Kaieteur News

K

G/Town Magistrates’ NEWS Courts closed until October. 5 for sanitisation

Thursday Edition

AIETEUR

September 30, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 36

p.

3

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

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Price $80

Online readership yesterday, 92,565

Six years later…

Guyana has no independent oil sector regulator; transparency law continues to be defanged - Ram p.

3

Digicel partners to “supercharge - has sights on connecting connectivity” offshore oil and gas rigs in Caribbean and Latin America p.

18

GECOM ready to Woman sees relative’s hire new CEO, stolen television Deputy and others for sale on Facebook p.

16

p.

18

Chief Justice orders Govt. to pay Jamaican woman $3.1M for wrongful detention p.

15

The protest continues for change to all foreign contracts

World’s longest subsea cable to bring clean energy from Morocco to the UK p.

10

GAS PLANT AND HYDRO DEALS ARE BEING PUT TOGETHER IN SECRECY WITH GOVT. on Kaieteur AND PRIVATE PLAYERS. WHO WOULD BE THE SECRET PARTNERS? @11:00hrs Radio 99.1/99.5FM

PAGE 02

Thursday September 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

Ministry inks $1.3B contracts to construct St. Rose's High and Yarrowkabra Secondary O

n Tuesday September 28, 2021, two contracts were signed for the construction of the St. Rose's High School in Georgetown a n d t h e Ya r r o w k a b r a Secondary School on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Both projects, according

to a statement issued by the Education Ministry, had gone through the tendering process and the contract to construct the St. Rose's High School was awarded to Shandong Degian International. The project is scheduled to last 19 months with a defects period of one

Priya Manickchand, Permanent Secretary Alfred King, along with the contractors pose for a photograph following the signing of the contract documents

Permanent Secretary, Mr. Alfred King, along with a representative from R. Bassoo and Sons signing the contract documents

year. The school will be constructed at a cost of $515M. It will have a threestorey building, a separate sanitary block, modern classrooms, a canteen block, all modern data facilities, laboratories and a lift. It will have the capacity to accommodate 350 to 400

students.

The contract for the construction of the Yarrowkabra Secondary School was awarded to R. Bassoo and Sons and is scheduled to be completed in 18 months with a similar defects period of one year.

That school will be

constructed at a cost of $790M. The school will have nine buildings complete with the requisite laboratories, designated space for industrial arts, a main lecture hall and other auxiliary buildings. This school will be able to accommodate 800 students.

Each project has a consultancy firm attached.

Kalitech Inc. is the consultancy firm on the St. Rose's High School project, while Vikab Engineering will be working with the Yarrowkabra Secondary School project.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, during the signing ceremony reminded the contractors that the projects they are about to begin will benefit generations of students. She

said that it is important that they complete each school on time so that the children can benefit from all that these modern schools will offer. She said too that the Ministry of Education and the Government of Guyana have a strict posture with contractors as it relates to the completion of projects according to contract.

She said that unreasonable delays will not be tolerated as was seen in other situations whereby contracts were ended when contractors failed to deliver.

Minister Manickchand said that she is looking forward to the schools being completed so that their doors can be opened, and students receive the high level of education that they all deserve.

Pandit arrested for raping teen at religious function

P

olice have arrested a pandit of a Region Six community for the alleged rape of a 17-year-old boy.

According to police, the incident occurred in Region Six at a religious function on September 24, last.

It is alleged that the suspect used his religious

standing to gain the confidence of the boy's family while at a religious function.

According to reports, he had dismissed the family members before committing the act. The matter was then reported and the man was arrested. Investigations are ongoing.

Thursday September 30, 2021

Six years later…

Kaieteur News

PAGE 03

Guyana has no independent oil sector regulator; transparency law continues to be defanged - Ram

By Kiana Wilburg

S

ix years after the discovery of oil, Guyana remains without the legislative and regulatory framework essential to protect the oil industry against mismanagement and corruption. One of the key regulatory pieces that remain in limbo is the passage of the Petroleum Commission Bill that would pave the way for the appointment of an independent regulator.

Chartered Accountant a n d A t t o r n e y - a t - L a w, Christopher Ram, recently pointed to the importance of this crucial regulator while bemoaning the seeming unwillingness of the current government to get the ball rolling on this matter.

In a brief note to Kaieteur News recently, Ram said, “The Government seems unwilling to set up an independent Petroleum Commission and thereby remove the possibility of further secret deals and collusion between the politicians and the oil companies.

One must not forget that the oil companies played along with (former Natural Resources Minister) Raphael Trotman in hiding from the public the so-called (US$18M) signing bonus and the 2016 (Stabroek

Block) Production Sharing Agreement.”

Ram is of the firm conviction that this state of affairs, along with the absence of critical reports on ExxonMobil's local content performance and its production offshore, do not auger well for transparency and accountability as promised by the Ali administration. He was keen to note as well, his disappointment in fact that the nation's Access to Information Act has been defanged while adding that it is not taken seriously by the Government or the public.

“Moreover, with ExxonMobil's subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Limited operating as a monopoly, there is no incentive for the oil companies to enjoy a social licence or popular legitimacy.

The Guyanese public do not factor into their equation,” expressed Ram who reiterated his call for Guyana to urgently have its Petroleum Commission in place.

E a r l i e r t h i s y e a r, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, had said that the Bill is under active consideration by the Legal Department of the Natural Resources Ministry.

“That Department is

working closely with the Chief Parliamentary Counsel attached to the Attorney General Chambers and I know that the changes that we would like to see in the bill are being looked at right now, and examined with a view of incorporating them,” he stated as noted in an OilNOW article published January 8, 2021.

L a s t y e a r, G u y a n a received a US$34M loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a portion of which was dedicated to fast tracking activities related to the speedy passage of the Bill and its implementation. The PPP/C Government has provided no update on the status of this loan and its use to date.

NEW BILL NEEDED In December 2020, the IDB had released a brief pointing out the glaring loopholes in Guyana's legislative framework which essentially weakens the shield of protection that is needed for the oil sector.

According to the Bank, the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act and the Petroleum Commission Bill, in their current state, do not contain any clauses that guarantee the independence of any regulator that is appointed for the sector nor do they ensure adherence to

G/Town Magistrates' Courts closed until Oct. 5 for sanitisation

A

s of today the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts will be closed until October 5, 2021, to facilitate a process of sanitisation.

This is according to a statement issued by the Judiciary yesterday.

Kaieteur News was told that this move comes after a number of persons, who work there, tested positive for COVID-19. Among them are police ranks who perform the role of court orderly at the building.

In its statement, the Judiciary related that the closure “is as a precautionary

measure given the exposure to the COVID-19 virus, and to effect sanitisation of the Court building and office.”

This newspaper understands too that court reporters are also being advised to get tested for the virus.

Despite the closure, the Judiciary stated that urgent matters will be done by way of remote hearings until October 5.

For the filing of urgent matters, which include domestic violence applications and serious matters, contact can be made with the Principal Clerk of

Court via telephone number 225-9127 or an email can be s e n t t o scorreia@supremecourt.gy, regsupct@gmail.com or magistrategeorgetown@sup remecourt.gy.

The Judiciary also advised that persons who have in-person hearings scheduled during this period can contact the Principal Clerk of Court or their lawyers.

Meanwhile, payments for maintenance and uplifting of bail monies at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts will resume on October 5.

industry norms.

The financial institution said that a new Petroleum Commission Bill is urgently needed to address these gaps that avoid or reduce control over technical and procedural aspects of the regulator.

Expounding further, the IDB had said that the current Petroleum Commission Bill leaves the Commission at the behest of the Minister of Natural Resources or in strictly an advisory or supporting role to the Minister of Natural Resources and the Cabinet.

The Bank pointed out that this situation impacts the approval, amendment, and rejection of information submitted by international oil companies for petroleum prospecting and production licences; preparation and management of bid rounds for licence grants; and approval, amendment and rejection of petroleum operators' budgets, work programmes, field development plans, production forecasts and

decommissioning plans.

In addition, the Bank said that the current Petroleum Commission Bill does not assign to the Petroleum Commission functions such as receiving and fully processing applications for petroleum prospecting and production licences and proposals for Petroleum Agreements, and negotiating Petroleum Agreements, or preparing model contracts for the petroleum sector.

The financial institution said it is important to attain the required level of independence and fiscal autonomy for the Petroleum Commission that can be achieved through a new bill.

It also noted that a review of the old petroleum law is necessary to protect the industry as well.

CRUCIAL PARTNER Since the emergence of the oil and gas sector, the IDB has been one of Guyana's key development

Chartered Accountant and Attorney-at-Law, Chris Ram partners, especially as it relates to strengthening its capacity to govern effectively.

Towards this end, the IDB has approved a PolicyBased Loan (PBL) labelled Strengthening the Energy Sector (4698/BL-GY) for US$11.64 million in 2018; and technical assistance programmes, including four under execution: Guyana's Emerging Oil and Gas Sector: Getting Institutions Right (ATN/OC-16532-GY) for US$580,000 in 2017; Strengthening the Capacity of the Department of Energy (ATN/OC-17100-GY) for US$1 million in 2018; Strategic Communications and Knowledge Sharing Support for Guyana's Oil & Gas Sector (ATN/OC17165-GY) for US$582,682 in 2018; and Strengthening the Technical Functions of the Department of Energy (ATN/OC 17844-GY) for (continued on page 12)

PAGE 4

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 30, 2021

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

Bipartisanship and its value An American politician, who died in August left some profound words behind for the world. Former Michigan Rep., Paul Mitchell, emphasised how important it was/is to search tirelessly for bipartisanship, to work hard to carve out common ground on which there can be some degree of satisfying, however partial, mutual coexistence.

It is the stuff of what progress is made, the small inches of concessions that lead out of the quicksand, and away from the raw emotions, the sharp, shrill differences that, all too often, become a settled way of life. This is what has taken hold here in Guyana, like a British bulldog that sinks its teeth into yielding flesh and bone, and just does not let go.

Just before he died, former Michigan Rep. Paul Mitchell expressed the following thoughts in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on August 24: “For me, it’s innate to just say where can we agree? There’s value in people you don’t agree with.”Guyanese like saying that we must agree to disagree, but look at how we disagree, when we find no value in what others have to say. It is our story, our stance, and nothing else.

