Guyana Times Friday February 28, 2020

Another elections gimmick

Govt announces US$83M upscale gated community P12

…no tangible plans presented …lands will be repossessed under PPP Govt – Jagdeo Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4210

THE BEACON OF TRUTH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

PRICE

3 days before elections

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Govt grants financier 164,000 acres of prime land See story on page 3

General and Regional Elections

UN monitoring political, security, human rights issues in electoral process …urges inclusive, peaceful elections

$80 VAT INCLUDED

P9 Berbice woman chops husband to death

Crane topples on M&CC abattoir P12

P6 Berbice businessman found dead with feet bound

See story on page 3

GECOM staffers accused of deliberately frustrating electoral process …observer missions urged to be alert See story on page 9

Gang rivalry shooting: Linden woman killed, ex-cop boyfriend injured

Govt could have ended telecoms monopoly – Jagdeo P6 Cyclist killed after being struck down P18 by cop

Page 7

Election Day

Jagdeo to write Top Cop, Army Chief on state of security readiness See story on page 8

P18 Energy Dept now seeks firm to market Guyana’s oil

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, February 28 – 05:00h – 06:30h and Saturday, February 29 – 08:00h – 09:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

3 days before elections

Govt grants financier 164,000 acres of land

Friday, February 28 – 06:30h – 08:00h and Saturday, February 29 – 07:00h – 08:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine will prevail during the day. There will be clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 20 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 07:13h and 19:34h reaching maximum heights of 2.58 metres and 2.54 metres.

Low Tide: 00:50h and 13:07h reaching minimum heights of 0.65 metre and 0.62 metre.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Lloyd Singh

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massive 164,000 acres of prime State Forest located along the Berbice River has been allocated to known Government financier, Lloyd Singh.

This allocation was made three days before General and Regional Elections under very suspicious circum-

stances. Incidentally, it is one of the same areas that the current APNU/AFC Administration repossessed recently.

Guyana Times was told that the last-minute allocation of Guyana’s State Forest was done via a rushed and uncompetitive process that was engineered to favour this particular individual. A source at the Guyana Forestry Commission told this newspaper that it is highly unusual that an area of this stocking and location had only a sole applicant.

Singh is a known financier of the Government – the minor party in the coalition administration. In fact, he had even funded the party’s head office located on the Kitty Railway and Embankment in Georgetown. At the

time party Leader Raphael Trotman said in reference to Singh’s apparent generosity, “Businessmen make investments in political parties and expect a return on their investments.”

Since getting into office, Singh has benefited from several contracts under the APNU/AFC coalition.

However, these were not without controversy.

Additionally, he was also embroiled in controversy over the US$50 million Hope Beach Wind Farm project, which was handed to him by Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, who is the General Secretary of the AFC.

General and Regional Elections

UN monitoring political, security, human rights issues in electoral process …urges inclusive, peaceful elections tunity to establish a more prosperous and sustainable development path for all its citizens, and ensuring credible and peaceful elections is central to the country’s fu-

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020

LOTTERY NUMBERS D

02 05 15

17 21 22

28

FREE TICKET

Bonus Ball

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020 DAILY MILLIONS

07 12 20 21 23 LUCKY 3

2

7

8

3

Afternoon Draw

7

2

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

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PAY DAY

19 SUPER PAY DAY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020

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COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Crude Oil Rough Rice London Sugar

$52.18/barrel $244.80/ton $398.70/ton

Live Spot Gold

Change %

-2.40 +0.15 0.00

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask $1642.10 $1643.10 Low/High $1634.80 $1661.20 Change -2.10 -0.13

UN Country Representative Mikiko Tanaka

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s Guyana gears up to head to the polls in three days’ time, the United Nations will be keeping an eye on developments with a focus on political, security and human rights developments during the electoral process.

In a statement on Thursday, UN Country Representative in Guyana, Mikiko Tanaka explained that the organisation would not be monitoring the upcoming polls since election observation is done exceptionally with a specific mandate from the Security Council or General Assembly and includes the deployment of a large team to systematically collect data on the electoral process over a period of time.

“We are, however, closely monitoring political, security and human rights developments in the electoral context. In collaboration with other international partners, the United Nations stands ready to support all stakeholders in fostering an environment conducive to inclusive and peaceful elections,” she added.

Tanaka noted that Guyana has a unique oppor-

ture development.

She posited that this is the time for all stakeholders to demonstrate commitment to democratic principles, processes and institutions

and not lose sight of the fact that legitimate elections represent the voice and will of the people.

TURN TO PAGE 6

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Sugar workers’ voices have fallen on deaf ears

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n Tuesday hundreds of sugar workers picketed President David Granger’s office for retroactive increase in salaries.

It was another similar protest by those workers to have their concerns addressed over the tenure of the APNU/AFC Government. Sadly, their collective voice has fallen on deaf ears as Granger continue to ignore the plight those workers face.

Having being forced into unemployment following the callous closure of some estates by the APNU/AFC Government, sugar workers have not only been plunged into poverty but have been humiliated in the process as their dignity was stripped as thousands were suddenly made incapable of providing for their families.

The tsunami-like social impact devastated many communities resulting in some schoolchildren being unable to continue their studies and females forced into undesirable practices in their endeavour to assist their families.

Adding to their woes was the APNU/AFC’s reluctance to pay the workers their deserved severance. Having taken massive salary increases for themselves, Government officials then forced the excuse of unavailability of funds in their quest to not pay the workers.

With no relief forthcoming, the workers were then forced to take legal action against the APNU/ AFC Government for the payment of the withheld severance. That in itself was humiliating given their lack of financial resources. As time progressed, the nonpayment dragged on and the social impact foisted upon the workers worsened.

In spite of that, no relief mechanism was offered by the Government. It was the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and civic-minded citizens and organisations that took action to help the affected workers and their families by providing much-needed food hampers.

Being forced from a position of earning into lines to collect hampers could have never been easy for those affected. Yet, Granger and his government remained aloof to their sufferings.

Now, as an election approaches, Granger has suddenly found his ability to sound caring towards the workers. He is now boasting of giving lands to them if his government were to win the upcoming March 2 elections. Clearly, he had five years to do something for the workers and their affected families; he didn’t.

Would he have made the boast of giving land if an election was not on the horizon? From the seeming undignified manner in which he and his government treated the sugar workers, the answer to that question would be a resounding no. Having ignored the workers and their plight and now uttering a promise of land in an election campaign to suggest a semblance of care is not only disingenuous but a mockery of the workers and their sufferings.

Similarly, Granger recently professed that if his coalition were to win come March 2, by the end of his Government’s second term, there will be no “Plastic City”. While making that utterance, he lamented the poor condition residents of that area face on a daily basis. Again, he had five years to speak of the plight of those residents and to do something meaningful.

Nothing was done.

The promises of land to sugar workers and to assist “Plastic City” are not the only ones Granger and his team are rolling out as March 2 approaches. It seems the only tool in their shed having been unable to achieve anything of substance during the past five years. What the coalition has racked up during its tenure is a plethora of allegations of massive corruption and incompetence.

With a proven track record of not delivering on campaign promises, these new ones appear as another form of mockery to the populace.

First Lady Sandra Granger shares a photo moment with supporters at the APNU/AFC women’s rally, hosted at Parade Ground on Thursday

A rehashed manifesto repeating failed promises Dear Editor, Electoral manifestos should not be a document taken for granted since it provides a compendium of valid party positions, streamline the campaign, and are used as campaign material. The political party will use its manifesto to fight the elections, laying down policy priorities and positions, with its leaders pledging a commitment to implement those policies.

A manifesto should not be seen as an advertisement or a political gimmick since its acts as a guide to voters who will seek to determine which political party comes closest to their ideal political package. The political party will also be spreading its manifesto messages in meetings held in its various constituencies.

The victorious party upon assuming office will implement those policies and programmes outlined in its manifesto. In the subsequent election, voters will not only judge this party according to its policy programme for the next term in office but also retrospectively, focusing on its performance in government, scrutinising it to assess whether the party has kept its promises. Has it delivered?

On scrutinising the APNU/AFC’s 2020 manifesto, I cannot do otherwise than conclude that the General Secretary of the PPP was absolutely correct when he adamantly maintained that this manifesto is a rehash of the 2015 Manifesto. In most cases, the same ideas are dressed to deceive the undiscerning readers or those who are of the opinion that they must support the APNU/AFC at all cost with no regard for policies and programmes.

I will present here just a few instances since it

will take a lengthy dissertation to examine all of the repetitive items contained therein.

In 2015, the APNU/ AFC’s manifesto stated that “the present tax system is highly inequitable and unjust…the overall tax burden in Guyana is considerate”. We have seen that this is a failed promise. Not only did the coalition increase tax rates but they implemented new taxes which wreaked havoc to the disposable incomes of people. In fact, GRA has collected $91 billion more in taxes despite a downturn in the economy and the dismissal of more than 30,000 persons and the heartless closure of 4 sugar estates. Now, in 2020, once again the coalition is talking about implementing a modern and business-friendly tax regime. But to do that, they will have to reconvene the Tax Reform Commission.

Did they do that when they suffocated the nation with new taxes and sharp increases?

In 2015, the coalition wanted to stimulate “productivity, investment, saving and growth of the economy…reduction in poverty and inequality”, but this never happened, in fact, the economy reversed.

With over 30,000 persons jobless and the cost of living increasing, the ‘good life’ mantra sound hollow and insulting to the growing poverty-stricken population. No economic development has taken place but now the coalition is harping about a ‘Decade of Development’ which will take place after they are re-elected to government and they will then “ensure a more resilient and competitive economy…in which all citizens will enjoy a standard of living for which they have yearned…”. How will the

coalition achieve this when they have retrogressed in the past 5 years? Again, they have failed to deliver!

Again, in 2015, the APNU/AFC manifesto, under Region 6 policy, vowed to “open up lands aback of Black Bush, Canje, Brandwagt Sari and Mara for the purposes of agriculture, specifically, rice farming, livestock rearing and aquaculture”. The total area of these lands was given as 200,000 acres and was supposed to be allocated in plots ranging from 10-1000 acres. We have seen that the only land given were to cronies and party hacks. In addition, they were supposed to build access and all-weather roads linking various agriculture areas. This never materialised, just another failed promise. However, in 2020, the manifesto spoke about creating “designated agriculture zones in every region”. The coalition has failed to do that in Region 6 but will now do that in all the regions!

