Kaieteur News

K

Guyanese-born pilot Saturday Edition NEWS jailed 13 years for coke trafficking, money laundering AIETEUR

September 28, 2019 - Vol. 13 No. 38

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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

Price $80

Online readership yesterday 118,449

Claims and Objections…

35 days stands …Opposition Commissioners allege rogue elements attempted to extend period

Afternoon fire destroys elderly woman's home

CANU sacks officer caught in shakedown video Race on to save crew caught in Atlantic hurricane Politics has not hindered work of Energy Dept.

- Dr. Bynoe

Rape convict moves to CCJ US, UK, EU welcome Caretaker Cabinet appoints several March 2nd elections boards of directors date - offer help - in “arrogant defiance of Constitution” - Former Attorney General

After being blocked, Scotiabank abandons plan to sell local operations

Kaieteur News

PAGE 02

Saturday September 28, 2019

After being blocked, Scotiabank abandons plan to sell local operations C

anadian-owned ScotiaBank has abandoned plans to sell its local operations to Republic Bank from Trinidad.

The announcement came days after the Bank of Guyana confirmed that it had rejected an application for the sale which has been pending for months now. “As a result of the decision communicated by the Bank of Guyana, the sale

of Scotiabank's operations in Guyana to Republic Bank will not move forward at this time. We will continue to deliver business as usual and focus on the best long-term solution for our employees and customers,� ScotiaBank said in a short statement.

The government had been fearful of the market share that Republic Bank would have been able to acquire in Guyana had the sale gone through.

ScotiaBank is said to be Canada's third-biggest l e n d e r. I t a g r e e d i n November to sell the business to Republic Financial Holdings Ltd, the Trinidad and Tobago-based parent company of Republic Bank, as part of a plan to exit nine countries in the Caribbean, including Guyana, Antigua and Grenada.

The Bank of Guyana cited concerns about

Scotiabank's Carmichael Street Headquarters concentration and competition in denying Scotiabank permission.

Earlier this week, Governor of Central Bank, Dr. Gobind Ganga, told Kaieteur News that the two banks were notified of the decision via letters.

Scotiabank had, last year, resolved to sell out its assets in several Caribbean countries, including Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with most of those granting approval.

The move, according to Scotiabank, is in-keeping with its strategy of focusing on its core markets with significant scale.

The holders of the Tr i n i d a d i a n R e p u b l i c Financial Holdings Limited had intended to take control of the Canadian banking institution after decades of that banking institution

Central Bank Governor, Gobind Ganga operating in Guyana.

Central Bank, in making its decision, took the matter through a thorough due diligence process. Central Bank executives had, last year, noted the concerns raised by several sections of society and committed to determining the extent to which the move would interfere with fair competition in the banking sector.

Kaieteur News understands that the decision (continued on page 14)

Kaieteur News

Saturday September 28, 2019

PAGE 03

Guyana-born Cash Jet pilot gets 13 years for coke trafficking, money laundering A

Guyana-born, Passaic County, New Jersey-based man was sentenced yesterday to 156 months in prison for trafficking hundreds of kilograms of cocaine into New Jersey and New York and then laundering over US$10.2 million in cash drug proceeds, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Khamraj Lall, 52, of Ringwood, New Jersey, was found guilty previously by a federal jury in Trenton of all eight counts of a superseding indictment, including counts charging him with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, money laundering, structuring monetary instruments, and conspiracy to commit money laundering and structuring.

U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson imposed the sentence yesterday in a Trenton federal court.

According to documents filed in the case and the evidence at trial: From April 2011 through November 2014, Lall, a private pilot, smuggled hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Guyana to New Jersey and New York on his privatelyowned jet aircraft and then laundered the proceeds.

Lall, who owed a private jet charter business called Exec Jet Club based in Gainesville,

One of Khamraj Lall's plane that was seized Jailed: Khamraj Lall Florida, used the proceeds of his cocaine empire to purchase jet planes, houses, and cars. He also paid over $2 million in cash stuffed into suitcases to a Florida contractor to build an airplane hangar in Guyana.

Over a 3-½ year period, Lall also made (or had others make) 1,287 cash deposits totaling approximately $7.5 million into more than 20 different bank accounts in New Jersey and New York, much of it in $20 bills. In order to avoid detection and circumvent bank reporting laws, all 1,287 deposits were for amounts less than $10,000.

In November 2014, Lall was flying one of his jets from

Man charged for sexually assaulting boy, 14

A

resident of Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara, was yesterday remanded to prison after he appeared before Principal Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts to answer to a sexual assault charge which was held in camera.

Wa z e e r P o t t e r, t h e defendant denied the charge which alleged that on August 8, 2018, at Garden of Eden he raped a 14-year-old-boy.

According to reports Potter picked up the young boy while he was playing in the yard and took him some distance away to a house and committed the offence.

After the alleged offence was committed, the victim rushed home to his grandmother crying and explained to her what had happened.

Remanded: Wazeer Potter The matter was later reported and Potter went into hiding. He was recently caught by the police and put before the court.

Principal Magistrate Marcus remanded the defendant to prison and adjourned the matter to October, 2, 2019.

the U.S. to Guyana and stopped in Puerto Rico to refuel. An outbound search of the plane uncovered $470,000 in cash stuffed into a suitcase hidden in the tail of the plane, and another $150,000 in cash hidden under a seat.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Thompson sentenced Lall to five years of supervised release. The Court previously ordered Lall to forfeit his interest in two jet airplanes, two airplane hangars, multiple properties, a Lexus SUV, among other property traceable to his crimes. The Court also entered a money judgment against Lall for $9.3 million.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents and task force officers of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the

direction of Special Agent in Charge John R. Tafur; the Morristown, New Jersey, police department, under the direction of Chief Peter Demnitz; special agents and staff of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael; the Drug E n f o r c e m e n t Administration-Rochester, N e w Yo r k , u n d e r t h e direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt; the F e d e r a l Av i a t i o n Administration, Law Enforcement Assistance Program; and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations Center under the direction of

Richard T. Booth, with the investigation leading to today's sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan M. Peck and Thomas S. Kearney of the Criminal Division in Newark.

According to 2014 reports on inewsguyana.com, Lall was arrested after customs officials allegedly found $620,000 inside plastic bags, a blanket and garbage bags aboard a private plane that landed in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico, on Nov. 22.

Federal law requires the declaration of sums of money aboard aircraft exceeding $10,000. Lall allegedly first told federal officials he had $5,000.

According to the Exec Jet

Club website, Lall is a Guyanese businessman and pilot who came to the U.S. 30 years ago. In addition to its operations at Gainesville and Ocala, Exec Jet Club also operated out of Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Timehri, Guyana.

The hangar at Timehri was seized by Government because of non-payment of the lease.

Lall is said to have the Kaylees Gas Station near the Soesdyke/Junction highway.

Lall has lost his flying and other licences. At the height of his operations, Lall's planes even flew Government officials, including former President Donald Ramotar.

His sentencing would bring to an end a five-year saga since his arrest at the Puerto Rico airport.

PAGE 4

Kaieteur News

Saturday September 28, 2019

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

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

EDITORIAL

The Hong Kong protests “What’s at stake in the Hong Kong protests?”That was the question posed by the New York Times editorial of September 3. According to the Times, the goal of the Hong Kong protesters is not some abstract ideal of democracy, but the memory of a way of life they have no intention of letting Beijing take away; a way of life immersed in the many democratic, Western-style freedoms long lived.

Unlike Hong Kong, the so-called freedoms agitated for here are of a different timber. In Guyana, the memories are of the extraordinary freedoms experienced and exploited; the freedoms of self-enrichment to the poor man’s pains in the present; to inflict future burdens on taxpayers that must be paid.

The political freedoms lived under a system of selective regulation, or none, depending upon who is impacted.

The scandalous personal freedoms involved in private, out-of-court settlements to resolve glaring felonies to the severe disadvantages of the weak and handicapped; the bureaucratic freedoms to prey upon the feeble and helpless and to plunder the Treasury with one costly financial escapade following the other; the parade of events and participants, who observed no limits before. They obstinately object to any now.

In Hong Kong, the streets are taken, things boil over.

The specter of communistic authoritarian rule is too much to stomach, the mere contemplation of its unsparing reach and potential for personal piercing brings shuddering.

It is enough to invest the time now, the energies today, if only to stave off the rush of controlling tides later.

Ominous and sinister, they promise to be. Thus, the big banner of democracy is unfurled and waved. The history of mainland China is one to be feared.

The fears are different here. In Guyana, the simple calculation of the levying of fair taxes, of observing the law, of struggling for a clean police force, of adhering to environmental rules, and of something as mundane as parking, all bring great anxieties. Those are only some of the priorities that trigger deep passions and dogged resistance in this country. Of course, all are conveniently and skillfully submerged under our own flags about constitution and elections and coalitions and local leadership vacillations. Each group and its well-connected people have a storied (or notorious) record of doing very well in the familiar Guyanese way of life that has served self only.

That is what is being fought over so fiercely. Having had a long and strong taste of what it is like to live in an unfettered free-for-all, Guyanese from across the divide want more of the same.

Revisiting the Orient, it is emphasized that “the protesters in Hong Kong are not the small band of proWestern troublemakers…They are young people, a great many of them, who ardently don’t want to come further under the repressive rule of the Chinese Communists.”

(New York TimesEditorial Board “Hong Kong’s challenge to Xi Jinping’s iron rule.” August 14).

Some of that rule has been lived here.

At different times, Guyanese had tastes of repressions from controlling state and tyrannical leadership: media curbs followed by media abuse, police misuse succeeded by police oppressions, bureaucratic coercion converted to bureaucratic corruption, economic subversion turned into economic blackmail. The list is frightening; engaged, insightful, and honest citizens should resist any returning to those days. Memories must not be convenient; the partisan only maintains the guises of focus on good governance, when there is interest in anything but what has harmed the greater welfare.

The problem is that mandatory national values and standards are nonexistent. Clashing groups march to their own priorities and follow flags that devastate the state.

When examined closely, matters have always revolved around the intensely personal, as opposed to the heavily national. The latter inhibits the lawlessness that takes root; the national requires self-sacrifice. Very few, especially among those clamoring about transparency and accountability, have any interest in contributing their share.

It is not helpful to one’s own prosperity.

Overcoming Guyana’s many challenges requires collective will that surpasses short-term political goals DEAR EDITOR, Politics in Guyana has gone through a series of rapid changes over the last one hundred years, from a former expansionist government of the then British colonial empire, to a self-sustaining, independent and democratic government.

Generally conceived to be better than being held in captivity by chains, freedom was fought for relentlessly against the injustices faced by our ancestors.

Establishing a “people’s government” was hailed as the solution to the turmoil and hardships experienced under imperial captivity. And so, democracy under constitutional rule was adopted and practiced.

However, I’m afraid that Guyana’s democracy is at a point where it resembles anything but a people’s government. Of course, people determine their representatives and what sort of government they want through the electoral process.

But the Guyanese context is a unique one, whereby people typically elect according to their kind, i.e., ethnic or racial identity. So, a specific group of people of a specific economic class and identity are in a constant state of political rivalry because of this phenomenon, though clearly democratically consented but not wholly representative.

There is evidently an

oligarchical establishment that grounds itself firmly on Guyana’s ethnic tension between Indian-Guyanese and African-Guyanese. The political class, by which I mean notable politicians, are very much aware of this. It works to their favour given their respective party’s history bearing significance on an ethnic group. When it comes to the political behemoths though, for all the eloquently articulated verbal and written prose about ensuring equality and harmony for “all Guyanese”, we see the contrary in their methods and actions.

Their methods attempt to mask the ingrained social antagonism that exists. This antagonism tends to give way to undemocratic rule, no matter which of the two major parties is in executive power.

It can even justify it. To illustrate, the expression “we must ensure they do not get back power” is one of many examples of people organizing themselves to support authoritarian rule. So, how do we restore faith in democracy while ensuring positive ethnic relations?

Several things should happen.

Firstly, a cultural shift needs to occur in politics. By this, I mean our understanding of how politics works in Guyana should be challenged and undermined where necessary.

The state of a polity should

not define what it ought to be.

There are reasons for why Guyanese politics is the way it is.

To remark, for instance, “I don’t understand why Guyanese vote for party rather than issues”, is to demonstrate unfamiliarity with Guyanese political history. The people vote for race because racial politics is embedded in that history. But it wasn’t always like this.

Consider that just before independence renowned Guyanese leaders, the late Cheddi Jagan and the late Forbes Burnham, were once fighting in brotherhood for a nationalism premised on racial unity and equality for all—in its true sense—against the then common enemy, the British empire.

However, these intellectual pioneers of Guyanese nationalism broke mutual relations based on issues of trust. Their biological characteristics, such as their skin colour and hair texture, became the basis of a different kind of politics, one that would eventually become racialized.

Consequently, the political system became a way to amplify the ethnic tensions we saw developing then. Today, we are witnessing its effects hindering new attempts of ensuring national unity.

Secondly, there needs to be a sound political educational mandate. This must be established at the

national level to ensure accessibility. Such an enormous task is not limited to Government to execute, but organizations and individuals can assist with disseminating material that can aid with informing the populace about their political institutions and civic duties.

For a nation that merely follows a preconceived notion of what politics is meant for, without examination, would find itself stuck in a quasi-political project that lacks—to borrow from Kant—an end-in-itself.

Lastly, a change of regime caused by a radical cultural shift can bring about a democracy that’s issuecentred. However, some people think that they must become participants in the existing political system to bring this shift into existence.

I disagree. The role of partisan politics is to debate over policies and proposals which affect the general welfare of the people, and the ethics embedded in these to determine which is the best way to achieve certain virtues, whether educational or economic in nature.

But partisan politics will not nourish a nation’s soul, or the psyche. To develop a nation requires so much more than material resources, holding office, and growing GDP values; it also requires people evaluating their ethics. As Plato said, ethics, (Continued on page 6)

“Dis is a case of the pot calling de kettle black” DEAR EDITOR, For the last week I have been thinking...Is what these Ambassadors from the socalled first world really telling us Guyanese? I read their news release on September 18 and as a proud Guyanese I was not only offended but angry too. Here is what I was thinking.

To the Americans: Are you really in a position to lecture us? You who, in the early 1960’s to now, have “propped up” unscrupulous governments all across the world to protect your national interest? The Shah of Iran with his Golden toilet bowl and Noriega in Panama come to mind. Your unnecessary drug wars where your people were the beneficiaries. Really?

This is the same country that acknowledged outside interference in their last election process and is still debating possible Russian manipulation of that election with all the vast resources

they have to prevent this.

And the US wants us to name a date with no consideration as to whether our poor understaffed and underdeveloped GECOM can deliver credible elections and in what time frame. Name the date and then what?

Now we understand why our President kept saying I’m waiting on GECOM to say they are ready.

Where else in this world is there a President who has said he could shoot people on the streets of his country and do all manner of things to women and get away with it.

In our culture you couldn’t even say it, much less be elected and get away saying it. Now the speaker of their house Nancy Pelosi is starting impeachment procedures against the same President. What a role model.

This is the same country who issues travel advisories to its nationals not to visit our so called “violent

countries” when there is nowhere else in the world where you have a bigger chance of being shot and killed in a church, cinema, Walmart, shopping mall or gas station or worse yet a school.

Just stating the facts. Really?

And now to the democracy of all democracies. The mother of the slave trade under which millions of our ancestors were violently taken against their will and executed in something they called the “middle passage”, with no apology or reparations, all in the name of money for the mother country.

Today we understand our scarred history and racial politics had its genesis from way back then. But today the Brexit debacle, to leave or not to, deal or no deal, highlights the challenge in getting consensus amongst political parties in a parliamentary system. Nothing better has emphasized this than the two-

year-long battle in the British parliament and its two Prime Ministers.

Have we Guyanese ever lectured the Brits on the misfortune this situation highlighted to the world.

Never. And finally, the event that prompted me to put this all down on paper- your court’s declaration that your PM misinformed your Queen and the proroguing of your Parliament was totally illegal!

Really, are they in a position to lecture us?

And finally I hope the lady at the Commonwealth will send a letter to the Brits scolding them for illegally proroguing their esteemed Parliament and don’t forget to do a similar press release and send to the world!

Right now we may be poor, full of political challenges, but you all are no better. In Guyanese language “dis is a case of the pot calling de kettle black”.

