Kaieteur News

Monday February 04, 2019

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Kaieteur News

PPP President Pick Not The mischief makers are out the Progressives Choice – Backlash Eminent DEAR EDITOR, Politics is always played in the court of public opinion.

The recent vote by the PPP central committee was a national embarrassment and a farce, at the very least. The vote consisted of no popular opinion nor consultation of the PPP membership.

The PPP, a party that boasts a membership greater than 30,000 cannot be represented by a mere 35, or should we say 24?

Mr. Editor, this is evident from the relentless backlash the party received on social media and other independent forums. Thousands of PPP supporters, which include party stalwarts and activists openly denounced the election/selection of the PPP’s presidential candidate.

The selection was heavily influenced by Mr. Jagdeo.

Prior to the vote, Mr. Jagdeo made numerous calls accompanied with promises to members of the central committee to sway the vote in the way of Mr. Ali, his best friend in the party.

If this was not enough, on the Saturday of the vote Mr. Jagdeo took several Region Nine voters into a secret room for further convincing.

This makes the vote undemocratic given the heavy handed ‘guiding’ by Mr. Jagdeo. The prior engineering of the vote must question firstly the legitimacy of the vote, amongst other things.

To the keen onlooker, Mr. Jagdeo showed his hands in the last press conference before the election of the presidential candidate. He

was asked to comment on the allegations of fraud against Mr. Ali and his response was “I questioned the timing”.

For someone who lectured Guyana about corruption but openly support a man who is the subject of many unanswered allegations of corruption raises red, blue and purple flags. Of course, the allegations against Ali made sense when it was raised since it was exactly when he was vying for the highest office of the land.

But Mr. Jagdeo really doesn’t care about finding good and honest leaders; he is simple maximizing his own value. Psychology proves this, a man always chooses someone he perceives less than himself for a wingman, to shore up his perceived value.

The neglect of Anil Nandlall, the single most intellectually gifted member of the central committee and hardest working ranked member and Frank Anthony, an evergreen popular figure and longstanding party stalwart for the selection of Irfaan Ali, an individual synonymous with corruption and arrogance shocks the sane mind.

Undermining these gentlemen’s candidacy makes sense since these men think for themselves and can lead the PPP to a new frontier even without Jagdeo.

It was the revelations of corruption that marred the latter part of Jagdeo’s rule, particularly by Bharrat Jagdeo and his cohorts, namely, the current PPP presidential candidate, a

former agriculture minister and an infamous duo aptly named Jeff and Mutt that engineered the decline of the PPP. It is with great irony that three of the above five now serve in the capacity of Presidential candidate, General Secretary and Executive secretary. All of them attained higher education under extremely questionable circumstances.

This level of undemocratic behaviour and dictatorial tendencies by Bharrat Jagdeo is the essence of the rebellion on social media, which Mr. Jagdeo thinks is irrelevant.

The only vote Mr. Jagdeo is concerned with is his flock of 24 sheep on the central committee, who will and has, followed him off the proverbial cliff.

It is now clear that the interest of Mr. Jagdeo, Mr. Ali and the leadership of the PPP is fundamentally different from not only the general wellbeing of the nation but also the members of the party.

The hope that PPP supporters hate for the APNU-AFC left them with no other option than to vote for the PPP, regardless of what the PPP gave them is foolhardy.

No longer do people believe that 24 wise men should decide their future.

Many will simple not vote, and I cannot say I will blame them simple because the man that afford them this opportunity did so by voting his “conscience”.

Supporting a political established that doesn’t listen to its voters in fear of nothing better will be Continued on page 6

DEAR EDITOR, Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram appears to be part of an organized group conspiring to foment civil unrest by promoting an argument that general elections must be held by March 21, 2019. This is very evident from statements attributed to him in an article in the Guyana Times of January 30, 2019.

The said article titled “GECOM must be compelled to hold elections in 90 days – activist” quotes Mr. Ram as saying the following: “The elections has to be held in 90 days (as a result of the successful no-confidence vote) unless there is a twothirds vote in the National Assembly to extend that period. This is messing around with the Constitution and it is heading down a dangerous and slippery slope.”

Mr. Ram is known to be meticulous in what he says and by no reckoning can be considered as a person who speaks cavalierly. It is for this reason that he has to be called out for spewing what can only be considered as a dangerous position, namely that if general elections are not held by the aforementioned date, that the Government, Cabinet and President lose their legitimacy!

Briefly, I will seek to educate Mr. Ram, though I know he is aware of the facts.

On 3rd January, 2019, the National Assembly met to consider the consequences of the vote of December 21, 2018. At this Sitting, the Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland announced that in the intervening period, he “received information, both solicited (emphasis mine) and unsolicited, supported

by Case law and Practice emanating from other

jurisdictions which has raised doubts as to whether the Noconfidence Motion was carried.”

Having identified the issues which caused the aforementioned doubt, the Hon. Speaker went on to say that “certain and finite answers to these questions are necessary, (and) …the issues which we now face cause us to look outside of Parliament to find answers.”

S i g n i f i c a n t l y, the Speaker went on to say: “I find it instructive that much of the information provided relate to cases which saw the Courts of other jurisdictions giving guidance to both the Speaker and those National Assemblies concerning the constitutionality of conduct on particular issues.”

The Speaker ended by saying that “Full, final and complete settlement of these issues by a Court of competent jurisdiction will place beyond doubt any question which may exist and serve to give guidance to the Speaker and to the National Assembly for the future.”

Even to a layman, the above is pellucid and the Government acting accordingly has approached the Court for such determination, i.e. whether the Motion was carried and as a result, whether Art. 106. (6) and (7) of the Constitution

takes effect, namely resignation of the Cabinet and the holding of elections within three months.

For further avoidance of doubt, at a high-level bilateral meeting between the Government and Opposition on January 9, 2019 the Communique contained the following words: “The President further stated that it is lawful for the Government to engage the Court (and that) … pending the conclusion of the legal proceedings, Parliament remains functional.”

The Ruling of the Hon. Chief Justice delivered on January 31, 2019 does nothing to affect the foregoing given that there remains two other rungs on the legal front, namely the Court of Appeal and finally the CCJ and that the Government has signaled its intention to appeal the C.J’s decision.

Ominously though not unsurprisingly, since the C.J.’s ruling other elements have joined the chorus, peddling the narrative of unconstitutionality of the Government. These include the Private Sector Commission,AmCham, Guyana and even external ones.

This is nothing other than plain mischief that is being propagated.

Yours sincerely, Ronald Bulkan, M.P. Minister of Communities

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Monday February 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

Seeing Canada’s decision against Irfaan Ali in a different light DEAR EDITOR, How often as a child have I lustily bellowed “Born in the land of the mighty Roraima” The song of Guyana’s Children before assembly, this being a staple of schooling in the 70’s. I remark

on this as I try to comprehend GHK Lall’s missive on the ‘possible’ motives of the Government of Canada with regards to the travel advisory issued to Irfaan Ali prior to his proposed visit there for fundraising and information

dissemination activities.

I have come to realize that there is a marked difference in brain wiring of Guyanese born pre and postIndependence.

It has become obvious that a ‘colonial’ mentality of

Jagdeo’s PPPC has morphed into the Republican Party DEAR EDITOR, Freddie Kissoon is an individual with great influence in society. His columns and opinions are grounded in a unique Guyanese socialist perspective.

However what I find perplexing is his current position that he would not vote for the coalition in any upcoming election. He has cited a couple of reasons (I’m sure there are more) including the removal of Lincoln Lewis and David Hinds as columnists for the Guyana Chronicle and the continued cordoning off of downtown Georgetown whenever Parliament is in session.

I would humbly suggest that while these are/were not good decisions they should be taken in the context of what the coalition has done for working class people in the country in only a few short years.

The more one analyses Guyana’s political landscape the more one sees that the PPP/C has morphed into a version of the Republican Party in the United States - one whose primary purpose is to protect and enrich its patron, the business class, the wealthy.

Ever since Jagdeo took power, the purpose of government became about making money for these groups. That is why Bobby Ramroop got his exclusive contract to supply drugs to the Health Ministry and was a favoured investor in the Berbice Bridge.

We don’t need to take up space describing all the money making schemes and the sale of land on the cheap. Freddie knows them all and has been an outspoken critic.

Additionally the PPP/C governments always turned a blind eye to the rampant evasion of taxes and customs duties because it enriched their base.

Since 2015 the coalition has done two things: firstly it has raised the minimum wage substantially from $39,570 in 2015 to $64,000.It has also increased the tax threshold from $600,000 to $780,000 per year. These initiatives have directly helped the working class by putting more money in their pockets and hurt the business class which now needs to pay workers more.

The coalition has also looked to make sure the business class pays its fair share of taxes, to contribute to the development of Guyana rather than just profit from it. It has made some progress bringing in $200b in 2018 compared to $135B in 2014.

But this has been the key reason the private sector - and its respectable face known as “civil society” - have viciously turned on this government. Just contrast how the Private Sector Commission in 2015 was against early elections, as to their current insistence on elections with ninety days.

The APNU/AFC has many flaws: its ministers are imperfect, some are simply not very good at their jobs. The coalition has missed opportunities (decriminalising marijuana for example) and made numerous mistakes.

But its intention, its mission to spread the wealth and to improve the lives of poor people must be acknowledged and compared to the PPP/C’s time in office and that of any future Jagdeo/Ali government.

It is a deeply scary and backward prospect as it pertains to the class struggle. The APNU/ AFC coalition is the only group strong enough to stand up to the moneyed interests.

Yours sincerely, Albert Russell

Was Sam Sittlington serving SOCU’s...

From page 4 and strategy behind Sittlington not just registering but incorporating a local entity which from all indications has been designed to replicate the work that SOCU presently undertakes.

Guyanese must wonder if it was not a pre-agreed arrangement that Sittlington’s company would get the work that SOCU now does and ruthlessly pursue members of the present

coalition administration if a PPP government comes to power after the impending elections.

