Sunday Magazine - Sunday,December 30, 2018

December, 2018

...Govt has to resign and call elections in 3 months – PM

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December , 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

ExxonMobil makes another Firm to valuate GuySuCo blacklisted in India Wash bay attendant first major oil find in Guyana - fined, handed two year ban by regulator for alleged fraud road fatality for 2018 I JANUARY

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slam Baksh, 24, of Lot 65 La Grange Old Road, West Bank Demerara was marked as the country’s first road fatality when he died following an accident on January 1. Baksh was a passenger of motorcar HC 7477 driven by 42-yearold Vijay Bidoor of Goed Fortuin. Amanda Rickyram,28, of Unity Street, La Grange, WBD; Gobin Dannyram,29,of 225 Goed Fortuin, WBD; and Diana Chand,19, of Cemetery Road, Georgetown were all passengers of the same car proceeding south along the Meer-Zorgen Public Road when HB 4105, proceeding in the opposite direction drove into their path and collided with them.

They all sustained serious injuries and wwere rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where Baksh died while receiving medical attention.

Pensioner killed by speeding car

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oyclyn Joseph, 72, of YY Bent Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown was killed on January 2 after she was struck down by a speeding car on Brickdam, Georgetown, while on her way to uplift her pension from the Bourda Post Office.

Police investigations revealed that motorcar PLL 2838 driven by a 35-year-old labourer of ‘A’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was proceeding east along Brickdam Public Road, allegedly at a fast rate, in anticipation of passing the stop light at the intersection of Winter Place. The light was

reportedly showing “green” with a few seconds remaining.

However, as the car sped across the intersection, it came into contact with the elderly woman, who was said to be crossing the road from south to north. As a result of the impact, she was reportedly dragged about 39 meters before the vehicle came to a halt some 158 meters from the point of impact, investigators recorded.

Joseph’s left foot has been severed as a result of the accident. She was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel.

n what was described as its second biggest single oil reservoir find to date in Guyana’s waters, ExxonMobil has announced the discovery of 230 feet of high quality oil in its Ranger-1 well within the Stabroek Block, early January.

The company has stated that the well was at the time being drilled by the Stena Carron drillship. Work on the Ranger-1 well had started last November and it was drilled to over 6,000 feet before Exxon made its discovery.

The well is 60 miles North West of the Liza phase one project.

The discovery of oil in this

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well is Exxon’s sixth in local waters since 2015. It is estimated that all these discoveries add up to more than 3.2 billion recoverable oil-equivalent barrels.

Signed oil agreement makes Govt look ‘silly’ – Gaskin

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s part of the new agreement signed with U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil, the Natural Resources Minister will have to file for the company’s tax returns with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), something outspoken political analyst and economist, Ramon Gaskin has described as ‘foolish.’

According to Gaskin, this agreement which the Government signed onto makes them look silly in the eyes of many and only puts the Minister (Raphael

Trotman) in a bad situation, where he now becomes the company’s ‘water boy,’ who has to provide a receipt of payment to the company at the end.

The new contract states that ExxonMobil and its partners shall provide the Minister with its income tax returns to be submitted by the Minister to the Commissioner General, GRA, so the Minister can pay income tax on behalf of ExxonMobil and its partners as provided under Article 15.4.

Rose Hall sugar workers protest for severance pay

Controversial US$18M singing bonus

Monies to remain in private account – Harmon

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espite numerous calls for Government to transfer the controversial US$18M signing bonus received from Exxon Mobil and placed in a private bank account, to the Consolidated Fund, the Government remains firm on its position to keep the monies in that account for a bit longer.

State Minister Joseph Harmon told Guyana Times on January 3 that Cabinet has not deliberated on whether to have the monies transferred yet, reiterating that there was a purpose for which these monies were not placed into the Consolidated Fund and that has to do with the border dispute with Venezuela.

After admitting that Government had received a signing bonus from ExxonMobil and its partners more than a year ago and never disclosed this to the public, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman said that the bonus was intended to be used for legal fees pertaining to the preservation of Guyana’s territorial integrity, should its case with Venezuela reach the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

But when the oil contract was released to the general public, ExxonMobil clarified that the US$18 million bonus paid to the Government was meant to secure a 10year extension of the renegotiated contract.

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rate workers attached to the former Rose Hall Sugar Estate on January 9 braved the inclement weather to protest for their severance payment as they demanded that the Government get its act together.

Eight hundred and fifty workers whose last day of employment was December

- NICIL says firm to commence work in Guyana shortly

29, on Tuesday protested the non-payment of millions of dollars which are collectively owed to them by the David Granger Administration and the Guyana Sugar Corporation.

A one-minute of silence was held in honour of the two former workers who took their lives after being sent home.

ricewaterhouse Coopers, the international audit firm selected by the coalition government to valuate Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) multi-billion dollar assets, has actually been banned from auditing listed companies in India due to its alleged involvement in fraud.

According to a report originating from international news agency Reuters, the company was handed the two

year ban in January for allegedly overstating earnings and assets for Indian Software Company, Satyam Computer Services.

The report states that Pricewaterhouse was the audit firm at the time the more than $1B fraud occurred. It was founder of the company, Ramalinga Raju, who blew the whistle on the fraud in 2009, costing shareholders billions and shaking the industry.

High drama: NBS shuts down during 6-hour standoff with Police …as marshals move to execute High Court order …managers, security guards arrested …bank settles $59M payment

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t was high drama outside New Building Society (NBS) as attempts to execute a High Court order on the entity’s properties resulted in a standoff between lawyers, bank officials and the Police. Lawyers for litigant Maurice Arjoon, accompanied by High Court Marshals, descended on New Building Society to levy for a $59M court awarded judge-

ment. What followed after was a protracted standoff from out of a movie, a Police officer, a Court Marshal and civilians were locked in the banking institution.

This situation necessitated the involvement of Deputy Commander of ‘A’ Division and Senior Superintendent of Police, Wendell Blanhum, as well as other high-ranking Police ranks.

UN sends case to International Court of Justice for settlement

Estates closure

Dismissed sugar workers to be given 50 % severance pay this month …other half by year end

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overnment had announced, on January 10, that it will pay 50 per cent of the severance benefits to dismissed sugar workers by the end of this month. This commitment represents over $2B in severance payments.

The announcement was made in Parliament when Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, read a statement from President David Granger.

However, he said that the remainder will be paid in the second half of the year.

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fter years of mediation, the United Nations (UN) has finally moved to send the on-going border controversy between Guyana and neighbouring Venezuela to the International Court of Justice (ICJ); an outcome which Guyana has long been calling for.

According to the UN’s Spokesperson, Stephane

Dujarric, the decision came after careful analysis of the good offices process. Dujarric explained in a statement that enough progress was not made towards a solution on the controversy. As a result, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres referred the matter to the ICJ. This is in accordance with the framework left by his predecessor, Ban Ki Moon.

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December, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Revaluation of GuySuCo pension fund need to determine status – CEO …fund has been destabilized – source …Hand-in-Hand Insurance tightlipped

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hile there have been major concerns regarding the

status of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Pension Fund, which is said to be at a crisis level, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Paul Bhim has defended his company stating that there have been certain mistruths about the fund.

Bhim told Guyana Times that there are currently two pension funds for sugar workers, one which is for all unionized employees which is fully funded by GuySuCo, and another for senior staff.

In the case of the general employees’ fund, Hand and Hand Trust Corporation is the trustee.

Appointment of Chancellor, CJ

Opposition Leader rejects President’s nominees – Greenlights persons for integrity commission

No review of ExxonMobil contract Minister admits to

– President Granger says

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ust over one week after Presidential Adviser on Petroleum, Dr. Jan Mangal, said that the government can review and renegotiate the Production Sharing Agreement with ExxonMobil, President David Granger said that Cabinet does not intend to do such at this time.

He noted that the PSA is currently engaging the attention of Cabinet and a decision would be made.

– Say its Govt way or no way while denying personally instructing police

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Govt releases CGX oil contract

…Guyana gets 1% royalty, 53% profit sharing

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eeks after its own self-imposed deadline expired, the Guyana Government has begun the process of releasing the contracts between the state and other oil companies - beginning with Canadian company CGX Resources Incorporated.

Under the Article 11 ‘Cost Recovery and Production sharing’ heading of the contract, the Government agreed to a one per cent roy-

alty. In addition, a 53 per cent share of profit oil and gas; after recoverable costs have been satisfied was negotiated. This is providing the company moves from exploration to production.

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the President, Jagdeo said, “I have duly considered the two (2) nominees for whom you seek my agreement for appointment as Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice, respectively, in accordance with Article 127 (1) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.”

in environmental tax

acting on information received, a group of officers from ‘A’ Division (East Bank Demerara) went to a property at Monument Hill, Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, and conducted a search.

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he Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has managed to rake in close to $1.2 billion in environmental taxes as of the end of last year, ever since its implementation on February 1, 2017.

This is according to Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, who told this newspaper that companies are generally compliant with this relatively new tax.

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This was confirmed by Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GuySuCo, Paul Bhim, who told this newspaper that this new increase was implemented early in February.

Minister Raphael Trotman.

Immediately following the conclusion of Cabinet discussions, Trotman informed the media that he would in the coming months no longer have responsibility for the oil sector, a role he has faced much criticism about.

Police accused of beating Enterprise man, residents

…says privatization proceeds from sale to repay bank loans

Price for sugar increased by 5 %

ocal consumers will now have to pay more for sugar, as the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has moved to increase the cost of each bag of sugar on the local market.

bility for oil …dept of energy to be created under Ministry of the Presidency

xxonMobil has discovered oil in a new well offshore Guyana.

This announcement was made during Cabinet’s discussions where it was also disclosed that Government plans to strip away the responsibility for the oil sector from Natural Resources

Hijacking ring busted: Ex-cop, 4 women nabbed with stolen cars Govt to borrow $15B to reopen R Skeldon, Enmore estates anks of the Guyana Police Force made inroads in the carjacking network, arresting seven persons after a quantity car parts and vehicles were found as they swoop down on two separate houses.

In the first instance,

ne day after the Coalition Government was accused of blocking and sabotaging the annual flag-raising ceremony of the Corriverton Town Council, Minister Amna Ally has admitted that she was responsible for causing this event to be cancelled even while preparations were already made.

The senior Government minister told Guyana Times on Sunday that flag raising ceremonies are national events organised by the Government. She noted that there are also committees set up in the various regions which hold responsibility for planning and executing these events.

ExxonMobil discovers more Govt collects over $1B oil offshore Guyana …as Trotman to stripped of responsi…no concrete plans outlined for usage of fund

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has rejected the appointment of Justice Kenneth Benjamin as Chancellor of the Judiciary and Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards as Chief Justice following their nomination

by President David Granger.

In a letter dispatched to the media and addressed to

blocking Corriverton flag-raising ceremony

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s part of plans to temporarily reopen two sugar es-

tates, Government has now made a decision to borrow between over $15 billion which it hopes to repay over the next three to five years.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan said Wednesday that that money will be used specifically to fund the operations of the Skeldon and Enmore sugar estates, which is likely to reemploy some workers.

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esidents of the East Coast Demerara village of Enterprise are accusing ranks of the Vigilance Police Station of brutality following an incident which saw officers excessively beating an allegedly unarmed man while facing off with residents.

Police have since refuted claims made by the res-

idents by saying they were compelled to use “excessive” force after being attacked first.

Guyana Times was told that at least five residents of Enterprise had to seek medical attention after being released from custody late Monday night, following an encounter with Police ranks.

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December, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Pensioner stabbed to Father drowns while WCD/EBE flooding, 300 death in WBD home trying to save children

residents affected

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onster waves of the agitated Atlantic Ocean demolish a part of the sea defence structure on March 3 and rush invasively into sections of West Coast Demerara/ East Bank Essequibo, flattening fences, confiscating bridges, ransacking homes, and destroying cash crop and poultry enterprises as flood waters besiege hapless communities leaving some 300 resident affected by the

tidal phenomenon.

Areas such as Leonora, Meten-Meer-Zorg, Uitvulgt, Stewartville, Windor Forest, West Coast Demerara (WCD) along with residents of Zeelught, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) were affected.

Displaced residents in some area had to be relocated in community centres as Government worked to have their homes cleaned and repaired.

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he community of Belle West, West Bank Demerara (WBD) was plunged into a state of shock after the body of 68-year-old pensioner, Ursilla Padarta called “Data” was found in her Lot 566 Belle West, Canal Number Two Polder, with a stab wound to her head and one to her neck.

The discovery was made some time after 07:00h by a carpenter who had returned to discuss the construction of a septic tank that the woman planned on doing.

According to the Police, the woman was murdered with an ice-pick which they found in her home.

30 homeless as fire destroys 3 bandits shot 4 Pike street homes while attempting to rob bank customer

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everal families were rudely awakened from their early morning slumber when a fire raged through four houses in Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown, razing three to the ground and destroying another leaving some 30 persons homeless.

According to the Police the fire had started at

around 03:00h in the Lot 185 Pike Street apartment of Oswald Layne. The buildings destroyed were located at Lot 185 and 191 Pike Street.

The Social Protection Ministry after assessing the situation had provided supplies for the victims as well as alternative living arrangements.

Former bishop teacher remanded on rape charge

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hirty nine year old former Bishops’ High School teacher, Coen Jackson was arraigned after he was charged with the rape of an underage girl.

Charges were instituted against Jackson after three months of being implicated in a sex scandal which alleged that he had been sexually involved with students Jackson however, vehemently denied the accu-

sations on numerous occasions but did admit to having sexual relations with two former students who are now both in their early 20s.

Linden businessman killed during robbery

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Linden shop owner, 53 year old Romel Gomes, called “Eddie”, of Buck Hill, Wismar Housing Scheme, Linden, was found dead at

his place of business with a gunshot wound to his head and his throat slit after his home was invaded by bandits.

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he man, 43 year old Larchman Benjie, a farmer of Waramadong Village in Region Seven was attempting to save the lives of his children ages two and three after a boat in which they

were travelling capsized in the Kamarang River.

Benjie who was at the time returning from his farm, managed to save the children by subsequently went under the water.

