sentencing, a probation report that was requested by Thom’s Attorney on the day he was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by the jury, was presented and read before the court by Probation Officer Maisie Shepherd.

The report detailed how Thom began his life with his parents separating and him being forced into the world of work at the age of 14.

According to the report, prior to Thom’s incarceration, he was the sole provider of his home which he shared with his now blind father and sibling. The report stated that

Thom was not deemed as a threat during the years he lived at Williamsburgh. It also said that the Officer-in-charge of the New Amsterdam Prison Deoraj Gyandat had mentioned that the accused was a very “disciplined individual who always adheres to instructions given and obeys all the rules and regulations laid down by the administration” while he was an inmate at the institution.

The accused currently serves as an Orderly where he is tasked with the responsibility of male inmates in the Remand Dormitory, the report read.

It was also mentioned in the report that Thom was described by members of his neighbourhood as “a hustler, friendly, respectful and deemed committed to his family, more so, his biological father who is now visually impaired”.

Meanwhile, the report also stated that the mother of the deceased Devika Ramjass during an interview with the Probation Officer “wants justice” for her son’s death but also questions herself why the accused would resort to such an act that cost the life of the sole breadwinner of her home.

She told the PO that she knew the accused for many years and described him as “quiet and easy-going” but she said she is still “surprised” at what Thom did.

In closing, it was stated

that despite the circumstances, the accused must be cognizant of his actions since “this will allow respect for the rule of law and utilization of established services”.

Thom was found not guilty of murder and guilty of the lesser count of manslaughter at the Berbice High Court on the 5th September 2019. He was charged in August 2017 with a murder committed on Vishram Mohabir called “Ajay”. A probation report was requested by his Attorney Suriya Sabsook after the verdict. Eleven witnesses testified during the trial.

Kaieteur News had reported in 2017 that Mohabir was at a “back to school” event in Williamsburgh when a fight broke out between Thom and Kunal Singh. It was reported that Mohabir, who was also at the event, saw the commotion between his brother and the accused and ran to his assistance. A scuffle ensued which resulted in Singh and Mohabir being stabbed multiple times by the accused.

While both men were rushed to the hospital for medical attention, only Singh survived.

A knife used as the murder weapon was reportedly retrieved from the scene.

Shortly after Thom was arrested, taken into custody and hauled before the courts.

ing their services to Guyana.

Deygoo-Boyer noted that: “It would be foolhardy for us to think that we can ignore Trinidad and look to other markets such as Canada, the US and other parts of the west.”

The GCCI president, who has been pushing for foreign

companies to utilize Guyanas work force, noted his enthusiasm for the locals who would be hired under the cargo company.

“This is a very good example of when our brotherly CARICOM relationships work well. We well definitely need Trinidad and what

we need is the capital and experience…

I am really proud when these companies see Guyana as a very attractive market and make that leap,” the GCCI president said.

CCAs operations would be based at their corporate office in New Market Street.

Little word on next forest deal as Guyana set to collect final US$50M Almost a decade after a five-year groundbreaking forest conservation deal was signed between Guyana and Norway, its end is near.

There is no immediate word whether another one is likely.

In the meantime, Norway is making preparation to release US$50M that is outstanding.

On Tuesday, Minister of State, Dawn HastingsWi l l i a m s a n d N o r w a y s Minister for Climate and Environment, Ola Elvestuen, met on the margins of the UN Climate Summit in New York.

The two ministers, in a joint statement, said they welcomed successes and results achieved under the partnership between Guyana and Norway.

Guyana has met the commitments as agreed on, it was disclosed.

“In accordance with the bilateral agreement between the two countries, the two ministers agreed that Guyana has met its commitments and therefore Norway would disburse all final payments totaling approximately US$50 million,

equivalent to the remainder of the pledge made in 2009. The disbursement of the monies will be made to the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund, GRIF, administered by the World Bank.”

According to Minister Hastings-Williams, at this juncture both countries indeed would have met their responsibilities with the final release.

She also highlighted important successes of the partnership and how it yielded enhanced fore s t g o v e r n a n c e; that Guyana is better placed through institutional strengthening to deliver the GSDS. With the final payment, Minister H a s t i n g s - Wi l l i a m s h a s pledged to significantly increase the resources for the Opt-In project.

Minister Elvestuen emphasized at the meeting that Norway is most impressed with the continued low deforestation rates in Guyana over many years, and also with the substantive progress made on forest governance.

“The world looks t o Guyana for what sustainable development in forest rich countries can

be,” Minister Elvestuen said.

Under the groundbreaking agreement first signed in 2009 between Guyana and Norway, this country was supposed to have received up to US$250M over a period of five years to protect its forests.

However, there were delays and difficult i e s i n meeting some of the stringent verifiable checks that were introduced to ensure the forests are kept intact.

In fact, Guyana reportedly lost US$18M because of penalties.

Almost US$80M has been sitting with the IDB, earmarked for the Amaila Falls hydro project.

It appears that it is this set of funds that Guyana wants released to pursue alternative energy projects.

Norway had agreed to extend the deal for Guyana to meet the benchmarks set.

As of mid-2016, it was reported that Guyana collected more than US$150M from the deal. Some of the monies were used in land demarcation for Amerindian villages.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 26, 2019

Seeking favors, Trump asked Ukraine president to investigate Biden WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump pressed Ukraines president to investigate a political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, in coordination with the U.S. attorney general and

Trumps personal lawyer, according to a summary of a momentous telephone call released by the Trump administration yesterday.

The official account of the half-hour July call laid

bare an astonishing exchange of requests, pledges and ingratiation, including some unrelated to Biden, such as when Trump asked President Volodymyr Zelenskiy “to do us a favor” involving a con-

Kitty resident on $300,000 bail over...

From page 22 Thomas report to the police every Friday until the hearing and determination of his matter.

He returns to court on October 1 to collect statements.

Last July, Thomas was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving without a tint permit.

Then, he had appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse. According to the first charge, on July 8, at Vlissengen Road, he drove motor

vehicle PTT 2510 with the glass tinted beyond the legally prescribed Vi s i b l e L i g h t Transmission (VLT) percentage. To this charge he pleaded guilty and was fined $7,500.

It was further alleged that on the same day, at the same locatio n , h e d r o v e m o t o rcar PTT 2510 while his breath alcohol level was above the legal limit. He pleaded not guilty to this second charge and was released on $10,000 bail.

troversy arising from the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign.

The summary was released a day after U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the Democratic-led chamber was launching an official impeachment inquiry, setting up a political showdown that threatens Trumps presidency as he campaigns for re-election in 2020.

The details of the July 25 call drew furious reactions from Democrats, who accused Trump of soliciting Ukraines help to smear Biden, the frontrunner among Democratic candidates seeking to challenge the Republican president in the November 2020

election.

The call occurred after Trump had ordered a freeze of nearly $400 million in American aid to Ukraine, which the administration only later released.