Peter Joseph

Saturday September 28, 2019

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

Changing entrenched habits requires a host of qualities pertaining to character DEAR EDITOR, As thousands gather for the Climate Summit at the United Nations, we are confronted with the basic question of what is needed to make lasting progress on climate change. Views on this may vary, but one thing seems clear: coherence between principles and action is necessary to advance

climate justice and environmental protection.

Rhetoric articulating appreciation for the environment, concern for future generations, and wellbeing for all, rings hollow when unmatched by ethical behaviour and policy.

Achieving such coherence requires more than science and logic—it requires

courage and sacrifice.

If steps in this directions are not taken, it is too easy to fall back into the well-trodden paths that have brought us to this point. Compromises allow an unjust and unsustainable system to endure, expediency becomes valued over the needs of the most vulnerable, and the inertia of the status quo drives

Less controversy can be achieved DEAR EDITOR, There has been much concern about the conditions associated with the March 2nd date for elections.

Why worry? The voters have already made up their minds and if they were to change their perspectives, regardless of recent events, then that portion of the electorate has been convinced by other factors.

The campaign messages remain clear on both sides.

There is added weight on one side of the argument due to the international commentary and positions taken. Those who agree will vote accordingly and those who

don’t will continue to vote in the opposite direction.

The 50th anniversary celebration and the upcoming projects will most likely be the rallying cry for moving on.

Going against the celebration will probably do more harm than good, and it’s an opportunity that either side can capitalize on if handled correctly, especially if both sides use this as an opportunity to showcase their previous successes and plans for the future.

As it pertains to the extension requested, I am not convinced that an extension will automatically make all actions legal during the period

beyond the three months before the issuing of an extension by the National Assembly. The extension can be very specific and have an exception written into it that does not allow for the automatic authorization of non-authorized items pursued during the period beyond the 3 months before the granting of the extension.

This issue the current and past AG will need to review, hopefully jointly, and may not require the use of the courts and result in any further delays. This may help clarify on how to move forward.

Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee

“Dag wha ah suck egg, will always suck egg” DEAR EDITOR, As a Guyanese Citizen, please permit me to share my opinion, on the refusal of the PNCR & AFC Coalition Government, to hold a free and fair General Election as per our Constitution.

I grew up in Leguan w i t h m y f a t h e r, w h o regularly spoke in parables, when he needed to make a strategic point of view. He did not have the opportunity for a university education, yet he was no fool. If he was alive today, he would tell me, “Son, dag wha ah suck egg, will always suck egg” After the century of Mr. Burnham, Dr. Jagan and Mr. Rodney, Guyana currently is cursed with an unconstitutional Government = Dictatorship.

Guyana has less than

500,000 citizens who are entitled to vote. The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is the most incompetent agency in the entire Universe, not only this world. Imagine if GECOM was responsible for election in India, with 1.2 billion citizens!

How many light-years will it take GECOM to be in a position to hold free and fair democratic election?”

I am confident, a High/ Secondary School Student in Guyana, Canada, USA, England, India or South Africa, if asked to merge the two Registration databases GECOM has, they will use the Microsoft Excel V-lookup function to provide a sanitized accurate voters list in a few hours.

Where are our youths?

When will you stand up for you, your children and their children’s future? Our

political elders have squandered and destroyed our dreams and aspirations. For Guyana to have any progress of magnitude, new young leaders must emerge.

The baggage of the past will continue to haunt and dictate current politicians.

President Kennedy famously asked Americans, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country?” The Great Mahatma famously said, “the only difference between a human and an animal, is that a human strives for a better life for himself/herself and their family day after day; while a cow continues to eat the same grass and sleep under the same tree from birth to death”.

It is my humble opinion, that all our Governments since (Continued on page 6)

humanity to the limits of the earth’s resources. Given the degree of transformation required, we must not wait for more tragedy before taking the courageous steps necessary.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change noted that setting humanity on a sustainable path would require “rapid, far-reaching, and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society.” This includes transformations to technological, industrial, agricultural, and scientific systems, which in turn require unprecedented change in values, assumptions, standards, and patterns of thought and behaviour.

The current economic order has promoted unsustainable patterns of consumption in pursuit of financial return. Its messaging has equated the status and value of the human being with the accumulation of wealth and luxury. And its logic of unlimited individual gain has enriched a privileged few, while degrading the natural world and impoverishing masses of humanity.

To varying degrees, far from advancing our highest

values, the system before us rewards dishonesty, encourages corruption, and treats truth as a negotiable commodity.

A global order based on different understandings of human nature can be created.

The proposition that human beings thrive when we cooperate, find fulfillment through harmonious and friendly relationships, and have transcendental longings that no stockpile of possessions can satisfy— these can be the foundations for serious and effective social systems. But efforts toward that end must draw on the very qualities they seek to promote. Noble aims must be sought through noble means.

Changing entrenched habits requires a host of qualities pertaining to character, especially from those who are benefiting most from the current system.

Among them are the capacity to sacrifice one’s own privilege and comfort for the well-being of others, the humility to admit errors, the courage to make difficult yet important decisions, the discipline to overcome familiar

yet destructive patterns of behaviour, and the daily commitment to value every human life as sacred.

The climate crisis—one of the most pronounced symptoms of our ailing global order—requires genuine transformative change. Its various physical manifestations are an expression of the inaccuracy and insufficiency of our views of ourselves and the world.

We must find unity, solidarity, and even opportunity in the common struggle increasingly faced in every corner of the world. We must draw on the insights of science and the universal values of the world’s great religions to inform our next steps, and to guide our current trajectory. For religion without science becomes pure superstition, and science without religion becomes the instrument of materialism.

Transformation will result from the insights gleaned when both systems of knowledge are judiciously applied to the crises humanity faces—climate foremost among them.

Yours, Rooplall Dudhnath

The National Assembly died on 18 September 2019; It cannot be resurrected DEAR EDITOR, The life of the National Assembly ended on 18 September 2019 as a result of the non-extension of its life by a two-thirds vote as required by the Constitution.

Given the passage of the no-confidence vote on 21 December 2018, notwithstanding the frivolous appeal challenges in Court on its validity, the noconfidence vote was affirmed by the Chief Justice in the High Court earlier, and by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on 18 June 2019 when the 90 days clock started to tick again for the life of the Government until 18 September 2019.

These 90 days between 18 June and 18 September 2019 provided more than adequate time for President Granger and the Leader of the Opposition to confer in good faith consultation and negotiate a

mutually agreed solution to avoid this constitutional crisis in the national interest.

There was no constitutional extension by 18 September 2019. As a consequence, the National Assembly, the Cabinet, Offices of the Speaker and Leader of the Opposition are constitutionally dead and cannot be resurrected. The survivor is the caretaker President, who then must proclaim a date for election, and dissolve the National Assembly; but since the National Assembly is dead, there is no need for any dissolution.

The constitutionally dead National Assembly cannot be called and convened into session on 10 October 2019 The 90 days also between 18 June and 18 September 2019 was a reasonable constitutional time limit for GECOM to conduct the

elections; in fact the notice for elections was given since 21 December 2018 when the noconfidence motion was passed by the National Assembly.

We now have to endure the shame of this constitutional crisis until free and fair elections are held and a new government is elected; and this should be before 21 December 2019.

Yours Faithfully, Joshua Singh

PAGE 6

Kaieteur News

Saturday September 28, 2019

Those who now condemn the Western Diplomats do so to protect their own self-interest DEAR EDITOR, Democracy cannot flourish in a lawless climate.

No democratic nation today can act in a manner that irresponsibly flouts the rule of law, international norms and conventions without the risk of attracting international condemnation.

Constitutional rule of law, democracy, peace, stability and human rights are all universal values which are considered outside the usual interpretation of interference in the internal affairs of a host country.

When there is an imminent threat, the International community is expected to hold governments who act with impunity, accountable for the preservation of those universal values mentioned above.

In 1999, five years after 800,000 people were brutally murdered in what is known as the Rwandan genocide, the

African Union adopted the Charter of Non-Indifference to deal with rogue governments, when those cardinal principles are violated. And so, although the world is a lot safer, there are still those who feel they are above the law and act as though they are untouchables.

I welcome the joint communiqué by the American Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, the UK High Commissioner, Greg Quinn and the European Union Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Cantó, that called upon the now illegal President to “set an elections date immediately in full compliance with Guyana’s constitution.”

I am also pleased with the statement issued by the Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland, urging “the President of Guyana and all relevant stakeholders and institutions

to restore constitutional rule in Guyana by immediately setting an early election date in consonance with its constitution, enabling elections to be held without further delay.”

Strong statements of condemnation also came from the Private Sector Commission; the Bar Association; the religious community; the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI); the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham); the Central Islamic Organisation and others, including editorials in two daily newspapers.

I wish to thank them all for their courage and the principled position they took.

When a country signs on to United Nations conventions that guarantee peace, stability and human rights, they give up the right to complain of interference, when they themselves are guilty of abusing these issues. Now that Granger is

in breach of the constitution, he expects the Diplomatic Corps and civil society to remain silent.

And while most Guyanese became fed-up and out of patience with the arrogance and stubbornness of the illegal President to definitively call a date for elections, the deafening silence of some diplomats, organizations, and most specifically CARICOM leaders, has been very worrying.

But as can be expected, not everyone is ready to abandon the sinking ship.

There are still a few PNC/ APNU+AFC apologists on board who would do or say anything to protect their personal interests, even to the point of shamelessly attacking the Western Diplomats for doing the right thing.

None of these hypocrites have had the courage to condemn David Granger for being duplicitous when in 2014, he called upon the same

Diplomatic Corps to impose sanctions on the Ramotar government after he prorogued Parliament.

Granger knew then the correct interpretation of Articles 106(6) and 106(7) of our Constitution and the consequences that flow from the successful passage of a confidence vote. But now the shoe is on the other foot, he conveniently gets amnesia and misrepresents its clear, unambiguous meaning.

Those who now shamelessly protect the Usurper-in-Chief do so to protect their own self-interest.

As major beneficiaries of this illegal government, they will continue to ignore Granger’s defiance and will vilify anyone who condemns him for violating the constitution.

I refer to the PNC/APNU propagandists, who should all have their visas and permanent residence status revoked immediately by the US Embassy.

After the 2015 general and regional elections, it was

rumored that the ABCE countries had so wanted to see the backs of the PPP/C that they had guaranteed the APNU+AFC another five years in government. This message was propagated to party supporters by Congress Place to dispel fears of them losing the general elections in much the same way they had lost heavily to the PPP/C in the Local Government Elections of 2016 and 2018.

Now that the lie has been dispelled by the joint statement from the ABE countries, they are being vilified as conspirators, carrying out the dictates of the Opposition. While it’s true that these Diplomats have their own agenda, high on their list of priority remains the cultivation and protection of democracy and human rights. No civilized democracy will ever abandon those noble goals.

Harry Gill PPP/C Member of Parliament

The Ministry of Finance is not ready for oil DEAR EDITOR, Recently a lot has been done at the Ministry of Finance, no doubt to cater for the expected increase in revenue and expenditure activities as oil production commences in 2020. However, as I will soon point out, it is not enough.

The ministry has upgraded its Integrated Financial Management

Information System (IFMIS) system and attempted to restructure key departments.

Consultants were also hired to chart a way forward.

However, most of the recommendations of these consultants were not implemented.

A notable example of this is where a consultant was paid millions of dollars to design a structure for the Internal

Audit Department in the ministry, but nothing was done after he submitted his recommendations.

Early last year, the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC) submitted recommendations for the Accountant General Department (AGD) in the ministry to be restructured, among other things, and that

“Dag wha ah suck egg, will...

From page 5 Independence have managed Guyana as if they are cows. Do you disagree? If yes, why are more Guyanese living outside of Guyana with tremendous progress in every aspect of human advancement.

They are the same Guyanese, but the

Governments where they reside, while not perfect, work day in and day out to create upward mobility opportunities via law and order/security, democratic elections, fair constitutions, education, health care, business and jobs etc.

Mr. Charles Ramson Jr., your future must be aligned

with Guyanese youths and not the current and past politicians of all stripes. After sharing and respecting each other’s point of view, we can agree to disagree, but do what is best for our country and citizens.

Please, better must come soon!!!!

Respect All, Ronald

Overcoming Guyana’s many....

From page 4 which is intricately connected with justice, is “no trifle, but the foremost thing”.

In addition to an ethical education, the polity needs more than ever an education about why politics should matter—a political education.

We do not have that, except rudimentary approaches that

touch on the superficial ideals of democracy—the ‘Vote Like a Boss’ campaign, for instance, though extremely useful, focuses on the voting process, which is not the same as promoting value-based politics.

To overcome the many challenges in Guyana requires an effort and collective will

that surpasses short-term political goals.

There needs to be a sustained civic education project that focuses on direct empowerment of citizens through innovative ideas to make a meaningful impact.

Yours faithfully, Ferlin F. Pedro

a Cash Management and Treasury Management section be created within the department.

Early this year, advice from another consultant was sought, and he more or less had the same set of recommendations, but as you would have guessed by now, no effort was taken to implement these recommendations. Key vacancies within the AGD are yet to be filled and some Deputy Accountant General and Assistant Accountant General positions have been vacant for years.

Despite the deficiencies in the structure and lack of qualified personnel in the AGD, the ministry still went ahead with plans of transitioning from cheque printing to electronic funds transfer (EFT) to effect payments.

While this was a laudable venture, it was ludicrous to think that it could have ever been accomplished, given the abovementioned deficiencies, and that project was destined to fail from the start - and fail it did.

The IMF had also carried out an assessment of the ministry in 2018, and noted that “Limited capacity at the Finance Ministry will pose significant challenges”.

While the ministry, as was mentioned earlier, did begin to restructure some departments, the haphazard way in which it was done leaves much to be desired and the only tangible benefit was a pay increase for staff in these departments.

While this would partially address the high turnover of skilled staff, the attempted restructuring failed to address the fundamental issues faced by staff across the ministry.

Issues such as a lack of succession planning and knowledge transfer plans, outdated Job Descriptions and a clear lack of guidelines and workflows remain.

This was evident when problems arose last year after the IFMIS was upgraded and staffers from the different departments were unsure of their role in the new system.

Last year a lot of payrolls were late, mainly because there was confusion surrounding the budget execution process between the AGD and the Office of the Budget as well as staff in the outlying ministries, of who needs to do what, as well as a lack of budget control mechanisms to prevent the unauthorized transfer of funds between line items.

The non-implementation of the Assets and Purchasing Modules was also not addressed in the recent IFMIS upgrade. Kaieteur News had carried articles about these two modules as far back as 2014 and 2015.

Another activity that is critical to measuring accountability and transparency, and that is yet to be undertaken, is the revision of the chart of accounts, and this too was not part of the IFMIS upgrade.

The restructuring also caused a massive disparity in the remuneration between

staff across the ministry, since not all departments were restructured, and most did not receive the salary increases and benefits alluded to earlier.

The help desk officer’s salary in one of the restructured departments is as much as a Chief Accountant’s in the AGD. A Senior Analyst in one of the restructured departments earns more than some heads of departments that were not part of the restructuring.

As a result, there is a growing dissatisfaction in the ministry, and what began as a way of solving the problems of the ministry has further compounded them.

Unless the restructuring continues (taking into account the aforementioned defects) and staff receive benefits retroactive from when their counterparts in the other departments that were r e s t r u c t u r e d began to receive additional benefits and salary increases, this injustice cannot be viewed as thoroughly corrected.

I am highlighting these issues not for them to be used as political ammunition, but rather to sensitise the relevant officials so that they can be addressed.

I do hope that the relevant officials take heed of my concerns and view this letter in the spirit in which it was intended, and to do whatever it takes to position the Ministry to better manage the country’s financial resources.

Concerned Staffer

Saturday September 28, 2019

PAGE 7

Kaieteur News

CANU sacks officer caught in shakedown video A Customs AntiNarcotic Unit (CANU) officer has been sacked after a shocking video surfaced this week in which he is being accused by an outgoing passenger of planting ganja in her luggage.

Ye s t e r d a y, amid worrying questions whether there were other similar cases, CANU said it has been apprised of the video circulating on social media displaying law enforcement officers conducting themselves in an unprofessional manner.

“Investigations have confirmed that one of the law enforcement officers is an employee of CANU. Based on investigations, there was a serious breach of CANUs Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).”

