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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL TEL:624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Local leaders and foreign companies dealing
As we look for the umpteenth time at Guyana and what is happening with its oil prospects, there is so much that disappoints. It heaps hopelessness in a time when the brightest excitements should dominate the minds of citizens. There are a few things that should open the eyes of Guyanese on the forces at work and the dirty games that they play, destructive games. The first thing that foreign companies do in Third World countries is to buy out the local leaders, by richly lining their pockets. This is now the given and the standard. Neither government nor opposition of the time is left out. It is a vision and drive to get all hands on deck and remove any human hurdles. This is why we believe that most strangely and inexplicably, Guyanese leaders are neither willing to nor budging towards any (any) renegotiating of the existing lopsided, Exxon-heavy contract, Guyana-lite contract. This is most peculiar and makes no sense and brings severe agitation and alarm. What is going on with our oil? What is really in motion and at work with this precious wealth of ours that could be gone before we know it, with nothing to show for it? Our oil is produced in a world that is no longer demand driven (so said oil giant BP) which means that Guyana’s oil will have to compete for a toehold in fierce world markets, which is not a good place for this weak and tiny country to be. The specter of sugar looms, and look at what happened with that one-time mainstay. The sense is that Guyanese leaders are in a jam. It one of their own making, because they did not deal honestly with the people’s interests and welfare. It is believed that they engaged in some form of wheeling and dealing to help themselves. This is what is hurting Guyana currently, since it stays leaders’ hand from renegotiating powerfully and genuinely. To bolster this conviction, an example and an illustration are provided to shed some light on how these matters work. When foreign companies wished to do side business with local leaders long ago, they simply deposited monies in foreign bank accounts in the leaders’ names. Sharp scrutiny has forced discontinuation of such practices. Nowadays, there is a sleeker, more sophisticated way with even better results. A subsidiary company is established, with local leaders and foreign companies as principals and working in cahoots, one is a silent, sleeping partner. Think of it as a political and personal special purpose vehicle. Business is funneled into that company as revenues, and a means of covering the tracks of money flowing through the business, a nifty sharing arrangement. It is all legitimate looking, except that this business serves as the umbrella for local leaders to rip the wealth away for themselves. In Guyana, the rich Kaieteur and Canje oil blocks raise such concerns. That is, politicians used a pass through business as shelter for potential siphoning off and wrongdoing with our oil in partnership with foreigners. It is a case of mutual backscratching, with citizens getting the dirty end of the stick. This illustration should help. There is a union that wishes to represent workers. Management of the business looks for ways to cheat the workers from representation. So, it works out a scheme with the union, where a subsidiary is setup and it (the union) has a stake, and rewards for both management and union come. Management directs business through this subsidiary, with income and profits guaranteed. Both parties in this business setup prosper, while the workers get shafted. In this make-believe instance, the workers are the people of Guyana; management is represented by political people, and the union is foreign, with the latter two making big money. The foreigners also execute two more strategies. They woo, wean, and wine, local elites (swimming pools, golf courses, cocktail hours) to pander to ago and vanity and sense of belonging. Thus, a possibly viable civic force is neutralized, with no boat rocking. Last, chaos and confusion are fostered among the masses, who maul each other and dig out the other’s eyes.While the locals fight, the foreigners fetch away the riches.
Wednesday September 16, 2020
Criminal injustice cannot power social justice
DEAR EDITOR, Last week reminded me of the nearness of sixty years ago. The night sky ablaze with a red glow from Water Street burning to ashes. I was a wee child then, a man now. Most disappointingly, Guyana remains a toddler, a cruelly incapacitated one, creeping around in mindless circles after the most attractive toy of its demented choice. The brightest one around, the most mesmerizing and pleasing one, is RACE. The race toy hugged is now a full-fledged arsenal of our bigotries. All things weighed, I have never experienced the intensities of passions, prejudices, and hatreds like today, notwithstanding decades spent elsewhere. Whether Water Street or the ill-fated, still secret shrouded RH Carr, or Wismar from the scorching 60s, it is the same saddening and sickening story. We go nowhere, because we desire nothing else, but how we proudly are to the soul of our existences. Now we have Cotton Tree. This is the sum of vision and ambition that undermines tepid
attempts at national conversation and, which highlights occasional kneejerk responses to the newest racial crisis exposed. A few months ago, there was talk about reconciliation. That is now treasonous in Guyana, and simply from thinking of it, no utterance. We lived for elections, now the results consume us and condemn us. In my opinion Cotton Tree was an extension and explosive expression of elections, where people had to perish. Many are the Cotton Trees present, be they about racial authenticity waiting to be bared, or more of criminal mischiefs and political ingenuities exhibited. I say so because there is the police conclusion that the Henry cousins were murdered elsewhere and dumped where found. If credible, there is this criminal injustice that was leveraged into the streets for long days to brutalize the unsuspecting, uninvolved, and innocent. To those who rightly called for justice, since there is confirmation of a criminal injustice foisted upon a convenient community calculatingly scapegoated, what ba-
sis cries about injustice? I inquire: what is and where is truth (and the accompanying peace) given what is now officially presented and in the aftermath of intense prejudices delivered against people demonized? What starting over can there be? Do we care that terrible wrongs were delivered under the banner of justice? I repeat, in my years of nearness to racial passions I have never seen such manifested at the overheated temperatures now registered. Today, there is this Guyanese tango of one step sideways: five backwards, and always hating and harmful. Nationally, we resist moving forward; we object to identifying and purging the demons that devastate time and again, like last week. We function in clever, sophisticated circles, and congratulate ourselves on how slick we are. Leaders do. Supporters do, too. This is our embodiment at every tier, even as we call with straight faces for ‘peace and justice.’ I think the narrative must be expanded to incorporate: no truth, no reconciliation; hence, no mending nor
any enduring healing. As a nation we are content to lick uncongealed wounds, in the unreconstructed bigotries of individual and communal existences characterized by crazed minds, and a nation stripped to the naked cores of its mutual hatefulness. On this there is thriving. I point to the Cotton Tree Terrors, where protesters used the word ‘enslaved’ frequently to justify actions. We have enslaved ourselves to narratives that comfort, to leaders who tell us what we want to hear, intimidate us or incite us to hunt. And for these we reach. To worsen a terrible situation, already small Guyanese minds are made distinctively smaller by social media toys. Yesterday, we had toy pistols and plastic dolls. Today, we have electronic weapons to intimidate one another and dolls to dismember. No surprise that our leaders love us. A month or so ago, I heard ‘we must never go through this again’ but here we are the usual way. And we still stir to chatter about race relations and peace (Continued on page 5)
GTT Monopoly likely to continue for the next five years
DEAR EDITOR, With the change of government, many policies will change because each government has its own mandate to fulfill and rightly so in most cases. However, it seems that one particular policy will never change in Guyana and though opposing parties quarrel and disagree on many fronts, there always seems to be one area of agreement between them when it comes to one thing. There can be war among political parties but when it comes to uphold the GTT monopoly, they all agree to prolong it. GTT monopoly finished over a decade ago and the Company continues to offer third class service for first class charges. Over the years, thousands of Guyanese complain through letters, television, social media, public utilities commission about being blatantly robbed, but not one word from the politician to address the monopolistic position of GTT. A dozen companies are eagerly awaiting to enter the market. When that happens, landline and cell phone rates will drop by half. Internet speeds will double for half of the current cost. GTT does not have the resources to increase landline services. Those who have landline services must wait months and sometimes years to have a problem fixed. Cell phone and internet interruptions are frequent and down many hours of the week, yet no refund to customers. One particular problem I encoun-
tered many times per month on my cell phone arrangement which I wish to share with the public and I am sure it is widespread but gain little publicity. I have a postpaid cell plan which means I pay by bill after each month. However, I would be disconnected on many occasions during the month, during important calls, with a voice message informing me that I have exhausted my credit limit. I would have to call in to enquire from GTT service representatives to query my account because I know I paid my charges up to date and still pay additional
money to my account. Getting to the sales representatives is another marathon task which I would not elaborate here. Each time while I query, the sales representative astonishing tells me that I have credits to my account, sometimes nearly $3,000 to $4,000 as credits. This means that I have that amount money in my cellaccount but it was not applied to the charges. They indicated I will always have to call in to inform them to apply the balance to my cell charges, hence the disconnection until I do so. So you can hereby see the insanity
that is taking place with this monopolistic entity. Here I am without cell service for days and GTT has my money hanging around for whatever reason I don’t know and did not apply it to my account. Please note that it is just cell phone plan alone, so there is no other reason my payment should be hanging around. Maybe they are hoping that I forget my payment and pay again, so they can manipulate my money to their benefit. So I want to ask the Politicians to stop arranging midnight deals with GTT to prolong the monopoly. Janet Raj
We should all give Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, a warm welcome DEAR EDITOR, Would it make sense to both the US and Guyana for the US Secretary of State to visit Guyana if indeed there is a planned “October surprise” invasion of Venezuela, especially utilizing Guyana as a launching pad? Would such a visit be necessary and prudent to gain Guyana’s support? I have been around the conduct of diplomacy for a while and I have some familiarity with how Washington works, although these days there are two Washingtons, as in DC, the US capital, not the State of Washington. I firmly believe that if a US invasion of Venezuela was being planned
for October there would be no need for the US to telegraph its intention by having the Secretary of State visit to solicit Guyana’s support. The discussion on such support would have been had privately by secure telephony and would not require a visit. I hope I am right that come November we could look back and say there was no October surprise US invasion of Venezuela. I understand and appreciate the concern being raised in certain quarters that Guyana might yield to pressure and allow our geographic and maritime space to be used as a launching pad for an invasion of Venezuela. I would
condemn a US invasion of Venezuela and Guyana’s support of it. Guyana must make it clear to the US that our bilateral relations are based on the premise that our deep rooted friendship does not preclude a difference of opinion/position on key issues and principles in international relations; it presupposes it.So, as a dual Guyanese/American, I welcome Secretary of State Pompeo to Guyana and look forward to some mutually beneficial decisions on the strengthening of our bilateral relations in the best interests of our two people. We should all give him a warm welcome. Regards, Wesley Kirton
Wednesday September 16, 2020
Violence gives birth to more violence passing day, and it needs to end! We and this must end! each need to acknowledge that this problem exists
DEAR EDITOR, I think we have all been made familiar with what has been going on for the past few days. Our country bleeds. Racial tensions are soaring. What happened? First and foremost, we were shocked by the horrific slayings of the Henry boys. Next, I was at a tremendous loss for words when I heard about the killing of Haresh Singh. What prompted this? Who asked for this? Who said that because black children were murdered it was an automatic permit to kill an Indian child? Is this someone’s twisted idea of retribution or equilibrium? It’s clear we have savage beasts among us. For only savage beasts could commit such sordid crimes. It is pretty damn obvious that in this country we have a serious race problem. This racial divide has been with us for decades. The killings of the Henrys—and now of Singh will simply deepen that divide and exacerbate race relations between Indo and Afro Guyanese. But let me ask a question. We have this serious racial problem that persists. So why on Earth are our children paying for it? Why do these BABIES have to suffer for this racial cancer? And how many more children will we see die due to this age old curse on this nation? Further, we Guyanese hypocritically sing the national song “Youths are Important to Guyana”. The same youths that we are killing out? The same youths having to suffer despicable deaths for a problem that has been in this country for decades with no major effort to combat it? This course, this racism is a vile cancer that is perforating the social fabric of this nation. We have only allowed it to grow with
and tackle it now, now, now! There are hooligans who will spread their racial narratives, by social media or other means of public incitement. We have to remain vigilant to point out these cretins and cast them out or shun them! For they are a threat to this country. For they are a threat to love and reconciliation. For they are a threat to the very notion of national development! Enough is enough! Moreover, I remember vividly when I was on the platform at the presidential inauguration. I chose a poem to perform so as to preach for love and unity. An excerpt of that poem which stood out to me was “We must not fall apart. We cannot let chaos make its way to our hearts. We cannot let ignorance spread itself— we are too smart”. What we are witnessing right now is a direct contradiction to what I preached for! And it hurts me dearly… The violence that took place last week must not reoccur! It was simply unnecessary and disgusting. A recurrence will only produce more Hareshs, and more Henrys. The “keyboard warriors” in the safety of the homes inciting mayhem on social media need to recognize this! Violence gives birth to more violence and this must end! We need to stand tall, with our firm feet planted on the ground. We must grip each other’s hands tightly for this is the way! We must not let this demon of disunity win! For we are smarter and stronger together. For then, and only then will we be able to make great strides unhindered. Yours faithfully, Nikhil Sankar
Can we please win the CPL next year? DEAR EDITOR, Having watch every game in CPL 2020, I am convinced that the Guyana Amazon Warriors will never win that tournament, if Omar Khan continues to be the manager. Never in the history of any sporting team you will find a manager being retained for eight consecutive years without winning one trophy. And I say this because we never put together a balance team when we buy players during the draft and this is where Omar Khan comes in. We need a new manager to do just that if we hope to ever win the CPL. No wonder Trinidad has won CPL four times. They have a balance team with quality players. And that’s another area we are lacking. We do not have too many quality players. Except for Pooran, Hetmyer, Tahir and to a lesser extent Taylor, we have too many young and inexperienced players. As for Tay-
lor, one thing was clear, he is not a 20/20 player. He bats too slowly, with a strike rate of below 100 and he puts too much pressure on the other batsmen. Hemraj, Rutherford and even King failed miserably. Why was Bramble not given more opportunities? It was so glaring that we needed more quality 20/20 batsmen in that team. As for our bowling, it was not bad, it is just that our batsmen were not putting up good scores for our bowlers to defend. This is a call to the owner of the franchise Mr. Bobby Ramroop to fire the manager and coach of the Guyana Amazon Warriors and get people who know 20/20 cricket to buy experienced and quality 20/20 players, so that we can win the CPL next year. Thank You. Yours faithfully, Imtiaz Baccus
Zeelugt youths tainted by substance abuse DEAR EDITOR, I wish to express my disappointment in the parents, teachers, police and relevant authorities who have had oversight of youth development in the Zeelugt community on the East bank of Essequibo. Over the last year and a half, the number of youths engaging in ganja and marijuana usage has drastically spiked. The provision of these items is to my knowledge unknown. However recently it has become more and more intolerable.Youths under the influence are making their names in petty crimes that are not addressed by the authori-
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ties. Additionally, the age range is from 15 to 25. I do not understand what the older folks of this community are doing. Even in the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic youths are parading the streets after the 6 o’clock hour trying to get their hands on these illegal items.With the majority of the new ministers and officials now hailing from the West Coast, I urge them to look into this matter. Our youths are not alright. They are being pushed further from “normal” on a daily basis by the onset of poverty, drugs, lack of education and most of all lack of parental guidance.