Six homeless as Mabaruma house goes up in flames A family of six were left without a roof over their heads after their Mabaruma Settlement , Barima Waini home went up in flames.

The owner of the two storey wooden house Elaine Sam had left the home to take food for her husband who was working a farm

some distance away sending her four children to fetch water.

However upon their return, they were greeted by thick smoke emanating from the property. The fire was reportedly started by a stove which was left alight.

Pensioner killed in bath settlement accident

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hree suspected bandits were killed in a shootout with Police ranks at the Kingston Seawall opposite the Guyana National Service Ground in Georgetown as they were reportedly attempting to rob a customer who they had trailed from a city bank. Those killed were 46-year-old Dextroy Cordis, also known as “Dutty,” a resident of Grove, East Bank Demerara; Kwame Assanah of Buxton, East Coast Demerara; and 57-year-old Errol Adams, also known as “Dynamite”, of Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast and of Buxton, East Coast Demerara.

The Police had reported that ranks perform-

ing duties in the vicinity of Scotiabank on Robb Street, Georgetown when they observed a motorcar with two suspicious looking characters prowling the area.

Those ranks followed the black Toyota IST motorcar, PTT 9034, which at the time was observed following a customer who had just exited the bank.

This car reportedly drove up to the customer’s vehicle and two men exited, one brandishing a small firearm at the customer. The Police acted swift and alerted the men to their presents who opened fire. The ranks took cover and returned fire killing three of the bandits while on escaped.

Teenager fatally stabbed at Barima River

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ighteen-year-old Lawrence Leon, a labourer of Kariabo, Barima River, was stabbed to his upper back by the suspect, 22-year-old Eon Charles.

Based on reports, the suspect, along with his wife and Lawrence, was consuming alcohol when an argument ensued.

During the argument, the now dead man stabbed the suspect to the left hand with a knife and in retaliation; the suspect armed himself with a lance and stabbed the now dead man to the upper back. Both men were rushed to the hospital where Lawrence succumbed to his injuries.

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pensioner, Majeed Indraneah 68, of Lot 561 Bath Referendum, West Coast Berbice lost his life when he when he came into the path of a lorry along the Bath Public Road, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice).

Indraneah was at the time said to be attempting to cross the road.

The man, who worked as a Drainage and Irrigation employee with the Neighbourhood Democratic

Council (NDC), did not sleep at his home in an attempt to escape attacks by villagers.

Wife, friend gets death penalty for killing of husband

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emwattie Abdulla also known as “Annie” and her friend, Seerojini Permaul, known as “Usha”, murdered Abdool Shakeel Majid in 2012, whose battered body was discovered on the Number 63 beach, Corentyne on April 26, 2012 and were both sentenced to death by Justice Sandhil Kissoon at the High Court in the Berbice Assizes.

Majid and his wife Abdulla had arrived in Guyana back in April 2012, with the intention of spending a two-week vacation.

However, five days after

coming to Guyana, Majid’s battered body with the scalp missing was found on the beach.

By then, Abdulla had returned to the United States of America, where she is a resident and had informed relatives of the deceased that her husband was enjoying himself in Suriname and that he had urged her to return home as her daughter was ill.

It was a relative of the dead man who found his suitcase and other personal belongings including his passport at a house and the Police began a probe.

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December, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

2 teens, mother charged for Guyanese miners at mercy killing Berbice security guard

of ruthless Sindacto gangs T M iners operating in the Upper Cuyuni River say they are at the mercy of the ruthless Sandicato Gang as they begged the Government to provide escort services as they traverse the river following attacks by members of the said Gang.

According to the miners in their appeal for help, the situation is hampering their businesses. They claim that members of the Venezuelabased Sindicato Gang have set up a camp about three miles below Eteringbang on the Cuyuni River and is stopping all boats (both Venezuelan and Guyanese),

demanding gold and cash for fuel, ration and so on that are being transported for their operations.

“This Sindicato Gang is heavily armed and would fire at our boats if we do not stop. They also have boats and would drive up to us if we do not stop,” the miners complained.

They also noted that there is another group of members from the Sindicato Gang that has recently set us base at Butanamo about 20 miles further down the Cuyuni and have begun to do the same to persons traversing the river.

GDF Captain kills girlfriend, surrenders

wo teenagers and the mother of one of them were on Friday remanded to prison for the murder of a Corentyne, Berbice security guard.

Carlos Ballers, 19, of Williamsburg and Yuvraj Singh, 17, of Guava Bush, Albion Front appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh at the Albion Magistrate’s Court. The two were jointly charged. Also charged was Lalita Ballers of Section E Port Mourant. However, she was charged separately also for murder.

The three are accused

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Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Captain has been arrested following a shooting which resulted in the death of his girlfriend in Alexander Village, Georgetown.

Dead is Reona Payne.

According to reports received, at around 11:00h, the couple was in a car bearing registration number PWW 7163, proceeding along First

Street, Alexander Village.

Subsequently, residents of the area heard the now dead woman and the GDF Captain Orwain Sandy arguing, after which she was reportedly seen exiting the vehicle. Sandy then followed her carrying a loaded firearm and discharged several rounds at her killing her instantly.

Gunmen invade Cuyuni mining camp …kills miner, escapes with 100 ounces of gold

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Dominican Republic national was shot and killed on April 6 when a group of armed, masked bandits invaded a mining camp at Cuyuni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Dead is 55-year-old Pedro Pablo Rosario, a night supervisor at the camp located at Black Water Backdam, Cuyuni, River. The incident occurred at about 02:00h.

According reports, Rosario along with four other workers were on duty while the other workers were at the dredge, which was about 30 feet away, the gunmen pounced on them.

This newspaper understands that the owner of the camp reportedly told investigators that a total of 100 ounces of raw gold were on the mats to settle.

GuySuCo $30B bond interest rate pegged at 4.75 %

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uyana will have to repay approximately 4.75 per cent interest on the whopping $30 billion bond it secured recently to revitalise the operations of the three estates which fall under the management of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) or all of the assets and companies owned by the National Industrial Commercial and

Investment Limited (NICIL) could be lost.

A source close to the Finance Ministry’s Special Purposes Unit (SPU) told Guyana Times that while the interest rates secured would appear to be very favourable, the implications of failing to consistently repay the bond and related interest rates would be dire.

of killing Munisperen Iyasammy Monien of Lot 45 Clifton, Port Mourant, Corentyne during the course of a robbery on March 31.

Jailed: Mother to serve 98 years for killing children

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wenty-five-year-old Hofoswana Awena Rutherford, who was found guilty of killing her two children by poisoning them with carbon tablets, was sentenced by Justice Navindra Singh to 98 years’ imprisonment on two counts Reona Payne and Captain Orwain Sandy in happier times

Lalita Ballers, mother of murder accused Carlos Ballers

of manslaughter.

On the first count, killing of four-year-old Hodascia Codogan, Rutherford was sentenced to 45 years’ jail; while on the second count, killing of one-year-old Jabari Codogan, she was ordered to serve 53 years’ jail time.

The jury believed the State’s evidence that the mother had given each of her children half of a tablet of aluminium phosphide on March 27, 2014 at Supply Branch Road, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.

Region 5 driver given free housing, handpicked for promotion - PAC hears

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uestionable employment practises in Region Five and suspicious privileges and responsibilities being afforded to one of the region’s drivers were put under the microscope during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing.

Appearing before the PAC was Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ovid Morrison.

He was made to account for the deferential treatment of

his driver, who was provided with housing at the region’s expense despite not being entitled to such.

Questions were also raised about the “heavy duty driver” being promoted to transport officer. The position was not advertised, despite express instructions from the Ministry of the Presidency’s Public Service department that this be done.

Govt launches scathing attacks against Indigenous leaders

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he Government of Guyana accused the country’s independent National Toshaos Council (NTC) of disrespecting President David Granger as it launched a scathing attack on several vocal Indigenous representatives who were not towing the line but exposing serious malpractices of the current A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change Government.

In a scathing attack on the NTC and its Vice President, Lennox Shuman, the Indigenous People’s

Affairs Ministry accused the Council of being confrontational, demanding and disrespectful in their writings to President David Granger.

The Ministry said it has observed a trend of public posturing by NTC executives and Shuman in particular, stating that the NTC executive has so far not distanced itself from what they described as rather divisive, disingenuous and sometimes incoherent statements being made by these officials.

2 Government Ministers facing misconduct, corruption charges

Govt admits economic growth lowest in 5 years

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n the heels of a report

by Guyana Times, the Government has admitted that Guyana’s macro-economic outlook for 2017 turned out to be worse than projected, with a 2.1 growth rate being recorded.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan made this admission during a press conference at his Ministry.

Revealing that the 2017 end of year economic report has been completed, he linked the dismal figures to sectors including sugar.

“The economy did not perform as robust as we expected during last year,” the Minister admitted. “Even at the half year we were pre-

dicting that the economy would not, given what we knew about sugar. At the end of the day, it was even worse than we predicted. So even though there was positive growth last year, the growth rate ended up being 2.1 per cent.”

Previously, Jordan had said the economy was expected to grow by 2.9 per cent, failing to meet the revised growth projection of 3.1 per cent for 2017. The initial projected growth of the economy was 3.8 per cent. This was, however, revised by midyear to 3.1 per cent after the economy only grew by 2.2 per cent by July.

Drug shortage forces doctors, nurses to sit-in at Skeldon Hospital

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octors and nurses at Skeldon Hospital staged a sit-in and refused to see patients.

Their drastic action came as a result of shortages of drugs and lack of basic equipment

for them to carry out their duties. Since they had no tools to down, the staff at the Accident and Emergency Unit simply refused to see patients who turned up at the facility.

Bank of Guyana gold reserves plummet

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he Bank of Guyana’s latest Statement of Assets and Liabilities are out and it shows that the bank’s total assets are on a slide, with several indices ranging from the bank’s gold holdings to its market securities showing reductions when compared to previous years. The statement was only recently released.

According to the bank document, its total assets as of March 28, 2018, were

$206.4 billion. This includes $1.9 billion in gold reserves, $82.1 billion in capital market securities and $5.6 billion in money market securities.

This is a reduction from the gold reserves the bank recorded in June 2017.

According to the bank’s Half Year report last year, it had $4.8 billion worth of gold in its foreign holdings as assets.

Public Health Minister Volda Lawerence

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rivate criminal charges of financial misconduct and corruption were instituted against two senior Peoples National Congress officials and A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change Government Minister serving with President David Granger’s Cabinet.

The Ministers who are facing the private action are Public Health Minister Volda Lawerence and Social Cohesion Minister Dr George

Social Cohesion Minister Dr George Norton

Norton who also served as Guyana’s Health Minister after Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs), Bishop Juan Edghill and Vickram Bharrat filed a criminal case at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The matter which was heard before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan saw Former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall representing on behalf of People’s Progressive Party (PPP) ministers.

Criminal charges filed against 3 more Govt minsters

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he Opposition moved to the courts and filed charges against three ministers in the coalition Government in relation to the controversial D’Urban Park project.

These private criminal charges were filed against Finance Minister, Winston Jordan; Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson and Public Service Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine by former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, as the attorney and Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Juan Edghill as an applicant.

The charges against the ministers alleged breach of the Procurement Act, in re-

lation to the expenditure of $906 million in public funds to a private company, Homestretch Development Inc for the construction of the controversial D’Urban Park project which has been a contentious issue for some time now.

Jordan and Patterson have been jointly charged with misconduct and abuse of public trust for having allegedly authorised the payment, while Dr Roopnaraine, who was a director of the company, has been charged with alleged misconduct and the abuse of public trust for having received in his capacity as director the $906M in public funds while serving as minister.

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December, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

19 homeless after Georgetown, NICIL still retains dividends President, PM, ministers Berbice fires from state companies - source

…despite pre-election criticisms, forensic audit recommendations

boycott Cheddi Jagan centenary stamp launch

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t the launched of the commemorative stamp to mark the 100th birth anniversary of former President Dr Cheddi Jagan, there was a no show at the event that was organised to launch the item at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Some close relatives of former President Dr Cheddi Jagan and staff of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre were the only ones present for the launch of the commemorative stamp.

P u b l i c

Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes had announced that the GPOC would be issuing commemorative stamps to celebrate the former President’s 100th birth anniversary. However, on the day of Jagan’s birth anniversary, March 21, the Research Centre never received the stamps from the post office.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo also did not position that nor the PPP or Opposition invited to attend that event.

Captain killed, crew missing in another pirate attack

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wo separate fires at Cotton Tree on the Corentyne Coast and Hadfield Street, Georgetown left 19 homeless.

At Berbice, swift action by the fire department prevented two nearby houses from burning after the family of six were trapped in the burning building. Reports are that the family was asleep and at about 00:30h was awoken to a building filled with smoke. Initial efforts to exit the Lot 28 Cotton Tree building proved futile.

According to Jairam, after an alarm was raised, he tried to get everyone out of the burning two-bedroom,

two storied building but they were trapped. He said they were all barefooted and received burns as a result.

Meanwhile in Georgetown, Two houses were gutted while 13 were rendered homeless following a fire of unknown origin.

The fire started in an one storey wooden house, which is located at Lot 69 Hadfield Street. At that time, one of the occupants of the home – an elderly woman - was at home with her grandchildren. Neighbours said that smoke was seen emanating from the house and the occupants of the house managed to escape unharmed.

re-2015, the then Opposition had been heavily critical of the powers wielded by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

Specifically, there had been much criticism of NICIL retaining dividends from several state-owned entities.

However, now that the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) are in Government and with a forensic audit conducted by former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran, nothing

has changed about the operation of NICIL. According to a closely placed source, the APNU/ AFC Government continues to run NICIL the very same way. According to the source, the Government has taken one od Guyana’s largest entity and placed it into the realms of NICIL. Following Government’s decision to close the Enmore and Rose Hall Sugar Estates, as well as sell the Skeldon Sugar Factory, a Special Purpose Unit (SPU) operating out of NICIL has been leading the divestment process.

Amaila Falls back on the table – Trotman

…says Govt will meet requirements for US$80M

Judicial appointments

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ne week after sea bandits attacked a 20-crew member, mostly Guyanese, in four boats off the coast of Suriname, there was another attack in which a boat captain was killed and his crew members were missing.