According to the entity, which is the lead agency in the fight against illegal drugs, it has decided to end its relations with the officer.

“Consequent to the findings of the a f o r e m e n t i o n e d i n v e s t i g a t i o n , recommendations for the immediate dismissal of the officer in question have been forwarded to the Ministry of Public Security,” the statement said yesterday.

CANU made it clear that it strives at all times to operate professionally with a high level of integrity and all officers are afforded the necessary training to perform their duties in accordance with the units SOPs. Staffers, it was stressed, are encouraged to maintain the expected standard of integrity.

“Therefore any officer found with conduct inimical to the unit policies, will be dealt with condig n l y. I t should be noted that this officers conduct does not reflect what the unit stands for and should not be used as an indicator of the conduct of the many

The passenger allegedly accused this officer, Osafa Matherson hardworking and professional officers of the unit who daily perform their duties with a high level of integrity.”

CANU said it regrets this unfortunate incident and wishes to assure the public that no acts of indiscipline and unprofessionalism will be

condoned.

In the almost comical, two-minute long video which was posted on the social media earlier this week, sparking outrage at what could possibly be a regular occurrence, the outgoing female passenger could be heard angrily denying that she had an illegal substance in her suitcases.

She dared the cowering officer to speak loudly and demanded he bring his s u p e r v i s o r. The rank, a CANU operative, meekly allowed her to return to her seat at the end of the video, while begging her not to call the supervisor.

The incident has reignited concerns over weaknesses of the systems at the airport and travellers protection.

A spokesman of CANU had acknowledged that the existence of the video on social media was brought to the attention of the entity and an investigation has been launched.

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

“Maam, please tek off the phone. Me and you having a conversation.”

However, the woman insisted on her “privacy”.

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

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

“So why you talking so quietly?” The woman asked. “You is the officer.

Yo u d o n t h a v e t o b e

afraid.”

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

She refused to talk to another colleague of the CANU officer. The officer was seen to be dodging her recordings.She insisted that whatever was found in her luggage could not have been there as the officers at all time had the substance in their possession.

According to the passenger, who was firm, she had been

in possession of her luggage in her own home in Guyana.

The staffer has been identified as Osafa Matherson. He had been with CANU for six months now.

Yesterday, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, said he had just returned from an overseas trip. According to the minister, while he has not seen the file, the ministry would not normally reject the recommendations from an agency.

PAGE 8

Kaieteur News

Saturday September 28, 2019

Politics has not hindered work of Energy Dept. Dr. Bynoe The political developments, particularly the recent announcement by President David Granger that General and Regional Elections will be held as early as March 2, 2020, has not impacted the work of the Department of Energy which is preparing Guyana for first oil.

Confirming this with Kaieteur News on Thursday was Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe. He was the featured

guest on Kaieteur Radios programme, “Guyanas Oil and You.” There, Dr. Bynoe noted that while the work of the department has not been impacted directly, there has been an indirect impact. In this regard, he noted that there are levels of uncertainty and concerns about what happens when the political developments which flowed from the successful passage of the NoConfidence Motion, are re-

solved. The official said, “But we continue to indicate that as public servants, our main mandate is to serve the people of Guyana and we have been able, through projects funded by the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Fund (IDB), to press ahead with our work programme.” Dr. Bynoe added, “So what we have been very keen on executing is to prepare for first oil while setting in place,

the framework for the effective management of the sector. While doing that, there are some things which have to be advanced.

Therefore, we are seeking to ensure those are aligned with the framework we are seeking to establish.”

Elaborating further, the Energy Department Head said that there are a number of things which have been completed thus far such as a roadmap for the sector and a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) procedure manual which speaks to the reporting requirements of the operators. In addition, Dr. Bynoe said that the department has been able to complete an organizational structure, develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as well as procedure manuals. “So things have been advancing,” added the official.

With respect to the roadmap, the Energy Department Head explained that this document speaks to a range of options that are available for Guyana under different windows.

The official said, “...So with respect to capacity, it says whether the department could go organically or outsource (hire locals or overseas experts). With

Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe respect to data management, it indicates if Guyana should have a data repository system or outsource to those who already have that system.

“It also talks about marketing Guyanas crude, if you want to go with an NOC (National Oil Company) or if you want to go with an established marketing agent.” He added, “So there are different options presented along with the pros and cons of each

route while being cognizant of where Guyana is and not just where it wants to be.”

Dr. Bynoe said that even “in the atmosphere of uncertainty,” the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) is still functioning.

Therefore, contracts are still able to go through. Because of this, Dr. Bynoe said that most of the technical personnel it is seeking will be hired quite soon.

GECOM’s Claims and Objections Exercise will commence October 1 - Every person whose name appears on the PLE must verify their registration record The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will commence a Claims and Objections (C&O) exercise with effect October 1, 2019. The countrywide exercise will be conducted at all GECOM Registration Offices countrywide. It will conclude on November 18, next.

Persons have until November 11, 2019 to make a claim to be included on the

list if they are a Guyanese citizen by birth, descent, naturalisation or registration, 18 years or older or will attain the age of 18 by December 31, 2019.

A citizen of a Commonwealth country living in Guyana for a period of no less than one year preceding December 31, 2019 can also be registered to be on the list.

During this exercise, every

person whose name appears on the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) must visit the Registration office in his respective area with their National Identification Card to verify his registration record in order to be included in the Official List of Electors (OLE).

The Commission also wishes to urge persons who require changes/corrections to their particulars and transfers in relation to their addresses to do same when verifying their registration.

Objections against the inclusion of names on the PLE can be tendered to the Registration Officer of the Registration Area from October 1, 2019 to November 18, 2019.

Over the next few days, the Commission will set up temporary offices and mobiles countrywide to aid the efficient conduct of the exercise and will publish the full list of those offices to ensure applicants/ registrants can access the office within close proximity to them to have their transaction done.

Saturday September 28, 2019

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

The public bureaucracy is a drain on the public purse There is a story about a secretary of the chief executive of a government corporation. This was in the early 1980’s. The government was broke and it was forced into dismissing thousands of workers whom it had stacked into the public service in the preceding years.

The government found names for these mass dismissals. They called it “retrenchment”, not dismissal.

The secretary felt important. She was the one who had to type the names of those to be dismissed. The workers were anxious and kept asking her if she got the list as yet.

She felt special. She walked around with an air of superiority because she would know beforehand who would be going home. She was “Miss Important”. She was rude to the staff telling them that they would know their fate when they received their letters.

About midday, the chief executive passed to her the list of those to be retrenched.

He asked her to type it up and place it on the Notice Board.

At the time, there were some workers near her desk. She ordered them out of the room, saying that she had to do important and confidential work.

She began to type up the

list, slowly but methodically, smiling all along when she noticed that the names of some of the workers she disliked were due to be sent home. She took her time.

Suddenly, there was loud crashing sound. The people in the outer office rushed into find that the secretary had collapsed on the floor. There in bold letters, on the list, was her name.

People in positions must be careful what they wish for others because it can come back to haunt them. Do not wish bad for people because you never know when your time will come.

Retrenchment brought great suffering to persons.

Dem boys seh ...

China lift 700M out of poverty, Guyana can’t lift 700,000 China got de most modern, de most extravagant airport in de world. It so big that in one day it can land and take off more planes than some countries can’t even land and take off in a year.

When people see this airport some of dem does think how China got so much money that it can waste it on one airport.

De thing that got dem boys talking is that China tek four years to build such a monstrous airport.

De same Chinese send contractors to build de airport in Guyana. That one start in 2011. Eight years come and gone and de airport ain’t finish yet.

Dem boys seh in China dem people wuk day and night because is dem own.

In Guyana dem wuk and rest and complain.

But people know that China is a power house. Just de odda day de Chinese ambassador report how he country lift 700 million people out of poverty. That is half

de population of China. He seh Guyana should tek a page out of China book but dem boys want to know how.

Guyana got 700,000 people. Guyana can’t even lift 70,000 of dem out of poverty. But Guyana got big eye. It see dem country building structures and dem want to do de same. But that ain’t all. It got de Chinese building a road pun de East Coast.

Dem got people hopping because dem boys talk. Dem dig up de whole East Coast road suh people got to struggle to travel. And dem know that if anybody talk dem gun lef de road just how it deh.

Anyhow, Guyana got a plan, or at least dem boys got a plan. Dem plan to open some cook-up shops right next door to dem Chinese eating houses. Dem expect de competition gun mek de Chinese see that Guyanese ain’t so docile.

Talk half and force Guyana to do like China

Tens of thousands were placed on the breadline because the state sector had become bloated and inefficient and the country’s taxes could no longer support their employment.

Not many roads or buildings were being constructed because most of the money was going to pay debts and to sustain the large bureaucracy.

There are a lot of persons who feel that oil production will make them wealthy. Oil money is not going into their pockets. It is going into the coffers of the government.

And the government has a monstrous bureaucracy which is sucking public revenues like a vacuum cleaner.

It takes more than $500M per day to keep this bureaucracy going, monies which could have been better utilized is going to pay a whole set of persons, not all of whom are productive.

Persons have been employed in the public service, at present, on the basis of their family and political connections to government Ministers. We have friends, including female friends, of some ministers being employed. There are persons who are sitting at their desks all day doing very

little work and receiving fat cheques at the end of the month while others are finding it hard to obtain jobs.

There are persons undertaking political work on Government time and being paid to do so. There are persons who are working and being offered jobs while those without jobs are left on the breadline.

The public service has been politicized. A few nights ago, on television, there were scenes of some persons being taught how to cook at a government agency. They were all bedecked in green shirts, the color of the ruling APNU. The promised oil wealth is going to feed a fat bureaucracy which benefits the favored. It is going to benefit the University of Guyana, which less than 0.1%

of the population attends. It is going to go contractors who will be provided with contracts to build roads and all manner of infrastructure.

The public bureaucracy is a drain on the public pursue.

It needs to be trimmed. But we know that the very opposite will happen. It is going to be expanded and this will mean less money for the poor.

And then one day when oil prices crash, some secretary will receive a list of persons who have to be sent packing. And she too will faint when she sees her name on the list.

PAGE 10

Saturday September 28, 2019

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Clive Thomas: Atavism or pappy show?

On Monday afternoon, David Hinds called me to inquire if I would be at the symposium on cash transfer from oil revenue hosted by the WPA at Critchlow Labour College. I told him no. I was not interested in listening to Clive Thomas and Lincoln Lewis, the other panelists with David.

What can Thomas tell me, a Rodneyite and a multi-racial advocate of a type of political economy in Guyana that must be inclusive, democratic and encompass transformative pathways? Transforma-

tions that will make poor people feel that the state will invent a political economy for them to benefit from their country’s resources?

I accept there are forms of socialist economics that Guyana must pursue as a matter of economic reality. I believe in a Guyana where law must not be shaped to the disadvantage of the lower income classes, by that I mean the laboring masses, the unemployed and the lower middle class.

Under Jagdeo, Ramotar and Granger politics,

economy, and law were/are democratic caricatures.

These are things I learned as a 20-year-old from people like Clive Thomas. Thomas influenced my direction as a youthful Guyanes e w h o grew up in poverty in Wortmanville and wanted to change Guyana and the world. I still do.

I still am willing to fight against any government that does the wrong things that I fought against with Clive Thomas and the WPA in the seventies and eighties

Look at what Rupert Roopnaraine and Clive Thomas have become after they finally became part of the ultimate dream – to have state power. They had done absolutely nothing, (I am using the adverb sincerely and honestly because I believe it is appropriate) to make even a tiny space of Guyana better.

I say with deep belief that Rupert Roopnaraine has become an invisible footnote. I was part of the WPA in the seventies with him. I was not attracted to his activism because he came across to me as a superficial, bohemian activist happily cocooned in a life of class and colour. He still is. Thomas writes a column in the Stabroek News for more than 10 years now. Each commentary before 2015 had a political dimension to it with the intention of exposing the wrongdoings of the presidencies of the PPP. He referred to the state under the PPP as a criminalized state.

This same Thomas since 2015 has not dedicated even a word of condemnation of the wrongs that have taken place under a government he serves. Not a word on how the courts treat poor people. Not a word on changes to the marijuana law.

Not a word on the insanity at UG since 2015, the very UG that he served for 40 years.

Not a word on the most cari-

catured oil contract a Third World government can sign with a multi-national corporation.

You want to know how bitter Thomas was against multi-national corporations, just read one of his books he wrote in the seventies when he and the WPA tried to overthrow the only president in Guyana that was prepared to confront the pillage of multinationals in Guyana.

I will offer readers in another column, extracts of some of those writings and asked that they juxtapose them with the Thomas of today.

Why not a word on these social depravities in his columns since 2015?

Because he has no credibility after what he did to 7000 sugar workers. He was the chairman of Guysuco when those large numbers of workers were retrenched.

My own economic analysis of sugar informed me that its days had passed. But if you plan to close an industry, it is sadistic not to incorporate a framework for alternative existence. History will never forgive Thomas.

I laughed when I read that Thomas went to Buxton and advanced the idea of actual cash transfer from oil revenues. I laughed even louder when he told his listeners on Monday that it is the business class that is opposing the idea

Frederick Kissoon but this same class don’t mind receiving tax breaks and subsidies.

Well, this former revolutionary found his radical voice lost over the past four years. So are we going to see new contents in his weekly columns? Are we going to see the trenchant analyses of the oil contracts? Are we going to see and hear Thomas speaking out about the pathetic wrong directions of his government?

The APNU+AFC government has made the decision not to litigate against a very wealthy businessman who has multiple lawsuits against the state for monies owed during the PPP’s reign. It isn’t sure the state will win so it decided to pay him the billions he is claiming. What Thomas thinks about that?

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

Saturday September 28, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Saturday September 28, 2019

Man shot in police station reportedly says he was hired to kill cop’s relative Police are investigating a bizarre report in which a man who was shot in the East La Penitence Police Station last Wednesday is claiming that he was hired to kill a policewoman’s male relative.

The man, identified as a 34-year-old Tucville resident, was shot in the stomach when he allegedly attempted to shoot police ranks, who had arrested him.

A senior police official confirmed that ranks had arrested him in the Lamaha Springs, Greater Georgetown home of a female police sergeant. The policewoman is said to be overseas.

The official also confirmed the arrest of another man who had reportedly taken the suspect to Lamaha

Springs.

However, he told Kaieteur News that he was unaware that the suspect had stated that he was hired to kill anyone.

Kaieteur News understands that around 01.00 hr on Wednesday, ranks at the East La Penitence Police Station received a report that an intruder was in the female sergeant’s house, located at Lamaha Springs.

A squad went to the area, where they apprehended the 34-year-old man on the premises.

They then took him to the East La Penitence Police Station.

They were preparing to frisk the suspect, when he allegedly drew a handgun from

the crotch of his pants. A rank then shot him in the stomach.

On being questioned, the wounded man allegedly said that someone had hired him to kill a relative of the policewoman in whose house he was apprehended.

The suspect reportedly had a photograph of the relative. According to sources, the policewoman had filed a restraining order prohibiting the relative from entering her property.

The suspect reportedly also said that a driver had taken him to the property and was waiting in the area for him.

Police returned to the scene and apprehended the driver. They also impounded the car.

Caretaker Cabinet appoints several boards of directors … in “arrogant defiance of Constitution” says former Attorney General The A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Cabinet has appointed five boards of directors, a move that has been criticised as an overstepping of its Constitutional duty as a Caretaker Executive Government.

Former Attorney General

and Opposition Member of Parliament, Anil Nandlall, who is currently seeking to prevent the Caretaker Cabinet from meeting via a civil procedure, has weighed in on the matter, describing it as “arrogant defiance” of the Constitution.

In an invited comment, Nandlall told Kaieteur News that the clear and unambiguous language of the Constitution, as it relates to the passing of the No Confidence Motion of December 21, 2018 informed the Government that it must restrict its activities.

That was ma d e e v e n more pellucid by a Consequential Order of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) handed down after its ruling on the No Confidence Motion.

He noted a statement by Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire in her ruling on the No Confidence Motion, which read “I therefore find that Cabinet is not required to resign with all convenient speed, as the resignation under article 106(6) takes immediate effect following the defeat of the Government on a vote of confidence by a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly.”

However, the Chief Justice went on to state definitively that “In this case, Cabinet must be taken to have resigned with effect from the evening of December 21 2018, and all functions or duties in any law to be performed specifically

by Cabinet must be ceased from that time.”