“What those notes reflect is a classic Mafia-like shakedown of a foreign leader,” said Democrat Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

Republicans said it showed Democrats were wrong to move forward with impeachment. “There was no quid pro quo and nothing to justify the clamor House Democrats caused,” said Doug Collins of Georgia, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee.

Trump and Zelenskiy appeared side by side in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly and denied impropriety in their call, with Ukraines president telling reporters: “Nobody pushed me.”

At a news conference closing out three days of meetings in New York around the United Nations General Assembly, Trump accused

Democrats of launching the impeachment inquiry “because they can t beat us at the ballot.”

In a statement, Biden said Trump put personal politics above his oath of office and that Congress must hold him to account for “his abuse of power.”

The controversy arose after a whistleblower from within the U.S. intelligence community brought a complaint relating to Trumps conversation with Zelenskiy.

Even though federal law calls for such complaints to be disclosed to Congress, the Trump administration has not done so. Members of the House and Senate Intelligence committees were allowed to see the complaint yesterday, the day before acting U.S. director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, testifies at a House intelligence panel hearing.

The allegations were “deeply disturbing” and “very credible,” Schiff said after viewing the complaint.

Republican Mike Conaway, said, however: “I havent seen anything that bothers me.”

Thursday September 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Thursday September 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

Opposition party announces Govt. to move bill to limit tenure campaign of civil disobedience of prime minister in office ROSEAU, Dominica CMC – The main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) yesterday announced plans for a campaign of civil disobedience in support of electoral reform as well getting the relevant authorities to probe allegations that EC$1.2 billion (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) have been missing from the controversial Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme.

UWP and Opposition Leader, Lennox Linton, said that the party would be staging a peaceful gathering outside the official residence of President Charles Savarin on Monday “to present a formal complaint…requesting his intervention” into the missing funds.

He said a “peaceful gathering” would also be staged outside the police headquarters “to present a formal complaint” to the Police Commissioner as well as outside the High Court building on Monday “ to present notification of our pursuit of appropriate legal action to have the missing money deposited in the Consoli-

dated Fund of Dominica”.

Linton said that the UWP would also embark on a campaign seeking the assistance of law enforcement officials from the United States, Britain, INTERPOL and the European Union’s financial intelligence unit “to find the missing 1.2 billion dollars and deposit it in the Consolidated Fund o f Dominica”.

He said there would also be a campaign “to inform the international community of the refusal of the government of Dominica to account for the missing 1.2 billion dollars,” he told reporters.

Linton first raised the issue of the missing money during the debate of the country’s national budget earlier this year and told reporters that more than 50 days since he had raised the matter, there has been no official response from the Roosevelt Skerrit administration to the allegation.

Last month, Prime Minister Skerrit, speaking at the launch of a candidate for his ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) brushed aside the allega-

tions that the EC$1.2 billion was missing under the CBI that allows foreign investors to make a significant contribution to the socioeconomic development of He said the allegation was intended to damage the reputation of the programme, saying “the objective of the creators of this ‘Where De Money Gone’ campaign is to create such doubt in the integrity of Dominica’s CBI programme that foreign authorities would consider imposing sanctions against Dominica’s CBI programme.

“They do not wish for our passport to remain a hassle-free travel document to many countries around the world. They want countries to deny free access to holders of Dominican passports.

Lennox Linton is helping them taint our programme so that more countries will impose visa restrict i o n s o n holders of Dominican passports.”

Linton told the news conference that the money being sought does not belong to him, the UWP or civil society groups.

Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris (Left) and Opposition Leader, Dr. Denzil Douglas (File Photo) BASSETERRE, St. Kitts CMC – The St. Kitts-Nevis government yesterday said it would table legislation in October preventing anyone from serving as prime minister for more than two terms, a move the main opposition St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) has described as mere window shopping. Government said it would table the Constitution of St. Christopher and Nevis (Tenure of Office of Prime Minister) (Amendment) Bill, 2019 at the

next sitting of the National Assembly in October. “Essentially, the main objective of the Bill is to make an amendment of Section 52 (2) of the Constitution. With the amendment, “a Representative shall not hold office as Prime Minister for more than two terms, whether or not served consecutively,” the government said in a statement.

But the SKNLP said that given that he lacks the required two-thirds majority to

get the legislation passed in Parliament, Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris would be better served removing the legislation from the Order Paper.

T h e o p position party notes that the bill requires the “approval of no less than two thirds of all elected representatives and given the balance of power in the current Parliament, the Bill has no prospect of being passed without support from the Opposition”.

Thursday September 26, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Mohamed Salah: Egyptian FA moves Chris Jordan joins TKR to defuse Liverpool striker row

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has had several arguments with the Egypt Football Association. (Getty Images)

BBC Sport - The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has written to Fifa for an explanation of its missing votes for the Best Fifa Men’s Player award.

The EFA says that Pharaohs’ acting coach Shawky Gharib and captain Ahmed Elmohamady placed votes for Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah that were not counted.

Neither are included on the voting breakdown on Fifa’s website.

Since the awards ceremony Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah has removed ‘Egypt’ from his Twitter profile.

His profile now simply

Thursday September 26, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may have some trouble getting out of bed today due to a desire to let the world carry on without your help for a while.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) The day ahead should be excellent. You tend to work with an energy unparalleled by the other signs, and today you reap some rewards for your diligence.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You've been lucky for the last two months, there's no doubt about it. Lately it seems like your luck is changing. It's hard to pinpoint, but something isn't quite right in your daily life.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) This is going to be a good time to get a global view of things. Take full advantage of the current planetary aspects by reading some books on spirituality or travel.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) It's true that having to earn a living isn't always the most agreeable thing in life, Leo. However, we all know that it's necessary. Have you thought about adding more balance to your life?

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) If you've had some problems in your sentimental life during the last few m o n t h s , Vi rg o , they're probably behind you now.

It's a sure bet that you've learned something.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) If you aren't the most selfassured p e r s o n i n t h e world, take a look around and see all that you've done. True, you still have many unattained dreams.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may meet some new people in the next few days, Scorpio. Someone in your professional life may help you launch some unusual experiments that have never been done before.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) It seems as though you're trying to live down some criticism, Sagittarius. For weeks you've taken special care to look over your work to catch any mistakes.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Smile, because the forecast is bright today. You'll be in a curious mood, just right for new encounters.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) The Rolling Stones said it best, "I can't get no satisfaction," and that's how you've been feeling lately, Aquarius.

Indeed, looking back on your recent activities, you may feel a bit like a character in Wonderland PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You're often preoccupied by other people's lives. Your devotion to others will be appreciated today. For example, in the family circle, you may have to bandage everyone's little physical or psychological wounds.

reads: “Footballer for Liverpool FC.” He also posted a Tweet which translates as: “Whatever they do to try to change my love for Egypt, they will not succeed.”

