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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 30, 2020
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
CXC Results The cries of disagreements have been loud and relentless. In fact, it is intensifying not only in Guyana, but regionally. This was confirmed by the caption: “Massive region-wide opposition to CXC results” (KN September 26). Affected students and their parents are enraged that this has happened, and which could not have occurred at a worse time. According to the reports, hundreds of students have been negatively impacted. It is where students’ results have way lower than expected grades for subjects that they were acing all the time. Guyana’s Ministry of Education is on record that the grades reported for Integrated Mathematics and Pure Mathematics at many schools were “unacceptable” (Ministry of Education questions CXC over discrepancies in results, KN September 25). Guyana’s Education Ministry is not alone in lamenting the results and lodging a complaint with the Registrar of the CXC. It is joined by corresponding ministries in “Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, ad Barbados and St. Lucia” (KN September 26). In the least case scenario, this signifies that over a thousand students are feeling the effects of some snafu in the CXC marking scheme, quality control, and overall management. What we can parse from the clamors over this matter is that there are major differences over “the teacher’s projected grades and the final grades allocated to students.” And second, that SBAs were submitted on a timely basis and that maximum scores were expected, but low grades came back from the CXC’s handiwork. It is clear that the gap is wide, and not a matter of students and teachers anticipating a Grade 1 but receiving a Grade 2. From all indications, it is much wider. If it were as close as the illustration provided, then it is possible that the outcry would have been muted. But because they are so far apart, to such a widespread degree, the objections have spiraled and gain strength. There is another side to this unfortunate development, which is due to the untimeliness of it all. Many Guyanese students had already made up their minds that their educational path was straight on to the University of Guyana and had filed applications for admission. Those applications are contingent upon UG receiving timely grades which are accurate and, hence, could be depended upon to proceed to the next steps in the admission process. Now this is held up due to this grade dispute, while time is running out for those new students hoping to attend classes, which commences in just over a week’s time. The window for resolving this matter is tight. Yet what is more alarming is the headline from another section of the media, which informed Guyanese students, parents, teachers, and involved senior ministry officials that, in a nutshell, the CXC stood by the results, and that any examination review or probe was off the table. The governors of the CXC have a history of obstinacy and erecting impenetrable walls around the conduct of its business. It has done so for the longest while with its accounting reports and results; its books are not for public consumption, the same public that it serves. And now, the CXC is at it again, through refusing to review complaints, and insist that it did not err and that all is well. As we interpret, the powers at the CXC are, in effect, saying: we have spoken, therefore, that should be that and let us all move along. That may have been so where a handful of students were involved, or the troubles were limited to a few under-performing schools in a single country. But it is not so since the opposite applies. In Guyana, top students from top schools have lent their voices to share their disagreements and disappointments at what is now said to be final and unapproachable, thus untouchable. The CXC’s response is wrong and reeks too much of the unilateralism that comes from being a virtually unchallenged monopoly. It should be called to task by CARICOM to work with member states and seek to resolve this issue in a less adamant manner. The latest is that the CXC people have announced an “independent review” which is where it should have started. We are encouraged.
Silver linings for the $7B squirreled away DEAR EDITOR, After reading the Sunday 27th KN article “ Who is the US$7B man”, I realised it certainly didn’t take long for us to officially join the elite group of countries, expert at shamelessly diverting millions/billions before or after the funds get to the treasury. Never thought this could ever happen in Guyana to this extent. No longer can we separate ourselves from the African continent in terms of pilfering. Now part of the same distinguished club. The Brazilians had their own oil scandal a few years ago, but that’s no comparison. We’ve outdone ourselves. Where did we learn to do this
sort of thing so comfortably? This will just reinforce the negative stereotypes. The Trinidadians are less than one hour away from us by flight. This curse didn’t happen there, did it? At least not like this. Is it because they were dealing with the British Oil Companies and not Americans? All of this is also tied in with all the other lopsided contracts from the Liza’s, Stabroek to the Parayas and everything in between. The foreign investors “read” us well from the beginning, still are; know our weak spots and shortcomings. Human Psychology. At some point the owner(s) of the $7Billion will
be unveiled. Without a doubt, he will be looking over his shoulders for a long time. Always wondering, never completely at ease. The best part is no longer can he enjoy the assets he has acquired, including any prime real estate waterfront property bought in Florida. COVID-19 is here and we are stuck. Everyone around them is a potential carrier and spreader of the virus. The days of open enjoyment are gone for everyone. As of the date of this article, no vaccine coming out has a complete lifetime guarantee. When it’s time to go, all assets still remaining will be left behind on earth. Everyone involved in this
saga is not taking the assets with them. The big question is, even if caught, does Guyana have laws (will enforce any laws?) to put such people in jail for theft. Lately, we’ve heard of millions/billions unaccounted for by members of the past regime. Will we see a complete follow-up with jail time, (make space) or are we stopping at just talking about all these vanished funds. Past and Future individuals found misappropriating funds should bear the same fate. But the best part is that there is: Karma. It always comes back to bite. Yours Truly, Chi Kansi
A most horrifying experience DEAR EDITOR, On September 23, 2020, I had the most horrifying experience in the Ultrasound Department of Eureka Medical Laboratory on Thomas Street, Georgetown. I’ve been using Eureka to conduct most of my tests over the years and I’ve found the staff to be generally professional and polite but on the day in question, it was the first I’ve ever done an ultrasound there and it will definitely be the last. The woman who did my ultrasound was rude, hostile, aggressive and the most unprofessional healthcare worker I’ve ever come across. I was shocked to my core and it took me several hours to compose myself. She body-shamed me throughout the ultrasound
until I put on my shoes and left and decided to diagnose me from the ultrasound in the most hostile manner ever. Please note that she is not my doctor and it was not her place to read me my diagnosis. All of this took place in the presence of her assistant; someone I’ve never met and who now knows my name and my diagnosis. I left the department in total despair, unable to process what had just occurred; I headed to another section of the lab for an Xray of my skull when I sought to enquire who she was. I was told that she is an Indian national and it was not the first time patients had complained about her. I went back to my office in total belief and after a while I still couldn’t shake what
happened; I thought I was overreacting and so I reached out to a close friend who is also a healthcare worker overseas and told her what transpired. She assured me I was not and confirmed that it was nothing but unprofessionalism and a breach of my medical privacy. I was urged to contact the Human Resources Department of Eureka Lab to lodge a formal complaint and so I did. The person who identified herself as ‘Latoya’ suggested a meeting/confrontation with the person in question; I refused because I never want to see her face or ever be in her presence again. ‘Latoya’ apologized for the experience and that was it. Two days later, I decided to tell a co-worker of mine
who also used Eureka in the past and without even mentioning the person’s name, she too shared a similar horrible experience she had with her a few months ago. My co-worker said she vowed there and then that she will never use Eureka ever again for any service. I am usually a strong, confident woman and never in my life has anyone ever made me feel the way she did. I can only imagine the other women who had the same horrible experience as I did and how it must have broken them in some way. I hope the authorities at Eureka Labs read this letter and do something about it. Regards, Fareeza Haniff Journalist/Editor-inChief
The ongoing Lowenfield saga DEAR EDITOR, I read that one Mr. Keith Lowenfield was officially hauled away and held up again for his efforts in you know what. That period in our recent history of mere months ago is so detestable to me that I refuse to refer to it any longer for the iniquitous season that it represented. But in Mr. Lowenfield’s trials and tribulations I detect a few things going on that make for sound political sense and not much else. Let us look at this realistically and practically. First, no tears are shed for this fine citizen, who lost touch with reality. He certainly did more than overstep, he tore down the whole edifice, while looking to bury Guyana in the resulting debris. Now notwithstanding the gentleman’s actions, I raise this question: what is the end game in mind with him? What is the plan for disposing of his matters, should they go against him in the judicial
circuit, some would say the looming judicial circus? I do not foresee that the former chief executive will be made to do any jail time, for putting that genie in a cell opens its own can of scorpions. I think it unwise to create a political hero and potential rallying point. I do not think that that risk will be run, and it is well known at every tier in this society that the realm of jurisprudence in this country does not make up its own mind, and that things can be made to happen, as in make the desired turns. More often than not, that realm is less of the law and more of what is helpful. Of course, it depends on who is being helped. So, if the one-time officer is not going to be imprisoned for his alleged crimes against Guyanese (some may say, crimes against Guyanese humanity and dignity), then I conclude that there is more at work in these seemingly random and periodic dredging up of the good soldier for media moments and public consumption. It is not
harassment, which sounds infantile and lame. It is not even to twist the knife in the eye of political opponents, since they are all the same kettle of fish and sleep on the same seabed. I think that what is happening in Mr. Lowenfield’s continuing public situation is that the PPP government has settled on a new slogan that is more modern and fresher for followers. Instead of the old and tired ‘28 years of darkness’ there is now something about ‘150 days of mischief and mayhem’. It sells well with the main attraction being the man held out as master manipulator and major political operator post March 2nd. As such, he is subject to ordeals by a thousand cuts, which many of a vindictive nature believe could not have happened to a better person, is fully deserving. On the other hand, several powerful political objectives are achieved when Mr. Lowenfield, now confirmed as bogeyman and whipping post is paraded
publicly to remind the nation of what occurred. The spots are chosen carefully, but never so far apart that people get complacent or develop amnesia. It makes for good entertainment; and, more importantly, it keeps that vulgar and infuriating interlude at high temperatures. Supporters are rallied, and the opposition is kept off balance, whenever this polarizing figure is trotted out with maximum publicity to distract from what is now concluded to be the Payara debacle, the shadowy arrangements involving the Canje and Kaieteur oil blocks, and the grand Guy-American Venezuelan bargain. As I contemplate all of this, I must wonder how the Guyanese equivalent of the French Revolution’s liberty, equality, fraternity (that is, unity, transparency, accountability) is going to be served. The politically sanctimonious will settle for Barabbas. Sincerely, GHK Lall
Wednesday September 30, 2020
Guyana has a catching disease DEAR EDITOR, Nostalgia romanticizes the exhausted present with the passionate past, composing a promise for a future built on a dream, permutated by hope. With the breath of fresh air, the welcoming eccentricity of exuberance temporarily dominates the doom and gloom of the daily boredom, entrenched with the miseries of previous malfeasance by the popular miscreants. The man with a touch of class for his fine taste in music, blends vintage with the vicissitudes of a memory lane. Trust the knowledge and experience from an expert to remind the young what the old had glamorously indulged in for a meaningful past time. Making use of a few for so much, was the innovation of a society that suffered the limitation of luxury but enjoyed the richness of contentment. Sandbach Parker’s building was a hallmark of prominence and did house the glamour and attraction of Matt’s Record Bar and also KLM/ SLM/ALM and Massey Ferguson. The gorgeous looking Matt did accommodate the enthusiastic school boys and their flair for music. To visit her store, especially on a Saturday morning, just to listen to the stereo phonic sound of Fausto Papetti’s “Samba Pa Ti,” was an exceptional treat and a glowing satisfaction to digest the finesse of the sweet flowing melody of a sax from the maestro himself. At the behest of a request for “Feelings,” Matt would obligingly smile and unhesitatingly play that record without the hint of annoyance but rather, with the pleasing smile of appreciation. She knew who simply came for the listening pleasure from those who were the buying customers. She knew some bought only when on sale and she knew some bought without even having a record-player! In the month of December, the coziness of fairy-lights and decorations, personalizes the intimacy of Christmas and its flamboyancy, to enrich the season’s festivities. The wide variety of Christmas carols collection and the non-stop
