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Kaieteur News
Friday September 27, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Friday September 27, 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
Leadership crises
T
here they are: Boris (that is English isn’t it?) over there at Number 10; next the man, who thinks he trumps all like the ace of diamonds (more like a jack of clubs); then the fellow next door, who introduces thoughts of Christmas (nothing jolly about him for Guyana); and last David Arthur (two kings blending into one). It is revealing how each one has responded to severe and unrelenting challenges from adversaries, environment, and others offering counsel or bringing still more troubles. From one place after another in the instances of this selected four, it is a study in contrasting styles, and underlying indications of hidden strengths or unknown weaknesses; a time of continuing leadership crisis in their respective environments. Except for the newly arrived Englishman, the other three have been in the middle of long, brutal contests, with matters lurching from clamour to confrontation. The times have been rough, with some of them getting rougher. Take the American. He is from the Samurai school of engagement and diplomacy: all sword, spear, and shield; there is neither interest in nor patience for sitting down and working out solutions. He is at home fighting fire with fire. Though an uphill fight, his opponents have now let loose their own bushfire. In a word - threatened impeachment. People are going to get scarred and hurt in this. It looks like a losing battle on all fronts by all parties. Little is going to get done; and with 2020 now just over a year away, the storms of greater turmoil loom ominously on horizons that draw closer. The lesson: know when to say when, as in no more, with the objective of moving things along. Immovable objects and cascading forces have a long, bad history. In Guyana, that long-awaited date is imminent, and it shapes up to be early next year. The Leap Year that is 2020 is assuming troubling proportions from this early hour. In contrast to the man in the White House, the local leader is a battler of a different strain. He continues to react to rages and resentments from a distance. Others spend themselves in sound and fury; their power and strength are gathered and used against them with frustrating subtlety. There is a fraying of nerves. Displeasure is being expressed in the streets. Despite all the tumult, there has been no give. The third man is the one who has retreated, to some sensible extent, from the public pressures brought about by domestic and international heat. Those could not be overcome in a pure head to head rumble. The leaders who are wise know when to authorise tactical withdrawal, to afford rebuilding for strategic advancing. Learning on the run and under fire, it is called. He is wearing down the will of his opponents to remain on the ground, while he focuses on the long game. That includes the oil and land over here. The ICJ is not a factor: unless favourable, simply unacceptable and unimaginable. That is a winning political position among his own people. The jefe is proving to be wiser than those who stand against him; and they include the man in Washington, who is sure to be distracted by his own Constitutional troubles. Fortune favours the patient and placid. On the other hand, the British Prime Minister was convinced that he is King John and could act with the same sweeping disdain. For his arrogance and efforts, he ended up reaping rebellious knights and barons, both within and from the robed outside. Now the calls are rising for his head at the Tower. In the so-called civilized societies, there are still those restraints named courts. They are supreme at times like these. Whether from Great Britain, America, Venezuela, or Guyana, the leadership lessons are simple: do not overreact; do not overreach; do not strive to overpower. Better to study and adapt and position self to overcome.
ELECTIONS CARROT DEAR EDITOR, Two hundred and seventy-eight days after the successful passage of the Noconfidence motion, Out-oftime Caretaker President David Granger has once again made a temporising statement; Granger has dangled the ‘carrot’ of an election date in the hope that the People’s Progressive Party will return to Parliament on the 10th October 2019 and extend the life of his as-of-now illegal administration. The PPP has a stark choice before it, Principle versus Expediency. I am firmly on the side of the principled stand taken by the PPP. We may not get the “earliest possible date of 2nd March 2020” but that is the cost of abiding by the principle of Rule of law. Granger knows that there is no need for life of parliament to be extended, save and except to make the actions of himself and his administration legal retroactively. When Granger said “Guyanese, We are on the right path to preserve our precious parliamentary democracy” he had no idea how right he was, the PPP must be commended for not jumping at the carrot and
granting succor to a usurper and a slew of corrupt actions. Granger will still face pressure to announce a date for constitutionally due General and Regional elections from the People’s Progressive Party at every turn. Inevitably, that date will be announced, then, Cue the lights, cameras, action and of course the plethora of political parties entering the fray. Conspicuously absent on the front lines during this period when the Constitution of our nation is being trampled by David Granger and his cohorts; these parties comprised of armchair activists, will ask citizens to vote for them. Their big marketing point is the promise to represent the ‘middle’; their main weakness is that they represent small groups of hustlers who hope/ aim to enrich themselves by becoming power brokers in the event no party gains a clear majority. These parties lack the capacity to govern, nor do they, from all evidence available, want that responsibility. What they want is the power of being the weight that tips the scale, kingmakers on every decision. They lack
principle or guiding morality; much like Granger and his APNU/AFC, they simply sell inexperience as a positive rather than the clear negative it represents. A vote for these wannabe ‘power-brokers’ is a vote for corruption, for though they may sell themselves as idealists with ‘power-sharing’, ‘shared-governance’, ‘constitution reform’ and/or ‘ethnic balance’ as their platform, many have never read the Constitution or have knowledge of the documents 192 amendments made under the PPP. One new group of opportunists has taken to a ‘Whisper-by-WhatsApp’ campaign to sell the idea of a completely new constitution. The obstinacy and disrespect shown by the current executive are used as the excuse for offering this as a viable course of action. It is akin to throwing your shoe away after stepping in dog excrement, an act available to the unthinking rich, the constituent that group hopes to attract. Granger’s administration also made a play with false promises to attract voters, including the ludicrous claim
that a paved road from Linden to Lethem was a “Promise kept”. Granger’s cabal bought itself an extra year by delaying a constitutionally due election in an attempt to convince the electorate of its viability, the hope was that they could shower the populace with gifts and goodies; it is a stunning indictment of APNU/AFC incompetence that they have failed even in this scheme. David Granger has only himself to blame for his status as a usurper; he willingly perpetuated a farce on the citizens of Guyana and cannot be granted reprieve or succor that an extension of life provides. Granger knew where the ‘Red line’ was and boldly crossed it, he must make his way back under his own steam for what little redemption (if any) awaits. The PPP hold the line against the siren song of the usurper, and must demonstrate that no matter what the cost, the principles enshrined in our Constitution must never be discarded for gains afforded by expedient actions. Respectfully Robin Singh
The Cryptomnesiac nature of Granger DEAR EDITOR, I am referring to an article published in another newspaper on Tuesday September 24, 2019 under the headline; “Norway releases US$50M in forest funds to Guyana”. The article exposes the Cryptomnesiac nature of Granger.Editor, I would like to give some context to my conclusion of Granger’s Cryptomnesiac.On November 9, 2009, then Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo and Norway’s Environment and Development Minister Erik
Solheim signed a letter of intent where Norway will financially support Guyana if the country succeeds in preserving the country’s large rainforest areas.That letter of intent was a show of support from Norway towards the world renowned Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), conceived by Dr. Jagdeo, which contains measures to reduce deforestation and forest degradation as part of the global efforts to fight climate change. As a matter of fact, it was
Now is the time to turn political will into decisive action DEAR EDITOR, Urgent action is needed if we are to keep our planet – and our oceans – safe and habitable. This requires more ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions and shift our energy system away from polluting fossil fuels towards one hundred percent renewable energy. Change is also needed in international cooperation around how our oceans are protected. It is hoped that early next year, UN member states will agree to a strong global ocean treaty that could pave the way for the creation of marine sanctuaries, placing at least 30% of oceans off limits to human activities such as commercial fishing and oil and gas exploration. This is a crucial step towards building the resilience of marine ecosystems and securing a sustainable future for those whose livelihoods depend on our oceans.Government should be a vocal champion for ocean conservation. Now is the time for all nations to turn political will into decisive action and lead the way on forging a global ocean treaty. Yours respectfully Rooplall Dudhnath
the then opposition APNU and AFC that sought to discredit and criticised the agreement. Then AFC leader, Khemraj Ramjattan and a number of others who paraded themselves as environmental and social activists, back in 2011, even wrote the Norwegian government asking that the funding be suspended on the basis Guyana was not achieving its targets set out in the agreement. Today, the very cabal is seeking to take credit for an initiative they played no part in.However, this is nothing new for the APNU/AFC. The Granger administration since 2015 has a history of taking credit for projects and programmes they inherited from the PPP/C.The East Bank Four Lane Highway, the East Coast Four Lane Highway, the
West Demerara Road Project, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, East Coast/ East Bank Road link, the Sherriff Street Road Expansion Project and the US$30M Sophia Road Project are just a few of the major initiatives that the APNU/AFC inherited from the PPP/C and are now parading as though they conceptualise these transformational projects. These projects have been subject to mismanagement, maladministration, delays and corruption under the APNU/AFC. But, this is the very nature of a Granger gang, which seems to have been on developmental birth control since 2015, having failed to conceive a single new idea that can transform the lives of Guyanese.The citizens of this (Continued on page 5)
In time they will come to their senses DEAR EDITOR, Response is being made to Paul Ramrattan’s letter with the screaming headline “A FOREWARNING - Do NOT Extend the life of the 11th Parliament” (KN 23rd September2019). Had Paul stopped to take note and ask questions before writing his erroneous letter, he would know the 11th Parliament has not ended. If Ramrattan thinks the Opposition should not return to Parliament and vote to extend the time to hold election that is a problem for him and those who feel the same way. The Constitution requires the vote according to Article 106(7). Right thinking Guyanese will sit and watch the play of the assign. In time, they will come to their senses, play themselves out or exhaust their energies. B. Beniprashad Rayman
Friday September 27, 2019
The time for platitudes is over DEAR EDITOR, David Granger and APNU+AFC are playing dangerous, puerile and offensive games, in the process, insulting the Guyanese people, treating them as fools and jeopardising the country’s development opportunity, just when Guyana is on the verge of economic transformation. It is time to draw the line - enough is enough. The time for platitudes is over. Granger and those who are illegally squatting as Ministers in an illegal Cabinet must be isolated. The Guyanese people, as individuals and as groups and institutions, must speak with one voice rejecting the reckless, callous games Granger and APNU+AFC are playing. The international community must choose whether they will stand with the Guyanese people in defence of Guyana’s democracy or will stand on the side of dictatorship. The call for elections to be held in accordance with the constitution must now be backed with tangible actions. It is now seven months since the deadline for elections (March 21st) expired and we are still uncertain when the constitutionallymandated elections will be held. Granger’s address to the nation Wednesday night means the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) of December 21st has been totally ignored. After wasting time seeking the judiciary to invalidate the NCM, Granger falsely insisted it is not for him to choose the election date, but up to GECOM. In fact, this is a figment of his stupid, wicked games. Yet, one week since GECOM informed him they would be ready for elections by end of February, he has not call elections. While GECOM’s timeframe heightens Granger ’s and APNU+AFC’s breach of the
constitution and is far outside the “earliest possible time” the CCJ envisaged, the Guyanese people, like the Leader of the Opposition and the PPP, were willing to go along with that timeline. It is, therefore, with high hopes that the Guyanese people welcomed the announcement by Granger that he would address the nation on Wednesday evening. However, that hopefulness was quickly dimmed by the disappointing announcement from Granger that while he accepted March 2 was the earliest timeline for elections (GECOM actually indicated February 28), he now claims the actual date for elections cannot be established until the PPP participates in a parliamentary farce to extend the life of government. In again abrogating his constitutional responsibility, he is now insisting the PPP must agree to attend Parliament on October 10 and vote to extend Parliament before he could dissolve Parliament and set a date for elections. In American football parlance, he ‘punts’ his constitutional responsibility to Bharat Jagdeo and the PPP, except he only wants the PPP to extend the life of his government, not name the elections date. This is offensive. When the three-month period was expiring on March 21st, while Granger and APNU+AFC became engaged in a tortuous and unjustified judicial challenge, he did not think it necessary to obtain Jagdeo’s and the PPP’s support to extend the timeline. When the CCJ ruled on June 18th, necessitating a second deadline of September 18, Granger did not think it necessary for Jagdeo to accommodate the second timeline with a twothirds majority in Parliament. Why now he wants to invoke
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the constitutional provisions of extending the timeline with a two-thirds majority? Pure and simple, the Guyanese people must proclaim as firmly and unambiguously as possible that enough is enough - no more platitudinous statements. Statements must be layered with action. As an illegal government, they must not be allowed to attend official functions of national and local institutions. For example, the Berbice Chambers of Commerce must refrain from having anyone in the illegal APNU+AFC Cabinet as guests at the Berbice Expo’s opening ceremony on Friday afternoon. Other organisations must do the same. Businesses must not allow any one from the illegal cabinet to be entertained and then have bills submitted to Ministries to be paid; those are illegal transactions. Gas stations must not allow charged arrangements to fill up vehicles used by anyone from the illegal Cabinet. There are varied ways to take action to isolate them. The international community has to play a role. Prior to 2015, this same international community stoutly posited they have a duty to speak out when they felt government was violating the constitution. None of the international institutions, (Contionued on page 6)
No further words are necessary to describe the depravity DEAR EDITOR, You kindly published a letter by me highlighting the duplicitous nature of then Opposition Leader Mr. David Granger speaking in 2014/15 in the context of a prorogued - not an expired – House. Mr. Granger had then taken the Ramotar Administration to task, several times using the words unconstitutional and impeachment. Today, we turn our attention to Attorney-at-law, Niguel Hughes, whose mathematics championed the unlawful extension of the Granger Administration. Mr. Granger is no lawyer, although he seems not unwilling; not only to re-interpret, but even to challenge rulings by judges of senior courts. Yet, even if we make allowance for Granger, it is hard to do the same for Mr. Hughes, himself an accomplished lawyer. It is sad indeed when professionals would be willing, for no apparent reason, for suspending cherished opinion and values in the name of politics or whatever else. Perhaps the best yardstick against which to judge Mr. Hughes’ attitude to Granger’s serial violations of the Constitution is the following speech he gave around the same time that Granger made his infamous
2014/2015 Impeachment Speech. “The unprecedented action by the President of Guyana has plunged this country into a constitutional crisis and into deep, deep, deep unchartered waters. The joint opposition, the Alliance for Change and the A Partnership for National Unity, have resolved that they will be no extra parliamentary engagement with this President on matters which are before the National Assembly. “We also wish to advise you and the rest of the general public, that during the period of prorogation only expenditure permitted by the c o n s titution, during the period of dissolution will be accepted, and we will be watching them carefully to protect the treasury. We will continue to alert the international community, foreign missions and international friends and domestic businesses that any contract other than the contract for the supply for essential goods and services
entered into by this present administration during the period of prorogation will be subject to review and possible rescission upon the election of a new administration. The Alliance For Change have sought the calling of the international community to come to the assistance of Guyana by engaging all parties, civil society in a formal structured dialog on the restoration of normalcy in the governance of this country.” No further words are necessary to describe the depravity, which the contrasting conduct demonstrates. Christopher Ram
The Cryptomnesiac nature of Granger From page 4 country must continue to see Granger and his gang for what they are - a group of incompetents who are hanging onto power to continue to pilfer the treasury while Guyanese suffer. Yours respectfully, Joseph Hamilton
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Power sharing as condition for extending Parliament’s life DEAR EDITOR, Reference your front page news (September 26), it was inevitable that the President would announce a date (Oct. 10) for the return of parliament sitting to legitimise alleged date violations of the constitution to hold elections arising out of the no confidence motion. He posited that elections cannot be held before March 2, 2020 suggesting it can be on that date or anytime thereafter. He claims he needs opposition approval in parliament to legitimise a date for holding of elections and said parliamentary approval would legitimise government’s actions and policies post December 21. The President is critiqued for seeking a blank cheque from the opposition for government’s actions since December 21 and future plans. How and under what conditions should there be opposition parliamentary approval for government’s actions since December 21 and a date for elections? There should be a power sharing agreement. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo in response to the President says he would not be blackmailed in an election date indicating PPP not returning to parliament. I suspect the party will return to parliament if there are specific requests under strict conditions and not endorsing a blank cheque. There should be some broad agreements under which some government actions can be legitimized in parliament with a two thirds majority (support from the opposition as required by the constitution) once a reasonable specific election date is announced. Just to recap, elections should have been held before
March 21 as a mandatory requirement emerging out of the no confidence motion (NCM) or before September 18 as per the final court ruling on the NCM. The life of the government and of parliament itself has expired. Its life could have been extended before March 21. But the government did not seek an extension; instead it sought judicial recourse that it lost. It had an additional six months thru September 18 to extend the life of parliament, but as others noted it failed to act defying the court. Anyone who studies parliamentary traditions would know that the life of the parliament cannot be extended once it has expired; parliament is dead. Any extension of its life must be executed before its expiration. Parliament cannot be recalled after a successful NCM unless it is to consider extending its life with a two-thirds majority. The date for the extension of the life of government passed September 18. The life of parliament can’t be extended since the NCM ended its life on September 18, according to the CCJ. Parliament itself can’t meet and conduct business like it is normal politics. Prior to September 18, an extension of the life of parliament and or the government was legal. Thus, a parliamentary session on October 10 will violate long standing democratic principles of the parliamentary system of governance. Parliamentary democracy does not operate the way conceived by the government. It will be interesting to see the response from Caricom or Commonwealth. The principle of Doctrine of necessity will have to kick in for parliament to meet but such a principle cannot be
contrived; it must develop naturally out of unavoidable emergency conditions. Otherwise, governments can violate laws and invoke the doctrine ad hoc and at will. A condition for doctrine of necessity has been absent since December 21. One cannot defy the laws and then invoke doctrine of necessity. Lawyers will have to counsel how to legitimise the life of parliament without violating the principle of the constitution or worldwide democratic practices. The opposition is hinting that a specific election date is needed in order for it to give consideration to legitimising government action. A general statement that an election cannot be held before March 2 will not suffice. It will not get approval or endorsement from the opposition or even the nation at large. Individuals I have interviewed do not favour the language of the President on an election date. Almost everyone describes it as a delaying tactic. (AFC states that it interprets the President’s statement as March 2 as the actual polling date). The government needs the support of the PPP to give life to the doctrine of necessity or to extend life of parliament itself if that is possible. Thus, the PPP is in a strong position to dictate terms and conditions for extending support to the government. Will the opposition use its powers effectively and strategically or will it meekly give in? Six additional months from the date of life of parliament (September 18) is a long time to wait for an election. And this time can be further extended by GECOM if it feels additional time is required to hold credible elections. There is precedent for such an act as happened in 2001. Some general rules should be put in place if parliament meets and the opposition considers any government proposal to extend its life via a doctrine of necessity. Until elections are held, there should be some kind of broad power sharing agreement between the opposing sides. Such power sharing venture will give confidence to the two opposing forces to cooperate and help bring the divided nation together. Among power sharing suggestions, there should be: an independent evaluation (by neutral objective professionals perhaps from the commonwealth or Carter Center) on whether conditions are appropriate for credible elections whenever a date is promulgated; parliament must be dissolved immediately after passage of the extension; balanced coverage in the state