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi won the Best Fifa Men’s Player award on Monday night ahead of Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Salah’s Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk.

In 2018, Salah came third in the men’s award and also took the Puskas Award for goal of the season.

Each nation has three voters: the national team coach, the national team captain and a media representative.

The EFA say that both Gharib and Elmohamady had Salah as their first choices in their votes.

The media representative Hany Danial’s choices were Sadio Mane followed by Cristiano Ronaldo, with Salah in third place.

It is not the first time that Salah has been upset with the EFA, following a row last year over his image rights that saw him threaten to quit the national team.

Misbah demands...

From page 27 hope that the world will support us more and more.”

It had been ten years since the attacks, Misbah said, adding he hoped more international teams would consider touring his nation and others like Pakistan.

“Otherwise the survival of cricket will be difficult.”

Misbah said his team — the majority of who will be playing a one-day international at home for the first time — were excited for the match.

Skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, and Wahab Riaz have featured in an ODI in Pakistan before.

“It’s a special moment for all of us and players are excited as well as emotional, playing before their home fans and at home ground, so it’s really special.”

Trinbago Knight Riders will be boosted with the addition of Chris Jordan. (CLP) CPL - The Trinbago Knight Riders have announced that Chris Jordan will be joining the team for the remainder of the 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Jordan will be replacing Mohammad Hasnain who has returned to Pakistan for domestic and international commitments.

Barbadian born Jordan has played eight Tests, 31 ODIs and 39 T20Is for England, picking up 111 international wickets in those matches. He has played T20 cricket in the T20 Blast in the UK, the Big Bash in Australia, the Pakistan Super League and the Indian Premier League.

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 26, 2019

Athletics World Championships a key test for Qatar AFP - Qatar is preparing to welcome thousands of fans and competitors for t h e Wo r l d A t h l e t i c s Championships starting tomorrow, an event seen as a staging post towards the 2022 football World Cup. The 10-day event in the capital Doha will be a key test ahead of the football extravaganza in the gasr i c h G u l f m o n a r c h y, although the track and field showcase will play out on a far smaller scale.

World Cup organisers and football fans will be anxious to see if Qatar can overcome problems encountered at a recent Wo r l d C u p q u a l i f y i n g fixture, stubborn Doha traffic and unfinished public transport to deliver a smooth championships.

An ongoing diplomatic spat between Qatar and several neighbours could threaten to overshadow the competition, as well as possibly dent the numbers of spectators and competitors.

This is how Qatar has prepared for the tournament in key areas: - Security Qatari pro-government media has heavily publicised recent training exercises staged by the US FBI in Doha to equip Qatari officers with “crisis and disaster management” skills.

The city was ranked the world’s second safest by CEOWORLD magazine last month behind Abu Dhabi, capital of regional rival the United Arab Emirates.

However the Worlds hosts will be looking to avoid a repeat of chaotic

scenes that played out d u r i n g a Wo r l d C u p qualifying fixture between Qatar and India earlier this month.

Indian fans with tickets were unable to access the venue and a surge of fans attempted to storm the ground during half-time as security staff struggled to bring the situation under control.

- Venues Ahead of the opening c e r e m o n y, h u n d r e d s o f volunteers were marshalled a r o u n d D o h a ’s K h a l i f a stadium by police while technicians hoisted vast lighting rigs into place in t h e v e n u e ’s i n t r i c a t e lattice-work roof.

Chief organiser Dahlan al-Hamad said at a recent sports integrity event in Doha that “Qatar is 100 percent ready for the championship — we are very excited”.

The stadium, which will host most events, was first opened in 1976 but totally overhauled ahead of a relaunch in 2017 and has since successfully hosted Diamond League events.

T h e c i t y ’s C o r n i c h e waterfront will be used for the marathon, being staged for the first time at midnight when the temperature will be lower.

The route will also host the m e n ’s a n d w o m e n ’s 2 0 kilometre race walks and the mixed 50 kilometre race walk.

Construction teams worked around the clock to finish assembling the elaborate scaffold towers that line the route’s central reservation and will support floodlights for the

The World Athletics Championships in the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha are a staging post for Qatar on the road to its hosting of the 2022 World Cup. (AFP / Kirill Kudryavtsev) midnight marathon.

- Transport Qatar has invested heavily in transport infrastructure since being named 2022 World Cup hosts in 2010. It now boasts one of the world’s largest hub airports and Qatar Airways is currently rated the best by an industry body.

But it is unclear if the multi-billion-dollar metro system’s yellow line will be ready in time to shuttle spectators to the two new stations near the Khalifa stadium, al-Aziziyah and Sports City, both of which

are shaped like Bedouin tents.

In the absence of a rail option, fans will access the stadium by road.

The area is already popular with motorists and home to a mall, raising the prospect of traffic jams ahead of popular events.

Officials were pushing to overhaul several key bottlenecks and junctions across the city ahead of the high-point of the athletics calendar.

- Fans While the Khalifa stadium can hold 46,000 people, it will be

configured for fewer fans during the Wo r l d Championships with organisers hoping to attract around 14,000 spectators to the highest profile events.

Tickets are “selling well” according to an official, and members of Qatar ’s expatriate work force — Kenyans and Americans in particular — are expected to turn out.

It remains to be seen though how many fans from neighbouring Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will make it to Doha for the

event.

The three countries, along with Egypt, have enforced a boycott of Qatar since June 2017 and their citizens are technically banned from travelling to the peninsula state.

The Riyadh-led coalition accuses Qatar of backing extremist groups and Iran, charges it denies — raising the spectre that politics could partially overshadow the athletics.

Nonetheless Saudi will send three athletes, Egypt five, the UAE one, and Bahrain 21 competitors in total.

King leads dominant Warriors to seventh straight win CPL - Brandon King’s unbeaten 81 helped Guyana Amazon Warriors make it a magnificent seven wins out of seven to continue their 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) campaign with a comfortable eight-wicket victory over St Lucia Zouks at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.

The Warriors are assured of a top-two finish and with it a place in the first qualifier for a place in the final with the safety net of a second chance should they lose that one.

The Zouks remain fourth but may need win both their remaining games to have a decent chance of staying there given the Tridents are just a point behind with two games in hand.

No such concerns for the Warriors, though, who were given the ideal start to their pursuit of 162 for victory here

by Chandrapaul Hemraj, who smashed two fours and three Hero Maximums in a 20-ball 33 that put Guyana ahead of the eight-an-over required rate at the outset.

When he fell, skying a sweep shot off Fawad Ahmed, King took up the charge having been relatively quiet while Hemraj was doing his thing. All but one of King’s six sixes came after Hemraj had been dismissed and, despite the loss of Shimron Hetmyer for just 5 to a caught behind decision that displeased him, the Warriors reached the 10-over mark exactly halfway to their target at 81/2 with plenty of batting options still to come. They

didn’t need it, King and Shoaib Malik, who finished on 30, easing the Warriors past the target with almost two overs to spare with an unbroken 92-run stand for the third wicket.