Jagdeo has already made it public that it would be the PPP’s intention if they regain power at the next elections to scrap SOCU and hire an international company to do the work that unit presently performed.

Again this is not farfetched thinking, given that Sittlington could have already been collecting information critical to the interests of his own private company under the guise of working for SOCU. Jagdeo is a proven master of deception and it is not beyond him and the PPP to be criticising Sittlington in public but privately conspiring and making deals with him.

This coalition government needs to wake up now. The Charrandass treachery on 21 December was not by chance or coincidence. It was a

clearly planned and thought out operation to remove a legitimately elected government.

It’s common knowledge that SOCU has been infiltrated by staunch political PPP sympathizers and its incumbent on this administration to isolate compromised PPP operatives. Business cannot continue as usual. Patriotic Guyanese need to be watchful.

I end by stating that the future of Guyana and our long suffering people are at hand here and its incumbent on this legitimate coalition government and all patriots to wake and smell the coffee in order to protect our national patrimony and the interests of our future generations.

History is being recorded and time is not on the coalition’s side.

Yours, Peter Narine

looking for approval from ‘massa’ exists strongly in the psyche of those born in a time when our dear land was under the yoke of oppression. GHK and his contemporaries no doubt set great store by the honorific tea with the Queen of England, a seal of approval greatly sought and cherished thereafter.

My sociology Professor, Ken Danns, often spoke of his irrational desire to be knighted and lamented no longer being able to receive same because of our changed circumstance.

Lall casts around for explanations of Canadian action framed by his limitations, but oblivious to same. GHK Lall should stick to facts and seek same before venturing down the rabbit holes of his own warren.

It is now obvious that the Granger cabal looked

carefully at the possible future Presidential candidates of the People’s Progressive Party and moved to have them disqualified from consideration by way of pending criminal charges, both Anil Nandlall and Irfaan Ali were prime targets of SOCU, the agency of choice for political chicanery.

Irfaan Ali was written to by the Canadian HC based on information in an article by a previously unknown online news outfit ‘Guyana Standard’. It also made mention of a hold on his application for a residence visa when no such application was made.

Canada has clear policy of deeming anyone with a criminal charge from entering the country. This was not a law made especially for Guyana’s Irfaan Ali as suggested by GHK Lall. A simple Google search, (which

I concede, may not be so simple for the aged) would have thrown up a plethora of results to guide in forming an opinion on whether this was a set policy or a sinister plot to interfere in Guyana’s internal affairs.

I believe the Chairman of Guyana’s Gold board owes the nation of Canada an apology; eagerly awaiting same.

Editor, if I have transgressed and committed the offence of ‘ageism’ I beg forgiveness as I was taught that if one wrote with an aim to edify, one must first educate oneself. I take my leave as I begun, by way of song “Onward, upward, may we ever go, Day by day in strength and beauty grow, Till at length we each of us will show, What Guyana’s sons and daughters can be.”

Respectfully Robin Singh

THE PPP NOW DRINKS ITS OWN MEDICINE DEAR EDITOR, Mr. Hydar Ally seems to have cast aside the old adage ‘physician, heal thyself’ in his castigation of the Coalition government.

In a letter published by Kaieteur News (Feb 01, 2019) the PPP stalwart highlights key areas where corruption is most likely and indicates ‘money has the potential to corrupt and with the influx of oil monies, the potential for corrupt transactions is likely to be greatly enhanced’.

He is quite right. I hold no brief for any Party and anyone who steals public funds; they should be thrown in jail. However, Mr. Ally’s understanding of corruption seems (deliberately) limited at the present government.

1. How else can one explain the 2008 decision, by the Jagdeo led government to build the Marriott Hotel without the involvement of the National Assembly?

2. Why did the construction continue when the Opposition (now the present gov’t) decided to cease funding in 2012?

3. Was any audit done for the Billion G$20 expended?

4. Who authorized NICIL to shunt huge sums from the Consolidated Fund into this highly secretive project?

5. Why was no Guyanese, not even a

laborer, employed during this project?

6. Can Mr. Ally explain the only two board members, Mike Brassington and Marcia Nadir-Sharma, who sat for six consecutive years on the Board!

7. Then the issue of the Fiber Optic cable to provide broadband internet service to Georgetown where US$80 million was spent with no results. The head of the project was none other than the son of former President Donald Ramoutar.

8. Why was the Berbice Bridge built with coerced funds from several local banks resulting in the destruction of a banker’s career?

9. Above all else; explain the huge wealth acquired by PPP ministers including Jagdeo and the PPP presidential candidate.

‘Corruption is a cancer that must be eradicated if the country and its people are to optimally benefit from the resources that we are so richly blessed with.’ Guyana continues to score low on corruption on the Transparency index, which is not a positive indicator for those interested in doing business in the country.

This is nothing new: Guyana had similar poor ratings under the Jagdeo/Ramotar government.

Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine New York

PPP President Pick Not the...

From page 5 complacent and part of the problem. Fixing the rigged process will require bold actions which supporters are already showing.

The events of Saturday the 19th is unbearable to most of the nation and gut wrenching to PPP members, who plan to protest the nonsensical vote by abstaining from the upcoming elections.

When will there be democracy in the PPP? When will members elect the Presidential Candidate?

When will Bharrat Jagdeo exit the PPP? Isn’t several years of finance minister, 12 as president then leader of the opposition and general secretary enough for Mr. Jagdeo? Does he have an insatiable appetite for power and control?

Bharrat Jagdeo is a large, dark shadow that looms over the PPP flower, which prevents the flower from any growth. Only a permanent Bharrat Jagdeo exit from the PPP can halt the perpetual decline of the party, which was initiated by Mr. Jagdeo

and Mr. Ali themselves.

After which, a young, astute leader must usher in a slew of democratic reforms to nurse the PPP back to health.

If Mr. Jagdeo and Ali believe the Indian population will bow down to them at the upcoming elections, thy have committed the cardinal political sin of taking voters for granted and will wake up to a rude awakening.

A massive slap in the face awaits the two tyrants.

Vishal Singh, PPP/PYO Member

Monday February 04, 2019

Crabwood Creek farmer believed murdered over outstanding debts As the police continue to dig deeper into the death of Crabwood Creek poultry/rice farmer Deoprakash "William" Lalbachan, there are several theories being pursued.

According to reliable sources within the Guyana Police Force, the suspect that is presently in custody is the brother of the prime suspect who is still at large.

The siblings and victim are from the same village.

It was also revealed that a camouflage vest that was found at the scene of the crime was similar to that which was worn by the prime suspect earlier in the day of the murder.

Kaieteur News understands that the suspect in hiding had once worked on Lalbachan’s poultry farm but was fired some time ago.

It was also disclosed that Lalbachan was heavily involved with the smuggling of pesticides from Suriname, an act that was done in partnership with a businessman from Crabwood Creek.

The source said "He is believed to have made a huge investment with the smuggler (businessman) but didn't pay out fully. So the thing is pointing at the people who supplied the items that the victim invested in and they may have contacted the very sus-

- one held as cops hunt prime suspect

Deoprakash Lalbachan pects who is known to the Lalbachans, to commit the act." Meanwhile, a senior police official said that investigators are not treating the case as a robbery.

He stated that nothing was stolen from the slain farmer or his spouse.

"The wife said she had on several pieces of expensive jewellery but nothing was taken."

The wife reportedly never came face to face with the killers after she rushed to the bottom flat where her injured husband was calling out to her. The killers had already escaped.

The suspects gained en-

try through the kitchen window located in the bottom flat of the house. The grillwork appeared to be cut through.

Lalbachan was stabbed five times about the body after confronting the killer/s sometime around 22:30 hrs Friday night. His wife, Nalini Lalbachan, was in the upper flat sleeping and his motherin-law who suffers from Alzheimer’s was in a room in the bottom flat when the incident took place.

Lalbachan’s wife told reporters that she heard her husband calling out to her that "dem come fuh kill me," but she thought he was having a bad dream after falling asleep in front of the television.

However, when she ventured to the lower flat she saw her husband drenched in blood, clutching at wounds and was leaning over the kitchen counter while repeating "dem come fuh kill me".

He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Skeldon Public Hospital.

Police recovered a bloodstained knife from the kitchen, along with approximately five parcels from a freezer which were strewn about the backyard. There was also footprints in the backyard, the police said.

SOCU seeks to forfeit suspected drug monies seized from Venezuelan The Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), an arm of the Guyana Police Force, has filed proceedings in the High Court as it seeks to forfeit close $16M, suspected to be drugs proceeds, from Angelica Margarita Lara Malave, a Venezuelan who was freed last year on a $100M cocaine charge.

Last year January, Malave, a Venezuelan, was arrested for allegedly aiding Gavin Adams and Yeison Sanchez, her husband, to traffic 11.410 kilograms of cocaine.

However, the charge against her was dismissed in May of that same year after the trial Magistrate ruled that there was insufficient evidence led by the prosecution. According to reports, on January 2, 2018, law enforcement ranks raided the home of Adams at Grant Woodland, Pomeroon.

Adams took ranks to a bedroom where 11.410 kilogrammes, equivalent to 25 pounds of cocaine was unearthed. The cocaine is said to have a street value of $100M. The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), the Guyana Police Force (GPF)

and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) participated in the operation. Based upon information, the ranks went to Lot 288 Burrow Avenue, Republic Park, East Bank Demerara, where Malave was contacted and later apprehended.

Among the items seized from the residence were GYD$18, 780, US$ 79, 311 equivalent to GYD$ 15,862,200 and Bs.1, 810,650 equivalent to GYD$1,509.

According to an advertisement in the daily newspapers, SOCU, through its Attorney-at-Law Leslyn Noble, filed Civil Forfeiture application on November 27, 2018 pursuant to Part 17 of the Civil Procedure Rules 2016. The proceeding, in essence, seeks to forfeit the seized and detained monies belonging to Malave, whose last known address is listed as Lot 288 Burrow Avenue, Republic Park, East Bank Demerara.