pulsating rhythm and soul of that velvet voice, Nat King Cole and gentle Jim, would fuse the ambience of the imagination of snow and cold. Thank you Matt Baptiste for bringing love and affection into Guyanese lives and for sharing your music, time and personality with Guyana. Do enjoy the rest of your retirement and yes, in your store, all six races did enjoyed a Guyanese unity through your musical forum. Indeed, there was nothing comical when Shakespeare wrote, “If music be the food of love, play on,” rather, it did fine-tuned a song without words. Getting back to the business of the day, one wonders who mentored whom! Did Trump tutored Granger as one president to another, or, conversely, it is the adverse? Election rigging is not only a serious business but also a fraud and those guilty of such an act can be criminally charged. The Guyanese court is the scene of such a drama. Mingo and Lowenfield are experiencing nightmares and Lawrence is having the agita, closely following them is a host of accomplices who wished they were not party to such an inglorious feat! The sanctity of the ballot boxes must be respected. Gone are the days when Burnham and Granger’s soldiers used to hijack the ballot boxes from Indo Guyanese communities. Gone are the days of destroying ballot boxes and replacing them with padded votes of the PNC’s choice. Many paid with their lives in the defense of the ballot boxes. But, it is time for such a bitter lesson to be taught to those who perpetually want to play with fire and expect to remain unscathed. When you walk in mud, don’t believe that you will not get dirty. Guyana needs to move on and play the game of fairness in order to be free. Guyanese cannot remain complicit and thwart democracy. The line of demarcation must be drawn
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to distinguish right from wrong and this madness must come to a full stop, now. This country and its people have suffered immensely since December 2018 (NCM) until August 2nd 2020 (election result declaration), under the rule of PNC/R’s dictatorship. The end result was stagnation, starvation, unemployment and poverty. Would Guyanese want to return to those horrible days of depression and suppression? The choice is yours. The PPP/C government is now saddled with the task of harnessing the run-away horse and bringing it back to the stable. US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo did promise help with changing our election process. The United States of America is experiencing some rough weather, literally also. The amount of daily demonstrations are on the rise for the state of the economy, racial issues, inequality and a number of other social factors, including COVID-19. With the passing of the honorable Ruth Ginsburg, the selection of her replacement is creating another wave of distress and fervor. President Trump’s choice of Amy Coney Barrett is not being digested, especially by the Democrats and is viewed as a power grab in the Supreme Court. To add to the uproar, is the bombshell of Trump’s Taxes. The revelation that he paid only some $750 in taxes only for the past years is cause for disenchantment and furor for the ordinary (Continued on page 6)
A strong call for withdrawal DEAR EDITOR, Child protection and detection is needed from substance-abusing environment. Unsurpassed amazement soon gave way to unbridled anger on reading of the demise of Ronaldo Dave, the two-year-old toddler, who died days after purportedly ingesting “Molly”— laced milk. While mourning the tragic and senseless loss of such a young life, one cannot help but juxtapose it against the grossly negligent attitude of those tasked with parenting the future generation. It has become blatantly apparent that the term abuse suffers from severe confusion or concept distortion. This may be due in part to the fact that neglect denotes absence or omission of caregiving rather than commission of discrete acts that endanger the welfare of a child and is therefore more difficult to assess. Why should a toddler totally dependent on adults for his overall care and wellbeing, be forced to dwell among those who use mood and perception altering substances? Where was at least one of the parents of this hapless victim? Taking all into full consideration, it is my firmly— held conviction that both the aunt and the uncle of the victim should be the recipients of the full force of the law, receiving sentences that would long serve as a deterrent to others of similar intention or inclination. Additionally they should not be allowed to be in contact with children of a certain age,
even their own offspring. Every child in Guyana regardless of race deserves to be raised by individuals who are totally committed to the task of parenting, and in no way compromise their holistic growth. According to Guyana’s Child Protection Act of 2009, a child has the right to grow in a healthy environment that is safe for his/her development. This lamentable tragedy should not be allowed to slip away unnoticed into oblivion. The young toddler, senselessly robbed of the ability to reach even kindergarten level of schooling should serve as the archetype or poster child portraying to the public the dangers of drug use in the presence of children of such a tender age. It should further serve, as a clarion call to spur the Children Protective Services into action, thereby averting any further incidents of such a nature. There should be an immediate withdrawal of all children from homes with identified drug users. Community awareness should be continuously aroused and identified homes with children at risk brought to the attention of authorities. Conclusively, a social report/ evaluation should be conducted prior to the release from prison of all convicted drug offenders. Teachers should also be on the lookout for children living with elephants in their homes – substance abusing parents, guardians and/ or relatives. Molly the street name for MDMA (3, 4-methylenedioxy-
methamphetamine, also known as Ecstasy) is a synthetic substance that has been around more than 100 years, with deadly consequences. Furthermore, research has shown that children living in homes with substance abusers, be it parents or significant others, are at risk for a wide variety of negative outcomes such as social, emotional and behavioural adjustment problems. Emotional and behavioural outcomes among children living in a substance abuse environment are reported among those as young as two to three years of age. The newly-installed government is now called upon to put in place measures that would protect and preserve Guyana’s most vulnerable, giving them the best possible chance to achieve their full potential. From a judicial standpoint drug users should face sentences that would serve as a deterrent, correlating to even harsher penalties for the sellers. Consideration should also be given to the renewed implementation of programmes aimed at prevention and cessation. If the youths are viewed as the leaders of tomorrow, then special attention and consideration should be paid as to how they are being treated today. There will be no one to lead if we do not stop and take heed. Sincere sympathy go out to the grieving family in their loss. Yvonne Sam
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Wednesday September 30, 2020
There is need for an Oil & Gas Institute to train Guyanese Dear Editor, Guyana lacks the capacity to train its citizens for the oil and gas industry so there is need to start an oil and gas (O&G) institute that would provide training for local Guyanese to prepare them for high demand technical and other jobs in the industry. There is a huge demand for oil workers; currently, training is being sourced overseas in Canada. Money is not spent in Guyana and this local content requirement is not met. An O&G institute would meet the requirement of local content and would be most valuable to the country as it provides government an opportunity to train people for jobs alleviating unemployment and widespread poverty especially among rural and hinterland dwellers. With unemployment very high, exceeding 50% with the shuttering of sugar factories by the previous regime, termination of government workers on account of political affiliation, and Covid-19, the O&G industry provides opportunities for jobs. An O&G Institute would prepare Guyanese for such jobs that are in and would remain in high demand for three decades. All training would have to be done for free since families, workers, and students have lost income been and unable to meet costs for the training. At any rate, Exxon has been paying for overseas training for Guyanese to acquire the skill set to work in the industry. As part of local content requirement, Exxon has to hire Guyanese and some 60% of inputs must be local. Recently Exxon paid for the petroleum training in offshore production of some 20 youngsters who were trained in Canada. The trainees returned to Guyana earlier this
month. Fulfilling the agreement for local content ensures that greater opportunities will be provided for Guyanese in Oil and Gas (O&G). However, the 20 workers are not nearly enough to meet local content requirement which is placed at 60%. The oil rig staff exceeds 100 so three times more of the workers trained by Exxon. In addition to technical workers for the oil industry, there is a constant need for members of the service industry, including cooks, cleaners, safety officers, fire officers, managers, medics, nurses, etc. All of these staff members can be professionally trained in Guyana with ease rather than being sent abroad for training. Since Exxon and the oil companies and the government would be the primary beneficiaries, they may gladly commit to investment in the project and even to partner with it. It would be in Guyana’s interest for training to take place in Guyana. More individuals can be trained for less money. An O&G Institute would serve such a purpose. Since Georgetown is overwhelmed with tertiary institutes and since rural areas have been neglected for development, it is strongly suggested that the institute be located in a rural community. Port Mourant is suggested as an ideal location (with possible extended branches in other regions in the future) because of the existence of a foundational structure at the Training Institute and the ready availability of youngsters who would venture into oil and petroleum training. Port Mourant has had a history of training youngsters at the Port Mourant Training Centre (PMTC) for Guysuco technical workers. It has had
...Guyana has a catching From page 5 citizen who pays more than that amount per year. Trump proudly brags and boasts about taking advantage of all the Tax concessions. For years he has fought against declaring the amount of taxes he has paid. Many prominent personalities in Guyana are still to declare their assets as legally requested by statute. Is this a lost and forgotten case? The other hot topic is Trump’s non-commitment to a peaceful transfer of power should he lose the next election due in November of this year and when questioned, he said that, “we’ll have to see what happens,” and, the country should “get rid of the ballots.” Many law makers are distancing
themselves from him and Stanford law professor, Nate Persily, observed that, “We’re sort of walking in unprecedented constitutional territory.” Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, had to remind him that he is not in North Korea, Saudi Arabia nor Russia where dictatorship rules but, he is in America where democracy exists. During the RNC acceptance speech, Trump declared, “The only way they can take this election away from us is if this is a rigged election.” Fear seems to be the key and, who needs Granger’s expertise, Trump or Biden? Guyana has a catching disease. Is America allergic to Guyana? Respectfully, Jai Lall
a successful program for the last sixty years. The institute has been vacant for the last two years and underused and under-utilized during the previous three years. Berbicians have had difficulty getting jobs for the last five years, particularly with the coalition government’s closure of the sugar estates. Additionally, the PMTC has a hostel that can accommodate youngsters from far off locations for training. Facilities for additional accommodation are also available in the area. So it is ideal location for an O&G Institute. (As a footnote: Four
of the recruits who were trained in Canada for O&G are grads of PMTC). That institute would train people to work on rig with pipes, including maintenance; Manage onshore activities for off-shore production; clean up oil spill and address other environmental disaster; and provide service on the rig like cleaning rooms, attending to staff basic needs, etc. The Guysuco Institute currently provides training in Electrical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering as well as in handling environmental matters. Petroleum engineering training is
missing. This aspect of the O&G Institute would be added to complete the training process. A conversation with instructors at the PMTC indicate that they would love to host O&G training and to add petroleum engineering to its courses. They see no conflict with O&G training as such instruction would occur in separate classrooms. Housing is available at the hostel. Even if Guysuco resumes training for apprentices (60) for the sugar estates, say in January, there would still be facilities (classrooms and accommodation) for an additional 65 O&G students.