It has become the national culture in this country automatically to erect fences, when there is no need for them. The worst of motives and objectives are imagined and from those, there is no movement. It just has to be so, and has been more and more in recent times.

Mitchell died relatively young at 64 after a battle with renal cancer. It was during his days in hospice that he gained some simple, but profound, perspectives, which he asked to be published after he was gone to the great beyond.

As one example, “you have to choose whether or not to love people or to go through life trying to get political gain.

I think we lack the willingness to just accept people. I’ve had good friends on the Democratic side. We only agree on maybe 10 to 15 percent, but I think the world of them,” he said.

He was courageous enough and honest enough to disconnect from the Republican Party in 2020 and distance from former President Donald Trump’s deceptive claims of election fraud.

It could not have been easy to do so, especially since so much was hanging in the balance. But Paul Mitchell was able to summon the strength to do so. What a lesson for us in this country, who are about blind party, tribe, and leadership loyalty, whatever the facts are, no matter the commonsense persuasions that are present.

Can we Guyanese do that here? Can we Guyanese, from either side of the racial and political divide, be so honest to call things for the way they are, and then say, that is unacceptable.

We should be able to answer that for ourselves, with either more of the self-serving lies and defenses offered or with a newfound truth, which could make so much of a difference in our harshly divided times.

Mitchell confessed that he would miss his family the most, but added that what he misses now in today’s political climate is “real bipartisanship.” And Guyanese readers are urged to think of this: “What I miss right now is, I wish — I’d like to talk with President [Joe] Biden and some of the people I know in the administration about, we need real bipartisanship,” Mitchell said. “Our country, our society is struggling. And it’s struggling because people can’t accept they believe in different things and look for what they agree on…”

We do believe in different things and different approaches, but we never seek to find that blend of even 10 or 15 percent of similarity that could take us somewhere, other than the separated destinies usually embraced. In this country where there is so much rage and rancidness, these closing words of the late Paul Mitchell should ring: “Learn to understand people and judge less.

And love more and have less hatred … Just take the time to care about the other person. If you care about them, it’s hard to hate them.” We could use some of that here, even a little, can’t we?

Proof of vaccination has now flourished into a thriving cottage industry Dear Editor, I have looked for ways to support the government’s handling of COVID-19. It has not been easy, because of stubborn resistance to some areas that I think could make a difference. But recent developments now guide me to share publicly where I didn’t want to go before.

I think that the government has lost full control of what is under its hand. This is compounded by its reluctance to take advantage of other means that help us best battle this virus. The facts are as follows: 1) number of deaths rise relentlessly; 2) number of new infections increase alarmingly; and 3) the number of ICU hospitalisations causes the distressing.

Additionally, Delta (and other) variant unknowns have backed us into a corner, which is not helped by

obdurate unvaccinated citizens, and citizens who continue settled ways (socialising etc.), like in preCOVID-19 days.

Further, government has been steely against partnering. It costs us now, because politics on both sides intruded, locking in a vise. Nobody will let go, even as more and more Guyanese are going down.

Talk about togetherness here to combat the existential threats to Guyanese life to give us a fighting chance to emerge better, and it is treason. The 2021 flood came (the worst national disaster of all, according to no less a person than the nation’s first citizen), but it is gone. The PPP Government went about it alone, with pieces still being picked up, even by those who profited handsomely. The Venezuelan menace reared its ugly head, and then retreated

sullenly. Temporarily. Again, PPP leaders decided on a solo approach, while it hopes for the best; so also do all Guyanese (I think).

The third existential threat front and centre in this country is this viral pandemic, for over a year and a half now.

But the difference on this occasion, is that it is not going anywhere. Instead of retreating-like floodwaters and Venezuela-the virus is advancing and rapidly.

Now I understand that vaccines, one of the accepted bulwarks, no matter how fractionally or fearfully, against the virus has been severely undermined, with the gravest possible implications. Proof of vaccination has now flourished into a thriving cottage industry, which might be putting it mildly. This means that a tendered vaccination card could be

meaningless (fake), as well as dangerous (exposure), neutralises one limited weapon in this raging, spiraling local pandemic.

And neuters us.

Many business places pretend at asking for it, part of wink and nod understandings.

Some government places ask for the card, some don’t. Shockingly, the viral crisis has spawned a corruption crisis, leading to a crisis within a crisis.

With all heads engaged, all hands involved, all spirits embraced, I believe that we could have done better. It is how self-serving politics sabotage prospects, and selfenriching corruptions haunt us at every turn, and unthinking selfishness overwhelm.

Now, the government stares at the frightening, while citizens are left wondering who knows what they are doing, where we are all going.

Yours truly, GHK Lall

There can be no reconciliation unless there is truth Dear Editor, It’s 2021 and the government of Canada introduced a new Federal holiday on September 30, which will be called The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation . The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which was established in 2008 called on the Government to document the history and legacy of residential schools.

These schools operated for Indigenous children from the 17 century until the late 1990s as part of the colonial policy financed by the Federal government and administered by the Christian churches to assimilate aboriginal children into Euro-Canadian Society.

These children were forcibly removed from their homes, family and cultural ties and taken to schools where their experienced starvation, poor health care, physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

Their language and culture were deliberately suppressed.

Attendance was mandatory while religious conversion was imposed by the superior race that created heaven and the rules how to get there.

Approximately 150,000 children were forced to attend this network of residential schools where many experienced shame, deprivation, and abuse and death. It is estimated that more than 6,000 students who did not survive. After the schools were closed, former students went public with their horrifying experiences and demanded recognition and restitution.

The result was a formal public apology by then Prime

Minister Stephen Harper and the Residential Schools Settlement Agreement in 2007. For those who went into slumber after that thinking the idea of European cultural superiority is now bitter history and the West has moved on to respect human rights recent events in Canada may appear like a nightmare.

Earlier this year, hundreds of unmarked graves were discovered of Indigenous children who were ripped from their families and forced to attend these religious Christian schools, mostly Catholic, and financed by the Government of Canada. The search for more bodies continues with the use of ground -penetrating radars.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has apologised while calling on Canadians not to celebrate Canada Day this year but to regard it as a Day of Mourning to reflect on the country’s historical failures and injustices that still exist today. He also asked the Pope, the head of the most powerful religious institution on earth with wealth beyond that of many nations to do the same.

Rather than celebrating the birthday of Canada this year, some brave souls of all religions took to the streets demonstrating support for those who actually discovered Canada and insisted that history books be changed to reflect this fact.

All political leaders promised to do more. Some pleaded however for peace as violence and the burning of churches, which followed was not the way to appease the anger that

was generated by the gruesome findings.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops also apologised for this grave injustice. The world awaits one from the Vatican.

A delegation of Aboriginal leaders expects the POPE to come to Canada and apologise on Canadian soil and return to the tribes the lands on which the schools were established.

Reconciliation requires admission of Truth no matter how painful before there can be constructive action addressing the ongoing legacies of colonialism. That legacy was to destroy the religion, culture and language of the Aboriginals and other nature culture peoples considered as inferior.

Whether it is Africa, Asia, or the Americas, the intent and result was the same.

Destroy their educational training grounds, cultures and languages, convert them, and they will assimilate.

Up to the 1960s, schools in Guyana were mostly run by religious bodies and conversion to Christianity was a prerequisite for employment by Government.

This hegemonic relationship may not be the same today but it has left families and communities in tatters.

Witness the lack of religious knowledge and practice of many who can trace their ancestry to India.

They are so well assimilated that while many just converted to get government jobs and other opportunities to improve their social status, there are a few who are carrying on with the

WHITE MANS BURDEN to civilise the rest of the population. Here too is needed TRUTH AND R E C O N C I L I AT I O N COMMISSIONS for the harmful consequences are still evident in society.

Suicides, domestic assaults, alcohol abuse and other social ills bedevil Indian families above all others.

There can be no reconciliation unless there is truth, and peace can only follow admissions of wrongdoing and corrective action. There is room for all and those of us who lived even in the smallest village with neighbours of many cultural backgrounds can easily point to good people of all religious groups, and evil ones too.

There are calls to set up a Reparation Commission so the descendants of slaves can obtain compensation for their sufferings. One for the descendants of INDENTURED SERVANTS has also been raised in public discussions and is sure to follow.

All is not lost and it is not too late to stop the unnecessary and demeaning practice of telling others that they worship the wrong god and need to be saved. A good starting point is for all religious leaders and interfaith advocates to take a solemn oath that they will refrain from so stating. They should also insist that others from their own religion do the same.

If not, they should take NOTICE that the day is rapidly approaching when (Continued on page 5)

Thursday September 30, 2021

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

Stacey Dos Santos Rahaman deserves recognition Dear Editor, In Guyana, race and politics fill the national ‘screen’ to an inordinate degree. People discuss and debate these topics day and night, 24/7. This toxic, divisive brew is consumed to the point of neurosis.

In the developed world, where academia, industry, manufacturing, the arts and the service sector are very advanced, politics and even governance are more in the background - except, of course, during election time.

To state what should be obvious, there is more to

Guyana – much more – than just politics; and that is where Stacey Dos Santos Rahaman comes in.

I had stayed away from Facebook for many years. I gave in about two years ago and I am glad I did because, apart from being a great connector, it is a source of information and entertainment.

It sometimes gets a bad rap but, really, it just depends how it is used. Anyway, through Facebook, I became aware of “Visit Guyana” and the incredible work that Stacey does in highlighting

the many wonderful aspects of Guyana’s cuisine, hotels and the beautiful places that one can visit.

I thought I knew Guyana fairly well, but Stacey took me to places (virtually) that I was not aware of. She goes to every nook and cranny of our country and tells us about it – always enthusiastically and with a smile.

While so many expend energy going at each other, Stacey cheerfully shows us what a beautiful country Guyana is; the real Guyana, beyond politics – the Guyana that stands mute.

That Stacey does what she does during a raging pandemic makes her a hero.

In my book, she is a patriot of the highest order and deserves appreciation and recognition.