Nandlall said that there should be no meeting of Cabinet, let alone, the execution of duties that were interpreted to be restricted by the Chief Justice.

The Attorney-at-Law further states “Consequently, all purported meetings of Cabinet and all purported decisions of Cabinet are unconstitutional, illegal, unlawful, null, void and of no effect.”

Board Appointments The notices of the appointments were published in a September 28, 2019 edition of The Official Gazette. They were all affixed with the signature Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams.

In the Public Health Sector, two boards were appointed. The Allied Health Professions Council was appointed to serve a period of two years, with effect from August 1, 2019 to July 31, 2021. The Central Board of Health was appointed to serve a period of two years, with effect from October 1, 2019 to September 31, 2021.

In the Education Sector, three boards were appointed.

The National Accreditation Council was appointed to serve a period of two years, with effect September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2021.

The Board of Directors of the National Library was appointed to serve a period of two years, with effect from September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2021. The Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training was appointed to serve a period of two years, with effect September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2021.

Saturday September 28, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Saturday September 28, 2019

UK denies funds approved for seawall, Linden/Lethem road projects

T

wo major projects that Government announced recently were significantly advanced and funded by the British, appears not have been given the final green light by that donor country.

Yesterday, the British High Commission disclosed that as part of the UKCaribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF), launched in 2016, over the last year the UK supported initial design work for the construction of the road between Linden and Mabura and the bridge at Kurupukari which is being implemented by the Caribbean Development Bank.

The High Commission said that no decision has yet been made on the construction phase of this project.

“Similarly whilst the UK funded the design phase of the Kingston-Ogle seawall project through UKCIF, no decision has been taken on the next phase of this project either.”

The clarification would

come as the British joined with the US and European Union to call on the Coalition Government to fix a date for elections.

The three foreign diplomats warned that the current political situation is affecting the developmental programmes for Guyana.

Earlier this week, the Government issued a report which disclosed that the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the seawall from Kingston to Ogle is progressing; as the government moves a step further with the feasibility study and design.

A public consultation was held at the bandstand located at the Kingston Seawall. It was disclosed that Mott MacDonald UK, the company tasked with completing the feasibility study and designs, was examining the area that spans 7.5km.

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

ancillary designs in waterfront development to improve the space.”

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

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

In October, the UK based company plans to conduct an environmental and social impact assessment. This will be done while the preliminary design is being finalised for its November deadline.

Between December and March 2020, a detailed design of the project will be prepared.

Once accepted, the procurement process will

begin for the project's construction. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure has oversight for the seawall project, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI) With regards to the Linden-Lethem road, it was disclosed that Government has announced that it is steaming forward with the construction of a paved Linden/Lethem road.

Already, funding has been secured and the construction phase is expected to start shortly.

However, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure refuted the reports as premised on the Government report.

“Honourable Minister David Patterson was quoted incorrectly. In fact, the project is currently at the procurement stage where the Ministry is selecting the prequalification of contractors to execute the

paving works, it is this process that is scheduled to commence on October 1, 2019.”

The 200-plus kilometre road has been seen as key for the development of the hinterland and the increase of trade with especially Brazil. It leads to a number of communities.

Already, there is a bridge at the Takutu River, linking the two countries.

For years now, residents, miners and loggers have been complaining about the state of the road which deteriorates in especially the rainy season.

Initial talks with Brazil have stalled. That n e i g h b o u r i n g c o u n t r y, seeing the benefits of faster shipping using Guyana's ports, has been attempting to find funding.

According to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, on Tuesday, it

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson spearheaded a consultation meeting with the residents of Mabura and Kurupukari for the Feasibility Study and Design for the Linden to Mabura Hill Road Upgrade and Kurupukari River Crossing.

The community consultations were conducted at Iwokrama River Lodge and Research Centre and Mabura Health Post. The consultations are likely to wrap up shortly.

Burning of couple in mining camp…

Brazilian woman succumbs, lover still hospitalized

M

aria Pereira Da Silva, the Brazilian woman who was set alight last month in a Mazaruni mining camp, succumbed on Thursday even as her lover remains critical and their attacker remains unidentified.

A senior police official told Kaieteur News that Da Silva died in the Georgetown Public Hospital Burns Care Unit, where she was hospitalised since August.

Lyndon Joseph, a dredge owner who sources identified as her lover, is also hospitalsed with severe burns.

Police sources expressed

surprise at her death, since she was apparently recovering while Joseph, her lover, appeared to be the more seriously injured.

A senior police official said that while investigators visited the area where the attack occurred, they are still to identify the suspect.

Residents appear to be reluctant to point out the individual.

But a woman who claims to be the dredge owner's 'real' reputed wife said that the suspect is a male friend of Da Silva's, and that Joseph, the dredge owner, also knew his attacker.

The incident occurred in late August in the Mazaruni,

Region Seven. According to reports, Joseph and Da Silva were at a birthday party when he received word that the man was in his camp.

The couple returned to the camp, where Joseph confronted the suspect.

An argument ensued and Joseph 'broadsided' the intruder with a cutlass. The man fled the scene, but allegedly returned about 04:00 hrs while the couple was lying on a mattress. He then doused them with gasoline before setting them alight.

Joseph and DaSilva were first treated at the Bartica Hospital, before being transferred to the GPHC.

After being blocked, Scotiabank...

From page 2 to refuse approval also took into consideration whether Republic Bank has the wherewithal to acquire such a large share of the banking system, examining the matter from a prudential basis.

Ganga had assured that everything would be done to ensure that Guyana's banking sector remains strong, sound and profitable, including engagements with his counterparts in the other territories where Republic Bank would be acquiring the banking assets of

Scotiabank.

The announcement, made in November of last year, had garnered widespread criticism from several sections of the public, including the Opposition.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had said that the regulator shouldn't grant approval as it “could very well be illegal”.

Mainly, it was contended that because Republic Bank currently holds 35.4% of the local banking systems assets and 36.8% of deposits, the acquisition taking both up to

51% would put the financial system at risk. It was also contended that this would interfere with the ability of other financial institutions to compete.

Government had also responded to the announcement with a warning that it would have to assess the implications of such a sale. Government noted similar concerns as the Opposition, the influence the sale would have had on pricing of banking products and rates, and the timing of the decision before First Oil.

Saturday September 28, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Finance Minister endorses monthly financial grants for Berbice High students

M

inister of Finance, Mr. Wi n s t o n Jordan, has endorsed a move by the National Industrial and Commercial and Investments Limited (NICIL/Special Project Unit (NICIL/SPU) to fund the

Saturday September 28, 2019

The three students - Chitra Ramdeen, Pawan Ketwaro and Marissa Siriram in the company of NICIL/SPU Human Resources Manager, Shevone Wilson (right) and HM Coleen Liddel

schooling expenses of three students who were recently recognised for their outstanding performances at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

The students, Pawan Ketwaro, Chitra Ramdeen and Marissa Siriram, are

each eligible for a monthly financial grant of $50,000.

They recently received a disbursement of the monthly support. Acting NICIL/SPU CEO, Colvin Heath-London, was able to gain the full support of the NICIL/SPU's Board to make the initiative a reality. The support will be sustained for the students once some conditions are met. This will include each child registering at least 90 percent attendance rate and maintaining acceptable grades.

N I C I L H u m an R e s o u r c e s M a n a g e r, Shevone Wilson, said that while the company is extremely excited over the students' performance it is important for both parents and students to note that the support has been forthcoming because of the importance of education.

“As I stand here today representing our acting CEO, I am elated because he is a man who is passionate about education and youth development and as I look at the three students I remain confident like him that our future remains bright.

“I would like to reiterate the commitment that Mr Heath-London had made in firmly supporting educational growth and development and this commitment was also echoed by the honourable Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, who has endorsed the initiative of NICIL/SPU,” Wilson said.

She stressed that while the financial grant comes with certain conditions, she firmly believes that they are reachable. She urged the students to continue excelling academically.

The students all expressed gratitude and thanks with Siriram being especially emotional.

“My mother cleans fish to send me to school so that I can get a sound education

and I am very excited and thankful for this, as now she will get the kind of assistance that she needs to continue taking care of me and my siblings,” she said.

The student disclosed that because life has been difficult for her family Food for the Poor had assisted with building a house for them.

“I am glad that I did well but I am very excited that through me doing well it has resulted in my mother and family being able to receive assistance so that she can comfortably take care of us,” the emotional Siriram said.

Ketwaro revealed that despite his father losing his job after working a number of years at the Guyana Sugar Corporation estate, the consideration of the acting NICIL CEO saw him being rehired as a security guard.

He said that he was very worried about his father's emotional state, noting that his father had become depressed after he was unable to find work for several months.

“These people (NICIL/SPU) have not only assisted me and my family financially but they have ensured that my father has a consistent job andforthat I am more than happy.

Seeing my parents happy is such a great joy as it bothers me when he was unemployed as things was very, very hard at home,” he said.

The students have all promised to maintain good grades and committed to being sterling examples to other students who may aspire to be similarly rewarded. The students will all be attending the Berbice High School.

Present at the recent disbursement ceremony was their head teacher, Coleen Liddel. Liddel, who spoke glowingly of the initiative, said “As a single parent mother myself and an educator, I recalled when things were very difficult and money was (continued on page 20)

Saturday September 28, 2019

Kaieteur News

Afternoon fire destroys elderly woman's home

A view of the woman's gutted home

A

68-year-old woman, her brother and their nephew are homeless and in a state of distress, after a fire destroyed their 3403 North Ruimveldt home, yesterday afternoon. The victims have been identified as Patricia Hubbard; her brother, Lawrence Hubbard, 65; and their nephew, Bertram Hubbard.

Patricia Hubbard, who owns a small grocery in the front of her yard, revealed to this publication that around 15:00hrs yesterday afternoon her brother called out to her, indicating that a fire broke out in one of the rooms of the house. “I was in the shop…

because I was weighing out sugar and these things. Is when he [Lawrence] come and call me. He was in his room, and he tell me that fire break out or something. I run out of the shop and I see the whole backroom ablaze,” the saddened woman related.

The Guyana Fire Service was contacted, and arrived at the scene some 30 minutes later, but they were unable to save the house.

The distraught woman, revealed that she has been living at the property for some time.

If you would like to make a donation to the Patricia Hubbard and her family, she can be contacted on 592-653-2800.

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Saturday September 28, 2019

Claims and Objections…35 days stands

D

espite the G u y a n a Elections Commission (GECOM) agreeing to have Claims and Objections be conducted over 35 days a September 26, 2019 publication of the National Registration (Residents) Order 2019 in The Official Gazette stated that the exercise would last for 49 days.

What appears to be a deliberate extension of the exercise, according to Commissioners Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn, has now been corrected by GECOM C h a i r, ( r e t ' d ) J u s t i c e

… Opposition Commissioners allege rogue elements attempted to extend period Claudette Singh S.C. The Oppositionnominated Commissioners, Gunraj and Benn, held a press conference yesterday at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition's Church Street office, where they discussed the Order, and a subsequent press release published yesterday, from GECOM Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward, reiterating the contents of the Order.

With Claims and Objections meant to start on October 1, 2019, it was widely thought that it would end on November 4, 2019.

But the September 26 Order stated that the exercise would end on November 18, 2019.

The Opposition, and the Commissioners it nominated, have alleged that certain elements at the Secretariat seem to be taking actions in-keeping with

utterances out of Congress Place, and which may be interpreted as attempts to delay General and Regional Elections.

They pointed to a press statement issued by Ward earlier this month during a statutory meeting of the Commission.

The GECOM press statement had sought to explain a report by another section of the media that there is a lengthy gap of 55

GECOM Chair, Justice Claudette Singh days between Election Day and Nomination Day. To p u t t h a t i n t o perspective, a 32-day gap is provided for by law. The 2015 General and Regional Elections observed a 34-day gap, while the 2011 General and Regional Elections observed a 32-day gap.

The press statement read: “The law is clear that Nominations Day should be no later than 32 days before Elections Day. Therefore, any time before that number of days, even if it's 55 days, is acceptable and in conformity with the laws of Guyana.”

It added that the time shift is justifiable, not in breach of any law, and not intended to delay the holding of elections.

Gunraj had approached reporters outside GECOM's Kingston headquarters, shortly after the statutory meeting of the Commission and of that statement's publication, taking umbrage at its contents. He had said that the contents are inaccurate and that they misrepresent the discussions of the Commission.

This time around, the Opposition-nominated Commissioners singled out Ward and Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, when asked who may be

responsible for the unnecessary extension of the Claims and Objections period in the Order.

Though the extension has since been corrected by the Chair, the Oppositionnominated Commissioners will continue to insist that sanctions be laid against the responsible individuals at the next statutory meeting of the Commission, on Tuesday, according to Gunraj.

Kaieteur News understands that the Chair had perused the original document presented to her, in the preparatory stages of the Order, and had made several changes, including corrections to the extra days added on to the Claims and Objections period. But those changes were reportedly not reflected in the Order that was published in The Official Gazette.

It is expected that subsequent publications of The National Registration (Residents) Order of 2019 and GECOM's press office will provide notice that the extension has since been corrected. Ward could not be reached for comment. Up to press time last night, those publications were not made.

Gunraj told Kaieteur News late yesterday that though he has noted the correction by the Chair, additional content in the GECOM press statement raised another issue that should be corrected as well.

It states, “During this exercise [Claims and Objections], every person whose name appears on the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) must visit the Registration office in their respective area with their National Identification Card to verify their registration record in order to be included in the Official List of Electors (OLE).”

Man gets community service after fleeing with $5000, beer bottles

A

resident of Alexander V i l l a g e , Georgetown, was yesterday ordered to perform three months of community service after admitting to a fraud charge.

Joel Ramsingh, 46, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, where he pleaded guilty to the charge.

On September 24, 2019, at Brickdam, while being solely entrusted with a case of empty beer bottles and

$5000, cash he used same and turn it into his personal use.

Ramsingh told the court that he can't afford to pay back the virtual complainant and that he's unable to give her back the bottles since he already sold them to buy alcohol.

Senior Magistrate Daly ordered the defendant to do three months of community service at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts, on Mondays and Fridays or in default, serve two weeks in jail.

Saturday September 28, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Saturday September 28, 2019

“I did not breach the Rape convict moves to CCJ court order” - says Former PS L

By Trishan Craig

“I did not breach the court order,” were the words of former Permanent Secretary (PS) of Ministry of t h e P r e s i d e n c y, O m a r Shariff, during the continuation of his trial before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts.

Shariff is charged along with his wife, Savitri Hardeo, for failing to comply with a court order.

It is alleged that Shariff, 46, and his wife Savitri Hardeo, 32, both of 36 Dowding Street, Kitty, Georgetown, on or after October 14, 2016, failed to comply with a Production Order issued by the previous Chief Justice (CJ) Yonette Cummings-Edwards.

The order was for the defendants to produce certain named documents to Assistant Commissioner of Police and Head of the Special Organized Crime Unit, (SOCU), Sydney James, no later than seven days after the service of the order.However Shariff is said to have contravened the said order without reasonable cause, and failed to produce the documents.

The defendants yesterday led their defence and they gave unsworn evidence in relation to the matter.

According to Shariff, he received a court order on October 6, 2016. However; a copy of that order was not given to his wife. He said at the time of receiving the order he did not have any of

Omar Shariff and wife Savitri Hardeo the requested documents in his possession or control.

“Some of what I knew about (documents) was at GRA (Guyana Revenue Authority). The copies were kept in my computer which was in SOCU's (Special Organised Crime Unit) possession.”

The former PS said that he set about putting together the documents he could get his hands on by applying to the banks and suppliers for copies. He added that he gave a statement and delivered these to one Mr Vieira at SOCU. He ended his evidence by saying “Your worship I did not breach the court order.”

Moreover, his wife in her short evidence to the court stated, “I have never received any documents from SOCU or anyone in relation to court documents requesting me to submit documents to SOCU.” Attorney-at-law Glenn Hanoman, who is

representing the defendants, asked for the matter to be adjourned so that he can review some documents which were presented by prosecution.

The case will be recalled on October 25, next, for the defence to address the court.

Shariff has been under investigation where over $500M could not be accounted for in payment to the Public Service Ministry.

Investigators found several large sums passing through his bank accounts and launched a separate probe.

That investigation was probing how billions of dollars passed through Shariff's bank accounts from as far back as 2010, following records showing that he and his wife purchased shares in companies which were placed in her name.