Once again, sugar workers will be given land for housing and agriculture. Again, they have failed to deliver!

In terms of public security, the 2015 manifesto spoke about confronting “serious crimes, arrest the spread of organised gangs and improve public and personal security…develop innovative strategies to enhance and support current police efforts to better serve the security needs of Guyana.” This is another failure since we have seen that the only innovative strategies are the ones implemented by the criminals. Now, in 2020, the manifesto speaks about ensuring human safety through various measures already used in 2015 except that now it includes building better and stronger jails and detention centres for women and chil-

dren. Will they deliver?

In 2015, in its housing policy, the manifesto stated that it would be “Renewing the Dream” by expanding and upgrading housing development…not only house lot distribution.

There is a 12-point plan in this area, such as ensuring ‘that basic infrastructure such as electricity, drainage, road, water and other facilities are in place as house lots are issued’.

Sadly, not one of these materialised and, in fact, not one house lot was ever issued but in this 2020 manifesto, it plans to distribute 20,000 house lots in 5 years.

In conclusion, in 2015, the coalition campaigned heavily against corruption and vowed transparency and accountability and to establish the Public Procurement Commission in pursuing such efforts. It says that it will “build institutions to eliminate corruption and government waste and improve fairness in the distribution of the wealth of the nation”.

This is a complete failure and corruption has skyrocketed and the only persons who benefit from the wealth of the nation are the coalition’s ministers, officials and cronies. Now in 2020, we are hearing again about “promoting transparency, financial integrity and accountability within Government”.

The coalition is basically offering the same repackaged ‘goodies’ they offered in 2015 and they have utterly failed to deliver any; so my final question is: Will the people who voted for the coalition in 2015 continue to do so on March 2, 2020, despite not fulfilling their promises thereby honouring their Manifesto?

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Enough of Granger Dept of Energy’s request for EoI Dear Editor, It is with deep satisfaction that I read Christopher Ram’s comments on why we should not support David Granger and by extension the APNU/AFC Government in the upcoming elections. If we are looking for progress, the type initiated and continued by previous PPP governments, then Granger is not the way to go.

The first act of office of this government was to increase the salaries of parliamentarians and ministers, who were not asked to perform before being rewarded, while the public servants were not even offered the crumbs that fell off the masters’ tables.

Inflation during the previous four years has skyrocketed due to increased taxes and duties on goods, more items attracting VAT, and increased transportation costs. These led to a new class of persons below the poverty line. It’s the working poor. While Granger and his cohorts are flashing new vehicles and fancy homes the ordinary Guyanese has to live below subsistence.

The back of the poor and working-class have been further broken with the $10,000 school grant rudely taken away, the pensioners robbed of their dignity by having the electricity subsidy removed, the Public Service workers insulted with a pittance of annual increase and in a number of instances delays in salary payments. The health care system has been compromised, with lack of pharmaceuticals and facilities in a terrible state. The Treasury has been raped and the surplus left by the PPP has been squandered.

Corruption is at its peak and the promise to wipe out imagined corruption has failed. SOCU and SARA, brainchildren of the Granger administration, set up especially to persecute former PPP members have failed miserably. The cost of this failure was exorbitant and it’s a slap in the face of Granger and his government. In opposition, Granger cried out for transparency but in Government, everything is shroud in secrecy. The manifesto of the APNU/AFC was left lying in the dust.

The Granger government was keen on closing sugar estates after promising this would not be done – part of the lies emanating from perceived promises.

Entire families were left to starve and no recourse was available. Idle promises of diversification were made, while land was being confiscated. Sugar factories were left to decay and it’s only a matter of time before the scrap metal that once were factories, will be auctioned off to the highest bidders.

The failure of Granger

to move the country forward has led to the rebirth of racial tensions among Guyanese. The APNU/AFC is seeking to create racial disharmony in an effort to win votes next week, but Guyanese have learnt that this is old wives’ tale. We have learnt to live with each other in harmony and to judge each other by our character not by the colour of the skin.

Granger will fail at this also because he underestimates the intelligence of the Guyanese youths, who will no longer be divided but would stand tall together to achieve their dreams and aspirations of a better Guyana. They know success comes from creating jobs, building the infrastructure, having a strong private sector and eliminating crime. In each of these, the Granger government has failed, so there is no reason to vote for APNU/ AFC again.

Investment by the local private sector has dried up. There is no trust in what is the Government’s next move. We have been sold out to Exxon, to the Chinese investors, and to the foreign conglomerates who enjoy tax holidays, while the local private sector is feeling the brunt of oppression. The playing field is not equal and there are rumours of the price for which we have been sold and those that are profiting from the sale. The Local Content Policy was never defined and the interpretation is so loose that it is being taken advantage of.

Our Constitution has been destroyed.

Even the highest court in the Caribbean has been ignored.

Dictatorship has manifested itself like a serpent with a poisonous head. We must not allow this to continue. The fathers of our country established a constitution based on the roots of democracy and they must be turning in their graves to see it being tossed aside.

While we celebrate Republic Day with pomp and ceremony, the dictates of the Constitution on which our democracy is built is being trampled upon. Granger commandeers an illegal government and continues to “govern” illegally. More and more, we are being engulfed in the tentacle of dictatorship. He is a titular leader, having the title and the honours belonging to the office without performing the duties, functions, or responsibilities. He hardly ever holds a press conference, discusses an issue or makes a decision.

A number of functioning entities under the umbrella of government have become redundant.

Go Invest is no longer providing the services it once did and investment

by Guyanese have dried

up. The CHP A has left areas previously identified for house lots abandoned while the agency is providing land for its friends and associates. The fiasco of GIPEX20 19 is well known as it was dominated by foreign companies and was not a Guyanese endeavour.

We have young Guyanese who are not only capable but want the opportunity to display their skills on a fair playing field but the opportunities are not forthcoming. The First Nations have seen regression, not progression. The Ministerial skills are lacking and progress is impeded across the nation. Crime, murders and suicide have increased at an alarming rate with no end in sight.

Change for the better was promised but instead, change for the worse has been achieved. APNU/AFC has been tried and failed.

They should go out before more damage is inflicted.

The time to go is now.

Sincerely, Ronald Singh

Dear Editor, This is a request for expressions of interest (EoI) for persons who know how to market gold on the world markets. “I have gold, I am looking for someone (Contractor) to help me sell my gold, but I don’t know anything about gold, I just got lots of it, millions of ounces, so I will also pay the contractor to teach me how to grade and sell gold while they have the contract to sell my gold”. Any Guyanese seeing this ad would be able to tell you what would happen to this fool and his gold; now replace “gold” with “oil’ and examine the Department of Energy’s request for EoI to market Guyana’s oil. The naivety on display is alarming.

The Department of Energy and its head, Dr Mark Bynoe, are proudly declaring they know nothing about how oil is graded and marketed, they want someone to come to do it all and teach them “the successful marketer is expected to also support the DoE in the first year of introduction of the grade in multiple geographies and refinery systems and must work closely with

the agency in understanding the behaviour and yields of the Liza Blend and how these affect pricing differentials”. This is much like watching a child with crayons and his inordinate pride at having defaced your living room wall, it is not art and a firm hand is needed to administer discipline or there goes the rest of the house to Picasso junior. Bynoe is already engaged in a cover-up of his first ‘deal’ with Shell Western, studiously avoiding anything approaching a detail or a fact. One million and ninety-three thousand barrels seem to have been lost on that learning curve.

Any gold miner can tell you the price of gold is based on the assay, a process to measure the purity of items containing gold. Oil is no different, essentially the Brent crude benchmark is 0.37% sulphur, lower impurities equals a higher price and conversely higher levels of impurity a lower price.

The Department of Energy should have hired two dozen of our bright young people and sent them to different parts of the world to gain experience and (importantly) contacts. I can assure

you that the formulas and chemistry would be within their grasp almost immediately. These locals could be supplemented with some old hands in the business, retirees from the large companies that are in that phase of life where they want to impart knowledge and can utilise contacts and get the best deals for Guyana in house. Three teams competing within the DoE for the best deal on every lift would surely be more beneficial than the inviting of marketing companies to partake in a feast on the bounty and prey on the proud ignorance as advertised.

Mr Bynoe seems oblivious to the general elections on the 2nd of March and its possible impact on him directly as he continues to whistle past the graveyard.

Bynoe undertook a great responsibility to oversee the sale of our profit oil; he cannot continue to dodge questions as to where the profit is now that the oil has been sold. The moon is running but the day is fast approaching.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

Incomprehensible but not inconceivable Dear Editor, It is incomprehensible but not inconceivable that a lifeguard was on duty and adults were in the pool and still a three-year-old

drowned (“Pegasus owner says lifeguard was on duty at pool when child drowned”, reported on Feb 27).

The high incidence of

children dying while in the care, attention, and supervision of adults is alarming.

My condolences to the grieving parents, oth-

er family members, relatives and friends of little Anatascia Joseph.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

Mayor’s utterances

Dear Editor, As a young Guyanese with the right to vote, I am following the goings-on at the City Council. It seems to me that the Mayor is out of his depth on how to properly run this city. He consistently demonstrates this by his public nonsensical utterances.

For heaven’s sake, is there no one at the City Council or at the Ministry of Communities that can tell the Mayor he has stepped outside his jurisdiction? But even that could have been excused if he was competent and knowledgeable of the workings of the Council; he is not. Therefore, he is pushing the Council down a steep hill and it will be faced with endless litigations. Funny enough, the Mayor cannot be sued. He can say anything without fear of being taken to court.

Two weeks ago, at a public meeting, he accused the Opposition party, PPP/C, of dumping garbage in the city.

He did not provide any evidence. But this seems to be a ridiculous excuse for his proudly presiding over a garbage-filled city and his inability to get it clean.