media of government and opposition — to be overseen or supervised by an appointee each of Jagdeo and Granger in charge of managing each state media including appointing a co-editor and comanager of each organ such as the Chronicle and the broadcast TV/radio; an appointee of Jagdeo and Granger to manage UG in the absence of a VC; co-CEO of Oil and Gas or Energy Department (one each from Jagdeo and Granger) as well as to oversee and manage revenues from the industry; unlimited foreign and domestic observers of elections, and grants for accredited local observers of elections (identify some of the local bodies that would be accredited and given grants
— state the amount; every polling station to have an objective neutral observer; establish a committee to look into starting a state carrier; mandate all political parties to hold internal democratic elections among membership to choose leadership and executives and all candidates for office; $100K (?) grant to every sugar worker who lost job; $35K (?) grant for every sugar worker still on payroll; 5% (?) increase in salary for public servants below a minimum thresh-hold income (say about $60K per month); all state boards to have a coCEO and a co-manager one each appointed by Granger and Jagdeo; all state boards will have equal numbers of appointees from PPP and
APNU+AFC Coalition; a board of equal numbers appointed by Granger and Jagdeo to oversee a newly created sovereign wealth fund; election campaign reforms limiting expenditure. The above should be considered in any agreement to extend the life of parliament or support for the doctrine of necessity. This will help to instill some level of trust between the parties and remove doubts of voters about the electoral system. It will provide some level of faith in GECOM to hold credible elections and in the coalition to govern fairly in allocation and distribution of resources. Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram
The pros and cons of reading online DEAR EDITOR, Reading the papers online has its disadvantages. One of the disadvantages is that you have to scroll through the contents to see the name of the writers at the bottom of the article in the letters column. Reading online is free so one cannot complain while 80 dollars is being saved. I am seriously considering the forfeiting of $620 - the cost of a week supply of KN - to avoid the anger, disillusion and trauma it causes me by accidentally reading articles by Dr. Hinds, L. Lewis, O. Dolphin, etc. I had made a resolution to stop reading certain writers. On September 23, I was caught with a Dolphin piece, “The true and ultimate objective of the NCV”, in KN. The caption is suggestive of what every Guyanese understood - probably with the exception of Mr. Dolphin. As sure as night follows day! The objective of any opposition calling for a NCV is to put an end to a presumed underperforming government through the conscience of the representatives of the people (parliamentarians), in our scenario, to activate article 106 of the Constitution - government resigning and fresh elections in 90 days - with the
hope of acquiring power by winning those elections. This long acceptable logic suddenly produced an eureka moment with a diabolical methodology, totally off context of article 106, for Mr. Dolphin. Despite all the pleas of the opposition for the government to adhere to the Constitution - calling for elections - the constitutionally depicted end game of a NCM, which could see the government getting a fresh mandate from the electorate or losing to the opposition, after the passing of the NCM on December 21st and later validated by the CCJ on June 18. Dolphin now sees “the true and ultimate objective of the NCV” as a diabolical plot by the opposition to acquire power, “through blackmail, intimidation, coercion and force.” Obviously fishy from a fish! The Constitution renders the legitimacy of the interim government to 90 days after the NCM. Having been extended because of litigation from March 21 to September 18 by the CCJ, Dolphin now views protest action and a full page ad in the media by the opposition, characterising the interim government as illegal - as offensive and intended to undermine and destroy the
legitimacy and authority of the current, interim, government with a view of replacing it with something else. The general consensus is that the “legitimacy and authority” of the interim government goes out the door with the expiry of the CCJ consequential timeline of September 18th - even “big brothers” (ABE Countries) attested to that too. I am at a loss to contemplate what the “something else” could possibly be, which Dolphin perceive the opposition wants to replace the government with. Fishy one more! Dolphin conclude his missive by stating, “During the past few months, several persons, all supporters of the “successful” NCV have advanced the idea of the PPP/C returning to government through creative mechanisms involving an indefinite postponement of elections in Guyana.” This is taking ludicrousness to the extreme! This statement could at best be described in the parlance of trying to “paste the Coalition faeces on the opposition’s butt”, through the tale of a fish. I would be buying the papers from now on. Yours respectfully, Rudolph Singh
The time for platitudes is over From page 5 including embassies and consulate, felt they needed to restrain themselves. It is encouraging that at each stage of the obvious plot to delay elections, through unconstitutional, judicial and extrajudicial actions, the ABCE countries have made strong statements of condemnation. But these statements have not motivated Granger and APNU+AFC to do the right thing.
Now it is high time these statements are backed up by stern actions, such as suspension of all grants and loan arrangements, non-invitation to events hosted by these countries and suspension or withdrawal of visas, etc. Mr. Granger must act in accordance with his constitutional duty and set a date for elections now. Any further delay intensifies the dictatorship, which now strangles our country. While we await domestic and
international institutions to match their statements with action, the Guyanese people will not be intimidated and will not give up hope. They will peacefully protest and ensure it is not business as usual. Mr. Granger may deem them hooligans, but the people’s brave fight for freedom and democracy will not diminish. They will hound Granger wherever he goes, until he names a date for elections. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy
Extension of Constitutional deadline would affect PPPs ability to recover “stolen” resources Jagdeo There will be no extension of the Constitutional deadline for the holding of General and Regional Elections, because it will impair the ability of a potential Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) Government to recover what the party considers stolen assets. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, at his weekly press conference yesterday, asserted that President David Grangers request for the Opposition to support the extension is political blackmail. Since the Constitutional deadline of March 21, 2019 passed, the Government, per the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on the No Confidence Motion, was supposed to restrict its activities out of respect for the Motion. But the Order that termed Government a Caretaker was only dispatched later, in July last. While the CCJ stated definitively that the Government is in that capacity, the Opposition Leader had warned the Government months earlier to restrict its activities. He had warned Government, several times, that if the PPP wins the upcoming election, it will ensure it institutes civil procedures to recover assets and funds that were utilised after the deadline. Even during a recent PostCabinet press briefing last week, Director General at the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, listed several contracts that were awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), and noted by
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Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo
President David Granger
Cabinet. Those contracts, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI), amount to $729M. Harmon said that the projects are part of a larger set of rehabilitation projects planned by Government, and awarded for the respective regions. DPI has also provided that other roadwork for those regions, approved by Cabinet for 2019, amount in excess of $1.2B. Jagdeo addressed the companies, which were awarded the contracts Harmon listed, stating that none of those contracts are valid. The Opposition Leader has also said that a PPP Government would seek to recover funds spent to execute Ministerial outreaches. He claimed that about $2B of public funds has already been used this year for that purpose. And because the President has requested an extension of the Constitutional deadline, Jagdeo has said that he (Granger) is attempting to seek legal cover for what could be illegal acts of
his Government. Jagdeo stated that the Presidents justifications for his request of an extension involve several fallacies. The President had stated that the extension of a period beyond three months of the Constitutional deadline as provided for in the nations 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. To this, Jagdeo said “There is no link to the extension of the life of his Government, which has been illegal since March 21, [2019]…. and the preparation of GECOM for elections.” Jagdeo also contends that extension is wholly unnecessary for the President to discharge his “caretaker responsibility” to proclaim a date for elections and whatever else is necessary to facilitate the holding of elections. The National Assembly reconvenes on October 10, 2019.
Deadly Essequibo River collision…
Captains to be charged The boat captains involved in Monday’s deadly Essequibo River collision are likely to face charges in relation to the accident. This is according to police and maritime sources close to the investigations. The collision has left three persons dead and five others nursing injuries. Suriname–based Guyanese businesswoman Sherry Khan, a mother of four, Jose Francisco Joaquin, a male Brazilian, and Osafo Anthony Roberts, 25, an auto electrician of Philadelphia, East Bank Essequibo, were the fatalities in the river accident. According to reports, two boats collided at Chalmers’ crossing located at the western tip of Hog Island, in the Essequibo River. The passengers were aboard an M&Y Express vessel headed in the direction of Buck Hall when it collided with a Venezuela-registered fibreglass boat which was proceeding in the opposite direction. Reports indicate the Venezuelan vessel was under repairs and on a test run when it smashed into the passenger vessel. Police and maritime sources later confirmed that the captains of both vessels were navigating the dark waters without the use of proper lights. The boat captains were identified as Devindra Singh called Crank, 43, of Greenwich Park, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) and Latchman Sankar. Kaieteur News understands that the men will be cited for a number of maritime
The damaged passenger vessel breaches. Maritime and police officials have since confirmed too that Sankar, the captain of the Venezuela-registered vessel was unlicensed at the time of the incident. On the other hand, Singh, who operated the M&Y passenger vessel, was licensed, but was operating outside of the prescribed time frame, which is from sunrise to sunset. Additionally both men have admitted to operating the vessels without proper lights; they were using the lights from their cellphones to navigate the dark river when their boats collided. Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) officials noted that while the criminal investigations are not quite complete, the cap-
Dead: Sherry Khan tains can be cited for breaches under the maritime laws. According to the officials, the boat operators can be cited for reckless driving or (Continued on page 29)
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Friday September 27, 2019
US$2.2M hydro project for Kato awarded to B&J Civil Works T he Ministry of Pub lic Infrastructure yesterday signed the contract for the “Design, Supply and Installation of 150kW Hydropower plant on the Cheung River, Kato Village, Region 8.” This contract was awarded to B & J Civil Works to the tune of US $2,251,880. The funding of the project will be provided through the Inter- American Development Bank under the Sustainable Energy Programme for Guyana. This project is expected to run for a period of 18 months with 12 months defects and liability period after the completion of the project. The objective of this project is expected to provide the remote hinterland community of Kato, inclusive of the government facilities and the Kato Secondary School, with
a relatively cheap and reliable source of power that will result in livelihood enhancements. It was disclosed that homes that are located within the proximity of the distribution grid is expected to receive power in the initial stage of the project. Additionally, at the school, electricity will be available in the evening for the kids to read, write and study. The power will be available during the day at the school to facilitate the use of power tools and equipment for technical and vocational training. Power will also be used for the pumping of water to ensure proper sanitation in the dormitory facilities. “The Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure also
Minister David Patterson hands over the contract to B & J Civil Works representative yesterday. envisages that the availability of power will also positively impact the development of the agriculture and agroprocessing in the community.” This project comprises three components - the construction of 150kW hydropower plant on the bank of the Cheung River. It will include wire, intake, headrace canal with sand trap, forebay, penstock and power house; the construction of a 13.8KV Transmission Network (Kato Hydro Station, Secondary School and Kato Village), and the construction of a 120V Distribution Network in the village.
Man who allegedly set girlfriend on fire further remanded Twenty-five-year-old Sophia resident Wazim Perreira, who it is alleged set his girlfriend on fire, was yesterday further remanded to prison. It is alleged that on September 9, last, at Sophia, with intent to commit murder, Perreira unlawfully and maliciously wounded his girlfriend. The charge was read to the defendant by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates
Courts. When the matter was recalled yesterday, Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers, asked for the case to be adjourned as they are still awaiting the medical report on the victim from the hospital. He indicated that since the alleged incident took place the victim has been hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital in a critical state. She is said to be receiving treatment for second degree burns to her face, chest, abdomen and back.The prosecutor had objected to bail being granted to Perreira on the grounds of the serious nature of the offence and the penalty it at-
tracts. Further objections were made by the prosecutor based on the fact that the woman is still hospitalised. Perreira is to remain on remand until October 8, 2019, when he will make his next court appearance. According to reports, Perreira and his girlfriend were at their home when they got into an argument. A mixture of gasoline and kerosene was reportedly thrown on the woman and she was set alight. Neighbours, alerted by the womans screams, allegedly apprehended her attacker until the police arrived while the badly burnt woman was rushed to the hospital.
Friday September 27, 2019
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Whistleblower report complains of White House cover-up on Trump-Ukraine scandal WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - A whistleblower report released on Thursday said President Donald Trump not only abused his office in attempting to solicit Ukraine’s interference in the 2020 U.S. election for his political benefit, but that the White House tried to “lock down” evidence about that conduct. In a report released by a Democratic-led congressional committee, the whistleblower said White House officials intervened to shift records of a controversial phone call between Trump and Ukraine’s president from the computer system on which they would normally be stored. “Instead the transcript was loaded into a separate electronic system that is otherwise used to store and handle classified information of an especially sensitive nature,” the report said. “One White House official described this act as an abuse of this electronic system because the call did not contain anything remotely sensitive from a national security perspective.” The whistleblower is a CIA officer and was assigned at one point to work at the White House, two sources familiar with the probe into his complaint said. The New York Times first identified the whistleblower as a CIA of-
ficer, which Reuters confirmed. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused the president of involvement in a cover-up to hide details of his attempts to persuade Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading Democratic presidential contender ahead of the 2020 election. Trump reacted with fury on Thursday and assailed Pelosi’s Democrats for launching an impeachment inquiry into him this week over the Ukraine affair. Trump told staff from the U.S. mission to the United Nations he wanted to know who provided information to the whistleblower, according to an audio recording provided to the Los Angeles Times by an attendee. “I want to know who’s the person, who’s the person who gave the whistleblower the information. Because that’s close to a spy,” Trump can be heard saying on the recording. “You know what we used to do in the old days when we were smart? Right? The spies and treason, we used to handle it a little differently than we do now,” Trump said. The White House did not dispute the comments. A joint statement by three Democratic House committee
chairmen - Adam Schiff of Intelligence, Eliot Engel of Foreign Affairs and Elijah Cummings of Oversight - said Trump’s “threats of violence” constituted “reprehensible witness intimidation.” Democratic Representative Raja Kirshnamoorthi, a member of the Intelligence Committee, said it was essential that the committee hear from the whistleblower. “We need to talk to the whistleblower at the earliest, because I am concerned at some of the statements the president has been making about the whistleblower, and whether he’s going to retaliate against the guy,” he said. On July 25, Trump pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate Biden and his son, according to a summary of the telephone call released by the Trump administration on Wednesday. Biden’s son Hunter worked for a Ukrainian gas company for several years. A growing number of Democrats say the call was an abuse of Trump’s position and want to see him impeached. But the chances of the Republican president being removed from office look slim since his party controls the Senate where an impeachment trial would be held. ‘DEEPLYCONCERNED’ The call occurred after
Trump had ordered a freeze of nearly $400 million in American aid to Ukraine, which was only later released. Before the call, Ukraine’s government was told that interaction between Zelenskiy and Trump depended on whether the Ukrainian leader would “play ball,” the whistleblower (Continued on page 26)
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he meets with sheriffs from across the country on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, yesterday. REUTERS/Erin Scott
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Friday September 27, 2019
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
The monster is the government not the public servant If you want to see how backward this country is, then ask yourself a logical question about a letter in the newspapers by a person who signed as Louis Holder. It is not the contents of the letter which graphically describes the 18th century functions that characterise state service to citizens, but why such letters are not written each day. The answer is that a nation of sheep do not write
complaints to the press. Sheep do not complain at all. Mr. Holder elaborates on incredible, archaic delivery systems in the public sector that ought to drive deep pessimism in humans who inhabit this wasteland named Guyana. When I read that missive, anger overtook me. Exxon, Exxon, Exxon is the stuck record being played. Well alright, the Exxon contract was bad. Say it and say it again, but talk about other
shambolic aspects of life that people find unbearable here. There are thousands of humans in this country that don’t care about the Exxon deal, but want better service for them and their children. They want to go and clear a barrel sent that has food that they need, clothes they have to wear. Why must they travel from Mahaica to Georgetown to collect necessities of life, only to spend six hours in
DEM BOYS SEH
Guyana is like a bowl of sugar water Years ago, when Guyana was a British colony, planes use to come from all over, especially England and America. Dat was because de colonials was mekking money in dis country at de expense of de natives. When Guyana become independent dem same colonials lef de country and de planes stop coming. Only de one dat use to fly as British West Indian Airways, stay. Dat was more than fifty years ago and it still flying to dis day, although de name change. Guyana struggle. When people wanted to lef de country to go far, dem had to fly to anodda country fuh ketch a plane dat would carry dem. Things was bad; Guyana was poor. But dem boys seh dat Cinderella always had a fairy godmother. Dat is how she get de glass slippers. Of course, nobody didn’t think dat glass don’t stretch or bend unless it breaking, but dat is anodda story. Guyana find oil and all of a sudden, just like Cinderella, it become de queen of de party. Is everybody coming. Dem boys seh
when a woman nice, nuff men does run behind she. But as soon as she body and face change—like when she become pregnant— every man gone running away. But right now de politicians smiling. Guyana nice. Planes coming from all about. Dem boys hear dat even one dat pull out from dis country and vow never to return, coming back. In fact, dem boys seh is a mad race. More planes coming than Guyana got people. American Airlines already deh here; Jet Blue coming; nuff odda planes already deh coming to Guyana and most of dem come after Exxon find oil. Copa come, Insel Air come and before dem couple flights from Venezuela use to come, but only because of good neighbourly relations. Now a plane coming to bring Catahar to Guyana. It coming from Qatar. Catahar Airways can’t expect to find people to bring, but then again wid oil, anything possible. Talk half and watch how planes coming to Guyana like how ants does follow sugar water.