After 12 overs, that required rate of 8.1 from the last 10 had come down to barely a run a ball thanks to King.

He took Barnwell’s first three balls for two sixes and a four, with Shoaib Malik striking another four through backward point to round off an over that put 21 on the total. Along the way, King reached another classy halfcentury and the Warriors passed 100.

Suddenly, the target was a routine 49 from 48 and from there it was a cruise for the table-toppers, Malik stroking

the winning single down the ground with 10 balls to spare.

Earlier, there was another masterclass in spin bowling from the Warriors. All six overs of the Powerplay were bowled by spinners, with Chris Green and Imran Tahir particularly impressive. Their five overs under the fielding restrictions gave up just 20 runs.

At one point the pair between them bowled 10 successive deliveries without conceding a run while the Zouks lost their first two wickets.

Andre Fletcher was first to go, skying one miles into the St Lucia sky and being well held by Ben Laughlin to give Tahir the first of his two wickets. The second was a bad moment for Rahkeem Cornwall, run out having

failed to run his bat in yet being so far over the crease that he almost made his ground with his foot.

From 21/0 after three overs, the Zouks found themselves 24/2 in the sixth.

The Colins Ingram and de Grandhomme set about repairing the damage. De Grandhomme ended the runless streak by depositing Green onto the grass banks at midwicket.

Ingram contributed 25 from 14 balls to a 56-run stand before drilling Tahir low, hard and flat to long-off where Green held a stinging running catch.

De Grandhomme carried on, though, and reached an excellent half-century – his first in the Hero CPL - from just 27 balls with four Hero Maximums.

What he lacked, though, was further Ingram-style support. Jahmar Hamilton and Daren Sammy each made 9 off 10 and 15 balls respectively, and the pressure to accelerate the scoring began to tell on de Grandhomme who duly holed out for 65 when there were still three overs left where he could have caused some damage.

Barnwell did give the Zouks one final lift by taking Shepherd for three successive sixes in the 19th over, but the 20th from Laughlin was superb. He picked up two wickets while conceding just three singles to finish with eye-catching figures of 3/12 from three overs and leave the Zouks well short of where they needed to be.

Thursday September 26, 2019

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Kaieteur News

FIFA agrees limits to player loans and agent commissions AFP - FIFA has agreed steps that will limit the number of players clubs can send out on loan from next season and will also limit the amount of money paid to agents in commissions, world football’s governing body announced yesterday.

In a statement, FIFA said it had taken “a series of key steps to protect the integrity of the system and prevent abuses” following a meeting of its Stakeholders Committee.

From next season, the number of international loans out and in permitted per club will be limited to eight, with that figure dropping progressively to six by the 2022/23 season. The number of players that can be loaned between the same two clubs

FIFA have agreed moves to cut down on player loans and agent commissions “to protect the integrity of the system”. (AFP/File/Ozan Kose) will be capped at three.

However, the cap will only be applied to players aged over 21, or “non club-trained” players aged 21 and under.

The measures are aimed at curtailing “abusive and excessive practices”, with FIFA citing the hoarding of players by clubs and the

Battling Barty downs Kenin to reach Wuhan quarters, Pliskova out

distortion of competition when teams bring in several players on loan from a bigger club with whom they have a close relationship.

“Players’ development is suffering as they are moved from one club to another with no clear career plan. The current loan system has facilitated player hoarding with clubs putting numerous players on their books and then loaning them out to other clubs,” FIFA said in a confidential document seen

by AFP. The measures appear to be aimed at clubs such as Chelsea, who have habitually had vast numbers of players out on loan in recent seasons.

Monaco have as many as 18 players currently loaned out, including seven at Belgian side Cercle Brugge.

The recommendations will be endorsed at the upcoming FIFA Council meeting in Shanghai, scheduled for

October 24.

However, they will not immediately apply to domestic loans, with the document stating that member associations will have three years in order to implement rules on a loan system “in line with FIFA principles”.

Meanwhile, in an effort to curb the amount of money going out of the game and into the pockets of agents, FIFA stakeholders also agreed to limit commissions as “conflicts of interest plague football’s transfer system”.

As a result, a selling club will not have to pay more than 10 percent of a transfer fee received to an agent acting on their behalf.

Agents representing a player will be entitled to a maximum of three percent of that player’s total remuneration and another three percent for representing the buying club.

In 2016, Mino Raiola was paid 27 million euros for his role in Paul Pogba’s transfer from Juventus to Manchester United for a then world-record fee of over 100 million euros.

The new measures are designed to limit “financial incentive of agents to engineer a possible transfer” and to create “more transparent and objective forms of remuneration”, the document stated.

“Certain measures will certainly not please some agents, but there was a consensus on these measures and there have been discussions going back more than a year,” a FIFA official told journalists at the organisation’s Zurich headquarters.

“This is an important step towards making transfers more moral.”

The measures will also be endorsed at the FIFA Council in Shanghai.

Novar Beach beckons following fun day

Ashleigh Barty of Australia hits a backhand against Qiang Wang of China (not pictured) in the fourth round on day seven of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament. (Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports) ( R e u t e r s ) - Wo r l d number one Ash Barty fended off a late comeback attempt by American Sofia Kenin to reach the Wuhan Open quarter-finals yesterday, while second seed Karolina Pliskova was knocked out in straight sets by Ukrainian teenager Dayana Yastremska.

After cruising through the first set without any trouble, Barty fought back from a break down in the next, saving two set points to overcome Kenin 6-3 7-5 for her third win over the 20-year-old Guangzhou champion in four meetings this season.

Next up for the Australian top seed will be Croatia’s Petra Martic who defeated qualifier Veronika Kudermetova 6-3 6-1.

World number two Pliskova’s hopes of

dethroning Barty as world number one by the end of the week ended with a 6-1 6-4 defeat by Yastremska.

The unseeded 19-yearold did not drop serve and smashed 26 winners past her Czech opponent for the first top 10 victory of her career.

Yastremska next faces another Czech top 10 opponent in Petra Kvitova, who advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Sloane Stephens — her first win over the former U.S. Open champion.

Wimbledon champion Simona Halep was forced to retire from her match against wildcard Elena Rybakina while trailing 5-4 in the first set after feeling sharp pain in her back.

The Romanian had suffered a herniated disk late

last year which ruled her out of the season-ending WTA Finals.

“It’s a lower back (injury).

I think it’s more muscle, but I don’t know yet because I didn’t check it properly,” the fourth seed told reporters.

“At four-all, 0-30, with the backhand... I had a sharp pain. I don’t know yet (if it is the same as the previous injury). It looks a little bit different but it’s still the same zone.”

Rybakina will next face Belarusian ninth seed Aryna Sabalenka who dispatched sixth-seeded Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens 6-1 7-6(9).

Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina beat Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4 6-2 to stay on course to qualify for the season-ending WTA Finals in Shenzhen where she will bid to retain her title.