These days, everywhere you go in the city, there are piles of garbage, unkept parapets, silted street drains, and heavy traffic congestion in the main commercial areas

of the city. The Mayor seems very comfortable blaming the PPP/C rather than taking responsibility for the condition of the city. It is the easiest thing to do— blame others for failures. Is it the PPP/C that is littering the seawall and all the parapets along the East Coast Public Road? Is it the PPP/C that is piling garbage in the Stabroek Market area or around Parliament Building?

The increasing amount of garbage in Georgetown is alarming and the Council seems oblivious to the fact that they have a responsibility to provide clean neighbourhoods.

I am thinking about filing an action against the Council for the present disgusting condition of the city. It is a violation of my human right to a clean environment.

A few years ago, the Government boasted about a clean Georgetown. I wonder what they might be saying now. The Mayor and his merry band of councillors have diminished the returns on what was started by the APNU/ AFC incumbent government.

The thing is, they seem not to care too much about that.

They are busy with everything else other than improving the condition in the city.

Sure, they will say the Council is strapped for cash but two months ago, the Mayor bought

a new vehicle. No one can say where is the vehicle that was involved in an accident that resulted in the death of a citizen.

Prior to that, the Mayor accused estates owned by the Vieiras of fraud. But look at what the Council is doing. It is taking rates from property owners but not delivering expected services; is that fraud?

Most of the civil and infrastructural works carried out in the city over the last two years were done by the central government, through taxpayers’ money. But why should the Government use monies it collected by way of taxes to do works for the Council, a statutory body that is already collecting taxes from property owners in Georgetown. Over the last year, the Council has not issued one contract to clean a canal or repair a road in any part of the city. Even the garbage collection bill is being paid by the Government.

So, what does the City Council do apart from paying staff?

Nothing. No services.

The Council is also charging a percentage of the sale price on properties for compliance. If the City Council is not the real estate agent, and if a property owner has already paid up his/her rates to the Council and wants to sell that property and applied to the Council for a compliance to show that his/her account is up to date at the Council then why does the Council claim a percentage of the sale price for that property? Not even the Guyana Revenue Authority charges a percentage fee for compliance.

Furthermore, there seems to be no law that says the Council can do this. But the Mayor has accused the Vieiras of fraud.

Yours faithfully, Anthony Subner

6 NEWS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt could have ended telecoms monopoly – Jagdeo

Opposition Jagdeo

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Leader

Bharrat

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has stated that incumbent Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes has the power to end the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) ongoing monopoly over the sector.

Speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo pointed out that the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 2016 paved the way to liberalise the local telecommunications market by ending GTT’s 20-plus year control. However, he noted that the order to enact that legislation has not been signed by Minister Hughes.

“We can end it! The Minister just has to sign the order. That’s all she has to do now. We worked towards that legislation. Ask her why she’s not signing the order…,” the Opposition Leader asserted.

He noted that if the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) gets into power after next week’s General and Regional Elections, it will look into the reason behind the delays in signing the order to pave way for the much-anticipated liberalisation.

For years now, stakeholders have been calling for a levelled playing field in the telecoms sector. But the liberalisation of the sector is heavily dependent upon the settlement of a US$44 million tax

claim against GTT. Presently, GTT is one of two telecommunications companies which provide mobile phone services to the Guyanese public. However, the company will continue to enjoy the monopoly in international voice and data services until 2030 – an area in which Digicel has been trying to expand its services here.

Negotiations with GTT to lift its control of the sector began in 2016 with the intention of ending the 26-year monopoly on the fixed-line market.

Hughes had recently blamed the former PPP/C regime for renewing GTT’s monopoly contract in 2010 for another 20 years after it had already enjoyed 20 years control. But this claim was rubbished by Jagdeo, who was the Head of State at the time.

In fact, he threw the blame back at the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) – the leading party in the APNU fraction of the incumbent coalition administration. He explained that it was under the PNCR regime that 80 per cent of the then Guyana Telecommunications Corporation (GTC), a public company, was sold and in that contract, a 40-year monopoly was given to the company.

In fact, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GTT, Yog Mahadeo, in a social media post had stated the same.

He pointed out that the renewal of the monopoly telecoms licence was a contractual right of the licence holder and not dependent on the then-administration. He added that the licence holder considered the licence to be renewed by operation of law and contract by its issuance of a notice of exercise of a right.

“It should be noted that the 1991 Government of Guyana’s agreement (contract) gave the monopoly licence holder that peculiar right of renewal. That right was theirs to exercise by simply giving notice to the other party (which was

According to the Opposition Leader, something must have gone wrong in the process.

He noted that the PPP Administration had initiated negotiations with GTT since 2006 to end its monopoly. In fact, he recalled former Attorney-General Doodnauth Singh leading one of those negotiating teams.

However, he explained

Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes

the Government). Thus, the Government of 2010 had no say in the renewal of the contract. They could not refuse, reject, delay or do anything as their only role was to “receive” the notification,” Mahadeo stated.

The former GTT Boss also referenced a letter to the editor from December 2010 in which then Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Chairman, Joseph Tyndall, had indicated that “The licence is renewable at GT&T’s option and, no doubt, GT&T, which has always shown great diligence where its interests are concerned, may have notified the government of its decision to exercise this option.

According to the licence, renewal is mandatory (“shall be renewable”) if the option is exercised...”

To this end, Jagdeo called out the Public Telecommunications Minister for misleading Guyanese on the matter.

“Cathy Hughes… lying on the PPP, saying that we gave the monopoly, we extended the monopoly for GTT… So today, when the service is so poor and people complain, they blame the People’s Progressive Party but I think Cathy Hughes is the one to be blamed and we need to ask her why she did not, based on what they promised to do, liberalised the telecommunications sector,” he stated.

that the company wanted the Government to write off all of the tax obligations.

“We said at that time, we are not going to write taxes that come out of assessments from GRA (Guyana Revenue Authority). That would be the executive interfering with GRA. We said taxes arising from the interpretation of the 1990 agreement, those we can deal with… But that got

dragged on,” he noted.

The former President went on to say that a special parliamentary committee team was set up to draft the legislation to end the monopoly of the telecoms sector and it was the same document that was used by the coalition government to pass the law in 2016 and they are yet to move the process forward to effectively end the monopoly.

Berbice businessman found dead with feet bound

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he lifeless body of Lomenzo Johnny, a businessman of Lot 11 Portuguese Quarters, Corentyne was found on Thursday morning, a short distance from his home.

Johnny, called “Sham”, was discovered with his feet bound. The 49-year-old’s body was stumbled upon by construction workers sometime around 07:45h in a yard that is about 400 meters from his home.

According to information, the dead man, who lived alone, operated a grocery store at his home and is believed to have been murdered on Wednesday evening.

He was last seen on Wednesday evening at about 19:30h jogging but never made it home. On Thursday morning, two friends were looking for him to go jogging but he never showed up. Calls to his cellular phone went unanswered.

When the body was discovered, his feet were bound together with lace. The sweater he was seen wearing on Wednesday evening was found a few feet away from the body.

A pair of scissors and a piece of wood were also near to the body.

Lomenzo “Sham”

Johnny,

called

Initial investigations revealed that there was a wound to his back, bruises to his hand and his head and face appeared to be swollen.

Blood was oozing from his nose when the body was discovered.

Reports are that Johnny would normally take his cellular phone and house keys with him when he goes jogging. When the body was found, none of those items was located.

When Johnny’s work-

ers arrived on Thursday, they found that the gate was opened and the windows were closed. According to one of the workers, he would normally open up the house and be downstairs by the time they arrive.

After waiting some time for him, they decided to call his phone but got no response. It was shortly after that the discovery was made further down the street.

When Police went to the house, they found that the front door was opened and the house was ransacked.

According to the dead man’s sister, it was only the kitchen which was not ransacked. However, in the kitchen, all of the drawers were left open.

Reports are that a safe was removed from the building. His sister said that it was heavy and would take more than one person the carry it. Marks inside the house and on the stairway suggest that it was dragged.

According to the Police, a .25 pistol and 28 matching live rounds of ammunition were found in the bedroom.

Police are investigating and up to press time, no arrests were made.

UN monitoring political...

FROM PAGE 3

“I encourage all stakeholders to ensure an enabling environment for the exercise of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.

Promoting a peaceful and calm atmosphere in respect of the rule of law is key for a credible poll. This includes respectful exchanges of partisan ideas without resorting to hateful and inflammatory speech through to the end of the electoral process,” the UN diplomat stated.

According to Tanaka, dignified acceptance of the results by political parties will also help to build confidence and trust in State institutions and create a foundation for cooperation beyond the election.

On this note, she underscored that respect for human rights is an essential element for the holding of peaceful and inclusive elections. This, she added, means that all Guyanese – men, women, persons with disabilities, members of the

LGBTI (Lesbian, Gays, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex) community and other minorities – should be able to exercise their full and equal right to participate in the electoral process without facing discrimination or other obstacles.

Moreover, Tanaka noted that the UN System was committed to supporting Guyana in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The salient message of SDG 16 is that there can be no sustainable development without stable, secure and inclusive societies with respect for human rights, rule of law, and effective governance.

SDG 16 calls for further strengthening of institutions of governance, more inclusive and participatory processes as well as renewed commitment to end all forms of violence and insecurity, including gender-based violence.

NEWS

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Gang rivalry shooting: Linden woman killed, ex-cop boyfriend injured

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27-year-old woman was killed while her boyfriend was critically injured in a shooting at Amelia’s Ward, Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) on Thursday afternoon.

Dead is Colissa Hunte, of Rainbow City, Mackenzie, Linden while her boyfriend, ex-cop Teon Allen, also known as “Spoil Child”, is presently hospitalised at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC).

Hunte died at the medical facility where she was rushed after getting shot. She died from a single gunshot wound.

While details of the incident are sketchy, reports are that the two came under fire while at the Amelia’s Ward house.

Allen is no stranger to law enforcement as he was charged on numerous occasions for varying offences, including illegal gun possession.

When contacted, Divisional Commander, Superintendent Hugh Winter said that Police were summoned to the scene following the incident and were currently conducting investigations. The ranks recovered four rounds and matching spent shells from the scene of the shooting. The Commander said that the now dead woman’s father alerted ranks to the incident.

Winter noted that it appeared as though several shots were fired at the location but given the remoteness of the area, there were no eyewitnesses.