waiting? Mr. Holder zeroes in on GRA, NIS, the Commercial Registry, the central post office and payment by ministries for goods and services delivered. The letter-writer referred to handwritten receipts given to customers at the Commercial Registry. Leonard Craig of the AFC and I encountered that nightmare six years ago, and I did a column on it. And to think as recent as last Sunday, in 2019, a citizen laments that morbid backwardness in a Caribbean country in the 21st century. Mr. Holder writes in relation to the central post office; “The guard, whose function is to manage ingress into the mail delivery room, sends customers away if they are not in possession of a roll of adhesive tape required to re-tape packages.” He observes that these things “will only cease with proper evaluation systems for people put in charge of managing the various government departments, and when they are properly held responsible for reducing cost to both the government and its customer.” This is where Mr. Holder misses the point. People put in charge of managing a system can only administer their office within guidelines and legal rules set out by the state. The guard will send people away who come to post parcels without their own roll of
scotch tape because that is his function. He does not provide the tape. The Ministry of Public Telecommunications has to pass down an instruction that the post office must have tape to rewrap customers’ cartons. Don’t blame the guard. Blame those who make policies. If you have a state service where the six employees in the office are scheduled to have their lunch-break at noon, they will take it. That is their entitlement. It is for the minister in charge of that office to devise a system to stagger the lunch system so that two go at 11 am, two go at 12pm and two go at 1pm. This is not a fictional example. This is the norm at many government buildings. The US Ambassador to Guyana in a recent address pointed to the fact that Guyana has dropped down the index from 2018 in the ease with which investment arrangements are done in Guyana (see my column of Tuesday July 9, 2019 captioned, “Dozens of American ambassadors said it before.”). We will continue to drop, because the cruel reality Guyanese have to live with is that their leaders are incompetent and virtually don’t care about those things that Mr. Holder wrote about. From Jagdeo through to Ramotar to Granger, these were/are leaders who have no
Frederick Kissoon concern about citizens having to waste an entire hour, because the staff at certain state institutions takes their lunch break at the same time. In another column, I will offer you my experience at one such place. You will never accept that given the function of that office, employees should be on their lunch date all at the same time. President Granger frowned on women having to conform to certain types of clothes, given our tropical climate, before they enter a public office. He was quoted on the front page of the Chronicle on his view. But if the Office of the President does not send out instructions, those signs will remain on public buildings, because the heads of state institutions have received no written edict. Sad country, sad people that no amount of oil money will help. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
Friday September 27, 2019
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Over 50 before courts since La PPP dead-set on replacing Natural Resource Fund Act Parfaite Police Station commissioned Petroleum production is likely to start before the end of the year on the Stabroek Block. That means that Guyana will collect its first share of oil before General and Regional Elections. Despite that, the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) is unwavering in its quest to repeal and replace the Natural Resource Fund Act if it wins the upcoming election. During a recent press conference at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, reiterated that intention, after a question was posed to him by Kaieteur News. The Opposition Leader has staunchly resisted the Act on two fronts. His first contention is that Government delayed the passing of the Natural Resource Fund Act, and passed it during a period when the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) considered the Government to be illegal. The Act was passed earlier this year, after the December 21, 2018 no confidence motion. “And so, as far as were concerned, it is illegal.” Jagdeo had said that, should the PPP win the next general election, it will repeal and replace the act quickly,
“with another model that reflects some of the principles that well outline in our manifesto, [namely] Santiago Principles on Transparency, and Norwegian-type management. His second contention is that the management of the fund is not distanced enough from the politicians. He said that the current act, if operationalised, will produce a Fund “where [Minister of Finance, Winston] Jordan will have all the control over the oil money.” The Opposition has already, according to Minister Jordan, hampered the operationalisation of the Fund, by refusing to name a nominee for the Investment Committee. During a presentation of the mid-year report, the Finance Minister had called out the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Opposition for not naming nominees to the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee and the Investment Committee respectively, as is required by the Act. While PSC Chair, Gerry Gouveia, has responded that it is looking to the diaspora for a nominee, the Opposition rejected the call altogether, in protest of the Act. The replacement of the
Act, if the PPP wins the election, would not affect Guyanas oil revenues in any way, according to Jagdeo. This is because he intends to have the funds placed into an escrow account while the replacement is done. “Nobody touches it. We publish how much money. We gazette how much we receive. In any case, they cant spend any money, because no budget.” He said that that process would include making the account auditable, and subject to scrutiny from the Auditor General. In such an event, the money would be transferred from the escrow account to the Sovereign Wealth Fund after the PPP completes its replacement of the Act. The Natural Resource Fund, or Sovereign Wealth Fund, as it is commonly referred to, is vital for the proper management of Guyanas oil revenues. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has assessed that Guyana is set to receive its first 1,000,000 barrels of oil by February 2020. Once that oil is sold, it will need to be stored and properly managed. The Natural Resource Fund Act was envisaged to be the law which sets the framework in which revenues from Oil will be supervised.
The recently commissioned La Parfaite Harmonie Police Station
R
anks at the recently commissioned La Parfaite Harmonie Police Station, West Bank Demerara, have disclosed that over fifty arrests have been made since they opened to the public on September 05, last. The Sergeant in Charge indicated that since they became fully operational, they have made more than fifty arrests, of which persons have been charged and placed before the courts for trial. He said that all the matters relate to persons inside the La Parfaite Harmonie community. The officer stated that
among the matters were five domestic abuse cases, one of which has concluded, while four are still before the courts. He said that there has been a limited number of simple larceny and other forms of theft, and that is primarily because the opening of the station has seen a significant decline in those matters, as well as robberies and break and enters. He said that ranks execute daily patrols, contributing to regular police presence in and around the community. He however mentioned that a larger percentage of arrests made surrounded incidents of wounding,
threatening language, and disorderly behaviour. The $65M station was done in two phases: phase one of the project cost $12M and that entailed land filling, construction of the concrete perimeter fence and the access bridge. The second phase, included the construction of the building which cost $53M. This consists of male and female bathrooms, an area dedicated to domestic violence, an ID parade room with a one-way viewing glass, and a modern lock-up, along with external washrooms and waiting area for the public.
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$250M Children and Family Care Centre commissioned
One of the structures at the Children and Family Care Centre With the aim of effectively addressing the issue of the unnecessary separation of children from their loved ones, the Ministry of the Presidency in a team effort with the Social Protection Ministry, yesterday commissioned a $250M Children and Family Care Centre. The centre, which is located in Plum Park, Sophia, will be available to house 80 children who come to the attention of child protection services, and five families with children who are assessed as being in vulnerable situationsmostly due to inadequate accommodation. Director of the Childcare & Protection Agency (CPA), Ms. Ann Greene, related yesterday that the strategy is to prevent the separation of children from their biological families. In this regard, she was keen to note that it would prevent child abuse and neglect. “This is the system that is being developed, which will result in the reduction of needing out-of- home care. Much is also being done to
raise the public awareness to the plight of children who suffer abuse, for a change of how children are viewed and treated,” she expressed. Director Greene further used the opportunity to encourage communities to watch out and protect children from abuse. The centre, which is made up of seven buildings, will be accessible 24/7 and children will have to be assessed to determine their need for the centres assistance. After completion of that assessment, social workers will determine whether there is need for long-term care. However, family- based care such as kinship and foster care will be the first of options, Greene emphasised. President David Granger during his feature address related that childcare and a child in a happy livelihood should be “the paramount principle of life on earth”. Thus, he related that centres like the one commissioned, should help to answer the needs of children and their families.
“This year, 2019, marks two important milestones for childrens rights. It is the 60th anniversary of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child; and the 40th year since the launch of International Year of the Child in 1979. National governments, including Guyanas, have enacted or strengthened their legislative framework for promoting childcare and protecting childrens rights. The legislative architecture of many states now incorporates the principles and rights enunciated by the various international children rights declarations and conventions,” he stated. However, the President stressed that legislation is as effective only as its enforcement. He added that laws must be complemented by plans, policies and programmes including providing support for the victims of child abuse which would inevitably strengthen childcare and protection. The president went on to call upon civil society, churches, social organiza-
Fight over child support leads to parents being charged A mother and father were on Wednesday brought before the court to answer to individual charges in which they allegedly inflicted harm on each other. Thirty-eight-year-old Constance Phillips, a sales representative from North Ruimveldt and Winston Crossman, 41, a vendor of C Field Sophia, Georgetown, both appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts. The charge stated that on June 22, 2019, at Merriman Mall, Bourda, Georgetown, Phillips unlawfully and maliciously wounded Crossman.
The other charge alleged that on the same date and at the same location, Crossman unlawfully assaulted Phillips Both defendants pleaded not guilty to their individual charge. Crossman told the court that the problem began after he stopped paying child support through the court and started meeting up with the mother of his children (Phillips) to hand over the money.
Police prosecutor Seon Blackman made no objection to bail being granted to the two defendants, and as such they were both placed on bail and are expected to make their next court appearance in October, before Magistrate Dylon Bess, since the matter was transferred. According to prosecutor Blackman, the medical report for Crossman showed that he received a stab wound to the left side of his abdomen.
tions, welfare organizations to collectively ensure that no child in Guyana suffers abuse. “Childcare and protection, like education, however, is a shared responsibility. The protection of children
is not a personal, but a social responsibility. Every citizen is invested with the responsibility of protecting our children. We are making progress ensuring a better future for our children. We are strengthen-
ing childcare and protection. We are working to reunite families. We must continue on this path of progress. We must continue to move forward in the years ahead,” he concluded.
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CPCE gets upgraded science labs through China, Guyana collaboration The Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) yesterday received equipment which was made possible by a $50M grant obtained through a collaboration between the Government of Guyana and the Peoples Republic of China. In attendance were President David Granger, Ambassador of the Peoples Republic to Guyana Mr Cui Jianchun, Minister of Education Dr. Nicolette Henry and the Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson. The Chief Education Officer (CEO) welcomed the gathering and delivered the opening remarks. He said that, “The holistic approach taken in addressing the needs of this institution as it relates to science education is laudable,” adding that rooted in this approach is the establishment of high standards for teacher educators who, because they are strategically positioned, serve as catalysts for the required changes in education delivery and outcomes. “They can model teaching that exhibits content, professional knowledge, skills and dispositions that will reflect research and accepted best practices. These views, coupled with the provision of the tools and equipment pro-
cured through the grant, are essential as they endeavour to produce 21st century teachers,” Hutson noted. The CEO expressed the gratitude of the government towards Chinas generosity with regard to getting on board and making this momentous occasion possible. The programme then went straight into two cultural pieces - an Amerindian Dance immediately followed by a European Dance - by students of CPCE Minister Henry during her charge to the students said that, “In keeping with this reality, our educational institutions are mandated to upgrade for the betterment of our human resources, skills, capacity building and emerging industries.” She went on to say that she does not doubt that the equipment, consumables and reagents will aid in the science capabilities of the college in order for it to discharge its mandate more effectively, as focusing on science is becoming more important daily. She noted that education is one of the strongest areas of cooperation between the two countries, and the Chinese government has continually provided scholarships and training activities
President Granger, Education Minister Dr. Nicolette Henry, CEO Dr. Marcel Hutson and Ambassador Jianchun, look on as experiments and the uses of instruments are explained by a lab technician. to strengthen their capacity. Additionally, the improving standard and support systems at CPCE should allow lecturers and students to have an improved experience. “The benefits of this will gradually be filtered into our school system as the quality
of teachers is the most significant school-based determinant of a students outcome,” she explained. President Granger as the keynote speaker reminded the gathering that, “Trained teachers are the sinews of the education system. They are central to achieving the education standard which will produce graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes and the values for their personal development.”
He noted that the teachers of today are the ones who would be training the generation of tomorrow, and they must be fully prepared to be able to handle the task of preparing students for the technological age of the 21st century. The President further emphasised the importance of STEM, saying that, “The teaching of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is being given priority. It will allow the
entire country to develop a more technologically competent workforce, essential to the establishment of this digital state of which I speak. It demands the re-orientation of the education system, placing greater emphasis on technology.” He then informed that Guyana is looking forward to working with China during the decade of development, from 2020 to 2029, as the countries “will do great things together”.
Some of the items received through the grant.
Friday September 27, 2019
Gaskin to challenge Exxons “illegal” contract before end of October Social Activist Ramon Gaskin says that his intended challenge to the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for the Stabroek Block, which he insists is illegal, will be filed before the end of October. He made this revelation in an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News. Gaskin also said that the contract will be challenged on the grounds of twelve issues that were pointed out to be inconsistent with the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act of Guyana. Gaskin explained to this publication that many are criticizing the PSA Guyana signed with ExxonMobils subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), but no action has been taken to have it changed or renegotiated. “Its all talk and no action” Gaskin said of previous criticisms of the contract. During a recent forum, Attorney-at-Law, Melinda Janki, read the provision in the contract which states “Except as may be expressly provided herein, the Government shall not amend, modify, rescind, terminate, declare invalid or unenforceable, require renegotiation of, compel replacement or substitution, or otherwise seek to avoid, alter, or limit this agreement without the prior written consent of contractor.” Simply put, Janki said that there is no chance of the contract being renegotiated.
Ramon Gaskin However, Janki and Attorney-at-law Christopher Ram, who was a member of the audience, both agreed that law takes precedence over any contract. This means that if there are illegalities in the contract, then it would be deemed necessary to challenge those illegalities and bring the contract into conformity with the laws of Guyana. With this being explained, Gaskin said that he was advised that a judicial review of the contract would cost $1M. At that very moment, he pledged $100,000 to the cause and was supported by persons in the audience who began to leave their seats with $1000 bills and $5000 bills to contribute towards the challenge of the contract. When asked whether or not he will achieve his goal in bringing about a change by challenging the il-
legalities of the PSA. His response was that it is most likely that Exxon will file for appeal, “they wont go down without a fight... But we will keep fighting until we are successful”. He reiterated that he is positive because there are enough grounds to challenge the contract. The activist pointed out that the agreement says royalty is payable only if produced and sold, but the Petroleum Act, Chapter 65, says that royalty must be paid upon production obtained. He explained that “the verb obtained is very different from the verb produced”. “This implies that the contract is clearly in breach of the Petroleum Act,” stated Gaskin. He reminded reporters that this is just one of many illegalities of the contract that will be challenged. It was at a forum called A Fair deal for Guyana- A Fair Deal for the Planet last Thursday at the Critchlow Labour College, Woolford Avenue, that Gaskin made mention of his move to challenge the PSA which was signed between ExxonMobil and the Government of Guyana. At the forum, the panel, which comprised Ms. Janki, Mr. Gaskin and Vice president of Transparency International Guyana Institute (TIGI), Frederick Collins, all highlighted the many illegalities included in the controversial PSA.
Notice to be sent to prosecution in GRDB case A notice was prepared to be sent to Special Prosecutor Lawrence Harris following his no-show yesterday for the trial concerning the six former highranking officials of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). These officials were slapped with fraud-related charges and placed on $500,000 bail each for failing to make a proper entry into a register of a company with the intent to defraud $362M from the entitys Republic Bank account. GRDB is the authority charged with overseeing the rice industry throughout the country. The six officials charged are former General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Jagnarine Singh; former Deputy General Manager Madanlall Ramraj; General Secretary of the Producers Association (RPA), Dharamkumar Seeraj; former Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Nigel Dharamlall; former General Manager of the Guyana Oil Company Badrie Persaud and the Deputy Permanent Secretary Finance Ministry of Agriculture,
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Prema Roopnarine. Attorneys Glenn Hanoman, Anil Nandlall and Sase Gunraj are representing the defendants. The charges alleged that between January 1 and December 31, 2012, with intent to defraud, they omitted or concurred to be omitted $77.3M from the general ledger of the GRDBs Republic Bank account. Similarly, between January 1 and December 31 of the years 2013, 2014 and 2015 with intent to defraud the entity, they omitted or concurred to be omitted from the said
40
Republic Bank account, $9.7M, $130M and $145M for the three respective years. They are in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly.All had pleaded not guilty to the charges. Yesterday, Magistrate Daly made an order for a court notice to be sent to the prosecutor for him to report to the court on the next hearing, whether SOCU is proceeding with the charges or withdrawing them against the defendants. The matter was then adjourned until October 2.