The first attack came on the heels as Dutch authori-

ties continue the search for the missing fishermen. Of the 16 fishermen who were initially reported missing and two were accounted for. One of them managed to survive five days after the incident while being injured but only the body of the other fisherman was recovered.

Meanwhile on May 6, Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan was accompanied by Deputy Crime Chief, Michael Kingston and Deputy Commander ‘B’ Division, Wayne De Harte as he departed Guyana for Suriname to meet with their security counterparts after the recent spate of pirate attacks on Guyanese fishermen.

In addition, seven relatives of missing fishermen were provided with the necessary documentations to travel to Suriname to join in the search for their loved ones.

Govt rakes in $171.2B in taxes for 2017

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hile a number of indicators point to Guyana’s economic growth declining, one thing that isn’t declining is tax collection. The statistics show that for the year 2017, tax and non-tax collection rose to $194.7 Billion.

The 2017 end of year outcome report states that out of this, tax revenues accounted for $171.2 Billion.

At the heart of this increase

in tax revenues, which account for 87.9 per cent of total revenue, is the government raking in more taxes than ever.

For instance, there was a $1 Billion or 1.4 per cent rise in the collection of income tax; $600 Million or a 3.5 per cent hike in import duty collection and a $300 Billion or 0.4 per cent hike in Value Added Tax (VAT) and excise tax collection.

Human rights body calls for end to impasse

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n regards to comments made by President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo in about the appointments of a substantive Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice, it is a clear indication that the impasse has further deepened.

Head of the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), Mike McCormack shared his opinions that that both parties should put aside their differences. McCormack said he felt the longer it takes to appoint persons in these two top positions, it will continue to affect the quality of justice here.

The GHRA head said this same issue obtained for the appointment of the chairman for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

“These are major appointments as is the chairperson

for the Elections Commission but the process by which they are being selected is secretive,” he noted.

McCormack told the Guyana Times that no one has a clue about the process by which President Granger used to select Justice Kenneth Benjamin for Chancellor and Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards for the positions, nor is anyone aware why they are unacceptable to the Leader of the Opposition.

Enterprise house goes up in flames, police hunt arsonist

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hree men were on the run after they reportedly barged into an Enterprise, East Coast Demerara house and set it alight.

The two storey wooden and concrete house owned by 30-year-old, Vickram Sookraj was set alight at about 12:30h.

It was reported that two of the men exited a silver car which they arrived in, entered the yard and asked for the whereabouts of a "pump-

kin".

Rajputtie Sookraj, the sister of the owner who was at home alone at the time with a minor child said that the men approached her and asked for the individual for whom they were looking.

However she told this publication that she responded by telling the men that no one by that name lives at that house.

They exited and shortly after smoke was seen emanating from the building.

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hile Minister of State Joseph Harmon had said Government shelved the idea of continuing the Amaila Falls Hydro Power (AFHP) project, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman affirmed that the project is actually a renewable energy option for the Government.

Trotman was at the time fielding questions before the Natural Resources

Committee of the National Assembly. Asked about the conflicting statements on hydro, he denied that the project was off the table.

But while he noted the project, which was a brainchild of former President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, has potential, the minister observed that funding is an issue.

In addition, Government is still interested in using the natural gas that goes hand in hand with oil production.

IUF urges Govt to look into plight of ex-sugar workers

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he International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Association (IUF), an international trade union confederation, through its General Secretary Sue Longley, expressed strong concerns over the reducing of the sugar via a letter issued to President David Granger.

The IUF has strongly urged the President that his Government to “…actively look at the plight that have befallen the thousands of workers of the sugar industry who have lost their livelihood…” The trade union body said the situation “…if left unchecked, would not be in the interest of your beautiful country and hospitable people.”

In its letter to President

Granger, the IUF, which speaks on behalf of 10 million workers through its 422 affiliated unions in 131 countries, said it is aware that the sugar industry “… has made substantial contributions to your country’s national life and development…Its role as a national institution cannot be diminished especially recognising the absence of alternatives at this time.”

Moreover, the IUF said it is aware that the coalition Government, despite being advised to, did not pursue any considered study to get a better grasp of the eventualities that will flow from its reform plans.

As such, the international body told the President in their missive that it was not the wisest of positions.

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Berbice man stabs wife, PPP questions mysterious daughter to death ...commits suicide in abandoned deaths of 4 GGMC workers house …claims deaths may be linked to mercury poisoning

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he parliamentary Opposition has raised questions over the recent deaths of four Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) staffers; a matter that has seemingly been shrouded in an information blackout.

In a statement issued, the party expressed condolences to the relatives of the deceased staffers, whose names were given as Dwayne De Jonge (ranger), Latchman Chiti (surveyor), Leroy Green (carpenter) and Clement Profit (lab technician).

According to the PPP Party, all four men were documented to have been affected by mercury poisoning and precautionary measures such as testing and treatment for all staff must be operationalized by

the GGMC and the Public Health Ministry.

Calls by this publication to Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman and his junior Minister Simona Broomes went unanswered. When contacted, a top-level official within the Ministry was also at a loss to provide information about the men. He could only confirm that the men were employed at the GGMC and indeed died but did not have any more information.

When contacted, President of the Guyana Civil Servants and General Workers Union (GCS & GWU) Gregory Gaspar declined to comment on the issue. Sources have informed this publication, however, that the men died in close proximation

n East Bank Berbice man was found hanging from a rafter under an abandoned house at Glasgow Village, moments after he killed his wife and daughter.

The double murder was witnessed by the couple’s 11-year-old son.

Dead are Dindamattie Behari, 37, a housewife; her daughter Surujdai Khan, 20; and their killer, Jainarine Seetaram, 41, also called “Radoo” all of Lot 1078 Glasgow, New Housing Scheme, Greater New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Behari’s body was found in a hammock, while her daughter died on her way to the New Amsterdam Hospital. A short distance

away, Seetaram was found hanging at an abandoned house.

According to the Police, the couple’s 11-year-old son related that about two weeks ago, his father accused his mother of having of an extra-marital affair and they had a misunderstanding over it.

He stated that his father was armed with a wooden handle hammer, then dealt his mother a lash to her head with the said weapon.

Divisional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Lyndon Alves told the media that the Police were informed of the incident but by the time they reached the scene, the suspect had already fled.

DDL Chairman calls for more attention to manufacturing sector Govt announces plans to …says local exporters must build 2 more roundabouts lift standards …Kitty round about open W

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ublic Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, officially opened the Kitty roundabout, and plans were announced to construct two more of the structures, which will help to ease traffic congestion and wastage of time.

The Minister also announced that he expected a waterfront project to be completed by 2019, which will accompany the Kitty roundabout as a tourist destination in the country.

According to Patterson, the two planned structures are scheduled to be erected at the Timehri junction, East Bank Demerara and at the corner of Mandela Avenue and Sheriff Street,

Georgetown, under the Sheriff Street road expansion project.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson; Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes; Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Annette Ferguson; Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Deputy Mayor Akeem Peters cut the ribbon to officially open the Kitty roundabout.

While the Minister did not elaborate on the details of the planned Mandela Avenue and Sheriff Street roundabout, he reported that works for the Timehri roundabout have begun by Gaico construction for the sum of $74 million.

ith Guyana’s Balance of Payment position showing a US$69.5 million deficit last year, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Chairman Komal Samaroo made a charge for more emphasis to be placed on developing the manufacturing and export sector.

Samaroo was at the time addressing persons gathered for the launch of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s business magazine. The business executive warned that, with the global market as competitive as it is, more needs to be done to lift local standards.

He noted that to do this, high levels of technical competence and discipline are needed; but, he said, there are challenges even with these lofty goals. Here he was referring to the bureaucracy some manufacturers must deal with when transacting their business.

Samaroo pointed to statistics that a quarter of the US economy is made up of manufacturing physical goods. This, he said, coupled with distribution and sales to retail outlets, means the superpower economy is built largely around manufacturing.

Guyana will fall behind if youths not involved in ICT – IDB …as Govt promises full digitalisation by 2020

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overnment has committed to offering 200 services online to citizens as part of its ICT manifesto promises, while the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is urging more inclusionary policies for youth to advance the sector.

At an IDB-sponsored training summit at the Marriott Hotel on Friday, IDB Regional Head Therese Turner-Jones, in addressing the participants, urged Government to avail itself of youth innovators.

It has been pointed out that youths have led the data revolution in other countries, and those countries have gone on to achieve some form of eco-

nomic prosperity. As such, transforming the sector can be expedited by more involvement of youths.

IDB Country Representative Sophie Makonnen stressed the need for countries to keep up to date with advancing technologies. With new technology, Makonnen noted, there are new ways to solve old problems, such as with health care.

A presentation was made by Dr Nicholas Haan, the Track Chair and Vice President of Impact at Singularity University (SU) in which he said there have been major technological transformations which have created opportunities for agencies to rethink the way they serve people.

Private criminal charges

Jordan files $200M ‘malicious prosecution’ lawsuit against Edghill

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inance Minister Winston Jordan has filed a $200 million lawsuit against Opposition Parliamentarian Juan Edghill, whose private criminal charges against several Government ministers, including Jordan, have since been dismissed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

In the court document seen by Guyana Times, Jordan is claiming damages in the sum of $200,000,000; for the “Malicious Prosecution of the Offence of Misconduct in Public Office” and other damages.

Edghill initiated private criminal charges against Minister Jordan and Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson jointly as well as against Public Service Minister Dr Rupert

Roopnaraine. The charges against the Ministers allege a breach of the Procurement Act in relation to the expenditure of $906 million in public funds to a private company, Homestretch Development Inc, for the construction of the controversial D’Urban Park Project, which has been a contentious issue for some time now.

Jordan and Patterson were jointly charged with misconduct and abuse of public trust for having allegedly authorized the payment, while Dr Roopnaraine, who was a director of the company, was charged with alleged misconduct and the abuse of public trust for having received, in his capacity as director, the $906 million in public funds while serving as minister.

Westfield Prep student tops NGSA with perfect score DDL Chairman Komal Samaroo

On the one hand, the Current Account shows a deficit of US$287.4 million for the year 2017. But in the previous fiscal year, the report notes, this was just US$12.4 million. The report admits that this is because of a negative balance on the merchandise trade account.

When Finance Minister Winston Jordan presented the 2018 budget last year, he had announced that merchandise imports were estimated to grow by 9.6 per cent. This had been attributed to increased imports of mining machinery, chemicals, fuel and lubricants. According to the report, imports exceeded the Government’s projections.

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leven-year-old Nalia Rahaman of Westfield Prep has been announced the top student at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations, having secured a perfect score of 529.

Education Minister Nicolette Henry made the announcement at the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD) on Thursday.

The elated student explained that she was very happy to have been informed that she had secured the top spot this year. Rahaman had sat the examination at a tender age of ten with the aspiration of becoming an author.

Meanwhile, the second top performer, Arthur Roberts from the New Guyana School, who secured

525 marks, indicated that he was all along aiming for a place at Queen’s College, and he is now working towards his lifelong goal of being a paediatrician.

Cianna Barkoye of North Ruimveldt Primary, who secured 523 marks, noted that she was expecting to excel because of her endless studying.

The top Success Elementary School performer, Zyia Braithwaite, who gained 523 marks, explained that she is satisfied with her performance as she can relax and take a break from studying.

Krystal Duncan of the New Guyana School, who acquired 523 marks, recalled the long nights which accompanied hours of studying to learn everything that she needed to know.

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December, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Avenue ‘A’ & ‘B’ Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara was reportedly stabbed several times including once to his abdomen.

Based on reports received, the 15-year-old former Diamond Secondary

School student and his friends left their respective homes on Sunday with the intention of “taking a lime” at the Soesdyke/Linden Highway Junction but instead went to the wedding, which was close by.

Leguan stelling on verge collapse – residents Berbice River …also blasts T&HD for unreliable Bridge facing Ferry Service bankruptcy

…company applies for toll hike, losses $2.8B …Govt says no to increase

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proval of the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) that was created to replace the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said it will only put pressure on the treasury, and if the PPP returns to office, it would be automatically scrapped.

Jagdeo described the draft strategy which he has had a look at, as one that is a basic ‘cut and paste’ of

best practices from around the world, which essentially lacks the ability to attract funding for Guyana.

NTC blasts Govt for ‘broken’ promises

- Granger, Nagamootoo claim ignorance of breaking faith

The loose decking on the stelling

esidents on the Island of Leguan in the Essequibo River are calling on the Government to urgently fix the Ferry Stelling since it is on the verge of collapse, warning that if emergency works are not executed immediately then there is the potential for loss of lives since the stelling’s collapse is imminent. The timber planks supporting the stelling are rotten and this has caused fear for residents since heavy vehicles traverse the stelling. In addition, the decking is loose and uneven with rails hanging on to literally nothing on certain sections on the ramp.

Govt pussyfooting around on teachers’ salary increase – GTU The Guyana Teachers’

Union (GTU) is running tired of the continuous delays and excuses being made by Government with regards to the proposal for an increase in teachers’ salaries and other benefits.

While Education Minister Nicolette Henry has said that the matter is now at the hands of Cabinet and that recommendations were made and these were submitted for initial evaluation, the GTU said it is fed up. President of GTU Mark Lyte said that the Union has learnt unofficially that the work of the HighLevel Task Force of Public Education has been dealt with by Cabinet. However, he said the union is yet to hear a word from the Government on their decision.

PPP 2020 presidential candidate

Any frontrunner could be maliciously charged – Jagdeo

…selection process to be fair, determined by party CC

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agdeo accuses Govt of plotting against potential PPP presidential candidates Any candidate who considers himself or herself a front runner for the post of presidential candidate for the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) at the upcoming 2020 elections could find themselves facing malicious, trumped up, or spurious charges for dubi-

ous offenses following directions handed down by the ruling APNU/AFC Coalition Government.

This is the view expressed by Opposition Leader and PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo as he responded to questions raised by the media in regard to the likelihood of the next PPP Presidential candidate being singled out for charges.