Following the shooting, shocked family and friends of the couple flocked the hospital.

Allen, who is an alleged gang leader in the Linden community, was observed in a wheelchair and though injured, was alert at the time.

He was recently shot during a shootout with Police in Georgetown.

Meanwhile, the now dead woman’s mother, Yolanda Johnson was devastated at the news. The grieving woman, who barely managed to speak, related that she was never in favour of the couple’s relationship, since she knew her daughter was putting her life in danger by being with Allen.

“I used to beg her to let go, but she never listened,” the clearly traumatised woman related.

Gang

Allen is suspected to be involved in an alleged gang rivalry, which has reportedly led to numerous acts of violence against him in the past.

Last December, 23-yearold Renard Caesar and 22-year-old Lashawn Lewis, both of Linden, were jointly charged with intent to murder him.

Dead: Colissa Hunte

It was alleged that on October 5, 2019 at La Penitence Market, Georgetown in the company of others and with intent to commit murder, they discharged rounds from loaded firearms towards Allen.

The duo were since released on bail. Reports at the time were that Allen re-

turned fire and shot one of the men who attacked him.

Allen was also charged and released on bail for discharging a loaded firearm at an inspector along with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition back in December.

The charges were that on November 26, 2019, at Houston, East Bank Demerara, he had in his possession a 9mm pistol when he was not a holder of a firearm licence.

It was further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, he had in his possession 16 matching rounds and seven .45 rounds of ammunition when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.

The last charge stated that on the same day, he discharged a loaded firearm at

Injured: Teon Allen, also known as “Spoil Child”

the Police Inspector.

Reports are Police were conducting a roadblock on November 26, 2019 when Allen allegedly drove his car through the roadblock, which

resulted in the Police giving chase. As the Police were in pursuit, shots were fired in the direction of the ranks.

As a result, the Police then returned fire and Allen was shot during the exchange.

The car then sped off the road and ended up crashing into a nearby ditch. The ranks then approached the vehicle and Allen allegedly had the firearm in his hands.

Allen’s cousin, Eon “OJ” Williams was also shot and killed by unidentified men last October while his girlfriend was seriously injured as the suspected gang violence escalated.

Also, recently, 25-year-old Curwin Estwick, also known

as “Timothy” Estwick was charged in connection with conspiracy to commit a felony in the torching of the ex-cop’s car. The accused of Lot 57 Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was charged in connection with the incident, which occurred on Tuesday, September 10, 2019. He pleaded not guilty to the offence which is presently being tried at the Linden Magistrate’s Court. It is alleged that he conspired along with unknown persons to unlawfully and maliciously damage the ex- cop’s $2.4 million car, PXX 4598, at Amelia’s Ward. Estwick was granted bail in connection with the incident.

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Election Day

Jagdeo to write Top Cop, Army Chief on state of security readiness Jagdeo noted that he would have had similar experiences when he headed an observer mission to Sri Lanka back in 2015. According to Jagdeo, he would have engaged the security heads to ensure that they are ready to guarantee the safety of the polling stations as well as the electorate.

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Interference

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

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ith the March 2 General and Regional Elections just three days away, the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is raising questions about the readiness of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to ensure that the elections are conducted in a safe and secure environment.

PPP/C’s General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, at his weekly press briefing on Thursday, said that the Party has been meeting with the overseas observer missions and urging them to engage the Police and Army chiefs to gauge their level of preparedness.

“I pointed out to the observers when there is fear about the readiness of the security forces to maintain law and order and protect the polling places, that they (the observers) too have an obligation to secure assurances from the leadership of both the Army and Police,” Jagdeo said.

The Opposition Leader reported that they have been hearing a lot of stories of electoral interference from senior Government functionaries.

He stated that these instances have been related to the observers and because of those reports, knowledge of the readiness of the security forces is important.

In relation to the Police Force and maintaining order at the polling places, Jagdeo said that the party is in receipt of reports which suggest that former police officers with influence are seeking to influence/intimidate the other ranks.

“We want assurances that they are in a state of readiness…I have heard issues of vehicles not being ready, the training is not done properly, that they are not going to use Rural Constables and they going to only use Police. If that decision is taken then there has to be adequate number of Police for each polling place and not assign one Police to 3 or 4 polling places. That would compromise safety and security,” Jagdeo said.

The former President said that his party is not going to be telling the security forces where they should be but noted that they have to pro-

Reflexive…

Police Commissioner Leslie James

Chief of Staff, Brigadier Patrick West

vide the assurance that they are ready to take on the challenge of providing adequate protection to the polling places.

Jagdeo said that the Party would also be writing to heads of the Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force to get the assurance that they are ready and would be addressing every aspect of Election Day security.

PO so there would be no misinterpretation of the directions given. He went on to say that the PPP/C would have also suggested that Lowenfield share that information with polling day staff and the various political parties.

“Up to recently, we have had on D-Day that is during the Discipline Services voting, we had some Presiding Officers saying that PPP cannot affix their seal on the envelopes. It (affixing the Party’s seal) is provided for in the law and yet some of them are saying this (that we can’t). We want this in black and white. We want to say here the things that people are allowed to do…polling agents for parties can place their seal on the box and the envelope including the ones that contain the Statement of Poll,” he said.

Jagdeo explained that they are also advocating for a fixed time to be scheduled when the Returning Officer (RO) would do the verification of the SoPs and recounting the ballots. He noted that in the past, the RO would call up the political parties or vice versa when it was time to verify. However, he stated that the method allowed for there to be discrepancies since the RO could have started before the parties got to the centre.

SoP security and integrity

The PPP/C leadership has been meeting with all of the observer missions and would have raised the issue of security and integrity of the Statements of Poll (SoP).

The issue was also raised with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) when they met on Tuesday.

The Opposition Leader noted that they would have informed GECOM and the observer missions that Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield should document all communication with the Presiding Officers (PO) on E-Day. This, he said, would provide clear guidance to the

Ballots floating around

The PPP/C said they have found a number of issues with the packing of the ballot papers. Jagdeo identified Region One (Barima-Waini) as one of the possible places where the possibility of short ballots exists.

He explained that the Region One polling officials who are coming from outside of the villages they are stationed in, would have certificates of employment so that they can vote in the area they are working. If those officials have their certificates and GECOM packs exact ballots for that area, based on the Official List of Electors (OLE), then those officials would be disenfranchised.

However, he noted that the issue can be resolved.

Jagdeo said that the PPP/C would be paying keen attention to the logistics to ensure that everyone gets to vote.

…racial lashing out ccording to the ERC, Desmond Trotman and Gerry Gouveia have kissed and made up over what the ERC seems to feel was a personal spat between the two individuals. You remember the incident, don’t you, Dear Reader? It was back in the middle of last year when the CCJ had just issued its judgements that Granger’s unilateral appointment of James Patterson was illegal and that the NCM that demanded elections since March 22, was legal.

Patterson promptly resigned. But while Granger was dickering with Jagdeo to find a replacement (he insisted the CCJ said he could submit names to himself!!) GECOM CEO Lowenstein unilaterally launched a House-toHouse Registration exercise!! Specifically noting that he was writing on behalf of the PSC and upon legal advice, Gouveia informed Lowenfield, “it is our understanding that you have not been legally directed by the Commission to proceed as you are doing, and that to conduct House-toHouse Registration is unlawful”. This was even supported

by GECOM’s internal legal officer, said Gouveia!!

He then noted that in view of the constitutional requirement for elections to be conducted in 3 months and past H2H exercises had taken over a year, Lowenfield should cancel the H2H Registration. This, as a matter of fact, was the subsequent position of the courts and the H2H was truncated by the new GECOM Chair! But Govtappointed Commissioner Trotman pounced on the PSC’s advice to blatantly play the race card.

He compared Gouveia to “a white slave owner who, in the presence of his overseers, is penalising a delinquent slave for failing to carry out the instructions of ‘massa’”!!

Trotman insisted he could feel the whips of Gouveia’s white slave owner ancestors cracking on HIS ancestors’ backs!!

In Trotman’s “apology” – composed at the insistence of the ERC which had been petitioned by the PSC as a racist attack on Gouveia – Trotman merely noted that he hadn’t known that Gouveia’s ancestors weren’t slave owners!!

So if a Guyanese of British heritage had written the missive on behalf of the PSC, Trotman’s racist intervention was OK?? When are going to accept we’re a nation of six peoples – which includes Europeans – and see all as “Guyanese”??

Not until the group Booker T Washington described moves on: “There is another class of coloured people who make a business of keeping the troubles, the wrongs, and the hardships of the Negro race before the public.

Having learned that they are able to make a living out of their troubles, they have grown into the settled habit of advertising their wrongs — partly because they want sympathy and partly because it pays.

Some of these people do not want the Negro to lose his grievances, because they do not want to lose their jobs.” …representation The sugar worker union, GAWU, informed us that they’ve been recognised by the Sugar Corporation for 44 years. They certainly must’ve done some serious damage to their shoulder muscles as they contorted to pat themselves on their back!! Unfortunately, they focused on the past but ignored that following their recognition in 1976, they had their members strike for a historic 135 days to pressure the PNC to pay them their profit-sharing as agreed to in 1974.

In that year, sugar prices spiked and their share of the profits amounted to US$85 million – an unbelievably large sum in those days. But after all the privations and suffering of the workers, GAWU called off the strike without a penny profit being handed out to the workers!!

In the present, GAWU mentioned their “struggle” since 2015 when 4 factories were shuttered and 7000 workers fired.

Maybe they should elaborate on those “struggles”? …adherence??

GECOM Chair Claudette Singh said she obeyed the Carter Center’s 2015 advice to avoid private residences as polling places. Maybe she could heed the Center’s present advice to “publicise and distribute existing tabulation procedures for the March 2 elections as widely as possible, including to all political parties?”

That’s been a past rigging node, no?

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

NEWS

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GECOM staffers accused of deliberately Berbice woman chops frustrating electoral process husband to death …observer missions urged to be alert FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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eople’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo is accusing a select group of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) staffers of attempting to frustrate the decisions made by the Commission, particularly when it comes to increasing the number of polling places.