Court visits scene of Anna Catherina triple murder The Court yesterday led a site visit to the Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara murder scene in relation to the ongoing triple murder trial. The visit led the judge and jury to the location that Jennifer Persaud, a liquor store owner, and her two young sons Afridi Bacchus, 6 and Jadon Ernest, 17 months, were brutally killed in September 2012. Persaud and her two young sons were allegedly stabbed to death after an assailant entered their home on September 21, 2012. On trial for the murder is Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo barber Abishai Caesar. Caesars former reputed wife Zoey Phillips is the star witness in the case. Last week, she told the Court that she and Caesar lived together and were the businesswomans neighbours. According to her, Persauds call name was “Jenny”. She said that on the night of September 21, 2012, she and Caesar were in there bedroom when he left and told her that he was going over to Persauds home to get some money because he was “broke”. According to her, she saw when Caesar, who was clad in a three-quarter pants, collected a small wooden-handle knife and a
pair of gloves from the kitchen area before leaving for the womans home. She said that this was after midnight. Phillips recounted that her ex-lover gained entry into the womans yard through a crease in a zinc fence. She recalled that she went back into their bedroom and about a minute after she looked through the bedroom window and saw Caesar climbing up the stairs and into Persauds home. She explained that she was able to see him because the womans home had clear windows. She told the court how she fell asleep and was awoken by Caesar, calling on her to open the backdoor. The witness recounted that upon opening the door, she met Caesar who showed her a cardboard box containing several $20 and $100 notes, which amounted to about $3,000. She said that it was then her reputed husband told her that he “had to kill Jennifer” because she woke up and saw him in her home and knew him very well. According to the witness, Caesar told her that while he was stabbing Jennifer Persaud, her older son woke up and saw him, and he also killed him and his younger brother.
She added that when her reputed husband came back with the knife, it was covered in blood and his pants also had spots of blood. She recounted that Caesar took her to the seawall where he threw the knife into the river. She added that he discarded the gloves and pants in some nearby bushes and they went back home and slept. But almost four years after the businesswoman and her sons were killed, Phillips said that she finally informed the police that it was her spouse who had committed the crime. She stated that on April 23, 2016, she visited the Tuschen Police Outpost where she made a report against Caesar and requested a restraining order. She said the man was arrested the following day and taken to the Leonora Police Station where police held a confrontation between them. Led by State Prosecutor Lisa Cave, Phillips said that during that time, she reminded Caesar that he killed Jennifer Persaud and the two children, but he denied and told police that she was lying on him. She however explained that she kept it a secret for so long because she was afraid of him, as he was very abusive.
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15th Annual Berbice Expo and Trade Fair opens today All roads lead to the 15th Annual Berbice Exposition and Trade Fair which opens this evening at the Albion Community Development Centre. The event, which will conclude Monday, is being held under the theme ‘Promoting a Favourable Business and Investment Climate’, and its organisers are the Central Corentyne C h a m b e r o f Commerce (CCCC) in collaboration with the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Business. According to the organisers, they plan to make this year’s bigger and better than before. Once again, over 100 booths have been allocated to various entities and organisations f r o m across Guyana and more are still expressing interest. The annual exposition places the spotlight on business entities across Guyana and also serves as a means of strengthening ties between Berbice businesses and those outside of the Region. It also highlights local products and creates opportunities not only for the manufacturers but the small man as well.
The annual Exposition and Trade Fair is always well attended
The Trade Fair has been cited as one of the reasons that some small agencies have been able to expand. The opening ceremony will be held today beginning at 14:00 hrs. The feature address is expected to be delivered by former Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin Live bands will perform on all four nights. Added entertainment will b e provided by the popular
Crown Vibes International Sound System. Most of the big exhibitors including the Beverage companies, Banks, Telecommunication entities, Insurance, and a host of private companies will be in attendance showcasing their products. Most of the Government Ministries and semiautonomous organisations in the country will also be in attendance.
Most plan to have big giveaways at the event. Security is one of the main focuses and the Guyana Police Force and private security firms will
be in full force. The organisers have emphasised that the success of the activity is not for personal gain but for the development of the en-
tire Region. Persons are being called upon to come out in their numbers and support the biggest activity in East Berbice. (Samuel Whyte)
Guyana Beverage Inc. to raise breast cancer awareness through regional outreach initiative
From left: Guyana Beverage Inc’s General Manager Samuel Arjoon, Cancer Institute of Guyana’s Dr. Syed Mujahid Ghazi, and Dr. Sayan Chakraborty Through a collaborative effort with the Cancer Institute of Guyana, Guyana Beverage Inc (Oasis Premium Purified Waters) will be taking an educative Breast Cancer Awareness outreach initiative to all ten administrative regions of Guyana. Being the main sponsor of this initiative, the beverage company will be covering all expenses for medical teams to visit locations in coastal areas and hinterland regions. At a press conference held in this regard yesterday at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr. Syed Mujahid Ghazi (Director of Outreach) noted that they expected to screen over one thousand women commencing October 26, 2019
and concluding May 2020 in all the administrative regions. He said the idea to conduct the outreach stems mainly around the fact that persons in interior and far flung areas are unable to access screening because of financial constraints. He said they will also focus on prostate cancer screening as well, and plan to educate men on this issue, to remove the stigma of men being bashful to come forward for treatment because of fear of enduring having doctors placing their fingers in their anus, which comes as part of the testing process. It is their intention to address all forms of cancers during the outreach process. He emphasized that since the cancer institute is a
private entity, not attached directly to GPHC, they depend on sponsorship to execute their functions. He said that over the years they have had a decline in sponsorship, thus reducing their ability for widespread screening. Hence, he called on corporate Guyana to support and sponsor the cause. General Manager of Guyana Beverage Inc, Samuel Arjoon, said the entity was pleased to be associated with the venture and did not hesitate to come aboard as a sponsor. He said that for this month, all Premium Purified Water will be coloured pink in observance of breast cancer awareness, adding that proceeds from all water sales will be donated to the initiative.
Friday September 27, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Friday September 27, 2019
Way paved for Guyana, Qatar to collaborate on air services
SIGNING: The agreement was signed by Abdulla Nasser Turki Al Subaey, President, Qatar Civil Aviation Authority and Lt. Col. (Ret'd) Egbert Field, Director General, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority. Witnessing it were Minister of Transport and Communications, Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Chairman of the GCAA Board of Directors, Lt. Col. (Ret'd) Lawrence London
T
here is an opportunity for Guyana to benefit from trade and direct links to the Persian Gulf area. On Tuesday, Guyana signed an Air Services
Agreement with the State of Qatar to promote and facilitate airlines of Guyana and Qatar to operate any number of services between both countries as well as beyond to any third country,
with no restrictions on capacity, frequency, aircraft type and routing. Oil-rich Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world. According to the (continued on page 22)
Friday September 27, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
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Friday September 27, 2019
Way paved for Guyana, Qatar to collaborate on air services From page 20 Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the agreement will create new opportunities for air carriers, enable greater movement of people and goods between the two countries, and benefit the economies and businesses. The agreement was signed by the two heads of the respective civil aviation authorities - Abdulla Nasser
Turki Al Subaey, President, Q a t a r C i v i l Av i a t i o n Authority and Lt. Col. (Ret'd) Egbert Field, A.A, Director General, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority. The signing was done on the sidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) 40th G e n e r a l A s s e m b l y, Montreal, Canada. Witnessing the signature were the Minister of
T r a n s p o r t a n d Communications, Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Chairman of the GCAA Board of Directors, Lt. Col. (Ret'd) Lawrence London, A.A and other members of both delegations. According to the GCAA, the agreement complements the more than 50 Air Services Agreements Guyana has established with other ICAO States for the
Qatar Airways, one of the biggest airlines from the Gulf, is to begin operations to Guyana development of the airlink
among States. “It is a closer step in the realization of a strong and reliable gulf carrier operating flights to Georgetown.” The agreement will pave the way for Qatar Airways, which is headquartered in Qatar and is one of the world's largest airlines, to come to Guyana. That airline operates a hub-and-spoke network, linking over 172 international destinations across the world, using a fleet of more than 250 aircraft.
The cargo arm of the airline; Qatar Airways Cargo is the world's third largest international cargo carrier. In the coming months, a delegation from Qatar will be visiting Guyana to explore business opportunities in the aviation sector to establish a presence in Guyana and to strengthen the Caribbean and Latin America network. In recent years, with the emerging oil and gas sector, there have been a number of new airlines taking up the Guyana route.
Two NFMU staffers fired 20 years ago to be compensated
T
wo employees of the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) who were fired “indecently” two decades ago, are to receive compensation. According to the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, the correction of an injustice would come after an indepth investigation conducted by the Ministry of Social Protection. “Among other things, it was found that managerial indecency was at root of the dismissal of the two employees from the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU),” the Telecoms Ministry explained. The two senior managers- Keith Griffith and Robert Ross - had been dismissed in 1998 under “ q u e s t i o n a b l e circumstances”. They had not gone to court. Rather than seek redress through the courts, the men appealed to President David Granger, who referred the matter to the Ministry of P u b l i c Telecommunications. The Ministry of Social Protection was engaged to resolve the matter. “The two ministries investigated the complaints which required the
examination of available historical records which were more than a decade old, and interviewed relevant personnel, some of whom were already retired. No evidence was unearthed to justify or substantiate the actions taken against these employees.” In fact, the Ministry of Social Protection concluded that a grave wrong had been done to the two men, and submitted that the dismissal should not be allowed to stand. “The recommended course of action is compensation, and that recommendation has been endorsed by the Attorney General's Chambers,” the Te l e c o m s M i n i s t r y disclosed. The Ministry of Social Protection said the recommendation has been implemented. “The Ministry of Social Protection has also emphasized that no matter how long it takes, it will always ensure that injustices inflicted on any worker at any level, whether in the private or public sector, are remedied so that workers' rights and dignities could be maintained and sustained within the parameters of justice.”
Kaieteur News
THE
Friday September 27, 2019
POP
CULT
THE REVIEWS ARE IN!!!
Editoria All about Mink lashes
'Truth or
Dare'
By Latoya Zephyr aka the Lashes Boss
M
ink lashes are produced using the fur of an animal called Mink. Minks are breaded and slaughtered on fur farms in gas chambers, then shredded of their furs for human’s luxury and fashion. Before these minks are slaughtered, they are placed under conditions of intense stress, fear, disease, parasites, physical, and other psychological hardships. After this, they are brutally killed in gas chambers. From there, they are cleansed and taken through manufacturing to make the fur into a marketable product. The picture below displays how Minks are packaged before being “brushed”.
By Owen Gleiberman
I
n a scare-free horror film, a clique of college kids is haunted by a demon version of truth or dare, which gets them to reveal their one-note selves. Some horror films deal in torture, some are torture to sit through, and some, like “Truth or Dare,” take off from a premise that is, in a word, tortured. In this decidedly inferior Blumhouse production, a clique of college kids head down to Mexico for spring break. After a week of partying, they're lured to a crumbling, out-of-the-way church mission, where they're goaded into playing a midnight game of truth or dare. There are a few weird tensions and omens, but only after they get back do they realize what's happened: They've been followed home by a deadly version of the game. They're being haunted by the demon spirit of truth or dare. If your reaction to this revelation falls somewhere between “Oh, wow!” and “Huh?,” you'll be right in sync with audiences for “Truth or Dare,” which is a frantic muddle of a who-will-bethe-next-to-die? youth horror film. It works something like this. Back on campus, one of our empty/pretty heroines or heroes will be standing in the middle of, say, the university library, and a fellow spring breaker will tilt his or her head down ever so slightly and burst into an evil leering smile that recalls the digitally doctored faces in the classic 1994 video for Soundgarden's “Black Hole Sun.” That sick grinning face will then issue the demand of “Truth or dare.” Whichever one of those options the person in question chooses, if they fail to tell the whole truth — or to properly execute the dare — they will not be long for this world. In theory, this could and should result in a highly sensational B–horror film in which an ever more scandalous series of dares and confessions leads to extravagant set pieces like the ones in the “Final Destination” series. An early scene pops with just this sort of bubble-gum dread: After some macho posturing, Ronnie (Sam Lerner), the group's biggest douche, takes a dare to stand on a pool table and show off his “pool cue.” But when he chickens out, failing to parade himself with the proper exhibitionism (i.e., full frontal), he then trips and falls to his death in a relatively satisfying fashion. Not a great scene — but, in its way, a promising one. “Truth or Dare,” however, doesn't build on that tasty morsel of supernatural murder. There are several more dares, but the film is mostly interested in “the truth” — i.e., in forcing its characters to reveal their hidden layers, even though as characters they have no layers. We're watching ciphers stripped psychologically bare. Does Olivia (Lucy Hale), the group's do-gooder and social justice warrior, really love Lucas (Tyler
PAGE 23
Posey), the philandering boyfriend of her BFF, Markie (Violett Beane), who's like a decadent sorority version of Kate Hudson? Will Brad (Hayden Szeto) come out to his hard-ass cop father (Tom Choi)? And what will happen when the game forces the future med student Tyson (Nolan Gerard Funk) to reveal that he's selling illegal prescriptions? What will happen is…not very much. Instead of generating shock and awe, or even a few honest cheap thrills, “Truth or Dare” proceeds as a series of soap-opera revelations about characters we could hardly care less about. It's like “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” crossed with the world's most convoluted episode of “Gossip Girl.” The movie isn't scary, it isn't gripping, it isn't fun, and it isn't fueled by any sort of clever compulsion. It's just a strangely arduous exercise that feels increasingly frantic and arbitrary as it goes along. Olivia, the nominal heroine, finally heads down to Mexico to track down the source of the game, in what has to be one of the rare “explanatory” movie scenes — it features an old Mexican woman with her tongue cut out who hasn't spoken in 60 years, but manages to write messages for our benefit in broken English — that actually renders what we're watching less comprehensible. By the end, audiences are likely to turn on “Truth or Dare,” a horror film that's neither truthful nor daring but, in essence, a wayward movie pitch meeting in search of an explanation for itself.
WHY YOU SHOULD NOT CONSIDER MINK LASHES 1) They are kept in fur farmsJust like meat and other animal based products, Minks are no different. They are confined on wired cages, where they are deprived of their natural surviving habits, such as: swimming, burrowing or bathing. In addition to that, they are also not given the opportunity to have basic necessities such as: food, water or medical care. It is advice that clients interested in Mink lashes also take into consideration the behind the scenes manufacturing processes and conditions. 2) According to Peta.org: “Minks don’t need to be “brushed” “. Then they further go on to say that Minks are not
The talented Latoya Zephyr aka Lashes Boss being “brushed”, but are likely being killed for their fur. 3) These trapped fur animals are violently killed on the farms; they are electrocuted, bludgeoned (repeatedly beaten with a baton or a stick with a heavy end.) With all that being said, any cruelty free and environmentally conscious person after being aware of the distraught reality of Minks and its lashes procedure, would not ask for the advantages of Mink lashes. Before wearing Mink lashes, consider what that animal had to endure before your purchase of their fur. For all potential and current lash clients, Lashesbytoya does not and will not support the use of mink lashes having considered the disturbing and cruel procedures taken for them to be produced.