From left: Civil Engineer Bert Carter; BBCI Vice Chairman Paul Chung; Chairman, Dr Surendra Persaud; PR Consultant Kit Nascimento and the Bridge’s Finance Comptroller, Steven Ramchan

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ore than a decade after a Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement allowed the construction the Berbice Bridge; the bridge company is now facing bankruptcy following the Government's decision to drop the toll and subsequent refusal to allow for an increased as per the initial agreement when the company was formed According to Board Chairman Dr Surendra Persaud, they have had several engagements with Minister of Public Infrastructure David

Patterson. He noted that following a previous engagement, Patterson had informed them that a maintenance proposal would be taken to cabinet.

According to the Chairman, they were subsequently informed that it was not approved. In fact, the company applied for a toll adjustment on three occasions; twice in 2015 and once in 2016, to no avail. They have since made another such application, dated July 9. In that application, the company had requested that the toll increases take effect

by August 1.

119 deaths recorded for past year

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he Parliamentary Opposition has raised concerns over what they described as the high number of deaths of newborn infants at the Georgetown Public Hospital over the past year.

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Vindhya Persaud who was allowed oral questions in Parliament on Thursday, requested Health Minister Volda Lawrence to provide statistics in relation to these deaths.

teenager was in the wee hours of Monday found dead in the vicinity of a wedding house at

Soesdyke on the East Bank Demerara with stab wounds to his body. Ricardo Singh also called “Cardo” of Lot 63

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NTC Chairman Joel Fredericks

he National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) conference of 2018 opened on Monday with incumbent Chairman Joel Fredericks blasting Government for a number of unfulfilled promises.

According to Fredericks, the indigenous peoples of Guyana were promised a number of things; such as the revision of the Amerindian Act of 2006; Constitutional

reform and land to build a Secretariat for the NTC. The Chairman added that for three years the NTC listened carefully to every indigenous people’s policy Government announced.

However, Fredericks noted that in those three years, the trust has been eroded by the Government’s failure to effectively act on these promises.

5 bandits killed during shootout with Police

…high powered weapons recovered

Lawrence confirmed the MP’s suspicion when she revealed that there have been 119 deaths of newborn infants at the Georgetown Public Hospital during the period June 2017 and June 2018. According to the Minister, from a total of 1155 admissions of neonatal over the period some 10.3 percent of those admissions resulted in deaths, which she also claimed is far too many.

Teen stabbed to Green State Strategy death at Soesdyke will put pressure on … CPG member, friend in custody the treasury – Jagdeo

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DHB feasibility n reiterating his disap-

...Says PPP will scrap policy if party returns to Gov’t in 2020

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ive armed bandits, who were allegedly attempting to rob a house at Pattersen, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown were shot dead during a gun battle with the Police.

The dead men have been identified as 38-year-old Timothy St Hill of Warlock,

East Ruimveldt, Georgetown and also Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara; Andrew Daly, 40, of Westminster, West Bank Demerara; Levi Braithwaite, 31, of North Ruimveldt and also of Albouystown, Georgetown; Ian Forde and Jermaine Doobay.

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Judicial appointments

CCJ President urges President, Opposition Leader to resolve deadlock

…says non-appointments a “serious concern”

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ustice Adrian Saunders, President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), is calling on Guyana’s political leaders to urgently resolve their issues and appoint a substantive Chancellor of the Judiciary and a Chief Justice for Guyana’s courts. He has said this current impasse has implications for the proper running of the Guyana courts.

Following a session of interaction with the private sector at the Pegasus Hotel on August 2, Justice Saunders told reporters that the delay in making these substantive appointments of key judicial

personnel is a matter of “serious concern”.

“Guyana has not had a Chancellor for 13 years, since Chancellor [Desiree] Bernard demitted office to become a Judge of the CCJ. Since then, there have been persons acting in that position… We are outsiders to Guyana’s political system, but we are entitled to express views we have that directly concern the administration of justice. But ultimately, it’s a matter for the Guyana political directorate, and I just wish that steps be taken to resolve those issues,” the newly appointed CCJ President asserted.

Abusive relationship ends in murder, suicide …husband slits wife’s throat, commits suicide …Police left victim alone with husband

- says “troubling questions” raised in report Police probing Public Infrastructure

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ven as Government continues to review the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report into the Lindo Creek Massacre, Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces, Brigadier David Granger, on Wednesday said that those officers who are implicated in the Lindo Creek Massacre will face the consequences of their actions.

“The report’s recommen-

dations will be acted upon in due course. The days of concealing security sector mistakes and misdeeds are over. The Force’s officers will be held accountable for the consequences of their actions, and for the instructions they issue to their subordinates,” the President said in his remarks at the swearing-in of the new Police Service Commission.

3 killed, 1 critical after drunken driver crashes into parked lorry

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n the wee hours of August 12, a car in which four friends were travelling crashed into a parked lorry at La Grange, West Bank Demerara, killing three of the occupants and leaving the fourth in a critical state.

The dead men were identified as 33- year-old Leroy Levans Jr of Nismes, WBD -- a father of one, who had been preparing to go on vacation in the United States

later this month; 25-yearold Devindra Hardyal, also called “Slice”, and 20-yearold Reshi Pasha, both of La Grange, WBD. The fourth occupant of the car, 22-year-old David Bourne of Goed Fortuin, WBD, was admitted a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), after initially being treated at the West Demerara Regional Hospital for the injuries he sustained.

Natural gas eruption

Capped well at Diamond erupts

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Corentyne, Berbice man turned a knife on himself after killing his wife of 15 years on August 6. Dead are Subrina Lakhan, 29, a housewife, and her husband, Ramesh Ramdeen, 42, a labourer, at Rose Hall Estate.

The couple lived at Lot 101 Chesney New Housing Scheme, Corentyne, and had three children ages six, eight and 13 during the 15-year relationship, which was marred by physical and verbal abuse.

This newspaper was told that the couple on August 6, appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh at the Albion Magistrate’s Court.

Following the court appearance, the mother of three went to the Police Station and requested that an officer accompany her home, saying

A that she was scared for her life and had decided to go live with her mother. Reports are that the woman asked for the officer to be there while she packed her belongings. This publication was told that a female officer accompanied the woman, but left while she was packing.

breach in the pipeline that was used to cap the gas pocket that exploded back in June in Diamond, East Bank Demerara, has caused a blockage which in turn saw several mini gas eruptions at the Diamond, East Bank Demerara, residence.

The eruptions occurred sometime around 01:00h on Wednesday at the same Sixth Avenue, Great Diamond home where contractors had hit a natural gas pocket causing an immediate explosion two

months ago.

The exposed area was initially capped and the gas was being released into the atmosphere through a pipeline. However, that pipeline became compromised with a sand blockage; and as a result of this blockage, the gas was unable to escape and the built up pressure resulted in the gas being released through other compromised openings. There were at least two mini-gas eruptions while various spots in the yard could be seen bubbling.

Ministry’s procurement breaches – SOCU

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he Parliamentary Opposition People’s Progressive Party has written to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), asking that the procurement breaches in relation to the award of consultancy contract to Dutch company, LievenseCSO, for the feasibility study and design of the new Demerara River Bridge be investigated; and SOCU has responded, informing that the issue is engaging the attention of the Guyana Police Force.

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira wrote to SOCU head Sydney James on August 15, requesting that

the procurement breaches be investigated “with a view to instituting criminal charges against the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Minister David Patterson.”

In a response dated August 16, James acknowledged receiving the correspondence, and said, “The matter is now engaging the attention of the Guyana Police Force.”

Additionally, he informed that Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine, and Police Legal Advisor, Retired Justice of Appeal Claudette Singh, have been informed of the request for an investigation.

PNCR elects Volda Lawrence as first female chairperson - Annette Ferguson – Vice Chair - Dr George Norton 2nd Vice Chiar

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oud cheers erupted in the wee hours of August 20 at Congress Place, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, as longstanding party member Volda Lawrence was officially declared Chairperson of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR), creating history in the party as the

first woman to hold the post.

At about 01:00h on Monday, the votes were tabulated and Lawrence emerged victorious in front of former Chairman, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams; and bypassing fellow contender, Minister of State Joseph Harmon.

Lawrence, who is the Public Health Minister, secured 346 votes; while Harmon got 287, and Williams secured 183 votes.

Mother stabs 3-yearold son to death

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fter years of mistreating and neglecting her children, a 26-yearold mother of two has fatally stabbed her three-year-old son because she reportedly had a dream that she would die on August 25.

The infant Ramdeo Ferreira of Lot 585-Fifteenth Street, Foulis, East Coast Demerara is now dead following an ordeal that, according to the Police report, began at about 09:45h on said day, when this mother began pursuing her hapless infant in the yard with a knife in her hand.

A few minutes lat-

er, ranks at the Enmore Police Outpost received a report that the child had been stabbed by his mother; and when they arrived on the scene, they found the child lying unconscious in a pool of blood with suspected stab wounds to his neck and back.

Police rushed the threeyear-old to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), but he died at about noon (12:00h) while receiving medical treatment. He was stabbed to the heart, a post mortem examination later conducted, revealed.

Queen’s College, Anna Regina Traditional sectors Secondary dominate CSEC ExxonMobil discovers 9th …over 600 students receive suffer decline oil find offshore Guyana Mid-Year Report 2018

…although economy grew by 4.5 %

zero passes

espite the economy growing by 4.5 per cent in the first half of 2018, the traditional sectors, such as sugar and rice, have seen decline in their performances, with contractions of 30.6 and 3.8 per cent respectively.

This was revealed in the Finance Ministry’s MidYear Report 2018, which was laid in Parliament on August 8, and which focuses on the state of the economy

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and performances of various sectors.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan admitted that the gold sector also suffered a decline of 9.1 per cent. This is equivalent to a decrease of 288,114 ounces in gold declaration. The report also revealed that this represented a 19.4 percent shortfall (below the original projection set by Government).

Lindo Creek CoI Report

Officers will be held accountable – President

ixteen-year-old Christian Pile of Queen’s College has been named Guyana’s top performer at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Council (CSEC) examinations for securing a remarkable 19 grade ones at the examination sat earlier this year.

In an interview with Guyana Times on Friday, Pile indicated that he was surprised at the results, but said he was somewhat certain that

he would have excelled. Plans for the aspiring orthodontist include attending sixth form.

Among the top performers are Shakira Bholo of Anna Regina Multilateral; Salma Majeed of ISA Islamic Academy; Areeb Ali of Queen’s College; Cemecia de la Cruz of Anna Regina Multilateral; and Haema Dasrath, Aarti Hooblall, Reseda Hack, Leshanna Binda and Yashoda Samaroo of Queen’s College.

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S oil giant ExxonMobil made its ninth discovery offshore Guyana, marking its fifth discovery on the Stabroek Block in the past year and proving a new play concept for potential development.

The discovery was made

at the Hammerhead-1 well, where approximately 197 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoir were encountered. The well was safely drilled to 13,862 feet depth in 3,373 feet of water. The Stena Carron drillship began drilling on July 27, 2018.

President of ExxonMobil Exploration Company, Steve Greenlee, said the Hammerhead-1 discovery reinforces the potential of the Guyana Basin, where ExxonMobil is already maximizing value for all stakeholders.

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Over 4000 teachers on AG loses case against country-wide strike

former SWAT head

…as court quashes David Ramnarine’s decision

Former SWAT Commander, Deputy Superintendent Mootie Dookie

The decision made by the former acting Police Commissioner, David Ramnarine, to send Commander of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, Deputy Superintendent Mootie Dookie on ‘special leave in the public interest’, after he was allegedly found smuggling alcohol, was quashed

by Justice Fidella CorbinLincoln.

Dookie had filed a challenge on June 15, 2018, against the decision made on May 21, 2018, on the grounds that the said decision was “unconstitutional, capricious, whimsical (and) irrational, based upon irrelevant and extraneous considerations, contrary to the rules of natural justice, unreasonable unlawful, null, void and of no effect.”

Dookie was represented

by Attorneys Anil Nandlall, Manoj Narayan, Rajendra Jaigobin and Anuradha Deodasingh in the case against Ramnarine, who was represented by the Attorney General Basil Williams.

After reviewing the written legal submissions, Justice Corbin-Lincoln handed down the ruling.

As part of the decision, Ramnarine and his attorney were also ordered to pay to the Applicant $100,000.

Coast guard medevac unresponsive 5-year-old from ferry

Hospital (GPHC), after quick action from the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Coast Guard expedited his access to medical attention.

According to the GDF, fiveyear-old Marian Santiago was travelling to Mabaruma from Georgetown aboard the MV Lady Northcote, when he reportedly complained The child lying in his mother’s arms as he was being taken to the hospital of feeling unwell at about midday on the five-year-old lad day in question. As his conwas been trans- dition began to deteriorate, ferred and admitted his parents sought help from to the Georgetown Public the Northcote crew.

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1000 nurses needed in Guyana – Minister Lawrence

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he issue of migrating professionals, including those in the health field, is one Government is actively grappling with, and the plan is to increase student intake even as there is a need for approximately 1000 nurses in Guyana.

This was communicated

by Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence on the side-lines of the launch of a Medex programme.

According to Lawrence, the issue has reached the level of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“Migration is not only a Guyana issue. We have signed on to CSME (Caribbean Single Market Economy), and that gives the right to any person, any Caribbean person, to be able to move from one country

to the next to be able to ply their trade or earn in their profession. So it’s no different from Guyana,” she explained.

“We will continue to see migration, not just in midwifery, not just in nursing; but this has been a complaint right up to WHO about the developed countries, where the developed countries are coming up into our territory and employing persons,” she declared.

Guyana has been named one of two countries showing the strongest emigration movements, with 9.65 per 1000 persons emigrating in 2013. It was cited in a previous study that at least 40 per cent of the people in Guyana would migrate permanently if they get the opportunity.

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An empty classroom in Berbice

housands of students decked out in their new uniforms, bags and shoes were on the first day of the school term greeted with the absence of teachers, and in some cases closed school doors and padlocked gates, as they made their way to school for the beginning of the new school year.