I urge the leaders in this community to take a stand and get the youths into productive work. To the Police, please get these youths off the street and inform them of the curfew measures. (There hasn’t been a single patrol in this community for the longest while). Government officials please look into the needs of the youths. Please provide education and the basic necessities to our youths. They are the future. Please do not fail them. Please consider and take immediate action. Peter harbajan Concerned and affected Villager
TO GUYANESE EVERYWHERE:
DEAR EDITOR, On the eve of the visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Guyana, it is useful to look at our history. No, it is vital that we learn and are keenly aware of our history. A reminder that no US Secretary of State has ever visited Guyana, not even after the Jonestown tragedy. This is the third highest official in the US Government, less than two months before the US elections. Are Guyanese comfortable with this region becoming part of Donald Trump’s reelection campaign? We may think this visit is about us, but it is about how to get to Venezuela, and to the US electorate, through us. We should at the very least be asking the right questions, demanding full disclosure on the reason for this visit, ensuring our airwaves and airspace and lands are not part of any conversation this week (not a blade of grass goes for the US as much as it does to Venezuelan territorial claims), and reminding all Guyanese that all parties have traditionally held one head when it comes to Venezuela, and it should be no different now. We saw this with the incoming government’s retention of Carl Greenidge on the Venezuela issue, an important move that should be applauded. Whatever their differences, and that is an understatement, we need all political leaders to be united, and most importantly the Guyanese public is entitled to know what is on the table. Let us not fool ourselves, this is not an equal partnership. It is also important to re-
mind ourselves of the PPP’s consistent position, under the leadership of Cheddi Jagan, on these matters. Here is an excerpt of speeches by LFS Burnham and Cheddi Jagan taken from the proceedings and debates of the first session of the first parliament of Guyana under the constitution of Guyana, at its 50th sitting, 20th March, 1967: PRIME MINISTER FORBES BURNHAM: “Nearly a year has passed since Independence has been achieved, and during that period the Government of Guyana has sought, within the limits of its financial and material resources, to have relations with foreign countries…Perhaps, significantly, one of the first acts of this Government after achieving Independence was the signature of a letter by the Prime Minister to the then charge d’affaires of the United States Embassy in Guyana on Thursday, 26th May, 1966, which letter was part of the exercise of exchange of notes between the U.S. Government and the Guyana Government, and by that exchange of notes an agreement was consummated, as a result of which over 20,000 acres of Guyana’s land, which had, during the Second World War, become for practical purposes
American property in exchange, with other bits of land throughout the Caribbean, for 90-odd old destroyers, reverted to Guyana. The American lease on Atkinson and Makouria came to an end, and this territory became absolute Guyanese territory.” In an article published in Stabroek News in December 2008, historian Nigel Westmaas notes that “there was a military component to US strategic interests as they negotiated their way into the establishment of naval and military bases in the anglophone Caribbean. As part of this initial package, the Americans signed a ninetyyear lease in May 1941 when two US military bases described as the “first in South America,” were built on Guyana soil, one of them the army base established at Hyde Park on the Demerara River. Better known as Atkinson Field, this facility, along with a naval air Station at Makouria on the Essequibo River, joined the worldwide constellation of US bases. Under the 99-year lease, “6,800 persons, including 5,007 Guianese, were involved in the construction of these bases over a twenty-month period…The 99-year lease was not peculiar to Guyana but was established by (Continued on page 6)
Criminal injustice cannot ... From page 4 and justice. I am all for those, despite the patented surrounding frauds. We heartily endorse systems that empower our own groups, then turn right around and distance from them when they go against. As said, I have not seen nor ever sensed the power of the passions and prejudices that imperils today. Sincerely, GHK Lall
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Leyland Roopnarine responds to Hamilton Green DEAR EDITOR, Former PNC strongman Hamilton Green continues to wave his tattered flag to the Guyanese people and by extension the local police. In his article (KN Sept., 12) Mr. Green asserted that no foreign assistance is needed to help the local Police find the perpetrators of the slain Henry’s cousins.
I strongly disagreed with his position because many Guyanese are aware that in the area of forensics, the local police do not have the expertise and the wherewithal to solve certain high level crimes. Mr. Green knows that the most used method to solve crime in Guyana or getting a confession from likely crimi-
nals is done by the use of force by police officers. And although such brutal approach has often been denied by the police, many have concurred that it is true. The fact that Mr. Green does not want the Guyana Police Force to seek assistance from other countries to solve the murders of the Henry’s cousins could be
viewed as a double edge sword. On the one hand, it shows that he has confidence in the local police force, which is good. On the other hand, his position takes us to the heyday of the PNC rule when policemen were mostly interested in searching car trunks for contraband items instead of solving crimes. In this period, Father Darke (my school teacher at St. Stanislaus College) was murder and his murderer, Bilal Ato was given a mere fiveyear sentence, which was a slap on the risk. Also, during the PNC reign, many of the heinous crimes that were committed included the murder of Vincent Teekah, a former minister in the PNC government were not solved. In fact, it was a period when Guyana recorded the most unsolved murders. So for Hamilton Green to say that the local police does not need foreign help to solve the murders of the Henry cousins is silly and hypocritical to say the least. Mr. Green ought to know that if the police had sought outside help during his tenure as Prime Minister to solve crimes, the “so-called” kickdown-door bandits would not have been able to roam the streets with impunity. Is this type of lawlessness Mr. Green wants the country to return to? Finally, may I remind the former Prime Minister that fighting and reducing crime should be the highest priority for all, and the head of state should leave no stone unturned in solving heinous crimes. So, I fully supported the local police to seek assistance abroad in order to find the perpetrators of the barbaric murders of the Henry cousins. Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine
PAYARA, TERA MERA PYAAR
Ah got a little less dan half Of de play in Stabroek Block Hess got lil more dan quarter And CNOOC got an exact quarter But me is de managing partner In de energy Consortium, Operating de oilfield off Guyana. Plenty oil deh under dere Two miles below de surface Plus two below de seabed. Nuff nuff people running round As if it’s money in meh pocket. And dey want a fairer share Dan de contract dat we sign. De price of oil is volatile It drop from seventy to forty. Production volume less dan half Of what we had projected. Some people seh dat I’m dying; Now is de time to get some more: De golden goose ready for de taking.
Ten billion dollars I have already spent Including how many cents from them? They sent supposedly their brightest To negotiate a contract on their behalf. If you do not do your homework Ien dis business, you are screwed. Ah gave dem a pittance of a signing bonus Which dey were glad to get, and hide, Reserved, dey said, for upcoming lawyers’ fees. We ignored ring fencing and did a tax thing Dat de IRS might find ultra fascinating Maybe if we let it pass without a letter ruling A whistle blower might be handsomely rewarded. Ah got Payara on hold waiting for approval. Some seh dis is de instrument feh knock me cold. But what if I need some quick cash now To pay my shareholders their usual dividends And I sell my part to Cnooc? Dem gon have to learn some Mandarin. Dey gon get as much local content as dey got On de Marriott and de CBJ Airport. Like almost any matter, timing is everything. You are unlikely to get better deals When just about every thing is down. Payara, tera mera pyaar. This has nothing to do with the poem. Just that “Payara” evoked memories Of that old Hindi song and movie: ”Tera Mera Pyaar” Which I think means, You are my love!