Mink lashes are a representation of animal cruelty
W
Wine of the
Week
Antigal Estimulo - Sauvignon Blanc:
The embodiment of vibrant aromas and passion
T
his crisp Sauvignon Blanc exemplifies how Estimulo wines live up to their name (the Spanish for "stimulus") by providing refreshing flavors that excite the senses. The vibrant aromas of lemon, grapefruit, mango, and passion fruit are underpinned by notes of freshly cut herbs and it is the perfect wine to pair with Thai
curry. This Argentine masterpiece can be found at the Wine Vault located at the Marriott Hotel. It is being sold for $4800 VAT inclusive. You can also find it at the Hibiscus Restaurant, Nice Restaurant and Bar, Palm Court and other leading hotels and bars.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 24
THE
Entertainment POLICE
Friday September 27, 2019
E P
Enetworks to air all CPL matches
T
he Caribbean Premier League kicked off at the Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain in Trinidad on September 4, last. That match and all the others to come will be aired on Enetworks. Below is a list of the dates and the respective matches. September 06, Friday Match 3- Trinbago Knight Riders vs Jamaica Tallawahs (Trinidad) Local Time20:00, IST- 5:30 (September 7) September 07, Saturday Match 4- Guyana Amazon Warriors vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (Guyana) Local Time- 20:00, IST- 5:30 (September 8) September 08, Sunday Match 5- Trinbago Knight Riders vs St Lucia Zouks (Trinidad) Local Time- 12:00, IST- 21:30 (Same Day) Match 6- Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Barbados Tridents (Guyana) Local Time17:00, IST- 2:30 (September 9) September 10, Tuesday Match 7- St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Jamaica Tallawahs (St Kitts) Local Time18:00, IST- 3:30 (September 11) September 11, Wednesday Match 8- St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Barbados Tridents (St Kitts) Local Time18:00, IST- 3:30 (September 12) September 12, Thursday Match 9- Jamaica Tallawahs vs St Lucia
Zouks (Jamaica) Local Time- 18:00, IST4:30 (September 13) September 13, Friday Match 10- Jamaica Tallawahs vs Trinbago Knight Riders (Jamaica) Local Time19:00, IST- 5:30 (September 14) September 14, Saturday Match 11- St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Guyana Amazon Warriors (St Kitts) Local Time- 20:00, IST- 5:30 (September 15) September 15, Sunday Match 12- Jamaica Tallawahs vs Barbados Tridents (Jamaica) Local Time- 12:00, IST22:30 (Same Day) Match 13- St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs St Lucia Zouks (St Kitts) Local Time- 17:00, IST- 2:30 (September 16) September 17, Tuesday Match 14- St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Trinbago Knight Riders (St Kitts) Local Time- 18:00, IST- 3:30 (September 18) September 18, Wednesday Match 15- Jamaica Tallawahs vs Guyana Amazon Warriors (Jamaica) Local Time19:00, IST- 5:30 (September 19) September 19, Thursday Match 16- Jamaica Tallawahs vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (Jamaica) Local Time19:00, IST- 5:30 (September 20) September 20, Friday Match 17- St Lucia Zouks vs Barbados
CPL Tridents (St Lucia) Local Time- 20:00, IST5:30 (September 21) September 21, Saturday Match 18- St Lucia Zouks vs Trinbago Knight Riders (St Lucia) Local Time20:00, IST- 5:30 (September 22) September 22, Sunday Match 19- Barbados Tridents vs Guyana Amazon Warriors (Barbados) Local Time18:00, IST- 3:30 (September 23) September 23, Monday Match 20- Barbados Tridents vs Jamaica Tallawahs (Barbados) Local Time- 18:00, IST- 3:30 (September 24) September 24, Tuesday Match 21- St Lucia Zouks vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (St Lucia) Local Time18:00, IST- 3:30 (September 25) September 25, Wednesday Match 22- St Lucia Zouks vs Guyana Amazon Warriors (St Lucia) Local Time18:00, IST- 3:30 (September 26) September 26, Thursday Match 23- Barbados Tridents vs Trinbago Knight Riders (Barbados) Local Time18:00, IST- 3:30 (September 27) September 27, Friday Match 24- St Lucia Zouks vs Jamaica Tallawahs (St Lucia ) Local Time- 20:00, IST- 5:30 (September 28) September 28, Saturday Match 25- Barbados Tridents vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (Barbados) Local Time20:00, IST- 5:30 (September 29) September 29, Sunday Match 26- Barbados Tridents vs St Lucia Zouks (Barbados) Local Time- 18:00, IST3:30 (September 30)
September 30, Monday Match 27- Trinbago Knight Riders vs Guyana Amazon Warriors (Trinidad) Local Time- 19:00, IST- 4:30 (October 1) October 02, Wednesday Match 28- Trinbago Knight Riders vs Barbados Tridents (Trinidad) Local Time19:00, IST- 4:30 (October 3) October 03, Thursday Match 29- Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Jamaica Tallawahs (Guyana) Local Time18:00, IST- 3:30 (October 4) October 04, Friday Match 30- Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Trinbago Knight Riders (Guyana) Local Time- 20:00, IST- 5:30 (October 5) October 06, Sunday Qualifier 1 – 1st v 2nd Eliminator – 3rd v 4th October 10, Thursday Qualifier 2- Winner of Eliminator v Loser of Qualifier 1 (Trinidad) Local Time- 19:00, IST- 4:30 (October 11) October 12, Saturday Final- Winner of Qualifier 1 v Winner of Qualifier 2 (Trinidad) Local Time- 17:00, IST- 2:30 (October 13) (The Caribbean Premier League is an annual Twenty20 cricket tournament held in the Caribbean. It was created in 2013 and replaced the Caribbean Twenty20 as the premier Twenty20 competition in the Caribbean. It is currently sponsored by Hero MotoCorp and consequently officially named the Hero CPL. The inaugural tournament was won by the Jamaica Tallawahs who defeated the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the final.)
Soca and Wine all set for Sept. 29 at Lusignan Golf Course
G
set for OCT. 5 T
ull's Sports and Business Management is proud to present “40 Shades of Gayle” on October 5, 2019. The well-known West Indies Batsman, Christopher Gayle will be hosting his 40th birthday party in the form of a mega concert at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. The Jamaican heavy weight is considered to be one of the best batsmen to play the game in T20 and ODI Formats. The event is expected to receive a huge response from
patrons within Guyana and around the Caribbean as Kes the Band and other local artistes will be performing. Early bird tickets cost $3000, General Tickets cost $4000 and Stage front tickets can be purchased for $10,000. Come celebrate with the Universe Boss! This event is sponsored by Star Party Rental, Gizmos & Gadgets, Roosters, Sheriff Security Service, Marriott HJ 94.1BOOMFM and Pomeroon Fresh Coconut Water.
uyana Carnival presents an event like no other, “Soca and Wine”. It is the first jamboree on the road to Guyana Carnival 2020 with the purpose of introducing day events. Get all dressed up, call your crew and let's take a 15 minute road trip to the Lusignan Golf Course on September 29th. Come enjoy tantalizing soca music, a variety of wine, hors d'oeuvres and breathtaking décor for the best photo ops. Early bird tickets cost $2000. There is also an offer of a bus shuttle service which transports patrons to the event and back to the capital for $3000. Though cabanas are sold out, a corporate high rise is provided that accommodates 30 persons and includes an entrance fee, five bottles of wine, a grape and cheese platter and a server throughout the event. Along with enjoying the atmosphere, spectacular décor and good vibes there will
be a sip and paint area and Golf Activities conducted by the Lusignan Golf Course. Music will be provided by boom deejays. This event is brought to you with the kind compliments of Barefoot Wine through Ansa Mcal Trading Limited, Campari, Always, Liat Airline and the Guyana Carnival Committee The road to Carnival 2020 begins here!
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Friday September 27, 2019
Kaieteur News
Thieves target Berbice mandir, church
The mandir that was targeted. Places of worship are now the new target for break and enter and larceny over the past two weeks. This is being reported by members of a Mandir in Reliance, East Canje, Berbice and a Nazarene Church in New Amsterdam. Kaieteur News was informed that on Wednesday, sometime around 17:00 hrs, devotees of the Reliance Settlement Sanatan Mandir discovered several items missing. A door located to the South of the Mandir was dis-
covered ajar by one of the members when they arrived and upon closer inspection, the items were found missing. Taken from the Mandir are two Yamaha speakers, one Yamaha amplifier, three Sennheiser Microphones, cables and a bag containing several XLR cables along with other microphones, racking up a total cost of $450,000. Just a week prior to that incident the Reliance VEDA Centre, situated in the said
compound was also broken into, with a music system (used for dance classes) being stolen by the unknown perpetrators. Costumes used by members of the Mandir were also stolen. On Sunday last, another attempt was made to break into the place of worship, but no significant items were reported stolen. Reports of the incidents have been filed at the Reliance Police Station since the first attempt. Devotees of the place of
The entry point of the burglars worship are urging the general public who may be approached to purchase any of the items mentioned to make contact with the mandir officials or the police. Executive members of the Mandir have dubbed the incident as “Callous, disgust-
ing and sadly reflects a dangerous time we live in as a society”. Meanwhile, a member of the New Amsterdam Church of the Nazarene is reporting that their church has been broken into three times over the past two weeks with sev-
eral items stolen. The member disclosed that six gallons of paint, two fans and linen used for the altar were all taken. They are also asking members of the public to “keep an eye out for these items and keep your church building in prayer”.
Whistleblower report complains... From page 9 said.The report said Trump acted to advance his personal political interests, risking national security. “I am deeply concerned that the actions described below constitute ‘a serious or flagrant problem, abuse, or violation of law or executive o r d e r, ’ ” the whistleblower complaint, dated Aug. 12, said. Pelosi said the fact that White House officials moved records of the call to another electronic system was evidence of a cover-up. “The president has been engaged in a cover-up all along,” she said. The Trump administration released the summary of the call after media reports about it surfaced. The Ukraine controversy follows U.S. intelligence conclusions that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. election with a campaign of hacking and propaganda to boost Trump’s candidacy.
T h e w h i s t l e b l o w e r ’s concerns did not end with Trump’s conversation with Zelenskiy. The next day, the report said, a U.S. special envoy for Ukraine negotiations and the U.S. ambassador to the European Union met with Zelenskiy and other Ukrainians and advised them “about how to ‘navigate’ the demands that the president had made of Mr Zelenskiy.” Trump has repeatedly suggested wrongdoing by Biden and his son but has offered no evidence to back up the assertion. There has been no evidence that Biden used his position to help his son in the Ukraine matter. Some of Trump’s fellow Republicans criticized the report. “Clearly a coordinated effort to take second-hand information to create a narrative damaging to the President,” Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said in a statement. Trump has denied wrongdoing.
In the report, the whistleblower said that “I was not a direct witness to most of the events described” and based the account on information from colleagues. During a House Intelligence Committee hearing, the top U.S. intelligence official, acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire, said the whistleblower had acted in good faith and followed the law in bringing the complaint. Maguire frustrated committee Democrats when he declined to say whether he had discussed the whistleblower complaint with Trump. Maguire said it would not be “appropriate” for him to publicly rebuke Trump’s attacks on the whistleblower. Maguire testified about the document after refusing for weeks to share it with Congress. Democrats said federal law required that the report be sent to lawmakers. Schiff, the Democratic committee chairman, grilled Maguire about why the whistleblower report was withheld. Trump, Schiff said, “has betrayed his oath of office, betrayed his oath to defend our national security and betrayed his oath to defend the Constitution.” Under the U.S. Constitution, the House has the power to impeach a president for “high crimes and misdemeanors.” No president has ever been removed through impeachment.
Friday September 27, 2019
Kaieteur News
PAGE 27
Granger to face protests if he retreats from March 2 elections date - Opposition Leader People Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo stated that there is an open option for protests, and that it all depends on President David Granger. He made this statement during a press conference yesterday, at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition. Jagdeo claimed that the PPP was protesting for President Granger to name a date, and that they will keep the protest action under review, adding, “We want to just have free, fair, early elections, respectful of the constitution”. He further explained that if Government is moving towards an early election date, then the PPP does not see the necessity for protests. However, he said, “Protest is also a way of showing disagreement with abuse of resources and stuff. But clearly the protest that has personally targeted President Granger since the 18th September was for him to name a date.” The opposition leader stated, “We will still keep the protest option open if we see any retreat from that or if we have to use it to prevent the abuse of resources that is going on now.” On September 19, President Granger was challenged with a protest of at least 300 PPP supporters at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston. The president was at the time delivering an address at a luncheon of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GSMA) held
The roadway to the Presidents Vlissengen Road office was closed off yesterday at the hotel. Later that day, Jagdeo stated at a press conference at his Church Street office that the president would face protests everywhere he goes until he named an election date. The President did subsequently face protest action during several visits out of town, and during a recent
event at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, where the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China was celebrated. The President, even up to yesterday, faced a small picketing exercise outside of his Vlissengen Road office, from the Mass Action People s Movement (MAPM).
RDC hosts Community Engagement Day
The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Region Four yesterday held a Community Engagement Day, where resi-
dents, parent and students were invited to come to the RDC compound and be sensitised on a number of
things, including which department they can go to have issues experienced within the education system resolved.
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Kaieteur News
Friday September 27, 2019
Friday September 27, 2019
PAGE 29
Kaieteur News
Captains to be charged From page 7 reckless endangerment of the life of a passenger/passengers, for which the penalties range from monetary fines to suspension of licences. The officials were keen to note that the maritime law does not cater for criminal acts and the penalties that follow. “There are no provisions for that under the maritime laws. Maybe that is something we need to seriously ramp up legal capacity for,” the officer stated. However, in the instance of criminality, this newspaper was informed that there are provisions under which the police can approach of the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice to charge. Alluding to an instance where a boat captain was
charged for manslaughter after six passengers died after his vessel collided with their boat, a MARAD officer told Kaieteur News that the Criminal Law Offences Act Chapter 8:01 contains a provision that caters for criminal acts committed within the admiralty jurisdiction or navigable waters. The Act notes that all indictable offences mentioned in the Criminal Law Offences Act committed in admiralty jurisdiction shall be deemed to be the offence of the same nature and liable to the same punishment. “It is under this provision that the boat captains can be liable for not only breach of safety, but the lives of their passengers,” the marine officer added.
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Friday September 27, 2019
Kaieteur News
Man beats mother with rolling pin for $500
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Your Taxi Service- Location “D” Middleton St, C/ville, needed contract cars and drivers. Call: 219-5555/6620070
1 New Model 212. $1.2M Neg.Call#657-9822.
Truck Driver to work Georgetown to Essequibo route. Contact# 223-5273/74
(1) 3 bedroom house located at Middle St, Stewartville. Tel#625-3299/268-3129
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Business space for rent 660 sq, available parking, opposite license office (US $1200 negotiable) #658-2677/ 685-0448
1 flat unfinished concrete house located in Tuchen $4 Million #697-6311
N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561/681-2808
Common Entrance Lessons: Grades 1-6, Phonics, Reading & Composition classes, Nursery Phonics & Aftercare, Rising Star Academy Albertown. Call: 677-0296
VACANCY
2 bedroom fully furnished & 3 bedroom unfurnished houses in Diamond. #6172666/682-6238
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL: 656-0087 / 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_ A U T O R E N T A L @YAHOO.COM
EDUCATION
FOR RENT
One General Worker to work shift system.Tel#225-6337/ 668-0306. Driver with Minibus license living in G/town to work with company. #646-8748 One Supervisor between age 25-40 years. Call: 623-5255 Between 8am-5pm Seamstress. Contact: 6911918. Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm
WANTED
Wanted land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie anywhere in Zeelugt and Tuchen Tel# 6976311 Drivers for Water truck (Preferred from East Bank).Must have lorry L i c e n s e . S t o r e workers.Contact:682-1048/ 233-5255. One Apartment or House for a Christian couple.If you have either, Please Call:679-3325.
Bus Drivers for 44 Route & Driver for P.Car.Call:225-3234/ 698-7807. Labourer and Planer operator to work at Sawmill. Tel#6199143 (1) family person to work on a ranch Live in Family.Husband Driving & Wife Domestic.Arc/Acetylene Welder,Fitter/Machinist Machine Shop Experience.227-1830. Attractive waitress to work in bar. #661-4863/692-4649 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665/6493750
We’re Hiring Housekeeping Staff. Be part of our dynamic industry. For interviews, call: 225-2222 / 231-4728. Vacancy exist for Experienced Pharmacy assistants to work @ reputable pharmacy in G/ town. Interested persons call #645-5008/696-5098 between 8am-4pm Office Asst/Accounts Clerk, 5 subjects, quickbooks, NIS, PAYE. Teamplayer, Customer Service experience. #2270176/227-0186. mimadecor12@gmail.com
Thirty-three-year-old Terrence Clement of Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge, Georgetown, was on Wednesday hauled before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty for two charges which he admitted to. Both incidents occurred on September 22, 2019, at the aforementioned address, where Clement resides with his mother. The court heard that the man assaulted his mother, Norma Jack, and used abusive language tow a r d s h e r. H e p l e a d e d guilty to both charges and offered to give an explanation for his actions. “Yes! I raised a rolling pin (belna) at her, but I used it to block her from hitting me and it acciden-
One Cosmetologist. Must be certified with salon experience.Must be able to work unsupervised.#6266450/615-9328. Clerk & Domestic live-in Facilities for Berbicians and Essequibians 219-5354. Sales Representative & Porter, 5 Subjects CXC, Good communication skills, Experience, Mima Decor, 8 Sheriff St #226-0176, mimadecor06@gmail.com Cook for interior, must be able to make pastries & 2 labourers for shop. Tel#660-9093/6877638 Experienced Lorry Driver, Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb Street Bourda Experienced Female, Accounts clerk, must have passes in Maths & English, Apply in person at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St 1 music teacher (piano & guitar) to do at home teaching for two boys. Perferably from East Bank. #698-4432 Needed urgently: 1 male, exp cooking on grill, multi-tasking 4pm-2am & Female Creole Cook.ECD #675-2550/6569313 Vacancy exists for One Female to work @ Del Ice Co.Must have Maths & English.Call:642-9191/2311408. One shop attendant. Tel#6917123 Experienced Salesgirl, Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St, Bourda WANTED 1 Welder, gas welding & arc.Age 25-40.Apply@ 21 Broad street, Fat Man Welding shop.223-5595/6439125.
VACANCY Vacancy exist for one head cook and one supervisor for food establishment in Georgetown,Call:231-8737.
