Guyana Times - Friday, September 21, 2018

Education Ministry’s GECEP programme concludes after 3 years P16 …sees major improvements in hinterland schools Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, September 21, 2018

Issue No. 3693

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Guyana, T&T Energy Sector Cooperation MoU

Yes, it was a sellout! – Opposition Leader ...says President Granger dropped the ball again

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Boat builder drowns in Barama P11 River

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LGE 2018 Nomination Day

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7 parties to submit candidates’ lists today

City Hall CoI

P16 King to proceed on administrative leave today

Regional, int’l collaboration needed for food security – Granger Page 12

Enmore man stabbed P10 during home invasion recovering Tombs broken into, skeletal remains P10 scattered in cemetery

President David Granger is being assisted by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Business Minister Dominic Gaskin in cutting the ceremonial ribbon to officially open GUYTIE at the Marriott Hotel on Thursday

Lawyer Linden man slapped with crushed to death by 5 charges - to appear in court today falling log Page 9

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CCAC justifies auto dealers repossessing vehicles P14

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BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 21 – a night retraction at 02:30h and a day retraction at 14:30h-16:00h and Saturday, September 22 – a night retraction at 03:30h and a day retraction at 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 21 – 14:25h-15:55h and Saturday, September 22 – 14:55h-16:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny to light cloudy skies are expected in the morning, while sunny intervals are expected in the afternoon. Clear skies are expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 21 degrees Celsius to 31 degrees.

Winds: South-easterly to Easterly and East Northeasterly between 1.78 metres and 6.25 metres.

High Tides: 14:27h reaching maximum height of 2.27 metres.

Low Tide: 07:56h and 20:18h reaching minimum heights of 0.93 metres and 0.94 metres respectively.

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Guyana, T&T Energy Sector Cooperation MoU

Yes, it was a sell-out!

– Opposition Leader ...says President Granger dropped the ball again

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Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Governments of Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) has been dubbed a ‘sell-out’ by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo who said a broader development cooperation agreement was expected.

Addressing media operatives at his weekly press briefing on Thursday, Jagdeo said the agreement is lopsided and does not take into account issues that affect Guyana.

“Issues on the entire spectrum of development cooperation should be on the agenda too. So, when Government goes to negotiation they have to look out for our interest too. So, I would say yes, it was a sellout from that perspective,” he explained.

Jagdeo pointed to the fact that Guyana already signed a MoU with T&T in 2013, which had as its objective, the promotion of greater cooperation in energy and energy related matters between the two countries.

He therefore feels that the MoU could have looked at other issues including export, and the treatment of Guyanese at Trinidad ports of entry.

While reiterating that he is a huge supporter of regional integration and the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), Jagdeo, a former President, said Guyana is also a sovereign State and the Government of the day is expected to ensure that this is protected by all means.

“We share a common history. We have a common culture and we should work as a Region to enhance the prosperity of all our people….the [People’s Progressive Party] PPP,

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

historically, has worked on pushing regional endeavours: free movement of goods, capital and people…

We will support any effort to bring our countries closer together.”

He continued, “But we have to look out for our interests too and when our interests, Guyanese national interest, are downgraded by other countries we have to stand up for Guyana…unfortunately, we have a President who has a proclivity for presiding over lopsided agreements… I believe that the President does not understand his responsibility in this regard.”

The Opposition Leader pointed to the fact that T&T Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley noted that he was unaware of Guyana’s problems with the transhipment of some agro-products, including honey. Rowley told the Guyanese press following the MoU signing at State House on Wednesday that he thought it was just a Grenadian problem.

Dropped

“When our Government goes to a negotiation they have to look at our interests too. (President) Granger

and his Government dropped the ball again,” he said, while questioning whether there was even a negotiating brief that informed the meeting between the two leaders.

Jagdeo said the issues he raised are not targeted at starting a war with T&T, rather is it about the failure of the coalition Government to represent the interests of Guyanese.

He said Guyana and T&T have shared a good friendly mutual relationship for many years.

On that note, the Opposition Leader said there must be a focus on reciprocity, even while Guyana and countries in the Region continues to foster deeper relations with Caribbean Community (Caricom) member states.

Particular concern was raised with regards to the fact that the MoU proposes the setting up of a technical work group. He said Government undermined the intellect of Guyanese by agreeing to set up that group in the twin island republic when it has not even considered developing same here.

“Imagine we don’t have a technical working group

in our Parliament to look at the future of our oil and gas industry, but we can sign a MoU to establish a joint technical working group with another country… It just shows how we value or how we don’t value our own people’s opinions,” Jagdeo stated.

The framework agreement for the MoU will come on stream on October 1, 2018. The areas of cooperation as outlined in the MoU include technical assistance in the areas of exploration and production of hydrocarbon resources; and the exchange of information on public policies in the area of the regulation, administration and sovereign management of oil resources.

It also includes the exchange of information on Government programmes throughout the hydrocarbon value chain and related experiences; the promotion of training and capacity-building of technical personnel and the development of energy technologies through, inter alia, technical visits, secondments, seminars and presentations.

Further, the promotion of cooperation and exchange of experiences between State-owned petroleum enterprises for the development of joint projects utilising mechanisms convenient to the parties has been listed as an area of cooperation between the two countries.

The MoU signing comes on the heels of concerns raised locally by the observers and stakeholders about the benefits that would redound to Guyanese, more specifically the local businesses within the Private Sector, with the singing of such an agreement.

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

Nomination Day 2018

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oday is Nomination Day for the much- anticipated Local Government Elections (LGE) which are slated to take place on November 12, 2018 in Guyana, notwithstanding the pending legal challenge that is facing the courts in relation to the newly created boundaries for certain Local Authorities, and the establishment of at least nine new constituencies without prior consultation with key stakeholders.

It is expected that close to 61 contenders will crowd the offices of the various Returning Officers across the country, to submit their lists of potential candidates who are vying for a chance to be elected to either Head or serve in various Local Authority Areas over the next two years.

According to the Guyana Elections Commission, there are some thirty-four (34) individuals who will be competing in the November LGEs, alongside seven (7) major political parties and twenty-one (21) voluntary groups.

On Wednesday, the two main political parties competing, which are the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP), indicated their readiness and confidence ahead of the processes which are taking place today.

After all of the fanfare, pomp and ceremony associated with the presentation of the various candidates’ lists, a newfound level of sobriety will permeate the land, as Guyanese will finally have an opportunity to see who will be running within their respective constituencies, and will no doubt begin the process of deciding whom they are willing to support and whom they will not back under any circumstance.

Given the importance of the process today and the integrity of those who are running for high office, the public debate and discussions on the nominees themselves and their various manifestos are expected to be livid, to say the least.

As is the norm, the staging of Nomination Day marks the official commencement of the campaign period in the lead up to the actual LGE. This period would see those competing staging community meetings, rallies and other political events across the country with the hope of clinching the support of undecided voters.

And while it is not necessary, it is likely that the bigger players, which are the political parties, would seek to outmanoeuvre the smaller community groups and individuals through advertisements and the utilisation of their largerscale elections campaign machinery, to double down on available opportunities to maintain their support base while breaking new ground.

But citizens must ensure that they arm themselves intellectually with the facts surrounding the state of affairs of their communities, villages and municipalities. They must also hold those leaders who have served since the historic return of LGE, back in March of 2016, to account for their failures and inability to deliver improvements in the lives of residents on varying fronts, wherever they may exist.

After all, residents can ill-afford a continuity of the current status quo in many communities plagued by high levels of crime, solid waste management crises, poor community roads and infrastructure, and poor drainage and irrigation.

Citizens, regardless of where they stand on the political divide, must also recall the scandals and controversies related to acts of financial mismanagement, corruption, and wastage of resources, in order to make a good decision about whom to support at the November polls.

It is imperative, if local democracy is to work, that they also look at the track record of those parties, community groups and individuals who are competing for their vote.

How has the APNU governed at the Central Government level over the past three years? And what has been the level of support provided to the local democratic organs in order for them to achieve their mandates? How has the PPP, as a party, governed? And what was the scope of local development compared to its successor? What expertise or skills do these new community groups and leaders possess? And how do they propose to transform their communities?