TO GUYANESE EVERYWHERE: From page 5 agreement with Britain with several other countries in the hemisphere in exchange for 50 “near-obsolete destroyers.” Other countries with US military outposts and naval bases included Antigua, the Bahamas, Jamaica, St Lucia, Trinidad and Bermuda.” Importantly, as the lease on Atkinson was terminated upon Guyanese independence 74 years before it expired, the US was provided with certain rights for close to two decades, which is what Cheddi Jagan referred to in his response: LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION CHEDDI JAGAN: “Nonalignment implies two things: not only the concept of sitting and examining; it
does not only mean that we will sit and listen and then make up our minds. It presupposes that with colonialism there are certain conditions which must be adhered to. There should be no military intervention in the affairs of a country; a country should not allow its territory to be used as a military base; it should ac cept aid and trade from all countries with the object of changing the economic structure which is inherent in the
economic structure of a primary producer, the economic structure of a onecrop economy, which we find all around us in Latin America, the economic structure of sending out raw material at low prices and buying manufactured goods in return at higher prices…
We submit that an examination of the events in this country will show by our associations, by the fiscal and economic policies we have pursued, that we are moons away from this concept of non-alignment. The first thing the Prime Minister referred to was the Agreement signed with the United States. What he did not speak of was the fine writing, such as the writing we see in insurance policies, and that is to the effect that the United States has the right to establish military equipment, land military planes, build any installations and fly over the country at any time….”It is important to remind ourselves of these words at this time, lest they return to haunt us. Alissa Trotz
Wednesday September 16, 2020
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Suriname: After Three Discoveries, Apache Spuds Fourth Offshore Well Suriname (oedigital.com)Oil and gas company Apache, with its partner Total, is on the hunt for its fourth offshore oil discovery in Suriname. The company has this year announced discoveries at Sapakara West, and Maka Central, and most recently, Kwaskwasi well - all in Block 58. Apache has said that the block comprises 1.4 million acres which offer significant potential beyond the already made three discoveries and that the company has identified at least seven distinct play types and more than 50 prospects within the thermally mature play fairway. In a statement on Thursday, Apache said it had spudded this year’s fourth well - the Keskesi East-1 using the Noble Sam Croft drillship. The Keskesi East-1 exploration well is being drilled approximately 14 kilometers (9 miles) southeast of Sapakara West-1. The offshore well will test upper Cretaceous targets in the Campanian and Santonian. Apache holds a 50%
Noble Sam Croft –(Credit: Robby Norman)
working interest in Block 58 and will continue to be the operator through the completion of the Keskesi well. France’s Total has the remaining 50% working interest. The working interest split might soon change as Suriname’s state-owned oil
company Staatsolie is looking to farm into the offshore block, as well. Staatsolie, according to Reuters, has the right to a stake of up to 20% in the block. The farm-in would cost it up to $1.5 billion, according to recent remarks made by the company’s acting general manager
Agnes MoensiSokowikromo. Kwaskwasi update As previously reported, Apache in July announced the Kwaskwasi-1 discovered hydrocarbons in multiple stacked targets in the upper Cretaceous-aged Campanian and Santonian intervals. The
well encountered 278 meters (912 feet) of net oil and volatile oil/gas-condensate pay, and was described by Apache’s CEO as “the best well we’ve drilled in the basin to date, with the highest net pay in the best quality reservoirs.”
The shallower Campanian interval contains 63 meters (207 feet) of net oil pay and 86 meters (282 feet) of net volatile oil/gas-condensate pay. The Santonian interval contains 129 meters (423 feet) (Continued on page 22)
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Wednesday September 16, 2020
Court dismisses case against BoG over failure to probe suspicious Republic Bank deposit Money laundering allegations…
The High Court has struck out a claim brought against the Bank of Guyana (BoG) for its alleged failure to investigate a suspicious deposit of over $82M made in a Republic Bank Limited (RBL) Guyana account. The Statement of Claim (SoC) application was brought against BoG by the owners of Precision Woodworking Limited, Ronald and Rustum Bulkan. Both men are brothers. Ronald Bulkan was also a former Minister of Communities, in the Coalition government. On Monday, Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry dismissed the SOC as being incoherent, obscure, prolix, and lacking precision. Justice SewnarineBeharry also awarded costs
in the sum of $250,000 to be paid by the plaintiffs (Bulkans) and $75,000.0 to be paid by the attorneys-at-law due to the prolixity of the pleadings. According to court documents, the decision stems from a claim by the Bulkans that the Central Bank failed to investigate a deposit of $82,068,617 deposit made on June, 16th, 2011 into an account held in the name of PWL at Republic Bank pursuant to the Bank of Guyana Act, and the Financial Institution Act, Supervision Guidelines and anti -money laundering and Countering of Financing of Terrorism Act. As a result, the businessmen claimed damages for the torts of deceit and negligence breach of statutory duty, mis-
feasance in public office and “potential harm, distress and unease.” However, BoG and its Governor Gobind Ganga through law firm -Ashton Chase Associates- filed an application to have the matter struck out. The BoG, in its application, contended instead that the Bulkans claim is based on an erroneous premise that the deposit was made by an individual into the account. The bank explained that the deposit was not cash but a credit by way of provisioning pursuant to the Bank of Guyana guidelines on “loan portfolio review, classification, provisioning and other related requirements” issued under the authority of the Financial Institutions Act (FIA),
Businessman and former minister, Ronald Bulkan
BOG Governor, Dr, Gobind Ganga
the account having been classified as non-performing with effect from 31st, May 2011 as a result of the company being unable to satisfy its debts and obligations to RBL. Further, the bank said that PWL had two credit exposures totaling $405M which was secured by collateral totalling $323,000,000 —the sum of $82 M was unsecured and in accordance with the guidelines, provisioning for the said sum was made so as not to overstate the bank’s assets. They contended, too, that the Bulkans failed to demonstrate in the Statement of Claim, a breach of statutory duty whether supervisory or investigatory under the BoG Act and in accordance with the Financial Institution’s Act The bank said that on 22nd March, 2016 the proprietors were informed that an investigation was conducted pursuant to their request by
letters dated 13 March 2013 and 25th July 2014, for prosecution of RBL under Section 60 of the FIA and the results thereof. The bank noted that SoC application, which is without merit, misconceived and an abuse of process of the court was still filed. Among other things, the Central Bank noted in their application that the businessmen denied that any investigation was done and contended that if it was, it was done without the due care, skill and diligence commensurate with the gravity and seriousness of the allegation of suspicion of money laundering. They argued that their request to investigate was of a continuing nature and included a request dated March 5th, 2018 by their then Attorney-at-law, Nigel Hughes. However, BoG rebutted the claim noting that the court has powers under the
CPR 2016 on its own initiative or upon application to strike out a SOC if it does not disclose any reasonable ground for bringing the claim, or to grant summary judgment (dismissal) where the claimant has no reasonable prospect of succeeding on the claim. As such, having read the submissions filed and relied upon by the parties and after mature deliberation, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry found it appropriate to exercise these powers as the SoC does not disclose any reasonable ground for bringing the claim. The Judge noted SoC seeks for relief/damages for inter alia “jeopardising and exposing the Bulkans to accusations, allegations, investigation and potential prosecution for money laundering”, “potential ruin to reputation” and exposure to “injurious business deal and good will.However, she noted that the claim did not prove potential harm and not any real harm, loss or damage and at best is speculative. Further, the Judge described the SoC as an abuse of the process. “Statements of Claim must be concise… They must plead only material facts, meaning those necessary for the purpose of formulating a cause of action or defence, and not background facts or evidence. Still less should they contain arguments, reasons, or rhetoric,” she said
Wednesday September 16, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Institutional spread of the virus spells disaster
T
he poor and vulner able are being treated as expendables. Almost all of the country’s 58 persons who have succumbed to the coronavirus pandemic, thus far, are from the working class and this accounts for the lack of firm resolve in arresting the present run-away growth in positive cases and deaths. Until such time as a rich or famous person succumbs, there is not going to be tightening of the social restrictions which have been implemented to contain the spread of the virus and reduce deaths. The poor are being treated like grass; their deaths have not sounded any orange alert. Yesterday, two more persons died. They can both be considered elderly. But others have died, including persons in their late 20s and, just last week, someone in his early 30s died. One week ago, the country had recorded 47 deaths. Out of those, 34 had succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The Director of Medical and Professional Services of the institution attributed the deaths to “the natural history in patients that are severely ill and have comorbidities that have caused the number of deaths.” There were however some 29-year-olds and at least one person in his early 30s who died. It would be interesting to know whether those persons had underlying conditions. The situation has now reached a tipping point. Since the 2nd August 2020, the number of confirmed positive cases has escalated from 474 to 1,958, a more than threefold increase in just six weeks. If this is not reason enough to revert to some of the previous social restrictions which were in place in April, then at least the death rate should justify such action. The total number of deaths have in-
creased from 21 to 58. And, in all probability, will increase past 60 by the end of this week, again a three-fold increase in just six weeks. The government, however, is unconscionably more interested in the private sector than it is in protecting the poor. When the President announced his so-called holistic COVID-19 response plan his emphasis was unmistakably about reviving the sagging economy. Lives should not be traded callously for business. The time has come for a tightening up of social restrictions so as to stem the increases in coronavirus cases and deaths that occurred over the past two weeks. During that two-week period, there has been 585 new cases (585). This more than the aggregate number between March and August. And over the past two weeks, there have been more deaths than was registered between March and August. Globally, one million persons have died as a result of the virus and 30 million persons have been infected, a global death rate of three percent. It means that of the almost 600 persons who tested positive in Guyana over the past 14 days, 20 are likely to die. Is this what we want in Guyana? Is this the price which the country is prepared to pay just in order to keep businesses afloat? What more does Irfaan Ali and Frank Anthony need to hear before they decide to tighten up on the social restrictions? What is happening in Guyana is not unique. When the Americans began opening up the economy, the number of cases and deaths began to increase. The same thing is happening now in Jamaica, Trinidad and Suriname. However, the situation is totally different in Barbados which began high levels of testing early and which so far has
only recorded 183 cases and just seven deaths thus far. Guyana has announced increased testing but there have been snags. We are still not up to 300 tests per day. The wait time has still not been reduced to the two hours promised by the President. We are now hearing about some new machine. In the meantime, people are being exposed. In one instance a government employee tested positive but because of the limitations in testing, the dozens of other staff members could not be tested because of limited capacity. Once the virus starts to get into the workplace, the country will face an uncontrollable calamity. Right now, the virus has been recorded at one prison. And yet in spite of all this, the government is stubbornly refusing, at the minimum, to tighten social restrictions. The vulnerable age groups seem to be those over the age of 45. At the least, the government should be protecting these persons. It should urge both the public and private sectors to allow for vulnerable persons to work from home or work on rotation or if needs be pay them to not work at all. Secondly, Parliament has been convened. A law should be immediately passed making the wearing of masks mandatory and imposing severe fines for those found to be not wearing masks in public, including in public transportation vehicles. Thirdly, greater attention needs to be paid to the treatment. We keep hearing about various treatment protocols but we are not sure as yet whether the regional hospitals are equipped to administer some of these regimens, and indeed whether some of them are yet to be equipped with ventilators. It is time for the public to press for stronger social re-
Dem boys seh ...