The recruits for Guysuco trainees or apprentices will be between the ages of 16 and 18. Training would be geared for those who are more vocational oriented. High schools, therefore, though not exclusively, will be a fertile training ground for trainees or apprentices who would be willing to be trained for work in the O&G industry. Hands-on practical experience will be dome at the oil site or some other related oil internship. Such an institute would help to transform labor skills in Guyana. Yours truly Vishnu Bisram
Most American voters know where they stand in the contest between Trump and Biden Dear Editor, Guyana’s “mother of all elections” is finally over after a tumultuous five months ordeal that witnessed rigging and fraud, a circus in town, cowboys and gangsters in the city and a court system bombarded with frivolous and vexatious litigations, all of which the callous and dangerous PNC/R lost. But it was the Sheriff from the US that brought law and order back to this state that was manipulated with caucus and mayhem by the “sanctimonious gangster” and his band of rebels. The presidential election is only weeks away for the US. On Monday, Mary Trump, Donald Trump’s niece, joined Lawrence O’Donnell to explain how Donald Trump’s lies are “dangerous” and why he should be fact-checked in real time, especially on the debate stage saying, ”Nobody tells as many lies on purpose as President Trump.” Chris Wallace, the Fox News host, would have moderated the first of three US presidential debates on last evening. He had announced the six topics on which it was focused on: the Supreme Court, the coronavirus outbreak, the integrity of the election, the economy, race and violence in the cities and the respective political records of Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden. Today, most voters know for certain where they stand in the contest between Mr. Trump and Joseph R. Biden, largely because they’re certain about whether they want to re-elect the president. As per a New York Times/Siena College survey released on Sunday, more than three-quarters of likely voters nationwide called this the most important election of their lifetimes, reflecting the strong feelings on either side. Still, a crucial
fraction of the millions who tuned in to the first presidential debate on Tuesday will have yet to make up their minds. Fully 10 percent of likely voters in the Times/Siena poll didn’t express a vote preference, or said they favored a third-party candidate. Will the President or Mr. Biden be able to peel away enough of those votes to make a meaningful difference in the race? Many controversies corrupt the minds of America and Americans are not blindly influenced as their Guyanese counterparts. Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor, (professor of public policy at the University of California at Berkeley and the author of “The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It.) asked, “What is America really fighting over in the upcoming election? Not any particular issue. It’s not even Democrats versus Republicans. The central fight is over Donald J. Trump ,to take fierce sides for or against. Trump came to office with no agenda except to feed his monstrous ego. He has never fueled his base. His base has fueled him. Its adoration sustains him.” “I do bring rage out,” Trump unapologetically told journalist Bob Woodward in 2016. In this way, Trump has turned America into a gargantuan projection of his own pathological narcissism. To Trump and his core enablers and supporters, the laws of Trump Nation authorize him to do whatever he wants. Anti-Trump Nation’s laws constrain him, but they’re illegitimate because they are made and enforced by the people who reject him. Familiarity does breed contempt, as is the case in Guyana and the PNC/ R! Shawna Jensen, from Fort
Worth, Texas told the press, “I’m not voting for Trump this year. My heart will not let me do it. I can’t vote for someone who is that ugly to other people.” Jensen is among former Donald Trump supporters who are voting for Democrat Joe Biden this year, breaking ranks with family, friends and, in many cases, a lifelong political affiliation. They say it’s caused them anguish, both to personal relationships and their own identity. They wanted change and disruption, until they found out what that actually looked like under Trump. The bombshell New York Times report, detailed that Trump paid a total of $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and 2017. The cited documents also revealed that Trump leveraged his losses to pay no federal income taxes in 10 of 15 years. The president has declined to release his tax returns throughout his campaigns and presidency, breaking from tradition of previous modern presidents. “It’s one thing to be a private citizen and not pay taxes because you’re, quote-unquote, smart. It’s another to do it as a leader of a country you’re supposed to be protecting and caring about, it’s deeply unpatriotic,” said President Donald Trump’s niece Mary Trump, in an interview on MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show.” Trump is personally liable for debts and loans totaling $421 million, The New York Times reported on Sunday evening, and most of it comes due in the next four years, an amount that former intelligence officials, Democratic lawmakers and legal experts warn could be used as leverage against him, and in turn, the US itself. Debt is one of the items security
officials who are adjudicating clearances look at because of the potential for an adversary to leverage it, or, if the person is more desperate, use it as a basis for blackmail, experts say. Trump, for instance, has derived millions of dollars in income from business ventures in countries like Turkey and the Philippines that are led by autocrats whom he has praised but who infringe on traditional US values like human rights. And while The New York Times reported that he had paid little federal income tax to the Treasury from 2000 to 2017, the President or his companies have paid more in taxes to foreign powers, according to the Times, including $145,400 to India and $156,824 to the Philippines in 2017. In her best-selling memoir, Mary Trump told a family story that detailed the ways in which she claims her relatives, the President among them, tricked, bullied and ultimately cheated her out of an inheritance worth tens of millions of dollars. On Thursday, more than two months after the book was published and a little more than one month before the election, Ms. Trump told her story again, this time in a lawsuit. The suit, filed in State Supreme Court in Manhattan, accused Mr. Trump, his sister Maryanne Trump Barry and their brother Robert Trump, who died in August, of fraud and civil conspiracy. It seeks to recover the millions of dollars Ms. Trump claims to have lost. In its first sentence, the lawsuit says that, for the Trumps, “fraud was not just the family business, it was a way of life.” Guyana did copycat America, again! Respectfully, Jai Lall.
Wednesday September 30, 2020
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Team of engineers, auditors to probe asphalt plant racket - Minister Edghill
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u b l i c Wo r k s M i n i s t e r, J u a n Edghill, has revealed that a high-level team of engineers and auditors is being assembled to probe the alleged asphalt plant racket at the state-run facility. It was Kaieteur News which reported recently on what was said to be a systematic scam at the Garden of Eden facility. T h e M i n i s t e r immediately ordered an investigation be launched, sending a strong message that the government will not tolerate any form of corruption. Providing an update, Minister Edghill told Kaieteur News that the investigation will be “thorough and decisive.” Well-placed sources revealed that contractors working on government
projects were up to recently mandated to take their asphalt from the Garden of Eden plant. Kaieteur News was told by a number of persons that contractors would get asphalt at huge discounts under a scam that stretched all the way to the Ministry of Public Works. “What happened is that there is a special department in the Ministry that conducts road repairs and other maintenance works. They would order a certain amount from the plant to be billed to the Ministry. They, however, collect less. The difference is what is sold at a discount price to contractors,” a whistleblower had told this newspaper.It was explained that contractors would come in a few days later and pay about half price for the
Friendship women robbed by neighbour A labourer, 27, who goes by the alias of ‘Rubber’, was yesterday remanded to prison for allegedly robbing his female neighbours with a knife. Charged for two counts of robbery under arms is Ronald Armstrong of Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE). Armstrong appeared at the Diamond Magistrate Court before Magistrate Judy Latchman to answer the charges. It is alleged that Armstrong, along with an accomplice, and armed with a knife, robbed Haymatiie Sookdeo, 62, a chef and Rookmin Sookdeo, 56, of $50,000 in cash and a cell phone valued $20,000. Both women were robbed at their residence, located at M. Gobin Dam, Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Armstrong pleaded not guilty to the charges and is expected to make his next court appearance on October 22, 2020. According to police reports the women were reportedly robbed by Armstrong and his accomplice, on Sunday last, at around 22:00hrs. Investigators were told that Sookdeo and Dookie were sitting on their veranda and counting money when the accused, said to be the women’s neighbour, and another man jumped their fence. The men ran up to them and Armstrong allegedly
Remanded: Ronald Armstrong aka ‘Rubber’ held them at knife point and demanded that they hand over the cash. Armstrong and his accomplice reportedly took the plastic chairs which they (the women) were sitting on and beat them with it. The men then proceeded to relieve the women of the cash and a cell phone before escaping. As a result of the attack, both women had to be taken to the hospital where Sookdeo was admitted for head injuries while Dookie was treated and sent away. A report was later lodged with the police where the victims identified the n e i g h b o u r . It was also reported that ‘Rubber’ lives fives houses away from them. The accused was later arrested by investigating ranks.
Production of the asphalt at the Garden of Eden plant
Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill asphalt from the plant being operated by the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC). “This has a lot of impact. It means that a contractor is buying raw materials cheap, below cost, and can effectively compete with other contractors,” persons with knowledge of the scam said to Kaieteur News. It would mean that the state
would have lost tens of millions of dollars in revenues.Already, operators of privately-run asphalt plants have been complaining of little or no b u s i n e s s . ”What they do is to force contractors to buy from Garden of Eden. In fact, contractors all the way from Berbice were asked to travel all the way to East Bank
Demerara when there are asphalt plants in operations in Berbice.” It was explained that the only way this made financial sense is if the contractors were getting discounts. ”There is a simple way to check how it is happening. There needs to be a special audit. Everybody knows it takes a certain amount of bitumen to make so much
asphalt. An audit of what the department of the Ministry was doing will clearly show something is wrong,” one contractor said. The operators of the asphalt plant, the Demerara Harbour Bridge Incorporated (DHB), had washed their hands clean of the allegations and insisted that their system is airtight, leaving no room for errors.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 08
Wednesday September 30, 2020
COVID-19 response should involve mass immunization, debt relief, grants President Ali urges UN meeting…
P
resident Irfaan Ali y e s t e r d a y addressed a virtual United Nations high-level meeting on Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond. In his brief address to the high-level panel, President Ali acknowledged that the h e a l t h e m e rg e n c y h a s negatively impacted economic growth, reversed decades of development, derailed progress towards the attainment of the
Sustainable Development Goals, and intensified poverty and inequality. As a consequence, he pointed out that small states, with undiversified economies and limited resources, will find it difficult to satisfy their immediate development and recovery needs, while developing countries are expected, in the near-term, to experience widening fiscal deficits, the narrowing of fiscal space, reduced external financing inflows
and increasing debt. Towards this end, the Head of State said that the United Nations must spearhead the global response to the pandemic. “At the health level, this response should involve increased access to personal protection equipment (PPE) for frontline health workers, the provision of therapeutics and equipment for patient treatment and the rollout of and support for mass immunisation when a vaccine becomes available.