Jagdeo, at his weekly press briefing, explained that the Party, though the issue of additional polling places was resolved following the meeting with GECOM on Tuesday, GECOM reduced its use of private residences as polling places in areas that traditionally support the PPP/C. Since it was announced that GECOM would be reducing the number of polling places, the prevailing concern has been that instead of GECOM facilitating a smooth and easy process, the Secretariat’s decisions would have made voting so difficult for voters that will stay home.

This raised a lot of criticisms from the Party which

prompted a meeting with GECOM, its foreign advisers and the Party’s representatives.

Following the meeting, GECOM agreed to add an additional 12 polling places – six at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara; four at Foulis, ECD; one at Chesney Village, Corentyne, and one at Friendship.

Select group

However, Jagdeo told reporters on Thursday that the Party received complaints of a select group of GECOM staffers attempting to frustrate the process. He explained that the employees are contending that the Commission would not have made a decision to increase the polling places.

“Yesterday (Wednesday) we started getting some strange vibes. This morning (Thursday) we saw a deliberate attempt by GECOM staff to frustrate the process. We heard that the Commission never agreed to that but the Chair called us and said your propos-

al has been agreed. This is very worrying. There are three persons who will frustrate every decision of the Commission…that is their work. We brought it to the attention of the observers,” he said.

The former President stated that GECOM’s Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, called the Party’s Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha, and informed him of the decision.

He related that the Party has since relayed all that information to the various observer missions who are here to assess the conduct of the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

Jagdeo said that his party would be closely monitoring the actions of the staffers to ensure that there are no attempts to frustrate the elections process in those particular communities.

He noted that they have urged the observer missions to pay keen attention to the behaviour of the identified GECOM staffers so that they would not be allowed to frustrate the process.

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Corentyne, Berbice man is now dead after allegedly being chopped to death by his wife.

Dead is 41-yearold Anthony Permaul, called “Banks”, of Clifton Settlement Port Mourant, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Reports are that Permaul and the 52-year-old woman have been living in a common-law relationship for several years.

On Monday, the couple were imbibing at their premises during which they had a misunderstanding – which got heated.

Permaul reportedly assaulted his spouse, who al-

Dead: Anthony Permaul, called “Banks”

legedly picked up a cutlass and chopped him.

He was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital the following day and subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital. He died at the medical facility while being a patient on Wednesday.

The dead man’s brother, Zackery Permaul, reported that his brother told him that he was chopped by his wife. Police had contacted the woman who, at the time, appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. She denied the allegation. A PostMortem Examination is expected to be performed on the body on Tuesday.

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Another elections gimmick

Govt announces US$83M upscale gated community …no tangible plans presented …lands will be repossessed under PPP Govt – Jagdeo

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hree days before General and Regional Elections, the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) turned the symbolic sod for the sprawling Windsor Estate East Coast Project, Guyana’s newest residential gated community.

Located at former Sugar Plantation Ogle, the 30-acre development is budgeted at US$83M and is expected to feature, in addition to a man-made lake and multiple swimming pools, modern home designs along with a commercial zone to include banks, medical facilities, a shopping area and restaurants.

However, while there was talk of plans for the 30acre property that was once sugar cane fields, no drawings or artist’s impressions were presented for stakeholders or members of the media.

Head of Business Development for the Government’s National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Rachel Henry, told those present for the simple ceremony that the project director “envisages a mode alive environment”.

The project is being developed by Navigant Builders Inc, whose project director, Mark Fraser, was on-hand in the stead of the Chief Executive Officer, Danny Sawh, who was unavailable.

Providing some background to the project, Fraser related that Navigant Builders Inc had been in negotiations with NICIL for just about two and a half years before being able to conclude an investment arrangement that saw the lands being sold to the real estate developers.

Relaying a prepared statement on behalf of

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, NICIL officials, and representative of the Navigant Builders Inc turning sod at Ogle, East Coast Demerara

Sawh, the Project Director said that terms under which the project have been inked could cause other developers’ considerable distress but the conditions are actually to the benefit of Guyana.

Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Chairwoman, Genevieve Allen, lauded the

initiative and its spin-off effects not limited to the development and transformation of Plantation Ogle.

She noted that the locale falls under the ambit of the Industry-Plaisance RDC, which would result in more revenue for the entity.

NICIL’s acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO),

in his address to the small gathering, sought to impress on stakeholders that the entity as Government’s holding body sought to ensure that in the negotiations the best deal possible was had.

It was pointed out that while a good deal of the commodities for the project will be imported, the labour force

will be made up of more than 80 per cent Guyanese and that future employment and services will be provided

by Guyanese.

Heath-London did use the occasion to announce that Sawh and Navigant Builders Inc have committed a further GY$100M for future charitable works in the country.

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, who was also on-hand for the simple ceremony, lauded the initiative and spoke to the need for an increased level of infrastructure and services that needs to be offered given the imminent influx of tourists, expatriates and returning members of the diaspora.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo at the weekly press conference, citing corruption, said that the lands will be repossessed once the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic is re-elected at the upcoming elections.

Crane topples on M&CC abattoir

The crane which belongs to a city shipping company that fell on the roof of the abattoir

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crane belonging to a city shipping company fell on to the roof of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) abattoir at Water Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown.

Reports are the incident occurred about 14:50h on Thursday as the crane toppled and crashed into the roof of the abattoir. The M&CC has since stated that the roof, walls, and windows of the kitchen area were damaged. Also, the roof of the slaughtering chambers was damaged. This has re-

sulted in the facility being closed.

However, the M&CC in a statement said that Meat and Food Inspectors would be engaged in onsite inspections on the usual slaughtering days – Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at another section of the abattoir. This is to facilitate the inspections of carcasses of animals coming from the areas outside of the city. The M&CC noted that this was necessary to ensure that wholesome meat reached the consumers.

The abattoir was established about 86 years ago.

The Food Hygiene Section and Municipal Abattoir falls under the Medical Officer of Health Department. The functions of the Section include: the slaughtering of bovine, porcine and ovine animals, inspection of animals for communicable diseases, disposal of unsound meat.

The Council views this accident as unfortunate and regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the business community and persons who use the facility. The Council is currently evaluating the damage.

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Cyclist killed after being Police seeking help to ID dead man struck down by cop T

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pedal cyclist was on Sunday night killed after she was struck down while riding along the Anna Catherina Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

Dead is 57-year-old Ramona Hunte of Lot 2 Street, Anna Catherina.

Regional Commander Simon McBean confirmed that about 22:20h on Saturday, motor car PNN 5547, driven by a Policeman, struck the woman, who was riding on the left side of the public road, as it attempted

to overtake another car.

As a result of the impact, the woman sustained severe injuries about her body.

She was picked up and taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

A post-mortem examination revealed that she died from multiple injuries. Asked about the laying of charges, Commander McBean stated that the case file would soon be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice.

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) is seeking the assistance of the public in identifying a male who was found unconscious at Wismar, Linden in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), on Monday and later died.

According to the Police, the deceased had several tattoos – one on the inner thigh that spelt “SEMDEL” and a sign; another on the left side of the stomach of a hand gun with magazine and three bullets; a cannabis plant on the upper right hand and “BLOOD SAAN FOVER” on the left hand.

Investigators suspect that the dead man was murdered.

The man was discovered unconscious in some bushes at Prosville Squatting Area, Wismar, around 22:55h on Monday. At the time, he was clad in a white and grey t-shirt and red short pants.

Guyana Times understands that the man was bleeding from his nostrils and the back of his head was swollen when he was found

began boasting that he “got money”. The man was told by the salesperson to pay for the roti, but he went away without doing do.

The body remains at the LHC awaiting a post-mortem examination.

The cellphones which he

The unidentified dead man

by residents passing by. He was taken to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), where he subsequently died at approximately 00:50h at on Tuesday.

According to reports, around 17:00h on Monday, the now deceased had visited a food shop situated in the Prosville Squatting Area, where he requested a roti which was given to him.

He then reportedly took out three cellular phones from his pants pocket and

reportedly had in his possession prior to his death were not recovered at the scene.

Police in Linden say persons in the area were questioned, but no useful information was obtained.

The investigation continues.

Energy Dept now seeks firm to market Guyana’s oil

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aving already lifted and sold its first one-million-barrel shipment of crude oil from the Liza Destiny in the Stabroek Block, Guyana’s Energy Department is now looking to secure a marketing agent for the country’s crude.

The Department, which falls under the Ministry of the Presidency said in its invitation that the objective of the initiative is for the provision of marketing services for Guyana’s oil entitlement from the Liza Destiny Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Vessel.

That FPSO began producing crude in the Stabroek Block with the partners each taking entitlements based on the formulae laid out in the Crude Lifting Agreement (CLA) between Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL/ExxonMobil Guyana); Hess Guyana Corporation; China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC-Nexen) and the Guyana Government.

The scope of works for the firm that Government is looking to hire, includes the successful marketing of Government’s share of crude oil entitlement.

The Energy Department said it envisioned a minimum production rate of five lifts per year that would represent the Guyana Government’s entitlement.

The successful firm is also expected to provide support to the Energy Department, in “all operating and back-office respon-

sibilities of managing these crude sales and each individual lift”.

The Energy Department is also looking to have the successful company –in addition to marketing and managing the affairs of crude sales – support the Department in the first year of introduction of the grade of oil in multiple geographies and refineries worldwide.

Guyana is said to have a low-sulfur, sweet light crude.

Furthermore, the Energy Department expects that the successful company will also be responsible for conducting training sessions for its personnel in “matters relating to crude oil supply and trading fundamentals, and more specifically, those relevant to the Liza grade pricing”.

Greece-registered crude oil tanker Cap Philippe, recently uplifted Guyana’s first one-million-barrel crude entitlement from the Liza Destiny.

The vessel was chartered

by Shell Western Supply and Trading Limited, which made the first purchase of crude from Guyana’s entitlement, with the tanker leaving the country on the evening of February 19.

Shell Western Supply and Trading Limited had secured the bid to buy the Government’s first three cargoes, with each cargo being approximately one million barrels of crude.