Yuh can’t serve two masters at de same time Guyana inherit a whole set of things from de British. One of dem was we system of government. Another was we parliament. Now we want to continue to use dem things wah we inherit but we nah want to comply with de conventions – or time-honoured practices – which are required to mek dem things wuk. One of dem conventions is dat if you wukkin with de government and yuh name appear pun de list of candidates fuh contest de elections then yuh should resign. But it seems as if some people feel dat dem could talk about being professionals while not respecting them conventions which were supposed to help ensure professionalism. If you ah wan opposition parliamentarian then you cannot expect to be wukkin in a senior capacity in de government service. How yuh can advise de government when as an opposition parliamentarian yuh will
be required to criticize or support de same policy wah yuh help develop. In any event de convention is dat once yuh tek up an opposition seat in parliament, de government gat a right to let you go because they can’t expect you to serve two masters at the same time. Guyana turning dem conventions upside down. Opposition politicians feel dem entitle to wuk with de government. And dem boys remember de convention dat if de government lose a motion of noconfidence, it should resign and call elections. In Guyana when de government lose a motion of no-confidence it decide fuh file court case. Dat is de reason why we deh in de mess we deh in. We want be like dem British but we nah want respect dem conventions. We want to also eat we cake and have it too. Talk half and wait fuh mo drama!
strictions. It is time for a partial lockdown of the country, the closure of non-essential businesses for two weeks, ramping up testing, reducing the turnaround time for results and for special roll-out
of measures to protect the vulnerable. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Wednesday September 16, 2020
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
The Guyanese James Bond is like Al Pacino in that movie
Y
ou can like a movie or a song that was no big hit but you still think it is one of the best movies or songs from that particular artist. The great ac-
tor, Al Pacino has some phenomenal films and the one I think I like him best in is not even rated. It is titled, “The People I Know”. It is a psychological
thriller whose theme is that we really don’t know the people we think we know. We in this country had a glorious opportunity in seeing for ourselves those in action whom we
thought before March 4 we knew closely. In the movie Pacino didn’t live. The people he thought he knew, up, close and personal, murdered him. We had five months to learn about the deceptions of the people we know so at least our fate will not be like Pacino’s in that movie. A politician like James Bond you will find hard to put him on top of your list as one of your favourites. He was quite active during the election impasse hitting the national limelight with some weird actions. He hired a lorry going all over Georgetown announcing the APNU+AFC victory. People like Bond we tend to put lower down on our list while others like Raphael Trotman maybe way at the top. It has to do with how we judge people. We avoid argumentative folks. We like those who appear cultivated, quiet and mannerly. That is a dangerous mistake humans have been making since time immemorial. A human must at all times and always be judged by what he/she is essentially made of. Give me a James Bond any day over a Raphael Trotman. Bond is demonstrative and hardly appears as the quiet type. But the quiet type can be dangerously deceiving. David Granger and Joe Harmon went to Region 5 and instigated violence that was senseless and deadly given the COVID-19 pandemic of which Guyana is one of the worst hit countries per capita, speaking. Given how we judge our fellow humans, a majority of Guyanese expected someone like Bond to head to Region 5 and explore
the most violent vocabulary he could find. He didn’t do that. Granger, the grandfather figure that the society touted as the most incorruptible politician on the land, went to Region 5 and birthed an advocacy of violence. It was Granger we least expected to do that. It was Bond who we thought would have descended to those levels. On the contrary Bond appealed for calm and spoke out against the violence of those who were marauding in Region 5. Parents always leave philosophical message with their children. That is what we as older folks do. Long before she grew into a fully grown woman, I would sermonize my daughter with the wisdom of judging people by mundane acts of loud speaking, or an argumentative mentality. Look at their philosophical essence if they have any. I chose this topic on James Bond after I saw what Karen de Souza, Dr. Alissa Trotz, Mike Mc Cormack of the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) wrote a few days ago. How do we stack up Bond against those names mentioned here? Trotz, de Souza and McCormack were egregiously silent when Clairmont Mingo announced the result of a general election of a modern Caribbean country by using a projector, a piece of cardboard and a soiled bed-sheet to publish the tabulations. And he went so fast that the naked eyes could not see what he was doing. The Chief Elections Officer displayed six different election results. That depraved descent into treason
Frederick Kissoon did not bother Red Thread, the GHRA and people like Dr. Trotz. But guess what their priorities are? The American Secretary of State is coming to Guyana tomorrow and that is an obsession with them because the US may jeopardize Guyana’s sovereignty. What is sovereignty? Obviously, it means different things to different people. If citizens cannot vote for the politicians they would like to see rule them, why then, do Trotz and McCormack think Guyana’s sovereignty means anything to them? So let’s end with our subject, James Bond. Can we extract more rationality from him than say a Dr. Trotz and a Karen de Souza? Is it possible that Bond is a Christmas blow-blow but the minds we should be careful about are people like Trotz and de Souza? So Pompeo, the Secretary of State is coming. What is he coming for? Well, we know for sure, not to help rig the Guyana elections. He helped to stop the rigging. That is sovereignty for you. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Ponzi schemers’ lawyers deny bank account opened The lawyers for alleged Ponzi schemers, Yuri GarciaDominguez and his wife Ateeka Ishmael, yesterday debunked the claims made by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall. During a press conference, at the Regency Suites Hotel in Georgetown, attorneys-at-law Dexter Todd and Adrian Smith, debunked the AG’s claims and added that an action was filed in the High Court to the review the fraud charges against their clients. Garcia-Dominguez, a Cuban national who became Guyanese in June, and his wife, Ateeka Ishmael, are charged for obtaining billions of dollars under false pretense out of the pockets of hundreds of Guyanese. The couple is currently on remand on over 70 of the fraud
Charged: Garcia-Dominguez and wife Ateeka Ishmael remain in jail. charges. On Monday, Minister Nandlall, while giving an update about the alleged Ponzi scheme investigations,
said that Garcia-Dominguez has asked the Government to reopen a bank account so that the monies can be returned (Continued on page 20)
Wednesday September 16, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 16, 2020
Prisons record first cases as 2 more die from COVID-19
Even as two more deaths are recorded, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has confirmed its first two cases of the Coronavirus (COVID19 virus According to a statement issued by the GPS yesterday, two prisoners from the Holding Bay at Lusignan have tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) despite taking all necessary precautions. The Prisons noted the circumstances under which the two prisoners contracted the virus are presently unknown, and contact tracing has begun. According to the Prisons, all steps are being taken to segregate persons
with whom they came into contact. “Resources are being gathered to prevent further spread,” the GPS added. The GPS reassured too, that all prisoners and prison officers is being viewed very seriously and that all mitigation strategies are in place for their protection. “All persons who are exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19 will be examined and exposed to the Standard Operational Procedures outlined by the Ministry of Health. Systems are also being put in place. Further, the steps taken over the months to prevent coronavirus from the
prison will be revisited and expanded where necessary,” the Prisons said in the statement. Over the past months, the GPS, which houses over 1,000, inmates has been working to keep the facilities COVID-19 free.The news at the prisons comes even as the Ministry of Health confirmed two more deaths as a result of the Coronavirus, taking the total number of deaths from the pandemic to 58. The latest fatalities are a 75 -year-old male from Demerara/Mahaica (Region 4) who died while receiving care at a medical facility. The other is an 86-year-old woman from Barima/Waini (Region 1).
The Ministry noted that samples were collected from both at the time of admission and were tested positive for COVID-19. “Officials of the Ministry have contacted all relatives and persons to facilitate contact tracing and rapid assistance to everyone who may have been exposed to the now-dead persons,” the Ministry added in an update released yesterday. Additionally, 74 more persons were tested positive for COVID-19 bringing the overall number of known cases in Guyana to 1,958. According to the regional breakdown, eight were (Continued on page 20)
The September 15, 2020 COVID-19 dashboard
Sase Singh is new GuySuCo chief -Nanda Gopaul to lead Enmore re-opening
Financial analyst, Sasenarine Singh, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (ag) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), effective September 14th, 2020. According to the Ministry of Agriculture yesterday, Singh holds a Master’s Degree in Finance from Lancaster University, an Executive Post-Graduate Diploma from London Business School, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy from the University of Guyana. He is also a qualified Chartered Accountant (ACCA). Singh, according to the ministry, is a Project Finance Specialist with over 16 years’ experience at turnaround management internationally and “possesses tremendous leadership experience at building capacity in teams”. Singh will lead the “Conditional Survey” ahead of the re-opening of the shuttered Enmore, Rosehall, and Albion Estates and is ably supported in this task by Mr. Vishnu Panday - Skeldon, Mr. Aaron Dukhia - Rose Hall, and Dr. N. K Gopaul - East Demerara Estates (Enmore). Dr, Gopaul is former chairman of the Guyana Sugar Corporation. The Coalition Government closed four of the eight sugar estates between 20152016, making it clear that the
New GuySuCo chief (ag), Sasenarine Singh industry was leaking billions of dollars from the treasury. However, the PPP/C government has made it clear that it will re-open three estatesRose Hall, Skeldon and Enmore.Some $5B has been set aside in this budget for the re-openings with Rose Hall already hiring. Almost 7,000 of the more than 16,000 workers lost their jobs in the sugar industry in the last five years. A new Board of Directors for GuySuCo will be named shortly, the Ministry of Agriculture said yesterday.
Wednesday September 16, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Suspected killer goes fishing after Kilcoy stabbing Investigators on the Corentyne have arrested the suspect wanted in connection with the stabbing to death of a 22-year-old fisherman of Kilcoy, Corentyne, Berbice. The dead man has been identified as John Alexander Yhap, of Lot 84 Kilcoy Squatting Area. Kaieteur News was informed that the suspect, Arjune Mahadeo called ‘Pickin’, was nabbed on his boat while he was fishing on the Corentyne waters and was taken to the Albion Police Station. Reports are that the deceased and the accused were having an ongoing feud for weeks prior to the incident that took place Monday night. It was disclosed by the police that approximately 20:00 hrs, the suspect was standing on a street on the northern side of Kilcoy Village Corentyne, Berbice when the deceased came from the northern direction with a piece of wood in his hand. He reportedly dealt Mahadeo a lash on his head. The police said the suspect then pulled a knife from the waist of his pants and stabbed the deceased several times on his right-side chest. Meanwhile, contrary to what the police reported, the relatives of the deceased told reporters that the suspect had developed an issue with Yhap a few weeks ago. According to the brother of the dead man, Vishnu Phillip, the girlfriend of the suspect had plaited Yhap’s hair. She was paid $500 to do it but the suspect became enraged with jealousy and accused Yhap of having a relationship with his girlfriend. The deceased, who is married with two children, ages two and five, had denied the accusations but a fight ensued and he received an injury to his jaw with the same ‘Rambo’ knife used to kill him
The stabbing took place in the area, at Kilcoy, Corentyne.
Died: John Yhap Monday night. That incident was reported to the Albion Police Station but the suspect was never arrested. Relatives believe that Yhap was killed over the said old grievance. “Last night around 7:00, I was about to lock up and go upstairs and the neighbour called and said “Shiva pickney jook up John”. So me go there and saw my brother. I started to cry, he was stabbed twice to the chest and under the arm. Nobody wanted to lift him and put him in the car, I had to help lift him. We took him to Port Mourant. He was stabbed with the ‘Rambo’ knife. Sometime ago, the girlfriend of the suspect had plait me brother hair and he (suspect) spite he and dem fight over the same thing,” the brother said. The victim was picked up and taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where he was admitted and subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Meanwhile, according to a member of the Community Policing Group, the place where the incident occurred is owned by a prominent member of the judiciary and has been allowed to open during the curfew hours, even selling alcohol. He stated that on Sunday
Miner crushed by falling tree A miner,29, was reportedly crushed to death last Monday morning, after being pinned by a falling tree at Big Hope Backdam, Waini in Region One. The now dead miner has been identified as Marques Cornelius, who is believed to be a resident of Charity on the Essequibo Coast.Kaieteur News understands that as Marques was prospecting, a tree fell and pinned him sometime around 10:35hrs. Workers rushed to the man’s aid, and as they removed him from under the tree, they observed that he was lifeless with blood exiting his ears. The employer immediately placed the crushed man into
Dead: Marques Cornelius his motor vehicle, and took the body to the 70km Police Outpost. Later in the afternoon, the man was escorted to the Suddie Public Hospital, Region Two, where he was examined by a doctor on duty who pronounced him dead.
night, there was a “brawl” at the location in the presence of the said official of the judiciary and a man was seen
brandishing his firearm. He believes that if the police had acted Sunday night by intervening and laying
charges for breaching the COVID-19 orders, then the business would not have been opened and the incident
would not have occurred. “I am very disappointed in the police for condoning that behaviour,” he said.