The Number Sixty Three Beach on the Corentyne Coast has been for some time commanding the spotlight for beach activities and entertainment, but there is now a fierce challenge from within Region Five with Belladrum Beach as well as the Novar Beach both rapidly growing in popularity among promoters of beach activities and other social events.

The Novar Beach, which is situated at about the midway point between Mahaicony and Abary, was a hive of activities on Sunday September 22 when the

Region Five Chamber of Commerce hosted a fun day, and word is out that the chamber will be making it an annual affair.

There was a large crowd in attendance with people being able to play cricket along the beach, while others dipped their feet in the water and participated in other activities. There is a vast expanse of sandy beach that beckons, and the crowd just kept growing as the afternoon went on.

According to Mr. Niron Singh, President of the Region Five Chamber of Commerce, the chamber is seeking to work along with the Neighborhood Democratic Council, NDC, to upgrade the

facility resulting in proper access road and the installation of basic sanitary facilities together with other amenities.

Mr. Singh is of the view that with the upgrading of the facility the Novar Beach can become a top beach destination in the country as it would become more popular among residents and visitors as well, as the Region seeks to promote tourism.

The organizers were quite pleased with the support they received from patrons, noting that the money raised from such events, is used mainly towards charitable work as well as towards motivating young people who do well at national examinations.

Misbah demands more from world for Pakistan cricket revival AFP - Pakistan’s newly appointed head coach yesterday urged the cricket world to better help his country’s efforts to revive international matches, damaged by security problems in the last decade.

Misbah-ul-Haq’s request comes two days before Pakistan takes on Sri Lanka in a series of three one-day internationals, the first in the country for four years, and as many Twenty20 internationals.

The Sri Lanka team was attacked in Lahore in 2009 and since then most international teams have refused to tour the South Asian country, leaving

Pakistan to play nearly all their “home” games in the United Arab Emirates.

Zimbabwe was the first country to return in 2015, with Pakistan hosting the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and a World XI team since then.

The current series was hit by withdrawals of ten top Sri Lankan players over security fears but Sri Lanka’s cricket board received the all-clear from the defence ministry last week.

“Cricket world need to do more, not only for Pakistan but for any country where it is hit,” said Misbah, under who Pakistan plays the first one-day international tomorrow.

The remaining two matches will also be held in Karachi on Sunday and Wednesday.

The three Twenty20 internationals will be in Lahore on October 5, 7 and 9.

Misbah never captained any of his 56 Tests in Pakistan and he praised Sri Lanka — who arrived under heavy security — for the tour.

“I know it would have been a tough decision for Sri Lanka to tour,” he said.

“Pakistan is a cricketloving country and it would be injustice to deprive them of international cricket, so I (Continued on page 25)

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 26, 2019

BCB celebrates 80th Anniversary with gala event - Nagamootoo, Lamberts, Deonarine and Derick Kallicharran inducted into Berbice Hall of Fame The Berbice Cricket Board on Friday last celebrated its 80th Anniversary by hosting a Gala Ceremony at the Albion Community Centre Training Hall. The venue was full to capacity as the Berbice Cricket Board celebrated the Anniversary in grand style by honouring heroes, assisting young cricketers and clubs along with looking back at the rich legacy of Berbice Cricket over the last eight decades.

The Board hosted its Tribute to Heroes, Tribute to Retired Cricketers, honoured its two new West Indies Debutants, donated $300,000 worth of cricket gears to junior cricketers and inducted Berbice Heroes to its Cricket Hall of Fame, Cricket Administrators Hall of Fame.

Additionally, the Berbice Cricket Board unveiled its greatest cricketers at the Junior, Female and Senior levels, handed over prizes for three Educational Competitions and donated water coolers/cricket stumps to numerous clubs. The highlight of the packed afternoon programme was

Mrs. Mavis Nagamootoo and her granddaughter unveil the 2019 BCB Hall of Fame portraits. the induction of five outstanding cricketers into the Berbice Cricket Hall of Fame. Those inducted were Clayton Lambert, Leslaine Lambert, Derick Kallicharran, Narsingh Deonarine and Mahendra Nagamootoo.

BCB President Hilbert

Foster, who chaired the programme, informed the large gathering that the BCB Cricket Hall of Fame was founded in 2009 with the main aim of honouring outstanding Berbice Cricketers. Those honoured to date includes John Trim,

Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher, Joseph Solomon, Roy Fredericks, Alvin Kallicharran, Milton Pydana and Sew Shivnarine.

Berbice, he stated was very proud of its heroes and stressed the importance of honouring them as this

would motivate the younger generation to follow in their footsteps. The Berbice Cricket Board every five years selected inducted players into the Hall of Fame after careful and comprehensive research.

Foster hailed the five awardees as perfect ambassadors, positive role models and outstanding cricketers who made Berbice a household name across the cricketing world.

Clayton Lambert, a member of the Bermine Cricket Club represented Guyana and the West Indies at the senior levels, while Leslaine Lambert represented Guyana and West Indies ‘B’ Teams. Lambert, a proud product of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club, career was cut short due to injury. Derick Kallicharran of the historic Port Mourant Cricket Club, the younger brother of former West Indies Captain Alvin Kallicharran and represented Guyana and West Indies as a leg spinner, was a solid low order batsman.

Foster told the attentive

audience that if they were playing today, both Leslaine Lambert and Derick Kallicharran would have played Test Cricket. Narsingh Deonarine and Mahendra Nagamootoo both represented Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies at the Junior and Senior levels and also captained their county and country. Deonarine of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club was known as the batsman who hit the winning six in the historic Stanford 20/20 Tournament, while Port Mourant Nagamootoo held Guyana’s First Class bowling record for a long time.

Portraits of each of the players along with their cricketing records would be placed on the Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh Wall of Fame, located n the BCB Office. Sister of Derick Kallicharran, Mrs. Mavis Nagamootoo and Ms. Nathalie Nagamootoo the daughter of Mahendra Nagamootoo unveiled the portraits of the five inductees to loud applause from the gathering.

Play in the UCCA U-17 cricket competition underway Action in the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) Under-17 tournament for schools in the Upper Corentyne and Black Bush Polder areas got underway and results in some of the matches p l a y e d s a w Ta g o r e Memorial Secondary (TMSS) winning on first innings from Skeldon Line Path Secondary (SLPS) in a closely contested game played at the No72 Cut and Load ground.

Tagore batted first and made 100 with Abu Khan 11. Bowling for SLPS Trevon Sukhoo took 5

wickets, while S. Chatterpaul supported with four wickets. In reply, SLPS were bowled out for 77 with Sookdeo 22 and Sookraj 21.