On the socio-economic front, it is imperative that global resources be mobilised to ensure a return to a sustainable development trajectory. Resources must be made available, expeditiously, using a variety of financial mechanisms including debt relief, debtservice moratoriums, concessional financing capitalisation of deferred interest payments, and grants,” President Ali said. These measures, he asserted, will facilitate the recovery of developing states. More importantly, the Head of State expressed the confidence that with the political will, and through the establishment of the new
President Irfaan Ali
era in global relations, global and societal inequalities will be reduced. “Establishing this new
era in global relations will require significant development support, more (Continued on page 22)
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday September 30, 2020
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
David versus Irfaan: It all came down to cultural superiority
I
grew up in political activism. I have lived on only two horizons, apart from marriage, in my entire life – politics and academia. My entry into non-PPP organizations brought immense knowledge about the light complexioned Georgetown Creole class, the Portuguese aristocracy and the urban Georgetown elite including westernized, light complexioned, East Indians, hereafter referred to as (WLCEI) One of the most fascinating sociological and anthropological deformities of Guyana that has gone unwritten is the intense dislike for non-Christian East Indians of Guyana by the WLCEI. The man who expanded (he didn’t birth it, he came and met it) this psychological miasma was Lionel Luckhoo. It was taken to perfection from the sixties o n w a r d s b y Wa l t e r Ramsahoye (deceased) and was embodied in the seventies onwards by Rupert
Roopnaraine. Ramsahoye had two libel cases against me and though he is one of the most obnoxious creatures this world produced, I was grateful for his open frankness because you knew where you stood with him. On countless occasions in court, in the presence of his Portuguese friend, Ramon Gaskin, Ramsahoye would tell me quietly that people like me and Glenn Lall are not worth being known in this country because we are at the lowest rung on the ladder of humans. He would viciously tell me that what has always counted in Guyana are people like him and Gaskin. Many, non-Christian, urban based East Indians never encountered these cultural insults because they never were part of the society where the Portuguese, WLCEI, and the lightskinned African Creole elites dominated. As a human rights academic, my world
brought me into contact with them. I became active in WPA, an unapologetic middle class outfit then, became a weekly columnist with the Catholic Standard and Stabroek News, both owned and controlled by the Portuguese crème de la crème (with Father Morrison definitely not snubbing me), then the AFC which like the WPA was essentially an unrepentant elite entity. Before I move to make a connection with these cultural spheres with the 2020 election rigging, an unambiguous contention of mine must be expressed. I say without hesitating, the PPP and PNC are not insensitive, snobbish, class dominated, political organization. They never were. They are not. Space will not allow for an elongation but it had to do with how they evolved (see my column of Monday, August 24, 2020: “The demise of petty bourgeois politics in Guyana: A class
analysis”). The inner leadership of the WPA and AFC were shameless exhibitionists of class snobbery, a depravity that Burnham and Jagan would never have tolerated. When I sat down each night, for five months, looking at the Atlantic Ocean through my study window, writing about the rigging, I would ask myself, if David De Caires and Miles Fitzpatrick were alive who would they have supported – the APNU+AFC for cultural, anthropological reasons or those dark-skinned country boys - Irfaan Ali and Bharrat Jagdeo? The 2020 election in Guyana will remain for me one of the most priceless goldmines in academic research in the entire world in the 21st century. If you are a political theorist, then the attitudes of different classes, of different cultural groups to the election should be one of your scholarly priorities.
A caveat is in order. If you are going to study these attitudes, then you have to do a relevant demarcation. There cannot be a holistic approach. Your conclusion will be misleading. People like Lincoln Lewis, David Hinds, Eusi Kwayana, among others, did not endorse the rigging for cultural, class reasons. They saw the election drama as Indians versus Africans and they wanted their race to win. The class background of Dr. Ali never featured in their thinking. Certain women groups, c e r t a i n W PA a l i g n e d academics, certain columnists in the Stabroek News, certain UG lecturers, certain Creole groups in the West Indian diaspora did not support David Granger’s game of rigging because of the essential, ethnic binary that people like Lewis, Hinds and Kwayana used. Culture, class and anthropology were the driving factors in their psychological attitudes.
Frederick Kissoon These people saw the election arena after March 4 as a zero sum battle between a middle class, light complexioned member of the Georgetown Creole society against an obscure boy from the country side who in their thinking should not be in charge of a country that will be the main CARICOM economy in the 21st century. For them, it was infra-dig to have Guyana run by such a president even though he had a doctorate from UWI. It is not the education that matters but class and colour. I wish Dr. Ali well and hope he gets his party’s nomination in 2025. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Wednesday September 30, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday September 30, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Foreign investor secures majority ownership of Church’s Chicken Foreign investor, SEAF Caribbean SME Growth Fund, has acquired a majority ownership interest in Camex Restaurants Incorporated in Guyana, which will enable the fast food restaurant franchisee to push its growth and expansion plans. According to a statement issues yesterday, the transaction will be completed over the coming week. The SEAF Fund, which member of AMCHAM Guyana, is a private equity fund that invests growth capital in small and mediumsized enterprises throughout the English-speaking countries of the Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM). This investment management group, which is headquartered in
Washington D.C., provides growth capital and business assistance to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging and transition markets, underserved by traditional sources of capital, a statement from SEAF explained yesterday. Camex Restaurants Inc. i s G u y a n a ’s l a r g e s t restaurant operator boasting some 28 franchise/locations spread across Guyana with five brands including Church’s Chicken, Dairy Queen, Pollo Tropical, Mario’s Pizza and Quiznos. Founded in 2006, Camex has grown from “strength to strength”, employing at its peak a staff complement of over 380 team members—of which approximately 80% are women. “It is recognized as a good corporate citizen and
has developed a reputation for delivering service and quality products that Guyanese love,” the statement indicated. Having established presence in Guyana, its founder Terrence Campbell stated that he felt that it was time to bring in an international partner to drive through the next phase of growth. “The investment in Camex is the first for the SEAF Fund which was launched last October with its regional office in Kingston Jamaica. With this new partnership, Camex plans to develop and add new brands to its portfolio, whilst simultaneously expanding operations across the CARICOM region,” Campbell related. Campbell said that “from (Continued on page 22)
Church’s Chicken restaurant on Camp on Middle Streets
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 30, 2020
Wednesday September 30, 2020
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Kaieteur News
UK investment firm expands COVID-19 death toll hits influence in Guyana basin 80; 59 new cases recorded The United Kingdom investment firm, Westmount Energy, continues to quietly expand its influence in the Guyana-Suriname basin by buying into various companies which have stakes there. The company just this month announced it purchased 1,550,000 common shares in JHI associates, one of the early companies that had farmed into the Canje block and currently under media scrutiny for the suspicious circumstances under which the block was given away. JHI has a 17.5 percent carried interest in the 4,800 square-kilometre Canje block, and carries immense value for its proximity to Exxon’s Stabroek block. The Canje block is estimated to have 7.1 billion oil-equivalent barrels. Westmount anticipates drilling to start in the block later this year at the Bulletwood1 well, by the operator, ExxonMobil which has a 35-percent stake. Westmount said, in a recent release, that the purchase takes its holdings in the com-
pany to 6.9 percent of its issued common shares. The company said that the investment fits into its plan to seek opportunities in the Guyana-Suriname basin, a major emerging hydro-carbon province. Companies like Westmount have entered the basin, having to do less to get in than license holders, since they buy into companies that have stakes in blocks, instead of buying into the blocks themselves. Its stake in JHI associates represents 61.8 percent of the value of Westmount’s gross assets as at December 31, 2019, Westmount said. The remainder comes from interests in other companies in the basin. The company also has small stakes in Cataleya Energy Corp. and Ratio Petroleum, each of which have a 25 percent stake in the Kaieteur block; and Eco Atlantic, which has a 15 percent stake in the Orinduik block. This means the company has small stakes in three of Guyana’s oil blocks, adding up to make it a lot of money now, and a lot more later.
The September, 29 COVID-19 dashboard released by the Ministry of Health.
Christopher Jones gifted state lands... From page 19 reportedly applied to the Commission on behalf of “Precision Cuts Barber shop” to lease for a period of 50 years, a portion of state lands at Festival City, Georgetown. Along with his application, Jones submitted his Business Registration Certificate and a detailed business proposal outlining the intended business. An inspection of the land was later conducted in January 2018 showing a small shed Jones claimed to be his. In November the same year, he was granted approval and issued the 50-year lease for the 0.124 acres of land. Sometime after, in the first quarter of 2020, the Manager of the Commission’s Secretariat stated that an alternative portion of land had to be identified for Jones because the land previously was encumbered with the erection of a health centre by the Mayor and Town Council of Georgetown. According to the documents, the Commission was not aware of that development as the inspection report only reflected the shed Jones identified as his. Further, it was said that
another applicant had applied for the new portion of land identified for Jones but that agreement was later scrapped and a brand new application for the former Sport Director was drawn up. Shockingly, when Commissioner Trevor Benn was questioned about the relevant fees to be paid, he instructed his staff to “process the application without the fees.” This is according to documents seen by this newspaper. Jones’ new lease was later presented to him on June 15, 2020. The old lease was not cancelled or returned to the Commission. It should be noted that this application was processed when the country was embroiled in a widely publicized electoral impasse with a government who was said to be in “caretaker mode”. The scandal emerged after a search was conducted at Jones’ Tucville home for a quantity of barber shop equipment reportedly belonging to the state. That search was conducted in relation to an audit carried out at the former Ministry of Social Protection, which showed that they had
approved the pay out of almost $5 million under the Region Four administration for the procurement of equipment for a barber shop under the SLED programme. A review of a grant received by Jones revealed that the full amount was spent by December 31, 2019; however over $1M in items were in fact not delivered and the project was not executed. The balance of the items, were stored at Jones’ home. Jones later took to social media and explained that he applied for a “loan” last year through the SLED programme via the then Social Protection Minister led by Amna Ally. It should be noted that the SLED programme does not provide loans, but in fact grants which do not have to be repaid. Jones explained that he applied for funding to buy 16 barber chairs, an airconditioning unit, and other equipment for a barber shop in Festival City and same was granted by the subject minister at the time. He was adamant that the items that were removed from his home were his. Investigators are probing whether he made misrepresentations in his application.
Another two persons who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have died, the Ministry of Health said in a statement yesterday.The deceased are identified a 77year-old male and a 67-year- old woman from Demerara/Mahaica (Region 4). They both died at a medical care facility. Their deaths mean the number has hit 80. The Ministry of Health says it has since 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 is also appealing to the general public to respect the confidentiality of the deceased and their families and to allow them to mourn their tragic
loss in peace. In the meantime, the MOH updated its dashboard which reflected 59 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total known cases to 2,846. According to the dashboard, the new cases were recorded in Region Four with 39 new cases; Region One with eight; Region Three with six; Regions Five and Six with one new case each while Region Eight has four. To date, 13, 988 persons have been tested. There are 12 patients in the COVID-19 ICU; 193 in institutional isolation; 917 in home isolation and 87 persons in institutional quarantine.So far, 1, 644 persons have recovered from the virus. The two new deaths were not recorded in the updated dashboard.