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Wednesday September 16, 2020
Kaieteur News
Crashed cocaine airplane‌Interpol to assist with probe -seized drugs weighed 390 kilos The unidentified body of a male, seized cocaine and one of the planes along with the three suspects found at Nine Miles, Issano, Middle Mazaruni, Region Seven, have all arrived in Georgetown as investigations continue. This newspaper has also been reliably informed by police sources that the International Police (Interpol) will assist the Guyana Police Force (GPF) with the investigation in identifying the dead male and ascertaining who the detained foreign nationals are. Kaieteur News learnt from a senior police official that the body along with the bags containing 390 kilograms were found among the wreckage of a crashed Beechcraft, twinengine aircraft located some distance away from the Nine Miles Airstrip had arrived in Georgetown late Monday night. The 206 Cessna aircraft bearing a suspected Brazilian registration number which was located at the airstrip, along with the three detained foreign nationals, were escorted to the city yesterday, by Joint Services ranks. The detainees had identified themselves as two pilots and an internet technician.
The three foreign nationals detained by police One of the pilots is a Venezuelan national, 29, of Tumeremo, Estado Bolivar, while the other is a 35-yearold of Boa Vista, Estado Roraima, Brazil. The internet technician, 35, is also a Brazilian national of Manaus. The men-one with a fractured arm and bruises to the face, were located by ranks on Sunday last after police had received information of a strange aircraft at the Nine Miles airstrip. In their possession were a satellite phone, a cell phone, a sum of Brazilian currency, among other items found but
there was nothing illegal on the Cessna plane. The men had told investigators that they were heading to Suriname and forced to crash land at the airstrip because of mechanical issues. Ranks, however, saw no visible damage marks to the plane supporting the claims of crash landing. Police said that they were further told by the men that another plane was traveling along with them had crashed somewhere in the jungle. Members of the Joint Services launched a search on the following day and just af-
Some 390 kilgrams of cocaine found in the crashed beech craft.
ter noon located the wreckage of a blue and white Beechcraft along with bags of cocaine and a body.
Guyanese dies after car flips in Antigua Antigua (Antigua Newsroom)Investigations are ongoing into a fatal traffic accident, which occurred around 11:55 pm on Saturday 12th September, on Friars Hill Road, in the vicinity of Sir Wright George Police Academy. The allegations are that Vijai Persaud of Hodges Bay, who was the driver of a silver/ grey Honda Step Wagon C 16005, was travelling from west to east on the said road at a high rate of speed. Persaud is said to be from Guyana. He reportedly lost control of the vehicle, and ran off the southern side of the road, causing the vehicle to flip several times, before it came to a stop.His body was thrown from the wreckage and was found lying face down. A medical doctor arrived on the scene and pronounced him dead approximately 12:31 am on Sunday 13th September. His body was removed to Barnes Funeral Home. There have been several accidents on that road alone, including one as recent as yesterday.
Dead: Vijai Persaud The FHR remains under construction under the UK Funded Road Rehabilitation Project.Last week, the police warned residents to slow down after 67 traffic accidents were recorded in one week alone.
Ponzi schemers’ lawyers deny bank... From page 10 to Guyana and for a computer to be given to him so that he can transact the businesses.Nandlall also said that the government granted both request made by the accused but that the couple have approached the High Court on multiple occasions to secure bail- their requests were denied.While giving the update, the Minister also disclosed that the accused
Prisons record first cases... From page 14 recorded in Region One; six in Region Three; 41 in Region Four; 11 in Region Seven; four in Region Eight; two in Region Nine and two in Region 10. The total includes 15 persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit and 582 persons in isolation. The Ministry said 1,302 persons have so far recovered from the virus while 70 suspected cases are in institutional quarantine.
had wanted to strike an agreement with the Guyana Police Force but the force was instructed not to sign any. However, yesterday Todd debunked all of the Attorney General statements. Todd said that no bank account has been reopened for his client to deposit the monies so that it can be returned to investors. He then added that his client is ready to resolve these matters but have not been given the opportunity to do so.The lawyer then highlighted that no computer was ever provided for his client at the Lusignan Prison so that he can transact business and have the monies returned to Guyana.Todd also stated that no approach was made to the High Court for GarciaDominguez and his wife, to be granted bail.He then clarified that his client has never requested that an agreement be signed with the police. Todd said that the AG took the statement out of context since he [Todd] was the one
who asked the investigators as to what is the DPP’s position as pertains to the charges.The other lawyer, Smith, stated that the action that was filed in the High Court will be served on the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, Police Commissioner (ag) Nigel Hoppie and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack.The government has established a task force to help recover the
monies but all efforts have lead to a dead end.Over17, 000 are said to have lost in excess of US$20M.The accused are said, told persons that they have the means to trade on the international market in foreign currency.Persons were being offered rates as much as sixty percent interest, it has been reported.The couple, who had several persons working for them as agents has been slapped with over 70 joint fraud charges in several courts on the East Coast of Demerara.
Wednesday September 16, 2020
Kaieteur News
Fishermen escape with pirates’ belongings after being held hostage for 24 hours
guns and dressed in militarylike uniforms. They claimed that the five men spoke a foreign language as well and reportedly forced them to the bow. The pirates, the fishermen said, then began loading their belongings from a small wooden boat they had tied onto the fishing vessel. They were held hostage for 24 hours. On Monday, the fishermen said that pirates saw other vessels in the area and decided to go after them. However, before doing so, the fishermen were relieved by one of the pirates of a cell
Guyanese, Jamaican newest COVID-19 cases in Barbados
Barbados (CMC)- A 20year-old Jamaican woman is one of two people to test positive for COVID-19 in Barbados. Health officials there said the woman tested positive on arrival at the airport aboard a Caribbean Airlines flight on Monday. The other case, a 42year-old Guyanese woman who arrived on the island on
Fishing vessels in the Waini River (photo courtesy of the Guyana Chronicle) A group of four fishermen on Monday last escaped with the belongings of pirates who had held them hostage for 24 hours in the Waini River Mouth, North West District (NWD), Region One. The fishermen, according to police reports, had left Morawhanna on September 12th at around 22:00hrs to go fishing in the river mouth. The men told police that around 07:00hrs the following day (Sunday), they were awaken by the sounds of men on board their fishing vessel. When they got up, they saw five men armed with
PAGE 21
phone and $16,000 in cash. They were instructed not to move.A little while after, the pirates had left in pursuit of the other vessels. One of the fishermen started the fishing vessel’s engine and sped out towards the ocean. They had escaped with the pirate’s belongings, on board. At around 05:40hrs yesterday the fishermen docked at Kumaka Landing, Mabaruma and headed to the police station where they lodged a report at the Mabaruma Police Station, and handed over the pirates’ belongings.
September 9 aboard Trans Guyana, tested positive after a second test. The authorities said that there are now 11 people in isolation and 165 have recovered. Barbados has recorded 183 cases, comprising 96 females and 87 males. In the Bahamas, the number of positive COVID-19
cases increased by 46 over the past 24 hours, pushing the total to 2,974. New Providence leads the way with 2,013 confirmed cases of COVID-19 followed by Grand Bahama with 597, Abaco with 100, and Bimini 54. In Guyana, where the authorities are reporting 31 (Continued on page 17)
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Kaieteur News
Ministry launches first ever mass online teacher training
- hinterland teachers to be engaged - private institutions to benefit - recognised certificates awarded upon successful completion
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The Ministry of Education yesterday officially launched its online training programme for teachers to prepare them to deliver education through the use of information and communications technology (ICT). All educators from public and private schools, trainee teachers at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and lecturers at the University of Guyana (UG) will be able to participate in the 100hour programme, facilitated by the Ministry through a partnership with the Organization of American States (OAS) and the ProFuturo Foundation. There are over 10,000 teachers in the public school system and at least 1,000 in the private school system. Additionally, there are dozens of educators in training at the CPCE and lecturers at UG. Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand said the undertaking was the first of its kind. “We heard you when you told us that it would help you if we would give you training in how to deliver your lessons using various platforms…. It’s a large undertaking, but we are happy to do it. It’s going to be the first time it’s happening here, where all our
teachers are trained simultaneously,” the Minister said. Meanwhile, National Project Coordinator of ProFuturo, Selwin Griffith said upon completion of the course teachers would be awarded an e-certificate, which would be recognised by the Ministry. “Teachers will be exposed to two routes of training: innovation and ICT in education. Under both routes, teachers will progress through four levels: basic, medium, advanced and professional.” He indicated that teachers would also be provided with assistance, with some 300 personnel appointed as coaches to support the initiative. Mr. Griffith added that they hope to complete the first batch of training by October.Additionally, the Education Ministry has also reached out to the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) and Digicel to zero-rate the training website to ensure teachers have minimum expenses. The Ministry said while some required training videos were not on the website, they were few and would incur minimal charges. The Ministry will be reaching out to educators in hinterland and riverine com-
munities through adaptive means to ensure equal learning opportunities for all. Having secured permission to reprint the training modules, the Ministry has identified over 2,000 teachers in hinterland areas to distribute printed lessons for the theoretical component of the training. Upon completion of the theory, arrangements will be made to get the practical aspect completed. Local OAS Representative, Mr. Will Campbell and OAS Washington, USA Representative, Mr. Luis Benitez both applauded the Government for this undertaking. Mr. Benitez said he is “thrilled to see Guyana as an example for all the other countries in the Caribbean”. He added that they hope the project is sustained as the world moves forward into the digital age. The Ministry’s Head of Management Information Systems Unit, Mr. Yoganand Indarsingh, said that a project is in the pipelines for a spin-off programme. To this end, 50 teachers, who would have mastered the programme, will further train 1,000 teachers who will later instruct others, to develop a hybrid teaching system.
Suriname: After Three Discoveries, Apache Spuds... to collect representative fluid samples from the reservoir due to conditions caused by cementing operations, which were required to mitigate increased pressure below the base of the Santonian formation. Hydrocarbon shows were observed in the Santonian reservoirs, and the results of the formation evaluation indicate the presence of oil,” Apache said. Drilling picking up In early 2021, Apache plans to carry out an appraisal EDUCATION campaign to better Homeschooling in Reading characterize the 2020 a n d E n g l i s h . C o n t a c t : discoveries, along with an additional exploration firstupdatesgy@gmail.com campaign.It’s not just Apache who will drill for oil off Suriname next year. Londonlisted oil company Tullow Oil will be hoping to replicate Apache’s success at its Goliathberg-Voltzberg North prospect (GVN-1) in the PROPERTY FOR SALE Block 47 next year. The company has recently hired Active Business Place at the Stena Forth drillship for Covent Garden Island, E.B.D. the operation.Also, the Serious Inquiries only. Call: Malaysian oil company #615-7784 or 621-6969 Petronas has hired Maersk
From page 7 of net pay. Fluid samples from the Campanian validated the presence of oil with API gravities between 34 and 43 degrees.“Since the discovery announcement on July 29, 2020, the Noble Sam Croft drillship has gathered reservoir and other technical data in the Santonian. The company was able to successfully retrieve rotary sidewall cores but was unable
Drilling’s semi-submersible drilling rig Maersk Developer to drill an exploration well in its Block 52 offshore Suriname later this year. Worth noting, oil giant Shell also recently entered the Suriname offshore oil and gas sector after buying a package of Kosmos Energy’s frontier exploration assets, including a 33 percent stake in Block 42 in Suriname. The wider Guyana basing has been described as the world’s number one offshore exploration spot. The region has been put on the exploration map by ExxonMobil, which has, in recent years, discovered more than 8 billion barrels of oil equivalent and has earlier this month announced its 18th oil discovery in the Stabroek block in Guyana. Oil explorers in Suriname believe what Exxon has done in Guyana can be reproduced in Suriname. Exxon has also added to that belief by recently farming into Petronas’ offshore block in Suriname.