Stacey’s husband Chris Rahaman is also involved in “Visit Guyana”. I think he will understand that my letter focuses on Stacey because

she is the face of “Visit Guyana” and appears in so many of its photos and

videos.

Yours faithfully, Sieyf Shahabuddeen

...There can be no reconciliation From page 4 those who adopted the institutions and leadership roles of the European hegemonic culture and religion will be called upon to

apologise for the raping of cultures that worship nature in ways that protect the water, the air and the land.

Yours truly, Ramnarine Sahadeo

PAGE 6

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 30, 2021

T N U L B . . .

T B N U T L N B T .

U .

L .

L T B . .

N .

U N U T L N B .

U T . .

L N N U T B .

U .

N L U BL BLUNT. B . .

T .

T T N N U .

U L . .

L B .

T B . . . .

N .

T U T N N T U N U L L U B .

L B . . . .

B .

T . .

T .

N N T U N L LU U B .

N L . .

U B T .

L . .

N B T .

U . .

N L T U B .

N L . .

U B T .

L . .

N B T . .

U .

N L T U B .

N L . .

U B .

T L . .

N B T . .

U .

N L T U B .

N L . .

U B T .

L . .

N B .

T .

U .

N L T U B .

N L . .

U B T .

L . .

N B T .

U . .

N L T U B .

N L . .

U B T .

L .

B .

UN .BLUNT. L . .

B T . . .

N T U N L . .

U B T .

L .

B .

UN .BLUNT. L . .

B T . . .

N T U N L . .

U B T .

L . .

N B T .

U . .

N L B T .

U . .

N L T U B .

N L . .

U B T .

L . .

N B T . . .

LU ...BLUN B T . . .

N T U N L U B T .

L . .

N B T .

U . .

N L T .

U B . .

N L T U B .

N L . .

U B T .

L . .

N B T .

U . .

N L T BB T...BLU U N L U B .

L . .

B .

T . .

N N T T L U U N L L U B U T...BLU B L . .

N .

B .

T . .

N T U N N N U L U U B L .

BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Thursday September 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

More and more, Guyanese are becoming bystanders and onlookers, and nothing more.

As shocking crime incidents occur, with increasing frequency, right before their eyes, they stand by and look on. Nothing more: not a step, not a word of protest.

Sometimes, not even a helping hand.

Political leaders speak of law and order. Guyanese live with fear. Let us restate that: Most Guyanese go about their daily existence cowering in fear.

When will Guyanese be able to live in peace in their homeland?

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Thursday September 30, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The death of Imran Khan: A loss to multi-racial politics I

t is literally a joy when an African Guyanese join the PPP and an Indian the PNC. There can only be one winner when that happens – Guyana. For too long, these parties have consisted of one-dimensional ethnic leadership, meaning that the dominant decision-maker came from one of the two major race groups.

The PPP always had an Indian leader with its hierarchy consisting of more Indians than Africans. The same with the PNC. But under an aging Cheddi Jagan, there was a greater input, and at a crucial level in t h e P P P, o f A f r i c a n Guyanese than in the PNC with Indians. Dr. Roger Luncheon had enormous power both in the PPP and in the Jagan presidency than perhaps any other Indian.

Luncheon carried over his power into the Janet Jagan presidency.

An African with huge power in the PPP's war room was Clement Rohee. Only Dr. and Mrs. Jagan could have overruled Rohee. I don't know if Rohee has

described his clout in the PPP's leadership in his autobiography which has just been published. I chose not to buy it because it is too costly, something that Rohee ought to correct.

The exceptional Rohee/Luncheon motif in the PPP is a rich piece of history that has not been elaborated on but certainly needs to be highlighted. If you do not like the PPP the facts of history cannot be erased by your hatred. The fact is two African Guyanese had power in the PPP at a particular period that was only dwarfed by Cheddi and Janet Jagan. During the Jagdeo presidency, Donald Ramotar was in charge of the PPP but in both the PPP and the Jagdeo presidency, Luncheon was number two.

This has never happened in the PNC even under Forbes Burnham. Burnham appointed two high profile Indians – Ranji Chandisingh and Vincent Teekah - to sit at the apex of the PNC but it was more window-dressing than substantial authority.

Even if Burnham was sincere about empowering

both men, the PNC leaders did not submit themselves to the authority of Chandisingh. I knew from my praxis that both men did not have the corresponding authority that Rohee and Luncheon possessed.

It could only help to dilute the ethnic image of the PPP and PNC when members of other race groups join and make their way to the top. I don't care if you accuse me of pro-PPP bias. I have none but if you see it that way I couldn't be bothered. But I believe the rise of African Guyanese with formidable power in the PPP is more possible than in the PNC. The PNC has a disturbing trend in its DNA that needs reflecting on as a matter of exigency. Back to Imran.

I didn't know Imran that well. I campaigned hectically for the AFC in the 2015 election but our path hardly crossed. The little knowledge I had of him instructed me that he was a decent man that hardly possessed the curse of unswerving sycophancy, one of the worst traits in civilised

humans.

I could remember Imran for two things. One is that he asked me to be a Chronicle columnist after the 2015 elections. I declined because I knew what was coming from the AFC leaders. It was the only lengthy conversation I ever had with him. We sat down by the parapet in front of the AFC's office and we talked about shaping an independent state media. It was then he made the suggestion.

The second one was when I hauled him over the coal for an AFC press release in which I was annoyed with him over an accusation against me that was wrongly based. Imran's reaction to my anger told me he was a

decent human and not a party drunk.

Raphael Trotman in a press meeting in Frederick Kissoon February 2017 announced that felt but he did not word the President Granger on press release and he can be his own had appointed three AFC leaders to ministers out quoted publicly as saying so. of his own generosity – I did quote him. He left the Trotman himself, Dominic AFC and was squarely in the Gaskin and Noel Holder. I PNC camp, a decision that merely responded to that was logical given the way he announcement with an was treated by the AFC (more on that later). His analytical column.

The AFC's press release public falling out with was worded terribly and Ramjattan and accusations accused me of mischief. against Ramjattan were How could it have been shocking. Rest in peace!

(The views expressed in when I was merely doing this article are those of the what all columnists do? I spoke to Imran and a u t h o r a n d d o n o t displayed my annoyance. He necessarily reflect the told me he understood how I opinions of this newspaper.)

'Worlds longest subsea cable to bring clean energy from Morocco to the UK

A

10.5 gigawatt (GW) solar and wind farm will be built in Morocco's Guelmim-Oued Noun region, and it will supply the UK with clean energy via subsea cables. The twin 1.8 GW high voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cables will be the world's longest.

UK-based renewables company Xlinks is the project's developer. The Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project, as it's known, will cover an area of around 579 square miles (1,500 square kilometers) in Morocco and will be connected exclusively to the UK via 2,361 miles (3,800 km) of HVDC subsea cables.

They'll follow the shallow water route from Morocco to the UK, past Spain, Portugal, and France.

The project will cost $21.9 billion. Xlinks will construct 7 GW of solar and 3.5 GW of wind, along with onsite 20GWh/5GW battery storage, in Morocco. The transmission cable will consist of four cables. The first cable will be active in

early 2027, and the other three are slated to launch in 2029. An agreement has been reached with the National Grid for two 1.8GW connections at Alverdiscott in Devon.

Xlinks says that the Morocco-UK Power Project will be capable of powering a whopping 7 million UK homes by 2030. Once completed, the project will be capable of supplying 8% of Britain's electricity needs.

Why Morocco?

Why go all the way to North Africa for power in the UK? In a word, resilience!

Xlinks explains: Morocco benefits from ideal solar and wind resources, required to develop renewable projects that could guarantee suitable power production throughout the year. It has the third highest Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) in North Africa, which is 20% greater than Spain's GHI and over twice that of the UK. Furthermore, the shortest winter day still offers more than 10 hours of sunlight. This helps in

providing production profiles that address the needs of the UK power market, especially during periods of low offshore wind production.

Remote generation and interconnection between distant geographic regions with inversely correlated weather systems will be more effective at addressing imbalances of supply and demand over longer time periods.

Xlinks notes that solar panels generate about three times more power in Morocco than they would in the UK. Further, solar panels in Morocco will generate as much as five times more power from January to March than those in the UK. The project is expected to create nearly 10,000 jobs in Morocco, and 2,000 of those positions will be permanent.

(Article taken from electrek.co which is a news and commentary site that is tracking, analysing, and breaking news on the transition from fossil-fuel transport to electric transport.)

Thursday September 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 30, 2021

“We're holding you accountable” - Minister Persaud tells COPSQUAD graduates

T

h r o u g h COPSQUAD200 0, an initiative launched by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, at least one officer at every police station across the country will receive specialised training on how to address issues of domestic violence.

With domestic violence cases said to be rising in Guyana, Human Services Minister, Vindhya Persaud, wants 2,000 officers to be trained before the end of this year and has called for a conscientious effort to be made for each reported case to be treated with the level of seriousness and urgency that it requires.

Moreover, the new initiative seeks to ensure that once a domestic violence matter is brought to a police station, it will be handled in a manner that accords with international best practices.

The training deals with interrogation, assessment of safety, how to counsel and respond to people who come to make complaints, and how to write case reports.

A c c o r d i n g t o information released by the Ministry, 18 members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF)

The Human Services Ministry is collaborating with the Home Affairs Ministry and the GPF for COPSQUAD2000.

on Saturday received certificates and a badge when they graduated from the first round of the COPSQUAD initiative. By the end of this year, it is expected that at least half of the GPF will be trained, the release added.

The recent graduation exercise took place at the Police Officers' Training Centre in Kingston in

partnership with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the GPF, and saw in attendance Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, and Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) also playing an integral role in providing technical assistance and training, and Minister Persaud extended

heartfelt gratitude to the representative present, Mr. Adler Bynoe.

Dr. Persaud expressed hope that the participants will do justice to their training and urged them to be agents of transformation.

She encouraged them to develop a desire to actually want to be part of a solution to domestic violence and not to simply act as part of their

routine duties.

Minister Persaud also asked the graduates to use their training to influence the rest of the Police Force and to call out, and even report, errant officers. “We're holding you accountable because you have to be examples,” she stated, noting that the graduates ought to apply the training in their personal lives if they're

to effectively prosecute others.