This was the scene at many public schools, even as

the Education Ministry continues to face the full wrath of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), whose members gathered in their hundreds outside the Education Ministry’s Brickdam, Georgetown office as they continued to call for a ‘livable income’.

The scene was no different across the country in other regions.

Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan confirmed reports that young Tappin was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital by his mother after she observed he was vomiting on Wednesday.

Reports stated that the child would usually be left in the care of his nine-yearold brother on numerous occasions. Guyana Times was told that the nine-year-old boy sometimes misses school to care for his brother.

Ecstasy being sold to students at 5 secondary schools

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he Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) has announced a “worrying” trend whereby date-rape drug ‘Ecstasy’ is being sold to students in at least five schools across Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

The anti-drug enforcement agency is working with education officials to address the illegal practice.

The date-rape drug is making its way into schools after being already popular among many affluent members of society, according to CANU Deputy Head, Lesley Ramlall.

T&T promises to relook at Policeman nabbed attempting to throw ban on honey transshipment contrabands into Lusignan Prison

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rank of the Guyana Police Force was caught attempting to throw a bag containing contraband items into the Holding Bay of the Lusignan Prison.

According to Director of Prisons (ag), Gladwin Samuels, the plastic bag, when examined, was found

to contain one cellular phone, one cellular phone charger, and seven packs of cigarettes.

The cop was detained before subsequently being handed over to an Inspector of Police who came on duty.

He was then escorted to a Police Station for further investigation.

PPP takes Govt to court over added Local Authority Areas

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ollowing complaints that the Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan is involved in the gerrymandering of Local Authority Areas (LLA) in Opposition strongholds, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) filed a legal challenge in the High Court to halt the Minister’s move even as Bulkan maintained that everything he did was above board. Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall filed the Fixed Date Application (FDA) on behalf of People’s Progressive Party Guyana Elections Commissioner (GECOM) Commissioner, Bibi Shadick.

The Applicant filed judicial review proceedings in the High Court against decisions of named respondents, Communities Minister Bulkan and Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield. Nandlall told reporters on Monday that the PPP’s action is not geared at delaying the entire Local Government Elections set for November 12 but rather; elections in the contested

Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) could be rescheduled until the outcome of the court case.

In the writ seen

by Guyana Times, the Applicant is seeking a several orders which seek to bring the Communities Minister’s alterations into the conformity with Local Democratic Organs Act, Chapter 28:09.

In so doing, the Applicant is petitioning the court to have Bulkan’s orders declared null and void.

The Applicant made an application for an Order or Writ of Certiorari to quash Bulkan’s order of holding elections of seven NDCs without first issuing an Order under the Local Democratic Organs Act, to identify the NDCs by name, boundaries, and number of members. These NDCs are Moruka/Phoenix Park; Kitty/Providence; Nile/Cozier; Lamaha/ Yarrowkabra; Hauraruni/ Yarrowkabra; Plegt Anker/ Kortberaad; and Wyburg/ Caracas.

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rinidad and Tobago’s (T&T) Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley has committed that his country is looking into the 80-yearold law which restricts Guyana from transshipping honey exports through the twin-island nation.

The 1935 T&T law prohibits the transportation of honey within one mile of the country. In fact, back in 2015, Laparkan was fined US$3000 by Trinidad and Tobago’s customs for facilitating the shipment of honey.

The authorities had also seized the quantity of hon-

Tombs broken into, skeletal remains scattered in cemetery

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our tombs in the La Belle Alliance Cemetery on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two have been broken into, and their contents were dumped in the cemetery.

This gruesome discovery was made by a cattle farmer who was at the time grazing his animals.

Guyana Times visited the scene and observed that the

mise after he eat carbon tablets (rat poison). The dead child was identified as Andre Keron Tappin of Lot 18 La Grange Public Road, WBD.

tombs had been breached in several places. The skeletal remains of at least one woman had been taken out from her casket and was placed on the ground a short distance away. The skull and certain other bones were missing from those remains. The corpse was identified as that of Sara Garraway of Danielstown, Essequibo Coast.

The three other tombs that were broken into still had their caskets intact, but it was not clear if bones were missing from them.

The headstone of the second tomb read “Campton Britton of Danielstown”, while only the word “Persaud” was visible on the third tomb. The fourth tomb was unmarked.

Thieves break into Finance Ministry

Child dies after accidently P eating rat poison S hockwaves were rippling through the West Bank Demerara (WBD) village of La Grange, following the death of a oneyear-old, who met his de-

ey which was in-transit there. Apart from Guyana, Grenada also faces similar troubles with twin-island laws.

However, Dr Rowley, in responding to questions following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Energy Sector Cooperation between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, told media operatives that while he was not aware that Guyana was also affected by the restriction, he assured that steps are being taken to address the matter.

olice in A Division (Georgetown) were investigating a breakin at the Finance Ministry during which several documents and hard drives, among other items, were stolen.

Guyana Times was told that the burglary is believed to have taken place sometime on Friday evening into the wee hours of Saturday morning.

It was reported that the discovery was made later Saturday morning when employees showed up for work.

Upon realising that the documents and data-saving devices were missing, authorities at the Ministry were informed and the Police was called in.

This newspaper understands that investigators had visited the scene and took fingerprint samples.

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Pensioner shot, robbed

GuySuCo misappropriated A bond -NICIL/SPU -says misuse of funds has caused worry for lenders

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he National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) is expressing concern over the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) use of money from the syndicated bond it raised for unauthorized purposes.

Days after reports that Republic Bank halted GuySuCo’s bond financing over misuse of funds, the very entity that raised the funds has joined in expressing concern. In a statement,

NICIL’s Special Purpose Unit head Colvin Heath London made it clear that GuySuCo appropriated the funds for unauthorized expenses.

In fact, London said that Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder and GuySuCo have appeared disinclined in using the monies for capitalizing GuySuCo. According to London, this has caused lenders to express alarm for the way things are unfolding with the bond.

Closure of Skeldon sugar estate takes toll on Corriverton businesses

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he closure of the Skeldon Sugar Estate has taken a toll on the business community in the bordering town of Corriverton, Berbice, Region six. Nine months after the estate was closed, businesses are recording very low sales and many of them are operating at a lost.

Following the closure of four sugar factories last year, and the displacing of almost 5000 workers sever-

al communities recognised a slowdown in commercial activity.

Last year 1851 workers were sacked from the Skeldon Sugar Estate, 1181 from the Rose Hall Estate, 1480 from the East Demerara Sugar Estate and 251 from the Wales Sugar Estate.

The impact on Corriverton as a result of the Skeldon closure is being referred to as great.

PPP files legal action on fraudulent LGE list

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he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) through one of its constituency candidates in Berbice has filed legal proceedings against the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and another individual to have the names fraudulently affixed to the backer’s lists for Local Government Elections (LGE) in the Ancient County removed.

The court document seen by this newspaper names Shafraz Beekham as the applicant, along with the Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and Orlando Christopher Persaud as the

respondents. The document outlines that the challenge is seeking to have the names of 49 other electors appearing on list of backers in support of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Constituency candidates removed.

It noted that the submission was made to Persaud on September 21, 2018 in Whim Bloomfield, Berbice Local Authority Area (LAA), for the LGE 2018. The PPP is challenging on the grounds that the said decision is unlawful, illegal, and unreasonable and is in violation of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act.

Pirates attack 8 Guyanese fishermen in Waini River

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ishermen plying their trade close to the Guyana Venezuela borders pounced upon by a group of armed Spanishspeaking men, in an area referred to as Crabdog, Waini River, Region One. The gunmen demanded that the crew hand over their boat and valuables, forcing the men to plunge into the murky waters of the Waini River.

Information reaching this publication indicated

that the incident occurred at about 15:00h on Thursday.

The boat was captained by 40-year old Julian Marks, of Dartmouth Village, Essequibo Coast and had seven crew men.

Police investigations revealed that as the men were about to throw their nets they were attacked by Spanish-speaking men, who arrived in a wooden balahoo powered by a 75hp outboard engine.

70-year-old woman is now nursing a gunshot wound on her arm after she was shot during a robbery by motorbike bandits.

The robbery occurred at about 13:15h on Laluni Street, Queenstown, Georgetown.

According to reports, earlier in the day the victim and her husband went to a city bank where she withdrew a sum of cash. She was traced and robbed.

The injured woman was rushed to a Georgetown medical facility, where she is was admitted a patient.

Son shot, father beaten as bandits invade Corentyne business

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The injured father and son duo in the hospital

father and son are now hospitalised after three armed bandits attacked their Corentyne, Berbice, business, terrorising them.

The incident occurred at about 18:00h at the Lot 6 Cromarty Farm, property where the family operates a grocery shop that is attached to their house.

Injured are 52-yearold Dhirah Kumar and his 22-year-old son, Balram,

who was shot to his jaw.

Guyana Times understands that three men – one masked, one carrying a gun and the other a cutlass – entered the grocery store, which Kumar and his son operates.

According to the businessman’s wife, 48-year-old wife, Asha Kumar, at the time she was preparing dinner for the family when she heard her husband screaming.

Teachers' wage impasse ends

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fter more than one month since a nationwide teachers’ strike was called off, the government has finally agreed to increase the salaries of teachers by 12 percent for 2016 and eight percent for 2018. This was disclosed on Friday at the Education Ministry’s 26 Brickdam, Georgetown Office following a six-hour long discussion between Education Minister, Nicholette Henry and the Executives of the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU).

The minister revealed, “What we have proposed essentially is in so far as 2016 in concerned, we finalized at 12 and eight percent respectively and for 2018 we’re at eight percent and the debunching figure (is) the one that we shared earlier the $315,000,000”.

Although fewer smiles were seen on the faces of the executives, the President of the GTU, Mark Lyte told Guyana Times that the Union is satisfied with the amount being given to teachers.

Mother of two killed by mentally unstable boyfriend

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mother of two was stabbed several times by her mentally unstable boyfriend and left to die in a muddy drain at Crane Street Queenstown, Corriverton, Berbice.

The dead woman identified as Iransa Frank, 38, was a waitress of Crimson Light Bar located on the Corentyne and formerly of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The woman was heading home from work when she was seen running up the street with the suspect in hot pursuit. He eventual-

Dead, Iransa Frank

ly caught up with the woman. The woman was trying to fight him off but her throat was reportedly slit in the process. The woman fell into a nearby. She was further stabbed four times to her neck.

Fire guts Sophia home, 12 homeless

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fire of unknown origin on Sunday afternoon gutted a “B” Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown house leaving at least 12 persons homeless.

The fire reportedly started just after midday in the lower flat of the building and quickly spread to the entire building this leaving the occupants anytime to save any household items. The fire

was first detected by an occupant of the house who immediately raised an alarm.

By doing so, the other occupants of the house ran to safety and the fire fighters were summoned. However, by the time the fire tenders arrived, the house was almost gutted. The entire upper flat was destroyed along with the front wall of the lower flat was intact.

December, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

3 escape from Lusignan prison

…security ranks were clearly not alert – Director of Prisons

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Sudesh Dyal; Travis Evans; Dexroy Pollard

manhunt is underway for three prisoners, who escaped from the Lusignan Prison in the wee hours of Monday.

The men reportedly scaled the perimeter fence at about 04:30h.

The escapees are 23-year-old Travis Evans of ‘C’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown; Sudesh Dyal, 23, of Wales Backdam and Dexroy Pollard, 29, of Wales Village. Evans is a murder accused.

Acting Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels has since confirmed that of

the three who escaped, one was incarcerated for murder while the other two were on remand for break and enter and larceny.

Those on the run are 23-year-old Travis Evans of ‘C’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown; Sudesh Dyal, 23, of Wales Backdam and Dexroy Pollard, 29, of Wales Village. Evans is reportedly the murder accused. Pollard was convicted for breaking and entering and was sentenced to two years imprisonment. Dyal was on remand for breaking and entering.

Ogle Shaheed orphanage destroyed by fire

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ighteen orphans of the Shaheed’s Girls Orphanage were awakened after an early morning fire at their Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD) residence on Saturday.

Reports are the fire started at about 06:45h in the upper flat of the partially wooden and concrete building, which is located at Lots 7 and 8, Oleander Gardens, Ogle, ECD. This newspaper was told

that one of the two caretakers, 59-year-old Shantie Pooram, was alerted by one of the children, who noticed the dense smoke emerging from a room on the western end of the building.

An alarm was raised, and the children were rushed out of the building. The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) were also alerted about the fire.

Guyana records fiscal deficit over $20B

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uditor General Deodat Sharma has found that Government’s overall deficit has increased and indeed, swallowed the current surplus - resources saved from taxes, royalties and other revenue earing activities embarked on by the state.

This is contained in the Auditor General’s 2017 report, which notes that for that fiscal year there was a net overall deficit of $24.268 billion as of December 31, 2017. The net deficit is made up of a current surplus of $5.939 billion and a capital deficit of $30.207 billion.

The AG found that Government attracted total capital revenue of $28.4 billion but capital expenditure, which is usually long term, project oriented and non-recurrent spending, was recorded by the AG at $58.6 billion.

Total revenue for the year 2017, which includes current and capital, was $323 billion. Government, however, spent more than it earned as total expenditure was pegged at $347.3 billion, a deficit of $24.2 billion. The deficit has in fact increased from last year, when it was $20.3 billion.

President David Granger unwell, heads to Cuba

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overnment had issued a terse statement on Monday that President David Granger would be going to Cuba on today for almost a week.

However, Guyana Times was told that President is unwell and will be going to the Spanish speaking country for medical tests.

This was confirmed by People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) General Secretary Amna Ally in an interview with sections of the media assured that the President was not expected

to undergo surgery.

Instead, she said, he will be undergoing a medical test in Havana, the capital of Cuba. She also informed that the president called a meeting with Cabinet ministers from his Peoples Nation Congress (PNC) party on Monday.

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December, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

NOVEMBER

Govt nationalises Berbice River Bridge ... “this is a slap in the face to all private-public partnerships – BBCI Vice Chair … no respect for rule of law, constitutional rights of citizenry – former AG

Marcus Bisram loses extradition case in US T …expected back in Guyana to face murder charge

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he month of November started off with news that Guyanese Philanthropist Marcus Bisram is expected back in Guyana to face a murder charge after he lost an extradition challenge in a New York court. Bisram is wanted in Guyana for the murder of a Berbice carpenter.