There were hundreds of transactions in several bank accounts which were held at different commercial banks.

inton Pompey, whose conviction for raping an underage girl, and the 37-year jail sentence which has been affirmed by the Court of Appeal, has now moved to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) where he has filed an application for special leave to appeal.

The regional court is set to hear his application on Thursday, October 24, next, at 10:00hrs.

Last May, the Court of Appeal affirmed the two rape convictions and another for sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl against Pompey, 53.

In September 2015, Pompey who is said to be a father of 12, was convicted by a 12member jury on two counts of rape of a child under 16. He was also found guilty by the jury of sexually assaulting the minor.

He inserted his penis into the girl's vagina between June 1 and June 13, 2011 and January 10, 2012, respectively. He also fondled the girl's breast between May 1 and May 21, 2011.

Trial Judge Jo-Ann Barlow later imposed separate sentences for each of the offences.

The judge, however, ordered that the prison terms run consecutively, hence they amounted to 37 years.

In affirming the convictions, Chief Justice Roxane George and Justices of Appeal Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory, said that the convictions can be supported by the evidence adduced by the prosecution during the trial. Pompey's Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes had asked the Court of Appeal to reverse, set aside and/or discharge the decision of the High Court.

The lawyer had argued that the trial judge failed to adequately put the defence of his client to the jury.

However, his argument was rejected by the Judges who agreed that the trial Judge during summing up told the jury to consider that Pompey had denied committing the offence when called upon to lead a defence.

The Appellate Judges also said that records indicate that the trial Judge also asked the jury to consider the testimony of a witness who testified on behalf of Pompey.

According to the Judges, the prosecution's evidence was strong, and that the summation of the evidence by the trial judge did not jeopardize the case.

During a rehash of the evidence, the Chief

RAPE CONVICT: Linton Pompey Justice had said that as it relates to rape committed between June 1 and June 13, 2011, Pompey threatened to tell the girl's mother something, which (the girl) considered a threat.

Further, the Chief Justice had said that in relation to the second count of rape, Pompey showed the girl a $1,000 note after committing the act which was witnessed by a man, who was called to testify by the prosecution.

Hughes, on the other hand, had also argued that the sentences were excessive given that they are to run consecutively. But the Chief Justice disagreed and pointed out that the conduct of Pompey resulted in ongoing sexual acts on the young girl.

In affirming the 37-year sentence, the Chief Justice said that rape is a prevalent offence and the courts must send a strong message that such an offence would not be tolerated.

At an earlier court hearing, Hughes had contended that consecutive sentences are only warranted when there is some level of extreme violence.

However, the Chief Justice had sought to remind Hughes that rape, by itself, is a violent offence. During initial arguments, State Prosecutor Natasha Backer disagreed that the sentences were excessive given the nature of the offence.

Citing a case from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Backer said that it was reasoned that consecutive sentences may be given if the offences occurred in unrelated acts. She explained that in Pompey's case, he committed the acts on the girl, 14, during different intervals. Backer had pointed out that a considerable amount of time would have elapsed between the commission of the acts.

Man charged for forging audit reports

T

hirty-one-year-old Jamal Gilbert, of 8 'A' Ogle Front, East Coast Demerara was yesterday released on bail after being slapped with five charges which included the forging of audit reports.

The first two charges alleged that between January 1, 2019 and March 5, 2019 at Middle Street, Georgetown, Gilbert forged certain documents, to wit, an auditor's report in favor of Mid-Town Hotel, Restaurant and Bar, and Total Medical Supplies Inc, purporting to show that it was signed by Drubahadur and issued by D.

Bahadur & Co. Accounting firm, knowing same to be forged.

Also, the next two charges alleged that on March 5, 2019 at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Camp Street Georgetown, with intent to defraud he uttered to Reon Sobers, a clerk of GRA, forged documents to with an auditor's report in favour of Mid-Town Hotel, Restaurant and Bar and Total Medical Supplies Inc, purporting to show that it was signed by Drubahadur and issued by D. Bahadur & Co. Accounting firm, knowing same to be forged.

Finally, it was alleged that on

Finance Minister endorses...

From page 16 very hard to come by so I know how these parents are feeling that they are receiving this significant grant at this very challenging times. I trust that both the students and parents recognise that it's a golden opportunity that should be treated that way.” The students were also given other support including bags, school materials and a weekend outing.

March 29, 2019 at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, Gilbert gave Police Lance Corporal Prince, a public officer, information which he knew to be false thereby causing the said officer to use his lawful power to the annoyance of the person arrested.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges which were read to him by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrate's' Courts.

According to information on March 8, 2019 the number one victim, Drubahadur, went to the CID headquarters and reported that he had in his possession two audit reports showing that they were issued by his business.

However, according to the victim he never signed the said documents and neither did his business issue same.

As a result, an investigation was

conducted; the accused was later contacted and questioned. Gilbert claimed that the number two victim, D. Bahadur, gave him the documents. This caused the police to arrest the number two defendant.

However; during questioning the victim denied providing the documents to the accused.

Gilbert then changed his statements provided to the police in which he attempted to implicate the number two victim.

Further investigations were done and it was revealed that the defendant forged the signatures on the documents. His attorney, Leslie James, asked that bail should be granted to his client in the most reasonable sum.

Police prosecutor Sanj Singh had no objections to bail being granted therefore, Gilbert was released on a sum of $100,000. The matter was then adjourned to October 4, next.

Jamal Gilbert

Saturday September 28, 2019

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Race on to save crew caught in Atlantic hurricane Martinique (https:// www.rivieramm.com) - It is a race against time to rescue a crew of 14 on an offshore anchor handling and supply tug that ran into trouble in an Atlantic hurricane.

Bourbon Corp confirmed crew on its Luxembourgflagged Bourbon Rhode needed rescue when the tug supply vessel broke down on 26 September in the middle of the category 4 hurricane, Lorenzo.

The vessel was in transit from Las Palmas, Canary Islands, to Georgetown, Guyana to begin supporting offshore drilling activities.

At 1,200 nautical miles off Martinique island and 970 nautical miles due west of Cape Verde, problems occurred on the offshore tug within 60 nautical miles from the hurricane’s eye.

“In particularly adverse weather conditions, the 14 crew members are facing a water ingress in the aft part of the vessel,” Bourbon said in a statement.

In response, a crisis cell was immediately activated, from Marseilles in France, to co-ordinate a rescue of the crew and vessel.

In trouble: The Bourbon Rhode

This cell is working with the Regional Operational Center of Surveillance and Rescue (CROSS) in West

Indies-Guyana, said Bourbon.

“In order to bring the quickest support possible,

CROSS has asked bulk carrier SSI Excellent to change its route and assist the Bourbon Rhode,” said

Bourbon.

The 229m bulk carrier was 200 nautical miles south of Bourbon Rhode at

the time of the request and was expected to reach the stranded offshore tug on 27 September.

NOC escapee arrested while escaping with stolen motor cycle A teen who escaped from the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) in 2018 and who is well known to the authorities, has been jailed after he was nabbed while escaping with a stolen motor cycle.

Marlon Vossey, called “Bud”, 18, unemployed and of Lot 31 No 5 Village, We s t Coast, Berbice, appeared before M a g i s t r a t e Rabindranauth Singh in t h e F o r t We l l i n g t o n Magistrate’s Court on a

charge of Simple Larceny.

He was on trial for stealing motor cycle CJ 8936, owned by Safraaz Fidel, a labourer of Waterloo Bath, West Coast, Berbice, between April 29 and April 30, last.

According to Prose c u t o r Wo m a n P o l i c e Corporal Racquel Mars, the man parked his motorcycle under his house about 22:00hrs on April 29 last and went to bed.

About 03:00hrs he got up to use the urinal and

on checking discovered his bike missing. He immediately reported the matter to the Fort Wellington Police Station and an all stations message was sent out.

Vossey who is a wellknown kleptomaniac was intercept by police on patrol at the Cove and John Police Station, East Coast Demerara whilst proceeding to Georg etown. He was arrested and handed over to the police at Fort Wellington where he was

charged.

He was found guilty and sentenced to fort y months in jail.

Vo s s e y w a s a m o n g four who were arrested and charged after committing a series of c r i m e s i n t h e We s t Berbice area.

They were charged with several counts of robbery under arms, break and enter and larceny and simple larceny.

Vo s s e y w a s t h e m a s termind and had invited the others to the

area. The others were from Plaisance and Sophia.

The men after committing the acts were hiding out for some time in the area. They w e r e n a b b e d o n their way to Georgetown when police received a report of a vehicle using a back street during the wee

hours to escape.

A number of items suspected to be stolen or illegally obtained were found in the vehicle.

Vossey was among 13 juveniles who had escaped from the NOC back in September 2018. He reportedly escaped from the NOC on three separate occasions.

PAGE 22

Sophia man jailed for robbing nurse, escaping from custody

FOR RENT Business space for rent 660 sq, available parking, opposite license office (US $1200 negotiable) #658-2677/ 685-0448 SERVICES

FOR SALE

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.

Windows 30x48 Sash, Awning, Casement, Arches $11,800 60x48 3 pc Sliding with Insect Screens, $22,800.Tel#679-3325.

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

Rottweiler & Mastiff mixed pups, 6 weeks old #698-6796

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Desmond Repair Services Fridge, AC, gas stove, microwave, washer, etc on the spot repairs –Call: (592)6788683

Super custom bus for parts. #664-0802 LAND FOR SALE Soesdyke/Linden Highway Front 33.25 acres.Contact 6479498 Sarah Johanna Public Road, East Bank Demerara. #2615072/667-8870 V/Hoop WCD. 48ftx1300ft.Call:609-5672 PROPERTY FOR SALE 1 flat unfinished concrete house located in Tuchen $4 Million #697-6311 (1) 3 bedroom house located at Middle St, Stewartville.

Tel#625-3299/268-3129 Property New Scheme Zeelugt New Scheme, Self contain rooms. Call: 660-1353

CAR RENTAL DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL @ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM 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 AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561/681-2808 VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 New Model 212. $1.2M Neg.Call#657-9822.

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

Saturday September 28, 2019

Kaieteur News

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Business Space for rent 354 sq, Available parking, opposite license office (US $350 negotiable) #658-2677/ 685-0448 Two 2 bedroom apartment at 2043 Block C Herstelling.

Tel#696-1680 3 bedroom flat house at 4th Bridge Grove Housing Scheme $60,000 monthly. #666-4245/225-3328 2 bedroom fully furnished & 3 bedroom unfurnished houses in Diamond. #6172666/682-6238 Self contained rooms to rent in Prashad Nagar. Tel#2272993 Linden- Commercial & Residential building ideal for supermarket, hardware, bill payment centre or general store. Tel#444-5883/693-7079 WANTED

For sale by owner. House and land of 294 Dartmout Essequibo. Contact Hensford Josiah on #630-3611/6645972/690-9659

One General Worker to work shift system.Tel#225-6337/ 668-0306.

WANTED

Driver with Minibus license living in G/town to work with company. #646-8748

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.

Live in Couple Essequibo River Resort. Man for boat driving & maintenance, woman for cooking & housekeeping. Tel#225-3557 1 Welder, gas welding & arc.Age 25-40.Apply@ 21 Broad street, Fat Man Welding shop.223-5595/6439125.

Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665/6493750 Seamstress. Contact: 6911918. Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm

A man who was hauled before the court in April was yesterday sentenced to serve a total of three years imprisonment after being found guilty of five charges.

Twenty-seven-year-old Sean Lampkin, of D Field

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 VACANCY Vacancy exist for one head cook and one supervisor for food establishment in Georgetown,Call:231-8737.

Nexus Machining & Fabrication Inc- 4 Fitter Machinist, 2 Mill Wright. Call: 266-0309, Working experience will be an asset Needed urgently: 1 male, exp cooking on grill, multi-tasking 4pm-2am & Female Creole Cook.ECD #675-2550/6569313

VACANCY Truck Driver to work Georgetown to Essequibo route. Contact# 223-5273/74 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 Clerk & Domestic live-in Facilities for Berbicians and Essequibians 219-5354.

Sophia, Georgetown, was on trial before Magistrate Dylon Bess in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts, since he had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges when he made his first court appearance.

Lampkin was sentenced to three years for a robbery under arms, eighteen months for attempted robbery charge, six months for escaping from lawful custody and $20,000 fine for each on two assault charges.

The sentences will run concurrently. Lampkin will only spend three years for all the offences that he was sentenced.

On April 16, 2019 at Main Street, Georgetown, Lampkin robbed Jonay DeSantos of a $5,000 handbag with $8,000 worth of valuables inside.

Immediately after that said robbery on the same date and location he attempted to rob Uris Alleyne, a friend of DeSantos.

On the same date, while being on High Street, Georgetown, Lampkin, while being in police custody for

robbery and attempting to commit a felony, he escaped from custody.

Lampkin was also charged for assaulting police officers Wilson and Keron on April 16, 2019, who were acting in the execution of their duties at High Street.

The facts of the charge stated that on the day in question, Lampkin robbed one of the nurses and was attempting to rob the other, while he was trying to make good his escape he was apprehended by public-spirited persons and handed over to the police on Main Street, Georgetown.

The court heard that while Lampkin was being escorted into the police van, he attempted to disarm the two police officers and make an escape. One of the officers, while defending him, shot Lampkin to the left side of his abdomen.

Lampkin was then taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was treated and later charged for the offences.

US, UK, EU welcome March 2 elections date - offer help

Sales Representative & Porter, 5 Subjects CXC, Good Western diplomats appear to communication skills, Experience, Mima Decor, 8 be at ease with the fixing of an Sheriff St #226-0176, elections date.

Yesterday, the United States, mimadecor06@gmail.com United Kingdom and European Cook for interior, must be able Union offered monitoring and to make pastries & 2 labourers other assistance. for shop. Tel#660-9093/687The statement would follow 7638 what would have been an unusually strong statement last Experienced Lorry Driver, week from the three countries, Apply at Alabama Trading 65 calling on President David Robb Street Bourda Granger to immediately fix an elections date.

Experienced Female, Earlier this week, President Accounts clerk, must have Granger announced that the passes in Maths & English, earliest date for general and Apply in person at Alabama regional elections would be Trading 65 Robb St March 2nd.

That announcement, during 1 music teacher (piano & guitar) to do at home teaching an address to the nation, raised for two boys. Perferably from questions whether indeed a date had been fixed.

East Bank. #698-4432 On Thursday, Granger told Vacancy exists for One reporters that indeed, March 2 is Female to work @ Del Ice the day.

Co.Must have Maths & Yesterday, the three English.Call:642-9191/231- countries, minus Canada, which 1408. has been silent, issued a One shop attendant. Tel#691- statement.

It came from the United 7123 States of America Ambassador Experienced Salesgirl, Apply to Guyana, Ambassador Sarahat Alabama Trading 65 Robb Ann Lynch; United Kingdom High Commissioner to St, Bourda Guyana, Greg Quinn and the Head of Delegation of the EDUCATION European Union to Guyana, Common Entrance Lessons: Ambassador Fernando Ponz Grades 1-6, Phonics, Reading C a n t ó . & Composition classes, ”The United States, United Nursery Phonics & Aftercare, Kingdom, and the European Rising Star Academy Union note the Presidents Albertown. Call: 677-0296 announcement of a firm

election date of 02 March, 2020.

It is now essential to ensure free and fair elections which we are pleased to support with elections assistance and monitoring along with other colleagues in the international community.”

Meanwhile, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association Limited also said it welcomes the announcement by President Granger of the date for the holding of the national elections.

“In this vein we take the opportunity to acknowledge the support of the Opposition Leader of the date.

We now look forward to an incident free process toward the holding of a free, transparent and credible elections.”

Early elections were triggered after a December 21 no-confidence motion by the Opposition was carried.

It mandated elections in three months, cutting into the five-year term of the Coalition Government by almost 18 months.

However, court challenges, disagreements and challenges over the naming of chairperson for the Guyana Elections Commission have all delayed the process.

In the meantime, investors, the diplomats and the populace have been growing weary of the uncertainties.

Saturday September 28, 2019

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Number of drug dealers jailed in Berbice Peter Loo, 24, a labourer of Timmers Dam, Angoys Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice, was arrested on June 19 at a Police roadblock on the Weldaad Public Road with 1361 grams of cannabis in a black and brown haversack he had on his person.

He was in a vehicle on his way to Georgetown.