Minister Benn similarly urged the participants to become champions of change after their training and noted that he expects to see a significant change in the issues surrounding domestic violence by the end of this year.

Police Commissioner Hoppie said that the GPF will continue to support the government and the Human Services Ministry in its efforts against domestic violence and will welcome all other initiatives.

Meanwhile, several of the participants spoke well about the lecturers who conducted the training n a m e l y , We m y s s d e Florimonte, Natalia Isava and Anuradha DeodasinghPersaud.

A member of the Strategic Planning Unit of the GPF, Kennie Haney, expressed that the training was very impactful. “I was able to identify shortfalls in myself and the training provided tools that I can use to improve myself. I will be taking this back to my community in Sophia where gender based violence is (continued on page 13)

IDB Invest partners with GBTI to boost its trade finance programme I

DB Invest, a member of the IDB Group, has incorporated Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) into its Trade Finance Facilitation Programme (TFFP) through a guarantee and funding facility.

GBTI is regarded as Guyana's largest indigenous bank actively providing financing and other banking services to the country's productive sectors.

This partnership will

support GBTI as it diversifies its network of correspondent banks to offer trade products to more small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and clients in Guyana, the bank announced yesterday.

The deal, it revealed too, reinforces the commitment of IDB Invest and GBTI to create a hub for investment and trade for the nation and the region while creating opportunities for the communities.

Guyana has no independent oil...

From page 3 US$606,062 in 2019.

The Bank's support follows the immediate need of building an entirely new oil and gas regime which requires the strengthening of the nation's governance framework in order to streamline planning interventions, regulatory reforms, and the general

needs of an evolving sector.

The design of this operation considered lessons learned from IDB-financed operations, including the importance of close collaboration and coordination with other agencies geared towards building the capacity of the government to manage the sector.

The programme will expand support to existing industries, and new and emerging businesses in sustaining productivity and job creation, which is beneficial given the current macroeconomic situation with COVID-19.

Through this programme with IDB Invest, GBTI will be able to increase its foreign trade products to its SME clients, adjusting its menu of products to the current context of client demands. It will also support GBTI's activities to cater to the growing financial needs of the private sector and support key business linkages in the growing demand for goods and services.

This deal is expected to contribute to two United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8) and Reduction of Inequalities (SDG 10).

A photo of the GBTI Team physically signing at the GBTI's Kingston office

Thursday September 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 30, 2021

Ministry conducts final consultation on SEND Strategic Action Plan A screenshot of the virtual consultation on the SEND Strategic Action Plan

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, participating in the virtual consultation

O

n Wednesday, the Ministry of Education hosted its final consultation session with strategic stakeholders in Education on the Special Education Needs/Disabilities (SEND) Strategic Action Plan. This forum was held virtually and gave stakeholders the opportunity to raise concerns, questions and make suggestions regarding the Plan.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, said during Wednesday's session that the development of this Plan is one of the important

things that is happening in the Ministry. She said that the consultation sessions that have been held are a prelude to action.

According to the Minister, the Education Ministry is well poised to have these consultations and to determine what is best so that it can begin the robust implementation of how it will address Special Education Needs (SEN) with outcomes in different years by which it can measure its performance.

Chief Planning Officer in the Ministry of Education,

Nicola Johnson, said that the process of developing the Strategic Action planning cycle began in May of this year at the behest of the Minister of Education who saw the need to improve the SEN service delivery within the education sector.

She said that working committee was quickly established with SEN professionals, advocates and a representative of one of the Ministry's longest-serving development partners, UNICEF, to ensure that the process is data-driven and inclusive.

According to Ms. Johnson, the Ministry conducted a rapid assessment that took the form of consultations and desk reviews conducted between July and August 2021.

She said that disability organisations were also required to complete a survey that collected data on the type o f o rg a n i s a t i o n , t h e i r objectives, beneficiaries of their services and the scope of current activities. She said that this was intended to assess the existing body of services available for likely collaboration and inform

this five-year action plan development.

“This process culminated with a synthesis of all the information we have collected from the desk reviews and the consultation with you that led to the e m e rg i n g o f t w o k e y outputs,” Johnson explained.

The two key outputs are (1) the restructuring and reorganising the operations of the SEN Implementation within the sector and to enhance and improve SEN delivery through improving access to physical facilities and resources.

National SEN Officer, Ms. Savvie Hopkinson, said that the consultation advances the Ministry's policy of inclusivity in planning and formulating strategies by engaging and involving stakeholders, partners in education and those with a vested interest in SEND. The consultation exercise and the presentation of the strategic action areas were done by Mr. Keon Cheong, Coordinator at the Regional Special Education Needs/Disability Diagnostic and Treatment Centre.

Thursday September 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Chief Justice orders Govt. to pay Jamaican woman $3.1M for wrongful detention A

Jamaican woman who sued the State for unlawful detention and imprisonment has secured a $3.1 million judgment in the High Court.

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire ruled yesterday that Sandra Russell, a Jamaican national, was unlawfully detained and deprived of her freedom of movement after she was held in custody for an additional five months after serving her three and a half months sentence for trafficking marijuana.

Russell had originally filed the claim for $70 million in damages but Justice GeorgeWiltshire awarded her compensation to the tune of $2.5

million for false imprisonment.

The Jamaican woman was awarded an additional $600,000 for being subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment at the East La Penitence Police Station bringing her total judgment to $3.1 million. In addition, the Attorney General, who listed as respondent in the matter, was ordered to pay her $250,000 in costs.

The Chief Justice also ordered that Russell be deported to her home country at her own cost—it was ordered that the cost for sending her back to Jamaica be deducted from her award for damages.

In her lawsuit, Russell, 54, contended that she is a citizen of Jamaica who resided locally at

Pouderoyen Squatting Area, Pouderoyen Village, West Bank Demerara. She claimed that her fundamental rights as guaranteed under Articles 139, 141 and 148 of the Constitution were breached, encroached and infringed by the Guyana Police Force and Immigration Officers.

The woman had arrived in Guyana on May 13, 2013 but on June 25, 2018, she was held by police at Omai landing in the Essequibo River with 70 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

Russell in an affidavit in support of her claim said, “I was taken to the New Amsterdam Prison to serve my sentence. I had a reduction of sentence to

Boy, 17, among 5 latest COVID-19 fatalities - Ministry says all were unvaccinated

F

ive more persons, all of whom were unvaccinated, are the latest COVID-19 fatalities, accordingtheMinistryofHealth.

In a release, the Ministry revealed that on September 28, three males – a 17-year-old and a 33-year-old from Region Three and 28-year-old from Region Four – along with a

female from Region 10 passed away. The following day, a female, also from Region Three, succumbed. Their deaths have now taken the country's death toll to 783.

According to the Ministry, the patients were admitted with COVID-19 like symptoms but died while receiving care at public medical institutions.

Samples were taken at the time of admission which subsequently returned positive tests. The Ministry reported too that there are 279 new cases.

Additionally, there are 31 patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 136 in institutional isolation, 3,926 in home isolation and 11 in institutional quarantine.

Father and sons injured in Schoonord accident

A

father and his eightand 12-year-old sons were injured in an accident that occurred on Tuesday on the Schoonord Public Road, West Bank Demerara.

Those injured are Robert Moore, 48, of Lot 2219 Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara and pillion riders, Ethon Moore, 12, and Nathon Moore, 8, also of the same address.

According to police, Moore andhissonswereproceedingwest along the southern side of the Schoonord Public Road, on

motorcycle CK 9128, while motorcar HD 2241, which was being driven by Clint Christopher, 22, of Lot 55-53 Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, was proceeding in the said direction behind them, reportedly at a fast rate.

It was stated that because of the speed that the car was moving at, it collided with the rear end of the motorcycle and this resulted in the motorcyclist and his sons being flung onto the road surface where they received injuries about their bodies.

They were picked up in a conscious state by public-spirited citizens and rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where they were seen and examined by a doctor. Their conditions have been listed as stable.

Meanwhile, the driver of the motorcar was arrested and two breathalyser tests were conducted on him and showed readings of .127 percent BAC micrograms and .132 percent BAC micrograms.

The driver remains in custody assisting with investigations.

GPL's East Canje substation gets Japan-funded...

From page 13 further develop and improve the reliability and the quality of service to all our customers throughout Guyana.”

He, moreover, extended his appreciation to the Japanese government and expressed his hope for further collaboration as a way of strengthening

bilateral relations in the future.

Also speaking briefly at the event was Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar. He also thanked the Japanese government and noted that while there were some issues with getting the project up and going, it is better now under its new management.

“What it means with this new power substation is that they will have more quality power coming to them, they will have a better intake of power, distribution of power,” he added.

Also present at the commissioning ceremony was the Ambassador of Japan, Tatsua Hirayama, and regional officials.

three and a half months in prison.

I was released from prison on the 10th November, 2018.”

The woman said that she was released into the custody of a female Immigration Officer, who informed her that she had to be taken to the Immigration Office to be processed for deportation to Jamaica.

According to Russell, while travelling to the Immigration Office, the Immigration Officer received a phone call and later informed her that she would be taken to the East La Penitence Police Station instead. The woman said that she spent five month languishing in the East La Penitence lockup before she was released on July 7, 2019 on $10, 000 bail, only after the intervention of Kaieteur News.

Russell swore in the Affidavit that, “Whilst I was at the East La Penitence Police Station, I was informed by a female officer and verily believe

that a Kaieteur News reporter came to the police station to interview me and they sent the reporter away.”

She said that while in custody, she was never taken before a Judge or Magistrate.

Russell pointed out that the conditions at the East La Penitence Police Station were poor. She disclosed that she was without proper and adequate meals and supplements and as a result had to be taken to the East La Penitence Heath Centre for medications.

She had further complained that, “While at the East La Penitence Police Station, I became depressed and stressed.

At the East La Penitence Station, the lighting and ventilation were very poor and I spent all the time in the cell and had no leisure or physical activities.”

In all the circumstances, the Jamaican national held that the police had no legal authority to keep her in custody after 72

hours, without charging her or seeking an extension of time from the courts.