The advertisement said that copies of the Fixed Date Application (FDA) will be delivered or sent to Malave, and that if she desires to defend the action, she must do so within 28 days after the final publication of the notice. In doing so, she must prepare an Affidavit in Defence and serve

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Kaieteur News

Angelica Margarita Lara Malave it on Noble, whose address of service and place of business is SOCU, Camp Road, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

Further Malave is then required to file same with proof of service at the Registry at Georgetown, not later than four days before the hearing of the application which is fixed for February 18, at 09:00hrs before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Georgetown. Failure to file such an affidavit and or if Malave fails to appear at the hearing, judgment may be given against her, notwithstanding her absence.

UK firm offers to help strengthen Guyana’s National Oil Spill Response Plan

By Kiana Wilburg As Guyana continues its efforts to establish a robust National Oil Spill Response Plan, the UK-based Corena Group says it stands ready to assist the authorities to strengthen the document.

The Corena Group is one of the most respected firms involved in the business of oil spill response. It has handled over 100 oil spills with the infamous BP Deep Water Horizon Oil spill being one of them.

Corena’s Development Director, Thomas Field said that the company has experience dealing with oil spills that were caused by oil majors like ExxonMobil, Chevron, Tullow, Total and BP of course.

Thomas said, “We hope to be engaged in helping Guyana with its plan and we would be more than willing to explain what we can do to help.”

Additionally, Corena’s Vice President of Emergency Response, David Cook said that the company has an inhouse department which specializes in helping governments and private agencies put together strong oil spill response plans. He said that training is also provided.

Just recently, the Corena Group signed a joint venture with GAICO Construction which will see them pooling their resources to boost Guyana’s oil spill readiness.

The agreement was signed between GAICO’s Managing Director, Komal Singh, and Corena’s Development Director, Thomas Field at GAICO’s New Market Street, Office.

In delivering brief remarks, Singh said that the venture represents a significant moment in the efforts of GAICO which hopes to develop international standards for oil response in Guyana.

Singh said that the partnership will enable the following services: oil spill, emergency and Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) response standby services; oil spill response accredited training and consultancy services; and hazardous and non-hazardous waste management services.

Development Director of Corena Group, Thomas Field The Managing Director said, “You would recall that just over two years ago, GAICO launched an oil spill response services company in Guyana which adds on to our other civil and construction works… This was intended to see how we can assist in the local oil spill efforts.

“Since 2015, we have had a lot of discussion on how Guyana needs to be prepared for an oil spill and what we need to have in place. We recognized an opportunity for much needed services in this sector and at the same time, from a corporate social responsibility standpoint, we realized that we have to develop capacity on this.”

On this premise, the GAICO Managing Director said that the UK based Corena Group was contacted given their experience at a regional and international level on oil spill response.

Singh said, “Together, we will put our heads together to develop human and capital capacity on this matter.”

Expressing similar sentiments was Corena’s Thomas Field. He noted that the company has an enormous regional and international reach which stretches to over 18 countries. These include Mexico, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Venezuela and Panama.

Field noted that the Corena Group is an independent venture that draws on more than 35 years regional and international experience utilizing its extensive network to provide global services for and on behalf of its clients. He said that Corena is a leading

emergency response, oil spill, HNS and hazardous waste service provider Established in over 18 countries with ongoing projects and contracts in many more, Field shared that Corena use the world’s latest response and remediation technologies. He stressed that the Corena Group is all about conducting safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly operations, building on its Nordic traditions of green technology that have been developed over more than three decades to create Corena Group.

Field said, too, that the Corena Group enables companies operating across a range of industrial sectors to outsource their operations for emergency spill and other environmental response operations, as well as hazardous and non-hazardous waste management.

He said, “We are also very versed in dealing with the Caribbean. Our Vice President of Emergency Response, David Cook, has extensive knowledge and experience in working with the Caribbean and I think it is about time that we formalize the agreement with GAICO.” In his brief remarks, Cook said that he looks forward to working in Guyana and strengthening relationships in elements of the different services Corena will provide. The joint venture documents were signed and exchanged.

During the question and answer period, Field noted that the Corena Group hopes to train about 15 of the GAICO employees who will be running the oil spill services for the partners.

As for Singh, he shared that GAICO will be inviting several industry stakeholders for training sessions. He said, too, that the group has an established relationship with the relevant industry regulators such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Civil Defense Commission (CDC).

Singh said, “We have been engaging them since our start up and we have a meeting scheduled within a few weeks to strengthen relationships, and develop capacity within those agencies.”

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Kaieteur News

Monday February 04, 2019

Race-baiting parties can be disqualified from elections - ERC Chairman

By Abena-RockcliffeCampbell Guyana’s Constitution gives the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) the power to recommend the barring of any person or political party from contesting elections once that party or person is found in violation of the laws promoting racial harmony.

Over the years, political parties made remarks in contravention of the laws without being penalized.

Many believe that during every campaign for General and Regional Elections, racial harmony takes a serious hit and Guyana becomes even more divided.

But that may change this time around.

According to Chairman of the ERC, John Smith, the Commission will do everything in its power to prevent the sowing of racial division, especially in the lead up to elections.

Smith referred to Article 212D of the Constitution of Guyana which states, that the ERC is empowered to “Make recommendations on penalties, including the prevention of any political party or any persons from participating in elections for a specified pe-

riod, to be imposed for any breach of provisions of this Constitution or of any law dealing with ethnicity.”

He said that this particular power of the ERC has never been invoked, but the Commission has every intention of doing so for the first time.

Smith, who is a pastor, told Kaieteur News that as long as a person or political party is found guilty of any one, or more, of the laws promoting racial harmony, all punitive measures will be enforced. He said, that this will be done “Once there is enough proof to show the violation.”

Smith was keen to point out that the ERC was nonfunctional for seven years. He noted that two General and Regional Elections were held during that time “there was no one there to enforce the law.”

Smith said that political parties will do well to be very careful now, giving careful consideration of the ethnic laws because the Commission, being reconstituted, “takes our work seriously and we will have our investigative arms investigate, and if found guilty enforce the penalty.”

While Smith noted that the investigative arm will be at work, this newspaper under-

President David Granger pictured February last year flanked by the ten ERC members stands that neither the investigation unit nor the media monitoring unit of the ERC is fully functioning.

Asked about this, Smith said that it is not a case where the units are not fully functioning but more a case where “they are not functioning at capacity.”

He said that by the end of the week there will be “more teeth” in the investigating unit. He said that even then the unit will not be at full strength, “but it will be in a better place, we will have bodies in the position.”

Last year February, some seven years after the ERC became inoperable, President David Granger swore in a 10member Commission.

The members are Smith from the Christian community

(Chairman); Rajkumarie Singh from the Hindu community; Roshan Khan from the Muslim community; Norris Witter from the labour movement;

groups; Barrington Braithwaite for African groups and Neaz Subhan for Indian groups.

Granger encouraged the

The Constitution empowers the ERC to “Make recommendations on penalties, including the prevention of any political party or any persons from participating in elections for a specified period, to be imposed for any breach of provisions of this Constitution or of any law dealing with ethnicity.”

Norman McLean, the Private Sector representative; Deodat Persaud for youth organisations; Ruth Howard for women’s organisations; Ashton Simon for Amerindian

Commission to carry out its duties without cowardice, prejudice or malice.

The members were sworn in just one month after the National Assembly approved

the appointment of the nominees from 10 stakeholder entities.

The ERC plays a pivotal role as a constitutional entity.

The ERC was established under the Herdmanston Accord.

The ERC serves to protect and preserve the interests of all stakeholders as far as creating an atmosphere of tolerance and harmony among the different races and ethnic groups in Guyana’s diverse society.

The Commission initially comprised representatives from seven different constituencies, but in 2015 it was increased to 10.

The Commission also deals with complaints, promotes training in racial harmony, and fosters a sense of security, among all ethnic groups.

Monday February 04, 2019

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Kaieteur News

THE BIG SHAFT Kaieteur News is undeniably the number one newspaper in the Caribbean.

Its unrivaled record of unearthing massive political corruption and exposing public scandals place it ahead of even the grandfather of Caribbean newspapers, the Trinidadian Guardian which has been around for more than one hundred years.

This country owes an enormous debt of gratitude to Kaieteur News and its untiring publisher, Glenn Lall. Had it not been for Kaieteur News, many of the scandals which took place and are still taking place in Guyana would not have seen the light of day.

The public is wiser and more knowledgeable of the skullduggery in the country

because of Kaieteur News.

That Kaieteur News reigns supreme as the country’s number one daily should not come a surprise.

Kaieteur News, true to its record, continues to provide a service to the Guyanese people. The latest scandal which it has exposed is the rip-off which is taking place

by American Airlines.

American Airlines came to Guyana because of Exxon.

The Miami-Guyana route only became attractive to American Airlines because Exxon is prepared to pay premium process for air travel.

As this newspaper exposed yesterday, the cost can be seven times higher to travel

by American Airlines to Guyana than by Caribbean

Airlines.

Now this fact may seem mind-boggling. The public may be asking themselves how it is that American Airlines can charge such high prices and still remain competitive.

The answer is not difficult.

American Airlines is able to do this because of the captive market it has with Exxon Mobil. Exxon Mobil has to shuttle its employees to and from Guyana and it is paying the high prices which are demanded by American Airlines.

American Airlines is smiling all the way to the bank. It can return to Miami with an empty plane and still make a profit.

It costs an airline on

Stop Exxon’s use of American Airlines...

(From page 3) and March 6 cost approximately US$800 on other airlines plying the same route.

On American Airlines, the same ticket would cost US$6,059.

Caribbean Airline Economy round trip ticket to the same destination on the same date is US$474.

For American Airlines the cost is US$3,179.

The ExxonMobil staff is flown home every 28 days on rotation. Reportedly, American Airlines, which uses an Airbus 319 aircraft with 130 seats, is the main carrier for the oil companies operating in Guyana. Local company Roraima Airways is handling the ground operations on behalf of AA.

Last Monday, the price for a one-way economy class ticket from Guyana to Miami from Caribbean Airlines, was US$295. Whereas, the price for the same ticket from Suriname Airways on the same route was US$285.