The truth is, these elections will also give insight to the voting patterns that may prevail at the Regional and General Elections in 2020. They expose the mood of the populace while also shedding some light on the gains made by the Opposition, if any, since 2015 at the local government level.

Fort Kyk-Over-Al was a Dutch fort in the colony of Essequibo, in what is now Guyana. It was constructed in 1616 on an islet in the mouth of the Mazaruni River. It once served as the centre for the Dutch administration of the county, but now only ruins remain. The name Kyk-Over-Al is derived from the Dutch for "See over all"; a reference to the commanding view of the river from fort (James Deeges photo)

Beyond the words Dear Editor, On Sunday, September 16, 2018, I heard Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan saying that the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo had publicly stated his non-support for David Ramnarine’s candidacy as Police Commissioner.

Ramjattan went on to say that Clement Rohee, who he claimed is the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) spokesperson on the security sector, had expressed his opposition to the appointment of David Ramnarine as Police Commissioner. When asked why his recommendation for Ramnarine to be appointed as Commissioner was not accepted by President David Granger, Ramjattan said his was only a recommendation and that the President’s decision is final.

He asserted that the President had the benefit of insights from the Police Service Commission, the Slowe Commission of Inquiry (CoI), and an interview panel to assess the capability and professionalism of the eight Assistant Police Commissioners, including Ramnarine. The President chose Leslie James as Commissioner and four others as Deputy Commissioners and did not even consider Ramnarine for one of the Deputy Commissioner positions. Granger said: “I think this is the best outcome and they are all fit and proper persons to lead the Police Force.”

Notwithstanding his recommendation of Ramnarine to be appointed as Police Commissioner was rejected, Ramjattan said he accepted the decision of President Granger, who he claimed is a man who adheres to the provisions of the Guyana Constitution. Really! What a startling statement! How would Ramjattan explain Granger’s unilateral appointment of retired Judge, James Patterson as Guyana

Elections Commission (GECOM) chair? Granger defied the time-tested CarterPrice Formula for the appointment of the GECOM chair that has also been enshrined in the Guyana Constitution, and to state that he (Granger) sticks to the Constitution is bewildering! There are other instances of constitutional violations.

Let’s put the other records straight. Jagdeo never made any public statement that he did not support Ramnarine as Police Commissioner. At the consultation meeting with the President, he had asked why Ramnarine was not considered for that appointment and Granger said he had a number of “specific reasons,” but did not elaborate. “Opposition Leader Jagdeo revealed that he questioned the President as to why Ramnarine was not considered for the post (Commissioner) and was told

by Granger that there are specific reasons. Those reasons, were however, not revealed.”

(Guyana Times: August 31, 2018).

The assertion that Clement Rohee was against Ramnarine’s appointment is correct, but that position of Rohee was personal and did not necessarily reflect the views of the PPP. It’s the PPP General Secretary or the PPP Executive Secretary who speaks on the behalf of the party in such matters. And it was the PPP General Secretary (who is also the Leader of the Opposition) who met with President Granger for consultations and not Clement Rohee. Ramjattan has made a splurge to cast the blame for the Government’s bypassing of David Ramnarine as Police Commissioner, onto the PPP. But Ramjattan should know that the Guyanese public is smarter than that. Hardly anyone believed what he said.

Another worrisome thing is Granger said he had “specific concerns” about Ramnarine’s

candidacy. I believe that the “specific concerns” were born primarily out of Slowe’s oneman CoI that drove a deep wedge into the careers of both the former Commissioner Seelall Persaud and acting Commissioner David Ramnarine.

Notwithstanding, it does not seem that Ramjattan had any such “concerns” nor was he aware of them since he (Ramjattan) recommended Ramnarine for the position of Police Commissioner, knowing that Granger had made it clear that he wanted someone with integrity and who is also unbribable. Taking these requirements into consideration Ramjattan placed Ramnarine ahead of Leslie James and the four Deputy Commissioners. My question is simple. How can the subject Minister Ramjattan not have “concerns” with Ramnarine when the President had quite a few? Were they reading from the same book? Something does not add up here.

Also, when Ramjattan was asked why he was not around when the appointments were made, he said that he was overseas on family business.

It seems that the appointment and investiture of the Police Commissioner and the 4 Deputy Commissioners were not important enough for the Minister of Public Security to be there!

Shifting gear onto another level, Ramjattan boldly proclaimed that the eight American Congressmen who recently visited Guyana were there to get a first-hand look at the situation.

He said the delegation was pleased with the coalition Government’s performance and then unrestrainedly expressed his (Government’s) unconditional love for America. In his rhetorical flourish on this matter, he failed to tell the listeners that the visit was part of a broader effort to cover not only Guyana but two other

countries. And how could a one-day visit, shrouded in secrecy (where the press and the Opposition were excluded), achieve anything substantial relative to governance and the social conditions?

Finally, the interviewer failed to ask Ramjattan the hard questions, like “why is there so much difficulty in paying the sugar workers’ severance, to which they are entitled by law?” Remember it was Ramjattan and his cohorts who said sugar was too big to fail and that, if elected, they would pay sugar workers a 20 per cent pay rise. Furthermore, “why did President Granger say that the sugar workers’ severance pay is sucking the Treasury?”

In fact, “isn’t the payment of $14 million a month for a grossly under-utilised drug bond (if one could call it that) at Sussex Street, Albouystown sucking the Treasury?” Why wasn’t Ramjattan asked about the real fears that Guyanese have about electoral rigging, and what measures, if any, is the Government taking to ensure the integrity of the electoral process? “Why wasn’t Ramjattan asked about the widespread practice of racism by the Government?”

Politicians should understand that Guyanese, whether local-based or oversea-based, are much smarter than they are often given credit for by them (politicians). In this age of social media in particular, politicians have to do a better job of communicating their views and position on issues.

People are also looking for evidence-based information.

Speculations, emotionalism, lies and deception had worked well for many but these do not have staying power and will soon dissipate. Evidencebased information and the pursuit of truth should eventually lead to a new political culture in Guyana.

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

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

A case for concern Plight of a pensioner at NIS Dear Editor, It would seem as though the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU) Government of Guyana is mismanaging Guyana’s fledgling economy.

In 2015, the debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 47.9 per cent (ref: Trade Economics). In 2017, the debt to GDP had risen to 53.4 per cent.

This is an over five per cent rise in two years which is worrying.

As well as the exchange rate was about GY$207:US$1 in 2015. Today it is about GY$209:US$1 which is worrying.

Clearly, the PNC led APNU/ AFC Government of President David Granger is overspend-

ing which is worrying as it will cause undue hardship to the poor and lower middleclass citizens.

What happened to job creation? That has been put on hold as the Government has sacked over 7000 hardworking citizens (nearly 2000 Amerindians Community Support Officers and 5000 sugar workers.... interestingly these are perceived to be non-Government supporters so they were discarded).

Is there any end to the undue hardship caused by the PNC led APNU/AFC Government?

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), when in Government, managed to grow Guyana’s economy (even with the “protest/riots” insti-

gated by the PNC to oust the democratically elected PPP/C Government).

Let us now turn to the alleged “corruption” by the PPP/C when in Government.

After three years, the PNC-led APNU/AFC Government is still conducting “audits” (deemed, witch-hunting). Even before the APNU/AFC came into power, they had to have some evidence of corruption which Guyanese have not seen after over three years.

Basically, the PNC-led APNU/AFC lied to themselves; then lied to their supporter; then lied to the Guyanese nation to get into power which is worrying.

So, what does the future hold for Guyanese? As I see

it, given the PNC-led APNU/ AFC modus operandi, there will be a rehash of their lies as Local Government Elections and national elections draw closer. Don’t be too surprised if Opposition MPs are hauled in for “questioning” as elections looms. This will cause a degeneration in already strained relationship in between the Governing APNU/AFC and the Opposition PPP/C which is worrying.

Should the APNU/AFC gets ousted from power through fair and free elections due in 2020, then I expect their supporters to go on the usual rampage which is worrying.

Yours faithfully, Sean Ori

Guyanese demand better Government and teachers want their money. Pay them.