Body found in trench at BV The remains of Lester Waldron lying in the trench
Police yesterday fished out the body of a man from a trench at Republic Drive, Beterverwagting (BV), East Coast Demerara (ECD).The remains were discovered around 12:15hrs by a passerby and identified to be that of Lester Waldron, 45, called “Redman” also of Republic Drive, BV. Investigators said that the man was described as an alcoholic and was last seen consuming a bottle of rum, while walking along the same road.Kaieteur News was informed as well that Waldron was liming at a
nearby market and reportedly left to go meet up some friends at Plantain Walk but he never arrived.It is believed that Waldron might have collapsed or fell into the trench and died. Nevertheless, police have launched an investigation into his death. Crime scene experts reported that he was found lying face up with no visible marks of violence. Waldron’s corpse was removed and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) where it was further examined by a doctor before taken to the morgue
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Wednesday September 30, 2020
Kaieteur News
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A convict, 23, escaped from the Lusignan Prison sometime before 16:30hrs yesterday. The escapee, identified as James Moore of 544 New Road, Dairy, West Bank Demerara (WBD), and Dennis Street, Sophia, Georgetown, is currently serving a three-year sentence for armed robbery. According to Director of Prisons, Gladwyn Samuels, Moore was booked out of the Holding Bay to work in the kitchen. However, when officers went to check on him that afternoon, he was nowhere to be seen or found. The Prisons Directorate has since launched a manhunt and an investigation.
COVID-19 response should involve mass...
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with promptness, to ensure that recovery is aligned to red u c i n g inequalities.”President Ali said that the discussions and proposals present a way forward in a post-COVID-19 era. He reiterated the importance of a collective approach towards ensuring the future is one of prosperity and equality.The President commended the Secretary General, António Guterres and Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada and Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, for spearheading the initiative on Financing for Development in
the era of COVID- 19 and Beyond. The high-level meeting brought together Heads of State, Governments, representatives of international organizations, the private sector, and civil society to consider recovery strategies from the current crisis in the short term. These strategies include the mobilization of financial resources to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in the medium term as well as building the resilience and sustainability of countries and the global financial architecture, in the long term.
Foreign investor secures majority ...
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From page 13 the initial discussion to the closing, SEAF executives operated with utmost good faith and made me comfortable that the company I built and, most importantly, the employees are in safe hands.” According to the statement, Campbell will remain very actively involved in the business as Executive Director while Lisa Insanally assumes the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). Further, the new Board
of Camex Restaurants Inc. will be chaired by Kurt Kisto and comprise of Directors Terrence Campbell, Jennifer Cipriani, Leo Williams, Floyd Haynes and Zulfikar Ally. “SEAF is proud to have established the SEAF Caribbean SME Growth Fund, and to be able to play a catalytic role through making available private equity, accompanied with expertise to facilitate the growth and expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises in CARICOM,” the statement concluded.
Evaluators under scrutiny ... From page 12 electronic submissions, which they will only be able to access pending the completion of their work. “There is no need to send
another document to them, which is what we are doing now… The evaluation that they do will be resubmitted to us in an electronic form,” the Chairman explained.
Trade barriers take center stage... From page 20 domestic productive capacity to enhance Guyana’s trade performance. Established on September 1, 1997, NACEN serves as the main consultative body to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Coopera-
tion on the conduct of external negotiations and the Foreign Trade Policy Programme. Members of the committee consist of key Government ministers, and representatives from the public and private sectors, civil society, and academia.
TNM supports calls for... From page 16 assert that the $5B budgeted by the government for sugar workers should not be used to draw a parallel by health workers as justification or a rationale for their demands. “You can physically see the socio-economic impact following the closure of those estates on those com-
munities. I can’t apologize for bringing back those jobs… Where was the solidarity when more than 7,000 sugar workers were sent home? What was the situation then?” Nonetheless, Ali gave his assurance that the government is committed to creating better lives for each and every Guyanese.
Wednesday September 30, 2020
Kaieteur News
The seized weapon and the live rounds.
Dutch national arrested with sub-machine gun, cash at Berbice backtrack A Dutch national was intercepted Monday night at the backtrack location in the Upper Corentyne area, Berbice, by law enforcement officers. The man was caught with a sub-machine gun with no serial number.Actions by the police led to the boat being intercepted with the man onboard. He has since been identified as Kwesi Fernando.Fernando is presently in police custody and the gun was lodged. Investigations are in progress.The police in a statement yesterday disclosed that on Monday evening, about 22:00hrs, Customs Law Enforcement Officers were on patrol duty at the #79 Village Foreshore, Corriverton, Berbice. They noticed a speed boat arriving from Suriname. It landed at Eno boat place. Five passengers were on board the said boat.The officers intercepted the vessel and
conducted a search on the passengers person and their belongings.While carrying out a search on a male, age 26, unemployed, of Paramaribo, Suriname, the officers discovered one Beretta sub-machine gun, with the number filed out.There were 25 live 9mm ammunition; US$3,000 in cash and $6,250 Suriname guilders.�The suspect was arrested and taken into Police custody at Springlands Police Station, along with the firearm and ammunition.�The police said the items were marked, sealed and lodged by Customs Officers , in the presence of the suspect, who is presently in custody assisting with the investigations. Despite the COVID-19 lockdown which restricts travel across the Corentyne River which separates Guyana and Suriname, there have been several incidents of illegal activities with charges laid.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 30, 2020
PPP/C passes bills to reverse Coalition’s tax hike, others Making good on their word on returning money in the pockets of Guyanese, the administration of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C), yesterday voted to reverse tax hikes, licensing fees, as well as reducing the interest on mortgages— which were imposed by the previous APNU+AFC regime. The government’s move to reverse the slew of taxes follows less than a week after they passed the $330B emergency budget. Notably, this budget was heavily opposed to by the Coalition, which argued that the financial plan was only suited for the private sector, and not the average Guyanese. Seeking to further display their opposition and displeasure, the APNU+AFC sig-
naled intentions to abstain from participation in the parliamentary debates, yesterday. In response to their actions, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, who was tasked with moving the amendments to the Bill, related that: “I would understand why they (the APNU+AFC) are not here because every Bill and every motion that will be addressed in this house would basically highlight their insensitive actions and how it hurt the ordinary man.” Nonetheless, the National Assembly, comprised of Members of Parliament (MP), only from the ruling PPP/C, did not let the coalition’s absence impede on their historical amendments of the day. Minister Edghill first
Minister of Public World, Juan Edghill during his presentation to the National Assembly, yesterday moved to amend the Auctioneers Act. This was aimed at reducing the license fees for an auctioneer license by 50%, thereby reducing it from $40,000 to $23,500. The government is seeking to bring
Crack the whip on Exxon contract like you did with CJIA project
- OGGN urges President Ali President, Dr. Irfaan Ali
T
he Oil and Gas Gov ernance Network (OGGN), a pressure group formed to advocate for prudent management of Guyana’s oil sector, is urging the President to renegotiate the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil, using
the same alacrity with which he handled the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) renovation a week ago. The project has been handled poorly by the Chinese contractor, China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC) for several years.
The President said last week: “I am holding everyone responsible; the contractor, the consultant, the project management team…this is not acceptable for the Guyanese people. In this current position it is very clear from all that I have seen and heard, and from all the questions asked, it is very clear that something is horribly wrong. The right decision at this moment is that we cannot accept this.” OGGN applauded the President for the stance he took on the handling of the US$150M project. OGGN said that it stands firmly behind the President on setting these high expectations, and putting on record his impatience for mediocrity. Be that as it may, the pressure group said: “Our potential loss on the oil contracts is hundreds of times the cost of the airport project. OGGN believes that the Guyana Government should leave no stone unturned to renegotiate the Exxon contract as advised by numerous supporters including Global Witness, Chatham House, the International Monetary Fund, and several other local and international stakeholders.” The group said that the government should show the political will to get Guyana a fair deal for the working poor of Guyana by renegotiating the contract. The PPP/C has criticised the deal, inked by the former David Granger administration. Yet, despite mounting calls for renegotiation, it said that it does not intend to renegotiate the Stabroek block deal. However, it has committed to renegotiating other oil deals.
this into effect on October 1, 2020, Edghill noted. “The increase from $40,000 from a mere $7,000 was done in 2016, which amounted to a 500% increase,” the Minister said. “This Bill and its effect of the reversal is part of our manifesto promises, because this was one of the draconian increases that was imposed by the APNU+AFC when they were really hurting the ordinary man by the imposition and increases of fees for license.” He went on to explain that, “In effect, this will decrease the fees in the amount of $16,500, thereby allowing the auctioneer to reduce his fees to the public while at the same time proving more cash flow in the hands of the auctioneer and the Guyanese public.” A quick scan of the
records at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) show that there was one license issued to an auctioneer in 2019, and in 2020 that was reduced to zero. Edghill went on to the Corporation Tax (Amendment) Bill 2020 – Bill No. 3/ 2020 published on September 21, 2020. Edghill reminded the House that this bill seeks to remove corporation taxes on private and corporate institutions and private, corporate medical healthcare institutions. The amendment recommends the removal of the 25% of corporation taxes existing on those aforesaid intuitions. Such removals, Edghill asserted, will be a more profitable venture to attract quality educational investments, which will result in greater access to learning opportunities across all fields of study. He went on to say that the 25% of corporation tax on private-corporate medical healthcare institutions and services will make it more affordable to the average Guyanese, while attracting specialty healthcare services to the country. “The removal of the 25% on education will ensure that we are productive and to ensure that we have a skilled labour force we have to expand what already exist. In expanding those opportunities affordability is a big issue and we have to give people choices,” the minister
articulated. Further, this measure is intended to attract other institutions of learning—reputable and accredited institutions—to set up campuses in Guyana and offer those opportunities to Guyanese. This will also be a major source or earning foreign exchange because when those campuses are established in Guyana, students from around the world would make Guyana a “destination of choice”. “Every student that comes here, because we are making it more attractive, they have to find apartments to live, so that opportunities for Guianese to provide those services,” he noted. The House also passed the Income Tax Amendment Bill which seeks to amend section 20 (1) (a) of the Income Tax Act to provide mortgage interest relief. Edghill noted that with the amendment in place, homeowners will now have a deduction on interest paid on mortgage loans where it doesn’t exceed $30 million. The limit was previously set at $15 million by the APNU+AFC. The other Bills debated and passed in keeping with the PPP/C’s stated commitment to bring relief to citizens include the, Value Added Tax Amendment Bill, Tax Amendment Bill, Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Amendment Bill, Miscellaneous Licenses and the Restorative Justice Bills.