Wednesday September 16, 2020
Kaieteur News
AG refutes Trotman’s claim that Constitutional agencies budget were approved illegally Guyana’s Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, yesterday rejected claims by Opposition Member of Parliament, Raphael Trotman, that the approved $11.2 billion budget for Constitutional Agencies was a statutory breach as the requisite officials were not yet appointed. Trotman, during his contribution to the National Budget debate this week, said the new administration “committed multiple illegalities or statutory breaches when it purported to pass the budgets for the Constitutional Agencies in clear violation of the precepts of the Financial Management and Accountability (Amendment) Act of 2015.” The Opposition MP said that the Act clearly stated
that the procedure be adopted by the Finance Minister, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. Supporting this contention, he pointed out that there was no gazetted Finance Minister, no elected Speaker and no Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. Nandlall, however, rejected this, deeming Trotman’s contentions as “absolute falsehood.” The AG explained that back in 2015 by Act No. 4 of 2015, the APNU+AFC administration amended the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act which adjusted the way that Constitutional Agencies budgets are to be
presented in the National Assembly. By that amendment, he said, their budgets are to be presented separate and apart from the National Budget estimates. Additionally, they are also to be submitted by the Accounting Officers of these Constitutional Agencies and copies sent to the Minister of Finance. “We complied with that process in accordance with the letter and spirit of the amendment promulgated by the APNU+AFC in 2015,” Nandlall told the media. Trotman had also noted that the law speaks of providing “sufficient time” for Parliamentary representatives to consider the estimates presented. But Nandlall pointed out that by that very amendment,
budgetary allocations for Constitutional Agencies are directly to be charged from the Consolidated Fund and they are to be disbursed in a “lump sum manner” therefore excluding any possibility of Parliamentary interrogation and scrutiny. “So even if they were in the assembly,” Nandlall added “because they absented themselves, but even if they were present, they could not have subjected those budgetary estimates to any form of interrogation or scrutiny because that is what
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Attorney General, Anil Nandlall Opposition MP, Raphael Trotman the amendment said.” Further, he said that:
“There was no basis for a National Assembly intervention, so Mr. Trotman was completely wrong in his contention that there was some irregular process or illegality.”
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Wednesday September 16, 2020
Dismissed Civil Aviation lawyer absent five months from work
Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Juan Edghill, has debunked claims by opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Amanza Walton-Desir, in which she stated that she was fired from the Guyana Civil Aviation
Authority (GCAA) because of her political interests. However, yesterday Minister Edghill made it clear that it was Walton-Desir’s “nonperformance” that led to the agency relieving her of her duties.
According to the Minister, Walton-Desir, an attorneyat-law who served as General Counsel to the GCAA and a recently sworn-in Member of Parliament (MP) for the A Partnership For National UnityAlliance For Change
-let go for “non-performance”-Minister Edghill (APNU+AFC), was absent from duties for a period of five months-commencing at March 2 to July 31 of this year. “To be off the job for months without leave being approved in itself is voluntary termination,” Edghill pointed out in a statement. Further rubbishing the attorney’s claims, during this week’s budget debate in the National Assembly, that her termination was as a result of a political witch-hunt, Minister Edghill said the GCAA was well within its legal right to end her tenure. “In keeping with the conditions of the contract where either party may terminate, the Director-General (DG) of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority informed Miss Desir that her contract has come to an end and her services are no longer required. This is not a matter of politics. This is a matter of non-performance. This is about someone who has been openly defiant to the Director-General and senior management of the GCAA,” the Minister explained. Further in the justification in the termination of the attorney, Edghill presented a document which recorded the chronological human resource (HR) events between Walton-Desir and the GCAA. This document details 25 entries between the two aforesaid parties between the years 2013-2020. With sharing this report, Edghill was keen to point out that: “There were always issues about her absence from work; tardiness as it relates to her functions, not providing reports, going on over-
APNU+ AFC MP, Amanza Walton- Desir sees travels and not providing any report on her return from those travels.” He also noted that Walton-Desir’s exchanges with the GCAA often dealt with disagreements over her salary and clauses of contracts.“Her employment at this agency was about money,” the minister said. “The letters in her file, exchange of letters has always been about emoluments, terms and conditions of engagement, disagreement about whether she should be paid midpoint or maximum of the scale.”This attorney-atlaw was paid a gross salary of $1.223M per month and a $20,000 travel allowance. Though employed as a lawyer, she collected a $50,000 technical allowance, followed by an annual one-month’s salary leave passage allowance, and a 22.5% gratuity every six months. Benefits did not stop there as the attorney received a $172,538 allowance as Project Manager of the Project Executing Unit of the National Aviation Master Plan for Guyana. “GCAA is still yet to produce work to show and
to substantiate the benefits it garnered from this excessive remuneration package,” Minister Edghill said, while noting that her contract increased from three years to five years, which was beyond the time the GCAA could approve without reason or a board decision. Additionally, WaltonDesir appeared to have secured secondment to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) through the circumvention of the process that would facilitate such a decision. Letters were sent from the lawyer to former President David Granger for his intervention to ensure her secondment.However, that secondment was refused by means of a unanimous decision by the GCAA on March 19, 2019. Walton-Desir yesterday, threatened to take legal actions against Minister Edghill for him disclosing details of her contract between the GCAA. The APNU+AFC wrote in a statement that “Edghill acted way beyond the parameters of acceptable conduct, indulged in misconduct in public office and will suffer the legal consequences for his abhorrent and nauseating actions in maligning Ms. Walton-Desir.” However, Edghill posited that he was well within his rights to share those contractual details since the attorney functioned as an officer of public authority, thereby being paid by public funds, and the terms and conditions of her contract as well as the quality of her performance are all matters to which the public is entitled.
Community vice-president beaten for removing... From page 18 Harris and could be heard telling one of the men to leave her alone. As they managed to pull the trio off of Harris, she claimed that another female ran up to her and hit her to the left side of her head with a piece of wood. Harris reportedly fell to the ground again and was helped to her feet by her rescuers. She was subsequently taken to Wismar Police Station to lodge a complaint. Harris then made her way to the district hospital for treatment and a medical. One of the female attackers was subsequently arrested but the other three had gone into hiding when police arrived at the scene. That individual was, on Monday last, released on station bail. Police, however, has since been unable to apprehend the other three. When Harris was asked as to why her neighbours would want to attack her, she responded that it has to do with the removal of a fence to plant
light poles for the benefit of the entire Andy Ville community, including her attackers. She explained that Andy Ville is a community inhabited by squatters and had been without light and water for years. She said that a group was elected to represent the community of which she was chosen as vice-president. Harris said that for three years she had spearheaded an initiative to achieve the services of water and light in the community. Finally, the then Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson had responded to their calls and agreed to provide the services they so badly needed. In January 2019, works had begun for the installation of light poles. Harris claimed that in order to facilitate some of the light poles, her alleged attacker’s fence had to be removed along with a tree. She further claimed that they were notified and made no objections. “Members of the Andy Ville community as-
sisted too in removing the fence and cutting down the tree”, said Harris. Not long after, Harris continued, the alleged attackers approached her and demanded that she pay them for the dismantled fence. Insisting that there was no reason for her to pay for the fence, Harris did not adhere to their demands. “It is a squatting area and moreover they were notified but never objected, the whole community agreed too that the fence needed to be removed for the light poles to be planted and facilitate light for everyone”, contested Harris. This, she said, aggravated her alleged attackers and for one year they taunted and threatened her repeatedly.Harris said that she had even obtained a restraining court order against them.“They stopped for a while but as of recent they began their name callings, threats and taunts again,” Harris said.
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APNU+AFC used million$ to purchase animal anesthetic machine to use on humans - Dr. Mahadeo As day two of the 2020 National Budget debates got underway, Government’s Member of Parliament (MP), Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, emerged with some startling finds regarding the management of Guyana’s health sector under the previous administration’s purview. Commenting on the A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government’s “mismanagement” of the sector, Mahadeo told the National Assembly that the administration expended millions of dollars to purchase an anesthetic machine for the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, Region Six, for human use but instead – the machine was “parked” as it is only compatible with animals. The seasoned Parliamentarian told the House that when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) came in office in August, only one out of the five anesthetic machines at the health facility were operable. “Mr. Speaker, here’s a
shocker,” Dr. Mahadeo said: “an example of how the APNU+AFC government functioned: there was a new anesthetic machine that was bought for millions of dollars – sole-sourced- this new anesthetic machine has never been used, and cannot be used in the New Amsterdam Public Hospital so it is parked there. But do you know, Mr. Speaker, why it cannot be used? It cannot be used because it is an anesthetic machine that is to be used for veterinary services – to put animals to sleep for surgical intervention.” Within days, he said, the new administration made progress. A bio-chemical engineer was asked to “check and see what can be fixed” and so far one of the four machines was fixed and two others are expected to be up and running within the next week. One critical question to be asked, he said, was “who is responsible” adding that “as an animal activist, I say we shouldn’t treat animals badly. But, at the same time, Mr. Speaker, we should not treat
E’bo truck driver charged for murdering ex-lover Namdram Persaud who is being accused of murdering his exlover, 24 year old Lunisa Peters, was remanded to prison yesterday after being charged with murder. The truck driver, Namdram Persaud 42, who lives at Golden Fleece on the Essequibo Coast, appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam via Whatsapp video call in the Anna Regina Magistrates Court. The charge read that on September 9th, 2020 at Good Hope, Supenaam, Essequibo Coast, the accused allegedly committed murder contrary to common law, on Lunisa Peters.Persaud, who was represented by an attorney, was not requested to plead to the indictable charge and was remanded to prison. The matter has since been postponed to September 25th at the Suddie Magistrate Court.He was accused of visiting the woman at her Supenaam home. They had been separated. He became enraged after she received a late night phone call from a male. He stabbed her to death.
Dead: Lunisa Peters
Charged: Namdram Persaud
human beings as animals.” Continuing, Dr. Mahadeo said that the APNU+AFC boasted about a CT scanner they received, however, upon several checks, the machine is still not operational. While he pointed out that the CT Scanner will be up and running in the coming week, if it had been operational since being procured, Guyanese would have been able to save thousands of dollars. Not only this, he continued, the machine was stored in a room but “storage was not free.”
“Mr. Speaker, storage was at a cost of $14.5 million per month, $174 million dollars per year. Mr. Speaker, they were storing a $90 million piece of equipment in a bond,” he said. Commenting further, Mahadeo pointed out that the APNU+AFC administration placed an “ex-bank clerk” as the Regional Heath Officer (RHO) to hold the reigns of Region six’s health sector. Among their other blunders, he added, was appointing a Minister of Health who had no experience in health care delivery.
Member of Parliament, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo
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Wednesday September 16, 2020
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CWI sets timelines for consultation and implementation of Wehby Report recommendations CWI President Ricky Skerritt (2nd left) speaks at a media briefing in the presence of other CWI officials. SportsMax - Cricket West Indies (CWI) has established timelines for consultation and implementation of the recommendations of the Wehby Report.CWI Board of Directors proposed a way forward following a presentation by President Ricky Skerritt of a Board Paper entitled “Governance Reform Report – Next S t e p s ” . The paper called for the
Board of Directors, Territorial Boards and their members, and all stakeholders, to do all that is possible to stimulate, encourage and facilitate the reading, discussion and consultation of the report, which was widely distributed on August 17, 2020. According to President Skerritt, Senator Don Wehby has offered to make himself and other Task Force mem-
bers available to provide explanations and facilitate constructive discussion on the report’s findings, if needed. The paper encouraged all stakeholders to engage in any consultation they deemed necessary to help pave the path forward towards implementation.“There will be COVID19-related timing challenges, and likely political head-winds ahead, but I as-
Wednesday September 16, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Affection blooms in close relationships as you tune into the thoughts, feelings, needs, and desires of those around you. Communication should be clear, open, and honest without being brutal. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You should be in glowing good health today, Taurus. You're feeling especially fit, and your appearance likely reflects that. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Love blossoms in close relationships as communication flows freely. You're intuitive by nature, Gemini, but today you feel especially attuned to others' thoughts, feelings, needs, and desires. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Happiness reigns as you and your household embark on one or more projects that could make your home more cheerful, Cancer. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A conversation with someone in your neighborhood could prove unexpectedly pleasant and enjoyable. You might meet new people and get closer to the ones you already know. . VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22) A pleasant surprise comes your way when you receive either a present or small sum of money, perhaps in the mail, Virgo. Someone will either pay you back a loan .