In her lawsuit filed against the Attorney General, Commissioner of Police and Chief Immigration Officer, Russell had claimed in excess of $50M for false imprisonment; a declaration that she suffered inhuman, d e g r a d i n g treatment by the State; a declaration that the Guyana Police Force and Immigration Officers of the State had no legal authority to further imprison her beyond her prison sentence; a declaration that the Guyana Police Force and Immigration falsely imprisoned her.

In addition, she also wanted, $10M per day for everyday she spent in unlawful custody, in excess of $20M for inhumane and degrading treatment, and in excess of $20M for the breach of her freedom of movement.

Driver hospitalised after colliding with utility pole

A

43-year old man was injured after the car he was driving collided with a utility pole along the Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara Public Road. The accident occurred around 20:45hrs on Tuesday.

According to police, motor jeep PSS 9800, driven by Eusi Austin of Lot 45, Old Road, Stewartville, West Coast

Demerara (WCD), was proceeding east along the northern side of New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, WCD. As a result of speeding, Austin reportedly lost control of his vehicle and collided with the utility pole and the fence of the Sundar Hardware Store on the southern side of the road. As a result of the accident, Austin suffered

injuries about his body.

Public-spirited citizens took him to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was examined by a doctor and admitted.

After conducting a breathalyser test, which read .000 percent micrograms, police ranks served Austin with a notice of intended prosecution.

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 30, 2021

Woman sees relative’s stolen television for sale on Facebook Three days after her relative’s television set was reportedly stolen from their apartment, a woman found that it was being advertised for sale on Facebook.

The woman, who requested anonymity, told VEHICLES FOR SALE Allion, Primo, Spacio, Blue Bird, Field Wagon, 212, Carina, RZ, Pit Bull and Canter.

Tel#650-7501.

FOR RENT

WANTED 2 and 3 bedroom apartment house unfurnish and furnish, Counter Clerk to work in charVreed-en-hoop, Providence, ity. Contact 223-5273 / 223Diamond. Call:604-6664,216- 5274.

2299.

SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040 Appliance repairs/service for Refrigerator,Washing Machine, Stove, Treadmill, Dryer, Pressure pump, Oven, Deep Fryer.Call:694-9733.

Appliance/equipment repairs and service to Bakery, Restaurant,Hospital equipment, Remote gate, Backwash & filtration system. Call:6949733.

House plan drawing and estimate. Call K.Lakeram, Building Contractor 2160671,692-8464/Whatsapp 622-0267.

FOR SALE Foreign use outboard Motors Yamaha 40HP, 50HP, 25HP,200HP.Selling cheap, 668-2541.

2017 Toyota CH-R,low mileage. Excellent condition.

Call:657-9237.

TO LET One bedroom apartment with bath & living room.

Cummings Lodge E.C.D. Call:222-0401 or 673-2467 whatsapp 516-805-2048.

Enmore mall commercial space for medical facility.

Call centre and any other type of business 609-7675/ 674-1705.

LAND FOR SALE Versailles 61x123=7503sq ft, 18m not negotiable.No agents please. Tel: 600 6617.

WANTED Wanted land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie or anywhere on the West Coast.

Tel:673-7087.

Truck Drivers,tutor for 10 yrs old.Contact:223-5273/74.

Fitter/Machinist,Welder Fabricator, Mechanic, Apprentice. Apply in person at: Technical Services, Industrial Site Eccles.

VACANCY Driver & Porter to travel in and out of the interior. Applicants must be experienced.

Call:231-2250.

Vacancy for 1 professional and experience hairdresser located on East Bank Demerara Grove Market Street.Call:652-5800.

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 25-45, Car/ Van licence. Call Experienced Canter Driver/ 642-9823.

Expeditor $25,000 weekly.

One clerk for Eccles office , Call:675-0587/223-1229. grade 1 or 2 in Maths & EnFemale counter clerk, Sec- glish knowledge of ondary education. Call:226- Quickbooks. Call: 642-9823 0772. oremail:techserigy TRUCK DRIVERS TO @yahoo.com.

WORK WITHIN THE INTE- Vacancy for: 1.Skilled Mason RIOR. MUST KNOW TO 2.Skilled Carpenter. ConOPERATE BEDFORD TM tact:602-9467,657-5800,666TRUCKS. CONTACT 223- 2857.

5273,223-5274.

Vacancy exist for mainteSecurity officers Male & Fe- nance workers and labourers. male 18+ Lamaha St,between Contact:621-6969/ 615-7784.

Waterloo & Parade. Call:223Persons to assemble bicycle.

4172.

Apply at Alabama Trading,65 Sawman,Pitman,Jetman,Cooks Robb St Bourda. to work in the interior.Contact Trained grade 1 & 2 teachers :223-5273/223-5274 needed. Payment will comDiesel Mechanic to work in mence with experience and the interior. Call:223-5273/ will be in 6 digit, 623-1615.

223-5274.

Carpenters & Painters.Apply Excavator operators to work at Alabama Trading,65 Robb in the interior. Contact:223- St Bourda.

5273/223-5274.

Hardware & Home Decor Labourers to work on cash Sales rep at Innovations crop farm,Salary $4,500- America. Contact Rohan $6000 per day. Tel:695-6139/ #226-9416/19. Experience will 638-7420. be an asset.

Male & Female worker for car Vacancy exist for cashier at wash in town.Call:669-4676.

Innovations America. ConSeamstres,Tailor wanted. tact Rohan #226-9416/19.

Tell:691-1918 whatsapp.

Vacancy exist for bond deProfessional,polite,neatly at- livery personnel/porter at Intired license riders with or novations America. Contact without bike for a delivery Rohan #226-9416/19. service.Call:642-6832.

Sales girls to work at Dian's Seeking person to wash and Deli food outlet.Call:621clean at a hotel in the interior 7862.

Call 677-3891 For a porter,truck drivers/ One male able bodied salesman. Experiences will clerk.Call:225-2313,226-1497. be an asset. Contact:661Security officer to work East 1000.

Coast.Call:623-8300.

Porters,TM log Truck drivOne male clerk. Call:231- ers, Chainsaw & Mill operator. Call:609-7675/674-1705.

2029,616-5957. Genuine.

this publication that last Thursday her relative’s house which is located in Diamond on the East Bank Demerara was broken into and two television sets were taken. The woman noted that her relative resides overseas but she was tasked with supervising the place.

The woman, who was not staying at the house at the time of the break-in, said that a neighbour had called her the following morning and (Continued on page 19)

The stolen television that was seen for sale on Facebook’s Marketplace

Thursday September 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 17

Police lockups are worse than dungeons P

eople are taking the law into their own hands. This is one practice which the authorities have to snuff out because it has dangerous consequences.

Over the past few days there were at least two disturbing reports appearing in the media. Both involved persons being beaten by persons who are taking the law into their own hands.

In the first instance it was reported that a pedestrian was struck down. The victim was rushed to the hospital.

But the person who was driving the car did not expect that he too would have ended up in the hospital. He did, compliments of a sound beating he received allegedly by persons connected to the victim.

On the Essequibo Coast, a driver was reportedly kidnapped by certain individuals who are claiming that he had a relationship with one of their relatives.

The driver was badly beaten.

Images of his injuries were shown in public.

The police force has to be wary of these incidents of persons taking the law into their own hands. If this trend continues the strong is going to take advantage of the weak. Those who are unable to defend themselves are going to suffer.

Whatever wrong a person does, the matter

should be reported to the police to take action. No one should seek to be judge, jury and executioner in any matter.

The purpose of the authorities is to arrest those who commit wrongs. Their job cannot and should not be done on their behalf by others. Otherwise, there will be serious problems.

So, if you have problems with someone, go and make a report to the police. The wrongdoer is likely to be arrested and would have to spend time in a police lockup which amounts to inhumane treatment.

A judge recently ruled that a Jamaican woman was detained in inhuman conditions at a police station.

This is not hard to imagine.

Anyone who has ever been inside a police lockup will know the sort of conditions which exists there.

The state of police lockups is sickening. It is hard to understand just why most of these lockups are dungeons.

They are worse than the prison cells in which convicted prisoners have to serve their sentence.

The police are only required to hold someone until they can properly investigate a matter or until they can escort the person to jail. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations

(OHCHR) says that pre-trial detentions shall be the exception rather than the rule. So why are persons detained in certain cases when they can be placed on station or self-bail?

Last year a family won a G$10.5 M judgment for unlawful detention by the police. No one has said what is likely to happen to those who made the arrest and detention of the family members. Are they going to be surcharged for this judgment?

The OHCHR also urges that detainees be kept in humane facilities, designed to preserve their health, and be provided with adequate f o o d , w a t e r, s h e l t e r, clothing, medical services, exercise and items of personal hygiene.

So why are the police lockups the way they are?

They are heavily grilled, have poor ventilation and can hardly hold more than four persons comfortably.

Why is this necessary?

As for the toilet and bathrooms, those are living hell. One wonders whether some of those policemen and policewomen would use some of those facilities.

Five years ago, Jamaica faced similar concerns about its pre-trial detention facilities. A group made a n u m b e r o f recommendations. Among the things they requested

Delta is a killer boys seh...

Dem

D

e m b o y s remember once it had wan airline wah used to run de Guyana route. It bin call Delta. It run into problems and never come back hay.

But dem boys know it gat another Delta dat touchdown. And it nah mek jokes.

Dis Delta is a killer. It don't play. It sending nuff awe brothers and sisters to dem maker.

People dying like flies.

Yesterday, five more get knack down.

De month of September is a dread month. And it nah done yet. Younger people dying now. Delta nah satisfy

with dem ole people. It going after de young now.

Dat is why dem boys asking when de lockdown coming. Regions Three and Four accounting fuh seven out ah every 10 cases. De whole country nah gat fuh lockdown, only dem two Regions.

But de guvament nah listening. Dem nah understand dat vaccine alone can't wuk. Yuh gat to give de vaccine a helping hand. It need help.

Dem boys bin feel dat de virus nah gat brain. But from wat dem boys seeing, de virus smarter dan humans. It surviving and spreading faster by mutating.

And like it deh pun steroids also because it

spreading faster dan dem 100 metres sprinters.