For American Airlines, it was more than double at

US$731. Guyana was handed a pre-2015 exploration bill of more than US$800M by ExxonMobil. Later this year, it will be handed another bill for post-oil cost.

Those costs include hotel accommodation, air travels, and other miscellaneous expenses.

average of US$5,000-6000 for every hour of travel time. This is what a wet lease, inclusive of fuel and crew costs. It takes four hours travel time to Miami. This means that it would cost an airline between US$20,000-US$ 24,000 for each flight between Miami and Guyana.

With Exxon Mobil willing to pay more than US$6,000 per ticket for a business class seat, all it will take is four such passengers each way for the airline to cover its expenses.

It is easy to say that Guyanese have the option to travel by a cheaper carrier.

They do. But who do you think is paying for these US$6,059 business class seats?

Yes, you guessed right! It is Guyanese taxpayers who are paying as part of cost recovery under the oil contract between the government of Guyana and Exxon.

As reported yesterday, Guyana as part of its oil profit-

sharing arrangement with ExxonMobil for the Stabroek Block, is responsible for all oil exploration expenses including those for travel and accommodation of Exxon staff. The travel expenses include the cost of air tickets for the staff of the oil companies.

That is why Exxon is prepared to pay the high prices demanded by American Airlines instead of travelling on the much cheaper flights offered by Caribbean Airlines. They do so because they can reclaim the costs from the Guyanese taxpayers as post-oil costs.

And American Airlines do not have to drop their prices because they know they will get business from Exxon.

Kaieteur News is now hated by the APNU+AFC government because it exposed the rotten deal which was signed with Exxon Mobil.

That deal is now made more rotten by this rip-off in airline fares.

And this is what the Guyanese people can see.

What about the hidden costs which we cannot see and of which it knows very little about? How can Guyana ever be sure that it will not be taken to the ‘cleaners’ by the oil companies?

The signs are clear that Guyana is going to be violated by these oil companies. Guyana is going to be shafted ‘good and proper’ and without any lubrication.

When these oil companies and their cohorts in business finish with Guyanese, we will all be walking sideways.

Monday February 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Monday February 04, 2019

Guyana should not hire companies over which Exxon has significant influence - Dr. Mangal

By Kiana Wilburg While the Government may be eager to hire international firms to provide much needed advice and expertise on managing the nascent oil sector, it must still exercise extreme caution. This is according to Oil and Gas Consultant and former Advisor to the Government, Dr. Jan Mangal.

In fact, the Petroleum Consultant stressed that Guyana should not hire any company over which American oil major, ExxonMobil, has significant influence or the authorities would need to have mitigation measures in place to counter potential biases and sway.

Dr. Mangal’s comments come in wake of an article that was carried in Sunday edition of the Kaieteur News with the headline, “Lone UK bidder for Govt. Consultancy works for ExxonMobil, other major players…” In that news item,

Kaieteur News exposed the fact that the UK firm, Bayphase, is bidding for consultancy works that was tendered by the Ministry of Natural Resources Ministry.

In light of this, Dr. Mangal said that Guyana cannot ensure these companies will look out for the nation’s interests over those of Exxon.

“From the Kaieteur News research, it seems Exxon has influence over Bayphase.

Any firm which has Exxon, their partners and contractors as major clients will likely side with Exxon before Guyana (such as WoodMackenzie, Rystad, IntecseaWorleyParsons, Bayphase, etc.)…”

Dr. Mangal is of the view that the Government should not hire this little known company which seems to have links to Exxon. Should the administration hire this firm, Dr. Mangal believes it could lead one to the assumption that the Government is working for

Exxon’s interests.

But the Petroleum Consultant concede that it will be difficult to find firms in the oil and gas sector without links to Exxon.

Be that as it may, Dr. Mangal said, “We must choose the most reputable, and those which have a proven track record of being unbiased. We need firms which can prove they have supported the interests of counties versus major oil companies like Exxon. Guyana can afford to pay top dollar now for the best.”

He added, “I recall the Ministry of Public Infrastructure hired a one-man show for their natural gas study, and that was a flop. And the Ministry of Natural Resources hired a firm to review the Field Development Plan for Liza Phase 1, but the choice was inappropriate. The firm could not even review the cost.”

LONE UK BIDDER Last week, Bayphase Oil

and Gas Consultants responded to the Ministry of Natural Resources’ call for consultancy services. It tendered a bid to the tune of US$281,000.

But a simple perusal of the company’s website reveals however that it is a client of ExxonMobil, the US oil major that is leading the exploratory works in the prolific Stabroek Block.

The UK firm which was established in 1986 is also a client of NEXEN, a subsidiary of the Hong Kong based China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).

CNOOC holds 25 percent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Bayphase also works for Exxon’s subcontractors which include Schlumberger and Technip FMC. (See link for full list of clients: http:// www.bayphase.com/clientslist2.php) Further to this, none of its reports are unflattering to its clients. (See link to view their published reports: http:// www.bayphasedata.com/ reports.php) Be that as it may, the company offers several services on a consultancy basis which include: resource auditing and valuation, cost auditing and

Oil and Gas Consultant, Dr. Jan Mangal estimation, reservoir modeling and strategic study.

With respect to Resource Auditing and Valuation, Bayphase said that this aspect covers resource assessments for all types of hydrocarbon properties including exploration development and production licenses. It said that it has extensive experience in carrying out this work for conventional oil, non-associated gas, gas condensate, heavy oil, and shale gas resources.

It said, too, that it has carried out this work in accordance with standards set by

these bodies: The Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS), the Securities and Exchange Commission, the London Stock Exchange, the Alternative Investment Market and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

In the area of Cost Auditing and Estimation, Bayphase boasted of having over 30 years experience in developing independent cost estimates, verifying cost estimates and the development of software for cost estimating for oil and gas projects. It claimed to be a recognized leader in the assessment of all costs associated with oil and gas projects. It said that its experience in developing accurate cost estimates covers all phases of oil and gas extraction including: Exploration, Appraisal, Development, Production and Abandonment.

Bayphase said it has also been called on to audit project expenditures on behalf of stakeholders including: Partners in hydrocarbon development projects, Banks providing loans to Oil and Gas projects and Governments who wish to understand the revenue f l o w i n s u c h projects.

Banks Linden Branch continues to excel in sales Banks DIH Linden Branch on Friday evening hosted its annual shareholders’ meeting at its local headquarters on Republic Avenue, Linden.

Chairman Clifford Reis, congraulated Manager Shaundelle Eastman and staff on the Branch's performance over the past year.

According to Reis, in 2018, Banks Linden Branch sold in 2018 sold one billion one hundred and twenty three million, eight hundred and sixty thousand dollars in stocks, with $1B of that amount being sold in Linden alone.

Seven hundred and forty two thousand, six hundred and seventy six units of stock were sold from the Linden warehouse, Reis said.

The Chairman further highlighted that in 2017, $17.9M was made in profits while in 2018, a profit of $13.5 M was achieved.

Further reflecting on the Linden Branch performance over the past fiscal year, Reis

congratulated Easton and her team which was responsible for increasing profits by 75 per cent.

Banks subsidiary, Citizens Bank also enjoyed a good year, as there were significant profits Reis added.

“The total revenue of the Linden Branch increased by 8.6 million, while the customers’ deposits at this branch now stands at $1.1 billion dollars”, Reis said, while pointing out that the local bank had also disbursed $82 million in loans for the fiscal year.

Manager of Citizen Bank Linden Branch, Lytton Thompson and staff were commended for the laudable achievement.

“Banks DIH Limited, your company, continues to be managed and guided by the principles of sustainability and accountability so as to ensure the best interest of our shareholders,"Reis acknowledged.

Further Education.

Reis promised a scholarship to any student from Lin-

den who wished to further their education by pursuing studies in Marketing at the University of Guyana. The scholarship, he said, would be for four years, after which, the recipient would be required to work with the Company at the Linden Branch.

Speaking particularly to youths who were present, Reis advised them to also apply to the Company, as there are employment opportunities available. " lf you are interested in doing science subjects or becoming an engineer or do lab work or become a brew-master, or quality control officer or environmental management....there are many vacancies many diversifications in our company....but it is a very technical company".

Meanwhile, two Region Ten Schools, Coomacka Primary and Silver Hill Primary were recognized and presented with tokens by the Company.

The region’s nationals team was also awarded for winning the Nationals Schools championships for the third consecutive year.

As is customary shareholders were presented with gifts and snacks at the end of the meeting.

Monday February 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

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PAGE 22

FOR RENT

SERVICES

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Contact# 650-0402/603-1402 Pluck chicken $290 per lb, 25 lbs and over, free delivery, white and brown eggs.

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ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

VEHICLE FOR SALE Allion, primo, spacio, allex, noah, RZ pitbull bus, mazda axela, bluebird, 192 fielder wagon. 650-7501

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TAXI SERVICE

Monday February 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

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The Ministry of Finance and the Guyana Oil Company have announced a reduction in prices for motor gasoline and gasoil (LSD).

Starting from today, Super 95 Gasoline will be sold wholesale at $208.00 per litre or four percent less, and Gasoil (LSD) at $207.00 per litre or 10 percent less.

Simultaneously, retail customers will pay $218.00 per litre for Super 95 Gasolene or four percent less and $217.00per litre for Gasoil (LSD) or 10 percent less.

These significant reductions are attributed to a decline in acquisition costs.

It will be recalled that the Government had approached CARICOM for the suspension of the Common External Tariff (CET) following the closure of Petrotrin – Guyana’s main fuel supplier.

CARICOM”s subsequent approval would have also led to a reduction in acquisition costs.

Barbados least corrupt in region Daily Nation - The perceived level of public sector corruption in Barbados has not declined, but it is the lowest in the Caribbean.

That’s based on the 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index of Transparency International.

The ranking of 180 countries placed Barbados at 25th out of 180 countries for the second successive year, with a score of 68 out of 100.