However, Guyana is still in the dark on the price at which this oil was sold to Shell.

guyanatimesgy.com

OILNEWS Oil prices in freefall as pandemic fears grow

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il prices continued plunging for a fifth consecutive trading session, dipping by more than 4 per cent early on Thursday as the market fears a coronavirus pandemic that could destroy more oil demand in the coming months.

At 09:27h on Thursday, WTI Crude was plummeting by 4.74 per cent at $46.35 and Brent Crude was slumping by 3.90 per cent at $50.69. Both benchmarks haven’t traded so low in more than a year, since Christmas Day of 2018. WTI Crude fell below $50 a barrel earlier this week and was approaching the $45 handle early on Thursday, while Brent was flirting with the $50 threshold.

The massive sell-off in oil extends to equity markets amid fears that a pandemic would severely damage global economic growth. Major Asian and European stock markets were deep in the red on Thursday and the Dow was set to open 450 points lower in what has been so far the worst week since the financial crisis.

While the number of deaths from the coronavirus in China is falling, the outbreak is spreading fast outside China. Italy had 530 cases of coronavirus infections as of early Thursday, 14 people have died, and 42 have recovered from the virus. Countries around Europe started reporting this week their first cases of infections in people who have visited Italy.

In the US, the CDC confirmed on Wednesday an infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 in California “in a person who reportedly did not have relevant travel history or exposure to another known patient with COVID-19,” noting that “It’s possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States.”

Oil prices are now more than 10 per cent lower than the levels seen just last week, before fears of a global coronavirus outbreak started slamming riskier assets and equities and sent market participants heavily selling oil. The market largely ignored a relatively bullish EIA inventory report on Wednesday, and it continues to ignore a massive 1-million-BPD supply disruption from restive Libya. (Oil Price)

Major bank sees abysmal demand growth for oil Oil prices could bounce around between $50 and $70 through 2025, with both demand growth and supply growth slowing, according to a new report.

The oil market faces a steep supply surplus in the nearterm due to the coronavirus and the prospect of demand destruction and economic deceleration. But the US shale industry likely won’t rebound from its current slump, at least not to the explosive growth rates of recent years, keeping supply in check.

“Shale production economics in the US continue to point to a Brent price floor around $50/bbl or a WTI price floor of $45/bbl,” Bank of America Merrill Lynch wrote in its report.

In other words, shale drillers cannot make money below $50 per barrel.

By the same token, shale will grow with WTI $65 per barrel or higher, the bank said.

But others have warned that this isn’t just a cyclical downturn – the shale industry’s blistering growth rate may be over. Schlumberger’s CEO Olivier Le Peuch sees U.S. shale growth slowing to between 600,000 and 700,000 BPD this year before falling to 200,000 BPD in 2021. Beyond that, it could plateau and not return to growth, Le Peuch told Reuters. “Shale production growth will go to a new normal... unless technology helps us crack the code,” he said.

Given that the industry is roughly $150 billion in the hole over the past decade, the elusive promise of some future technology to “crack the code,” seems speculative. Shale’s best days may be in the past.

The latest EIA data shows production set to decline in March in all major basins aside from the Permian, with the Anadarko basin in Oklahoma, for example, expected to lose 10,000 BPD. The Anadarko basin is expected to lose 16,000 BPD in February. (Excerpt from Oil Price)

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

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Around the World

Coronavirus: Outbreak at “decisive point” as WHO urges action

T

he coronavirus outbreak has reached a “decisive point” and has “pandemic potential”, World Health Organization head, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus says.

His comments come as countries around the world battle to prevent the virus from spreading further.

For a second day, more cases have been reported outside than inside China.

Iran and Italy have become major centres of infection, with people travelling from there spreading the virus further afield.

Several high-profile Iranian officials have become infected, the latest

being Vice-President for Women and Family Affairs Masoumeh Ebtekar.

“It’s what’s happening in the rest of the world that’s now our greatest concern,” Dr Tedros said.

Globally, more than 80,000 people in nearly 50 countries have been infected. Nearly 2800 have died, the majority in China’s Hubei province.

Meanwhile, stock markets around the world have fallen sharply amid fears that increased travel restrictions will prevent business activity.

Dr Tedros urged governments to act swiftly and aggressively to contain the vi-

Italy and Iran have become hotbeds of coronavirus infections

rus.

“We are actually in a very delicate situation in which the outbreak can go in any direction based on how we handle it,” he said.

“This is not a time for fear. This is a time for taking action to prevent infection and save lives now,” he added. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Chileans kick off campaign for new Constitution

T

he campaign period for and against a new constitution in Chile officially began on Wednesday, two months before the country’s scheduled plebiscite.

Chileans will vote on April 26 on whether they want a new Constitution, and whether they would prefer a mixed citizen-legislator convention or an all-citizen convention to write it.

A constitutional assembly to replace the dictatorship-era Constitution written during the 1973-1990 rule of General Augusto Pinochet has been a key demand at mass protests

against structural inequality that have rocked the country since mid-October.

Roughly 70 per cent of Chileans want a new Constitution, according to recent polls, and an all-citizen convention is the favoured option.“It opens up a possibility,” said Roberto Cortes, a primary school music teacher in Antofagasta, 1335km (830 miles) north of Santiago.

Cortes wants an overhaul of the country’s education, health and pension systems, and the top three issues of concern among Chileans.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Activists fly flags and posters in support of the April 26 referendum to change the country’s Constitution, in Santiago, Chile [Photo by Martin Bernetti/AFP]

9 Turkish soldiers killed in air raid in Syria’s Idlib

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t least nine Turkish soldiers have been killed in an air raid

by Government forces in Syria’s northwest Idlib province, according to an official in Turkey.

Rahmi Dogan, Governor of Turkey’s south-eastern province of Hatay, said other troops were also wounded in Thursday’s attack, according to state-run Anadolu Agency.

At least nine Turkish soldiers have been killed in an air raid by Government forc-

es in Syria’s northwest Idlib province, according to an official in Turkey.

Rahmi Dogan, governor of Turkey’s south-eastern province of Hatay, said other troops were also wounded in Thursday’s attack, according to state-run Anadolu Agency.

Erdogan has vowed to launch a military operation to push back Syrian government forces if they did not retreat from a line of Turkish observations posts by the end of February.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

A Turkish military convoy in Syria’s Idlib province [Photo by Ghaith Alsayed]

Death toll rises to 32 in religious violence in India’s capital

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t least 32 people have been killed in the deadliest violence to engulf India’s capital New Delhi for decades as heavy deployment of security forces brought an uneasy calm on Thursday, a police official said.

The violence began over a disputed new citizenship law on Monday but led to clashes between Muslims and Hindus in which hundreds were injured. Many suffered gunshot wounds, while arson, looting and stone-throwing have also taken place.

“The death count is now

at 32,” Delhi Police spokesman Anil Mittal said, adding the “entire area is peaceful now.”

At the heart of the unrest is a citizenship law which makes it easier for non-Muslims from some neighbouring Muslim-dominated countries to gain Indian citizenship.

UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said the new law adopted last December is of “great concern” and she was worried by reports of police inaction in the face of assaults against Muslims by other groups.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

A man carrying a child walks past security forces in a riot affected area following clashes between people demonstrating for and against a new citizenship law in New Delhi, India, February 27, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

Bunty Singh

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fter 10 incredible performances, the score sheets saw Berbician Bunty Singh, gaining the lead to once more ascend to the throne of Chutney Monarch.

The final of the 2020 Republic Jubilee Chutney Monarch competition was hosted in front of an energetic crowd at the Better Hope Community Centre Ground on Saturday last.

As the first contestant to take the stage, Bunty’s performance sizzled with creativity and brilliance. The charming delivery of his hit song, “She want me to be she Raja,” managed to set the bar quite high for his fellow contestants.

None of them were able to raise that proverbial bar, and so, the former two-time

S

aleem Beharry, popularly known as “Master Saleem”, believes that Guyanese Chutney music has taken off and is optimistic about its future.

The Trinidadian artiste who is no stranger to Guyana was one of the judges at the Guyana Chutney Monarch competition 2020 which was held last Saturday evening at the Better Hope Community Centre Ground.

He was very much impressed with the standard of music presented by the 10 artistes who took to the stage with the aim of copping the title.

Eventually, after several hours of fierce competition, former Chutney Monarch, Bunty Singh, was crowned the king.

Nevertheless, in an interview with Guyana Times Entertainment, Beharry noted that the format of the show, quality of the music and musicians, and overall quality of the songs presented were of a professional calibre.

He noted that the songs were stylishly performed and presented through a remarkable and honest competition. He was very much impressed with the level of talent represented through Chutney music which he deems truly commendable.

“I was blown away by the sheer talent of all

the competitors, all who showed their hard work and determination of not only achieving the esteemed label of winning the competition but, truly promoting their culture in a level that’s comforting to me, an artiste myself,” Beharry added.

He also posited that he was taken back at the manner in which the Guyanese Chutney is being used to convey positive messages with its seamlessly blending languages and lyrics.

“Being an 8-time finalist of the International Chutney/ Soca Monarch in Trinidad, I believe that conducting workshops in Guyana will help the artists and the art form reach its full potential faster,” the young and talented artiste added.

He further stated that music is very influential and has the ability to connect to the heart.

“With this sentiment shared, I genuinely believe that the future of Chutney Music in Guyana will continue to do just that and will create a benchmark for music in its bright future.

Also, I am hoping to see ‘Guyana Chutney Monarch 2021’ as a part of “Guyana Carnival” in May. Beharry also took the opportunity to congratulate the artistes and hopes to be back in Guyana soon.

He refers to Guyana as his “home away from home”.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

Steven Ramphal

Tony Cuttz

Chutney King was able to reign for a third time, copping the first prize of $1.5M. Last year, Bunty was dethroned by Steven Ramphal and placed second in the 2019 Chutney Monarch Competition. This year, it was Steven who came in second place, with Bunty copping the coveted title as Monarch.

At the time of competition, Steven defied his doctor’s orders and took to the stage with an injured voice. Despite his weakened condition, Steven dished out a gripping performance that continued his call for unity and love among all Guyanese.

By end of that performance, however, the singer’s body had worsened along with his voice, and he had to have been lifted off the stage.