Terrence Clement tally knock her hand.” He added that when he used a series of abusive language towards her, he was angry, and that caused him to hit his mother, which was not intentional. On the other hand, Jack told the court that the problem started as a result of her keeping a sum of cash for him. “Your worship, he gave me $500,000 cash to keep for him in my bank account since he had none. However, he constantly keeps coming for part part of the money,and having me running to the bank all the time.” “I got fed up and give him the remainder of the money, but he spend it out and come back to me for money that he told me to take for myself out of the $500,000.” According to reports, the incident started when Clement asked his mother for $500 and she refused to give him. The woman then headed to the bathroom and was preparing to go to church, when Clement started to shout at her and cuss her out. When she exited the bathroom and walk e d t o t h e kitchen, Clement then followed and picked up a rolling pin and hit her on her right hand. He then cornered her and shouted, “You aint going nowhere until you give me the money”. Jack managed to escape from her son and went to the police station where the matter was reported. Clement was contacted, arrested and charged for the offences. After listening to the facts of the charge and the explanation given, Principal Magistrate McGusty ordered the defendant to pay a $20,000, fine or in default, serve one month in jail for the assault charge. In relation to the abusive language charge, he was fined $10,000 or in default will serve seven days in jail.
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92-year-old woman’s home partly destroyed by fire A 92-year-old woman is now counting her losses after the upper flat of her home was completely destroyed by a fire yesterday afternoon at Lancaster Village, Corentyne, Berbice. According to eyewitnesses, the fire began just around 17:00 hrs. The pensioner, only identified as Doreen, was in the bottom flat of the two storey structure when a neighbour noticed smoke and subsequently flames emanating from the front room in the upper flat of the building. The elderly woman was alerted and immediately removed from the yard, but watched on as the flames quickly walked through the top floor. The fire service arrived shortly after and managed to save the bottom flat. The devastated woman, who lives alone, is estimating millions in losses Eyewitnesses believe that the fire was electrical in origin. Investigations are continuing.
The upper flat of the two-storey house on fire.
Suriname “ferry” service restarts; Canawaima back in operation on Oct. 16 After the Canawaima Ferry was suspended for four months for much-needed repairs, the M.B. Sandaka that usually works the Parika to Leg u a n r o u t e began to transport passengers from Moleson Creek to Paramaribo, Suriname on Thursday. Fisher woman, Amanda Walcott was one of the scores of passengers that boarded the vessel. According to her, the reinstatement of the ferry service is a weight off her shoulders. “I feel proud the vessel is back again this morning because it was m o r e harassing with the little boat… At the end of the day, the ferry is much better,” the fisherwoman told the Department of Public Information (DPI). C o m m e n t i n g on the resumption of service with the temporary vessel, a painter that resides in Kitty, Ronald Ragnaught stated, “I find it is good for the people… for both sides, Guyana and Suriname so that they can cross with no fear.” D e p u t y Superintendent within Canawaima Ferry Incorporated, Deyne Harry provided an overview of the mornings operations. Describing the reopening as ‘good’, the official noted, “we have had 120 passengers and 5 vehicles. So, we are off to a very bright start.” Passengers who do
not meet the strict travel requirements will not be allowed to board the vessel. These include having a passport with 6 months validity until expiration, and an International Certificate of Va c c i n a t i o n or Prophylaxis for Yellow Fever. M.B. Sandaka sailed for Paramaribo around 9am, taking approximately 30 minutes. On its return to Moleson Creek, some of the first passengers that disembarked shared their thoughts on the impact of the resumed service on their commute. Jimmy Chan, a Guyanese residing in Suriname, mentioned that while he had initially planned to return to Guyana on Tuesday through the backtrack, he quickly changed his mind upon learning of the ferry service. “I decided to wait on it, because I know this is much safer than going through the back. Plus, the expenses are more at the back than here… I am comfortable. I am safer. I am satisfied with what the government did. It eases a lot of people.” An elderly woman named Janet Brown expressed her reluctance to travel through the backtrack, adding that she prefers the ferry and would only utilise the former if necessary. On October 16, the Canawaima Ferry will be back in operation. (DPI)
Passengers leaving Guyana for Suriname from Moleson Creek.
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Friday September 27, 2019
Friday September 27, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Elections will be held on March 2 - Granger clarifies
President David Granger clarified yesterday that elections will be held on March 2, 2020
P
resident David Granger yesterday made it clear that elections will be held on March 2, 2020, even if the Opposition refuses to go back to Parliament. The clarification would come hours after the President addressed the nation, but left questions about whether he had actually fixed a date. According to his address on Wednesday, after discussions with Chairman of the Elections Commission, Justice (Retd) Claudette Singh, and with his “Cabinet”, the earliest possible date for the holding of General and Re-
gional Elections would be on Monday, 2nd March 2020. The Opposition, especially, widely interpreted that as no date being fixed, and elections can happen anytime after that date. The Opposition accused the administration of continuing to play more games. Yesterday, speaking to reporters after a scheduled event, the President said: “Elections will be held on 2nd March. That was the advice I received. I did not want to use perhaps more definitive terms, because I expected that in accordance with the Constitution, we should have to go to Parliament, but if we
dont, if the opposition does not go to Parliament, well we will abide by what I said last night, and elections will be held on 2nd March. Thats as definitive as I can get.” The Head of State said information on the date was considered by both the members of his Cabinet and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). He also expressed his satisfaction with Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)s extended Claims and Objections period. “I am satisfied that the Commission is confident that the extended Claims and Objections period would allow all the electors to indicate whether there are any claims or objections. I am satisfied that was the assurance given by the Chairman of the Commission.” The announcement on Wednesday followed the GECOM s Chairman missive on September 19, 2019, indicating that the body would be able to deliver credible elections by the end of February 2020. President Granger met with his Cabinet twice to discuss the timeline provided by the commission. He also met Justice Singh on Wednesday for discussions on the statutory timelines for the upcoming General and Regional Elections before his address to the
nation. During his address, the president said that the extension of a period beyond three months for the holding of an election is related to the Elections Commissions readiness to hold the elections. “The Government of Guyana must, as a consequence, return to the National Assembly to request an extension. The National Assembly reconvenes on 10th October 2019. The President is required to both dissolve Parliament as provided for in the Constitution at Article 70 (2) and the ten Regional Democratic Councils as provided for in the Constitution at Article 73 (2).” The holding of early general elections was necessitated after a December 21st no-confidence motion tabled by the Opposition saw the one-seat majority Coalition Government falling. This was after one of their
own, Charrandass Persaud, voted in favour of the motion. Government challenged the validity of the vote in different courts, which ruled it was carried properly. In accordance with the law, fresh elections were sup-
posed to be held in three months. It has been over nine months now. The country has been heavily divided, with Guyana set to start producing its first oil in a matter of months.
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Taylor leaves Thunder for Strikers Adelaide, Australia, CMC – West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor has parted ways with Sydney Thunder after four seasons and will suit up for Adelaide Strikers in the upcoming Wo m e n ’s B i g Bash campaign starting next month. The 28-year-old will join the New Zealand pair of Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine, further strengthening a side which finished sixth of eight teams and missed out on the semi-finals last season. “I’m very much excited about [the Big Bash] especially in a new environment,” the Jamaican said in statement. “I don’t know much about the team but I’m mostly
looking forward to playing alongside Suzie and Sophie.” A quality top order batsman who played her 100th Twenty20 for West Indies last week against Australia, Taylor will only turn out in only four matches during the season – the first and the last two – but will be available for the finals of Striker qualify. England batsman Lauren Winfield will replace Taylor for the 10 other league games. Taylor, who also bowls off spin, is the number threeranked all-rounder in the ICC rankings and sits third on the batting charts. The Women’s Big Bash runs from October 18 to December 8.
Stafanie Taylor
Friday September 27, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) The world is wide open to you today, so take advantage of all the great things it has to offer. Even though you may not realize it, you have a loyal fan club developing in the wings. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Today is your day to shine, Taurus, so give it your all. Be sure that you get the credit you deserve for all you do. Try not to fall into self-pity. Be yourself and people will naturally follow your lead. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today is a day of contrasts, Gemini. Eat chocolate in the morning and go jogging in the afternoon. Sleep in late and go to bed early. It's also a day of grounding. CANCER(June21–July22) The day doesn't begin until you clear your head and take stock of some pending personal issues, Cancer. You might be making mountains out of molehills. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today you might feel especially creative and intellectually inspired, Leo. You could discuss your ideas with others. The process of communication could open up new doors in your mind VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A close friend or member of your household could be having money problems, Virgo, and might want to draw upon your business sense in order to make sense of the situation and find ways to put it right.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Heightened intuition could lead to some interesting conversations. Others could be blown away by your insights into their thoughts, feelings, and desires. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) - Your intuition and inspiration could enhance your artistic talents. A powerful drive to express the stories, pictures, or music in your mind could result in your spending as much of the day as you can jotting down your thoughts and ideas. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your mind is sharp as a tack today, Sagittarius. There's a great deal of power behind your thoughts, so use it wisely. Take this energy to work and see how much you can accomplish. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Inspiration is the key for today, Capricorn. You may feel highly motivated to move on with what others consider impossible. Impossibility has never stopped you before, and you aren't likely to let it stop you now. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) An increased understanding of different cultures as well as curiosity about the people who live there might spur you to learn more about those places. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) There's a powerful force urging you to act today. Someone may be working counter to your aims and trying to rub you the wrong way.
Friday September 27, 2019
Williams cleared for World Championships after reprimand Kingston, Jamaica, CMC – Teenaged sprint sensation, Briana Williams, has been cleared to participate at the IAAF World Championships starting today in Qatar, after an anti-doping disciplinary panel yesterday opted not to ban the Jamaican over a doping violation. In the ruling, the panel said it had reprimanded Williams without any period of ineligibility, leaving her free to join the Jamaican contingent in Doha. The 17-year-old’s participation at the September 27 to October 6 games was thrown into doubt after she tested positive for the banned s u b s t a n c e hydrochlorothiazide at the Jamaica National Championships last June.
Williams, a double sprint champion at last year’s World Junior Championship, pleaded guilty and a two-day hearing of the Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel subsequently ruled that while she was in breach, they could not establish her actions were deliberate. “The IADP is unanimously persuaded to the standard of proof on the evidence presented that the athlete, Miss Briana Williams, was in breach of article 2.1 of the 2015 AntiDoping Rules as she had in her body a specified substance namely “HCTZ”,” the statement said. “The IADP finds that the athlete has established no significant fault or negligence as she was given tablets by her guardian and had no intention to cheat in her InCompetition sprint event on June 21, 2019. The IADP was referred to
article 10.5.1.1 of the AntiDoping In Sport Rules and this is relied on in its findings. “The IADP recommends that the athlete undergoes another education programme on Anti-Doping In Sports Rules as soon as JADCO (Jamaica AntiDoping Commission) carries out same.” Williams will now link up with the Jamaican contingent for the showpiece in Doha, where she will contest the 100 metres. The marquee event is scheduled to get underway tomorrow afternoon (Saturday morning Eastern Caribbean time). Despite her tender age, Williams has already made quite a name for herself, twice winning triple gold at the CARIFTA Championships in 2018 and 2019, to join legendary countryman Usain Bolt as Jamaicans to win the prestigious Austin Sealy MVP award twice.
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Coach West satisfied with progress following WI rising stars U-19 Training Camp - Players to train with Super50 teams St. John’s, Antigua - West Indies Under-19 Coach and Cricket West Indies (CWI) High Performance Manager Graeme West, is satisfied with the progress shown by the West Indies Rising Stars Under-19s, after they completed their September 13-23 camp over the weekend in Antigua. The ten day camp was the next stage of the preparation for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa in January 2020 and concluded with two practice games that featured Windward Islands opener Kimani Melius scoring two centuries, who brought his first class exposure to the fore. “The practice games were opportunities for the players to put into practice the game strategy for 50 Over Cricket that was discussed and rehearsed throughout the camp. It was pleasing to see players heading in the right direction across all skill sets and phases of the game,’’ said West to CWI Media.”Kimani Melius’ two centuries stood out alongside Mbeki Joseph’s 130 in the second game having made 51 in Game One and there were half centuries for Leonardo Julien, Kevlon Anderson and Nyeem Young.” West added, “The bowlers were consistent and showed a greater understanding of bowling in the final overs compared to the Trial Games in St Vincent, I am sure they have all benefited from working with former West Indies fast bowlers Curtly
Ambrose and Kenny Benjamin who provided their experience and expertise throughout the camp. West further elaborated on the support players got from those legends, other CWI coaches and President Ricky Skerritt under this new administration. “Director of Cricket (DOC) Jimmy Adams led the fielding skills sessions and Under15 coach Steve Liburd provided additional support. The Science and Medical team also played a huge part, providing a great package of support to the squad over the 10 days, with the fitness testing results providing a further source of encouragement” He continued, “The camp needed to be high in intensity with a lot of ground to cover, morning and afternoon practice was a regular occurrence in some testing conditions with temperatures up in the nineties, but it was encouraging to see the players come through and keen to keep developing.” “It’s been very important for all persons involved to have the President taking a keen interest in the squad’s progress, his presence on Sunday made it very clear to the players that CWI is keen to invest in them because they are the future of West Indies cricket.” President Skerritt further noted saying: “From what I have personally observed, these West Indies Rising Stars are not just talented but are also keen to learn. With continued investment from
Sir Curtly Ambrose and Kenny Benjamin in discussion with the bowlers. CWI and their territorial Boards, West Indies fans can expect to see at least a few of these youngsters making real waves on the regional and global stages sooner rather than later.” Following the camp, an 18-man squad will be selected for the next stages of the preparation for the ICC Under-19 World Cup. Many of the players will benefit from being part of training camps for the various franchise teams in November’s
upcoming Colonial Medical Insurance Super 50 Cup. “The majority of players have either finished or chosen to take a break from their studies for the next twelve months and can concentrate all their efforts towards their cricket, these players will train alongside their respective regional teams preparing for the upcoming Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup”, while those still at school will be fully supported with technical and
physical training programmes outside of school hours, West explained. This is a great opportunity for the young players to work alongside the professionals in preparation for white ball cricket. I’m very grateful to the franchise coaches that have indicated they will involve the Under-19 players and provide full access to all of the resources available to the full-time playing staff.”
Olympic champion Silva disqualified from PanAm Games for doping
Brazil’s Rafaela Silva celebrates her gold medal. REUTERS/Guadalupe Pardo/File Photo. Reuters - Olympic judo champion Rafaela Silva was among seven athletes who have been disqualified for doping from the Pan American Games, which were held in July and August, organizing body Panam Sports said. Brazilian judoka Silva tested
positive for the banned substance Fenoterol, which is used to treat asthma, and was stripped of her gold medal in the women’s 57kg event, Panam Sports said in a statement. The 2016 Olympic champion said the result may have come through her frequent contact with a
friend’s baby, who took the medicine to combat asthma. Brazil forfeited their bronze medal in the men’s team sprint track cycling after Brazilian Kacio Fonseca da Silva tested positive for the banned anabolic agent LGD – 4033. In the bowling competition, Puerto Rico lost their gold medal in the men’s doubles after Jean Francisco Perez Faure tested positive for the diuretic Chlorthalidone. Diuretics are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency because they can be abused by athletes for rapid weight loss and to mask the presence of other banned substances. Athletes from the Dominican Republic baseball, Peruvian handball and Colombian basketball teams were also found to have used banned substances at the Lima games. Yet their teams did not forfeit their results because they played in sports where more than two participants must test positive for the whole team to be punished. Panam Sports said the positive doping tests came after the analysis of 1,843 urine samples collected in and out of competition and 252 blood samples. “Of the 15 AAFs (Adverse Analytical Findings), we have concluded the process for seven cases which resulted in the athletes being disqualified from the Games as well as their medals and performances forfeited
and removed,” the statement said. “Hearings for five cases have been scheduled for October 3 and 4, 2019 while the results of three cases are yet to be determined following analyses of B samples as requested by the affected athletes.”
One of the athletes affected has already appealed their disqualification to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Panam Sports did not disclose their name. The Pan American games took place in Lima, Peru between July 26 and Aug. 11.
Hero CPL and ICARE... From page 37 Hero CPL takes its responsibility to reduce the tournament’s environmental impact seriously and there is a big push at these games to make it effortless to responsibly dispose of recyclable beverage containers. The EMA iCARE team will also be present at the games to give patrons advice on how they can help with Trinidad & Tobago’s recycling efforts once they return to their homes and offices. They will also inform as many people as possible about the benefits and positive impact of recycling. Pete Russell, COO of the Hero CPL, said: “We want to make sure that we are doing all we can as a tournament to ensure that the waste generated at our games is recycled and we
warmly welcome the EMA’s iCARE project to these matches at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The efforts that the EMA are putting into both education on recycling, and to make it as easy as possible for people to do so, are so important.” Hayden Romano, EMA’s Managing Director endorses the partnership with CPL. He adds that: “The EMA focuses on fostering responsible environmental behaviours through impetus and infrastructure. The Authority continues to encourage all citizens and organisations to implement sustainable consumption and production practices at their offices and homes. Join us as we do our part to confront the impacts of climate change.”