Dear Editor, As a quick preface, it is worthy to note that civilised, competent governments recognise that their workers’ welfare is important and integral to realising a successful, stable society. They implement systems to ensure that workers are adequately compensated, and that social safety nets such as unemployment insurance are available to respond to changes in economic conditions.

Less competent administrations, because of their poor policies which generally undermine the productive capacity of their economies, usually resort to confrontations with workers over better salaries as economic conditions decay.

A quick comparison of Guyana with other countries in the Caribbean and around the world which achieved independence at just around the same time as ourselves, reveals that something is definitely wrong. Most, if not all of these countries, have progressed, with their workers enjoying much better standards of living, inclusive of increased incomes, better educational and health services and improved public infrastructure. Guyana on the other hand, continues to struggle with Government corruption and economic mismanagement, racism in our national politics, poverty and low wages, underemployment and woefully lacking educational and health services, not to mention quality issues with our water, electricity and public infrastructure.

How could this be? What has happened to us? We have had our future stolen from us by the systematically bad Government of our successive administrations over the decades since independence.

A first step to recovering our stolen future now is to begin the process of coming to grips with the nature of our current crop of pol-

iticians, their politics and the immediate dynamics we face as a nation. A major consideration should be that given the irrational, anti-democratic and socially destructive policies of the coalition, it is very likely that the old school executives of the People’s National Congress who run Congress Place were successfully brainwashed by Burnham, and seriously consider that his dictatorial politics and policies can work, against all evidence to the contrary.

Crucial also in respect of the current Administration is the recognition that the minor parties of the coalition Administration apparently have little input in policy, so that the majority of the current policy prescriptions emanate from Congress Place, which will learn too late that Guyanese no longer place much confidence in their leadership or administration.

They will reflect later that much, if not all of their policies, were rooted in their errant notion that ‘it was their turn now,’ for another 28 years, when they again resumed office in 2015. With the coalition members becoming more suspicious of their intentions, Congress Place will also have to consider the prospect of contesting the 2020 elections alone.

By continuing to withhold sugar workers’ due severance pay the Granger Administration is willfully disregarding our laws and regulations, which in this case serve to protect our workers from the potential abuses of employers. The coalition Administration is now a lawless organisation.

It has descended into an economic war with Guyana’s workers, both public and private. Its recent treatment of teachers and their union is tantamount to pushing fire in our teachers’ faces even as they struggle monthly to make ends meet.

David Granger’s recent disregard for the recommendations of the appoint-

ed Task Force overseeing teachers’ affairs speaks to his willingness to disrespect the very officials appointed by his Administration, and highlights the disregard by him and his Administration for the due process of governance. Guyana no longer has a Government in place, but a one-man pappy show.

The recent combative position with the Guyana Teachers’ Union emphasises that the coalition is not anymore supportive of workers’ affairs. The Administration seems willing to now contest with workers’ unions ‘tooth and nail’ for salary increases and amounts that are now owed to them.

Congress Place will realise too late that it should not expect to lose the 2020 elections because of critics who are committed to better

Government and improved welfare for workers and Guyanese in general, but because it did not learn from its earlier failures.

The lessons from those earlier years are: 1) Guyanese have no appetite for any hint of rigged elections or oppressive dictatorship; 2) We demand better government. Workers demand their fair share of our national income, and also money that is owed them. It is time the coalition Administration started listening to Guyanese. We demand better Government, and our sugar workers and teachers want their money.

Pay them now.

Respectfully, Craig Sylvester, Democratic National Congress

Dear Editor, I would like to thank Christopher Ram and his assistant, Christopher Thompson for their time and effort in helping a pensioner – Ms Sahadai to receive a monthly pension from the National Insurance Scheme (NIS); a benefit that was denied for seven long years, even though this pensioner had evidence to show that she had worked for more than 16 continuous years and the NIS contributions were deducted. Management at NIS denied Ms Sahadai a monthly pension, awarding her a small grant instead.

This is not a unique case and I believe umpteen workers are being deprived of benefits that are rightfully theirs by this unreliable organisation called NIS. Established since 1969, why is it that this organisation has no proper system in place to review issues being queried by workers/pensioners? Why should a pensioner be made to wait for four years as her case is being reviewed?

Why should a simple straight forward request

for an accurate and updated Contribution Record from NIS have to reach the High Court? Why is the NIS telling workers “Employer X did not pay in your contributions and there is not much we can do,” when in fact, the law allows for NIS to use whatever means necessary to get defaulting employers to pay in the workers contributions. It would appear as though NIS just doesn’t care to or want to address the issues of defaulting employers.

I am thankful for the help and support of Ram and his staff for not giving up on Ms Sahadai, and going the extra mile to ensure she receives from NIS what is rightfully hers, but what about all the other workers who are being denied benefits through no fault of theirs?

It would be great if other attorneys can follow suit and join Ram to ensure that workers of this country are not taken for granted by the NIS. Yours truly, Concerned citizen

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here comes a time in life when we grow as adults, and our parents, who were always there for us, need us to be there for them. For many adult children, this is a difficult transition to make. Finding that our parents are no longer the people we thought they were, adjusting to the reversal in our roles and even understanding that physical and mental changes may result in personality changes in our parents is often something which we want to deny and avoid dealing with. However, in order to continue to be able to relate to each other as a family, we need to meet these challenges directly and find ways to understand and help our parents as they age.

Foundation

unhappiness, misunderstanding and stress within the family.

What can you do?

As a filial child, you will want to help your parents as much as possible. But the chances are, that you yourself are in a phase of heightened responsibility in your own life.

Your children are probably in their teens and need extra guidance, you need to work hard to save for your own retirement, your kids’ educational needs and also your parents’

Understand the issues of aging Learn about the issues they are facing; what to expect and how to help your parents adapt and accommodate to the changes which they are experiencing. Be sensitive to the fact that your parents are in an entirely different life stage – one you have never experienced. Don’t assume you know what it is about. Keep in mind that their responses and opinions come from a different perspective.

Listen and be a confidant Realise your older family members’ need for having someone to confide in, for reassurance and care, to receive affection and respect and to discuss problems does not changes as they grow older. Be available and offer words of support.

Ask your parents to share their current experience as an older person.

Listen. You will likely learn a lot that may help you with your own ageing, help you understand what they are going through and how to support them.

What issues are your parents likely to experience?

As your parents age, they will struggle with many issues.

Understanding them is a first step to helping your parents’ transition too.

A sense of loss One of the biggest things which elderly people tend to experience, is a sense of loss. These losses are multiple and appear in many areas of their lives.

Some of the most common of these are: * Loss of financial independence after retirement * Death of friends and relatives and increasing social isolation * Loss of mobility and capability through poorer health * Loss of importance and position within the family * Loss of meaning and purpose in life Values and expectations Elderly people also struggle because sometimes their values and expectations of how they will spend their old age may not match what society or their children expect of them. Many elderly parents expect to be respected, viewed as an important advisor within the family, continue to be valued, have independence and freedom to do as they wish, and be cared for attentively.

Time, finances, or even their children’s desires may mean that there is a mismatch between their expectations and their daily lives and routines. This can lead to significant

Here are some steps which you can take.

Examine your expectations Examine your expectations of your parents now that they are retired. Do you expect them to take care of your children when you work? Have you talked to them about this? What do they expect to do now that they have retired? Are there differences between what you expect and what they expect?

health needs, and at the same time you feel emotionally stretched. The temptation to ignore your parents is probably a great one. However, doing so is likely to make it harder to connect as a family and will, in the long run, increase the degree of stress and unhappiness for you and your parents.

There are of course, several things which you can do to make life better both for yourself, and also for your elderly parents.

Be kind, patient and respectful Just because you may be more capable today or believe you know better, it doesn’t mean that you have the right to belittle or treat your parents with less consideration and respect.

Be sensitive to who they are as people and continue to respect them and treat them with care and patience. Don’t tell them what to do and accept them for who they are. If eventually, they disagree with your views, accept that this is their right as adults and individuals too and take responsibility for the choices you make for yourself. (www. familiesforlife.sg)

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bring up their own children. So take a step back and only offer your advice when you feel it is necessary.

Advice for elders If you’re the elder or the pioneer in the household, it is easy to expect the respect of everyone else in the household.