Dem boys wan know if some ah dem Ministas nah does tek leave. Because right now dem boys think if certain Ministas guh pun leave, dem wah acting fuh dem might mek de changes wah needed fuh slow down de virus and fuh checkmate de Delta.

Delta behaving like a c h e s s g r a n d m a s t e r.

Whenever de authorities mek dem move, Delta one step ahead ah dem.

But dem boys know dat every dog gat he day and Delta can get trap one day.

Dem boys hope is sooner rather dan later.

Talk half and nah fall victim to Delta.

was a review of detention policies and practices, ensuring that police lockups confirm to international standards and to pass laws to regulate arrest and detention by the police.

The Minister of Home Affairs should commission an investigation into the state of police lockups. He should

invite the human rights organisations to undertake that investigation and to ensure that the conditions of these lockups and the access to sanitary facilities and meals during lockups are improved.

Otherwise, the State is going to be saddled with many more multi-million-

dollar judgments. But worse, those who commit wrongs will walk free because they will challenge their detention as constituting inhuman treatment.

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

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 30, 2021

GECOM ready to hire new Digicel partners to “supercharge connectivity” in Caribbean and Latin America CEO, Deputy and others - has sights set on connecting offshore oil and gas rigs Digicel announced yesterday that it is making a significant investment in international submarine capacity with the building of its Deep Blue One subsea cable and to this end has signed a partnership agreement with Orange to extend the system from Trinidad to French Guiana.

Digicel in “recognising the opportunity to supercharge connectivity in this area of the Caribbean and Latin America,” noted that “Deep Blue One will provide best in class connectivity to French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, with the opportunity to connect offshore oil and gas rigs on the back of the industry boom in the region.”

Commenting on Digicel’s investment, Oliver Coughlan, Digicel Group CEO, said: “With subsea fibre providing the backbone of the global economy and serving as a catalyst to economic development, our substantial investment in submarine capacity underpins our confidence in the development of the region. A great example of this is the connectivity options, which we will be able to provide, both onshore and offshore, to the oil and gas industries in countries like Guyana and Suriname as they capitalise on the boom in the region. “ The added capacity, Digicel noted, will complement its existing Southern Caribbean Fibre network, which has approximately 3,000 km of

Oliver Coughlan, Digicel Group CEO submarine cable connecting 20 islands in the Eastern Caribbean, running from Trinidad & Tobago up to Puerto Rico with onward connectivity to Miami and New York.

The 2,000 km cable installation for Deep Blue One has five branching units, plus the capability to provide connectivity for offshore rigs, with anywhere from two to eight fibre pairs in each segment, offering a minimum of 12Tbit/s capacity, per fibre pair.

Importantly, the cable is routed to be able to connect the many offshore oil and gas rigs and the build will include new cable landings in Trinidad, Tobago – with a new route between Trinidad and Tobago– and Suriname.

With cable installation beginning in mid-2023, the project is expected to complete in early 2024.

As a major player in the submarine cable industry, with investments in over 40

cables worldwide, Orange will rely on its expertise to act as landing party in Cayenne for the French Guiana branch and to operate the cable landing station on behalf of Digicel while its subsidiary, Orange Marine, will be in charge of laying the cable.

Orange is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with sales of 42.3 billion Euros in 2020 and 139,000 employees worldwide at 30 June 2021, including 80,000 employees in France.

The Group has a total customer base of 263 million customers worldwide at 30th June 2021, including 218 million mobile customers and 22 million fixed broadband customers.

Present in 26 countries, Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies under the brand Orange Business Services. In December 2019, the Group

presented its new “Engage 2025” strategic plan, which, guided by social and environmental accountability, aims to reinvent its operator model. While accelerating in growth areas and placing data and AI at the heart of its innovation model, the Group is touted as an attractive and responsible employer, adapted to emerging professions.

Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN).

Peter Hobbs, Group Director International and Wholesale Business at Digicel Group, added: “As a Digital Operator serving over 13 million customers in 32 countries globally, we’re focused on driving economic opportunities for our customers. This is an exciting next phase for us – it’s about delivering quality, reliability, performance – and importantly, opportunity.

We’re excited to get going on this.”

Beyond connectivity, this cable system will bring a full economical ecosystem for the benefit of all. Indeed, in a 2019 report published by the I n t e r n a t i o n a l Telecommunication Union (ITU), entitled “The economic contribution of broadband, digitisation and ICT regulation: Econometric modelling for the Americas”, it was suggested that an increase of 10 percent in fixed broadband penetration would result in an increase in 1.9 percent in GDP per capita.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is moving forward with advertising for a new Chief Election Officer (CEO), Deputy CEO and other key positions that are currently vacant within the commission.

Kaieteur News understands that on Tuesday, Chairman of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, met with the elections Commissioners and agreed to advertise seven vacant posts.

These posts include: Office of the Chief Election Officer/Commissioner of Registration, Deputy Chief Election Officer/Deputy Commission of Registration, Assistant Chief Election Officer/Assistant Commissioner of Registration, Logistics Manager, Civic and Voter Education Manager, Legal Officer and Chief Accountant.

Draft copies of the vacancy advertisements have been examined and approved by members of commission.

Among them is the advertisement for CEO which requires candidates applying for that post to have a Post Graduate Degree in Public Administration, Law, Management or relevant discipline from a reputable and recognised institution, and specific training and verifiable experience in m a n a g i n g election systems, along with at least 10 years experience in a senior management position overseeing and directing diverse operations aimed at achieving targets within specific deadlines.

Additionally, candidates would need at least 10 years experience in Management of National Elections and Election Systems.

While no decision has been made as to when the vacancies will be advertised and for how long, the Commission will commence advertising the vacant posts, however, it agreed that the vacancy notices will be placed in all of the national local newspapers, and on all of the licensed radio stations in Guyana.

Just a few weeks ago, this newspaper reported that the staff deficiency at GECOM was starting to take a toll on its operations.

People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) appointed GECOM Commissioner, Bibi Shadick, had disclosed that the absence of key personnel at the secretariat can see the operations of the Elections Commission “grinding to a halt”.

Shadick had pointed to the absence of key managerial staffers at GECOM such as the Chief Accountant and had explained the impact of the post remaining vacant.

“We have rent payments for buildings that GECOM occupies around the country, outstanding since January.

We don’t know when the landlord will say time’s up for GECOM, they want their building…,”she said.

She revealed at that time that the Commission has been in discussion over the issue of filling the vacancies but the officer responsible for providing the information has been slow in responding to the requests of the commissioners.

“There are quite a few vacancies for senior positions. We have been demanding the detailed job description for the positions but the HR Manager has been slow in providing the information.”

Further, the PPP/C appointed commissioner said that GECOM’s plans to host Local Government Elections later this year may be aborted.

“Personally, I don’t see that happening. Local Government Elections cannot be held if we don’t have any of the necessary personnel.

We have no registration commissioner; no one to sign off on ID cards, there is no Chief Election Officer to do the necessary preparations in time for an elections, at year end,” she said.

Shadick’s comments had followed a notice published

by GECOM to the public explaining that it has temporarily suspended the production of National Identification (ID) cards due to a vacancy for a Commissioner of National Registration. The national ID card is used as a proof of identity, and citizenship in the conduct of business transactions, if such proof is required.

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 30, 2021

PAGE 19

GWI to boost service levels in House Speaker meets with IPU Timehri with resuscitation of well Secretary General in Geneva

S

The officials during the visit last Friday.

T

he Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has announced plans to resuscitate the Timehri number five well on the East Bank of Demerara to improve the level of service for close to 4,000 residents of the community.

Currently, Timehri is being served by its number four well, which is not producing enough water to adequately serve the community. Therefore, a

higher production well is needed.

Chief Executive Officer, Shaik Baksh, and a technical team on Friday, September 24, 2021 visited the Timehri number five well site with a view of determining the works needed to bring the well back into operation in order to better service the community. These works are expected to commence in two weeks.

He explained that the well was taken out of

operation four years ago since it was not producing due to blockages in the well casings and screens, resulting in the well pulsating.

The resuscitating of the well is being done because of the current issue of low level of service in sections of Timehri, including Hyde Park.

According to Baksh, Timehri has a unique topography which poses a challenge for water supply.

peaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, MP, recently met with Mr. Martin Chungong, Secretary General (SG) of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), ahead of chairing the Parliamentary Session of the World Trade Organization's Public Forum which was scheduled to be held yesterday, 29th September, 2021.

Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, Parliamentary Executive Officer, Carlleta Charles, and Confidential Secretary to the Speaker, Jaitun Hanif, accompanied the Speaker to the meeting which also saw IPU Coordinator of the Parliamentary Conference on t h e Wo r l d Tr a d e Organization, Akiyo Afouda, present at the IPU Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland.

The discussion was centred on Guyana's pivotal role in fostering multilateralism. Guyana's international role, over the years, as founding Member of regional and international bodies such as CARICOM and the Non-Aligned Movement, did not go

House Speaker Manzoor Mandir and IPU Secretary General, Martin Chungong. unnoticed. The SG lauded Guyana's international contributions to multilateralism and expressed confidence that Speaker Nadir's leadership portfolio in the IPU will promote greater multilateralism which will benefit Caribbean Parliaments and Parliamentarians.

The Speaker assured the Secretary General that he is committed to advancing the work of the IPU and the benefits derived from its

membership as a global parliamentary body which caters to the various regions of the world. To this end, the Speaker indicated to the SG that he will discuss membership in the IPU with sister countries in the Caribbean.

Speaker Nadir seized the opportunity to commend the Secretary General and staff of the IPU for their dedicated and unfailing efforts in furthering the work of Parliaments.

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 30, 2021

GPL's East Canje substation gets Japanfunded upgrade T

he Guyana Power and Light Inc.'s (GPL) Canefield, East Canje, Berbice substation has undergone an upgrade, reportedly to the tune of $1.4B, compliments of the government of Japan.

The upgrade, according to Prime Minister Mark Phillips, is expected to provide a “reliable, stable and efficient” supply of power to residents.

He revealed during the commissioning ceremony of the upgraded power station on Monday that this “is the first in many steps towards my government's commitment to enhancing the capacity of GPL with regards to sustainable power generation to our citizens.”