Barbados also scored 68 in 2017 and 61 in the previous year, and, based on the 2018 index, the country is least corrupt in the Americas after Canada (9), the United States (US) (22) and Uruguay (23).

In the Caribbean, Barbados ranks highest, followed by The Bahamas (28), St Vincent and the Grenadines (41), Dominica (45) St Lucia (50), Grenada (53), Jamaica (70), Trinidad and Tobago (78).

Monday February 04, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Trump says U.S. military intervention in Venezuela ‘an option’ - Russia objects

Donald Trump

Nicolas Maduro

Juan Guaido

CARACAS (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump said military intervention in Venezuela was “an option” as Western nations boost pressure on socialist leader Nicolas Maduro to step down, while the troubled OPEC nation’s ally Russia warned against “destructive meddling.”

The United States, Canada and several Latin American countries have disavowed Maduro over his disputed re-election last year and recognized selfproclaimed President Juan Guaido as the country’s rightful leader.

Maduro, who has overseen an economic collapse and the exodus of millions of Venezuelans, still maintains the powerful backing of Russia, China and Turkey, and the critical support of the military.

In an interview with CBS yesterday, Trump said U.S. military intervention was under consideration.

“Certainly, it’s something that’s on the - it’s an option,” Trump said, adding that Maduro requested a meeting months ago.

“I’ve turned it down because we’re very far along in the process,” he said in a CBS “Face the Nation” interview. “So, I think the process is playing out.”

The Trump administration last week issued crippling sanctions on Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA [PDVSA.UL], a key source of revenue.

Tens of thousands of people thronged the streets of various Venezuelan cities on Saturday to protest Maduro’s government.

France and Austria said yesterday they would recognize Guaido if Maduro did not respond to the European Union’s call for a free and fair presidential election by last night.

Russia, a major creditor to Venezuela in recent years and an ideological ally to Maduro,

quickly urged restraint.

“The international community’s goal should be to help (Venezuela), without destructive meddling from beyond its borders,” Alexander Shchetinin, head of the Latin America department at Russia’s Foreign Ministry, told Interfax.

Maduro in comments on state television promised peace for the country without specifically responding to Trump.

“In Venezuela, there will be peace, and we will guarantee this peace with the civil military union,” he said in the company of khaki and black-clad soldiers who were earlier shown carrying guns and jumping from helicopters into the sea.

Venezuela’s ambassador to Iraq, Jonathan Velasco, became the latest official to recognize opposition leader Guaido this weekend. Air Force General Francisco Yanez in a video also called on members of the military to defect but there were no signs the armed forces were turning against Maduro.

Venezuela has as many as 2,000 generals, according to unofficial estimates, many of whom do not command troops and whose defection would not necessarily weaken the ruling socialists.

The police have also fallen in line with Maduro.

A special forces unit called FAES led home raids following unrest associated with opposition protests in January, killing as many as 10 people in a single operation in a hillside slum of Caracas.

Latin American governments with the help of the United States are seeking to deliver humanitarian aid to Venezuela, which is suffering medicine shortages, malnutrition and hyperinflation that has led millions to emigrate.

Guaido yesterday was expected to make an announcement regarding international humanitarian aid that would come through Colombia, Brazil and a Caribbean island and said he was counting on the armed forces to help bring it into Venezuela.

“The USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development) is working hard to help the people of Venezuela with humanitarian assistance such as these tonnes of Ready-to-Use Supplementary Foods for malnourished children,” USAID Administrator Mark Green tweeted on Saturday, posting photos of boxes piled up.

It is unclear whether Maduro’s government, which denies the country is suffering a humanitarian crisis, will let any foreign aid through.

Nephew murders uncle over stolen cell phone A 26-year-old man was yesterday taken into custody yesterday after he allegedly stabbed his uncle to death during an argument over a stolen cell phone.

According to a police release, the victim, 39-yearold Olrick Da Costa, of Lot 11 Public Road Sommerset, Essequibo Coast, was stabbed once to the abdomen by his nephew.

According to information received, Da Costa and his nephew were involved in a heated argument sometime around 01:30 hrs over a stolen phone.

It was during the argument that Da Costa allegedly assaulted his nephew, who in retaliation stabbed his uncle in the abdomen with a knife.

The injured man was picked up in an unconscious state and

DEAD: Olrick Da Costa

DETAINED: Terrence Da Costa

rushed to the Charity Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body is currently at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post mortem examination.

The Police have since recovered the murder weapon as they continue their investigation.

The suspect is currently in police custody assisting with the investigation.

May will seek ‘pragmatic’ solution to Brexit deal in Brussels LONDON (Reuters) British Prime Minister Theresa May said yesterday she would seek a “pragmatic solution” to a parliamentary impasse over the terms on which Britain leaves the European Union when she tries to reopen talks with Brussels.

With less than two months until Britain is due to leave the bloc on March 29, concerns are growing over the risk of a disorderly ‘no deal’ exit.

Japanese carmaker Nissan (7201.T) cancelled plans to build its new X-Trail SUV in Britain, saying while it had taken the decision for business reasons the continued uncertainty around Britain’s future EU ties was “not helping companies like ours to plan for the future.”

The issue that has brought most opposition from members of parliament in her Conservative Party is the post-Brexit border between the United Kingdom and Ireland, but May, writing in The Sunday Telegraph

Theresa May newspaper, shed little light on how she intended to resolve it.

Members of parliament, who last month rejected May’s Brexit deal with the EU, have instructed her to return to Brussels to renegotiate the arrangements for Northern Ireland.

The EU has rejected reopening talks on the socalled ‘backstop’, an insurance policy to keep an open border on the island of Ireland if Britain and the EU

Pentagon to deploy 3,750 U.S. forces to border with Mexico

Patrick Shanahan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon is sending 3,750 U.S. forces to the southwest border with Mexico for three months to provide additional support to border agents, the Department of Defence said yesterday.

The deployment will raise the total number of active-duty forces supporting Customs and Border Protection agents there to approximately 4,350, it said. The additional units will be deployed for 90 days.

The Pentagon first approved the highprofile deployment of active-duty U.S. troops to the Mexico border in October, before the U.S. midterm congressional elections. The

move was embraced by President Donald Trump’s supporters, including fellow Republicans in Congress.

Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan approved the deployment on Jan. 11, according to the statement. U.S. Representative Adam Smith, chairman of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, first disclosed plans to send more troops on Thursday.

Smith criticized senior Pentagon officials for failing to disclose the information during a hearing before his committee in Congress on the issue just two days earlier.

fail to reach a longer-term trade agreement before the end of a transition period.

“MPs said that, with changes to the Northern Ireland backstop, they would support the deal that I agreed with Brussels to take us out of the EU,” May wrote.

“When I return to Brussels I will be battling for Britain and Northern Ireland, I will be armed with a fresh mandate, new ideas and a renewed determination to agree a pragmatic solution that delivers the Brexit the British people voted for.”

But prominent eurosceptic Conservative Steve Baker said many proBrexit MPs had broader concerns about her deal.

“Now the PM co-opts us into accepting everything but the backstop,” he said on Twitter, adding if all that was agreed on the backstop was a codicil, May could “expect a further substantial defeat for the agreement.”

Pro-Brexit trade minister Liam Fox said it would be “irresponsible” for the EU to refuse to reopen the Brexit negotiations.

“Are they really saying that they would rather not negotiate and end up in a ‘nodeal’ position?” Fox told Sky News. “It is in all our interests to get to that agreement and for the EU to say we are not going to even discuss it seems to me to be quite irresponsible.”

Fox echoed comments by Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on Thursday that a delay to the March 29 leaving date may be needed in order to get legislation through parliament.

Monday February 04, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Child Protection Agency lauds Atlantic Fuels to take legal action against Kaieteur News, Stabroek villagers for exposing alleged rapist News over tax compliance articles Atlantic Fuels Inc, the company at the center of reports of tax evasion is moving to take legal action against the Kaieteur News and Stabroek News for stories the two dailies carried on the company.

In a statement issued yesterday, the fuel company slammed the articles calling them “malicious and grossly misleading.”

“Atlantic Fuels Inc. rejects firmly all allegations that suggest the company’s involvement in undervaluing fuel imports for last year, 2018, and states categorically, that the company functions and executes its operations in a professional and transparent m a n n e r, according to regulations and protocol of its trade.

“With false information from unnamed “sources”, both the Kaieteur Newspaper and the Stabroek News have sought to disgrace the legitimate, wholesome operation of Atlantic Fuels Inc. with not only claims of

irregularities, but alleging also, the involvement of overseer state offices in reprimanding the company.

The media campaign is a clear attempt to besmirch the character and good name both of the Company and its directors,” the fuel company stated.

Additionally, it said that no action has been taken against the company as no malpractices or misconduct has occurred in regard to the fuel company’s operation.

The company said too that it has not sought to dodge its obligation by providing false information to the nation’s tax collection agency.

“It is for this reason that the company said that it has commenced legal action against the Kaieteur News for the erroneous articles that were sensationalized across the dailies’ front page.

“Action is also being taken in regard to the Stabroek News for its less aggressive, but nonetheless mischievous report on the matter.

“Atlantic Fuels Inc. is disappointed at the newspapers’ failure to accurately divulge the information regarding a legitimate enterprise given G u y a n a ’s increasing business environment.”

The release also stated that both newspapers have a decent number of readers and “it is disheartening to know that this much misinformation is reaching the public space about an entity that honours its obligations to the state.”

“Atlantic Fuels Inc. will therefore move full speed ahead in getting legal redress to this demeaning attack on the company’s operations.

The company calls on all newspaper and media outlets to be prudent in ensuring factual information is brought to the public domain. The changing business environment in Guyana requires an active media industry, but one that carefully checks facts, and is accurate with information it disseminates,” the statement added.

Head of the Child Care and Protection Agency (C&PA) Ann Greene has lauded Belle West, West Bank Demerara villagers, for exposing a man who was allegedly found in a shack last week with four boys.

Medical examinations have since confirmed that the boys were sexually assaulted.