You may find the rings in your grandson’s nose or ears a little garish and improper for a young man. At the same time, it is important to understand that

Advice for the middle generation When you are stuck between your parent and your child, it gets tiring having to appease both parties and acting as the bridge between them. Being a parent puts pressure on you, the same pressures your parents or in laws probably had raising their own children. Understand that and perhaps you’ll feel a little better equipped when dealing with any conflict.

If you are a young parent, it can seem like a great idea to have your parents around to look after the young ones while you’re bringing home the bacon. However, as much as they would love to look after their grandchildren, they most likely lack the stamina to pander to the needs of a crying and a needy toddler. So, if you are able to, hire professional help, and involve

iving with grandma and grandpa can sometimes be a little inhibiting, but it isn’t all that rare in our closeknit society where we often find three generations of family living under the same roof.

What happens then when you’ve got different ideals, behaviours, norms and values? Growing up in under different circumstances and environments, each generation is likely to have a different take on how life should be lived and how the family should interact.

What can each member of the family do to smooth out these differences?

the world is constantly changing, and so are its fads. As the head of the family, tap on your wealth of experience and imagine yourself as a 20-year-old back in your day, did you not yearn to do things your way as well? Thinking from this perspective is likely to give you a better understanding on why young people act the way they do.

Understand that your habits may also be seen as strange and primitive to your young ones and instead of keeping your habits to yourself, share and communicate. Impart your knowledge of the world and your past to the younger generations.

Not only does this keep conflict at bay, it also strengthens the bond between family members.

The most common cause of conflict comes when grandparents insist on stepping in to parent their grandchildren.

Doing so undermines the ability of your own children as well as their authority. It is vital to understand that your children will not necessarily raise their kids the same way as you have raised them. Parenthood is unique to each individual and the experiences they have had as children will shape the way they

your parents just in overseeing and helping out when necessary.

Having a teenager at home with seniors can sometimes be challenging.

Teenagers go through the phase of experimenting with new looks and behaviours in their bid to discover themselves. The way they dress may seem outlandish and unacceptable to their grandparents. However, with proper transitions and an open communication, grandparents may even be involved in the process of discovery and offer their own opinions and takes or share experiences from their teenage years.

Ultimately, communication is always the key to avoiding conflict. So communicate openly and frequently with your family.

Key takeaways Embrace the changes and different elements that each generation brings to the family.

Respect the space and privacy of your family members, and allow each generation to grow in their own time.

Always communicate, keep it open and mediate to close the gaps between each generation. (www.familiesforlife.sg)

news

7

fridAY, september 21, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

LGE 2018 Nomination Day Jagdeo says SOCU’s visit was to test system 7 parties to submit candidates’

…expects reciprocity on how Govt lists ahead of Nov 12 elections officials will be treated - 21 voluntary groups, 33 individuals contesting separately

T

he recent decision to attend an interview with investigators of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) over the sale of lands at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, was to test the system and set a precedent for others to follow, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has said.

“I went there. I could have said that I choose to remain silent like everyone who had gone in there, but I used the constitutional provision that is there because I wanted it tested. And the testing it sets a precedence,” Jagdeo told a news conference on Thursday.

He explained to members of the press why he decided to adhere to a request for an interview with SOCU on Tuesday. Jagdeo, who later invoked presidential immunity that same day, said he is prepared to drop the immunity and allow Police to question him.

However, the former Guyanese Head of State said the only way he would, is if President David Granger is questioned by SOCU investigators over the controversial award of a contract to a Dutch company for a feasibility study into the new Demerara River bridge.

“If the President, when he is questioned in SOCU, chooses to give answers as to why he presided over Cabinet and approved a contract that was contrary to the law, I’ll go back to SOCU and I will not use that constitutional provision and you have that from me so I’m hoping he’ll do that now. You have heard me say that,” Jagdeo stated.

But Jagdeo explained that although he holds a constitutional post and was

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

chair of Cabinet for the matter being investigated, he still attended the interview, even though he had the option of refusing to do so. “I expect reciprocity in terms of how Government officials will be treated,” the former President explained.

Jagdeo said he was assured by Head of SOCU, Sydney James that in spite of Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson sending a statement, he will have to attend an interview.

“I hope he will do the same thing that I did and that is, I informed the press before I went there. And as I promised at my press conference… so they had a nice picture of me going into SOCU,” Jagdeo reminded.

The Opposition Leader noted that he also expects that all Cabinet members, including President David Granger, will visit SOCU. “So as to explain why did this Cabinet approve a contract that it had no authority to do so,” the Opposition Leader added.

The contract in question was awarded to Dutch company, LievenseCSO, for a feasibility study into the new Demerara River bridge.

The Opposition had requested that the Public Procurement Commission

investigate the award of the $148 million sole sourced contract.

In its report on the matter, the Commission flagged Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson for requesting from Cabinet that the contract be sole sourced, instead of being processed through the Procurement Board as the law says should be done.

It was subsequently announced that SOCU would be investigating the contract award.

Sources indicated that Minister Patterson had submitted a statement to SOCU. There are reports that he paid a very low-key visit to the agency, in sharp contrast to Jagdeo’s open visit to SOCU on Monday.

When contacted on Tuesday, SOCU head, Assistant Commissioner Sydney James, was reluctant to speak on the matter and promised to check with his investigators. Calls to Minister Patterson himself went unanswered.

It was reported on Tuesday that SOCU had given the parliamentary Opposition a commitment that members of the coalition Government will be questioned concerning the controversial contract.

C

andidates for Guyana’s major political parties and other smaller players will between 10:00h and 14:00h today present their lists of candidates to Returning Officers at offices of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for the Local Authority Areas (LAAs) in which they are contesting. This is the major step ahead of the 2018 Local Government Elections (LGE) which is set for November 12.

Members of the Disciplined Services will head to the polls on November 12.

GECOM has disclosed that seven political parties, 21 voluntary groups and 33 individuals are vying for victories in some or all of the LLAs. The Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) are contesting in all municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC),

Some of the 21 voluntary groups contesting include Independent Group for Local Development in the Best/Klien Pouderoyen NDC; People’s Village Movement in

while the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is contesting in eighty LAAs. The United Republic Party (URP) and the United Party for National Growth and Development are competing in all LAAs, while the Guyana National Congress (GNC) is expected to submit candidates for LAAs in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) only. The GNS party will meanwhile only contest in all of the 10 municipalities. These 10 include the city of Georgetown and nine towns.

The towns are Mabaruma in Region One (BarimaWaini); Anna Regina in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); New Amsterdam (the country’s oldest), Corriverton and Rose Hall in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Additionally, candidates will contest in Bartica in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Mahdia in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); Lethem in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) and Linden (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Mora/Parika NDC and Ronald M Griffith in Constituency Seven of Wakenaam Island NDC. There are 12 persons contesting in various constituencies in Georgetown, which is the largest LAA. This list includes Malcolm De Freitas who had also contested in Constituency One at the last LGE which was held in March 2016. For this November polls, Rajendra Bissessar will contest in the Buxton/Foulis NDC in Constituency Six, while Omeshwar Sirikishun will contest Constituency Four of Bloomfield/Whim.

Only the political parties, voluntary groups and individuals with approved symbols to contest Local Government Elections 2018 will be allowed to submit their lists of candidates, having used the prescribed GECOM forms.

These lists will be examined by the Returning Officers to determine whether they were properly submitted in accordance with the relevant laws.

The two major parties; the PPP and the APNU, told Guyana Times that they are

Diamond Place/Golden Grove; and the Kwakwani United for Progress (KUFP) contesting in Kwakwani NDC. Meanwhile, 33 individuals are vying to be representatives in 26 constituencies across the country.

These include Phyllis Carter in Constituency Four in the

ready and beaming with confidence to participate in today’s proceedings. APNU Campaign Manager, Amna Ally said all arrangements and all logistics were sorted out. Ally is the General Secretary of the APNU’s major coalition partner, the People’s National Congress and she added that APNU remains confident that it will be able to secure a resounding victory at the November 12 elections.

The PPP is similarly upbeat about its prospects for victory at the upcoming polls with General Secretary

Bharrat Jagdeo telling reporters on Thursday that once their lists have been submitted, they will speak more on their platform for LGE and how they selected candidates.