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Friday September 27, 2019
Kaieteur News
Concacaf enjoys spotlight at FIFA Football Conference Milan, Italy – Women’s football in the Concacaf region was front and center at the recent FIFA Football Conference held in Milan, Italy. The inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup Conference included more than 150 member associations in which the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France was thoroughly analyzed by women’s football experts. Among the speakers was FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who hailed the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup as the most impactful World Cup ever, in terms of men’s and women’s World Cups. Attendees were treated to presentations and discussions that highlighted the growth and development
of the women’s game from both a technical and a tactical aspect. Two coaches from the Concacaf region also took center stage, with United States Head Coach Jill Ellis speaking to the audience about her experience in guiding the U.S. to a second straight Women’s World Cup title and its fourth world championship overall.Also addressing the crowd was Canada Head Coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller, who offered valuable insight into the experience and learnings gleaned by Canada during the tournament in France. “It was so great to be at the FIFA Football Conference to see the analysis of the FIFA Women’s World Cup last
summer,” said Concacaf Head of Women’s Football Karina LeBlanc, who was in attendance. “I am very excited to see how the game has grown from a technical and tactical standpoint after the best and biggest Women’s World Cup ever.” The conference also served as the release of the F I FA Te c h n i c a l St u d y Group’s 2019 Women’s Wo r l d C u p Te c h n i c a l Report, with the three Concacaf participants, U.S., Canada and Jamaica, all posting impressive statistics. Not only did the U.S. lead the tournament in goal scored (26) and fewest goals conceded (3), they led the way in most shots on target
per match (8.6) and shots per goal (5.1). Canada proved to be the most adept team in possession and passing during the tournament, with their 61% possession and 581 passes ranking first. For a team making their World Cup debut, Jamaica had plenty to feel proud about by ranking tied for first for inside defensive line breaks against, beating the tournament average by two. With Concacaf representatives leading the way, the conference delivered significant insights on the exponential growth of the women’s game throughout the world and the journey ahead to continue providing opportunities to develop women’s football.
United States Head Coach Jill Ellis © Getty Images
Lyles ready for world stage but not Bolt’s role Doha (Reuters) - The first world athletics championships in 16 years without Usain Bolt in the starting blocks get underway today with the sport searching for someone to step into the starring role left vacant by the charismatic Jamaican sprinter. Noah Lyles, the funloving American speedster, has been hyped as an obvious candidate but he told Reuters yesterday he’s not particularly interested in the job — although he could do it. For the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) struggling to remain relevant in an increasingly competitive sporting landscape, the Sept. 27-Oct. 6 championships will also serve as an audition for that role. Lyles, who is the heavy favorite to take gold in the 200 meters, ticks a lot of those star quality boxes. More than a sprinting m a c h i n e , Ly l e s , a n aspiring rap artist, runs to his own beat.
The social media savvy 22-year-old has also strolled down the runway at a Paris fashion show, offered up designs for Boston Marathon T-shirts and painted his own special touch on a pair of s h o e s f o r h i s m o t h e r ’s birthday. When Lyles glides into the room for an interview he comes armed with an engaging smile and plenty of bravado that stops short of cockiness. None of these things will help Lyles win the 200m on Tuesday but they attract interest, particularly from the casual fan. “I’m pretty cool, pretty chill,” Lyles said. “I’m excited to be finally at the end of a journey it’s time to lay some things down, win some medals.” Bolt won his first world championship medals, two silver, in 2007 in Osaka and his last a bronze in 2017 in London. In-between there were 11 golds mined from Berlin, Daegu, Moscow and Beijing, along with eight golds from three Olympics. For more than a decade the Jamaican was
the face of track and field, the crossover star every sport needs to hold the interest of fickle consumers. “I don’t see myself as the next Usain Bolt,” Lyles said. “I don’t see myself filling a vacuum I’m just out here doing me. “You like it, cool, I’m all with it. Thanks for the support. “Don’t like it, I’m pretty sure there is a sprinter out there someone is going to gravitate to. “I think I have the personality. “I do enjoy it, I’m not afraid to have fun and be a showman on the track.” Silver Streak - A born entertainer, Lyles will paint his hair silver for his races. Having run the fastest 200m this season (19.50) and the fourth fastest of all time, Lyles is expected to top the podium in Doha but it will take more than silver hair and a gold medal to make people forget about Bolt. Before Bolt’s playful winning poses were mimicked around world, the Jamaican exploded into the spotlight smashing both the 100m and 200m world records which he still owns. Lyles will compete
Noah Lyles
in his first worlds looking to do something similar by taking down Bolt’s 200m mark of 19.19 seconds. “I still think 18 seconds is possible and if I obtain that I don’t plan to stop there,” said Lyles. “I’m going to push the boundaries as far as I can so
who is ever next after me has a long way to go. “If it happens, it happens. I’ll be excited. If it doesn’t, I am going to enjoy the journey.” While Lyles has many diverse interests, he has had to focus intensely on the task at hand. That has meant two
long grueling months in Europe away from home. “The last two weeks it just got really hard I was homesick,” he said. “I was by myself, just going to bed, eating, training, recovery, repeat. “They were long days.
UEFA tells teams not to play where women can’t watch Ljubljana (Reuters) European football’s governing body (UEFA) said on Tuesday it would tell member clubs and national teams not to play games in countries where women do not have full access to stadiums. UEFA’s ruling executive committee agreed that it would “recommend to its 55 national associations and all European clubs not to play matches in countries where women have restricted access
to stadiums”. UEFA did not specify which countries the action would affect. Iran, however, has been the focus of attention since a female fan died earlier this month, after setting herself on fire to protest against her arrest for attending a match. Soccer’s world governing body FIFA says it has been given assurances by Iranian authorities that their World Cup qualifier against Cambodia in Tehran on Oct.
10 will be open to women. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said his body did not have the power to punish European teams who might play in countries that do not allow unrestricted access to women, but stressed that there was wide support in his organization for the approach and for not playing teams from those countries. “We cannot punish anyone if they play (in these countries) because it is out of
our jurisdiction but that doesn’t mean we should be quiet and say we can’t do anything and we (just) develop European football,” said the Slovene. “Our advice to 55 associations and all the clubs... will be not to play there or with the teams from those countries where the basic rights of women are not respected. “The representatives of the clubs and the leagues agreed with us”.
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Grassroots cricket given major boost as GCB/CWI unveils new programme - Tourney to commence October 15 By Zaheer Mohamed Cricket at the grassroots level has been given a major boost as the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) in collaboration with Cricket West Indies (CWI) launched its 2019 Kiddy Cricket competition yesterday at the GCB office, Regent Road, Bourda. The tournament is set to commence on October 15 and will be played on a knock-out basis in the GTU Districts. This will be followed by a playoff and county festival. The launching ceremony which was attended by officials of the GCB, Ministry of Education, National Sports Commission and the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA), also involved Kiddy Cricket donations to selective schools as well as the Ministry of Education’s endorsement of the CWI Academic manual to be used as supplements for the primary school curriculum textbooks. The manual which was developed due to partnerships between CWI, UNICEF and CXC will also provide guidance to students preparing for CXC exams. Speaking at the ceremony, Treasurer of the GCB Anand Kalladeen said the competition seeks to build on the past efforts of the GCB
and is geared at stimulating the interest of the game among primary school students while simultaneously helping them to develop their motor skills. “Due to the competition, participating students from over 215 schools from across the country are likely to learn the basic rules of the game as well as the discipline and ethical considerations that go along with the sport such as sportsmanship and teamwork,” he added. “As you may be aware, the CCPA has been involved in a number of our programmes and we are grateful for their efforts. We are attempting to empower the Ministry of Education with Child Care Protection related materials to equip teachers with the necessary information which can be used to help them safeguard the well being of children.” The GCB/CWI presented 20 kiddy cricket kits to the Allied Arts Department of the Ministry of Education and Kalladeen pointed out that the kits will assist teachers in delivering the practical aspect of CXC cricket syllabus. He applauded the Ministry of Education for having cricket related materials used in the class rooms and expressed
Lorraine Barker-King accepts a copy of the manual from GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie in the presence of representatives from the various stake holders. gratitude to all stakeholders involved. Lorraine Barker-King, Administrator of the Allied Arts Unit Ministry of Education said they are happy to endorse the teaching manual. “I know it’s a good tool, we have seen the integration of the core subjects being done through the medium of cricket so the children can see the progression. This will help the children to improve their academic performances and in the game of cricket.” She added that they are pleased with this
initiative and will continue to work along with the GCB. Child Protection is the protection of children from abuse, harm or neglect, and this area is extremely important in sport more so in kiddy cricket. Orette Francois, Senior Probation and Social Services Officer of CCPA applauded the efforts of the GCB/CWI and their partners toward their continued investment in youths especially in seeking to ensure that cricket is thought to children in a manner that is free from abuse. “This launch comes at a
time when we commemorate the week of child protection, an event that is being observed annually in over 120 countries to heighten common awareness on the understanding of the child protection and to reduce child abuse. The activities are being held here under the theme, ‘Promoting social change to stop the violation of children.’ He noted that the GCB has over the past few years made continuous strides in ensuring that their coaches complete training in child protection before they are certified as coaches.
He called on other sporting fraternities to use similar methods to incorporate child protection in their programmes. Seon Erskine of the NSC lauded the team that put together the manual, adding that it is touching every single aspect of the child’s curriculum in school. Sport plays an important role in the development of children and this type of grassroots programme is very essential for the growth of sport in our country. He added that the NSC is committed to support this initiative.
Duminy and Walsh guide Tridents to victory CPL - A truly sensational display of sustained hitting from manof-the-match JP Duminy and a ridiculously good bowling effort from Hayden Walsh Jr. allowed Barbados Tridents to finally end their eightmatch losing home run in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in fine style with a 63-run defeat of defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders last night. Duminy scored the fastest ever Hero CPL halfcentury before Walsh Jr. took three wickets in four balls on his way to the first five-wicket haul of the season as the Knight Riders came up well short in their pursuit of the Tridents’ 192/5. The Tridents had been given a solid platform by openers Johnson Charles and Jonathan Carter, both men passing 50 in a firstwicket stand worth 110. But they took almost 14 overs getting those runs and, when both openers and then Alex Hales all fell
in quick succession, the Tridents innings appeared to be falling away. Duminy had other ideas, blasting his way to 65 from just 20 balls – his 50 coming up in a Hero CPL record of just 15 – to propel his team to a winning total. Perhaps the most astonishing element of Duminy’s innings is that he had only 3 to his name after the first five balls he faced. From that moment he faced 15 further deliveries. The 15th dismissed him. The second was bunted down the ground for a scampered two. The final balls of the 18th and 19th overs were deliberately knocked away for singles to retain the strike. The other 11 were sent to or over the boundary. There weren’t many mishits in there. Short balls, full balls, slower balls. All got the same treatment. The seven sixes all cleared the boundary with something to spare. Ali Khan’s third over went for 24 – his three-over spell cost him 51 in all;
James Neesham’s only over cost 25. In all, 76 came from the last five overs of the innings as the innings was brought dramatically back to life after the disappointment of the three quick wickets. Carter’s half-century, his first in the Hero CPL, will certainly not live as long in the memory as Duminy’s but having been promoted up the order he did the job asked of him in providing a base from which his team-mates could launch with his 46-ball 51. Charles was more fluent in his 58 from 39, striking the ball crisply and collecting eight fours. But ultimately this was an innings about one man, even if he was only actually batting for around a quarter of it. And he wasn’t finished. The Knight Riders had made a lightning start to their chase of 193 for victory despite losing openers Lendl Simmons and Sunil Narine to Harry Gurney and Jason Holder respectively. Colin Munro had flown to
23 from 12 when a rare miscue sent the ball high into the sky but over the backpedaling Holder at mid-off. While everyone else watched to see whether Holder could get back for a catch, Duminy screeched fully 40 yards around the boundary edge before diving and coming up with the ball to complete a stunning catch. Walsh Jr. then started his own contribution to the Tridents’ success as he bowled Denesh Ramdin for 11 from 14 balls. Pollard, Neesham and Seekkuge all fell in his second over to leave the Knight Riders reeling at 83/7 and out of the contest, while Walsh Jr. had the amazing figures of 2-0-4-4. Darren Bravo took a four and a six off the leg-spinner to slightly dent those figures, but Walsh Jr. was not to be denied for long. He teased Bravo into a miscue outside off stump to secure his fifth wicket and spark wild celebrations around the Kensington Oval. F o r a l l Wa l s h J r ’s brilliance, it was still fitting that the final word should
Jonathan Carter go to Duminy and sure enough he finished off a remarkable night’s work by dismissing Khary Pierre and Ali Khan to wrap up a thumping win that lifts the Tridents above St Lucia Zouks into the final playoff spot. The Knight Riders remain second despite
having now gone three matches without a victory after winning their first four. Play will continue this evening at the Darren Sammy Cricket Grounds in St Lucia from 20:00hrs when the home te4am, St. Lucia Zouks welcome the Jamaica Tallawahs.
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Friday September 27, 2019
Kaieteur News
England thrash United States 45-7 in Rugby World Cup BBCsport - England hit their World Cup straps with a seven-try demolition of the USA to make it two bonuspoint wins from two. Billy Vunipola and Luke CowanDickie scored first-half tries from driving mauls after skipper George Ford went under the posts after six minutes. Four more in the second half - two from Joe Cokanasiga, one apiece from latecomers Ruaridh McConnochie and Lewis Ludlum - were a fitting reward for a much-improved performance in the heat and humidity of Kobe. In a World Cup becoming defined by safe tackling technique, US flanker John Quill was sent off for a horrible shoulder charge on replacement Owen Farrell, the England talisman lucky not to suffer serious injury. But the man Farrell had come on for, Piers Francis, may himself face retrospective action after a questionable challenge in the opening moments of the game. England’s set-piece was dominant, the US forwards unable to cope at the scrum or to find an answer when their opponents set the maul.
Vunipola got through plenty of work and the Eagles had to keep tabs on the powerful No 8 who kept breaking the gainline. Tougher tests lie ahead in the shape of Argentina and France but England will travel to Tokyo this weekend in much improved mood. Eddie Jones had promised a fast start and his team delivered, Ford slicing through a stretched defence on the angle - after Vunipola’s initial run and Francis’s foray down the left - to touch down under
the posts. Four penalties conceded in the first 15 minutes slowed the charge, World Cup debutant Willie Heinz overexuberant and indisciplined at a scrum and ruck and then spilling the ball forward with England three metres out. But with Ford pulling the strings England kicked a penalty to the corner, Cowan-
interval as Ford’s cute chip was gathered by Jonathan Joseph, Cokanasiga not able to gather the centre’s pass with the line beckoning. Their 19-0 half-time lead was a fair reflection of the balance of power, England with 66% of possession and 76% territory. Jones took off Vunipola, Dan Cole and Joe Marler at the break with Mark Wilson, Kyle Sinckler and Ellis Genge coming into the fray. Sinckler and Wilson combined beautifully in midfield before Joseph’s dummy foxed the remaining cover, the centre stepping and spinning to within two metres before Cokanasinga crashed over. On came Farrell, Ben Youngs and Courtney Lawes, Jones trying to manage the workload on his players with the short turnaround between games.
Winger McConnochie blew one opening when he opted to step in rather than pin his ears back for the corner, but the late bolter for England’s World Cup squad made amends moments later as he rolled in after England ran another scrum penalty. Ludlum was another who was nowhere near this team six months ago yet his dynamic performance was capped with a try of his own after Ford’s sidestep down the left. And Cokanasiga grabbed his second and England’s seventh after a storming 70-metre run from Genge, who left white-shirted defenders scattered in his wake like tenpins. Quill was rightly dismissed by Australian referee Nic Berry for his charge on Farrell before a late consolation score from Bryce Campbell with the clock red.