When contacted yesterday for a comment, Greene expressed, “The community has to protect children. Child protection starts in the home. The community has to watch out for the children. We are pleased that the community is paying attention to what is happening with our children.”

Greene urged that villagers are free to report any suspicious activities to the agency or police.

She said that prior to the incident being publicized; the agency had never received any reports.

Greene however indicated that the agency has dealt with cases like this in the past.

Police and the agency were forced to launch an investigation after residents in the community dismantled and burnt a shack, where they

Head of C&PA, Ann Greene found the alleged child molester with the boys. The suspect remains in custody, while the boys are in the care of relatives.

Green indicated that if the need arises the boys will be taken into the care of the agency. Kaieteur News understands that villagers learnt of what was happening after the parents of a missing

teenager went in search of him.

While in search of their son, the parents reportedly went to the shack and called out for him.

They eventually broke the door of the shack after getting no response and found the man with their child and three other boys inside.

According to a Child Link report titled Cries in the Dark-Child Sex Abuse in Guyana Today, in 2014, there were 3,883 reported cases of child abuse to the C&PA, 628 (16%) were child sexual abuse cases. In 2017, the C&PA report reflected a total of 4,179 cases of abuse with 841 (20%) of those cases being child sexual abuse.

In a period of three years (2014-2017) there has been an increase of five percent of reported child sexual abuse cases, the report says. At the end of June 2018, C&PA recorded 481 cases of sexual abuse against children.

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Kaieteur News

Monday February 04, 2019

Monday February 04, 2019

UN Khashoggi probe wraps up in Turkey

UN Special Rapporteur, Agnes Callamard and Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu Al Jazeera - As the United Nations’ investigator into the death of Jamal Khashoggi leaves Turkey this weekend, it remains unclear whether her inquiry will get world powers to push harder to bring the Saudi journalist’s killers to justice.

Agnes Callamard, the UN’s special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, said she was a “bit disappointed” with the information she obtained following a week of talks with Turkish ministers, intelligence chiefs and Istanbul’s top prosecutor.

According to reports, Callamard was allowed to listen to Turkey’s audio recordings of Khashoggi’s murder in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Riyadh has not cooperated with the probe, and she was not granted interviews with Saudis or access to the three-storey building Al Jazeera spoke with several experts on the case, who all said that the key questions remaining are who Callamard named as the plotters and whether her dossier motivates a tough response from world powers.

“As Callamard leaves Turkey, there are hopes that her report lays a crucial foundation to bring those responsible for Khashoggi’s brutal murder to account, including any officials behind the killing,” Balkees Jarrah, a lawyer with Human Rights Watch, told Al Jazeera.

“The big questions are over what evidence she has had access to, how she frames her report and, perhaps more importantly, whether the international community has the stomach to pursue this to some kind of full criminal prosecution.”

Callamard said her inquiry was launched on her “own initiative”, with an invitation from Ankara. She told Turkey’s Hurriyet Daily News that she had “felt the duty” to investigate as the UN and

its members were not pushing for a criminal investigation.

The French academic was joined in Ankara and Istanbul

by Helena Kennedy, a top British lawyer and Member of the House of Lords, and Duarte Nuno Vieira, a forensic scientist and professor at Portugal’s University of Coimbra.

Ignore, investigate, or move up The tapes reportedly include the killing itself and feature Saud al-Qahtani, one of Prince Mohammed’s top aides. Other tapes, predating the murder, led Turkey to conclude early on, that the killing was premeditated despite Riyadh’s denials.

She also spoke with Khashoggi’s fiancee Hatice Cengiz, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Yasin Aktay, an aide of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who told Bloomberg that the crown prince was the “No 1 suspect” in the murder.

After reporting to the UN’s Geneva-based human rights body, Callamard said its 47 members would discuss her recommendations but that it was down to the “willingness” of governments to “take the issues forward”.

The council could effectively ignore her dossier, use it as a basis for a fuller investigation, or move the issue up a level in the UN system to the Security Council and UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres.

The Security Council can set up tribunals, inquiries or refer cases to the International Criminal Court.

In the past, the UN’s top tier has launched probes into the assassinations of Rafik Hariri of Lebanon and Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan.

Even if Callamard is ignored, her dossier could buttress a case in a country with universal jurisdiction laws that enable prosecutors in Spain, Australia, Finland

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Kaieteur News

and elsewhere to try crimes committed abroad.

‘Orchestrate global outrage’ According to Merve Tahiroglu, a Turkey expert at The Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a think-tank, Ankara has used the death to hurt Riyadh diplomatically and would work alongside other countries and campaigners to advance the case at the UN. “Ankara’s goal has been to orchestrate global outrage over the killing and turn its western, NATO allies against MBS,” Tahiroglu told Al Jazeera.

“Callamard’s probe offers another route for achieving this, as a strong report in Geneva could shunt the issue towards a criminal investigation under the UN Security Council.”

But while Turkey may seek to embarrass Riyadh, there is less appetite across the global community to shame such a major player in the global oil and arms markets, said Sigurd Neubauer, an independent Middle East analyst.

While several prominent US senators have blasted Saudi Arabia for Khashoggi’s death and drafted laws to stop supporting Riyadh’s war in Yemen, US President Donald Trump has stood by the young leader.

“The problem with Callamard’s probe is that it doesn’t change anything. We already know what’s in the tapes, what the CIA concluded and that the evidence trail leads to the highest levels in the Saudi government,” Neubauer told Al Jazeera.

“But we also know now that, for her report to go anywhere, it needs support from the big powers. And the US and others seem to have concluded that they’re going to stick with the Saudi leadership, even if it was behind a brutal murder.”

CARICOM concerned about “unilateral” stance of OAS concerning Venezuela GEORGETOWN, Guyana - CMC — The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has chastised the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) Luis Almagro about his “unilateral” stance in accepting Juan Guaido as interim president of Venezuela.

In a letter to the Almagro, CARICOM Chairman, the Prime Minister of St Kitts Nevis, Dr Timothy Harris said the CARICOM Heads of Government mandated him to express the regional body’s “disapproval and grave concern with regard to the position that you, in your capacity as Secretary General, have adopted, by recognising the president of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Juan Guaido as interim president of (Venezuela). This action on your part, without the authority of the member states of the organisation, is considered inappropriate”.

The CARICOM chairman, in the letter dated January 31, said the decision to send the sternly-worded later was taken at an emergency Caricom Heads of Government held on January 24 that had been convened to discuss the unfolding political crisis in Venezuela.

“The Heads of Government consider it imperative that you publicly clarify that you did not speak on behalf of all member states. We are aware this is not the only occasion on which you have made public utterances in the name of the (OAS) without authority. This type of unilateral action by a head of an international organisation, whose membership comprises sovereign states, is a clear departure from normal practice and cause for great concern,” the CARICOM chairman said.

The stance taken by CARICOM, follows a statement made by Trinidad

(OAS) Luis Almagro, Dr. Timothy Harris

and Tobago’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, who last week, following a meeting with United Nation’s Secretary General Antonio Guterras,defended CARICOM’s decision not to seek the intervention of the OAS in the matter, blaming the OAS Secretary General Luis Leonardo Almagro of “taking on personally the presidency of Venezuela and had been advocating, virtually an overthrow of the Venezuelan government.

“Trinidad and Tobago as a country under the rule of law and a long standing member of the OAS and knowing the OAS Charter had objected to that because we always knew that if the situation worsened, or even before it worsened that the OAS was our first port of call to have this matter dealt with through dialogue and negotiations.

“By the Secretary General without reference to us in the CARICOM, we don’t know who else he had referred to,

but without reference to us here in the CARICOM, taking on from his office an attack on a member government that created a problem for the OAS,” Rowley then said.

“Now that this new parallel government was declared in Venezuela, once again without reference to us here as members of the OAS, the Secretary General went ahead and recognised the new interim president.

“Those development had the effect of deeming the OAS unsuitable to be an honest broker in a situation where we believe dialogue and negotiation is what is required to bring stability to the Venezuelan situation,” Rowley told reporters.

Guaido has challenged incumbent President Nicolas Maduro’s power, declaring himself interim president of Venezuela, according to the constitution. Maduro’s presidency was illegitimate, he said, because the elections were not legal and fraudulent.

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Kaieteur News

Monday February 04, 2019

Monday February 04, 2019

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Kaieteur News

GFF/Pele Alumni/Frank Watson Memorial National 2017/2018 Playoffs – Cluster 2

Eagles FC get past Timehri Panthers and Milerock to earn finals place

Eagles FC of Stewartville.

By Franklin Wilson West Demerara Football Association (WDFA), GFF/ Pele Alumni/Frank Watson Memorial 2017/2018 winners Eagles FC, the last team to qualify for the National Playoffs, have advanced to the Finals following after ending with a clean sheet when Cluster 2 of the Playoffs was contested yesterday at the GFF National Training Center, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Coming up against East Bank FA champs Timehri

Panthers and Upper Demerara’s Milerock, Eagles soared to wins over both opponents via a 2-1margin in the first instance and 3-2 via sudden death penalty kicks after the match ended 2-2 in regulation time.

Yesterday’s final match saw Timehri Panthers needling Milerock to end with a consolation with; missing a plethora of opportunities especially against Eagles and paying the price for their lack capitalizing on chances created.

But it was to be the Eagles’ day to fly high and that they did with glee, burying their chances when they came along. Telbert Baptiste was the star of the day for the West Demerara side as he scored three of the four goals they got in regulation time.

Despite missing the second kick from the penalty mark in the clash against Milerock, Baptiste’s earlier efforts were enough to propel the team, to a memorable win and their highest

achievement to date as a club.

Eagles ran away 2-0 leaders against Milerock with Baptiste netting both in the 11th and 30th minutes respectively to end the first half (35 minutes) comfortably ahead.

But their thoughts of celebrating after regulation time was not to be as Milerock fired in like manner when Travis James in the 55th and George Stephen in the 60th minutes evened things up.