“Right across Guyana, people are busy preparing to submit their lists of candidates and we in the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) are also the preparation to do so,” Jagdeo stated.

With just over 50 days to go before Local Government Elections, the GECOM said symbols it received from the seven political parties was an increase compared to the three from 2016 that contested. If the list is considered defective, the representative/ deputy representative will be notified by the Returning Officer. If the party, group or individual is not satisfied with the reasons provided by the Returning Officer, they can file an appeal against refusal of approval no later than the 45th day before Elections Day to a Magistrate of the magisterial district.

In the 2016 election, the voter turnout was 47.10 per cent. Cane Grove in Region Four saw the highest turnout with 63.56 per cent while Linden, a stronghold of the APNU, recorded the lowest, whereby out of 23,880 people eligible to vote, only 8395 cast their ballots and 116 were rejected. Georgetown, another APNU stronghold saw 37.66 per cent with 42,313 out of the 112,364 voting. In the end, the PPP/C recorded victories in 48 out the 71 LAAs. However, the PPP/C and APNU/AFC coalition tied in Mabaruma. Those elections returned after an absence of 22 years.

8 news

fridAY, september 21, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS Bisram murder trial

Prima facie case made out “Boat gone for 5 accused to lead defence a wata”…

A fter Magistrate Charlyn Artiga announced that a prima facie case was made out against the five men charged for the killing of Faiyaz Narinedatt; a killing which was masterminded by Marcus Bisram who is currently detained in the United States (US), Attorney for the accused will now be required to lead his defence.

The Attorney, Sanjeev Dadatin, had made a no case submission for his clients; however, after overruling same, Artiga made her ruling.

As such, Datadin is now expected to lead his defence on September 28, at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court.

The five accused –

Marcus Bisram

Orlando Dickie, Radesh Motie, Diodath Datt, Harri Paul Parsram, and Niran Yacoob – are accused of murdering Narinedatt between October 31 and November 1,

2016, at Number 70 Village, Berbice.

Narinedatt’s lifeless body was found on the Number 70 Village public road, Corentyne, on November 1, 2016, with marks of violence about his body.

Intially, it was reported that the man was involved in a hit-and-run accident.

His relative however denied that this was so and as such, made repeated calls for the matter to be closely investigated.

It was only after a post-mortem examination revealed that the man died from a fractured skull but had also sustained a fractured spine and other injuries that an investigation was launched.

That investigation re-

vealed that the day before he was found dead, Narinedatt had attended a party in Number 70 Village, which was hosted by Bisram, who allegedly made sexual advances towards Narinedatt which were rejected.

This angered Bisram who ordered the Narinedatt be killed. The suspects reportedly dealt the now deceased man a sound thrashing before his unconscious body was placed in the trunk of a car and dumped.

Bisram, who fled to the US, was detained their after an arrest warrant was issued for him. However, his relatives are currently making legal submissions to stop a court order to have him extradited to Guyana to face trial.

W

…on T&T refining Guyana’s crude

e’ve been assured by President Granger that “there’s no sellout” to T&T on the Energy MoU he signed with them…before releasing the details! Your Eyewitness is sure Guyanese have now breathed a sigh of relief. After all, the last time the President gave such an assurance was on the Exxon contract negotiated by Trotman!!

The President’s obviously either very, very naïve, or he’s jerking our chain! As your Eyewitness has taken pains to point out, when dealing with businesses or other countries trying to get a piece of your action, you’ve got to work on the premise that whatever they propose is intended to promote THEIR interests. So it was with the Exxon contract, and so it is with the T&T Energy MoU. No matter how you slice it, dice it, or puree it, Rowley’s looking out for Number 1 – which sure ain’t Guyana!!

The question your Eyewitness has is: How the heck does Granger know the MoU isn’t a “sellout”? Is this his personal surmise? Or was he advised by his Energy Czar? Ooops!! He couldn’t have received any advice from THAT quarter, since the fella he unilaterally appointed has absolutely NO EXPERTISE in the area!!! He and the President both assure us he’ll be hiring “experts” to advise him!! And, presumably, after that, he’ll advise the President.

So, when the President vows there’s “no sellout”, like the captain of the Titanic, he’s basically whistling in the dark on a wing and a prayer! And the analogy’s quite apropos, since, like icebergs, the real import of these MoU’s is always under the water, under the table, and under the radar. The second question your Eyewitness has is: What need is there for the MoU, in the first place? The “Objective”, according to Art 1 of the MoU, is “promoting joint projects throughout the hydrocarbon value chain”.

Now, since Exxon will be giving us our measly 12.5 percent share of profits and the 2 percent royalty in CRUDE oil, “projects throughout the hydrocarbon value chain” basically means we’ve agreed to refine that crude (or portions thereof) in T&T. How else do you “add value” to crude oil?? But when Rowley shut down T&T’s oil refinery, Petrotrin, he confessed that one of the reasons was because of the company’s high cost and inefficiencies! In light of that, why even discuss “adding value” to our crude with T&T? Was it the reminder Rowley slyly gave Granger about “Trinidad” – under Basdeo Panday in 1996! – writing off US$300 million of debt? Is it now time to pay back?? But that would make T&T an “Indian giver”! Is it because Panday’s an Indian??

After all, Rowley did say then: “Guyana picked T&T’s pocket”!

…on T&T controlling ancillary activities

So we move to Article 2 of the MoU: “Areas of Cooperation”. T&T’s gonna cooperate with us in “technical assistance in…exploration and production of hydrocarbon resources”. So let’s get this straight: This Government intends to start competing with Exxon and the other multinationals to “explore and produce oil and gas”?? We can’t even cap a gas leak at Diamond, and we’re going to be drilling 1 mile under the sea and another 1 mile under the continental shelf? And it’s not even Carnival or Mash time!!

Then we’ve agreed to work with T&T on “the development of policies relating to local content”.

We have the thousands of T&T companies now made redundant with the collapse of their oil industry, and we’ll have the T&T Government assisting in defining what’s “local content”?? So what will be different?

Exxon’s definition of the cane juice vendor as supplying local content will now be changes to using T&T’s “expertise”??

At least the cane juice vendor was sourcing his sugar cane locally and spending his profits at the local rum shop!!

…on Executing Committee

T&T’s and Guyana’s Energy Ministers will be implementing the MoU as the “Executing Committee”.

As a petroleum geologist with 20 years’ experience, TT’s Franklyn Khan will eat Granger’s inexperienced appointee alive!!

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

News

9

fridAY, september 21, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Linden man crushed to death by falling log

A

labourer was on Thursday crushed to death by a falling log while trying to clear the filter of a lorry at the RI Forest Products, Sawmill and Lumber Yard located at Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The dead man has been identified as 20-year-old Stephon Braithwaite, also known as “Grinch”, of Lot 100 Block 22 Squatting Area, Wismar. Preliminary investigations revealed the now dead man was servicing one of the trucks in the compound. As he continued his work, he reportedly went to another truck which was being offloaded with lumber to get fuel from the tank to put into a filter.

In the process of extracting the fuel, one of the logs slid off the truck and pinned him to the ground, crushing his abdominal cavity, caus-

Dead: Stephon Braithwaite

managed to lift the log off of him and rushed him to the Linden Hospital Complex where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Francis Braithwaite, mother of the dead man, told this publication that she was made to understand that one of the workers re-

an interior location when the accident occurred.

“They tell me that my son tried to run but it was too late and it crush he up and kill he," the grieving woman related.

She explained that she spoke with the owner of the sawmill who also indicated that though he was present at the location at the time, he did not see what had transpired.

"He said Stephon bring something and give he before it happen but he didn't see what happened after that," she noted.

His mother told this publication that the owner of the sawmill where her son worked has promised to speak with her concerning assistance with funeral arrangements. Meanwhile, a relative of the deceased indicated that the incident has left him to question the safety at such working environs.

The log that fell on the now dead man

ing his intestines to protrude.

Guyana Times understands that upon hearing the noise of the log sliding off and a brief scream from the now dead man, several employees rushed to his assistance but it was already too late. Nevertheless, they

leased the chains from a log that was secured to a truck thus causing it to fall on her son.