The main wicket takers for TMSS were Shalin Khan and A. Carlos with four wickets each. They in their second innings were dismissed for 42. S. Chatterpaul and Sookdeo with 5-17 and 5-18 did the damage for SLPS. Needing 65 for victory, SLPS reached 64-8 when time ran out to fall agonizingly short buy 1 run. Victor Lakhan 21 and M. Tamesh 20 were their

top scorers. Bowling for TMSS Salim Khan picked up 5-20.

In another game TMSS defeated Central Corentyne Secondary (CCSS) on first innings.

Batting first TMSS made 190 with A. Khan 48 and R. Beharry 25. In reply, CCSS made 97 with Jason Leitch 38 and T. Utram 17. Bowling for TMSS Salim Khan took 6-12. They in their second innings reached 31-3 declared. Needing 124 for an outright victory, CCSS ended on 35-7. Bowling for TMSS, Khan returned to take 4-8 while Sookram picked up two.

NOC to host V Net Vipers on Saturday The New Opportunity Corps (NOC) ground on the Essequibo Coast will come alive on Saturday when V Net Vipers of Georgetown engage their Essequibo counterparts in three 15over matches.

V Net Vipers will face Young Guns under 20 at 09:00hrs before playing Young Guns Invitational XI, which include Akenie Adams, former National U19 player Norwayne Fredricks and former Essequibo opening batsman Ravi Beharry at 11:30hrs. The

visitors will then take on South Essequibo Cricket Committee XI at 14:30hrs.

Organizing the tour is national cricketer Anthony Adams, veteran cricket Coach Forbes Daniels and Young Guns Sports Club.

The club is living up to its motto: ‘Making a difference in young people’s lives,’ by organizing weekly cricket coaching sessions and matches for both males and females. Last Saturday and Sunday Coach Daniels conducted sessions with the female cricketers and has

expressed gratitude to the NOC for their assistance.

On Sunday 32 athletes took part in the Heritage Miracle Mile Run with Kenton Layne taking the top podium spot. Azim Fredricks finished second and Tyron Brandon third in the male category.

In the female segment, National under-19 cricketer Lisa Charles placed first ahead of Devine Rose and Nataliya Benjamin in that order. Trophies were presented to the top athletes

by Miss Sharon Mohammed.

In another game, Skeldon High School (SHS) defeated SLPS by eight wickets. The SHS batted first and were dismissed for 47 with Sarwan Chaitnarine 14.

The wicket takers for SLPS were S. Chatterpaul with 610 and Sookhoo with 4-15.

They then made 85 with V. Latchman 30. Bowling for SHS, Chitnarine took 5-15 and Mark Mathews 2-10 were the main wicket takers.

In their second innings, SLPS were dismissed for 59 with Chaitnarine making 17. S. Chatterpaul 5-15 and Sookhoo 5-30 took the wickets. Needing 22 for victory SHS reached 25-2 with Sookdeo 14 and Chatterpaul 10.

Chaitnarine and Matthews’s picked up one wicket each for SLPS. The competition is being played on a one day two innings format. The two teams with the most points at the end of the preliminary rounds will clash in the finals.

The final is set for Friday 27th September at the Crabwood Creek Ground.

The five school participating are Skeldon Line Path Secondary (SLPS), Skeldon High

Salim Khan has so far taken 19 wickets for 94 runs bowling for Tagore Secondary.

S c h o o l ( S H S ) , Ta g o r e Memorial Secondary School (TMSS), Central Corentyne Secondary School (CCSS) and Black Bush Secondary School (BBSS). Incentives will be awarded to the top teams and outstanding individual players.

The competition has the blessings of the Ministry of Education and is being coordinated by the UCCA Competitions Committee. This committee is headed by former national Wicketkeeper batsman Sydney Jackman. (Samuel Whyte)

Thursday September 26, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Minnows Uruguay pull off historic Fiji shock at Rugby World Cup APF - Minnows Uruguay pulled off the greatest upset in their history yesterday as they stunned Fiji 30-27 to leave the Pacific islanders staring at an early exit from the Rugby World Cup. John McKee’s Fiji had showcased their traditional running flair in a thrilling first 60 minutes against Australia, when they led the muchfancied Wallabies. But they ran out of steam in an errorstrewn performance against Uruguay four days later.

The brave Uruguay XV were magnificent in a pulsating game at the Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, running in three tries and clinging on desperately towards the end as Fiji threw everything at their lowly opponents.

It was the biggest rugby win in the history of Uruguay, who had only ever won two games at the World Cup and are ranked nine places below the Fijians, whom they had never beaten.

Asked if Fiji could still reach the quarter-finals, McKee admitted: “It is going to be challenging for us. We are relying a lot on other

Uruguay produced the first major shock of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. (AFP/Charly Triballeau) points now.” He said he was targeting a bonus-point win against Georgia next Sunday before facing Six Nations champions Wales.

The New Zealander refused to blame the short turnaround for the defeat against the fresher South Americans, who were playing

their first match. But he acknowledged the difficulty of taking the field again so soon after the bruising game against the Wallabies.

“For us, obviously with the short turnaround, though it isn’t an excuse, it is a challenge,” said McKee, who said his team’s dismal

Leorayan Ramlakhan

Zameer Zaman

overcame G Square Cavaliers by eight wickets in the afternoon fixture. G Square Cavaliers took first strike and were sent packing for 90 in 19.2 overs.

Romario Stephen made 27 while Beesham Bhagpattie scored 17 as Vinood Persaud

picked up 3-17. Maria’s Pleasure responded with 952 in 13 overs. Leorayan Ramlakhan led the chase, smashing one four and seven sixes in a robust 60, while Timothy Singh made 16.

Satnarine Sahadeo captured 2-23.

goalkicking had cost them dear.

- ‘You saw the passion’ Uruguay’s captain Juan Gaminara broke down in tears at the end of the game, saying: “We are not the biggest, we

are not the tallest but we came here to win.”

“Since we qualified, we have been thinking about this game and you saw the passion. I’m really proud,” added Gaminara, whose squad contains several players with semiprofessional status.

Despite giving away nearly 10 kilos a man in the pack, Uruguay competed up front and harried the Fijians out wide, rushing them into a litany of handling errors.

They took a deserved 2412 lead into half-time and benefited from some extraordinary misses from the tee by Josh Matavesi, including some that seemed a formality.

Fiji had taken a shock lead of their own into the second half of their defeat by Australia, but this time they were the team needing a dramatic comeback.

They threw their heavy runners at a stout Uruguay defence but basic handling errors continued to thwart the Pacific islanders as the play

broke up to resemble more of a game of sevens — a code at which Fiji are Olympic champions.

In the end, the final score flattered Fiji, as they scored a last-minute try that was too little too late to prevent wild Uruguay celebrations.

Fiji captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu said: “Everything went wrong today. It’s not the result we wanted. It’s not how we wanted the game to go today.

We underestimated a very good Uruguay team.”

McKee, who changed 12 players from the team that started against Australia, said Fiji had talked specifically about not taking Uruguay lightly.

“We tried to take the same mindset into the game as we took into the Australia game,” he said.