CXC to review, possibly revise CSEC, CAPE results The Caribbean Examinations Council, (CXC) has announced that steps will be taken to review and possibly revise the results of the 2020 Caribbean Secondary School Examination (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). According to a statement issued on Monday by CXC’s Chairman, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, they have noted the concerns raised about the 2020 regional examinations in the public domain with respect to the efficacy of procedures and systems used by the CXC in its computation and declaration of student performance. The chairman said that since the data are of great importance to the organisation; a period of review and revision of the scores are highly likely. The statement was issued in wake of mass condemnation of the results produced by the CXC by several Ministries of Education from across the region, Guyana included.The ministries have since demanded answers from the council in regards to the highlighted discrepancies in their allocation of marks to students. Guyana, Trinidad and To-
bago, Barbados, Antigua, and Barbuda, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Montserrat are just a few of the countries calling for answers and a review of the grades. CXC had initially said it was satisfied with the marking of test scripts for this year’s exams, maintaining that it would only conduct grade reviews that are requested through its official process or via a Ministry of Education. CXC ‘s Registrar, Dr. Wayne Wesley, and his team have met with regional Ministers of Education in order to discuss these concerns and identify the underlying causes with a view to moving forward and providing clarity to our stakeholders and enhanced support. “CXC is satisfied that Ministers have received explanations for its positions in light of the public discourse. It is understood that while there might be policy and technical issues to be addressed immediately, the maintenance of public trust going forward is paramount. There will be ongoing dialogue with regional Ministries of Education based upon the official gathering of data relevant to
CXC Registrar, Dr. Wayne Wesley all ventilated concerns. Each and every formally reported case will be reviewed and where remedies are required they will be applied,” he said. According to Wesley, the management at CXC has been impressive in the delivery of the July 2020 regional examinations within the context of the COVID-19 logistics nightmare, and crippling global doubt about revised examinations systems and procedures. “I commend the team at CXC® for their effort to serve the best they can – the people of our region. It has been agreed, therefore, that an independent review team will shortly begin this work and present a report for discussion with relevant stakeholders.”
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...Michael Benjamin reflects on the sport that shaped his life From page 31 accomplished amateur boxer who had managed to rake up a few wins among strong opposition. “I even managed to win a Best Boxer’s award in the Champion of Champion Boxing Tournament,” Benjamin intimated. He said that he envisaged a stint in the GNS Boxing Gym would fortify his position of attaining boxing excellence. “Imagine my astonishment when I enrolled for membership and Sergeant Hermana Benn posted me into the interior, the Barima/Waini region, at Base Command Papaya, to engage in orientation and military training!” Benjamin reflected. It was the first intake of the Joint Service Recruit and Orientation Course
(JSROC). “Hermie, as I now address her, later became my staunch friend and firm supporter.” Notwithstanding, Benjamin felt that there was still a vacuum to be filled: “Following six months of stiff military training I became rebellious and agitated for a chance to join the boxing team,” he revealed. Instead, he was disciplined for insubordination and shuttled to several interior bases including Tumatumari, Konawaruk in the Potaro/Siparuni region and eventually to Camp Cocos, an agricultural base on the lower East Coast. Benjamin recalled that it was while at the Tumatumari Training Base in Region Eight to learn carpentry that he decided that
he had had enough. “I simply picked up my duffel bag in the dead of the night and walked off the base,” he said. He admitted that he had no idea where he was headed as Tumatumari was hundreds of miles away from Linden, the nearest town. Benjamin recalls that Commander of the base, Major Parris, sent out the troops for him and subsequently posted him to Georgetown for disciplinary action. Benjamin said that he was given a hearing and the officer in charge opted to assign him duties in Base Command Sophia where the boxing team resided. “It was an unorthodox
Wednesday September 30, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Life's been a real whirlwind lately. You may feel a bit overwhelmed by everything that’s been going on.It's fun to catch up with everyone. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Expect some positive developments today that impact the whole family. Perhaps you or your mate will receive word of a significant raise or great job opportunity. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You should be feeling especially confident today, Gemini. You've been working especially hard lately, and the recognition you've received goes a long way toward reinforcing your feelings of self-worth. CANCER (June 21–July 22) This is a day made for fun and frivolity, not one in which you're likely to get many of your chores done. Try as you might to focus on the task at hand, there are distractions everywhere you turn. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You're a person of many talents, and today you're likely to discover yet another one. The delivery of a new piece of equipment makes you feel like you've been given a toy for your sole enjoyment. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Don't be surprised if a lot of people contact you today, each one anxious to confer with you. It seems that you're the authority on all topics, Virgo.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Don't let yourself be manipulated by needy friends, Libra. With today's planetary energies, it's a good time to think about setting clear boundaries. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This is a good day for sharing friendship with pals and co-workers, Scorpio. People will be in a light, socializing mood and not much in a working frame of mind. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) This is a good day for sharing friendship with pals and co-workers. People will be in a light, socializing mood and not much in a working frame of mind. There's really no use fighting this energy. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Don't be surprised to see your co-workers acting a bit silly today, Capricorn. There is no getting around the high spirits that permeate the work environment. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You may discover an untapped talent today, Aries. Perhaps there's a new machine in the office and you're the only one who can figure out how to use it. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) With all the conversations you've had lately, Pisces, it's likely that you've talked with some people in the healing professions. These doctors, nurses, and technicians could be useful to you later.
means to an end but as far as I was concerned I had accomplished my mission of being installed on the boxing team,” said Benjamin. Benjamin said he represented the para military organization with distinction, competing in excess of 40 amateur bouts and winning titles in several tournaments including the Intermediate, Open, Champions of Champions and the Inter-Gym tournament. “I was so good that I was debarred from participating in the Novice Championships,” he recalls. Consequently, in 1984, Benjamin was selected to travel to Barbados for a Goodwill Tournament in what would have been his inaugural overseas assignment. By then, he had earned the respect of Director General, Joe Singh and the membership of the GNS and was given special privileges. That tournament fell through but Benjamin was soon compensated when he won the Senior Boxing Championships and earned the right to represent Guyana at the 1985 Carifta Games in Bridgetown Barbados. “I regarded the Carifta Games as an opportunity to represent my country and
...Forde believes task From page 29 in home matches for World Cup qualifying even our friendly matches that we would be organising. I think that at Providence you can attract more fans to support the team.” Meanwhile, Máximo was to re-emphasize that what the GFF, Technical Director Ian Greenwood, Director of Coaches Education and his Technical team are focusing on is real development. “We are developing out local players as well, we are doing similar to what Venezuela would have done about eight to ten years ago in South America. Now Venezuela among the best teams at that level so it’s very important to say it, we are focused on developing and investing in our local players.” The new format of the GFF is to ensure that local players are very much a part of the training and final squad of players. “This is real development because we encourage our local players to play football, we encourage our local players to follow football, that’s why we will continue this procedure and we as a nation will excel with the backing of all stakeholders and our beloved fans.”
was extremely proud,” Benjamin exhorted. He fought a Bajan and a Bahamian and won the Carifta featherweight title. Upon his return to Guyana Benjamin was hailed as a hero by the GNS administration. “Joe Singh, singled me out, along with Bergette Williams, a distance runner of that era, and held an appreciation function for us at the GNS Sports Complex. Shortly afterwards, founder leader Forbes Burnham passed away and I was assigned military duties dubbed, ‘Operation Plexus.’ “That was in 1985; I fought a
few other amateur bouts and one year later, applied and received a professional license to ply my trade.” “At that time, former heavyweight world champion, Mike Tyson, was knocking out everyone in his path. I was told I had an uncanny resemblance, in features and style, to the American world beater and while he was racking up the knockout victories in North America I was emulating his feats here in South America thus earning the sobriquet “Tyson,” Benjamin informed. (to be continued)
...DCB had an election From page 28 Georgetown and East Coast and Drubahadur credited the East Coast Cricket Committee for ensuring the game is being played on a regular basis there despite challenges. “This is the only group has kept East Coast Cricket alive for the past eight years. This group is being led
Mr. Ashmul Ali, who is also President of Ogle Community Centre. He was ably assisted by Anil Persaud, who died recently, and Lalta Gainda along with others who defied calls to sabotage the GCB and DCB cricket programmes, adding that such act needs to stop for cricket to progress rapidly.
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Michael Schumacher’s son to make F1 debut at Nurburgring
Mick Schumacher (Reuters) PA Sports - Michael Schumacher’s son Mick will make his Formula One grand prix debut at the sport’s next round at Nurburgring. The 21-year-old leader of t h e F o r m u l a Tw o championship, the feeder series to F1, will take part in opening practice for the Alfa Romeo team a week on Friday. His appearance will come eight years after his father bowed out of the sport. Englishman Callum Ilott, a member of the Ferrari driver academy like Schumacher, will also be handed his maiden grand prix outing when he participates in practice for Haas. Schumacher, who holds a 22-point lead over Ilott in the Formula Two championship, is expected to follow in his f a t h e r ’s f o o t s t e p s b y competing on a full-time basis in F1. It is understood he could be handed a seat as early as next year, and his debut at the Nurburgring, a venue where his father won on five occasions, will strengthen his cause. Schumacher, who will deputise for regular driver Antonio Giovinazzi, said: “I am overjoyed to get this chance in free practice. “The fact that my first participation in a Formula One weekend will take place in front of my home audience at the Nurburgring makes this moment even more special. “For the next 10 days I’m going to prepare myself well, so that I can do the best possible job for the team.” Lewis Hamilton will be
bidding to match Schumacher Snr’s F1 victory record in Germany after he was denied a 91st career triumph in Sochi last weekend. Speaking in Russia, Schumacher Jnr said his father told him “records are there to be broken”. Schumacher’s current condition is a closely guarded secret following his skiing accident in France almost seven years ago. “One sentence my dad always used to say was records are there to be broken,” said Schumacher Jnr. “It’s everybody’s aim in the sport to do that and Lewis has had a very, very good run. “Obviously from the family’s position, we see it on a good side, too. It is good for the sport and Lewis has been very influential in F1. “But the next aim would be for me, if I do make the step into Formula One, is to break that.” Schumacher and Ilott, the 21-year-old from Cambridge, will take part in a Ferrari test at the Italian team’s Fiorano track on Wednesday in preparation for their grand prix debuts. Ilott, a three-time winner in F2 this year, said: “It’s amazing to have this chance at a track that is one of my favourites – it was where I scored the first podium of my career back in 2015. “It’s great that I’ll have my first outing at a Formula One race weekend there. I plan to make the most of it, and I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
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Guyana to play Guatemala Draw Delivers Prelims Matchups and Groups for 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup
The Golden Jaguars during a training session in Ohio on debut at the 2019 Gold Cup in the USA. (Franklin Wilson photo) Miami, FL – o n c a c a f conducted the first ever Gold Cup draw to set the scene for the 2021 edition of the region’s flagship men’s international competition. The event was hosted by Emmy award winning TUDN sportscaster Lindsay Casinelli and Fox Sports Lead Soccer Analyst and U n i t e d S t a t e s M e n ’s National Team legend Alexi Lalas. Concacaf President Vi c t o r M o n t a g l i a n i , Concacaf ’s Director of Development and former Grenada international star Jason Roberts, former Honduras national team star Wilson Palacios and a number of national team head coaches also participated in the made-fortv live event. “I know that many
C
communities in our region are going through challenging times and the thoughts of everyone at Concacaf are with them. I h o p e t o n i g h t ’s d r a w provided some anticipation for the fans, a chance to remember great Gold Cup moments of the past and to talk about football with friends and family,” said Concacaf President and FIFA Vice President, Victor Montagliani. “It was a great event that delivered exciting matchups to look forward to, both for the Prelims and the Group Stage. I particularly enjoyed seeing the reaction of the head coaches live as it really added to the occasion and set the scene for next year’s tournament. “We expanded last year’s Gold Cup and it was a huge success in showcasing outstanding football from
our region. We want to build on that for the 2021 edition and believe the introduction of the Prelims and an exciting new format for the Knockout Stage will provide a great spectacle next year,” added Montagliani. The 2021 Gold Cup will begin on July 2, 2021, with a Preliminary Round (Prelims) which will include12 Concacaf Member Associations competing for the final three spots in the 16-team Group Stage. For the two-round Prelims, the participating national teams have been divided into six matchups and will play as follows: Round One Matchup #1: Haiti vs St. Vincent and the Grenadines Matchup #2: Guatemala vs Guyana Matchup #3: Trinidad and Tobago vs Monserrat Matchup #4: Cuba vs
French Guiana M a t c h u p # 5 : Guadeloupe vs Bahamas Matchup #6: Bermuda vs Barbados Round Two Matchup #7: Winner Matchup #1 vs Winner Matchup #6 Matchup #8: Winner Matchup #2 vs Winner Matchup #5 Matchup #9: Winner Matchup #3 vs Winner Matchup #4 The Group Stage of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup will kick off on July 10, 2021. The 12 Concacaf national teams, which qualified directly through their performances in the Concacaf Nations League group stage, the guest participant, AFC Asian Cup Champions Qatar, and the three Prelims winners have been divided into four groups and will play as
follows: Group A: Mexico, El Salvador, Curacao and Winner Prelims 9 Group B: USA, Canada, Martinique and Winner Prelims 7 Group C: Costa Rica, Jamaica, Suriname and Winner Prelims 8 Group D: Honduras, Panama, Grenada and Qatar. The Knockout Stage, to be played among the top two finishers in each group, will for the first time in Gold Cup history see teams on opposite sides of the bracket meet from the quarterfinals onwards. In previous editions, teams have only competed against opponents on the same side of the bracket until the Final. This change will add further unpredictability and excitement to the competition, which was expanded from 12 to 16
teams for a hugely successful 2019 edition. The knockout stage will be played as follows: Quarterfinal #1: Winner Group D vs Second Place Group A Quarterfinal #4: Winner Group B vs Second Place Group C Quarterfinal #2: Winner Group A vs Second Place Group D Quarterfinal #3: Winner Group C vs Second Place Group B Semifinal #1: Winner Quarterfinal #1 vs Winner Quarterfinal #4 Semifinal #2: Winner Quarterfinal #2 vs Winner Quarterfinal #3 Final: Winner Semifinal #1 vs Winner SF #2 Concacaf will announce venues, kick-off times, schedule, and other details for the 2021 Gold Cup in the coming months.