He was arrested and

charged and appeared in Weldaad Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in jail.

Marlon Bianchani , 43, a labourer, of Catherina’s Lust, Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth

Singh in the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court.

He was charged with, on February 4, 2019, being in possession of Narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The case for the prosecution was presented by Woman Prosecutor Corporal Rochelle Mars. The court was told that police received information that the accused who is a

Special Education Needs students participate in Day of Visual Arts Expressions

Students from Special Education Needs schools across Guyana participated at the Day of Inner Expression for Special Needs Students at the Umana Yana yesterday.

There they showcased their talent in the area of visual arts.

Declaring the event open was Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson, who commended the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Unit and the Special Education Needs (SEN) Unit of the Ministry of Education for the initiative. He said that the event seeks to allow students to showcase their talent since he believes that every individual is born gifted despite the troubling issues they may experience.

He added that the role of teachers is essential since education needs to be delivered to the nation’s children with special needs. National SEN Officer, Ms. Savvie Hopkinson, in her remarks said that the event represents a paradigm shift in education and the beneficial impact of a policy change on family and community, teacher and school.

She said, “We no longer wonder whether persons with disabilities belong to their world or our world because we know they occupy different spaces in our common sphere and that they are differently gifted and may be enabled to achieve heights in their vocations.”

According to the National SEN Officer, the event was an excellent opportunity to assess the work of teachers, to display the learning of students, and to inform parents of the intellectual growth, development and progress of their children.

Ms. Hopkinson said that now is the right time to signal to persons that students with special education needs and disability rightly belong in the classroom, the employment pool and deserve to be considered without prejudice.

The government of Guyana cares for students and this is evident in the policies being pursued, she said. “It is visible when the Ministry of Education adopted the policy of Diversity and the Right to an Appropriate Education, it has more than the school in mind.

“It is targeting the economic independence of each adult and showing the way to the good life through the path of education,” She remarked.Coordinator of the TVET Unit, Ms. Stacy Osborne said that the TVET institutions in Guyana have been implementing and working with the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) policies to include persons with disabilities.

She said that the ILO has been emphasising the need worldwide to make TVET and Skills systems inclusive of persons with disabilities. According to Ms. Osborne with the frame-

40

work action, skills development systems have dual objectives of supporting economic growth and contributing to broad social objectives in the interest of society as a whole.

Ms. Osborne explained that these social objectives include expanding access to TVET and skills development opportunities for marginalised groups, such as persons with disabilities.

She said that the focus on disability includes vocational training. It has been heightened by the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with disabilities in 2006.

The students that participated in yesterday’s exercise came from the Beterverwagting SEN Centre, Schoonord Learning Centre for Diverse Needs, Diamond Special Needs School, Resource Unit for SEN Learners, Linden, Unit for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the David Rose Special School.

Participants under the guidance of their teachers were tasked to paint on canvas a representation of what they believe expresses the theme ‘Freedom’.

known drug dealer was in James Street, Hopetown West Coast Berbice area, selling drugs. The cops ventured to the area and accosted the accused. The area was searched and a black and blue Puma haversack was found under a shelf containing two parcels of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be marijuana.

Further searches unearthed a black waist pouch with 27 zip lock bags of leaves,

seeds and stems also suspected to be marijuana .

The accu s e d w a s a r rested and taken into custody and the items were tested and weighted and found to be 825 grams of cannabis. He was charged and subsequently found guilty and sentenced to 40 months in jail.

And Jason Charles, 24, a food vendor of New Amsterdam, Berbice was ar-

rested by the police on March 1, 2019 after he was seen acting suspiciously. He reportedly had 313 grams of cannabis sativa in his possession.

He appeared before Magistrate Peter Hugh in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court and was found guilty and fined $150,000.

Failing to pay the fine he will be sent to jail for three years.

PAGE 24

Chinese store owners neck slashed during robbery

The business that was robbed.

A Chinese businesswoman, 25-year-old, Lie Yang, of Seaforth Street Campbellville, is now nursing a cut to the neck after she was attacked by bandits around 17:45 hrs yesterday afternoon.

According to the woman five men, one whom was armed with a knife, approached her while she was inside the Sunshine Bin Fashion Store that she owns and operates at Lot 12 America Street, Georgetown with an employee.

Saturday September 28, 2019

Kaieteur News

The men confronted the woman while she was standing by the cashier and demanded that she hand over the cash, while pointing the knife at her.

The armed suspect then cut the womans neck with the knife and grabbed a shoe box that contained an undisclosed amount of money. They ran out of the store with the box, removed the money and dropped the box in the process.

The men then proceeded South on Longden Street and

then headed west on Croal Street. The woman was assisted by the Emergency Medical Te c h n i c i a n s (EMT) from the Central Fire Service and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she is receiving treatment.

An eyewitness claimed that “it happened so fast we couldnt do anything; it was like a movie.”

None of the suspects has been arrested up to press time and investigations are ongoing.

Inquest to commence into 2017 Rockstone drowning An inquest will c o m m e n c e o n F r i d a y, October 11, into the deaths of 13-year-old Kimeanda Prince and her 50-year-old uncle, Gavin Moses, who both drowned while the teen was celebrating her birthday at the Rockstone Fish Festival back in October 2017.

The teens family was among hundreds who attended the final day of the Rockstone Fish Festival held at the Rockstone Village, some ten miles west of Linden i n R e g i o n Te n , U p p e r Demerara-Berbice area.

Based on information, Prince and her little

sister went swimming and they drifted into the deeper part of the river.

An alarm was raised and Moses went to their rescue. He managed to push the little sister to shore. As he went back to rescue Prince, he apparently encountered difficulty and went below the surface.

According to information published by the Registrar of the Supreme Court, the inquest will be conducted by Magistrate Wa n d a F o r t u n e a t t h e Linden Magistrates Court.

A total of five witnesses have been

listed to testify at the inquest.

They are Bernard Moses of Lot 337 Fort Ordinance, East Canje, Berbice; Audrey Moses of Lot 645 La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara; Gregory Muss of Lot 7 Jones Gill Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara; Lynette Benn of Rockstone and Dwayne Canzies of Lot 94 One Mile Extension, Wismar, Linden.

Prince, a former student of the Houston Secondary School resided at Bagostown, East Bank Demerara, while her uncle lived somewhere on West Bank Demerara.

Trump envoy to Ukraine resigns: sources (Reuters) - U.S. Presid e n t D o n a l d T r u m p ’s special representative for Ukraine, Kurt Volker, resigned y e s t e r d a y, sources familiar with the situation said.

A whistleblower complaint from within the intelligence community, released publicly on Thursday, d e s c r i b e d Vo l k e r a s trying to “contain the damage” from efforts by T r u m p ’s l a w y e r R u d y Giuliani to press Ukraine

to investigate Democ r a t s . Vo l k e r, w h o h a d served in the position on a part-time, unpaid basis since 2017, had sought to help Ukraine’s government resolve its confrontation with Russia-sponsored separatists.

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives, who are conduct-

ing an impeachment investigation of Trump, have sought testimony from Volker relating to a July 25 phone call in which Trump encouraged Ukraine’s president to investigate Joe Biden, a political rival.

Volker ’s resignation was first reported by the State Press, a studentrun publication at Ariz o n a St a t e U n i v e r s i t y, which backs a think tank where Volker serves as executive director.

In swipe at Trump, China tells U.N. tariffs could plunge world into recession UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The Chinese government’s top diplomat said yesterday that tariffs and trade disputes could plunge the world into recession and Beijing was committed to resolving them in a “calm, rational and cooperative manner.”

In a blunt speech to the annual United Nations General Assembly, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said: “Erecting walls will not resolve global challenges, and blaming others for one’s own problems does not work. The lessons of the Great Depression should not be forgotten.”

Taking a clear swipe at U.S. President Donald Trump, who started a damaging trade war on China nearly 15 months ago, Wang added, without naming the U.S. leader: “Tariffs and provocation of trade disputes, which upset global industrial and supply chains, serve to undermine the multilateral trade regime and global economic and trade order. “They may even plunge the world into recession.” In successive rounds of tit-for-tat tariffs, the United States and China have levied punitive duties on hundreds

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi addresses the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 27, 2019. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson of billions of dollars of each other’s goods, roiling financial markets and threatening global growth.A new round of high-level talks between the world’s two largest economies is expected in Washing-

ton in the first half of October. Wang’s remarks, unusually pointed for a Chinese diplomat, coincided with word that the Trump administration is considering radical new financial pressure tactics on

Beijing, including the possibility of delisting Chinese companies from U.S. stock exchanges.

Sources told Reuters on Friday that the move would be part of a broader effort to limit U.S. investments into Chinese companies, in part because of growing security concerns about their activities.

News of the potential restrictions on portfolio investments restrictions sent U.S. stocks and oil prices lower on Friday on fears that U.S.China trade tensions would again escalate. An increase in U.S. tariffs to 30% from 25% on $250 billion in Chinese imports is scheduled for Oct. 15 if no progress is made before then.U.S. and Chinese rhetoric on trade this week had seesawed between harsher and more conciliatory, with Trump issuing a sharp rebuke of China’s trade practices and state-led development model in his speech before the General Assembly on Tuesday, adding that he would not accept a “bad deal.”

On the same day, Wang warned the United States not to interfere with China’s sovereignty. But on Thursday he said China was willing to consider increased purchases of

farm products and predicted that talks would lead to a resolution if both sides took more steps to improve goodwill.

Trump said on Wednesday a trade deal with China could come sooner than people think, and praised the Chinese purchases.

NORTH KOREA At the United Nations, Wang also took aim at Trump’s policy on North Korea, in which groundbreaking talks between Pyongyang and Washington have stalled, largely over the U.S. refusal to ease punishing sanctions.

Wang said it was necessary for the United Nations to consider invoking the rollback terms of North Korea-related sanctions resolutions “in the light of new developments” on the Korean Peninsula “to bolster the political settlement of the Peninsula issue.”He said “the realistic and viable way forward” was to promote “parallel progress in denuclearization and the establishment of a peace mechanism” to gradually build trust “through phased and synchronized actions.”Wang criticized the U.S. withdrawal this year from a treaty governing intermediate range nuclear missiles, and said China was against the deploy-

ment of such missiles in the Asia-Pacific region.

He said China would continue to take an active role in the international arms control process and added that it has initiated domestic legal procedures to join the Arms Trade Treaty. Trump has said he intends to revoke the U.S. signature to the treaty, which regulates the $70 billion global cross-border trade in conventional arms and seeks to keep weapons out of the hands of human rights abusers. So far, 104 countries have joined the pact, which the General Assembly approved in 2013.

Wang reiterated comments made earlier in the week, stressing China’s commitment to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of another country, an apparent reference to Beijing’s displeasure at criticism of its handling of protests in Hong Kong.

“On the international stage, we speak for justice and oppose hegemonism or bullying,” Wang said.Shortly before Wang’s speech, China and Kiribati formally resumed diplomatic ties at a ceremony he presided over at the Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.

Saturday September 28, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Saturday September 28, 2019

House Democrats subpoena Pompeo for Ukraine documents WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives who are pursuing an impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump forged ahead with their probe yesterday, issuing a subpoena for State Department documents concerning contact with the Ukrainian government.

Following a whistleblower complaint that Republican President Donald Trump solicited a political favor from Ukraine’s president that could help him get reelected, the lawmakers are investigating concerns that Trump’s actions have jeopardized national security and the integrity of U.S. elections.

The House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence and Oversight Committees also scheduled depositions for five State Department officials over the

next two weeks - four of whom were named in the whistleblower complaint.

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The committees announced the subpoena after the Trump administration missed a Thursday deadline to provide documents and information about contacts with Ukrainian officials, as well as a July 25 telephone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

That call is central to the impeachment investigation that Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the Democratic-led House of Representatives, announced this week.

The impeachment inquiry has cast a new pall over Trump’s presidency just months after he emerged from

the shadow cast by Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into whether he colluded with Russia in the 2016 election.

Trump has reacted furiously, arguing he did nothing wrong, and accusing Democrats of launching a politically motivated “witch hunt.”

More than 300 former national security officials from both Republican and Democratic administrations yesterday endorsed the House’s impeachment inquiry, saying they did not prejudge the outcome but wanted to know more facts.

TRUMP DOUBLES DOWN WITH AD As the subpoena was announced, Trump’s re-election campaign said it would spend $10 million next week airing an ad called “Biden corruption” on television and websites

that accuses Democrats of playing politics with the impeachment investigation.

The White House this week released a summary of Trump’s July 25 phone call where he asked Zelenskiy to investigate his Democratic rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden ahead of the November 2020 presidential election - a call at the heart of the whistleblower’s complaint. Hunter Biden served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company called Burisma when Biden was in office.

There has been no evidence that the former vice president used his position to help his son in the Ukraine matter.

Ukraine’s anti-corruption investigation agency said on Friday it was investigating permits given to companies managed by Burisma during

2010-2012. Hunter Biden was hired in 2014. The agency said it would only go further if compelling new testimony emerged.

The whistleblower raised concerns about interactions that Trump’s personal lawyer Rudolph Giuliani - who has promoted theories about Biden’s activities in Ukraine had with former and current Ukrainian officials.

The complaint raised questions about Giuliani’s role in the early recall of Marie Yovanovitch, who was the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine.

The whistleblower said Kurt Volker, the U.S. special representative to Ukraine, and Gordon Sondland, U.S. ambassador to the European Union, worked to try to “contain the damage” from Giuliani’s travels and meetings.

The House Democratic committees said they had scheduled depositions for

Yovanovitch, Volker and Sondland during the next two weeks, as well T. Ulrich Brechbuhl - a State Department aide who the whistleblower said had listened in on Trump’s call with Zelenskiy. The committees also said it had scheduled a deposition with State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary George Kent, who oversees Ukraine policy. Kent was Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kiev from 2015 to 2018, and worked on anti-corruption policy in the region before that time. House Intelligence Committee Democrats are debating the merits of summoning Giuliani, a source familiar with deliberations said.

On Oct. 4, the committee also will hear closed-door testimony from the intelligence community’s inspector general Michael Atkinson, who had determined that the whistleblower’s report was credible.

Saturday September 28, 2019

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

Williams pulls out of Worlds citing “long trip to Doha” KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Sprint sensation Briana Williams has withdrawn from Jamaica’s team for the IAAF World Championships starting in Doha yesterday, citing insufficient preparation time after escaping serious punishment on Thursday for a doping violation.

The 17-year-old tested positive for a banned substance last June but a disciplinary panel ruled this week the action had not been deliberate and opted to reprimand her with “no period of ineligibility”, clearing her to join the national team already in Qatar.

However, hours after the

Briana Williams … has pulled out of World Championships.

Saturday September 28, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Bask in each new day, Aries.

Do your best to spread your sunshine, but don't be surprised if someone challenges the way you think.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Love and romance should be going well for you now, Taurus. Something has sparked the detective in you and you're anxious to probe, inquire, and seek the truth in every situation.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) The indecisiveness that you feel regarding certain issues may be amplified today, Gemini. You may go to extremes from one side of the spectrum to the other.

CANCER(June21–July22) Your thinking should be clear today, and your sharp focus adept at r e v e a l i n g the truth of any situation. Your mind may be intertwined quite delicately with your heart, but the good news is that they're working harmoniously together.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't leave anyone behind as you gallivant through your world today. You're so wrapped up in your adventures that you're unaware of other people who could use more attention.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Love and romance are key aspects of the day, Virgo. You should find that things relating to these aspects of your life are going well.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You might need to take a step back today and turn your attention inward instead of outward. When it comes to love and romance, don't rush things. Patience is needed now more than ever.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your mind is like a fine sieve that filters even the smallest details from the whole, Scorpio.

Nothing escapes your attention today. You're right on top of the situation whether people realize it or not.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You may feel like you're sitting on a pincushion when it comes to issues regarding love and romance. Don't be surprised if there's conflict in this part of your life.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) There could be some verbal sparring as you tackle the challenges this new day brings, Capricorn. Love is on your side.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You may try to explain something with your brain today when the true understanding of the situation comes only through your heart. Feel the answerfrom deep within instead of trying to decipher it.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your mind is especially keen today. You'll find that it communes well with your anxious heart. Someone may have recently stepped into your life and now it's time to engage with this person on a deeper level.

Heavy unseasonal...