Meanwhile, newcomer, Tony Cuttz, placed third with a thrilling performance of his song, ‘Neighbour Roti’. The young

Barber put on quite the show with his ‘Michael Jackson-like’ dance moves, cut tastefully with some ‘waist-pelting’ and “screw-bulbing”.

The newcomer said he was inspired by persons like Bunty Singh to be part of the competition and that placing third has motivated him to work harder towards the title.

Vicadi Singh, with his song, the “Mousie and she tassa,” came in the fourth position. The other contestants included former monarchs Vanita Willie, Young Bill Rogers and Pooran Seeraj, along with Chris Ramphal, Arjit Singh and AW Lyrical.

As usual, Malcolm ‘Wickedee’ Ferreira did an excellent job as the competition’s emcee, showing off his knowledge of Hindi alongside the competition’s convener, Roshini Boodhoo-Persaud.

he was ready to follow suit. Ramphal, in that competition, would have placed second although being warned against performing by his doctor owing to a throat ailment.

Now that the competition is over, Singh hopes to produce more music but more importantly, take as many gigs as possible with the aim of improving himself on the international front. He feels that with his own studio, he is in a better position to improve himself.

So far, he has done several collaborations with Mahendra Ramkellawan, Terry Gajraj, MC Drupee and George Nandan out of Canada, among others. The Guyanese artiste hopes to one day represent his country at the International Chutney Monarch in Trinidad.

On this note, he explained that the competition this year was of a high standard with several international artistes on the judging panel, including Adesh Samaroo and Saleem Beharry.

“I was very impressed with the judging panel, taking into consideration the past where we had just influential people who knew nothing about music. For the past years, there have been judges who are actual musicians or part of the music industry and by doing this, it encourages

young artistes to compete,” he added.

The crowned Chutney monarch, however, was not too pleased with a post made by an artiste on social media.

While he was upset, he insisted that the artiste is well recognised and should not have taken to social media to bring down a fellow artiste.

“Instead, that artiste should have been offering encouraging words to the young artistes for future competitions…

We are one family and it does not matter who wins, I mean well for my fellow colleagues who are talented and have the potential to do better. Who knows, with some encouraging words of confidence, one might dethrone me come 2021”.

Meanwhile, he noted that without the support of a number of persons, he would not have been successful. He expressed his heartfelt thanks to TransPacific Auto Sales, Survival Supermarket, Bran and Sons General Store, Shano Rice Development, Mukesh Appiah, MC Drupee, Dilip Saga and Sons General Store, Soca Raja, George Nandan, Sunni Sons and Daughters General Store, Park Square Mahaicony and Miracle Optical.

He also wished to thank the Berbice Delight Dancers and his family but more importantly, his fans and the Mash coordinator and team.

O

n Saturday last, Bunty Singh outshone his nine rivals to be crowned Guyana’s Chutney Monarch 2020, when the competition was held at the Better Hope Community Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara. To date, the feelings of regaining the title after losing it to Steven Ramphal in 2019 is overwhelming.

The monarch, who recently returned from Suriname after a gig, was extremely confident in taking the crown despite him being the first to perform. His Song “She want me be she Raaja” was in the making since August of 2019 and would have been completed along with a music video in time for the competition.

After his submission to the Mash Secretariat, he posted the video on YouTube with over 200,000 views. The song was written by the talented artiste and was mixed, mastered, and produced in the BKJV Studios.

It tells of a man who remains faithful to his wife despite being hunted by a single, beautiful female he met at his grandfather’s birthday celebrations.

In an interview with Guyana Times Entertainment, the newly-crowned monarch explained that ever since his performance at the competition, he was contacted by leader of the Dil-eNadan band out of Trinidad and Tobago for a collaboration. In addition, he was contacted by Sangeeta, who also wants to do a song together.

He noted that the competition has definitely had a positive impact on his musical career. Nevertheless, recounting the experience on competition night, Singh anticipated that Steven Ramphal was the man to beat in order to regain his title.

He noted that Ramphal over the years has brought on his A-game and

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

Olympic Boxing Qualifiers in Argentina…

GBA gets 11th hour-backing from NSC, GOA

ꟷ “We want them to be focused on winning,” says Director of Sport, Christopher Jones

By Jemima Holmes

‘B

etter late than never’ is the term that can best describe the Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA’s) situation, after receiving a sum of money from the National Sports Commission (NSC) earlier today, and a further sum of money from the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA).

The NSC and the GOA have finally come to their senses, and have reached out to assist the GBA three days after the deadline had expired for the GBA to submit accommodation fees for the Guyana boxing contingent to participate in the Olympic Qualifiers.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle disclosed on Thursday that the GBA had failed to meet the deadline for the payment of accommodation fees, whereas other countries, such as Antigua, Barbados, Dominica and Jamaica, among others, had had their expenses completely footed by their respective Olympic Associations.

Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, after establishing that the NSC had not been in a position to help the GBA because of the absence of a budget for 2020, explained that the Board of Directors of the NSC had met to source funds from

other projects in order to assist the GBA. “We are now in 2020. As you know, no budget was presented for last year, so we are essentially running on fumes. There isn’t any allocation for grants, therefore the allocation for this had to be taken from other areas, whether it had to go to maintenance, of facilities, or whatever the case may be,” Jones explained.

He disclosed that $2.5 million was given to the GBA, and said that hefty sum will be put directly to the boxers’ airfare to Argentina, which is approximately US$1800 per person.

“The NSC, after consultation with the board members, had to do what is necessary to ensure that our boxers stay focused, and not have them be distracted. The board members have agreed, and the NSC has endorsed, and today we will be making a cheque contribution to the Boxing Association to the tune of $2.5M,” he explained. The Director of Sport, in his rationale behind going above and beyond the existing negative circumstances in order to assist the GBA, asserted his confidence in the abilities of the Guyanese contingent.

“We want them to be focused on winning. We are confident -- based on the work we have been seeing the Boxing Association

doing over the years -- we are confident that our boxers can make it to the Olympics,” Jones asserted.

On the other hand, the GOA, while not commenting on the issue of footing the entire bill, has given another sum of money to the GBA, to be used to cover accommodation and meals’ expenses.

Ninvalle expressed his gratitude to the entities, but took time to share his hopes that the GBA would never have to be in a similar position in the future. “Let me thank Mr. Jones and the NSC for seeing it fit (to come on board) at the 11th hour, but nevertheless they have (come on board). I would venture to say that, while we express hearty thanks, it is my hope that in the future we could have such issues dealt with well before time, because it places a stress on the athletes,” Ninvalle stated. Guyana’s boxing contingent that is going to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Qualifiers in Argentina will consist of boxers Colin Lewis, Desmond Amsterdam, Keevin Allicock, Dennis Thomas, Canada-based Taveena Kum and coaches Sebert Blake, Terrence Poole and Francisco Roldan.

While the boxers who are training in Cuba are expected to return home on March 21, they will depart for Argentina on March 23. The Olympic Qualifiers are scheduled for March 26 to April 3.

Alabama Trading donates team benches to Petra Organisation T he Petra organization continues to enhance the football aura of the Ministry of Education Ground through meaningful partnerships with corporate Guyana.

The organization’s most recent addition to the ground is a fleet of team and referees’ benches, obtained through a donation from the Alabama Trading. The official handover of these benches was made on Thursday afternoon at the Carifesta Avenue venue, although the benches have already been tested during the ongoing

Milo Under-18 Schools Football Tournament.

“Alabama is pleased to be associated with the enhancement of football. Giving back is one of the hallmarks of Alabama Trading, and as a former footballer myself, it’s good to know the football standard will be raised in some way or the other with this,” Proprietor of Alabama Trading, Wooed Phillips, said about this donation.

Delighted at the donation, Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca expressed heartfelt gratitude to Phillips and Alabama Trading. He

highlighted the positive impact the donation would have on the game, and said: “On behalf of Petra and the entire football fraternity, we want to thank you for such a valuable donation to the Petra organization.

I just want to let you know that a gesture like this adds value and capacity building to the organization, and allows us to present our tournaments in a better manner, (which) aids in the development of the sport.”

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Local cyclist’s campaign in the USA…

CLASSIFIED ADS ACCOMMODATION Aracari Hotel, W.B.D. Accommodation Rates from USD$25. Amenities: Pool, Bar, Restaurant, Gym, Free Parking, Free WiFi. Spend 7 Nights and Get 1 Free.

Tel: 264-2946.

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for rent Disco/Night Club-W.B.D: Turkeyen Operation for rent. Contact Gafoor 592-628-8619

FOR SALE Lot 14 – 10,204 SQ FT. Price = $17M. PH: 264-2948/615-2270 One (1) Greenheart Wooden Building to remove. $220,000- Price Negotiable Contact 501-3706 Transported Land- 11.6 Acres, Lot 15 Public Road, #2 Village, West Coast Berbice. 5 mins away from Berbice River Bridge. Contact # 648-7109 Toyota Corolla, left hand drive Good condition- $360,000 neg Call or Whatsapp 680-3863

LAND FOR SALE Transported Land- 11.6 Acres. Lot 15 Public Road, #2 Village, West Coast Berbice. 5 mins away from Berbice River Bridge. Contact # 648-7109

NOTICE Nazim Isaac has an International Story to put PPP/C Party back in power and give all Guyanese British Pounds (money) to spend and British Goods as gifts. To watch this story, type in Nazim Isaac on YouTube. I would like to meet Bharat Jagdeo and would like him to call B.B.C World News for an interview so that Guyanese can get British Pounds from London. Thank you from Nazim. This story is linked to the Queen of London. Nazim Isaac urges all Guyanese to vote for the PPP/C Party. This Victory Party will be at Nazim’s House. To call Nazim Isaac: Tel: 223-4246.

VACANCIES Office Assistant - Maths and English required, knowledge of Excel and Quickbooks would be an asset.

Apply to Mima Décor, Lot 8 Sheriff St, GTown or mimadecor12@gmail. com (227-0186) Pump attendant-680-3863, Store helper-624-003, Driver for water canter-680-3863, Porter for water canter-680-3863, House keeper-624-0033 Call or Whatsapp One (1) General Domestic to work in the interior to cook, clean, wash, etc. Accommodation and meals provided. Please contact: 680-2702 Office Assistant - Maths and English required. Knowledge of Excel and Quickbooks would be an asset.