German doctor admits to years of blood doping Start of blood-doping trial in Munich.
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UNICH, Germany (Reuters) - A German sports doctor on trial for masterminding an international doping network for athletes admitted yesterday to helping athletes with blood doping for years but said he made no profit. The defendant, identified in Germany only as Mark S., is on trial, facing multiple charges in relation to helping at least 23 athletes from eight countries gain an unfair advantage over several years. “I did not make a profit from doping,” he said in a
statement read by his lawyers in court. The defendant also said he never put the athletes’ health at risk but did admit to blood doping. “For me it was always important that there was no damage to the athletes’ health.” The case is a result of “Operation Bloodletting” under which police raided the Nordic Ski World Championships in Austria in February 2019 and arrested athletes just hours before the start of an event. Mark S. was arrested in Germany. Prosecutors say he was behind performance-
enhancing blood transfusions mostly for cross-country skiers and cyclists. They believe he was involved in the practice from at least the end of 2011. Four other suspects are on trial accused of helping him with the collection and supply of blood. If convicted, the doctor could be put behind bars for between one and 10 years. The trial is set to continue until at least mid-December. The trial that started earlier in September continues and a verdict is expected in the coming months.
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Windies star Gayle has plans to make more music SportsMax - West Indies star batsman Chris Gayle has admitted his recent foray
into music might be more than just a casual indulgence. The 41-year-old star
batsman recently stepped in front of the mike with British-Indian singer Avina
Shah for a single titled Groove. The music video which was shot in two
separate locations, during the pandemic, is also a mix of Indian and English, and is set to a lively, club-rocking beat. The track wasn’t the musician’s first foray into the music entertainment business. Earlier this year the star batsman recorded a remix of Jamaican entertainer Stylo G’s Too Hot. The cricketer, who is known for having a good time, recently revealed that there is likely to be more to come from him in the future and even during his ongoing career. “Well, I am someone
who doesn’t really like to have limits in life. No limits is what I believe in. I love music and I am fun-loving by nature,” Gayle told IWMBuzz. “I have recently got an entire music studio set up in my house and I will certainly be looking forward to making more songs to entertain the fans. I can happily say that music will now co-exist in my life along with cricket.” Gayle isn’t the first West Indian cricketer to make an incursion into music and follows on the heels of allrounder Dwayne Bravo.
DCB had an election in January, Minister should guard against rash decisions - Drubahadur
Drubahadur Kaieteur Sport recently caught up with President of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Drubahadur for a comment on the recent pronouncements by the Minister with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sports, the Honourable C h a r l e s R a m s o n J r. regarding a recent court ruling on the reinstatement o f t h e C r i c k e t Administration Act. He questioned the sudden importance of such an action by the government, stating that COVID 19 and other major political issues should be more important at this time. He however pledged his support for an amicable solution and warned that the Cricket Administration Act is still under challenge in the Appeal Court along with an appeal against the suspension of the previously appointed Cricket Ombudsman Mr. Steven Lewis. “Those in authority need to understand the issues before making rash decisions that are likely to create more havoc.” Drubahadur, an Administrator and
Charles Ramson Jr. Sports Minister Accountant, known for his bluntness, advised that good sense should prevail. “It is important that the admirable progress of our on-field performance is not being reversed with more court actions for any side inclusive of the government,” he posited. Drubahadur, a former president of the Guyana Cricket Board, informed that the DCB had an election in January last and that he currently leads the board. He stated that if the DCB is required to go to another election then the Berbice Cricket Board and all affiliates should do likewise. “The BCB constitution appended to the act allows cricket clubs that plays no cricket, in some cases for decades, to turn up and vote at their elections. It is obvious; that the authors of the Act were only targeting Demerara while in Berbice Phantoms can vote. The Act is flawed and unless there are amendments, it cannot work and will create disorder.” The DCB is made up of four area associations - West Demerara, East Bank, (Continued on page 25)
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2021 Concacaf Gold Cup – Guyana vs Guatemala
Forde believes task is not insurmountable; Máximo says it’s achievable with good preparation By Franklin Wilson Two of the main minds behind Guyana’s ‘Golden Jaguars’ with regards to setting the pathway towards success, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde and Head Coach Márcio Máximo are of the view that this nation can make it to the main draw of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup set for the USA. Following the first ever Gold Cup draw which was held on Monday night in Miami, Guyana was drawn to play Guatemala in their Preliminary Round match, the preliminary matches are set to take place between July 2-6 at venues to be announced by Concacaf in the coming months. Twelve Concacaf nations including the Guyanese will battle for the final three spots in the 16-team Group Stage. On debut at the 2019 edition of the Concacaf Gold Cup, the Golden Jaguars ended their three Group D matches with a draw against Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o following losses to Panama 2-4 and the USA, 0-4; Guyana ending ahead of T&T which lost to Panama 0-2 and USA, 0-6. President Forde in an invited comment said that Guyana’s Golden Jaguars would have had to claw their way through many challenges on and off the field over the years and coming up against Guatemala would not by any means be an insurmountable challenge. “We have to respect the quality this team will present on the day but I would say whatever we lack in quality -
we will surely make up with courage and grit. Our Boys were unlikely to be in this position given the poor start to their Nations League campaign but they all dug very deep and redeemed themselves, which is a true reflection of the character of this Team and its leadership under Coach Maximo. It will require an extraordinary undertaking to be ready for Guatemala in eleven months and I am confident that this entire Nation will answer that call.It will be difficult but not impossible...!” The support of the new government would be vital towards Guyana’s aim of making it back to back in the main arena of this confederation’s flagship men’s competition. Minister of Sport Charles Ramson Jr. has already exhibited his desire and that of the government to advance sports beyond where it has ever been. This is now another great opportunity for the new Minister, who is a strong lover of sports, to rally with the GFF to ensure that the Golden Jaguars receives what it takes to make this nation proud once again. For sure, Head Coach Márcio Máximo is out to ensure that his charges are fully prepared for combat come next year. The Brazilian, like Forde has stated that the Guatemalans must be respected as a seasoned nation at this level but is also confident that once the work in put in inclusive of warm up matches, Guyana can take care of business.
“For me, Guatemala is almost the best team in the preliminary rounds because they have a lot of experience, South American style similar to Brazil, Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, for me it’s the same style. It would be very difficult for us but if we have good preparation we can represent well and surprise Guatemala. I hope to do some friendly matches before against national teams with the same style like Nicaragua for example so our players can adapt and be ready for them.” Máximo noted though, that we cannot also forget the fact that we also should be focused on the World Cup qualifying which is also critical as this will not be home and away but just one game to play. “So, we should pay attention, we should prepare well. We hope that soon we’ll come back and start training on our pitch with our local players; of course we are still monitoring our international players and I hope that we do well in both competitions.” The head tactician noted that the Guyanese team now is a fast team having altered the system a bit to suit the kind of players available. “I think that it is the best system for players that we have, we put Bobb, Callum, Benjamin, all with a lot of speed and very fast players that can give to us the very fast offensive transition and good re-composition in defensive transition as well.” He is looking forward for the team to be able to play matches at the Guyana
The Golden Jaguars disembarking this Miami Air chartered flight during 2019 Gold Cup internal travel in the USA.
National Stadium, Providence which would encourage massive fan support for the team. “I hope that we can play
at Providence Stadium which is more closer to the City because I would like massive support for our team (Continued on page 25)
Wayne Forde President GFF
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RHTYSC hosts Annual NAMILCO/Mike’s Pharmacy Tribute to Law Enforcement Officers programme - To publish educational posters on crime and Covid 19
Police Commander Linden Isles (2nd left) poses with Irwin Barton (right). RHTYSC Simon Naidu (2nd right) and Inspector Ward share the moment.