Based on the competition

Dar and Amin lead Pakistan to consolation win KARACHI, Pakistan, CMC – A blistering halfcentury from Nida Dar and a three-wicket haul by left-arm spinner Anam Amin ensured that Pakistan avoided a whitewash by winning the third and final Twenty20 International against the West Indies at the Southend Club Cricket Stadium here yesterday.

Dar’s knock of 53 from 40 balls helped propel the home side to their highest total of the three-match series, finishing on 150 for six from their 20 overs.

Amin then claimed three scalps, including that of Windies’ danger batter Deandra Dottin, to restrict the visitors to 138 for eight in their allotted 20 overs.

The West Indies entered the match already assured of clinching the series after

winning the first two matches.

Karishma Ramharack’s double strike had initially put Pakistan on the backfoot. She accounted for the wickets of opener Umaima Sohail (28) and Iram Javed for seven to reduce them to 80 for four in the 13th over.

But a 67-run partnership between Dar and Aliyah Riaz in seven overs wrestled the initiative away from the West Indies.

While Riaz was more reserved, Dar was aggressive, smashing five boundaries and two sixes.

By the time Dar was eventually dismissed with three balls left in the innings, Pakistan was only three runs short of the 150-mark.

Unlike the previous matches, West Indies’ batters never fired, with only Deandra Dottin and Natasha McClean

putting up any form of resistance.

Their run chase got off to a horrible start with Kycia Knight being stumped off the second ball of the innings bowled by Amin, without a run on the board.

Shemaine Campbelle didn’t last too long either, as she was bowled by Sana Mir for nine, as the Windies stumbled to 24 for two.

Dottin breathed some air back into the chase with a scintillating 46 from 29 balls.

Her knock contained three boundaries and four sixes.

However, once Amin got

rid of Dottin to make it 68 for three, the rest of the batters faltered, as they lost their final four wickets for 21 runs.

Amin was the pick of Pakistan’s bowler, finishing with figures of 3 for 34, while Sana Mir supported with 2 for 21.

Scores: PAKISTAN 150 for six off 20 overs (Nida Dar 53, Umaima Sohail 28, Aliya Riaz 24 not out; Karishma Ramharack 2-20).

WEST INDIES 138 for eight off 20 overs (Deandra Dottin 46, Natasha McClean 26; Anam Amin 3-34, Sana Mir 2-21).

Habits are not the product of one decision — They’re the result of repeated choices that eventually become automatic responses. How can you know your true spiritual condition? By the company you keep and the choices you make. When you’re free to go, where do you choose to go? Whose company do you prefer?

rules, kicks from the penalty mark would be employed once matches end tied at the end of regulation time in order to determine the winner. At the end of the first five kicks each, the scores was tied 2-2 which meant that sudden kicks was necessary.

Keshaun Smith nailed his shot for Eagles, but Milerock’s Ronaldo Peters sent his shot over the cross bar to spark wild celebrations by the Eagles Players as it sealed their passage to the National Finals on February 16th next at the same venue.

They have now joined Santos FC which won Cluster 1 on Saturday and Tabatinga FC of the Rupununi FA. Eagles had earlier yesterday, in the first match of the cluster against Timehri Panthers, won 2-1 on account of goals from Baptiste in the 11th and Jomaley Kellman in the 20th minutes.

Tyrone Burnette pulled one back for Timehri in the 54th minute. The Panthers’ push in the final minutes of the match for an equalizer did not make the cut.

However, the East Bank champions did salvage some pride when they defeated Milerock in the final match of the day by the lone goal of that encounter which was scored by Iasmael Palsuram in the first half which was all that was needed to seal the win.

The GFF/ Pele Alumni/ Frank Watson Memorial 2017/ 2018 National Playoffs train is now destined for the Cinderella County this

Iasmael Palsuram Saturday when Cluster 3 would be decided when home team Dartmouth Determinators will seek to defend their turf against Region #1’s Atkinson Brothers and Bartica FA’s Rivers View.

All the action will unfold at the Anna Regina Community Center Ground from 10:30hrs on Saturday.

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Monday February 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

Ranks of the Police PR Department benefit from Sports Journalism training …conducted by renowned sports analyst Mr. Edwin Seeraj

Volcanoes register emphatic victory over Pride BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Windward Island Volcanoes expectedly secured a comfortable victory over Barbados Pride in their sixth round contest of the Regional Four-Day Championship at Kensington Oval here yesterday.

Chasing a paltry total of 33 to win, the Volcanes eased to 34 for two in their second innings. The result was never in doubt when the Pride, who were made to follow on after trailing the visitors’ mammoth first innings total by 217 runs, had slipped to 157 for six at the end of play on the third day, still requiring another 60 runs to make the visitors bat again.

To their credit, the Pride’s lower order did offer enough resistance to carry the match past the lunch interval.

A 51-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Shamar Springer and Tevyn Walcott frustrated the Volcanoes’ bowler for the early part of the morning session.

They had carried the score to 203 for six before Ray Jordan accounted for the wicket of Walcott for a well played 27.

His wicket was followed 13 runs later by the that of Springer’s for 34, with the score on 216 for eight and with Barbados still requiring another run to make the Volcanoes bat again.

It was left to Ashley Nurse, who struck an almost run-a-ball 32 from 36 balls to ensure that the Volcanoes would have to take the field.

And even though the Volcanoes lost the wickets of Taryck Gabriel for a duck and Roland Cato for 11, they easily romped to their target without any further alarms.

Scores: WINDWARD ISLANDS VOLCANOES 470-8 decl. (Devon Smith 199, Sunil Ambris 79, Denis Smith 66, Kirk Edwards 39, Roland Cato 29; Shamar Springer 2-72, Miguel Cummins 2-78) and 34 for two.BARBADOS PRIDE 253 (Jonathan Carter 64, Aaron Jones 42, Tevyn Walcott 31, Shayne Moseley 27; Larry Edward 5-67, Joshua Thomas 3-41, Ray Jordan 2-45) and 250 (Shayne Moseley 51, Aaron Jones 39, Shamar Springer 34, Ashley Nurse 32, Tevyn Walcott 27; Kavem Hodge 3-79, Ray Jordan 2-22, Larry Edward 2-93).

Victory was in honour of Joseph’s mother: Holder

Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan (left) and Edwin Seeraj (seated) and participants of the programme.

With over 30 years of experience in the also implored upon the ranks to be involved sports arena and known for his popular in all of the sporting disciplines whether by television shows dubbed as “Lotto Cricket reading or participating because with the Info and Quiz” and “NCN Sports Magazine”, knowledge gained, they would be better both aired on the National Communications equipped to write more in-depth and quality Network Channel 11, Mr. Edwin Seeraj who articles.

The former sports journalist also touched has conducted a series of sports journalism training, did another such training for ranks on some very important points such as: target audience, proper of the Public record keeping, Relations Department “Writing is an exploration. You usage of words, time on the behest of the management, etc.

Public Relations and start from nothing and learn as Superintendent Press Officer, you go” – E.L. Doctorow Jairam Ramlakhan in Superintendent expressing gratitude Jairam Ramlakhan.

The PR Department is tasked with to Mr. Seeraj also explained the importance producing articles on police activities which for the training since the PR Department is includes sports for the Force’s periodicals robustly continuing to highlight and (The Copper and the E-Newsletter), and also showcase the Guyana Police Force via both to publish same on social media and the Police the print and broadcast media.

The PRO calls on everyone to follow and Website. Hence it must be noted that such training will improve the ‘sports section’ of share the Police Facebook Page which currently has in excess of twenty-nine those periodicals.

Mr. Seeraj, a former school teacher with thousand followers.

All information disseminated to the Press over 10 years of experience in delivering his lecture, pointed out that writing articles on or published in the periodicals, is also posted sports is way different from other articles; he on that social media platform.

NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – West Indies’ resounding 10-wicket victory over England Saturday that helped them claim the Wisden Trophy has been dedicated to Alzarri Joseph’s mother.

Sharon Joseph passed away before the start of play on Saturday. Despite his loss, the 22-year-old fast bowler still took to the crease during the West Indies first innings, making seven as the hosts were dismissed for 306.

He then returned to grab two wickets in England’s second innings as the Windies recorded a historic victory. After the win, West Indies’ captain Jason Holder said the team had played to honour their teammate’s mother.

“Alzarri was exceptional.

It took a lot of heart for him to be on the field today, I think a lot of people wouldn’t have been able to, but credit to him.

The way he ran in this afternoon was exceptional and with a bit more luck he

Despite losing his mother, Alzarri Joseph still took to the field and collected two wickets. could have got three or four more wickets and could have put in a Man-of-the-Match performance.

“I just want to say condolences to him and his family, it is a tough loss. I came here two or three years ago and visited his mum, she wasn’t doing well at that stage but fought through, so

I felt it personally this morning when I got the news that she had passed away,” Holder said.

The skipper said when the team heard the news, everyone rallied around Alzarri and offered their support. He also lauded the young fast bowler for his spectacular effort under tough circumstances.

“To see him in tears this morning was even harder, and we came together in the huddle and we just wanted to do it for him and we dedicate this day to him, his mum and his family. It was up to him if he played. I didn’t want to deprive him of the opportunity to take the field.

“If he felt he could manage and take the field and perform then I wasn’t going to deprive him of that. For sure I knew he wanted to do something special for his mum and credit to him, he held his hand up high and did an exceptional job for us,” Holder said.

Monday February 04, 2019

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Kaieteur News

GMR&SC Endurance Series 2019

Fernandes scrapes past Bacchus for 1st round win

Romeo Singh; Unlimited class winner.

Action at South Dakota Circuit yesterday.

Persistent rainfall delayed the start of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) first race meet of the year, round one of the three-part Endurance series, by over five hours but after the competitors waited out the weather, they put in some decent performances at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri.

Defending champion driver, Team Ramchand’s Wreckers’ Adrian Fernandes (78 laps), narrowly defeated Sean Bacchus (77 laps) for the 1600cc and overall win after Bacchus’ machine gave in during the final three minutes

of the two-hour long drive.