District Judge, Kiyo A Matsumoto presided over the case on Tuesday, where she upheld that there was sufficient evidence for Bisram to be repatriated to Guyana. Judge of the Eastern District, Peggy Kuo had similarly ruled that the evidence was enough, and an extradition order was signed.

On October 31, 2016, Faiyaz Narinedatt was beat-

en and ran over with a motorcar at the alleged orders of Bisram, after the carpenter declined sexual advances that were made by the overseas-based Guyanese.

The body of 27-yearold Narinedatt was later found on the Number 70 Village Public Road on the Corentyne. Bisram, as well as five alleged henchmen, is alleged to have conspired to commit the act.

Police kill bandit after ECD robbery

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n Agricola, Greater Georgetown man was shot dead by Police on November 1 while trying to escape after robbing a taxi driver and a cattle farmer.

Dead is 27-year-old Melroy Solomon, called “Souce Mouth”, of Titus Street, Agricola.

According to Police reports, about 10:50h on Thursday, a taxi driver was robbed of his 212 motor car and personal items at Seventh Street, Foulis, East Coast Demerara (ECD) by two males, who hired him

to purportedly go to an ECD destination.

The matter was reported, and the stolen vehicle was intercepted by Police ranks in an unmarked vehicle at Mahaicony. However, the suspects fled, discharging rounds that hit the police and later abducted and robbed a cattle farmer after this stolen vehicle got stuck.

After taking another taxi, they were again intercepted by police. A shoot out ensued, during which Solomon was fatally wounded.

BBCI offers Govt lifeline on Berbice Bridge toll hike -says 40-year contract period means no increases

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ith just a week to go before toll increases are slated to go into effect, the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) has made a major offer to the Government.

The Company has offered Government a chance to extend the life of the contract to spare commuters toll increases.

In correspondence to Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson,

BBCI Finance Controller Stephen Rambajan requested a meeting with the Minister on the Board’s behalf and in the public interest to discuss the terms of this offer.

According to the offer, BBCI is seeking an agreement to extend the contract period to 40 years. This extension, according to Rambajan, will make it unnecessary to implement the toll increases the company announced on October 16, 2018.

he Government of Guyana has snatched control of the Berbice River Bridge on Monday in an apparent effort to nationalise the structure, which was financed mainly by private investors.

In a surprise move on Monday, the People’s National Congress (PNC)led Government said that in accordance with the pow-

ers conferred upon Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson by Sections 4 (1) and 11 of the Berbice River Bridge Act and in the interest of public safety, it would maintain and operate the bridge as of November 5 “until the date the Minister specifies by notice on the cessation of the threat to public safety.”

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(LGE).

According to Jagdeo, they secured massive wins countrywide with more than 45,000 votes than the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) combined.

for hearing on December 5 before Justice Gino Persaud.

Jagdeo to file complaint with ERC over Govt’s threats to divide Guyanese

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has taken Government to task over comments made by one of its senior Cabinet and party officials at a recent political rally.

Jagdeo has said he plans to file an official report with the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) and the international community, as the comments seek to di-

vide Guyanese.

He was making reference to an online news report wherein Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, remarked that the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) will target Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) supporters and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) that sabotage Government.

Fly Jamaica crash-lands at CJIA Govt’s chances of re-election after encountering hydraulic issues low – petroleum expert -10 passengers hospitalised – firefighters arrested for theft

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Boeing 757 aircraft operated by Fly Jamaica crash-landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, East Bank Demerara, in the wee hours of Friday morning thus resulting in at least 10 people being medically examined.

The airplane carrying 118 adults, along with two infants and an 8-member crew, took off from the Cheddi Jagan International

Airport at about 02:10h but after sometime, the aircraft encountered hydraulic problems and as such, returned to Timehri where it crash-landed.

The aircraft was destined for Toronto, Canada.

All passengers and crew members onboard were accounted for but officials have confirmed that five passengers suffered spinal injuries which is not life threatening.

President David Granger diagnosed with cancer – sources

-starts chemotherapy in Cuba

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resident David Granger has been diagnosed with cancer and will undergo chemotherapy in Cuba. This was confirmed in a statement issued by the Embassy of Guyana in Cuba late Wednesday.

The President left with

his wife, First Lady Sandra Granger for Cuba around two weeks ago. A statement issued by the Ministry of the Presidency on October 29, 2018, confirmed his travel.

It said that the President and the First Lady will spend one week in Cuba.

PPP files no-confidence motion against APNU/AFC coalition Govt

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motion of no-confidence in the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government has been filed by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo with the National Assembly.

At his weekly news conference held on Thursday at his Church Street office, Jagdeo made the announcement, adding that the move

came after a meeting of his party’s leadership.

He listed several things to support the move, including the loss of 30,000 jobs; the decimation of the sugar sector; massive increases in the cost of living; and the imposition of hardships on the Guyanese people, via Government policies, such as $60 billion in increased taxes per annum.

PPP records massive wins countrywide with over 45,000 votes BBCI moves to High Court to reverse more than APNU, AFC combined Govt’s takeover

espite some challenges at some Local Authority Areas (LAAs), People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo said on Tuesday his party still managed to prevail during the 2018 Local Government Elections

lenge it has mounted. The application is set to come up

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he Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) has turned to the High Court in an attempt to retake operations of the facility, which the coalition Government took over earli-

er this month.

In a statement on Thursday, the BBCI said both Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson and Attorney General Basil Williams have been served with notice of the legal chal-

-says oil revenue should be used towards developing Guyana

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ormer Presidential Advisor on Petroleum to Guyana, Dr Jan Mangal says a lot of what the coalition Government does now and how it plans for the future, particularly as it relates to the oil and gas industry, will determine whether or not it can be re-elected to office.

However, Dr Mangal believes that the Government’s chances are low based on a number of factors. His comments come in light of the recently-concluded Local Government Elections (LGE) which saw the coalition performing poorly as compared to the main Opposition party.

Scotiabank pulls out of Guyana -Govt expresses concern

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major shake-up is looming on the financial landscape, as Canadian-based Scotia Bank will be pulling out its operations in Guyana and a number of other countries.

The bank branches will in turn be bought over by Republic Bank.

Guyana Times understands that the deal is worth US$123 million.

According to Chairman of Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) Ronald Harford, who made the announcement, the move will benefit everyone in the long-run. This includes Scotiabank clients and employees and the group’s own

stakeholders.

But Scotia bank’s presence in Guyana is of such a magnitude that even Government is concerned about the transaction, with the Finance Ministry expressing regret at the buyout soon after it was announced.

According to a statement from the Ministry, the Financial Institutions Act (FIA) has clear stipulations regarding ‘acquisition of control’ and requires approval from the Bank of Guyana. The Ministry noted that an application must first be submitted and due diligence conducted.

$300.7B budget presented to National Assembly ...no measures for ordinary citizens …$1000 increase for pensioners

…tax exemptions for dentures, electric cars

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t $300.7 billion, the National Budget for 2019 was presented on Monday to the National Assembly. But through it all, measures that can directly benefit the small man are noticeably absent.

The only thing that Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who spoke almost uninterrupted for five hours during his budget presentation, announced under ‘measures to increase work-

ers’ income was the increase in the income tax threshold to $780,000 per annum ($65,000 monthly).

This is an increase per month of $5,000, as the salary threshold was previously $60,000. Accompanying this increase was a promise from the Government that it would re-engage the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) in negotiations to improve allowances.

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December, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt defeated …PPP wins no confidence motion in National Assembly …as AFC’s Charandass Persaud votes against Govt

Finance and Public Security Ministries were scrutinized.

In the case of the Finance Ministry, the Parliamentary Opposition was especially concerned about the finances of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited’s

(NICIL) Special Purpose Unit (SPU). This budget, themed ‘Transforming the Economy, Empowering People, Building Sustainable Communities for Good Life’ is the administration’s fifth since coming to office in 2015. It is also the largest.

ExxonMobil halts 3-D seismic operations offshore Guyana

…after Venezuelan military forces ship out of area

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here was shock in the National Assembly as a no confidence motion brought by the Opposition – Peoples Progressive Party - against the Government succeeded when Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament Charandass Persaud broke ranks and voted in favour of the motion.

A total of 10 MP’s debated the motion, but when the dust was settled, and a vote of division was called, Persaud’s vote changed the numbers to 33 versus his colleagues’ 32 votes against the motion. Persaud has since indicated that his vote is one of conscience and was in no influenced by anyone to side with the opposition.

Govt has to resign and call elections in 3 months – PM

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ollowing the passage of the no-confidence motion filed by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Opposition against the APNU/AFC Coalition, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said that Government will be upholding the law. This means, in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana, the Coalition administration will have to resign and call national elections within the next three months.

The Guyanese must understand that the democratic process is sometimes unpredictable. You may have

results that are not planned for… but the outcome has to be accepted… It may be a surprise to some, it may be a shock to others, it may be welcomed by some and others may rejoice over the results but that is how democracy works and we are fully committed to the rule of law,” Nagamootoo posited.

Nevertheless, he noted that Government will remain in office until such time that a date for elections is set. In the meantime, he posited, the Coalition will have to deliberate on its options going forward.

Govt must resign as per Constitution – Jagdeo

“T

he Government should resign,” said Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo bluntly on Thursday as he called for the Administration to abide by the Constitution during a media engagement outside Freedom House on Thursday following a meeting with the Party’s Executive Committee.

“This government has lost a no-confidence motion; the Constitution has provided the clear prescription [that] you resign on losing it. They should’ve resigned by now …

[I’m calling on Government] to resign now; that is what [Article] 106 (6) is – it didn’t say “may” resign, it said “shall” resign,” Jagdeo told reporters.

Jagdeo on Thursday had reiterated that he was ready to have these discussions with the Head of State. However, while Government had assured a meeting would be held between President Granger and the Opposition Leader, this was not likely until the President returns from Cuba.

$300.7B budget approved -Opposition, Govt clash over NICIL/ SPU, Public Security allocations

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fter a week of crutiny from the Parliamentary Opposition, the National

Assembly approved $300.7 Billion Budget timates. But the final saw some fireworks as

the esday the

ovt condemns “hostile” act; to file complaint with UN ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary has suspended the 3-D seismic operations it started only a month ago in Guyana’s Stabroek Block after the appearance and approach of the Venezuelan military on Saturday forced the company’s seismic vessel to pack up shop and vacate the area.

The vessel in question is the ‘Ramform Tethys’, which is owned by Norwegian company Petroleum and Geo Services (PGS) was contracted by ExxonMobil to carry out tests and acquire

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ver 300 rice farmers in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) and from the island of Wakenaam in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) flocked the gate of the Hack Rice Mill in Golden Fleece, Essequibo Coast demanding their payments.

Farmers are concerned over the long delay in receiving payment from millers for paddy purchased since September and some even earlier this year. After a com-

motion erupted in front of the main gate of the rice factory, its management was forced to meet with the frustrated rice farmers. The owed farmers said the manger eventually met with them and agreed to give them payments between $50,000 and $100,000 until full payments are available.

The farmers said they have their monthly bank installment to meet and the cash given to them in some cases cannot even meet the required payment.

Budget 2019 has nothing for the poor, marginalised- Audit firm

-says budget tailored along neo liberal, pro-business lines

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seismic data. Speaking with this publication, the company’s Senior Vice President, Bard Stenberg confirmed the encounter.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge has since indicated his intention to formally lodge a complaint with the United Nations.

Georgetown gets new Mayor, Deputy

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he city of Georgetown will now be spearheaded by People National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) Councillor, Pandit Ubraj Narine after he was elected as the new mayor. Narine, who represents Constituency One, was nominated by Councillow Ivelaw Henry and entered the race with People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Councillor Bishram Kupen who was selected by Deon Younge.

The new mayor secured 21 votes in his favour and was elected accordingly.

Following his lead was Alfred Mentore who was elected as the Deputy Mayor with 23 votes and six against the nomination.

The Council elected seven persons to charge the Finance Committee, com-

“Dull Christmas for us” – rice farmers

prising of Patricia ChaseGreen, Yvonne Ferguson, Ivelaw Henry, Oscar Clarke, Trichia Richards, Yvonne Ferguson and Bisham Kuppen. Oscar Clarke was appointed as the Chairman to govern this financial body while the outgoing mayor was elected as ViceChairwoman. The newly elected councilors and mayor will commence their duties as of January 1 2019.

n a candid assessment, Audit firm Ram and McRae have called out the recently presented 2019 budget for having little to no provisions for the poor, women and gender issues and other critical matters like the Berbice Bridge, now headed to court after government took it over.

In its annual publication of Budget focus the firm which was founded by anti-corruption advocate Christopher Ram, acknowledged the provisions in the budget for peo-

ple with disabilities, the employed and self-employed and Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s stamina for having presented the almost five hour long budget speech uninterrupted.

According to the firm, however, the budget “is silent on women and gender issues, single mothers, the unemployed, including the recently unemployed, the National Insurance Scheme and the Berbice Bridge which the Government took over earlier this month.”

Govt to establish Tobacco Council in 2019

S

erious steps will be taken to prosecute individuals and businesses that do not adhere to laws related to the Tobacco Control Bill which sets out tough fines for violators.

Health Minister Volda Lawrence has announced that the Government is currently fine tuning the terms-of-reference (ToR) for the establishment of a Tobacco Council in Guyana.

The Minister said that the document is still being crafted but is expected to be presented to Cabinet for approval before the end of this year. The Council could be established as soon as January 2019.

Lawrence confirmed that no one has been charged since the bill became law in July 2017. However, the Ministry has started a campaign aimed at educating persons on the legislation.

ExxonMobil makes another oil discovery offshore Guyana

T

he future of an oil industry in Guyana seems even more promising with another announced oil discovery offshore Guyana

by United States oil giant, ExxonMobil.

The company’s 10th discovery was announced by Director for the Department of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe, who expressed satisfaction with the way things are going.

He revealed that the discovery was made at the Pluma-1 well. It has increased the estimated recoverable resource for the Stabroek Block to more than 5 billion oil-equivalent barrels.