The aggrieved mother stated that she was told that her son, who is a father of two, was at the time servicing a truck to head back into

"Like nobody ain't care about safety. That is the thing I looking at," he noted.

Braithwaite is survived by his two children, ages four and two.

His body is presently at the Wismar Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

The truck from which the logs were being offloaded

Campbellville man found with cocaine in fridge remanded

A

Campbellville, Georgetown, resident was remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he was charged for cocaine possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Andrew Jordon, 53, of Lot 15 Craig Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, denied the allegations made out against him which stat-

ed that on September, 15, 2018, he had 100 grams of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

According to facts presented to the court by State Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford, on the day in question, ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit, acting on an intelligence led operation, went to the contractor's home and

conducted a search which led to them unearthing the said amount of illegal drugs which were found in his refrigerator.

Jordon's Attorney Stanley Moore in a bail application requested that his client be granted bail in a reasonable sum. However, he was refused bail and will make his next court appearance on October 8.

PPP/C launches 2018 Bartica LGE team T

he People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Bartica Local Government Election (LGE) team will be presenting its 28 candidates to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Bartica Office on Nomination Day (today).

Having consulted Barticians in all nine constituencies through either house-to-house or community meetings, the PPP/C

Bartica LGE team has produced a list of nine constituency candidates that reflect gender, youth and experience.

Women, and young women, are featured on the list of PPP/C Proportional Representation candidates.

It was found that of the 28 PR candidates, 15 are female and 13 are male, with 35 per cent being under the age of 35 years of age.

In a statement to the media on Thursday afternoon, the Party said Barticians have seen their township go into a slump with the decline in gold mining, construction and tourism industries.

“Jobs are very scarce and the cost of living has increased, thanks to the imposition of 200 new taxes by the APNU/AFC coalition Government,” the release stated.

Lawyer slapped with 5 charges – to appear in court today

F

ollowing many calls by the public to have Attorney Ryan Crawford answer to the court for verbally abusing a Traffic Officer who stopped him, the Police have instituted five charges which will be read to him today when he makes his appearance at the Mahaicony Magistrate’s Court.

According to a statement issued by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the learned Attorney will be arraigned for the Prohibition of Tinted Glass and failure to produce his driver’s licence. Additionally, he will also be arraigned on charges for driving an unfit motor vehicle, the use of obscene language and for his riotous behaviour.

Last week, the lawyer came under fire after the video which was posted by the officer showed Crawford heatedly refusing to comply with the requests of the officer, which was to hand over his motor vehicle documents and to wind up his tinted car window.

After being stopped on the East Coast Demerara

Embattled Attorney Ryan Crawford

(EDC) road, much to Crawford’s agitation, he proceeded to question the officer as to his reasoning for doing so. In the almost four-minute long video, the lawyer repeatedly used profane language at the officer as he questioned the rank’s legal grounds for stopping him.

Following the posting of the video, Crawford had taken to his Facebook page to make fun of the incident, even going as far as to market him. The Guyana

Bar Association, however, in a statement to the press condemned Crawford’s actions but nevertheless highlighted the right of citizens against arbitrary stops by Traffic ranks.

It was only after this statement that the lawyer issued a public apology but added that he was not sorry for questioning arbitrary authority.

His apology stated “I am not trying to justify my behaviour. My language was not proper as an officer of the courts nor as a member of the Bar of Guyana. I apologise for my language, but I’m not sorry for questioning arbitrary authority”.

In his apology, Crawford also stated that it was his frustration that was the cause of his expletive rant, noting that he was only attempting to get his point across which is that he was illegally stopped.

When he was questioned at the Whim Police Station earlier this week, it was unearthed that several of his documents were only recently renewed.

10 news

fridAY, september 21, 2018| guyanatimesgy.com

Tombs broken into, skeletal remains scattered in cemetery

F

our tombs in the La Belle Alliance Cemetery on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two have reportedly been broken into, and their contents were dumped in the cemetery. This gruesome discovery was made on Tuesday by a cattle farmer who was at the time grazing his animals.

Guyana Times visited the scene and observed that the tombs had been breached in several places. The skeletal remains of at least one woman had been taken out from

her casket and was placed on the ground a short distance away. The skull and certain other bones were missing from those remains.

The corpse was identified as that of Sara Garraway of Danielstown, Essequibo Coast.

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

The headstone of the second tomb read “Campton Britton of Danielstown”, while only the word

“Persaud” was visible on the third tomb. The fourth tomb was unmarked.

Contacted, the relatives of Campton Britton were shocked to learn what had happened, and could not say why anyone would want to break into the tomb of their departed loved one.

This ghastly development is greatly worrying to Region Two residents, and they are hoping that the corpses have not been used in some sort of trade or for purposes of perpetrating evil. The Police are investigating the matter.

Attorney asks Magistrate to resign or apologise after ordering the arrest of a woman Enmore man stabbed during

A

ttorney-at-Law Charrandass Persaud has asked Reliance, East Canje Berbice Magistrate Renita Singh to either apologise to the court for ordering the arrest of a woman, or resign because she had ordered the woman’s arrest.

The matter involving the woman was being held in-camera on Thursday, but the media were allowed in as Persaud addressed the court.

Directing his remarks to Magistrate Renita Singh, the Attorney questioned the authority of the court to order the arrest of a woman who was not part of an ongoing matter before the court.

Persaud noted that it was the woman's son who was before the court, and not the woman. He related that the

Attorney-at-Law Charrandass Persaud

Magistrate had ordered the woman to sit on the bench when the matter was last called, and had instruct-

ed that the woman return to court on Thursday.

"The Police threatened her! …they telling her what will happen to her if she did not attend court. This court ordered her arrest when she does not have a matter here.

What right does the court have to arrest her? Madam, I am asking that you apologise to this court for the arrest of this woman, or you resign," Persaud said.

Magistrate Singh said all she wanted was for the woman to tell the court where her son was. And after telling the court that she did not know the whereabouts of her son, the woman was granted permission to leave.

The woman's son is before the court on issues relating to his providing for his children.

home invasion recovering

E

nmore man stabbed during home invasion recovering Forty-nine-yearold Dharmendra Lall of 274 Enmore, East Coast Demerara is thankful to be alive, having been stabbed several times about his body in a home invasion on Tuesday evening at about 00:00h.

According to the Police, Lall had awoken to use the washroom when he realised that one of his kitchen windows was open. While attempting to close the window, he was attacked by an identifiable male, who inflicted a number of stabs wounds about his body before fleeing the scene.

Having managed to get help, the injured Lall was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where he was treated and is said to be recuperating.

Guyana Times has been told that Lall, who lives with his mother, has submitted statements to the Police, who subsequently went in search of his alleged attacker.

Police ‘C’ Division (East Coast Demerara) Commander, Calvin Brutus, has however noted that several efforts were made to locate the suspect, but his home has on all occasions been observed shut tight.

Lall told this publication on Thursday, “The man go in

we house and start to attack me. I was in the toilet; and when I came out the toilet, I called for my mother and tell she, ‘Like somebody deh in de house’.”

He said he raised the alarm after noticing that his window was open, and was immediately attacked by the man.

“He tell me moda seh, ‘He (Lall) dead! He got fuh dead! I come fuh kill he!” the 49-year old Lall recalled.

Saying he knows the man by seeing him around the community, Lall, a father of three, has said he hopes the Police can find the person who tried to snatch his life away from him.

S RAIGHT T

11

News

fridAY, september 21, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Boat builder drowns in Barama River

Big stepbrother against the teachers!

By: SASE Singh; M.Sc. - Finance, ACCA.

T

Introduction

he teachers’ strike that swept Guyana these last few weeks has highlighted the potency of the collective power of the teachers. The teachers have punched brutally but directly at the face of the oppressors in their efforts to highlight their “bread and butter” issues without allowing a political charade to take over.

The PNC, for its part, quite hypocritically tried to paint the leadership of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) as PPP agents; but, in the end, the nation saw their call for what it was -- an act of delusional desperation.

Why? Historically, since the 1960s, the GTU has always been a PNC political poodle, save and except for these post-2015 days.