“This is the sport that we play and you cannot predict the outcome. And great credit goes to Uruguay for how they worked in the game and for each other and to get what is quite a historic result.”

Circle Tennis action set for Linden on Saturday SS Jaguars, Maria’s Pleasure triumph

Sans Souci Jaguars and Maria’s Pleasure registered victories when the Wakenaam Cricket Committee/Rubis Bel Air and Trophy stall T20 competition commenced on Sunday last at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground.

Sans Souci Jaguars defeated Zeelandia by 41 runs in the opening fixture. Sans Souci Jaguars batted first and scored 120-9.

Safraz Mohamed stroked 23 while Siddiq Mohamed made 18. Jashpaul Gangaram claimed 3-19 and Mohindra Jadookool 2-22.

Zeelandia were bowled out for 79 in 19 overs in reply.

Ryan Atkinson made 12 as Zameer Zaman grabbed 4-11.

Maria’s Pleasure

Almost 30 players face off in GAICO Chess tournament Three Rounds of fighting Chess were completed at the weekend in the GAICO Construction Grand Prix Tournament at the National Racquet Centre.

Former National Champion Taffin Khan along with Loris Nathoo are on top so far with three consecutive wins, while their junior counterparts, former Junior Champion Joshua Gopaul, Ethan Lee

and Samirah Gobin scored two wins apiece.

Former National Senior Champion, Wendell Meusa, back after a long break from competitive chess, and senior player Glenford Corlette, are closely trailing Khan and Nathoo on two and a half points each.

The opening rounds of the competition, which attracted 28 chess players, saw Senior and Junior players

facing each other over the chess board in tense battles of the mind. Round Four was scheduled for yesterday.

The inaugural tournament is the first in a series to attract the best chess players to represent Guyana at the 2020 Chess Olympiad in Russia.

Reigning Senior Champion Anthony Drayton has automatically qualified for the Guyana team by dint of his current status.

The Circle Tennis circle and wicket all set for action.

Minister Dr George Norton and Director of Sport Christopher Jones revival of Our National Game of Circle Tennis in Guyana effort will loop in Region 10, Linden, at the Wisburg Secondary School Ground.

The one day programme will be held on Saturday, September 28, commencing at 9:45am.

Teams from Region 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Georgetown and the host Region will be competing in this mixed team programme. The format of the programme will be known during the opening

ceremony.

Trophies and other prizes are at stake in this National Sports Commission sponsored Our National Game of Circle Tennis Emancipation Programme.

Minister Dr George Norton, Director of Sport Christopher Jones along with Asst DoS Melissa Dow-Richardson will be present at the day’s event.

Sports Official A. Munroe is the organiser of Our National Game of Circle Tennis programme in Guyana.

PAGE 32

Thursday September 26, 2019

Kaieteur News

Mound tickets for Play-offs sold out

- Tickets only available at CPL GT Office as TKR match sold out

Retired Asst Commissioner George Vyphius is the head of Security for CPL games in Guyana.

By Sean Devers The final opportunity for Guyanese to watch the 2019 Hero T20 Cricket live at the Providence will be on October 3, 4 & 6 and from a security standpoint; all systems are in place to ensure a successful hosting of the last three ‘Home Games’ here.

The final two preliminary games will see Guyana Amazon Warriors opposing Jamaica Tallawahs from 18:00hrs on Thursday October 3 before facing-off with old rivals Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) the next day from 20:00hrs.

The play-offs are set for Sunday October 6 in the only day games in Guyana.

The first play-off game is scheduled to commence at 11:00hrs while second game on the double header, is set to start at 15:30hrs.

Tickets for Red and Green stand cost $5,000, the Orange stand cost $3,000, while the mound cost $2,000.

Tickets for both games in the play-off cost $2,500 for the mound, $3,500 for Orange Stand and $6,000 for the Red and Green Stands.

Head of security for the Guyana matches, Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police George Vyphuis disclosed, while dealing with the traffic and getting spectators into the venue is the biggest challenge, the experience from previous years makes their work a lot easier.

“We would have done an excellent job with assistance from the Guyana Police Force so it’s like a walk in the Park since we have been doing this forever,” Vyphuis informed.

The TKR game has already been sold out, while tickets for the Grass Mound for Tallawahs and play-off games have also been sold out.

“We have had many sold out matches at the Stadium and we knew all along that the TKR would have been sold out so we encourage fans to leave home early and get to the stadium on time.”

The mound is the only stand where a band is given and fans from other stands are not allowed there.

The CPL (Guyana) Security Head overlooks the work of the Guyana Fire Service and emergency and Health Services and disclosed that gates open two hours before each game.

“Everybody is in competition for the same space on the Road.

Persons going to the airport ... People going over the Demerara Harbour Bridge so what we have done is to allow those with car passes to go into the Car Park on the Tarmac before the gates are opened for the games,” said Vyphuis.

According to Vyphuis when the gates are opened patrons will be invited to leave their vehicles but they must have their tickets to enter the Stands. There will be additional security staff on the tarmac.

The other designated Parking area is the ‘Red Loam’ area between the Stadium and the Hotel.

Vyphuis disclosed that Police Commissioner Leslie James has now gotten involved and there is a diversion for those going to the Airport or Villages after Providence.

Those vehicles will turn onto ‘Red Road’ round the back of the stadium and come back to the public Road through the Mocha Road.

Only those going to the stadium will be allowed to pass the ‘Red Road’ This system was implemented from the last match and will be done for all the other matches here.

The process to get into the Stadium from the pavement outside the venue is easy. CPL operates three entrances before you reach the Stands.

The number one gate (soft check) to ensure you got your tickets, number two check point the entrance to the tarmac (Check to ensure you do not have any prohibited items in your bag (glass bottles, cigarettes and lighters, knives, guns), check point three (pat down) entrance to get into the Stadium where your bags and tickets are checked and the entrance to the stands where your tickets are again checked.

The only stand where you get a band is the mound but if you leave there you need to show your band and half ticket to get to return.

At the end of the first innings those from the other stands might want go to the mound where the revellers will be in full swing but Vyphuis stressed that this would not be allowed.

“We are very strict with migration since the Mound can only accommodate 4,000 and if those from other stands are allowed to move from stand to stand the Fire Service will not allow overcrowding,” stated the Security Head.

No children tickets are being sold and once a child takes up a seat they will have to get a ticket. Babies younger than two years will be allowed free but they need to sit on their parent’s lap, while the entire Stadium is a no-smoking

zone.

Vyphuis informed that selling tickets outside the venue is illegal and encouraged fans not to buy tickets from touts.

“Some of them will fit in a day one or day two ticket into those you buy since they still have unsold tickets for the previous games and since all the tickets look alike you easily be conned,” Vyphuis warned.

Guyana is the only venue

which has designated seat numbers and fans are encouraged to buy tickets early and if a group of 10 wants to sit together they are advised to purchase all the tickets at the same time.