The Pluma-1 is located some 17 miles (27 kilometers) south of the Turbot-1 well and follows previous discoveries on the Stabroek Block.

Millions wasted through procurement scandals – Anthony Ali innocent until proven guilty – Harmon ...as MP lambasts gov’t for mismanagement of projects

T

he second day of the Budget 2019 debates kicked-off on Tuesday with Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Frank Anthony taking the government to task for breaches to the procurement laws, the shady deals it has been entering and wastage of tax payers’ dollars.

In his presentation, the MP noted that Guyana has not been getting value for

money. He pointed to the Auditor General’s 2017 report, which found that 13 contracts totalling $91.4 Million were awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to Caribbean Medical Supplies.

These contracts did not go through a competitive process. According to the Auditor General, these contracts were single-sourced.

-says due process must be followed for MP, PAC Chair

E

ven the government, by way of cabinet spokesperson and Minister of State Joseph Harmon, is of the view that due process must be followed for Opposition parliamentarian Irfaan Ali when it comes to the constitutional offices he holds.

19 Politically trumped up charges were instituted against Ali by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), in a move the parliamentary opposition and the International Centre for

Democracy (ICD) have criticised and deemed “victimization of a political opponent”. However, Ali sits as the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which reviews the Auditor General’s reports and calls officials to account based on discrepancies the Audit Office highlights.

At his post cabinet press briefing on Friday, Harmon assured that Ali’s post as Chairman of the PAC is secure under the principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty.’

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December, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Caribbean Premier League 2018 review

Guyana Amazon Warriors

By Brandon Corlette

A

tournament that is known for cricket played louder, and the biggest party in sport, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has been spectacularly entertaining. Trinbago Knight Riders won consecutive tournaments; 2017 and 2018 while Amazon Warriors continued their consistency, ending as runners up in four of six CPL finales.

The 2018 CPL in particular, had Trinidadian and Guyanese fans at combat; ‘a chicken curry and curry chicken’ battle that saw the Amazon Warriors defeating Knight Riders in the preliminary round but lost in the final.

In the 2018 edition, the Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders topped the preliminary rounds; after 10 matches, Knight Riders finished with seven victories while Amazon Warriors finished with six victories.

play hit 24 sixes in 12 matches he played in the tournament finishing with a strike rate of

Outstanding CPL 2018 performers

New Zealand T20 superstar Colin Munro led his team to victory, being the most consistent batsman with 567 runs in 13 matches averaging 51.54. Munro had a strike rate of 140.34 where he constructed six half-centuries, hitting 54 fours and 24 sixes throughout the tournament.

Another overseas batsman, New Zealand’s Glenn Philips playing for Jamaica Tallawahs dominated with the bat finishing second on the charts with 457 runs including a sensational century against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

However, the best Caribbean batsman in the Hero CPL 2018 was Guyana’s Shimron Hetmyer who notched up 440 runs averaging at 40. Hetmyer who is amongst the brightest prospects in the Caribbean has passed through the ranks, captaining the West Indies under 19 team to World Cup triumph.

Hetmyer stand-out innings was his majestic 100 against the Jamaica Tallawahs. The 21year old, Hetmyer was the youngest centurion in CPL history when he blasted the Tallawahs bowlers around the packed capacity in Lauderhill, Florida. Hetmyer, who is very aggressive in his stroke

. Shimron Hetmyer

148.

The majestic player took his success throughout the year and also land an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract worth over half of a million US dollars, to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Hetmyer along with fellow countrymen and Warriors players, Sherfane Rutherford and Keemo Paul, have all been selected for IPL 2019.

The axed West Indian class act, Trinidadian Darren Bravo was the other top Caribbean batsman completing the tournament with 353 runs in 13 matches at an average of 39 striking 24 maximums in the tournament. Kieron Pollard who scored an unforgettable century and new and improved Rovman Powell had good outings in the CPL 2018, scoring over 300 runs.

A tournament that began in 2013, the CPL has been growing rapidly across the globe, it has developed immensely. For Fawad Ahmed, CPL has aided in his growth and development finishing with 22 wickets, topping the bowling charts. The Pakistan born

Ahmed, who played 5 limited over internationals cricket for Australia, announced himself with his stint with the Trinbago Knight Riders.

The leg-spinner played 13 matches for the Knight Riders, averaged 13.77 bowling at an economy rate of 6.18. As Ahmed, Jamaican speedster, Oshane Thomas announced himself with finesse finishing the tournament with 18 wickets. The Tallawahs pace ace had the speed gun clocking staggering speeds as he showed glimpses of the four horsemen.

I m r a n Tahir, the veteran S o u t h African leg spinner, was brilliant throughout the tournament not only with his celebration where cover yards of ground, but his 16 wickets he picked up for the Warriors. Amazon Warriors captain, Chris Greene was brilliant in his debut tournament with the ball, picking up 10 wickets. Aussie star, Ben Cutting, Dwayne Bravo, Mohammad Irfan, Sohail Tanvir, Khary Pierre and Sheldon Cottrell were amongst the wickets in CPL 2018.

the latter aspect of the agme and picked a hat trick that included Brendon McCullum, Darren Bravo and Denish Ramdin.

Russell’s night was far from over, he returned with the bat and blasted 121* off 49 balls including 13 humongous sixes and 6 timely fours. It was a once in a generation performance by “Dre Russ” a rear feat of scoring a century and picking up a hat trick in the same match; England’s Joe Denly was the other player to achieve such rear feat.

Keiron Pollard’s explosive century against his former CPL team, Barbados Tridents. It was a runs fest in the tenth match at St Lucia where the Pollard led St Lucia Stars amassed 226. It was a memorable moment for the St Lucians since they were struggling to win matches consistently. Pollard’s maiden ton led the Stars to a 38 run victory.

In the eleventh match of the tournament, the moment filled with magic was Shimron Hetmyer’s 100 off 49 balls. American soil witnessed astonishing hits from the 21-year old Guyanese who resides in Berbice. The Amazon Warriors dominated the experienced Tallawahs bowling attack posting 209-7 in 20 overs. Hetmyer’s innings included 11 crunching fours and 5 huge sixes.

Rutherford set the home of the Amazon Warriors, the Providence National Stadium, on fire, with his 45* that included six maximums and an unbelievable switch hit which is labeled as the better shots in T20 cricket. In match number 30, Rutherford ensured that the Warriors crushed the Knight

Magical CPL Moments

Each match played in the CPL 208 was filled with magical moments. In the Caribbean Premier League 2018, 34 monumental matches were played but they were moments that stood out.

Andre Russell’s hat trick and his 40 ball century against the Trinbago Knight Riders in the third match of the tournament.

Russell’s heroics ensured that his team chased down 224 with 4 wickets to spare and 3 balls remaining.

The Knight Riders batting first set a daunting 223-6 in their 20 overs but they were more runs for the taking. Russell, the superman in cricket, returned with the ball in

The electrifying supporters

Riders by six wickets with 35 wickets.

The limited over game of cricket has been dominated by batsmen with big bats, Mohammad Irfan mesmerizing spell proved different. Irfan had batsmen in all sorts of trouble when he produced the most economical four over spell in the history of T20 cricket. Two wickets, one maiden, three runs, four overs; unreal bowling figures from the Pakistan giant who represented the Barbados Tridents in CPL 2018. In the sixteenth match Irfan’s spell proved insufficient as Barbados Tridents suffered a 6 wicket win by St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

Impact of CPL

When CPL comes around, the people in the Caribbean comes alive. With West Indies cricket downhill, the Caribbean Premier League 2018 reminds cricket fans of the exciting prospects in the region. The spicy music, the drinks, and the beaches blends brilliantly with the exiting brand of cricket played in the Caribbean. The tournament brings individuals around the Caribbean together, celebrating the game in a harmonious manner.

Since all the West Indian stars are axed, the CPL provides viewers the opportunity to see the best players from the Caribbean and around the globe perform in different teams. The Caribbean has been the ultimate destination for tourists, with international starts performing the tourist sectors in various Caribbean countries benefits from the biggest part in sport, the Caribbean Premier League.

15

ICC Stand-alone Women’s World T20 Tournament

December, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

The National Sport Policy: A promise on the Horizon for Guyanese Athletes

By Jemima Holmes

- Inspirational Windies entertained the Caribbean

By Brandon Corlette

D

eandra Dottin’s b o w l ing heroics and Harmanpreet Kaur’s sensational century were the highlights of the tournament; leaving the Guyanese supporters stunned at the National S t a d i u m Providence Guyana.

The 2018 International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s World T20 Tournament was significant; eleven matches were played in Guyana. A dominant Australia team that was led by Meg Lanning emerged as champions while Heather Knight’s England was runner’s up. West Indies fell short of a consecutive World T20 triumph, losing their only match of the tournament in the semi-final against Australia.

Alyssa Healy was the player of the tournament, leading the batting chart while Deandra Dottin top the bowling charts.

West Indies Women and India were the only undefeated teams in the preliminary rounds; topping Group A and Group B respectively.

Guyana was the fortunate; the first Caribbean to witness the Women’s tournament when India and New Zealand clashed at the National Stadium, Providence Guyana. The opening match saw India defeated New Zealand by 34 runs on the back of Harmanpreet Kaur’s 103. India scored 194-5 and restricted the top ranked New Zealand team to 160-9, as the Indian spinners shared eight wickets among themselves.

The second match of the day saw the team from down under, Australia thumping Pakistan by 52 runs.

It was arguably the greatest comeback ever in the history of the game; West Indies stunned Bangladesh by 60 runs in a thrilling encounter. The Guyanese fans came out in their number, as they were treated by a special performance from Jamaican artist Shenseea. It was an even more brilliant performance from Deandra Dottin who took 5-5 to bowl out the weary Bangladesh team for the lowest total in Women World T20 Tournaments.

Bangladesh was bowled out for 46 in pursuit of Windies’ below par 106-8.

The tournament got spicier with Australia’s Alyssa Healy hitting match winning half centuries. In a low scoring encounter between Ireland at Providence, Healy blazed away with a 31-ball 56 as Australia eased to a nine wicket victory. India, West Indies, Australia and England showed signs of early semi-final qualifications. In the

Australia defeated England to claim the title of the Stand Alone ICC Women’s World T20 Tournament in the Caribbean

matches in St Lucia, a string of low scoring matches were seen at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium.

After the 11 matches concluded in Guyana and St Lucia, an upbeat West Indies team entered the first semifinal at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound Antigua. The cricketing world was in for a rematch of the 2016 Women’s World T20 Tournament; the clash of the giants, Australia and West Indies. The Stafanie Taylor led team; West Indies won the toss and opted to field first as Australia racked up 142-5 with the ever-consistent Healy top scored with 46.

Windies Women’s were confident of chasing the target but they were humbled by the Aussies. The Caribbean women were bowled out for 71 with only Stafanie Taylor reaching double figures scoring 16, as the discipline Aussie bowlers shared the wickets among themselves.

In the second T20 semifinal, India entered as overwhelming favorites but the Women’s 50 over World Cup champions, England stunned the Asian giants. A Mithali Raj-less Indian team were bowled out for 112 as England cruised to the final with a eight wicket win as India were sent home. After the anti-climactic semifinal matches, the final was set at the home town of the legendary Sir Vivian Richards. England was bowled out in the final for 105 and the powerful Aussie batting lineup won with eight wickets to spare.

Top performers

Barbadian born Deandra Dottin was the joint tournament’s leading wicket taker with Ashleigh Gardener, and Megan Schutt who captured 10 wickets apiece. Windies fast bowling all-rounder, Dottin had a bowling average of 7.70 and an economy rate of 5.63. In the star studded Windies bowling unit, Captain Taylor called upon Dottin to produced wickets and on most occasions she delivered.

Australia’s Ashleigh Gardener was the player of the final scoring runs and picking up wickets. Gardener snatched 10 wickets at an average of 10.70 and an economy

rate of 5.94. Megan Schutt, Elyse Perry, Stafanie Taylor and England’s hat trick star, Anya Shrubsole were other outstanding bowlers.

Alyssa Healy was the leading run scorer with 225 runs averaging 56.25 and a strike rate of 144.23. In all the matches she played for Australia she had impacted the game affecting in dismissals and scoring invaluable runs at the top of the order.

India’s aggressive captain, Harmanpreet Kaur was the only batter to score a century in the tournament, hitting 103 at Providence Guyana. She ended the tournament with the most sixes (13) and the second most runs (183). Smriti Mandhana further announced herself scoring 178 runs in the tournament while the legendary Suzie Bates racked up 161. The highest partnership of the tournament came from India duo, Jemima Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur who scored 134 runs for the fourth wicket.

Negatives in World T20 tournament

The batting woes in the Caribbean are seen in the men’s and women’s format; in the World T20 Tournament, the batters were not consistent. The main reason for the West Indies qualifying for the semifinal was the outstanding bowling and brilliant fielding performances.

Positive’s in World T20 tournament

A tournament that will be remembered for a long period of time saw effortless and innovative batting from the women across various cricketing nations. In addition to the exciting matches played across the venues in the Caribbean, the women cricketers took time off their busy schedule to visit schools. Three schools befitted in Guyana; Presidents College, East Ruimveldt and Diamond Secondary School.

The ICC and CWI took a great initiative to spread awareness of the game and inspired the young girls across the globe.

The Caribbean was the suitable venue to host this exciting tournament; the party-like atmosphere was electric and the calypso cricket was entertaining.

2

018 has been a busy year for all sport disciplines in Guyana, however, aside from their individual advances every sportsman and woman have seen a glimmer of hope for pursuing their passion. This has come in the form of the long awaited National Sports Policy which is said to be equipped with the necessary regulations to male sport more mainstreamed in Guyana.

The cries of sportsmen and women from all across Guyana were answered on June 19 of this year when the Social Cohesion Ministry, which covers the portfolio of sport, released a draft of the long awaited National Sports Policy (NSP).

But this draft release did not come without strife, as athletes, especially those of international caliber, on numerous occasions (prior to the release of the policy) had called on the Ministry to speed up the process since the promise of such a policy was made in 2015 as part of the A Partnership For National Unity’s (APNU) election manifesto.