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Communication is likely to be warm, informative, and companionable today, Libra, and you'll probably grow closer to those around you because of it. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) If you're musically or artistically inclined, Scorpio, today you might have visions or melodies in your head that simply cry out to be written down. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today should be busy with regard to communication, Sagittarius. Calls and emails to people close to you may take up a lot of your time. You could be organizing a meeting or social
event of some kind.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) A meeting - virtual or otherwise - is likely to happen during the course of the working day, Capricorn. This should lead to pleasant and interesting conversations, possibly involving philosophy, spiritual matters, or the arts. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A message or phone call from someone dear who lives far away could arrive today. You've been thinking about this person for a while. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Daydreams and reveries could inspire new ideas for creative projects today. Visions, stories, or melodies might flood your mind, and it might be a good idea to write them down before they
disappear.
sure all stakeholders and lovers of West Indies Cricket that I will personally champion the important process of CWI Governance Reform, no matter how long it takes now that CWI has received and distributed such a pragmatic and doable cricket-centric report from Senator Wehby and his team of highly qualified and experienced advisors,” Skerritt said. “Hopefully good sense will prevail, and CWI will show the world that we are serious about modernization and
improvement.”According to the Board paper, the first deadline is for the report reading and consultation process to be completed by Friday, October 16, 2020. But that would depend on the ability of Territorial Boards to effectively consult with their membership under the Covid19 protocol group gathering limitations.During the same period, CWI will be seeking advice on legal processes and actions that would be required to implement the recommendations of
the
report. The Board paper also calls for final feedback from CWI Board members and Territorial Boards to be documented and submitted to CWI by the middle of November. Any resulting suggestions and decision-making, including actual resolutions for change of Articles, should be completed by November 26 and put before an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) which CWI hopes can take place face-to-face by the middle of December 2020.
CWI launches first virtual Foundation coaching... From page 34 Player Development Pathway to formally support coaches from Foundation to the High-Performance realms of cricket. This initiative is part of a wider CWI strategy to improve and strengthen cricket across the region at all levels. A full suite of CWI
coaching accreditation courses from Foundation to Level 3 (High Performance) will be delivered for the first time in 2021.” Following completion of the Foundation level, participating players will then complete the online UNICEF Child Protection Course.
The Foundation Course is being delivered to players across the region as follows: 1. WI Men’s & Women’s Contracted Players - 14th September 2020 2. Leeward & Windward Islands - 15th September 2020 3. Jamaica & Guyana - 16th September 2020 4. Barbados & Trinidad 17th September 2020
Germany’s Kaemna wins Tour de ... from page 33 the main bunch in the ascent to Saint-Nizier, suffering from back pains.Bernal said compensating for his back led to some discomfort in his knee.“I want to ride to Paris,” he added.It was a day to forget for Ineos-Grenadiers as Carapaz had to settle for second after two brutal attacks from the breakaway group in the decisive climb had left his rivals in the red.But Kaemna, who narrowly missed out on a stage win last week when he lost a two-man sprint against Colombian Dani Martinez in Puy Mary, went solo just when Carapaz was recovering from his effort at the top.“I didn’t want it to be another two-man sprint so when I saw Carapaz struggling a bit I thought I had to go full gas,” said Kaemna, who had also lost a two-man sprint for victory at the 2017 Under-23 world championships. “When I saw that I was gaining a few seconds it boosted my confidence and I knew I was going to win.” All 22 teams were cleared to continue the race on Tuesday after all riders and staff members returned negative coronavirus tests.Yesterday also marked the return on the race of Tour director Christian Prudhomme, who had tested positive in the previous round of testing.Tomorrow’s 17th stage is a brutal mountain trek in the Alps, over 170km and ending in Meribel at the top of the Col de la Loze, 2,304 metres above sea level.
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Windies stars Russell, Narine arrive to join KKR ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Kolkata Knight Riders superstars Andre Russell and Sunil Narine have been the latest players from the just concluded Caribbean Premier League to arrive for the historic Indian Premier League scheduled to bowl off next weekend.The pair touched down here Sunday to link up with KKR but will first undergo the mandatory week-long isolation before being able to join the squad.West Indies teammate Kieron Pollard, who presided over Trinbago Knight Riders’ capture of their fourth CPL title last Thursday, arrived 24 hours earlier along with Sherfane Rutherford to join Mumbai Indians.Both Russell and Narine enjoyed a productive campaign in the CPL even though they sat out a few games for both their franchises.All-rounder Russell scored 222 runs at an average of 44 with three halfcenturies and a strike rate of 141. However,
he hardly bowled his medium pace, sending down only 13 overs and picking up three wickets. Russell proved a key figure for KKR last season, plundering 510 runs at an average of 56 and a strike rate of 204, while snaring 11 wickets.Narine, meanwhile, was a member of the successful TKR side in the CPL but featured in only five matches, taking six wickets at 15 runs apiece at less than five runs per over.He also missed the final when TKR beat St Lucia Zouks by eight wickets at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad. Narine, who has reinvented himself as a bowling all-rounder in recent time, endured an average campaign last year for KKR with only 143 runs and 10 wickets. This year’s IPL will be played in the UAE from September 19 to November 10 in a biosecure “bubble” amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Wednesday September 16, 2020
Queen’s College dominate week two of Online Chess
Queen’s College dominated the latest GCF youth chess tourney. (File photo) Last Saturday, the ‘Chess In Schools’ junior chess pilot programme in partnership with chesskid.com was able to attract 39 under -16 children from eight schools to participate in its second local fully online chess tournament where Queen’s College was well represented. The kids played for just about three hours in seven exciting rounds under the watchful eye of the experienced FIDE arbiter John lee and this time, the Queen’s College boys emerged top of the table with Omesh Dyal from the ancient county of Berbice copping the title with a perfect record. Kishan Puran finished in second place and his only loss was to Mahalia Rajkumar who
finished third for the second successive week. In addition, Rajkumar was the best female player, again. Omar Sharrif, who won the opening round, was fourth overall but the 10-year-old finished as the best under-12 male player. In fifth place was Arysh Raghunauth, while Italy TonChung was sixth, Kyle Couchman seventh and Nandram Lall closed out the top eight. The tournament is part of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) ongoing training and development strategy using online platforms with 100 children to be awarded gold membership on chesskid.com at a cost of US$1500 to the GCF.
Wednesday September 16, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Arsenal captain signs new three-year contract BBC Sport - Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has signed a new three-year deal with the club. The 31-year-old striker joined the Gunners in January 2018 and won the Premier League Golden Boot in his first full season in 2018-19. “Signing for this special club was never in doubt,” he said. “I believe in Arsenal. We can achieve big things together. We have something exciting here and I believe the best is to come for Arsenal.” Aubameyang’s contract was due to expire at the end of the 2020-21 season meaning he would have been free to talk to other clubs from January. The Gabon striker scored in Arsenal’s victory at Fulham on Saturday, the first game of the new Premier League season. He also scored two goals against Chelsea in the FA Cup final in July, securing the
Gunners’ place in next season’s Europa League. “It was important for Pierre-Emerick to stay with us,” said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. “He’s a superb player with an incredible mentality. Being the player to have taken the least amount of time to reach 50 goals with this club tells you everything you need to know about him and his way of working. “He’s an important leader for the team and a big part of what we’re building. He wants to be up there with the best players in the world and leave his mark. He can achieve that here.” Since joining Arsenal, for a then club-record £56m, Aubameyang has scored 72 goals in 111 appearances in all competitions. In 86 Premier League appearances he has scored 55 goals and made 12 assists. The 2015 African Footballer of the Year was made captain in November
GFF launches refereeing recruitment campaign #GetInvolved
TD Ian Greenwood speaks at Launch Of #GetInvolved Referee Recruitment Campaign. The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) will launch a nationwide Referring Recruitment Campaign under the theme #GetInvolved, which will seek to expand the pool and attract both male and female match officials. The launch is set for today at 11:00hrs at the GFF’s Secretariat and will be done virtually in consideration of the COVID-19 limitations. Scheduled to speak at the event will be President Wayne Forde, Technical Director Ian Greenwood and Head Of Refereeing Department, Dion Inniss.All interested potential referees can log on online at the GFF website at 11:00hrs tomorrow or make contact with the federation secretariat for every detail on being a part of the initiative.
after midfielder Granit Xhaka was stripped of the role by Arteta’s predecessor Unai
Emery.This summer Arsenal have signed Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes for
26m euros (£23.14m) from Lille, brought in former Chelsea forward Willian on a
free transfer and re-signed Dani Ceballos on loan from Real Madrid.
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Wednesday September 16, 2020
England and Wales Cricket Board to cut 62 jobs as a result of Covid-19 BBC Sport - The England and Wales Cricket Board is to cut 62 jobs as a result of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. A statement from chief
executive Tom Harrison said the game will lose more than £100m this year, a figure which could rise to £200m next year. Proposals to reduce
costs include a 20% cut of the workforce budget, with every part of the ECB affected. “Seven months ago, sharing a message of this nature was unthinkable,” said
Harrison. At the beginning of the pandemic, Harrison had warned of losses in excess of £300m. These have been limited largely due to all of England men’s international schedule being able to take place, albeit behind closed doors in a bio-secure environment. England’s women are set to play five T20 internationals against West Indies and there have been domestic competitions held for both men and women. However, the launch of The Hundred, the new 100ball tournament for men and women, was postponed until 2021. “Getting cricket back on this summer - at a recreational, domestic and international level, for both men and women - has been a remarkable achievement by everyone across the game,” said Harrison. “It has been the result of true partnerships in action; across our first class counties and recreational game, from
Tom Harrison became ECB chief executive in 2015.
our broadcast and commercial partners and with Government and local public health agencies.” However, Harrison also conceded action must be taken in order to “safeguard cricket’s long-term future”. “The entire cricket network has pulled together to get us through this challenge so far and overcoming it will mean continuing to work in partnership and continuing to make tough decisions as we have done this year,” he said. “We must reduce the cost base across the game - and that requires the ECB to lead the way by reducing its own
cost base.”Speaking to journalists before Wednesday’s decisive one-day international against Australia today, England all-rounder Chris Woakes said the news is “incredibly sad” and will “resonate with the players”. “There’s a lot of people behind the scenes at the ECB that work incredibly hard and are important cogs in the wheel,” said Woakes. “The current climate that we’re in, these sort of things are bound to happen in all sports around the world. It’s a sad time. It does resonate with the players. We feel that impact.”