It was also announced that the only place to buy tickets for the play-offs is at the CPL office at Camp and Quamina streets since the ticket locations in Affiance on the Essequibo Coast and in New Amsterdam Berbice are

no longer operational.

Tallawahs and defending Champions TKR have beaten the Warriors twice each in finals and the Warriors have been involved in four finals and two semi-finals since 2013 when CPL was inaugurated.

However, with 15 players in their 18-man squad under the age of 30, this could be the Warriors best chance of transforming from Bridesmaid to Bride.

Japan comedy duo apologizes after reports they said Osaka ‘needs bleach’ TOKYO (Reuters) - A Japanese comedy duo and their management company have apologized after the pair reportedly said during a live event that Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka, who just won the Pan Pacific Open at the weekend, “needed some bleach.”

Japanese media said the duo, known as “A Masso,” made the remark during a Sunday event, the same day that Osaka lifted her first trophy since winning the Australian Open in January, and also said that “she is too sunburned.”

In separate messages carried on the website of their management company, Watanabe Entertainment Co Ltd, both women apologized for making “inappropriate, hurtful remarks” but did not refer to Osaka, who is Haitian and Japanese, by name.

“Though we should have thought about it, we made remarks that hurt many people, something we will never do again,” Ai Murakami wrote.

“We sincerely apologize for making the specific person feel uncomfortable, as well as for everyone else connected to the event. We also sincerely apologize for causing trouble.”

Watanabe Entertainment, also without naming Osaka, added their own apology for “remarks inconsiderate of diversity in an era where diversity is respected,” saying the duo had been severely warned and steps taken to raise their awareness of the issue.

Neither Watanabe Entertainment nor Naomi Osaka’s management office in Japan was immediately available to comment.

Osaka, who will turn 22

next month, was born in Japan to a Haitian father and Japanese mother but moved to the United States when she was young.

She has been widely hailed in Japan, which has traditionally seen itself as a racially homogeneous country, although successful mixed-race athletes such as Osaka herself, sprinter Asuka Cambridge and baseball pitcher Yu Darvish are challenging that image.

In January, Japanese noodle company Nissin had to remove a controversial commercial in which a cartoon character depicting Osaka was shown with pale skin and light brown hair after it prompted an outcry.

Nissin said it had not intended to “whitewash” Osaka and promised to pay more attention to diversity issues.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 26, 2019

PAGE 33

BCB 80th Anniversary Celebration 1939-2019

Percival, Darlington, Mangru, Moakan, Dhaniram and Persaud honoured as Outstanding Retired Cricketers

T

he Berbice Cricket Board, as part of its 80th Anniversary Celebration on Friday last, continued its long standing tradition of honouring heroes. Six outstanding former players were recognised for their performances on the cricket field and for being ambassadors of the game in the Ancient County. The players were honoured under the BCB Tribute of Retired Cricketers Programmes, which was launched in 2009 under the Presidency of Keith Foster.

The players honoured were Sudesh Dhaniram, Kevin Darlington, Orvin Mangru, Andre Percival, Deonarine Persaud and Zaheer Moakan.

BCB President Hilbert Foster in a review of the programme, stated that the current batch of Berbice Players need to know of the achievements of yesteryear players who have dedicated themselves to the game despite the low financial returns in the past. While the current players enjoyed huge

financial incentives, the majority of past cricketers were involved in cricket due to their love of the game.

Foster promised that the Berbice Cricket Board would continue to honour players, Umpires, Officials as long as he remains the President. The six players were selected by the proactive Berbice Cricket Board based on their performances on the field, role model status, personal discipline and contributions to Berbice Cricket.

Sudesh Dhaniram represented Albion Community Centre, Port Mourant Cricket Club, Berbice, Guyana and West Indies ‘B’. He became a household name across the Caribbean when he scored two majestic centuries on debut against Barbados and Leewards Islands. Foster stated that Dhaniram, if he was playing today would have walked into the West Indies Team.

Kevin Darlington for many years during the 1990’s was a permanent member of the fast bowling attack and represented

Coach Albert Smith presents the awards to Andre Percival, Orvin Mangru and Zaheer Moakan.

Bermine and Berbice as well.

Orvin Mangru, a product of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club represented Berbice and Guyana at the Under-19 level and holds the National Record for the most wickets in an innings “9 for 116” versus Barbados in 1999.

Andre Percival would forever be remembered for leading Guyana to three c o n s e c u t i v e U n d e r- 1 9 Championships and his

Bishop’s hat-trick hands Dwayne Sevens NOC heritage football title

The victorious Dwayne Sevens team

T

ravis Bishop banged in a hat-trick to lead Dwayne Sevens to a 4-1 victory over Tucker Sevens in the final of the New Opportunity Corps 7-a-side football competition which was contested on Sunday last at Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast.

Bishop put his team ahead in the 8th

minute, while A. Malic slotted home in the 14th minute to stretch his team’s advantage.

Bishop netted his second in the 19th minute before completing his hat-trick in the 21st.

Delroy Harns pulled one back for Tucker Sevens in the 30th minute.

Bishop was named the most valuable player with six goals.

leadership of the dominant Port Mourant Cricket Club in 1990’s. Percival was also a member of the Guyana Team which won the first ever Stanford 20/20 Titles and also played for the West Indies Under-19 and B Teams.

Deonarine Persaud for a number of years captained the Port Mourant Cricket Club to numerous titles including the National Bristol Cup. Persaud also represented Berbice,

Guyana and the West Indies at the Under-19 levels.

Zaheer Moakan was widely respected and known for his duties as an Umpire but was a productive cricketer at the First and Second Division. A solid left handed batsman, he represented Police Sports Club and the Young Warriors Cricket Club before turning to umpiring.

Moakan spoke on behalf of his fellow awardees, expressing gratitude to the Berbice Cricket Board for

making them feel special on the 80th Anniversary of Berbice Cricket. He hailed the work of the current executives and urged all Berbicians to work together for the development of the game.

Each of the Retired Players received framed certificates, trophy, medal and a gift. The 2019 Tribute to Retired Programmes was sponsored by the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS and Republic Bank.

t r o Sp

Brandon King smashes one on the leg side, St Lucia Zouks v Guyana Amazon Warriors, Gros Islet, September 25, 2019 Š Ashley Allen - CPL T20 / Getty

King leads dominant Warriors to seventh straight win

The dominance of the Guyana Amazon Warriors continued for a seventh straight game against the St lucia Zouks last night. (CPL)

Brandon King led the Warriors to celebrate their seventh straight win in the tournament with his unbeaten 81. (CPL)

Almost 30 players face off Minnows Uruguay pull off historic in GAICO Chess tournament Fiji shock at Rugby World Cup

Chess players locked in intense battle last weekend during action in the GCF latest tournament.

It was the greatest victory in Uruguay’s rugby history. (AFP / Charly Triballeau)

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