Apply to Mima Décor, 8 Sheriff Street, Georgetown, Or Email: mimadecor12@gmail.com. Tel: 2270186/227-0176

VEHICLES FOR SALE Honda HRV 2000 Model. Excellent Working Condition, Factory Tinted Windows, Dolby Surround Sound, A.C, Vehicle Press Start, etc. This vehicle is Stick Shift and is sometimes rarely driven. Price: $2,200,000 (neg.) Tel: 683-3863.

DeSinco backs National Cycling Champ Jamual John

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uyana's National Cycling Champion Jamual John is being sponsored by DeSinco Limited as he currently campaigns in cycling in the United States of America.

This sponsorship is being done through the company’s distribution partnership with cosmetic giant Unilever, who are funding the sponsorship through the Degree antiperspirant brand; which is fitting, as the product targets a base of active sportand-fitness-driven consumers.

John is recognized as one of the most outstanding cyclists in Guyana, and DeSinco Limited believes he embodies the spirit of the Unilever Brand.

In a comment invited by this publication, John, already in Miami, declared how delighted he is with the sponsorship, and said it would aid in his campaign in the United States of America. the champion cyclist disclosed that his cycling season would commence on March 4 in New York City. It has been disclosed that the antiperspirant brand Degree believes in

St Cuthbert’s inaugural 2-day cricket match…

celebrating people who push themselves to do more and aim to improve. Degree is happy that John is taking this opportunity to improve his craft in the USA, and is happy to help him along the way. Degree will keep him protected from sweat and odour, which would allow him to stay focused on achieving his goals and improving himself. In addition to being Guyana’s National Cycling Champion for 2019, John emerged as the winner of the Guyana Points Classification for 2019. He recorded eight wins in last year.

World 2020 Teams Table Tennis Championships in South Korea…

A team triumph! Coronavirus outbreak F

or the first time in history, St Cuthbert’s Mission was able to host a two-day cricket matchup between its ‘A Team’ and their ‘B Team’ counterparts in a bid to take their cricket to the next level.

Having won the toss, the ‘B Team’ decided to bat first, and posted 173. Wendell Williams and Ryan Gonputh were the openers, and the latter wicket was the first to fall, when the score was on 29.

A few other wickets tumbled before Odell Schuman came to the crease and did some rebuilding of the innings with Williams in a 49run partnership.

Williams was dismissed for a well-played 33, before Schuman was dismissed for 23 just after the lunch interval. The score then read 95-4.

The last six wickets took some time to fall, as Julio Ferreira (19) and Reaul Daniels (26) tried to resist the ‘A Team’.

The main wicket-takers were Timothy Andrews, with 3-13 and Rayon Gonputh, with 3-29.

In reply, the ‘A Team’ lost Avenesh Poonsammy with the score on 25; and one run later, his aggressive opening partner David Frances was outfoxed by captain Ferreira for 23.

Thereafter, the wickets of Chavez Schuman (13), Clenton Wong (1), Rayon Gonputh (0), Zack Ferreira (9) and Timothy Andrews (14) fell in

quick succession to see the ‘A Team’ close the day’s play on 73/7.

Overnight rain caused a late start to the second day’s proceedings, but the A Team’s innings was wrapped up early in the session for 92 runs.

The ‘B Team’ were hoping to add a big score to their 82 runs’ lead, but the pace bowling of Denzil Schuman, who used the overcast conditions to his advantage, ripped the heart out of their batting and caused them to subside at 75 all out. He ended with match figures of 8-25.

After tea, the target was set at 158, with 25 overs remaining in the last session. David Frances and Chavez Schuman took to the crease, and started their innings in 20/20 fashion.

Frances was dismissed for 44 when the score was on 87 in the 15th over, but Schuman kept hitting the bowlers to all parts of the ground before he was dismissed for an entertaining 56.

Zack Ferreira stroked a well compose 20, and the experienced Timothy Andrews blasted a quick 26 to enable the ‘A Team’ to reach their target in 21.3 overs for the loss of just 4 wickets.

Denzil Schuman was adjudged best bowler, and Chavez Schuman was adjudged best batsman of this contest. This event was hosted and sponsored by the St Cuthbert's Pakuri Sports Club.

causes tournament rescheduling

A

n outbreak of COVID-19, the coronavirus, in South Korea has caused the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) to postpone the 2020 staging of the World Teams Table Tennis Championships which were scheduled to be held in Buscan, South Korea from March 22 to March 29.

This tournament has now been rescheduled for staging from June 21 to June 28.

A Guyana Women’s Senior National Table Tennis Team was invited by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) to participate in this tournament, and the GTTA had already nominated the following key players to represent Guyana: Chelsea Edghill, Trenace Lowe, Natalie Cummings, Pricilla Greaves and JodyAnn Blake, among others.

This tournament constitutes a key learning experience for these Guyanese players, as this is their first experience at representing the nation on such a stage.

National Table Tennis Coach Linden Johnson has said he is aware the ITTF will be announcing a changed host country for this event. He also noted that the GTTA would be implementing measures to keep the athletes

active during the break, so when the competition officially commences in June, the players would be at their best.

Cases of the COVID-19 have risen to 893 in South Korea, and eight persons have so far died from this infection. The ITTF, in a release, has said: “In light of the emerging situation in (the) Korean Republic, and to best preserve the health and safety of players, officials and fans, the Hana Bank 2020 World Teams Table Tennis Championships in Busan have been postponed, with the dates of 21-28 June provisionally reserved. By continuing to work hard and in close cooperation with all stakeholders in Busan, the ITTF remains confident about putting on a great World Championships in June.”

For the Guyana side, these championships would have served as a great preparation for the continental Olympic Trials scheduled for staging from April 14 to 19 in Rosario, Argentina, and for other key international engagements.

The World Teams Table Tennis Championships are staged alternately on a biennial schedule, with the individual championships being slated for the USA for the first time.

GCB/Bel Air Rubis U-17 Inter-County Tournament…

Demerara down Berbice by 8 wickets! ꟷ after Mohabir, Dindyal, Campbelle heroics

Story and Photos By Brandon Corlette

A

magical five-wicket haul from off-spinner Alvin Mohabir, and masterful batting from Mavindra Dindyal and Jaden Campbell propelled Demerara to a comfortable eight-wicket win against Berbice in their GCB/Bel Air Rubis U-17 Inter-County match played at the Everest Cricket Club ground yesterday.

Alvin Mohabir has been declared ‘player of the match’ for rocking Berbice to 108 all out, while Dindyal scored an unbeaten 50 and Campbell stood tall with an unbeaten 42.

Watched by Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster and a fair-sized crowd that included parents, Berbice won the toss and elected to bat first. Eleven runs into the match, Mahendra Gopilall, playing away from his body, was caught in the slip cordon by Chandrapaul Ramraj off the bowling of Romel Datterdeen for just 5 runs.

This lively right-arm seamer continued to make inroads in the Berbice side. He removed Mahendra Ramcharitar for six with the score at 18-2; then trapped Berbice skipper Zeynul Ramsammy at the crease for a duck.

That Ramsammy decision was considered a poor call by the umpire, as were some of the other leg-before calls

that followed, but it left Berbice reeling at 20-3. However, Hemchand Gurdyal and Jonathan Rampersaud added 31 runs for the 4th wicket partnership.

Then, after making an attractive 20 from 34 balls, which included two fours, Rampersaud, a former Guyana U-15 player, was adjudged leg-before to Ramraj in another questionable decision by the umpire. Righthanded opener Gurdyal danced down the track and hit some lovely fours, before a wild swipe saw his promising innings come to an end. It had lasted for 103 minutes, during which he scored 34 runs from 74 balls, decorated with four boundaries.

At 80-5, Berbice were slipped and sliding downhill.

With the umpiring decisions already not in their favour, the Berbicians were not doing themselves any favours by their batting, which was not of the highest quality. Their last five wickets fell for just 28 runs, the Berbice innings being wrapped up by off-spinner Alvin Mohabir, who ended with a five-wicket haul.

Although Leon Cecil had made a fighting 25 from 51 balls, which included two boundaries, Mohabir must be credited for scripting a remarkable collapse. Berbice were bowled out in 41.3 overs, with Tomani Caesar being unbeaten on 12. Mohabir took 5-19 in 10 top overs, while Daterdeen claimed 3-18 in his five overs.

In reply to this small total, Demerara reached 29-2

at lunch. West Indies U-16 pacer Isai Thorne woke up the Everest pitch with some lightning fast deliveries, hitting Jaden Campbell and making Anthony Khan uncomfortable; but after that testing period, Campbell and Mavindra Dindyal took the game away from the Berbicians with some classy batting.

The right-handed duo added an unbroken 82-run partnership that left Berbice in a state of shock. Dindyal made a classy 50 from 52 balls, which included eight fours and one six; while Campbelle made an attractive 42 from 48 balls, which was decorated with six fours and one six, as Demerara ended on 111-2 in 21.5 overs.

Meanwhile, at GCC Bourda, the Select U-15 posted 152-9 in 50 overs. Rampertab Ramnauth scored 78 from 100 balls, which included eight fours and one six; while Jarred Allicock claimed 4-28 in his 10 overs.

Essequibo, in reply, managed a two-wicket win, ending on 153-8 in 48.1 overs.

Aryan Persaud stroked a brilliant unbeaten 51 from 143 balls, while Ryan Scouten made 45. Salim Khan had 3-22 and Wavell Allen had 3-19.

The final round of this Bel-Air Rubis U-17 Tournament will bowl off on Saturday, February 29, when Demerara meet Essequibo at GCC Bourda, while Berbice play the Select U-15 Team at Everest.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

Sports is no longer our game, sports it’s our business

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GCB/Bel Air Rubis U-17 Inter-County Tournament…

Page 21

Demerara down Berbice by 8 wickets! ꟷ after Mohabir, Dindyal, Campbelle heroics

Alabama Trading donates team benches to Petra Organisation Page 19

Olympic Boxing Qualifiers in Argentina…

GBA gets 11th hourbacking from NSC, GOA Page 19

ꟷ “We want them to be focused on winning,” says Director of Sport, Christopher Jones

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