Three outstanding Police Officers based in Region Six were honoured on Monday as the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club MS hosted its annual NAMILCO /Mike Pharmacy Tribute to Law Enforcement Officers programme. The programme was organised this year as part of Guyana leading youth and sports club 30th anniversary celebration. The RHTYSC was founded in 1990 by three times Guyana and Commonwealth Youth Service awardee, the St Francis Community Developers and over the years has developed into one of the country top cricket teams and the only youth and sports club to ever receive a national award from the Government of Guyana. The three officers who were chosen to receive the award by the Region Six Police Commander’s Office are Constable Aubrey Higgins, Woman Constable S h a r i o n We l c o m e a n d Constable Irwin Barton. Club Secretary /CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the award was started in 2014 when the club realized that there were honest hard working police officers in Berbice despite the negative view of some critics. Foster urged the awardees to always strive for excellence and to be faithful to the vow they took to
protect all Guyanese. The long serving club executive pledged that the RHTYSC would continue the award in the future and would also expand its effort to assist the Police Force in the region. He disclosed that the club would be publishing thousands of stickers for distribution with the phone numbers of the police stations in the county as part of an anti crime campaign, while thousands of large coloured posters would also be published on crime prevention advice and how to stay safe during the ongoing pandemic. The posters would feature the images of national youth players Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall and Jeremy Sandia and would be distributed free of cost across Berbice. Foster also disclosed that the ten cricket teams of the club are working hard to host a multi million dollars charity programme which would include the distribution of food hampers, toys, educational materials, clothing, footwear and medical supplies. Region Six Commander, Linden Isles, expressed gratitude to the club and its ten cricket teams for their contribution to the anti crime campaign over the years and urged them to continue doing
so. The Commander also urged the awardees to uphold the high standards they have set themselves. Similar advice was shared by Officer in Charge of Division Two, Inspector Michael Newland who committed the force to fulfilling its duty of making the country free of crime. Each of the awardees received a collection of gifts along with a framed certificate of excellence, a trophy and a medal. The Namilco /Mike Pharmacy Tribute to Law Enforcement Officers Award is one of dozens of programmes hosted by the club in observance of its 30th anniversary. Among the activities hosted to date are senior citizens breakfast, feeding of children, Basil Butcher Trust Fund, all time male cricket team, all time female team, beach clean-up, donation of school bags to less fortunate students, donations to orphanages, anniversary m a g a z i n e , Tr i b u t e t o Medical Workers, donations of cricket gears to youths, distribution of thousands of food hampers, donations to public hospitals, restoration of club office, Gregory Gaskin Memorial Sports Award, donations of clocks to public institutions and distribution of cleaning detergents across Berbice.
Lakers’ LeBron faces former Heat team in NBA Finals (Reuters) n unexpected NBA Finals m a t c h u p between the LeBron Jamesled Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat begins this week, capping an unprecedented season interrupted by the COVID19 outbreak before resuming without fans at Disney World in Florida. This year’s showdown marks the first NBA Finals between two teams who missed the playoffs the previous season and it is the Lakers, powered by threetimes champion James and Anthony Davis, who are favored in the best-of-seven games series. James, who has reached nine of the last 10 NBA Finals, won his first two championships with Miami
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in 2012 and 2013, picked up a th ir d in 2 0 1 6 w ith Cleveland and joined the Lakers in 2018 with the goal of restoring the franchise’s glorious past. The West’s top-seeded Lakers last appeared in the NBA Finals in 2010 when they picked up the franchise’s 16th championship, one shy of the Boston Celtics’ all-time mark. “I’m extremely proud to be a part of this franchise getting back to where it belongs, and that’s playing for championships and c o m p e t i n g f o r championships,” said James. “This is what I came here for.” The Lakers missed the playoffs last season for the sixth consecutive year as James battled a groin injury
but his return to health and the acquisition of Davis in July 2019 put them back on the path toward the NBA’s elite. Awaiting the Lakers in Game One today will be the East’s fifth-seeded Heat, a battle-tested team led by Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo and whose surprising run to the Finals has been no fluke. The Heat swept aside fourth-seed Indiana in the first round, upset league M o s t Va l u a b l e P l a y e r Giannis Antetokounmpo’s top-seeded Milwaukee team in five games in the East semi-final and then dumped third-seed Boston in six games. For their part, the Heat have embraced the underdog role and feel they have yet to play their best basketball.
Wednesday September 30, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 35
Michael Benjamin reflects on the sport that shaped his life By Sean Devers Fifty-four year-old Mike ‘Tyson’ Benjamin was just 12 and attending the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School, when he ventured into boxing, a vocation many regard as barbaric and b l o o d y. D i s c i p l i n e d application saw him rise from a scrawny amateur pugilist to a well built, fearsome national amateur and professional champion. N o w, y e a r s l a t e r , following a productive career that saw him winning numerous amateur and professional titles including the Continental of Americas welterweight belt and staking a claim for the Commonwealth belt, Benjamin, now retired sits with Kaieteur Sport to reminisce on a career that, as he claims, was bittersweet yet satisfying. In 33 bouts as a Pro, Benjamin won 23 times, lost eight fights and has two draws since his debut on August 31, 1986 when he knocked out Cedric Costello at the Sports Hall. “My career was characterized by a cornucopia of unfair decisions, empty promises, unfortunate knockouts, shattered dreams and administrative ineptitude that climaxed into a raging court battle that eventually sealed my fate,” Benjamin declared when asked to sum up his tenure in the ‘square jungle.’ Born in March 1966, Benjamin is the third to last in a family of eleven; 6 boys and 5 girls. He recalls his adolescent years as ‘tough times’. “Coming from a large family, life was not easy; my mother worked at the Public
Hospital Georgetown as a cook while my father practiced his trade as a carpenter at his workshop at our home in Tucville Housing Scheme,” he elaborated. Benjamin attended the Campbellville Primary School some three miles either way and was constrained to the daily journey. “I successfully wrote the Common Entrance (now the National Grade Six Assessment) and earned a place at the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School,” Benjamin recalled. The former champion remembered days when he would rush home to perform household chores before dashing off to the gym. “In retrospect I really cannot imagine how I found the time to train with so much household and other chores,” Benjamin mused. “Multi was a pilot institution that regarded sports as an integral part of the curriculum and student development so I was compelled to participate in a gamut of disciplines; cricket, volleyball, basketball, I played it all!” he exhorted. He remembers playing football and cricket in his home town while engaging in other disciplines. These activities were fun filled and most importantly, kept us young boys, out of trouble. “Of course we had naughty ways; we would raid the neighbors’ fruit trees and pray to the almighty that we were not caught since such behaviors netted us the finest ‘cut tail,’ first from the offended neighbor and then our parents,” Benjamin reminisced. What inspired the former champion to choose such a
Michael Benjamin brutal career? “As an infant you had to learn to fight to protect your territory as well as your property. I grew up settling disputes with my fists and rather than engaging in disorganized fistfights, the older boys in the village would arrange Sunday morning showdowns at the village playfield where we would settle our differences. At the end of the fight the combatants would shake hands and resume our daily lives, devoid of acrimony. Most Sundays, I was the feature attraction,” Benjamin chuckled. He recalled that at the w e e k l y a s s e m b l y, t h e h e a d m a s t e r, t h e l a t e , Clement Sylvester, introduced the students to a cheerful dumpy fellow, Cliff Anderson, an emissary of the then, National Sports Development Council (NSDC), to tutor interested youngsters in the fistic sport. He was among the first to volunteer and one week later he gathered in the school’s auditorium for his first lesson. “I had envisioned immediately donning gloves and pounding away on some
hapless soul but Cliff had other ideas. The first month or so was spent practicing defensive and offensive drills and shadow boxing, drills I considered inconsequential until later in my career when I learned to appreciate their worth,” Benjamin recalled. Benjamin later realized that Anderson’s methodology was effective as it enabled him (Benjamin) to hone his skills as an allround boxer. “I stayed with Cliff for the duration of my tenure at Multi and then became a member of his gym, the Cliff Anderson Boxing Gym (CABG) at the East Ruimveldt Government School. My first outing in the ring was an exhibition match on the tarmac of the NRMS, I was thrilled to have been given a chance to showcase my wares,” Benjamin recalled. He said that the fight received raucous applause from the audience which greatly buoyed his spirits. The former champion also narrated an after fight experience where upon his arrival in school the day after
Michael Benjamin (2nd right)along with current and former members of the Kaieteur News Sports team and legendary West indies fast bowler Colin Croft (3rd left).Others in photo from left: Franklin Wilson, Edison Jefford, Zaheer Mohamed, Claude David, Sean Devers and Rawle Welch.
Michael Benjamin (left) in one of his classic bouts with Rawle Frank. (Facebook)
the bout, he received a hero’s welcome from his classmates and teachers. He was on cloud nine and it felt great until Mr. Narine, a woodwork teacher and also a top national karateka, made light of his feat. Benjamin recalled that instead of praising his efforts, the teacher chose to miniaturize the accomplishment. Angered by the hurtful remarks, Benjamin said that he challenged the teacher to a boxing match. The fight occurred in the metalwork department, a mere hundred yards from the headmaster’s office with a classroom of metalwork students as the spectators. Four lathes were conjoined to form a makeshift ring. “The metalwork teacher, Maurice Gilbert, is still alive but retired from the profession. He can attest to my recitation,” said Benjamin. He further revealed that Gilbert acted as the watchman. “The fight lasted less than two minutes after I had connected with my famed overhand right and left hook,” Benjamin revealed. To this day that fight still remains a talking point amongst my classmates whenever we gather for social activities,” Benjamin said. On the academic front, Benjamin said that he fared well and had a special love for Spanish, English,
reading, Geography and Literature. Nevertheless, his chances of acquiring academic accolades at the secondary level were shot because of a paucity of funds. “Like I said, my parents were saddled with huge debts in a really large family and though my eldest sister, Jillion, contributed to the financial pool, excess funds were not readily available so I was unable to write the C X C o r G C E Examinations,” he revealed. Embarrassed by his financial circumstances, Benjamin walked out of the Multilateral School, one Friday afternoon in 1983, devoid of the requisite academic accomplishments. His proficiency in the use of his fists caused Benjamin to turn to boxing as a redemptive factor. “Under Cliff, my boxing career took off. It was not easy boxing among top boxers the likes of Anthony Andrews, Ronald McBean, Darius Ford, Earl Green, Carl Tull and Ceon Bristol, all top ranked amateurs,” Benjamin recounted. “By then, my mother had migrated to Canada and I remained under the tutelage of my father. He posted me in the Guyana National Service since I was devoid of the requisite qualifications to clinch a decent job,” Benjamin recalls. He said that by then he was an (Continued on page 25)
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Guyana to play Guatemala Draw Delivers Prelims Matchups and Groups for 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup
The Golden Jaguars on the prowl against Panama in their second game on debut at the Concacaf Gold Cup 2019 in the USA. (Franklin Wilson photos)
2021 Concacaf Gold Cup - Guyana vs Guatemala
Forde believes task is not insurmountable; Máximo says it’s achievable with good preparation Michael Schumacher’s son to make F1 debut at Nurburgring
Michael Schumacher’s current condition is a closely guarded secret following his skiing accident in France almost seven years ago (David Davies/PA)
Lakers’ LeBron faces former Heat team in NBA Finals
West Indies star batsman Chris Gayle
Windies star Gayle has plans to make more music DCB had an election in January, Minister should guard against rash decisions - Drubahadur
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