Is this an example of the pot calling the kettle black?

Historically, the months of September and January are extremely important for teachers. For one, school terms begin then; but, in Guyana's case, those months represent periods of heightened militancy within the teaching fraternity.

In September 1976, seeds were planted by the Corentyne teachers that led to a three-day walkout in protest of the PNC Government rejecting their right to organise and mobilise. At the centre of that strike was a former GDF officer, Mr. Chaitram Singh. Unfortunately, in those days, teachers had little support from the GTU leadership, which comprised nothing else but PNC puppets controlled by their puppet masters at Congress Place.

One must also remember teaching stalwarts like Brenda Do Harris and Bonita Harris, among others; who suffered acts of discrimination by the PNC Government while their GTU leadership stood by and offered zero support. Why? All because, in September 1978, they had the fortitude to protest against the “Kabaka” and his brand of “voodoo” economics, wherein he caused the passage in Parliament of a law to increase the NIS deduction in a period of stagnating salaries, resulting in the “take home” pay of teachers being reduced. Again, the GTU leadership stood with the PNC, rather than with the teachers in those days.

However, Mr Mark Lyte has exposed that he is not a clone of Basil Blair, Jean Persico or Colin Bynoe. He is a thinking millennial, and there is one thing different about millennials: they cogitate, and do not follow blindly. What is clear is that millennials like Mark Lyte have demonstrated that they have more integrity that the entire PNC leadership, comprised of mostly senior citizens put together. So these 2018 strikes sit on the foundation of past greatness, and that is why I was not surprised that more than 50 percent of the teachers downed tools in the final days. That situation caused the oppressors to buckle despite the phantom systems the Minister had concocted in her head, but failed to implement because it was impractical.

When the GTU Leadership called off the strike, after the Government agreed to go to arbitration, I was one of the few who supported them. I offered that support on ground that some good faith needed to be injected into the negotiations, and the stronger party needed to make the first move. Clearly, in this case, the GTU was the stronger force.

Secondly, if the teachers decide to come back on the streets, this time they will need the backing of the parents and the students. This move by Mr Lyte won the hearts and minds of many parents and students. Unfortunately, the Government has failed to reciprocate this good faith.

It was Sun Tzu who said, in the Art of War, “You appear weak when you are strong”. The GTU has now taken the moral high ground, because, when the next strike starts, it will not stop until the cash is in the teachers’ pockets. The GTU did everything in 2018 to accommodate the Government, including recommending three-PNC types (former PNC Ministers Jeffrey Thomas and Rashleigh Jackson, and former contender for the leadership of the PNC, Aubrey Armstrong) to Chair the Arbitration Panel, but Team Granger deemed them all as unfit.

It is time to let the chips fall where they must.

Conclusion

The ball is now in Mr. Granger’s court, and that is where the buck stops. From my observation of the GTU’s September 2018 protest, there has been a mental shift in how they are thinking.

We can see a change in the dynamics of the teaching fraternity, and there is definitely a change in the balance of power in the education sector. The PNC stepbrother does not have the same level of control over the GTU as he had when Basil Blair, Jean Persico or Colin Bynoe were in charge.

Please feel free to share your feedback at sasesin1@yahoo. com.

Please share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

he body of 27-year-old Tulsie Prashad, a boat builder of Abrams Creek, Pomeroon River, Region Two, was on Monday fished out of the Barama River, wherein he is suspected to have drowned after he fell into the water while washing his garments on Saturday.

Based on reports received, the man, who had migrated to Venezuela since a teenager, had returned to Guyana about three years ago, after being involved in a major accident overseas.

He had moved to Barama, where he had been engaged in building boats for individ-

uals and companies in the area.

Guyana Times was told that the man had been washing his clothes when the hard brush fell into the water. He reportedly went under the water after the brush, and never resurfaced.

A search was launched then, but the body was not found.

However, the body was recovered on Monday, and was positively identified by his father, who, with other relatives, had travelled to the area after receiving the dreaded news. A post mortem is expected to be performed on the body today.

Dead: Tulsie Prashad

12 news

fridAY, september 21, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Regional, Int’l collaboration needed for food security – Granger ...at opening of inaugural GUYTIE

P

resident David Granger, in pushing the regional integration agenda, said the Caribbean has the capacity to attain food security but underscored the need for regional and international collaboration in doing so.

“The Caribbean taken as a whole, has the land, has the labour and the capital to overcome its most severe setbacks to achieving food security. There is need, however, for intensified collaboration between local, regional and international firms to grasp opportunities which

can provide a platform for global market penetration,” the Head of State said.

He was at the time delivering the feature address at Thursday’s opening of the inaugural Guyana Trade and Investment Exhibition (GUYTIE), which he said is a strategic event to reposition Guyana in the global marketplace.

According to the Head of State, there is huge potential for inter-regional trade which can ultimately bring down the Caribbean’s US$4.5 billion annual import bill.

Commodities

such as wheat, rice, chicken, non-alcoholic beverages, soya bean, sugar and palm oil, account for more than 40 per cent of the Region’s food import bill.

Further pointing out that inter-regional exports at the end of 2014 stood at 13.1 per cent of the total regional exports, the Head of State posited that the Caribbean is an important common market, especially in the era of trade wars and Brexit.

“The combined land space of the countries of the Caribbean is almost equivalent to that of Sweden, we

One of the participanting companies at the GUYTIE exhibition being held at the Marriott Hotel

shouldn’t think of ourselves as islands but as a significant community of states.

There’s a huge potential for increased regional trade,” he stated.

To this end, President Granger asserted that Guyana’s economic interests are intertwined with those of the Region. “We see Guyana’s future in the Caribbean and the Caribbean’s future in Guyana… We shall continue to pursue regional economic cooperation in turn, to build greater prosperity and global competitiveness,” he noted.

The Head of State went on to say too that the inaugural GUYTIE comes at a time of renewed efforts to re-energise regional economies and the exhibition’s theme – ‘Made Locally, Trading Globally’ – of promoting export-ready firms and linking them with regional and international businesses.

These are all consistent with objectives of economic integration in the Caribbean.

Against this backdrop, the Guyanese leader reminded the local Private Sector of its pivotal role in regional economic cooperation.

“The Private Sector, to fulfill this role, should aim at increasing international trade and avoid the dangers of insularity. The Private Sector should aim at increasing investment and becoming more innovative in pursuing new markets and improving competitiveness of its goods and services,” he told stakeholders at the exhibition.

GUYTIE is a platform for local export-ready companies to have a business-to-business engagement with foreign buyers as well as potential partners.

The two-day exhibition is being held at the Marriott Hotel, where over 50 exhibitors have set up booths.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Business Minister Dominic Gaskin posited that while the immediate focus of the exhibition is to develop the local Private Sector, the long-term aim is to make the event a signature forum for international companies to connect and expand their market reach, while networking with potential investors “GUYTIE 2018 is a pilot event which we expect will be held annually and which

we expect will become a signature Caribbean trade fair.

So while this year we are focused on linking Guyanese producers and service providers, the longer-term vision is to link international exhibitors with international buyers and to create a forum for international trade right here in Guyana,” Gaskin noted.

The Business Minister went on to note that initiatives such as this are part of efforts by Government to create an enabling business environment for both local and foreign investors.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of GUYTIE, Owen Vervey, said like GO-Invest, of which he is the CEO, this exhibition will facilitate local businesses networking with the 100-plus foreign buyers and investors that are here in Guyana.

He noted that the schedule of activities for the event is an intense one, with some 50 business-to-business meetings already registered and it is anticipated that this number will double with unscheduled meetings – both at the exhibition as well as offsite.

On this note, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Desmond Sears, in brief remarks noted that this event is timely and important for businesses pursuing export markets, as he encouraged stakeholders to take advantage of the opportunity such a forum provides.

The inaugural business-to-business exhibition was also lauded by the participants.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for us here and our local manufacturers because now we can be seen overseas… So I want to thank the Government for giving us this opportunity and bring buyers from overseas so they can see what we have to offer in this lovely country,” said Rashid Baksh, the General Manager of Mohamed’s Farm; a poultry dealer on the East Bank of Demerara.