Dickie went to Tom Curry at the back of the line-out and Vunipola rumbled over at the back of the driving maul. The US pack was splintering at the set-piece, and after Ford kicked a scrum penalty into touch, another maul sent Cowan-Dickie in for a replica try down the right. And England nearly had their fourth try just before the
Seven-try Italy overwhelm Canada 48-7 in Fukuoka Fukuoka, Japan (Reuters) - Italy’s forwards bludgeoned Canada into submission and restored some order to the Rugby Wo r l d C u p b y s c o r i n g seven tries in a 48-7 victory in energy sapping humidity at Fukuoka Hakatanomori St a d i u m y e s t e r d a y, catapulting them to the top of Pool B. It was the second successive bonus-point victory for Conor O’Shea’s side after a 47-22 win over Namibia last Sunday and all but assured them of third place in a pool that includes heavyweights New Zealand and South Africa. They have 10 points but still need to face the All Blacks and Springboks and would need an upset of the magnitude of Wednesday’s win for Uruguay over Fiji in Kamaishi to sneak into the quarter-finals. The Italians, who rested several players, were in no mood to allow a second shock within the space of 24 hours and were led by rampaging loose forwards Jake Polledri, Braam Steyn and Sebastian Negri. “We’ve earned a few drinks tonight,” Italy captain
Dean Budd said. “We were blowing out there but we put a massive focus on the first 20 minutes and the effort we put into that first 20 minutes took a bit of the pressure off.” For the first 15 minutes they demonstrated that the gulf between tier-one and tier-two nations was still in existence, with Steyn and Budd exploiting some poor defence to give their side a 17-0 lead by the 13th minute. Facing a rout, the North Americans started to make their tackles and began to get some possession which allowed them to dominate field position. They also had three giltedged opportunities to get back into the game, the most prominent when captain Tyler Ardron burst through and passed to replacement flanker Matt Heaton who dropped the ball with the line open. Winger DTH van der Merwe also got more involved and created space down the left, but when the Canadians wasted a threeon-one chance the momentum swung back to the Italians and they went
into halftime with a 17-0 advantage. Negri extended the lead when he also smashed over from close range before Canada again failed to capitalise on an opportunity when van der Merwe created space through the midfield and managed to put Jeff Hassler clear only for Matteo Minozzi to produce a trysaving tackle on the winger less than five metres from the line. Referee Nigel Owens then awarded a penalty try that secured the bonus point for the Italians before replacement winger Mattia Bellini also crossed with about 20 minutes remaining. Owens created some controversy when he awarded Ardron a try only for the television match official Rowan Kitt to rule it out for a knock-on before the ball landed in the number eight’s hands. The decision was met by a chorus of boos but the crowd, now firmly behind the Canadians, rose to their feet minutes later when the underdogs scored the best try of the match with a superb finish by winger Andrew Coe.
Mattia Bellini scored one of Italy’s tries as they stormed to another bonus-point win.@AFP/Getty Images Italy, however, finished strongly, with replacement hooker Federico Zani shunted over from a driving maul before Bellini put
Minozzi in to close out the scoring. “You have to be pretty h a p p y, ” said O’Shea. “We started the game really well and that’s
where we imposed ourselves ... and in the last 20 minutes drove it home the physical dominance we had.”
Friday September 27, 2019
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Kaieteur News
KKSUC/TMT Global Inc. concludes cricket camp Kwakwani United Sports Club (KKSUC) and TMT Global Inc. concluded their cricket camp in Kwakwani last Friday. The camp which commenced on September 16 was the first of its kind to be held in Kwakwani. Over 40 children between the ages of 6-18 participated in the week long activity which was held at the Sir Frank Worrell ground. The camp focussed on teaching the basic skills in cricket including batting, bowling, fielding and wicket-keeping. In addition to the cricket skills, the students were exposed to motivational speeches on discipline, team work, the importance of education among others. The camp concluded with a game and a presentation ceremony where trophies were presented to outstanding individuals for four categories, most promising batsman, bowler, wicketkeeper and female cricketer. Arren Van Lewin received the trophy for most promising bowler, Jalade Trim, who happens to be a national footballer was awarded most promising female, Koyl Joseph best wicketkeeper and Cordell Hoyte most promising batsman. Sport Consultant of TMT Global Inc. and Coordinator of the camp, Anthony D’Andrade was pleased with the interest and enthusiasm shown by the participants. D’Andrade, one of the two coaches who worked along with the students, is the coordinator of the Kwakwani Sports Programme. Invited guest and coach, West Indies female cricketer, Tremayne Smartt, was
surprised by the level of talent on display for a community that hasn’t had any organised cricket or coaching structure for a number of years. She encouraged the youngsters to continue to work on their game and to remain focus and discipline. President of the club, Kinesha Stewart expressed her desire to continue to host such activities for other sporting disciplines. Chairperson of the Kwakwani Neighbourhood Democratic Council Elsie McPherson, reiterated to the youngsters the importance of discipline in sports and encouraged them to stay in school while aiming to be the best they can be in life. KKSUC and TMT Global Inc. is working together to increase youth participation in sports in the community. The next planned activity is a one week football camp which will be held immediately after the school athletics activities during this term. The cricket camp was preceded by a basketball clinic held in August by Youth Basketball Guyana. KKUSC and TMT Global Inc. would like to thank Banks DIH Ltd. and Double Duece Snackette
The participants and Coaches following the conclusion of the camp. for their contributions towards the camp.
Hero CPL and ICARE partner in recycling initiative The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has partnered with the Environmental Management Authority’s (EMA) iCARE project at the semi-final and final of this year’s tournament at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.
At the games, which take place on 10thand 12th October, there will be recycling bins for patrons to responsibly dispose of their beverage containers (plastic and glass bottles, aluminum cans, drink cartons). The (Continued on page 33)
UCCA U-17 Cricket
Skeldon High hammer Tagore Memorial by 70 runs to book place in final Sheldon High School (SHS) defeated Tagore Memorial Secondary School (TMSS) by 70 runs to advance to the final of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) U17 competition for schools in the Upper Corentyne and Black Bush Polder areas. Batting first SHS were bowled out for 131 with N. Singh leading with 30 and S. Patrick 22 not out. Bowling TMSS, R. Beharry captured three wickets while there was two each for S. Sukhoo, Marlon Lowenfield and N. Thal.
In their turn at the crease, TMSS was sent packing for a paltry 46; leading their demise with the ball were SHS’ Neraj Singh who grabbed 3-5, Sarwan Chaitnarine 3-30 and Mark Matthews 2-10. Batting a second time, SHS declared at 41-3, B. Patrick was unbeaten on 14, Marlon Lowenfield picked up 2 wickets for TMSS which was bowled out once again, this time for 56 needing 127 for victory. R. Beharry top scored with 18 while the destroyer with the ball second time around for SHS was Chaitnarine with
6-16 while Singh backed up with two wickets of his own. The five schools participating are Skeldon Line Path Secondary (SLPS), Skeldon High School (SHS), Tagore Memorial Secondary School (TMSS), Central Corentyne Secondary School (CCSS) and Black Bush Secondary School (BBSS). This competition which is being coordinated by the UCCA Competitions Committee led by former National wicketkeeper/batsman Sydney Jackman has the blessings of the Ministry of Education. (Samuel Whyte)
Coaches Anthony D’Andrade Prize (left) and Tremayne Smartt (right) with the respective prize winners from left, Arren Vanlewin, Jalade Trim, Cordell Hoyte and Kyol Joseph.
Caribbean teams to vie for 2020 Concacaf WOQC Miami, Florida – Beginning next Monday, September 30, 13 teams from around the Caribbean will vie for three spots in the 2020 Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship. The Caribbean Qualifying Stage consists of three groups to be played in round robin format with the winner of each group advancing to the 2020 Concacaf WOQC. Group A will see five teams take to the field at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, including host nation
Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda and Aruba. The Jamaica National Stadium in Kingston will serve as the location for Group B. After qualifying for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Jamaican Women’s National Team will now look to take the next step toward qualifying for a first ever Olympics as they face Cuba, Saint Lucia, Barbados and the U.S. Virgin Islands in Group B. The Stade Sylvio Cator in
Port-au-Prince, Haiti will see three teams aim for top spot in Group C. A little more than a year after reaching the 2018 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, a young group of Haiti players will try to edge closer to their Olympic dream, but first they must do battle with Puerto Rico and Suriname. The games in Group A and Group B will commence on September 30 and conclude October 8, while Group C will begin on October 3 and wrap up on October 7.
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Friday September 27, 2019
Kaieteur News
Bounty Paper Towel & Solo Drink Hockey Dev. League U-20 action wraps up this weekend The curtains will fall on the Solo Drink Under-20 Hockey Development League for males and females following this weekend’s play at the St. Stanislaus College (SSC) Ground where five matches as scheduled to be contested from 15:00hrs between tomorrow and Sunday. Bingo Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Spartans are poised for glory in the girls’ division with a perfect record from their five matches contested. However, they will play the Saints girls in their final match tomorrow at 15:50hrs and only an unlikely defeat by four goals or more would see the Bingo Spartans not lifting the championship trophy. In the Under-20 boys’ division, GCC Pit Bulls are way ahead with 19 points accumulated from their seven games. YMCA Old Fort Hockey Club (OFHC) are second place with 13 points and if they can manage to defeat Saints Hockey Club
(SHC) Samurai tomorrow and the Pitbulls on Sunday, OFHC will win the league. The weekend’s play will not be void of action in the Quicker Picker Upper seconddivision league since seven matches are scheduled to be thrashed out. The feature matchup in the men’s second division tomorrow will see Saints Savages looking to regain their top form after being downed by the Shockwave last week and they will have stiff opposition in perennial favourites Bounty GCC. In the Women’s second division play, the highlight will be when Saints crosses sticks with Bingo GCC Spartans that thumped favourites GBTI GCC 5-3 on Sunday last. The inform Saints women are currently top of the points ranking but the Spartans, coming off a successful stint in the twin island republic of Trinidad & Tobago after winning the Paragon Under-16 and 21 tournaments two weeks ago,
The Solo drink women’s under-20 league will conclude this weekend with five matches scheduled to be contested between tomorrow and Sunday. will be looking to create an upset when the game gets underway on Sunday at 15:50hrs. Following the conclusion of these outdoor development leagues will be the GTT and Diamond Mineral Water indoor leagues scheduled for the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Homestretch Avenue.
Limacol Football Tourney
McArthur record second hat-trick; Timehri and Black Pearl clash tonight for final KO spot
GASA President visits ‘Sports Minister Dr. Norton Yesterday at his Office on Main Street Georgetown, Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. George Norton met with the recently elected President of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA), Brian Goodrich who replaced Ivan Persaud following fresh elections less than a year into his third term, earlier this month. Minister Norton congratulated Goodrich on his election and promised to work closely with the new body for the development of swimming which he feels is a vibrant sports discipline. Dr. Norton told Goodrich that during his trip to the North Pakarimas, he saw young boys and girls engaged in open water swimming in the River and asked him to follow-up on this and look at the possibility of having swimming Coaches sent to those communities. Goodrich shared GASA’s plans for the development of water sports, such as Water Polo, which is an Olympic Sport. Minister Norton said he also saw persons in Bartica swimming across the mighty Essequibo River to Rivers View where he was the Toshao for the village. “It’s about the third time
Ryan ‘Bum Bum’ Hackett – Fruta Conquerors FC GASA President Brian Goodridge greets Sports Minister George Norton yesterday. they have done that,” Minister Norton noted while Goodrich assured that efforts will be made to look at support for that event. Both Minister Norton and the GASA top man agreed to examine the possibility of subsidizing the cost for young athletes to utilize a privately-owned pool in Linden, Region 10. “I hope that myself, along with you and your new Executive can work together to really expand and develop swimming,” Dr. Norton said. This year talented 16-year-0ld Region 9 swimmer Coleen Stephens became the first individual from Lethem to be awarded a Sports Scholarship to the City.
The historic Scholarship was made possible through the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs after recommendations from Dr. Norton who told Goodrich that Coleen has represented Guyana in Suriname adding that more scholarships for young swimmers from Hinterland is needed. Dr. Norton is APNU’s Director of Hinterland Affairs. The Minister was accompanied by Guyana’s lone Olympic medalist, Boxer, Michael Parris who a Bronze medal at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. Both parties described yesterday’s meeting as ‘Fruitful’. (Sean Devers)
Fruta Conquerors’ Nicholas McArthur netted his second hat-trick in three matches when play in the ongoing Fourth annual Limacol Football Tourney continued on Wednesday night to lead his team to an emphatic 8-1 hammering of Buxton Stars FC. It was Fruta Conquerors’ final Group ‘B’ round-robin match contested at the tournament venue, Ministry of Education (MOE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue. Playing good supporting roles in the goal feast were Ryan ‘Bum Bum’ Hackett who opened the scoring in the 29th minute before completing his brace in the 49th. Wayne Barker also bagged a brace for the Tucville based club while Dihara Thomas got his name on the score sheet with a
Nicholas McArthur - Fruta Conquerors FC solitary strike in the 84th. Jamali Major scored Buxton’s lone goal in the 63rd minute. The win for Conquerors allowed them to top the group with a perfect record after already qualifying; Buxton Stars finished second in the group with four points. In the feature match of the night, GT Panthers needled Pouderoyen FC to secure the second quarterfinal qualifying spot courtesy of Vincent Thomas’ 13th minute goal; Riddim Squad was first to qualify in this group. The action continues tonight with another double header, in the first match Timehri Panthers will play
Black Pearl with the winner guaranteed a place in the quarter finals but a draw will be good enough for the Panthers to go through. Feature play will see Riddim Squad, already qualifying for the knockout round playing Beacons FC, virtually playing for pride. The top two sides from the four groups of four teams each will advance after the completion of the round-robin phase which will conclude tonight. The winners of this edition will pocket $400,000, second $200,000, third $100,000 and the losers of the third place playoff will walk away with $50,000.
Kaieteur News
Friday September 27, 2019
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BCB honour Grimmond and Gajnabi on West Indies debuts as 80th Anniversary celebrations continue Sheneta Grimmond receives her WI cap from Gus Logie.
S
ince 1948, when John Trim of the Port Mourant Cricket Club (PMTC) became the first Berbician to play Test Cricket, Berbice has produced numerous players who have represented the Caribbean at the Under-15, 19, A, B, ODI, T20, Test and Female levels. The rich tradition continued during September 2019 when the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports ClubMS, duo of Sheneta Grimmond and Shabika Gajnabi made their International debuts against Australia at the One Day and T20 levels. The Berbice Cricket
Board (BCB) surprised the duo during its 80th Anniversary Celebration by honouring them for being the 6th and 7th Berbician female players to play internationally. Nineteen year-old Gajnabi has been playing for close to a decade after learning the game at a very young age with her brother at the Chesney Ground, located in front of her home. Gajnabi later joined the only female cricket team in Guyana at the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club where she developed her skills under the guidance of senior players Shemaine Campbelle and Erva Giddings.
Shabika Gajnabi
Gajnabi who bowls right hand medium pace and is a solid middle order batsman has captained Berbice and Guyana at the Under-19 levels. Grimmond, who bowls off spin and is a hard hitting batter played for her school -Central Corentyne Secondary- before joining the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club. Like Gajnabi, she learnt by playing with her male counterparts at the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and benefitted from the vast experience of Campbelle and Giddings. BCB President, Hilbert Foster congratulated the duo on making their International debuts and noted that the entire county is very proud of them. Also Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Foster stated that the county’s investment in Females has been a huge success. Candacy Atkins was the first female to play for the West Indies while Shemaine C a m p b e l l e , Tr e m a y n e Smartt, Erva Giddings, Subrina Munroe, Gajnabi and Giddings have followed in her footsteps. Foster urged the players to remain focus, humble and to work harder every day to
further improve their skills. He warned them that sometimes making the team was easier but keeping your place in the team was more challenging as consistent performance is what counts. He committed the BCB to assisting every female player in fulfilling their true potential on and off the field of play. Meanwhile, the Board also handed over cricket gear to two Under-13 Female players, Tricia Hardat and Darshie Subramanie. The debutants received framed certificates, trophies, medals, souvenir anniversary cups and prizes.
‘Beat Dem Bad’ Futsal kicks off tonight at Gymnasium The National Gymnasium, located on Mandela Avenue and Princes Street is the place for tonight’s anticipated keen rivalry among some of the top Futsal teams in and around Georgetown as the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) Georgetown District in partnership with the Georgetown Mayor and City Council kick starts the ‘Beat Dem Bad’ three-day Futsal competition. Sixteen of the best teams in Guyana will go head to head for over $500,000 in cash and other prizes from tonight with ten matches and two playoff games scheduled, play will continue tomorrow with the finals
on Sunday. The teams confirmed to contest the event are Melanie and Beterverwagting from the East Coast of Demerara, Silver Bullets and Swag Entertainment from Linden, Showstoppers from West Demerara, Empire Ballers and Agricola from the East Bank while the Georgetown teams are Tiger Bay, Sparta Boss, Gold is Money, Back Circle, Broad Street, Albouystown, Leopold Street, Sophia All-stars and Alexander Village. The winners of this competition will pocket $200,000, second place $100,000, third $50,000 and fourth $25,000.
Oswald House are St. Ignatius Sec. Sch. 2019 Inter House Athletics Champions
Head Teacher, Ms. Yvette Singh and Miss Lethem Town Queen, Sheliza Yard were part of the action.
O
swald House emerged the new champions of the St. Ignatius Secondary School Annual Inter House Athletics and Swimming Championships defeating three other houses including last year’s champions, London
House in the process. Competing at the Tabatinga Sports Complex Ground, Oswald House tallied 714 points, fourteen points clear of second placed Cossou House. Taking the third place was London House with 696 points while
Oswald House, the new champions of the St. Ignatius Secondary School Inter House Athletics Championships. bringing up the rear was Kearny House on 633 points. St. Ignatius has a student population of about one thousand. Events commenced on Sunday last with a 10K Swim while athletics took center stage from Monday to
Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Inter Schools competition would be held at the same venue from October 8-10 while Inter Branch rivalry will take place in the Sandcreek Village, South Central Rupununi, October 16-18.
Grassroots cricket given major boost as GCB/CWI unveils new programme - Tourney to commence October 15
rt o p S
Officials of the GCB, MOE, CCPA, NSC and students display the manual at the launching ceremony.
Duminy and Walsh guide Tridents to victory
Hayden Walsh Jr. helped engineer Trinbago Knight Riders demise with the first 5-wicket haul this CPL.
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