From page 26 unseasonal heavy rains have forced us to review the series schedule. I am thankful to Sri Lanka Cricket as well as our host broadcasters for agreeing to amend the match schedule to ensure there are no further abandonments due to rain in what is an important bilateral FTP series for Pakistan.”

Unexpected rain in Karachi had put this game in doubt as early as 48 hours before the scheduled start, with the city lashed by heavy afternoon rains each of the past three days. With a training session cancelled on Wednesday and only a short one possible on Thursday, the square had been under covers all this while. This afternoon, when perhaps the heaviest spell of rain all week descended upon the National Stadium, cancellation was inevitable.

It is by no means a familiar phenomenon for the city, this match being the first ODI ever to be abandoned because of the weather in Karachi.

Tower powered by...

From page 30 the successful staging of the show come October 19.

Whilst noting that this is their way of empowering athletes who make the sacrifices to get their bodies in shape to excite the fans, Bacchus also noted that Tower powered by Unity Gym will also be sending three athletes to compete.

These athletes are Andre Wagner, reigning Novice 2019 champion Anthony Harris and Jonathan Jeffrey who will be vying for top honours in the Men’s Physique competition.

decision was handed down, the reigning double sprint World Junior champion announced she would not participate in the September 27 to October 6 games.

“I have decided to forego competing at the World Championships considering the long trip to Doha and that the team has already started training for the relays,” Williams said.

“I am just relieved and thankful after what has been a very emotional summer. I would like to once again express my gratitude to everyone right across Jamaica who reached out to show support.”

Williams’s coach, former Olympic star Ato Boldon, had indicated Thursday she would be down to run the 100 metres.

However, the preliminaries of the marquee event are scheduled to get underway at 4:30 pm Saturday (8:30 am, Saturday Eastern Caribbean time), leaving Williams with a race against time.

Williams, who has in successive years won triple gold in the sprints at the CARIFTA Championships in

2018 and 2019, said her focus was now on the Olympics in Tokyo next year.

“I look forward to returning to the track for the 2020 season,” she said.

“Hopefully, I still have a chance to make the trip to Doha to watch Jamaica compete. I would like to wish all our athletes and coaches the very best.”

Jonielle Smith, 23, who won the 100 metres at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Colombia last year, has replaced Williams in the sprints.

Williams found herself at the centre of controversy when she tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide at the National Championships.

She subsequently pleaded guilty and following a two-day hearing this week, the Independent AntiDoping Disciplinary Panel said “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 In-Competition sprint event on June 21, 2019.”

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Saturday September 28, 2019

ORSCA’s 9th Cricket T20 Grand Finals

Masters overcome Jaguars by four wickets Ontario Round Arm Softball Cricket Association staged its T20 softball “Grand Finals” at the picturesque Lancaster Park field in Mississauga last Sunday.

The large crowd of vocal and supporting spectators swayed to the sweet music between overs and cheered loudly for every boundary and wicket, and above the din, was the colourful commentary by Aftab Shamsudeen.

Proof that round-arm softball recreational cricket is on the rise, this being the 9th Finals of ORSCA; which started with just 10 teams, and progressed to this year with registration closed at 27 teams, and a goal of getting 32 teams next year. It was a star-studded match up between Masters CC and Cambridge Jaguars, featuring some former Guyana and Canada players. It was a seesaw battle where Jaguars staged two ambushes but the Masters held their nerves, as the experience of those former national players proved to be the difference, to prevail by four wickets.

Masters captain Mark Nazir won the toss and elected to field immediately.

This decision proved correct as Cambridge Jaguars were reduced to 22 for 5 in 7 overs and then 42 for 6 in 10 overs.

Amzad Haniff started the destruction but it was a young, pacy 17-year old teenager who delivered the telling blows on Jaguars batting line-up. Young Sachin (only name given) playing his first season in ORSCA, bowled fast, flat and accurately to remove former Albion players Roopnarine Lalbehari (C) and Zulfikar Rozan, in a spell where defence was the only option.

However, former BVI player

The victorious Masters team (right) and Jaguars unit (left) along with organsiers of the tournament (above).

Vijay Jhappan was able to withstand the spell before he unleashed some lusty blows.

He struck 11 huge sixes in a game changing partnership with Jerry Pooran. Vijay (only name provided) scored 87 runs to see the Jaguars to 163 in their allotted 20 overs. For the Masters Amzad Haniff, Satrohan Doodnauth and Mark Nazir took two wickets each.

Masters started their chase positively aided by some wayward bowling and

poor fielding from the Jaguars.

Former Guyana youth player Ejaaz Mohamed and Imran Ali put on 40 runs before Ali was run out.

Azam Haniff struck six sixes in a breezy 42 that added impetus to the chase.

Although star batsman Bobby Budhram fell cheaply, Masters were well placed at 141 for 5 in 13 overs. Anil Ramoutar (31) and Kumar Doodnauth (17) were in total control before Jaguars staged another determined fight

Heavy unseasonal rains force second ODI to be postponed to September 30 ESPNcricinfo - The second ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been postponed by a day owing to unseasonal rains that left Karachi’s National S t a d i u m waterlogged, washing out the first game of the series in the process. With more rain expected on the day of the second game – tomorrow, Sunday, September 29 - the Pakistan Cricket Board, in

consultation with the Sri Lanka Cricket Board, has rescheduled the game to Monday, September 30.

“This week’s heavy rains, including on Friday afternoon, has left the outfield soggy, with the groundstaff requiring at least two complete days to make the ground fit for cricket,” a PCB media statement said. “The PCB has also announced tickets sold for Friday, 27 September, will be valid for

either 30 September or 2 October ODI, while tickets sold for Sunday, 29 September, match may also be used for either 30 September or 2 October ODI. As per the PCB ticketing policy for the series, the PCB will also allow refund of all tickets for Friday’s match.”

PCB director of international cricket Zakir Khan said, “This week’s (Continued on page 25)

back. Jerry Pooran and Mahendra Jaipersaud conceded just 10 runs in 5 overs for the loss of two wickets. Eventually Mark Nazir (C) and Abdool Samad (former Canada national player) saw Masters home to

send their many supporters and large camp into joyful celebration frenzy as they lifted the trophy for the first time after a few previous attempts.

The Finals MVP honor was shared between Satrohan

Doodnauth (Bowling) who provided the opening salvo for Masters in his spell of 2 for 15 (4 overs) and Vijay Jhappan (Batting) who kept Jaguars in the hunt with a measured yet devastating knock of 87.

Upper Corentyne Cricket Association U-17 Inter School cricket

Latchman’s blistering century propels Skeldon Linepath Secondary School to victory A blistering century by Skeldon Line Path Secondary’s (SLPS) Victorie Latchman enabled his school to inflict a massive innings and 169 runs victory over a hapless Black Bush Polder Secondary (BBPS).

The game was a part of the Bharat and Family U17 Inter Secondary Competition, organised by the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) for schools in the Upper Corentyne and Black Bush Polder areas.

Being asked to bat first, BBPS must have regretted their decision to ask SLPS

to take first strike. Latchman blistering century 108(16x4) which is the first ever in the competition led the way as SLPS rattled up 246-6 declare.

All-rounder Trevon Sukdeo offer good support as he clobbered 70 (6x6, 4x4).

Bowling for BBPS, Dhanai picked up five wickets. They in reply were bundled out for a mere 48 with S. Chatterpaul grabbing 5 wickets.

Batting a second time BBPS feared even worst and were skittle out for 29 with T. Sukdeo and Chatterpaul snaring 5 wickets each to lose

by an innings and 169 runs.

The other schools participating are Skeldon High School (SHS), Tagore Memorial Secondary School (TMSS) and Central Corentyne Secondary School (CCSS) in the five schools competition.

The competition, which is being played on a one day two innings format with the top two schools advancing to the finals, is being coordinated by the UCCA Competitions Committee.

Former National wicketkeeper/batsman Sydney Jackman is the coordinator. (Samuel Whyte)

Saturday September 28, 2019

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

IMC established for Circle Tennis as efforts continue to establish national body

A second organizing meeting, chaired by the Assistant Director of Sport, Ms. Melissa Dow-Richardson was held this past week.

Efforts to establish a national body to govern the indigenous sport of Circle Tennis, has entered its second phase.

A second organizing meeting, chaired by the Assistant Director of Sport, Ms. Melissa DowRichardson was recently held at the Ministry’s Main Street, Georgetown office.

The meeting, which was attended by members of t h e l o c a l C i r c l e Te n n i s f r a t e r n i t y, saw the formation of an Interim Management Committee (IMC), which has been tasked to exam several

areas of work.

These include the finalization of the rules of the game, the hosting of regional tournaments, training sessions and coaching clinics, etc.

The IMC is also responsible for addressing the matter of a constitution and other guiding documents required for the eventual election of a national executive.

The IMC has until the end of 2019 to complete its work, so that a Guyana Circle Tennis Association can be fully established to overlook the discipline.

TOURNAMENT FOR THIS WEEKEND In the meantime, the Department of Sports, along with the National Sports Commission will be hosting a tournament scheduled for today, September 28, in Linden, Region 10.

Approximately eight to 10 teams from various regions are expected to participate in the games.

According to DowRichardson, this will be the fourth tournament of the Circle Tennis community since May, 2019, and an important step in the resuscitation of Guyana’s

indigenous sport.

“It is envisioned that Sports will significantly contribute to the Government’s goal of achieving social cohesion and national unity. Circle tennis, with its tenants of discipline, gender parity and vibrant techniques, is a perfect vehicle for achieving this mission,” the Assistant Director of Sport noted.

Circle Tennis is said to have originated in Berbice during the 1900s. Over the past few decades, the sport has grown tremendously, with large groups being established throughout the

country.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton believes that Circle Tennis is one of the very few sport disciplines that can serve as a reflection of social cohesion.

“Circle Tennis basically has no barriers. It has no restrictions when it comes to age, gender, ableness, etc.

There seems to be a role for everybody in Circle Tennis. It is all about inclusion and we ought to leave no stone unturned in promoting that,” Minister Norton posited during the initial meeting with the Circle Tennis fraternity.

Dow-Richardson emphasised the need for Guyana to not only develop the discipline, but to also export it to the rest of the world as well.

“Circle Tennis is indigenous to us. Here we have a sport that is ours – a sport that started in Guyana, created by Guyanese. I believe it is important for us to capitalize on it and take it to world,” Dow-Richardson said.

During the engagement, teams from various regions were afforded the opportunity to make recommendations on the way forward.

Zouks boost playoff hopes and eliminate Tallawahs CPL - Daren Sammy held his nerve to keep St Lucia Zouks’ 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) playoff hopes very much alive with a four-wicket win over Jamaica Tallawahs last night.

A pair of Hero Maximums in the penultimate over of a nervy, high-stakes runchase effectively settled the contest, bringing the scores level and allowing Krishmar Santokie to smash the winning runs at the start of the final over.

Victory for the Zouks lifted them back above Barbados Tridents into fourth place while also ending the Tallawahs’ own lingering hopes of a topfour finish. It’s the first time in Hero CPL history the Tallawahs miss out on the playoffs.

The Zouks now head to Barbados on Sunday for a hugely significant clash with the Tridents as the league phase hits the home straight.

Chasing 166 for v i c t o r y, Rahkeem Cornwall got the Zouks off to the perfect start with a 24-ball half-century with four fours and five sixes.

Darren Sammy hits one down the ground. (Getty Images) He showed his intent from the very first over, pulling Zahir Khan for four and then launching a Hero Maximum over long-on.

The real carnage came in the third over of the innings as Jerome Taylor was taken for 25.

Cornwall hit back-to-back Hero Maximums to start the over before Andre Fletcher finished it off with 10 runs in two balls.

Fletcher was caught at slip by Chris Gayle off Zahir Khan, but Cornwall raced on

to his half-century, his most dramatic contribution a huge Hero Maximum off Ramaal Lewis that bounced twice on the roof before finding its way into the car park.

He was gone two balls later, though – just after reaching his half-century – when another attempt to clear the rope was held just inside it by Chadwick Walton.

When Colin de Grandhomme holed out off Imran Khan to the first ball of the next over for a

golden duck, the Zouks were in danger of losing their way.

But with the required rate well in hand, Colin Ingram and Hardus Viljoen had the luxury of taking a few overs just to steady the ship. They did so, Viljoen then getting the chase really back up and running with a pair of huge sixes over long-on off Khan. The final ball of that over was pulled to the square-leg fence and the Zouks were firmly back in

control.

Still it was not exactly plain sailing to the finish line.

Ingram was run out by a superb direct hit from Khan at mid-off, before Viljoen topedged a Dwayne Smith short ball to Shamar Springer at long-leg.

When Chris Barnwell picked out Smith at long-on to give Imran Khan a second wicket, the Tallawahs suddenly sensed a chance with the equation 19 from 12 and Daren Sammy left with only the Zouks bowlers for company.

Two huge sixes later, the matter was all but s e t t l e d w i t h Santokie gleefully crashing the first ball of the final over to the cover boundary to seal a hugely important win.

Dwayne Smith had earlier returned to form in fine style for the Tallawahs. Having failed to reach double-figures in four previous 2019 Hero CPL innings, Smith looked back to his very best in plundering 58 in 38 balls with six fours and three sixes.

But after he and debutant Liton Das (21 from 21) were dismissed in successive balls by the

impressive Kesrick Williams, the Tallawahs innings fell away.

From 138/2 after 16 overs with two set batsmen at the crease, only 27 more were added at a cost of five wickets in the face of some superb Zouks death bowling.

Williams was very much the pick, adding the wicket of Trevon Griffith to finish with fine figures of 3/24 despite Shamar Springer hitting the final ball of his spell for six.

Glenn Phillips and Gayle had got the innings off to a fine start before 2019 Hero CPL leading run-scorer Phillips was bounced out by Viljoen after smacking backto-back fours.

Gayle was then prepared to play second fiddle to Smith in a partnership of Smith before being caught by a juggling Viljoen at longoff as Sammy’s decision to bring himself into the attack paid dividends.

Smith went through to his half-century in 30 balls but fell just as the Tallawahs were looking to really launch in the final overs. They were never quite able to do so.

PAGE 30

Saturday September 28, 2019

Kaieteur News

BCB Office Restoration Project receive contributions from Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh, A.H & L Kissoon Ltd The month long celebration of the Berbice Cricket Board 80th Anniversary continues with overseas based Guyanese Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh and local furniture giant A.H. & L Kissoon Ltd making major contributions toward the office restoration project. The project, one of the main programmes for the 80th Anniversary Celebration, was spearheaded by President Hilbert Foster, Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu, Treasurer Dr. Cecil Beharry and Administrator Angela Haniff.

Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh contributed $371,000 (US$1800) which would be used to tile the 20’ x 30’ feet office, purchase electric fans and plastic and folding chairs for the Dr. Cheddi Jagan Street, New Amsterdam based office.

The Management of A. H & L Kissoon Ltd on Tuesday last handed over a three piece suite worth $110,000 to Foster at its Port Mourant branch.

The Berbice Cricket Board boss expressed gratitude to Dr. Singh who for this year alone has contributed over

Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh $2M of his own funds for sponsorship of the 2019 Cricket Academy, Countywide Coaching Programme, water pitcher project among otherss. He described the Texas based Medical Doctor as one of the main reason why his twenty months Presidency has been so successful.

The purchasing of the chairs means that the Berbice Cricket Board would no longer have to rent them whenever it holds meetings or official functions at the office.

The three piece suite would enable the proactive

Cricket Board to properly host visitors at its office and is one of numerous improvements over the last month. The office now has its own television set, DVD player, water dispenser, Desktop computer, printer, fax machine, electric fans among others.

The Management of the Board has also purchased numerous other items to make sure that the Berbice Cricket Board becomes self reliance.

The Board has also obtained sponsorship to install PVC ceiling on the roof, while the Wall of Fame would be upgraded to international standards.

The month long celebration of the BCB 80th Anniversary has been very successful. Among the programmes hosted were Nursery School Poster Competition, Primary School Poster Competition, Secondary School Essay Competition, Television Programme, Tribute to Heroes, Tribute to Retired Cricketers, Cricketers Hall of Fame, Administrator Hall of Fame, water pitcher project, cricket balls project, 80th

A.H & L Kissoon Ltd Port Mourant Branch Manager George Narine hands over chair suite to BCB President Hilbert Foster.