While pointing out that the installation of the reactive compensator in the transmission is a first for GPL, Phillips noted that the new enhancement to the power station was made possible through a 2018 grant agreement signed between the Japanese government and the Guyana government “for the introduction of a renewable energy-efficient system.”

He noted that government is “committed to improving power generation and power stability throughout Guyana, including Region Six” and to ensure that the over 200,000 customer-base is supplied with enough power.

It was however highlighted by the PM that because the maintenance of the system seldom occurred during the previous administration, the power supply grid has been plagued with major and minor issues that have ultimately resulted in frequent power outages, much to the displeasure of the populace.

“However, GPL has since been involved in remedying these issues through continued extensive repairs to its transmission and distribution system and other critical areas that affect its overall functioning and efficiency,” the PM said.

Phillips also stated that power generation is the most demanded necessity of the 21st century, and with the effects of lack of power in the more developed countries, etc., such issues are bound to cause an impact

The ceremonial cutting of the ribbon at the commissioning ceremony. on the economic development of a country. In this regard, he noted that administrations “must prioritise the maintenance and capacity building of institutions such as GPL to contribute to sustainable power supplies due to the long-term national benefits.”

He added that when one is to speak about long-term, the effects of climate change must be mentioned and the need to find deliberate ways to better utilise renewable energy to combat global warming, should be taken into consideration.

“As the world looks to switch to a fully sustainable

“We're holding you accountable” From page 12 prevalent. I really want to thank Minister for this initiative because for me, this programme was a godsent,” she said.

Rayon Wilson, a Police Corporal stationed in Linden, said the training widened his knowledge on domestic violence and taught him how to deal with

it in a more in-depth manner.

“We couldn't have had better lecturers. I can vow that I will take back knowledge to my area and as I said to the Minister, we wouldn't make her hand fall; she will see improvement.”

A third participant, Lance Corporal Deon Primus who is stationed in Region Four B said that the

training was well prepared and put together.

“It was simple, in-depth and very interactive. I'd like to thank the Minister for putting this training out there and enlightening us where we would have been falling short. Minister, you can depend on us being the first batch of COPSQUAD,” he expressed.

global energy landscape, which can ultimately reduce energy use and cut cost, so too are we in Guyana working towards this goal and that goal is to use more renewable energy,” he asserted.

Referring to a promise made in the People's Progressive Party/Civic manifesto to provide stable and efficient energy supply, the Prime Minister noted that “our aim is to provide an additional 400 megawatts of newly installed capacity for residential and commercial industrial users.”

Phillips further stated that “this location in Canefield, this upgrade has been coupled with other maintenance work to build its capacity… As we look towards the immediate future, this project of reactive compensation is just the first of many planned for other substations at Good

Hope, Sophia, and Edinburgh.” He confidently added “my government is

steadfast in continuing its support to GPL as it seeks to (continued on page 15)

Thursday September 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 30, 2021

Thursday September 30, 2021

...Woman sees relative’s stolen television for sale on Facebook From page 16 reported that she had observed one of the doors was opened and the lights were off. After receiving the call, the woman said that she immediately went to check on the house. Upon arrival, the woman said that she noticed that two television sets that were located in different rooms were gone and indeed the lights were off. She explained that the lights were left on in the house since no one was staying there.

She further revealed that it was only on September 19, last, she had installed the televisions and put things in place in the house. Since then, the woman said she had only visited the house on two occasions.

After observing that the items were missing, the woman said that she made a

report to the Diamond Police Station and a rank escorted her back to the house to investigate. In fact, it was the very police rank who advised her to browse the Marketplace page on Facebook to see if any of the items that were taken were there. “So I went to Marketplace and I typed in the television but at that point in time I didn’t see it. On Sunday I decided to type in the Samsung TV that is missing…when I type in the Samsung TV, there the TV come up on the page,” she related.

The woman then decided to reach out to the seller and while viewing the profile, she discovered it was an individual who had passed in front of her relative’s house on September 19.

The woman said that she was so sure that it was her

relative’s television because she recognised some markings on its side. She added too that the television was using a substitute remote which she recognised in the seller’s photo when it was advertised.

“So the substitute remote was there, and the TV was not on a stand because I have the TV stand,” she added.

According to her, she further asked about the television and informed the seller that she wanted to purchase it but was told that it was already sold. After gathering the details about the television, the woman said that she then made another report to the police.

Meanwhile, the other television that was taken, a Sony brand, has not been found. Police are said to be investigating the matter.

Thursday September 30, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Family values that you've embraced could be challenged today. You might consider some friends to be your true family, or think that an unconventional household works better for you than a traditional one.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Some books that you find fascinating are changing your life in subtle ways.

They may involve new lifestyles or ancient mysteries coming to light or new scientific discoveries.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Usually you trust your instincts about money, but today you should believe even more strongly in your financial sense.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) An event could find a current or potential love partner paying a lot of attention to others, Cancer. You might feel neglected and unloved, as though your friend is doing this to hurt you.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Have you been thinking about changing jobs or taking up a new profession? If you have, now's the time to lay the groundwork.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A radical transformation of your daily routine is definitely in the wind. You may decide to get an advanced degree or move to a foreign country or become more involved with a group.

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your values might be under attack. Perhaps someone connected with your job is doing things that seem unethical and you don't want to be associated with him or her.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Expect to channel a lot of energy into partnerships today. Whether the partnership is new or long term, business or personal, it requires extra effort to maintain now.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Delving into the more obscure areas of your work could be your focus today.

This could involve some indepth research, exploring possibilities for new enterprises, or something as mundane as cleaning out files.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Are you currently involved in a creative enterprise with a partner? If so, expect a burst of energy to be directed to completing that project.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Some work on your house's infrastructure might be needed today. The plumbing or electricity might be giving you problems, but you'll be glad when the repairs are done. Your house will probably run more efficiently.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Creative writing or speaking projects might take up a lot of your time today. You could channel not only your mind but also your very being into your work.

Rasool leads United Cricket Club to C/ship Canada-based Guyanese Fazil Rasool snared three wickets for eight runs to inspire United Cricket Club to the 2021 Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Second Division over-40, 20-overs championship on Sunday at Ashtonbee Park, Scarborough, Toronto.

Rasool delivered three overs to help restrict Seatown’s men who only managed an inadequate 1245 from the 20-overs. United in reply, safely and gleefully reached 125-5 off 16.5 overs.

Supporting the unplayable Rasool were Jano Panday and Arjune Persaud with one wicket each.

Geenarine Ram topscored for Seatown with 36, while Jaydeo Singh contributed 19 and 17 apiece from Lalta Narine and Narendra Buchanana.

When United Cricket Club batted, the inform opener Ganesh Ramraj hit an impressive 43 laced with three sixes and two fours. Navin Misir, another overseasbased Guyanese struck 30.

Monty Dass and Kumar Singh offered a fight with one wicket each. At the postmatch presentation ceremony, Rasool was named the Most Valuable Player and he took home a trophy. His team collected a trophy with 15 medals.

President of the OMSCC Paul Jaman congratulated the championship combination and thanked the teams for their participation. He made special mention to the sponsors and expressed his gratitude to the hundreds of spectators for witnessing the action.

Fazil Rasool

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 30, 2021

Master Max Massiah receives more international accolades Guyanese Founder & Chief Instructor of MAXIDO ADULT SelfDefense System, Master Max Massiah, recently received 2 certificates of accreditation from the Supreme Sokeship Council, & The Universal Martial Arts Hall-Of-Fame.

The 60 year old, who has been practising Martial Arts for 49 years now, received a certificate of *Rank (9th Degree Black belt), *Title (“Grandmaster” & “Soke” meaning Head of F a m i l y / Te a c h e r o f Teachers), and the MAXIDO Self-Defense System is now added/registered/recognised along with established World systems such as JiuJitsu, Tae Kwon-do, Hapkido, Kyokushin, Capoeira, etc, thereby placing Guyana on the World-systems map.

One certificate reads : SUPREME SOKESHIP COUNCIL, the Elite in Martial Arts, in collaboration with the Universal Martial Arts Hall-Of-Fame, Grand Master, Head of Founders, Head Families, Sokeship Council.

Certificate of Recognition.

“Name: Grandmaster Verney “Max” Massiah.

Title/rank: Soke /9th Degree Black belt. Art/Discipline: MAXIDO ADULT DelfDefence.

“Herewith let it be known that the holder of this Certificate is an authentic and registered member of the above Council, who has been accredited, approved, and registered having given tenable proof and evidence to validate and establish his right and true claim to the above area/discipline, he is therefore appointed & designated as such by this Council. This document of recognition is hereby issued according to the by-laws of the Supreme Sokeship

Council.”

MAXIDO was founded

by Master Max in September of 2017, and has taught over 300 students between Guyana & the USA, rapidly gaining growth, recognition, and respect, for its highly unique method of d e v a s t a t i n g , e ff e c t i v e defense responses, which has a strict focus on D I S L O C AT I O N & BREAKAGE of an aggressor’s limbs in under four seconds.

The system attracts business-owners, professionals, females, elderly, weakened, lawenforcement, and security personnel.

Due to the severity of the defence responses, it is strictly an adult system, ages 20 - 90, and is also not a sports or competition system.

Master Max was delighted to speak of the joy the students has expressed of the recognition & growth of the system, and the mere fact a Guyanese system has found its place among the Elite in the World, with many claiming it is definitely among the top 3 in the World, in the “Self-Defence” area.

Due to the Covid restrictions, the regular training has been put on a hold, while personalised advanced training classes that last four weeks are being conducted.

The 9th Degree Black belt Grandmaster is now Guyana’s only 6-time HallOf-Famer. Master Max noted to this publication that he is positive, if more persons (especially females & elderly) were to learn MAXIDO Self-Defence, a lot of thugs & bullies would be made to retire from their ungodly & evil-minded ways.

Master Massiah can be contacted on 592-609-8132.

Thursday September 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

Wilbert Benjamin first memorial cycle road race set for this Sunday C

ycling action returns on Sunday with top a notch cycle race on the Corentyne highway in Berbice with the staging of the first Wilbert Benjamin memorial Cycle road race.

The action which will be in memory of the former National Cycling Champion is being organized by the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) in collaboration with the Benjamin Family.