Wednesday September 16, 2020
Practice match crucial to series preparations: Coley DERBY, England, CMC – West Indies Women’s head coach, Andre Coley, has hailed last weekend’s practice match as key to the side’s preparations for next week’s five-match Twenty20 series against England. The inter-squad match, one of two scheduled before the international series gets underway, saw Stafanie Taylor’s XI defeat Deandra Dottin’s XI by eight runs. “We’ve been here for two weeks doing a combination of various skills sessions in the nets, strength and conditioning and game-planning but [this] was our first time to get as close to a game scenario with this practice match,” Coley said. “We split the teams as evenly as possible and some very promising performances came out of that. Both teams were able to bat the full 20over innings … players spent time at the crease building partnerships. “So that was good to see and we are happy with how things went. Now it’s just about fine-tuning and building momentum leading into the series next week.” West Indies captain Taylor found form ahead of the
Stafanie Taylor.
series with 71 off 52 deliveries including nine fours as her side posted 131 for six off 20 overs. Aaliyah Alleyne captured three for 35 while fellow seamer Shakera Selman supported with two for 15. In reply, Dottin also finetuned for her upcoming international assignment with a breezy 41 off 43 balls but lacked support and her side came up short of the target. Off-spinner Sheneta
Grimmond (2-16) and fast bowler Shamilia Connell (223) finished with two wickets apiece. The second practice match is carded for today. West Indies take on England in the first T20 International next Monday at the Incora County Ground. The series is being played under strict health protocols and behind closed doors because of the ongoing COVID19 pandemic.
Roy Jones Jr. says he may have ‘made a mistake’ agreeing to fight with Mike Tyson The Giro - It seems that Jones has had a change of heart about heading to the ring to fight Tyson. Two months ahead of their scheduled head-tohead, boxer Roy Jones Jr. is admitting he may have “made a mistake” when he agreed to fight in an exhibition with former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson. According to reports, Jones and Tyson were originally supposed to fight this month, but promoters pushed the exhibition back to attract a larger audience. Now the duo is set to compete in an unofficial bout on Nov. 28 in Carson, California.But over the weekend the former four-weight world-champion boxer expressed reservations about fighting the now 54-year-old former heavyweight champion, who he knows won’t take it easy on him.“When it comes time to fight, we’re going to fight,” Jones said. “If it comes down to bite, we’re going to bite. Whatever has to happen is going to happen. That’s just what it is.” He added: “He’s still Mike Tyson. He’s still one of the strongest, most explosive people who ever touched a
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Boxer Roy Jones Jr. works out at the Mandalay Bay Resort in 2010. boxing ring. If anything, I made a mistake going in with him. He’s the bigger guy. He’s the explosive guy.” “He’s going to have all the first-round fireworks, not me,” the 51-year-old predicted. “I do have first-round fireworks, but he’s known for more first-round fireworks than anybody to ever touch boxing, other than maybe George Foreman.” “With him having the first-round fireworks, he’ll be
against a guy smaller than him, maybe 40-50 pounds smaller than him.” Considering Tyson’s recent comments about the event, Jones’ concerns may be well deserved. “We’re throwing punches at each other. This is going to be my definition of fun … broken eye sockets, broken jaw, broken rib. That’s fun to me,” Tyson recently said during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show.
Germany’s Kaemna wins Tour de France 16th stage, Roglic retains lead VILLARD DE LANS, France (Reuters) - Lennard Kaemna claimed his first Tour de France victory when he outwitted Giro d’Italia champion Richard Carapaz to win the 16th stage, a 164-km ride from La Tour du Pin yesterday. The 24-year-old German took advantage of Ecuadorian Carapaz’s momentary loss of focus at the top of the last climb of the day to go solo and finished one minute 27 seconds ahead after charging down in the descent. Swiss Sebastien Reichenbach took third place, 1:56 off the pace as Slovenian Primoz Roglic retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey. Defending champion Egan Bernal, whose hopes of winning the race fell away when he cracked in Sunday’s 15th stage, was dropped from (Continued on page 29)
Bora-Hansgrohe rider Lennard Kämna of Germany wins Stage 16 after a solo breakaway. (Reuters/Christopher Ena)
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Wednesday September 16, 2020
Goodbye India, hello IPL: Dhoni set to ‘rule roost’ in UAE AFP - India’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni may have signed off from international duties but he’ll be at the heart of the
action in the Indian Premier League — a tournament he helped inspire, and where he remains a towering figure.
Dhoni, who has led the Chennai Super Kings to three titles and five runner-up finishes in the IPL’s 12 editions,
will feature in the opening match on Saturday against the Mumbai Indians, the defending champions. The game comes more than a year after the 39-yearold last played for India in their semi-final loss to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup.After much speculation, the wicketkeeper-batsman finally announced the end of his 16-year international career last month. And without the pressure of having to play well to keep his place in the national team, the flamboyant Dhoni is expected to shine in UAE, the IPL’s temporary home as India battles a rampant coronavirus problem. “He is very fit and I believe he is working very hard on it. Plus he has stopped playing international cricket so there will be less burden on his body,” Saba Karim, another former India wicketkeeper, told AFP. “Global cricket still needs an icon like MS Dhoni to continue.”Dhoni’s captaincy began with India winning the inaugural T20 World Cup title in 2007, a success that triggered the birth of the IPL — the world’s most popular and richest cricket league — a year later. “Dhoni played an instrumental role in kick-starting the IPL because of the way he brought a different dimension to the shorter format of the game because of his aggressive side with the willow,” Karim said.“Also with his calm exterior behind the stumps.”Dhoni, once hailed as the world’s best finisher, has played 190 IPL matches, scoring 4,432 runs including 23 half-centuries. An exemplary leader with fast glovework, Dhoni has
Former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will captain the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. made Chennai one of IPL’s most loved franchises with almost 200,000 people following the team’s fan club on Twitter. - ‘Soul of Chennai’ Chennai chief executive Kasi Viswanathan says Dhoni remains key to the team’s plans and they expect him to keep playing till the 2022 edition.The team has been under scrutiny after arriving in the UAE last month with two players testing positive for the coronavirus. Senior batsman Suresh Raina and veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh later opted out of the competition. “I swear if Dhoni pulls out of IPL, there’s no IPL for me this year!” a Twitter user wrote after the withdrawals. Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra said Dhoni is “the biggest strength of the team and the entire franchise is dependent on him”. “He is the soul of Chennai Super Kings. As long as he is
there, CSK’s heart keeps beating and they move forward. MS Dhoni, the player and the captain, has a great impact,” Chopra said on his YouTube show. “Dhoni is going to rule the roost once again as a captain, as a batsman.” Chennai and Dhoni were plunged into controversy in 2015, when the team were banned from the IPL for two years for match-fixing. But Dhoni and his team — which includes many players aged over 35, including Australia’s Shane Watson and South African Imran Tahir — came back with a bang.Labelled ‘Dad’s Army’ by the media, Chennai returned to lift the title in 2018 and establish themselves as one of the most consistent teams in IPL history. “Dhoni is Chennai, Chennai is Dhoni. If Dhoni is doing well. Chennai is doing well,” veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle said on Cricbuzz.com.
CWI launches first virtual Foundation coaching course Part of new Coaching and Player Development Pathway St John’s, Antigua: Cricket West Indies (CWI) has this week launched its first virtual Coach Foundation courses as part of the longterm “Cricket First” strategic plan in building coaching skills around the region through the new Coach and Player Development Pathway. Four consecutive Foundation coaching courses, updated and modernised to align with CWI’s development pathway, are taking place virtually for over 70 contracted players across the region from September 14-17. Players such as West Indies white-ball captain, Kieron Pollard, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich and Roston Chase, will be taking
their first coaching steps, developing their understanding of technical and tactical coaching whilst also learning about nutrition, mental wellbeing and physical development.
Those players participating in this Foundation level will get the opportunity to test their coaching prowess and receive the coaching skills
and confidence to increase their impact with planned community cricket activities such as Kiddy Cricket and club and schools programmes. This also gives CWI the opportunity to identify those players showing an affinity for coaching which can deliver a potential career beyond playing. CWI’s Coaching Development Manager, Chris Brabazon, highlighted how these Foundation Courses will significantly benefit the professionalization of coaching across the region eventually for the benefit of teams at every level: “CWI is currently developing a world class, West Indian, Coach & (Continued on page 29)
Wednesday September 16, 2020
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Family wants probe
Former National Cycling Champion, businessman and entrepreneur dies The sports fraternity in Guyana and overseas has been plunged into mourning following the shocking death of former National Cycling Champion and businessman Wilbert Benjamin. The 49 year old overseas based Benjamin, who hails from Fyrish and lives in Canada, represented Guyana both at the senior and junior level on a number of occasions. He is the owner of the Benjamin Sports Store, Fitness Center and Car Wash at Courtland, Corentyne, Berbice. A c c o r d i n g t o information, Benjamin, who still rides and would return home on a regular basis to take care of his business and compete, died on Monday evening at the Georgetown Public Hospital. He died more than one month after he was involved in an accident involving a hire car and a motorcycle on the Hampshire Public Road. It was on the morning of Friday 14th August whilst Benjamin was training that a motor car drove out in front of him causing a collision between him and a motorcycle. He fell unconscious and was reportedly taken to the police outposts instead of the hospital. Family members confirmed that Benjamin sustained internal head injuries. His niece, Lucene Benjamin told the media that he was hospitalised for some time at the Anamayah Memorial Hospital and underwent a number of CT scans but was told on several instances that he was fine and
there was no severe injury to his head. She stated that despite assurances from the hospital her uncle complained of constant headaches. His health began to deteriorating and he was taken to a private doctor and back to the Anamayah hospital where another scan was done and it was then that the family was told that Benjamin suffered a broken skull, he was bleeding internally and there was a swelling which was pressing against his brain. It was then that they were told that he has to do a surgery at the St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital. By then Benjamin who was hospitalized at the hospital became restless and subsequently fell into a coma. Whilst being transferred on Monday to the St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital by an ambulance attached to the Anamayah Hospital the vehicle turned back after it was realized that they did not have enough oxygen available in the tank which was hooked up to the patient. By then Benjamin was taken into the hospital and placed on a Life Saving Machine. The family was then told that Berbice Bridge was closed to vehicular traffic which caused further delay. When they got to the St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital they were told that Neurosurgeon, Dr Amarnauth Dukhi was not available. He was them transferred to the Georgetown Hospital. However, Benjamin succumbed at about 1:00am Tuesday morning. The family is calling for a thorough investigation to be done for the negligence of the Anamayah Memorial Hospital. His brother Gary said that despite assurances from the hospital they feel they were
Wilbert Benjamin in cycling gear.
not told the truth. He said his brother was discharged from the hospital; he began complaining of constant headaches. His brother was kept too long at the hospital he noted. Benjamin, who also owns a business in Canada, was very benevolent. He
would return home on a regular basis where he would give a number of donations of cycles and parts and other implements to cyclists and others throughout the country. He would also sponsor numerous races, including for his mother and father’s birthdays.
He leaves to mourn his wife and five daughters who are all overseas, along with his elderly father and mother along with eight siblings, four brothers and four sisters. The family is calling for a full investigation as to what transpired at the private institution.
Wilbert Benjamin
Roy Jones Jr. says GFF launches he may have ‘made a refereeing recruitment mistake’ agreeing to campaign fight with Mike Tyson #GetInvolved Roy Jones Jr. said he may have ‘made a mistake’ agreeing to an exhibition with Mike Tyson because ‘he’s the bigger, explosive guy’. (Sports insider Twitter)
Former National Cycling Champion, businessman and entrepreneur dies Family wants probe Wilbert Benjamin making a presentation of a cycle to a young rider.
Maureese Skeete, Guyana’s Lone Female FIFA Referee makes an appeal at the launch of the #GetInvolved Referee Recruitment Campaign.
rt o p S
Windies stars Russell, Narine arrive to join KKR
West Indies stars Andre Russell (left) and Sunil Narine arrive in Abu Dhabi. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8452, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.