Anniversary Book, four pages newspaper pullout, Let’s Bet Sports 20/20 Competition, Gears for Under13 players, Honouring of West Indies Female Debutants, Berbice Greatest

Players, donations to NGOs, bicycles for young players, distribution of 80 school bags, food hampers for less fortunate families, cricket gears for clubs, 80th Anniversary Souvenir Cups

Solo drink girls’ league concludes today The curtains will fall on the Solo soft drink girls’ outdoor development hockey league this afternoon following the final match which will be played 15:50hrs on the St. Stanislaus College (SSC) ground that is located on Carifesta Avenue.

Playing on first hockey pitch at the SSC facility, which is prepped by Robert Fernandes, Saints girls will cross sticks with Bingo Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Spartans. The Spartans

are well on their way to being crowned the league champions but a very unlikely defeat against Saints by four or more goals will be upsetting for GCC. The boys’ under-20 league will conclude tomorrow while there action in the Bounty – Quicker Picker Upper – second division league is also scheduled to get underway this weekend. Please see current points table in the various groups below.

and 80th Anniversary Posters.

The Berbice Cricket Board would like to express gratitude to A.H & L KIssoon Ltd and Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh.

Play in the under-20 girls’ league between GCC Bingo Spartans (on the ball) and GCC Her-ricanes.

Second division men Team GCC The Sequel YMCA OF Aces Bounty GCC Hikers Cadets SHC Savages SHC Shockwave YMCA OF Rusty Second division women Team GBTI GCC Bingo GCC Spartans Saints YMCA OF Wild Cats Under-20 girls Team Bingo GCC Spartans Saints YMCA OF Bellas GCC Her-ricanes Under-20 boys Team GCC Pitbulls YMCA OF Ballerz SHC Samurai SHC Storm YMCA OF Generals

GP 9 10 8 9 8 8 10

W 7 6 3 4 5 2 0

D 1 0 2 1 2 1 1

L 1 4 3 4 1 5 9

GF 35 22 14 20 13 14 10

GA 9 23 13 18 12 16 37

GD 26 -1 1 2 1 -2 -27

Points 22 18 11 13 17 7 1

Rank 1 2 5 4 3 6 7

GP 5 4 4 5

W 3 1 4 0

D 0 1 0 1

L 2 2 0 4

GF 31 8 12 0

GA 10 10 1 30

GD 21 -2 11 -30

Points 9 4 12 1

Rank 2 3 1 4

GP 5 5 6 6

W 5 4 0 1

D 0 0 1 1

L 0 1 5 4

GF 24 20 0 3

GA 0 4 22 21

GD 24 16 -22 -18

Points 15 12 1 4

Rank 1 2 4 3

GP 7 6 7 7 7

W 6 4 4 1 1

D 1 1 0 0 0

L 0 1 3 6 6

GF 15 20 11 5 3

GA 2 5 6 11 30

GD 13 15 5 -6 -27

Points 19 13 12 3 3

Rank 1 2 3 4 4

Saturday September 28, 2019

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

BCB invests $300,000 and assist Clubs with $400,000 worth of water pitchers “The Berbice Cricket Board strongly believes in investing into the future and this was the main reason why over the years we have assisted young cricketers as much as we have done. The twelve Under-13 players have a bright future infront of them and as long as the current Executives of the Berbice Cricket Board are in office, I can say with confidence that we would work to assist them to fulfill their cricketing potentials. Additionally, Clubs in Berbice have benefitted as never seen before in Guyana’s cricketing history as we are a caring administration.”

The sentiments expressed by BCB President Hilbert Foster as Guyana’s most dynamic Cricketing Organisation handed over $300,000 worth of cricketing gears to twelve Under-13 Cricketers and $400,000 worth of water pitchers to clubs.

The cricket gears were donated to the Berbice Cricket Board by Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, while the five gallons water pitchers were donated compliments of official sponsor Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh, a United States based Berbician Medical Doctor.

Foster stated that the assistance of the cricket gears to the Under-13 players were the continuation of his administration’s assistance as over the last nineteen months, the Berbice Cricket Board has now assisted forty five youth players with $1M in cricket gears. The players benefitted were drawn from the RHTYSC, Albion Community Centre, Upper Corentyne, Port Mourant, Blairmont Community Centre, Young Warriors, West Berbice, Rose Hall Canje and Tucber Park Clubs. Two Under-13 Female Players Tricia Hardat and Darshie Subramanie were among the players receiving gears that included bat, batting pads, helmets, wicketkeeping gloves and wicketkeeping pads. Foster urged the players to use the gears for the intended purpose and called on their parents who were present to support the kids by visiting matches.

Under the Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh funded project, Clubs in Berbice would benefit from a donation of a five gallons water pitcher.

Due to the higher cost of acquiring the pitchers that were budgeted for, 65 of the 80 Clubs in Berbice would receive one in 2019, while the others would do so in 2020. A

Representatives of the Clubs pose with their Water pitchers. total of forty Clubs collected their water pitchers during the 80th Anniversary Programme on Friday last. The BCB President reminded representatives of the Clubs that the Board since February 2019 has assisted them with over $5M worth of cricket gears, cricket stumps, scorebooks, bicycles, cricket balls, trophies, medals, educational materials, special prizes and raincoats among others.

He however cautioned that Clubs have to be more cooperative with the Berbice Cricket Board, to organise internal fundraising events to assist themselves and to get more committed leaders into their different management structures.

Foster also announced to

The twelve young cricketers and their parents pose with the donated gears. great applause that former Government Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy had obtained a US$2,000

sponsorship to assist the BCB Ball Project for 2019.

Under this project, the Board would assist all 80 Clubs in

Berbice Cricket with cricket balls. Clubs are also expected shortly to benefit from donation of cricket shirts.

15th Hand-in-Hand cycling set for October 5 at National Park Competitive cycling will take centre stage on the inner circuit of the National Park on Saturday October 5 when national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed stages the annual 11-race programme exclusively sponsored by Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire and Life Insurance Companies.

Guyana’s oldest insurance agency is sponsoring the event for the 15th consecutive year, and Mohamed is once again excited to have the company onboard.

The partnership was renewed yesterday morning when Mohamed received the sponsorship cheque from Marketing Coordinator Shafeena Juman at Hand-inHand’s Lot 1-4 Avenue of the Republic headquarters in Georgetown.

“Sponsorship is very

Marketing Coordinator of Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire and Life Insurance Companies, Shafeena Juman (right), presents the sponsorship cheque to coordinator Hassan Mohammed.

important to not just cycling, but sports in general, so it’s always good to have this kind of commitment from companies like Hand-inHand,” Mohamed, the longserving cycling administrator, said.

Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire and Life Insurance Companies has been a firm supporter of sports development in Guyana, and this collaboration with cycling is just another demonstration of that commitment.

“The Hand-in-Hand Fire Insurance Company is happy to be able to sponsor this annual event for its 15thyear and we anticipate that this year will be bigger and better.

We will continue to remain committed to our youth’s development through sporting events such as cycling, while fulfilling our

corporate and social responsibility,” the company said in a statement.

The event, which pedals off at 09:00hrs, will be headlined by the 35-lap School Boys and Invitational race, with Michael Anthony of Linden looking to defend his title, having won last year’s event in a time of one hour, 19 minutes, 14.36s.

Other winners from 2018 were Adelia Hodge (10-lap Juveniles), Ozia McUally (Mountain Bikes), Jude Bentley (Veterans Under-50) and Jaheme Henry (12-14 Boys and Girls).

As has been the case over the last 14 years, representatives of Hand-inHand Mutual Fire and Life Insurance Companies will be on hand to witness the riders in action and later assist in the distribution of prizes.

PAGE 32

Sporting gesture wows crowd at World Championships AFP - Unheralded 5,000 metre runners Braima Suncar Dabo and shattered rival Jonathan Busby drew the biggest cheer of the World Championships yesterday after a dramatic finish to their race marked by a gesture of sportsmanship.

Both Dabo and Busby had already been lapped and were competing only for pride when their final lap drama unfolded at Doha’s Khalifa Stadium.

Aruba’s Busby, 33, had slowed to almost a crawl down the back straight on the last lap, lurching forward uncertainly and appearing close to collapse.

It was then that Guinea Bissau’s Dabo came to Busby’s rescue, stopping to prop up his fellow racer and

leading him around the final 200 metres to the finish line.

With the crowd roaring them on, Busby collapsed after crossing the line and was eventually taken away in a wheelchair.

“I just wanted to help the guy finish the race,” Dabo, 26, said afterwards through a translator. “I wanted to help him cross the line. I think anyone in that situation would have done the same thing,” added Dabo, who is a student in Portugal.

Despite the finish — nearly five minutes behind heat winner Selemon Barega of Ethiopia — Dabo’s time of 18min 10.87sec was still a personal best.

But there was a sting in the sporting tail for Busby, who was disqualified.

Tower powered by Unity Gym helps power Stage of Champions Set to unfold at the Theatre Guild, Kingston, Georgetown on Saturday October 19, next, Stage of Champions, the final body building show on the calendar for the year and expected to attract athletes from at least four Caribbean nations, has ramped up support from yet another entity.

This time, Tower, powered

Saturday September 28, 2019

Kaieteur News

by Unity Gym has thrown its full support behind the show with a tangible donation and will also be sending three athletes to compete on the night.

Manager of Tower Gym Fyzal Bacchus recently met with Coordinator of the Stage of Champions Videsh Sookram and presented the gym’s contribution towards (Continued on page 25)

Courts Peewee tournament

12 matches on this afternoon at MOE ground Today marks match day number two of the ninth annual Courts Peewee football tournament involving primary schools in and around Georgetown and as far as Timehri going head to head in under-11 action at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on Carifesta Avenue.

The opening day’s play last week was eventful with defending champions St. Pius being most dominant after recording an 8-0 victory over a despondent Mae’s School team.

The champions of 2017, West Ruimveldt Primary, got their campaign off in positive fashion after winning the March Past but the day didn’t end as well as they had hoped after drawing 0-0 with Craig Primary.

In other results of the d a y, P l a i s a n c e B o s c o Orphanage beat St. Agnes 2-0, while Uitvlugt got past Ann’s Grove in a similar two goal fashion. Jaden Tasher netted a hat-trick in Soesdyke’s 4-1 win over F.E. Pollard, while Tucville gained a walkover against Mocha Arcadia. Enterprise also had an easy three points after Smith Memorial were a no-show.

Meanwhile, J.E. Burnham needled St. Stephen’s thanks to Immanuel Lewis 18th minute strike and North Georgetown edged Redeemer Primary 2-1.

Tw e l v e m a t c h e s a r e scheduled for today at the

West Ruimveldt Secondary won the March past competition last week and received a trophy. same MOE venue with two games set to be contested concurrently.

In the opening two

clashes which are scheduled for 13:00hrs, Mocha will play J.E. Burnham, while Enterprise

will line up against Mae’s that will be looking to improve following their 80 drubbing last week.

The day’s full fixtures are listed below.

9/28/2019 Round 2 MOE Ground Match # 13:00 hrs Mocha vs JE Burnham 13 13:00 hrs Enterprise vs Maes 14 13:50 hrs South Riumveldt vs Craig 15 13:50 hrs Soesdyke vs St Margarett 16 14:40 hrs Uitivlugt vs Redeemer 17 14:40 hrs Timerhi vs Beterverwagting 18 15:30hrs North Riumveldt vs Anns grove 19 15:30hrs St Agnes vs St Ambrose 20 16:20 hrs Marian Academy vs FE Pollard 21 16:20 hrs St Pius vs Smith memorial 22 17:10 hrs St Stephens vs Tucville 23 17:10 hrs West Riumveldt vs Genesis 24

World championships without Bolt ‘feel weird,’ says Gatlin DOHA (Reuters) - The absence of Jamaican great Usain Bolt from the world athletics championships for the first time in 16 years is being felt in the 100m sprint but paves the way for new faces to make their mark, his rival Justin Gatlin said yesterday.

Bolt, who won eight Olympic gold medals and led Jamaica through a golden era in sprinting, retired after the 2017 world championships.

“Not having him here feels weird,” said Gatlin, the defending world champion who won his first round heat with 10.06 seconds in Doha.

“To be out there on the track to push myself, and have someone out there to push me to be my best.”

Gatlin said that strong competitors in the men’s 100m - including compatriot Christian Coleman and Zharnel Hughes of Britain -

were making it difficult to predict who would win gold.

“It’s not like I’m in lane five and I’ve got to worry about Usain in lane four,” Gatlin said.

“I’ve got to worry about all the other lanes around me.

That’s the exciting part of track and field.”

Gatlin added that the unpredictability of the 100m now could draw more interest towards the event.

“That’s when you want to grab your popcorn and sit and watch,” he said. “Those are the kind of races when you want to second guess if you really want to put a bet down because it could be anybody.”

However, Canadian Andre De Grasse, who finished second behind Gatlin in their heat, said Bolt’s absence did not change the race in any way.

“Everybody is running fast still and it’s going to be crazy, so we can’t think about that,” De Grasse said.

Justin Gatlin of the U.S. in action in the Men’s 100 Metres Heats at the World Athletics C/ships in Doha. (REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson)

Saturday September 28, 2019

Kaieteur News

Colonel Morgan among others remembers sterling contributions Patsy Russell Canada-based former president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), Colonel (Rt.) Carl Morgan, is among those overseas past basketball administrators who distinctly remember the late sport administrator Patricia Veronica ‘Patsy’ Russell who passed away last Thursday in Canada.

Reached for a comment on the late GABF Secretary Patsy Russell who served in the 1980s while he was president, Colonel (Rt.) Carl Morgan said, “Patsy was a tower of strength in basketball, she was very knowledgeable and was never afraid to take on anyone who wished to break the rules and bring the game into disrepute.”

The man who served at the helm of the GABF when it also hosted the successful Caricom Basketball Confederation (CBC) Men and Women’s championship here in 1988 continued: “When I was President of GABF she served as Secretary and then as an

Patricia Veronica ‘Patsy’ Russell advisor. I could always depend on her to provide sound advice. She may have stepped on a few corns but she was respected by all.”

Morgan said his relationship and respect remained solid with the former GABF secretary as, “I was in contact with her here in Canada and gave her contact information for her mentor. I don’t know if see did make contact. May her soul Rest in eternal peace.”

Over in the United States, Al McDonald, a former vice president of the GABF and one-time president of the Linden Amateur Basketball

Association (LABA) who covered basketball both locally and international before migrating, remembers the person Patsy Russell was around the game of basketball.

Al Mc, now known as Naisan Chapman, recalls “I thought and felt that Patsy Russell was the calmest of the women basketball players I had to honor to report on.

She never seemed flustered and was as serene as ever both on and off the court.

We will miss her calm assertiveness.”

Her longtime friend Patricia Waterman Mitchell who left these shores in 1983 said, “I don’t know when Patsy left Guyana, but she migrated to Trinidad & Tobago and was working at University of the West Indies.

She migrated to Canada around 2005/2006…Before her death, she was between Canada & Guyana Volunteering for Cuso International.”

Another former basketball stalwart Mike

Brusche, who also resides in the US, recollected that “Patsy was a hustling player with a pleasant personality.”

He credited this trade mark personality must have been behind her many years being a senior banker in Guyana.

Mike says he remembers the many battles between arch rivals Linden and Georgetown at basketball back in the days and the former national captain and coach recounted: “When Linden would walk with a big bell to blot out the GT supporters, Patsy was among the throng of the GT posse that would challenge their counterparts at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.”

There was a viewing of the body of the late Patricia Veronica Russell yesterday at the Highland Funeral Home, Scarborough Chapel 3280, Shepperd Avenue East (Warden and Shepperd).

Today the funeral service is set for 1.00pm at the Church of the Nativity 10 Sewells Road, Scarborough, and at a reception from 3.00pm at the Church of Nativity.

PAGE 33

Tower powered by Unity Gym helps power Stage of Champions

Fyzal Bacchus (left) hands over contribution to Videsh Sookram in the presence of from right, Jonathan Jeffrey, Anthony Harris and Andre Wagner.

rt o p S

Zouks boost playoff hopes and eliminate Tallawahs Kesrick Williams celebrate a wicket duing the Zouks win over the Tallawahs last night. (CPL)

Sporting gesture wows crowd at World C/Ships

Guinea-Bissau’s Braima Suncar Dabo helps Aruba’s Jonathan Busby to the finish line during the Men’s 5000m heats. (AFP / Jewel Samad)

Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.