However, Fernandes was leading the race throughout but he was sidelined for four laps after running off the track in his Gillette Sponsored Toyota Levin motorcar, allowing the persistent Bacchus in his AE 91 to take the lead until trouble in the final moment of the race.

Dawolu Harper (77 laps) finished third in the 1600cc class and overall in his Kinshasa sponsored Starlet.

It was a decent finish for him after being sidelined from the track for some time.

Shan Seejatan (unlimited class) blazed out the blocks and was leading the race for the first few laps but encountered the first of many problems early on and had to come off the track to diagnose the issues.

Despite encountering frequent problems, Seejatan was able to complete 58 laps for a third place finish within his class but more importantly, he came agonisingly close to resetting the lap record which was set

by Rameez Mohamed in 2018’s final endurance round,

last December. Seejattan’s best time yesterday was 1minute 17.142 seconds, while the track record is 1minute 17.086 seconds.

The unlimited class was won by Romeo Singh (72 laps) but Motilall Deodass (59 laps) surprisingly finished second ahead of Seejatan.

Deodass’ Motor Trend sponsored Starlet encountered problems from the start of the race so he had to race at a decelerated pace throughout the race.

Mohamed Ali (33 laps) was the best driver in the 2000cc class, while Roshan Ali (20 laps) finished second followed by Rafeek Khan in third with 19 laps.

In the 1500cc class, Narendra Mangar (73 laps) won, followed by Richard Hamid (70) in second place and Mark Wong (69) in third.

Drivers will now turn towards the drag racing championship which boosts off on Sunday February 17 and competitors from Suriname are expected.

(Calvin Chapman story and photos)

Over 20 drivers registered for the yesterday’s Endurance meet at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri.

West Indies captain Jason Holder suspended for St Lucia Test Jason Holder leads his players on a victory lap. (Getty Images)

ESPNcricinfo - West Indies will be without their captain, Jason Holder, for the third Test of the series against England after the ICC suspended him.

Holder was held responsible for his team’s slow over rate during the win in Antigua. West Indies wrapped up the three-match series with a second successive win - this time by 10 wickets - within three days in Antigua. They won the first Test in Barbados by 381 runs within four days.

Kraigg Brathwaite, the vice-captain, will step up to lead the team in Holder’s absence, having done so in two Tests on West Indies’ tour of Bangladesh last year, which Holder missed due to injury.

Keemo Paul, the 20-year-old Guyanese allrounder, will come into the squad in Holder’s absence. He has played two Tests to date,

most recently on the tour of India last October.

Oshane Thomas, the reserve fast bowler, is also in line for a call-up, although his selection would weaken West Indies’ batting.

After the match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Holder dedicated West Indies’ performance to the family of Alzarri Joseph, who played on despite the death of his mother on the third morning. Victory gave West Indies their first Test series win over England since 2009.

West Indies have fielded a four-man pace attack in each of the two Tests, with Roston Chase providing a spin option. In Antigua, Chase was only called upon to deliver eight overs out of 103.1 as England were twice dismantled by the quicks for totals of 187 and 132.

The third and final Test, in St Lucia, is due to begin next Saturday.

PAGE 32

Monday February 04, 2019

Kaieteur News

Carlos Carbo wins “Speedy” Ramdial Memorial tourney

Winners pose with the Manager from Vish Trading and Club Captain, Chatterpaul Deo. From left: Satrohan Tewari, Hilbert Shields, Patrick Prashad, Mr Ramdial of Vish Trading, Carlos Carbo, (Club President) Aleem Hussain, Kassim Khan, and (Captain) Chatterpaul Deo. Carlos Carbo - of Barranquilla, Colombia, head of Saj Rice Mills, Guyana, and long-time member of the Lusignan Golf Club – who has been contributing for over 17 years in development of the rice industry here, developed an excellent game at the Vi s h Tr a d i n g / P r a b u d i a l

“Speedy” Ramdial Memorial tournament on Saturday last as he beat all competition to emerge the tournament Champion, or Golfer with the Best Net score – a score of 65.

The”Speedy” Ramdial Memorial tournament has become a welcome annual

feature early in the year. Vish Trading Inc – owner of Durban Quarries and identified as “Guyana’s largest machinery trader” of Area D, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, telephone 592-220-0912, 220-5937 or 592 647-2236, now under the direction of Vishnu Ramdial,

has been a generous annual sponsor of Tournaments at the Lusignan Golf Club since 2008. Records indicate that some of the winners over the period were: then Captain Patrick Prashad (May 2008), Carlos Adams (Oct 2010), then rookie Lekhnarine Shivraj (Feb 2016), and rookie Rohan

‘Top order needs to get big scores together’...

Albert (Jan 2018).

This was Carlos Carbo’s first win, and his phenomenal net 65 off of handicap 28, compared well to his compatriot Guillermo Escarraga who was champion two weeks ago, in the ANSA Motors tourney of January 19, with a fantastic net score of 63 off a 22 handicap.

Meanwhile, veteran golfer Patrick Prashad, who was 2nd in the ANSA Motors tourney and 1st in the LGC FundRaising tourney of Jan 27, forced a 2nd place in his Flight, staying in the top 3 for the last 3 tournaments.

The “Speedy” tourney was played in two Flights 0 – 15, and 16 – 28 handicaps and prizes were awarded to the first 3 places in each Flight.

In the 0-15 Flight, the winners were: Kassim Khan – 1st (67/ 9); Patrick Prashad – 2nd (72/ 9); (Club President) Aleem Hussain 3rd (72/10); Parmanand Persaud was just outside the winners’ row with 75/12.

In the very keenly contested 16 – 28 Flight, the winners were: Carlos Carbo – 1st (65/28); Satrohan Tewari – 2nd (68/16); Hilbert Shields – 3rd (72/16); Rabindranath Persaud (72/17) tied with Hilbert Shields, but was edged out in the ‘Back 9’ count.

Other close competitors in this Flight were Patanjalee Persaud (73/16); Jordi Pinol (74/28); Mahendra Bhagwandin (75/19) and Miguel Escarraga (75/20).

Mr Ramdial, son of the late Prabudial and a Manager of Vish Trading, was on hand to distribute the prizes (trophies) and congratulate the winners.

President Aleem Hussain expressed gratitude to Vish Trading for their continued support, noting that despite challenges, they were delighted to honour the memory of Prabudial Ramdial and continue in their support of the sport he loved so much.

The LGC would like to inform the public and all golfers that it proposes to offer more than 45 tournaments this year, but the Course and Clubhouse facilities are also available for special activities and some social events. In addition, the public is especially invited to use the Course facilities for kite-flying (and picnicking) on Easter Sunday and Monday, when usually thousands flock to the grounds for family fun and relaxation in a safe and refreshing environment.

Smartt five-wicket haul...

Jaguars player have Lunch the Hilton in Trinidad yesterday.

From page 34 Shiv achieved this against T&T. “The top order batsmen have not given us enough runs in the last two but lower order batsmen showed their batting ability, while the bowling has been very good. We will work on confidence, the mental strength needed for building innings to big runs and fixing some technical issues since all the batsmen here are all talented,” said Chanderpaul, the only player to score a triple century since the Shell Shield tournament began in 1966 when he scored an unbeaten 303 against Jamaica in 1996 in Jamaica.

Chanderpaul, who made 42 in the last of his 385 FirstClass games in August last year for Lancashire against Surry at the Oval in England, said that the emphasis will be clearing out negative thoughts from their minds and getting them to focus on building innings and trying to understand their batting.

The former Guyana and West Indies Captain said we need to be positive about the team since that mind set will help them to do well on the field adding the Jaguars are still ahead despite the two bad games and are on course for finishing

strong.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul has the most runs by a Guyanese (393) and is only behind Devon Smith (545), Monchin Hodge (473), Kirk Edwards and Chadwick Walton (406).

Anthony Bramble is the other Guyana with over 300 runs (360) and two centuries while he has the most dismissals with 24, double that of Bajan Keeper Tevyn Walcott’s 12.

Chanderpaul Hemraj is the only other Guyanese with a hundred, while Skipper Leon Johnson (209) has managed just one fifty and owes the team runs.

Vishaul Singh (181 from 4 matches), Kemo Paul (142 from 3 matches), Clinton Pestano (199 from 6 matches) and Raymon Reifer (111 from 2 matches) are other Jaguars members with 100 runs after their last game.

Veersammy Permaul is the tournament leading wicket taker with 29 scalps, while Shepherd (21), Paul (20), Pestano (17) and Reifer (11) are the leading Jaguars’ bowlers this season.

Manager/Head Coach Rayon Griffith also expressed confidence in his charges and says they will show improvement in their next match against Jamaica scheduled from February 7-9 at Providence.

From page 33 struck three fours to remain unbeaten on 26, while Campbelle made one not out as Berbice ended on 57-2 in 13 overs. Smartt was named player-of-the-match.

At Lusignan, Demerara made light work of Essequibo to set up an intriguing contest with Berbice in the final round.

Essequibo pacer Kumarie Persaud uprooted the stumps of opener Lashana Toussaint (01) as Demerara lost their first wicket with the score on two after they decided to bat.

Keisha Fraser and Wilson added 44 for the second wicket before Fraser was bowled by Vanita Balkishun for 10.

Wilson and Thompson then united to frustrate the Essequibians as they put on 184 for the third wicket. The duo started off cautiously and

blossomed well as they picked up runs on both sides of the pitch. Wilson struck 10 fours before she was bowled

by Oneissia Stoby for 103.

Thompson then added a further 147 for the fourth wicket with Kaysia Schultz to lead Demerara to a mammoth 380-3 in 50 overs. Thompson hammered 15 fours and in her unbeaten 164, while Schultz made 28 not out. Persaud, Balkishun, Stoby took one wicket each.

In reply, Essqeuibo lost wickets at regular intervals and were sent packing for 22 in 24.5 overs. Schultz ripped through the batting to finish with 5-2. Thompson was voted player-of-the-match.

The competition continues tomorrow with Essequibo playing the Select U19 at Everest and Demerara facing Berbice at GCC.