The most vocal sport personality to urge on the release of the policy was Boxing Coach Terrence Poole who called for the swift implementation of the National Sport Policy so as to provide a basis so athletes who have medaled in international engagements could have ‘tangible rewards’ when they return to Guyana.

In response to this, the Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton had stated that “We want to have a structured system, so that we can avoid claims like what were made.”

He further noted that the implementation process would take on an inclusive ap-

proach, which would allow the policy to cater precisely to the needs of every sporting entity, sportsman and sportswoman in Guyana.

The NSP draft has been in generation from November 2016 to June 2018 and focuses on a number of crucial areas that have been stifling the development of sport in Guyana.

Several of those areas are national, regional and internationally applicable laws, collaboration among national agencies on sport programmes and projects, sport governance, administration, management, organization, education and educational institutions, medicine, financing (funding, sponsorship, incentives), tourism, manufacturing, intellectual property rights, elite athlete development, the media, overseas offices, Diaspora support, and anti-doping.

The Policy aims at raising Guyana’s sport fraternity to a level where, “Sports in Guyana is no longer viewed only as a casual pass time, leisure or recreational activity, but as an entire sector which services the fundamental needs and requirements of the Guyanese athlete, from the amateur to the elite.”

As such, implementation of the Policy would mean that sport will be fostered not only at the organizational level but also in schools. In this instance, the common practice of only track and field in schools will be put aside and students of every primary and secondary school across the 10 administrative regions will be exposed to all sport disciplines and it is the hope of the Policy that adequate facilities will be established to foster that change.

Another key aspect of the Policy mandates that there will be “… awareness of and support for people with disabilities (PWDs) to access sports.” A feature that would be a table turner especially since para-cycling athlete Walter Grant-Stuart has found it difficult to receive participation funding even after bringing home a gold medal.

Additionally, the Policy will focus on allocating financing and funding for national sport organisations and federations hosting

competitive games in various sport disciplines and geographic areas, compulsory physical education in schools and anti-doping.

Since its release, there has not been any changes made to the policy and it will remain available for viewing online and is open to input and suggestions from sporting organizations and citizens. This consultation process, which the Social Cohesion Minister Dr George Norton described as ‘lengthy’ in an interview with the Guyana Times Sport, will continue throughout 2019.

Advances in athletics

Track and Field in Guyana is on a steady rise and with the addition of two more Synthethic tracks to the country’s portfolio, athletes will have a greater opportunity to improve their skill.

The Ministry of Social Cohesion, with Responsibility for Sport, in October of this year sealed contracts with two Guyanese construction companies, initiating the third phase of work on the new synthetic tracks to be laid in Region Six, East Berbice/Corentyne, and Region Ten, Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice.

The two new tracks — at Burnham Park, New Amsterdam, Berbice and Bayrock Community Centre ground at Wismar, Linden — will carry to three the total of such tracks to be laid in Guyana, following the laying of the Leonora Synthetic Track.

The bidding process for the construction works was carried out by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), which saw the project at Region Six receiving 14 tenders and at Region Ten receiving 12 tenders.

Assistant Director of Sport, Melissa DowRichardson, detailed the work that will be done by the two companies which have emerged successful from the bidding “We’re in phase three, this is specific to the ground preparation. There will be ground work, the laying of drainage pipes, curb works, asphalting and concrete where necessary. This is prior to stage four, where the laying of the synthetic material will be done,” Dow- Richardson explained.

The contract for the Berbice track has been awarded to BK International at a cost of $141 million, while the Linden track will be done by Builders Hardware and Supplies at a cost of $179 million.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, expressed his satisfaction with the construction of new tracks, noting that the pressure would be taken off the lone track at Leonora, which is experiencing some deterioration.

“I am indeed pleased, but I must confess that this signing is long overdue. It was only last year (that), for the first time, we had our National School Athletics Championships being run on a synthetic track at Leonora. (In) my last inspection of that facility, it was not too encouraging,” he said.

The Minister has stressed that the additional synthetic surfaces would go a long way towards improving the level of athletics in Guyana.

“We’re hoping that, with this effort, it will bring us closer to where we want to be,” Dr. Norton had said.

Works on the third phase of the tracks were expected to be completed within 3 to 6 months of its initiation.

When probed by media operatives about sticking to their deadline, Rajesh Samaroo of Builders Hardware and Supplies gave all assurance that the company will complete the work on time.

“With regards to the deadline, it depends on the weather, but surely we should finish on time,” Samaroo stated.

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December, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

GABA League…

IPL-bound Hetmyer, Rutherford, Trojans, Ravens and Paul – the future of Guyanese, Guardians Record wins Windies and possibly T20 cricket T T he year 2018 has been a nacious middle/lower-order hitter. The tremendous year for Essequibian was purchased by the Guyanese crickDelhi Daredevils for 50 lakhs or et both individually US$70,000; a small purse comand holistically; with pared to the big bag his teamthree of the counmate snapped up by the try’s premier playChallengers. ers in Shimron Rutherford’s selection H e t m y e r , was no surprise, but his S h e r f a n e price tag certainly was; havRutherford and ing been the least popular of Keemo Paul landthe three; the left-hand powing major deals er-hitter surpassed all exof the upcoming pectations after starring in Indian Premier the CPL as he walked away League (IPL) INR 2 crore which is rough2019. ly US$277,000 to emerge one The Guyana of the most surprising yet deJaguars and serving big buys for a newbie Windies trio are this season. products of the 2018 Hetmyer smashed 106 off 78 Shimron Hero Caribbean Premier balls and 94 off 64 balls in backHetmyer League (CPL) which was to-back games at Guwahati and responsible for building their Visakhapatnam during the ODI series in stock in the T20 format. Their prowess India. His T20 strike rate of 144 coupled in the shortest format along with their with his 26 sixes in 19 T20s, 30 sixes in abilities to single-handedly win games for 20 ODIs; makes for a star player in any their teams, resulted in the million-dollar side. price tags which are now associated with Rutherford stunned fans with his their names. power-hitting in the CPL before going Hero CPL has always been a breeding onto the Canadian T20 where he smoked ground for young talent, having paved a big hundred against a bowling heavy a way for a number of youngsters from Chris Gayle-led franchise. The fast-bowlaround the Caribbean to either feature in er then earned his Windies call up to the the IPL or break into the Windies limited T20 side but really showed his dimension overs team; a trend which has remained as a pure six-hitter during the T10 league prominent over the years. where he smashed scores like 47*, 24, 16, Players continue to mix 39 and 46 off a handful of deliveries. with international stars A very lucky Royal and heroes due to the Challengers Bangalore could overwhelming influx have easily been without of stars from around the left-hander as their enthe world who more try number for bidding fell and more seem to be last. Meanwhile, it was a jumping onboard the tussle between the likes Caribbean’s biggest of Sunrisers Hyderabad, party. But shifting Kings XI Punjab and gears to India’s bigRajasthan Royals who gest cricket fiesta, it were all gunning for the would appear that 21-year-old Hetmyer. the Guyanese conPaul recently made tingent will certainhistory with the ball, snarly be the new blood of ing his first 5-fer in T20 stars who could possicricket against Bangladesh bly entertain the crickin the T20 series decider et-hungry Indian fans during the recently concludSherfane for the next few years. ed tour of Asia. The right-arm Rutherford The devastating form fast-bowler was one of the engiof the Berbician Hetmyer neers who took the Guyana Jaguars could not be overlooked as his purto their 4th title last season in the 4Day ple-patch commenced since the Windies league, before earning his Windies selechome tour versus Bangladesh. Since then tion. the left-hander has become a regular in The pugnacious batsman has been a all three formats and currently is one of mainstay and a go-to bowler for his team the team’s best batsman for 2018. over recent months; establishing himself He has since made a number of impres- as one of the Windies key bowlers in the sions and gained favor when he racked death overs during T20’s. With all three up some good scores during the tour of Guyanese in the Windies team, the proIndia; impressing skipper Virat Kohli. fessionalism of international cricket has It was no surprise that Kohli, certainly rubbed off on the trio who are who is captain of the Royal now bound for the Glitz and Glamour Challengers Bangalore of IPL cricket.

(RCB) was indeed a Also, the three became hisfan of the Guyanese tory-makers as they were the who was snapped first three Guyanese ever to up by the franchise be selected for the IPL franor a whopping bid chises during the same aucof INR 4.20 crore tion , with Chris Barnwell, (US$588,000); inShiv Chanderpaul and stantly making the Ramnaresh Sarwan being former Windies the first group of Guyanese U19 World Cup to play in the Indian franwinning Captain a chise over the seasons. millionaire with a With much to live up to long way to go. and much to prove in just His deputy at the a few months’ time; Paul, u19 World Cup, Paul Hetmyer and Rutherford has also been a reguwill defeiontly be on a mission lar face in the Windies to cement their statuses as the Test, ODI and T20 teams; next crop of Caribbean T20 world Keemo Paul thanks to his ability as a stars. sharp seam bowler and a pug-

he Rainforest Water/Malta Supreme/ Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) League first commenced its 2018 season on September 1, 2018 at the Burnham Hard Court as it featured teams being represented in the first, second and under 23 divisions.

Under – 23 Trojans vs Guardians

The action all started for the Trojans on December 8, 2018 when they faced the Pacesetters in the semifinal. It was a see-saw battle for most of its duration, with each team pushing the other to its limit. In the end, the Trojans stunned the Pacesetters 75-73, with Denzel Ross leading the way with 16 points, while Kadeem Peterkin supported with 12.

With the penultimate hurdle crossed, the Warren Wilson-led side now had a shot at the title. Prior to this match, Wilson had said the players were hungry and wanted the win badly; and this was displayed when they emphatically carved out for themselves a 79-62 win over the Plaisance Guardians on December 9, 2018.

At start of the highly anticipated finals, the

Trojans accelerated the pace from ball one, and led the scoring in all four periods of the game, besting every performance they had registered at the beginning of the league.

Showing composure, style and class, they managed to restrict the in-form Terrence Daniels, upon whom great pressure was applied, and forced the other players to become desperate.

Scoring for the Trojans were Jonathan Browne, who top-scored with 18 points; Kadeem Peterkin, who scored 17; and Darrol Williams, who scored 15.

As the final buzzer sounded, the Trojan fans could scarce contain themselves.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, coach of the University side, Warren Wilson, said: “I feel vindicated; because the odds weren’t against the players, but a lot of the coaches felt that since I had no experience playing basketball at a national level, and the fact that I am young…but I am happy that I was able to lead the guys this far.“I really worked hard with them, and I think that this is a really good first step; and I hope that the administration would push basketball to get it more recognised,” Wilson declared.

For the under 23 division the UG Trojans came into the competition being ranked as one of the lowest teams and most inexperienced teams as they were coached by Warren Wilson.

Wilson was ridiculed by many coaches as he had no experience nationally nor coaching a team.

Throughout the tournament the Trojans played their hearts out defeating some of the top teams in the league such as the Plaisance Guardians and the Pacesetters. As the preliminary rounds ended the Trojans qualified for the tournament as they ranked third on the table winning six of their ten games. They surpassed the mighty Pacesetters to give them self a shot in the finals against the inform Plaisance Guardians and they defeated the Guardians to boost their confidence heading into next year’s league.

1st Division- Ravens vs Pacesetters

The GABA League culminated its First Division leg of the tournament on Thursday night with the Ravens sinking the Pacesetters by eight points to claim the championship.

Ravens looked confident on the court with a good season’s performance in the bag, having won seven of their eight games in the preliminary stages compared to the Pacesetters’ win-

ning six games; and they expectedly closed it out in the final-four showdown by romping to a convincing 83-75 win over their opposition at the final buzzer.

The match was a see-saw battle in the opening quarter, with scores being level at 19 going into the second quarter. Both teams looked for consistent scoring to try taking the lead, but the eventual victors got acclimatized and thereafter asserted their dominance. At the half, Ravens were leading 42-31. It was more of the same in the third quarter, with Ravens comfortably outscoring the Pacesetters 25-14, which saw the final quarter starting at 67- 45.

Sensing victory in the air, Ravens eased off the gas pedal and held their form to complete the win.

For the Ravens the tournament has been a walk in the park as they have always been on top of the points table and were declared as one of the strongest teams in the league winning seven of their eight games in the preliminary round. The Ravens showed a class above every other team in the league as they could neither be outmatched nor out classed. The Ravens will

now have to look forward to the 2019 season as it has been rumored that fierce competition has are awaiting them.

2nd Division Guardians vs Pacesetters

The Guardians pulled off a stunner as they narrowly escaped defeat winning by a margin of two points.

In the headline event for the night the Guardians narrowly escaped defeat as they won 67-65 against the Pacesetters, despite the Guardians winning all eight of their games in the preliminary stages as compared to the Pacesetters five games the Guardians somehow allowed nerves to sneak into their camp.

The match commenced with a shaky start as the Guardians led the first quarter 8-6 as both teams played on the defensive trying to weigh each other down with every tactics in the book.

As the nerves began to ease the Guardians took command in the second quarter leading 21-18 as they now led the Pacesetters by a margin of five points.

With what looked like victory on the horizon the Pacesetters stunned the Guardians as they left gaps in their defense to allow them to take the lead in the third quarter 23-10 now giving them the upper hand and a lead of 8 points as the Pacesetters needed to defend those 8 points for victory with the fourth quarter now approaching. The Pacesetters looked confident heading into the fourth quarter with their eight point lead but it all went up in flames as the Guardians pulled the rug out from beneath them as they took the final round 27-18 top scrape one of the most thrilling matchups in the GABA league as it all came down to the wire.

For this intense matchup despite clean sweeping the preliminary rounds the Guardians still had to fight for their title as the Pacesetters did not indent to give up so easily. Despite being a thriller, the Guardians must now review their 2019 calendar as they will not want any more incidents like these occurring again.

When compared to many other leagues the GABA league is one that will stay forever as it creates opportunities for player to represent the country nationally. It caters for everyone hence the first, second and under 23 divisions. For the Trojans, Ravens and Guardians they have all proven that once there is heart and determination you can achieve anything you believe once hard work is done.