The final arrangements and the handing over of the incentives were done recently by Mrs. Yvette Benjamin, wife of the late Wi l b e r t B e n j a m i n , t o coordinator and Coach Randolph Roberts.

The 70 miles’ event is open to cyclist across Guyana and all the top riders are expected to journey to the Ancient County to participate in the action that

Wilbert Benjamin is expected to unfold.

The race is expected to begin at 09:00hrs with the riders pedaling off from in front of Benjamin’s Sports Store and Fitness Gym at Fyrish Village, Corentyne, proceed to Springlands on the Upper Corentyne before turning back to finish at its place of origin.

Lucrative prizes are up

for grabs with the top eight finishers taking home rewards along with the first four juniors, the first three females along the first three veterans. There are also 10 prime point prizes up for the taking.

Benjamin was a former nation junior and senior cycling champion and represented Guyana on a number of occasions before migrating where he continued riding and set up business overseas.

He subsequently opened a Cycle shop, sports store, fitness gym and car wash in his home village of Fyrish Corentyne, Berbice.

He would return home on a regular basis where he showed his benevolence where he sponsored many races and did many other charity activities.

He died tragically one year ago after being involved in an accident with a

motorcycle whilst out training. He was hospitalized and after being in and out of hospital he

succumbed almost a month after.

Members of the Benjamin family will be on

hand to send the riders on their way and assist with the distribution of prizes.

(Samuel Whyte)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 26

Thursday September 30, 2021

Desinco Trading partners with GFF with donation of Milex “Hi & Low” milk powder to fuel football programmes One of Guyana’s leading distributors of fast-moving consumer goods, DeSinco Trading, has joined forces with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) to provide

40 cases of Arla Foods’ Milex “Hi & Low” milk powder for use by participants of football development and national team programmes.

DeSinco, owned by former Golden Jaguars team manager Frank DeAbreu, is a long-standing supporter of the GFF and the football community. It is expected

that this latest contribution will mark a new beginning in the history of the important strategic partnership.

“DeSinco is no stranger to making contributions to football,” said GFF Marketing Committee Chairwoman Lisa Ahmad, receiving the donation at DeSinco Trading in Georgetown yesterday. “We want to echo our thanks for

having the company back on board with us once again. We hope that we can have a long and fruitful partnership.”

Milex Hi & Lo is a reduced fat powdered milk product, which contains 60% less fat than standard milk powder and extra calcium, protein and vitamin D. In total, DeSinco has donated 1,600 packets of 125g Hi & Lo powder to the

GFF. “On behalf of DeSinco and Arlo Foods’ Milex, we are very happy to make this donation of 40 cases of milk,” said Sarah Piggott, Medical Representative at DeSinco Trading. “We look forward to partnering again with the football federation.

We hope that the players and support teams enjoy this item because it is an excellent product.”

Thursday September 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

GFF makes official complaint to Press Association over Stabroek News story

R

everend Ian Alves, the G e n e r a l Secretary of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has written a letter of complaint to Ms. Nazima Raghubir, President of the Guyana Press Association concerning a recent story appearing in the Stabroek News and written by sports reporter Duncan Saul. The story surrounds a request by the mother of young talented female footballer Jalade Trim of Kwakwani for footage of her to send to an interested international scout.

Here is the full text of the letter: Dear Ms. Raghubir, Official Complaint I am writing on behalf of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) to lodge an official complaint about the behaviour and practices of Stabroek News reporter, Mr. Duncan Saul.

Mr. Saul has repeatedly reported on our organization in a partisan manner, often publishing poorly r e s e a r c h e d o r unsubstantiated claims, without any fair right to reply. We have made our concerns clear to the management of Stabroek News, but to no avail.

Therefore, we feel compelled to bring the matter to the attention of the Guyana Press Association.

The latest example of Mr. Saul’s unbalanced and unprofessional coverage of the GFF came on Thursday, 23rd September in a Stabroek News article (attached) entitled, “Frustrated Mom says GFF i m p e d i n g d a u g h t e r ’s opportunity for tryout with

Ian Alves English outfit.”

Aside from containing false and unfounded allegations and assumptions, which Mr. Saul failed to verify or research, this article has since been shared widely on social media, forcing our organization to issue a statement of clarification (attached).

Given the seriousness of the allegations in the article, it is unfathomable that Mr. Saul would not wait for a response or communication from the Guyana Football Federation, choosing instead to run the piece with the lazy disclaimer: “Efforts to contact xxxx proved futile.”

I am sure you will agree that, when serious and damaging allegations are made, the organization in question must always be given the right to reply in the same article, other than in very extreme circumstances.

In addition, Stabroek News also chose to ignore the relevant sections of our subsequent statement of clarification that pointed out its unethical behaviour, including the unfair and unprofessional practice of running poorly researched stories based on baseless, unverified allegations without carrying the other side of the story. There was also no apology, published or otherwise, from Stabroek

News or Mr. Saul.

In the meantime, the article has inflicted damage on our reputation and brand, which our legal team is currently investigating. We have since also learned that the interviewee in the article was contacted under the pretense of Mr. Saul writing a general profile of her daughter, not to discuss any issue with the Guyana Football Federation.

We believe that Stabroek News owes it to the public to acknowledge that Mr. Saul, alongside his work as a sports reporter, is also an organizer and promoter of unregulated, unsanctioned street football for profit.

His professional interests are, therefore, in direct conflict with his duties as a reporter covering the Guyana Football Federation.

It is a matter of common knowledge among his media peers and the football community that his coverage of the Guyana Football Federation is influenced by his vested interests and personal relationships in the football business.

We have previously shared these facts with the Editor-in-Chief of Stabroek News, Mr. Anand Persaud, but no effort has been made by its Sports Department to improve standards in its coverage of the Guyana Football Federation or to discipline Mr. Saul.

As such, we are calling on the Guyana Press Association to investigate this matter urgently.

I look forward to your swift response.

Yours sincerely, ………………..

Rev. Ian Alves General Secretary

GCB extends condolence on the passing of Orin Rutherford and Sahadeo Singh The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has expressed sadness at the recent passing of the Orin Rutherford, father of West Indies and national cricketer Sherfane Rutherford.

Rutherford, who was in Dubai with his Indian Premiere League team Sunrisers Hyderabad, had to return home after he received the devastating news about his father’s demise last Thursday, reportedly from Covid 19.

The GCB once again express heartfelt condolence to the Rutherford and his

Orin Rutherford family during their time of bereavement.

And the GCB has also

Sahadeo Singh expressed sadness at the recent passing of Sahadeo (Continued on page 19)

PAGE 27

Chahal, Garton and Shahbaz show RCB’s bowling might The Royal Challengers Bangalore players congratulate Shahbaz Ahmed. (BCCI)

ESPNcricinfo Rajasthan Royals were in sight of a tall total when they were 100 for 1 in 11 overs, on the back of Evin Lewis’ breakneck half-century.

However, his dismissal triggered a terminal collapse as Royals lost 8 for 49 - and their heads - to be restricted to under 150 on a fresh Dubai track. Royal Challengers Bangalore then hunted down the target with ease to consolidate their position in the top half of the points table, with seven wins in 11 matches.

Royals, on the other hand, subsided to their seventh defeat in 11 games.

Despite the loss yesterday, Royals could still qualify for the playoffs if they win their remaining three games.

They might have still harboured hopes of a comeback when Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli fell either side of the powerplay, but KS Bharat and Glenn Maxwell forged a 69-run partnership to dash all of that. Royal Challengers ultimately sealed victory with seven wickets and 17 balls to spare, also giving their net run-rate a leg-up.

Heavin’ Lewis With Royals having two left-handers at the top, Kohli matched them up with Maxwell’s offspin. Maxwell had won a similar match-up against Krunal Pandya at the same venue on Monday, but this time Lewis and Yashasvi Jaiswal immediately dumped him out of the attack by taking 13 off his first over.

Lewis then cranked up to top gear, lining up debutant George Garton for two sixes and a four. In the next over, he heaved a slower ball from Harshal Patel over mid-on to rush Royals past fifty within five overs.

Jaiswal rode in Lewis’

Evin Lewis smashes one on the leg side © BCCI

slipstream, making 31 off 22 balls in a 77-run opening partnership before Dan Christian had him scooping a catch to extra-cover. Even that didn’t slow down Lewis as he heaved his way to a 31ball half-century - his first in the IPL and his fifth fiftyplus score since the start of CPL 2021.

The cataclysmic collapse It was Garton who began the collapse in the 12th over when he bowled a 106.3kph slower ball into the pitch. It kicked up from back of a length and drew a top edge from Lewis, with Bharat snagging the catch.

L e g s p i n n e r Yu z v e n d r a Chahal and left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed then took over, messing with Royals’ middle order.

Chahal had Mahipal Lomror stumped with a wrong’un before having Liam Livingstone hole out to long-on with his trademark wide, loopy legbreak. Sanju Samson and Rahul Tewatia tried to target Shahbaz, Royal Challengers’ seventh bowling option, but both picked out the boundary riders in the 14th over. Patel, who had earlier taken a pasting from Lewis, tricked the lower order with his assortment of slower balls.

Bharat and Maxwell step

up With the ball sliding onto the bat nicely in the early exchanges, Kohli and Padikkal held nothing back, hitting four fours each in a powerplay that produced 54 runs. Mustafizur then shook up the Royal Challengers briefly with his skillful change-ups. After he bowled Padikkal in the sixth over of the chase, Riyan Parag effected a direct hit in the seventh to leave Royal Challengers at 58 for 2.

Bharat then combined with Maxwell to settle the chase. He slog-swept Chris Morris for six, pumped Lomror down the ground for four, and even reverse-swept Rahul Tewatia for four, which had Kohli up on his feet and cheering wildly from the dugout. As for Maxwell, he laid into Morris, smashing 24 off nine balls from him. Bharat holed out for 44, but Maxwell glided to his fifty and wrapped up the chase along with AB de Villiers.

Scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore 153 for 3 (Maxwell 50*, Bharat 44, Mustafizur 2-20) beat Rajasthan Royals 149 for 9 (Lewis 58, Jaiswal 31, Harshal 3-34, Shahbaz 2-10, Chahal 2-18) by seven wickets.