Apart from the exhibition, GUYTIE will also facilitate seminars and presentations aimed at educating local businesses on the international best practices in terms of marketing and exporting.

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fridAY, september 21, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

GT residents being consulted on garbage collection fee – City Hall

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ith just a few weeks until budget 2019, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is currently consulting residents of Georgetown on the introduction of a garbage collection fee. Speaking with Guyana Times, City Hall’s Public Relations Officer, (PRO) Debra Lewis noted that citizens are being briefed on the initiative and recommendations are being gathered as to how much they should pay.

“We’re preparing right now for budget 2019, so we’re doing the consultation and looking right now at examining the comment of citizens in regards to how much they should pay,” she said.

It was related that the de-

cision was still under consideration but the initial plan was to impose a $100 fee for each barrel of garbage that is

being collected by the Council.

Earlier this year, Town Clerk Royston King had also posited that consultations

were necessary so that the Council could be aware on the thinking of the people.

So far, the discussions were done by the Public Relations unit in collaboration with the Solid Waste Management Department via phone and interpersonal communication. Residents of South Georgetown and the La Penitence areas were involved in the talks.

In January, King had announced that the Council was contemplating whether or not to attach a fee to the free garbage collection that is being done presently. The Town Clerk had stated that garbage collection required a hefty sum of money to carry out operations and in some cas-

es; the Council is unequipped with some of the other resources. This revelation came at the peak of negotiations between solid waste contractors – Cevons Waste Management and Puran Brothers – who had once again pulled their services, even though Central Government had cleared the over $300 million debt owed by the City Council.

At this point, $75 million worth in equipment for the Solid Waste Management Department is expected to arrive soon which was primarily procured to boost operations. Solid Waste Director, Walter Narine had informed that the contract for the supply and delivery of a garbage truck, as well as a tractor

and two trailers went to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

The bid was awarded to Industrial Supplies of Guyana (ISG) which won the bid for the supply of the garbage truck and should be in a position to deliver same in October. He revealed that City Hall initially intended to purchase two garbage trucks, but was unable to do so, since it would have exceeded its $75 million budget.

October is supposed to be the month where a citywide consultation in Georgetown was scheduled to commence.

This was initially in the planning stage.

Kuru Kuru students Cause of death of prisoner inconclusive forced to walk 2 miles T to get to school …due to impassable roads

Emergency rehabilitation works being done to sections of the road

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hildren attending the Kuru Kuru Primary and Secondary schools on the Linden Highway are now forced to walk at least two miles to get to and from school, due to the impassable condition of the roadways, which almost resulted in buses toppling on more than one occasion.

This was on Thursday related to Guyana Times by an inconvenienced teacher who termed the situation as “dangerous and unfair” to the children. On Monday, teachers and parents took to the streets to protest the condition of the roads which have been in a deplorable state for the past few years.

The teacher said, “The buses used to go directly into the compound but due to the condition of the road they have to walk in”. According to him, the children have been footing their way in and out of the two mile road to get to and from school since Wednesday.

“They are left to walk about two miles in because the entire journey is approximately two and a half miles. The entire journey (from where the bus turns off the Linden Highway) is about two miles”. The teacher informed that the buses now transport the children up to where it is safe for the vehicle to traverse, which is about half mile and would offload the children who then continue their journey

on foot.

It was related that the half mile point is the cutoff point where some amount of rehabilitation works are being done by Government.

The teacher added that he would have observed some works being done to rehabilitate the roads, which only commenced recently. “I think work is in progress on the most deteriorated parts which is on the hill that was explained the bus nearly toppled (on). They are doing the remedial works there but I’m not sure where else they will go from there”.

Guyana Times understands that the contractors have been filling the holes, referred to as craters, with another type of soil in an effort to make it passable.

The man further informed that he believes the decision to upgrade the road was made after a Government official visited the area and informed the residents that they were unable to facilitate the upgrade at present due to unavailable funds. The unpleased residents, he said, vented their frustration by further destroying the roads.

A number of disgruntled placard-bearing residents on Monday morning took to the streets as they protested the condition of the road. They vowed to continue industrial action until the authorities looked into the situation with favourable outcomes.

he post-mortem conducted by Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh on the body of 47-year-old Stonie Henry, a prisoner who succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) after being rushed there with suspected poisoning, has been unable to deter-

mine the cause of his death.

As such, Dr Singh has ordered that several of Henry’s organs be sent for toxicology analysis. The welder, of Lot 539 Mocha Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, died at the GPHC after ranks of the East La Penitence Police Station

had observed him vomiting and rushed him there. He had been a Police detainee who was expected to be charged later on the day of his demise (Tuesday) for the rape of a 16-year-old girl.

At about 06:15h on that fateful Tuesday, while conducting inspection, ranks had seen Henry

doubled over and had observed him to be vomiting. When questioned, Henry had complained of feeling unwell, and as such was rushed to the GPHC, where he was immediately treated.

However, at about 08:00h he succumbed. He is suspected to have ingested carbon tablets.

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fridAY, september 21, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

CCAC justifies auto dealers Labour Minister to meet repossessing vehicles Enmore co-op society feud

with residents today

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s the feud between residents of Enmore North, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and the Haslington Co-op Society escalated on Sunday last, with an Enmore resident being locked into her home by persons claiming to be the new owners, Labour Minster Keith Scott has agreed to meet with the residents today.

The meeting is expected to address the current situation and to derive a way forward for them.

In reaching out to Guyana Times, one resident stated she is grateful for the decision of the Minster to meet with them as they were beginning to feel hopeless.

“He is expected to have a meeting with us at the market area on Friday. We are not sure what the discussion will be about but at least we will get a chance to let him know the madness that is going on here,” the woman expressed.

On Sunday, Nadia Rambarran was alerted to loud noises emanating from outside of her home and upon inspection, she saw she was being locked in.

The individuals then proceeded to erect a fence around the woman’s home while she was forced to watch from inside.

Previously, the said woman returned home one day to

Minister of Labour, Keith Scott

find that her home had been invaded by the said people who had thrown all of her belonging into the rain.

Rambarran has been living on the property owned by her mother, Yasmattie Rambarran. The plot of land was willed to her by her now deceased uncle, Rango Paul, who was part of the Co-op Society.

However the land was reportedly sold and a transport was given to persons by secretary of the Co-Op Society, even though this is illegal.

Guyana Times was informed of numerous incidents where other Enmore residents were thrown out of their homes and in some cases, had their houses demol-

ished by several persons who were given transport by the said secretary.

The woman was even sanctioned on two occasions for her actions by the Chief Co-op Officer of Georgetown but however persisted in her ways.

It is being reported that following a meeting between Minister Scott and the Chief Central Co-op Officer of Georgetown, it was relayed that the lands of the Co-Op Society are not to be sold but are to be transferred from one generation to the next.

Further, the lands are also not transported lands as it is a block lease and as such, the Enmore residents were never given individual transports.

Attorney Anil Nandlall who visited the residents is holding out that while the co-op is in a process of redistributing the land, they cannot merely give it to another member, while noting that when a person is deceased, the beneficiary is supposed to be given the land.

The law of cooperative society recognises transmission of interest upon death.

If a deceased was a member of a co-op, and would’ve been entitled to a plot of land, when that person dies, that interest passes on to the beneficiary of that deceased person, the former Attorney General had explained.

GMSA’s Marketplace Uncapped

PR system introduced to assist small businesses …as expo heads to Berbice

One of the stalls at the exhibition

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he Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) will be taking the ‘Marketplace Uncapped’ exhibition to Berbice as part of its role in assisting small businesses to promote their trades.

Vice President of the Association, Ramsay Ali informed Guyana Times that a public relations system would have been introduced to develop the profile outlook of local enterprises and capture the attention of consumers.

“We have started a PR programme to help to promote local businesses. We’re visiting the local companies

and we’re developing their profile to put it out there,” he stated. Another initiative is the Marketplace Uncapped exhibition which has generated significant interest and support is locally manufactured products.

According to Ali, the Albion Community Centre Ground will be the next venue on October 27, as they seek to connect some 65 exhibitors.

“The expo is scheduled for Saturday, October 27, at the Albion Ground. We’re looking at around 65 exhibitors. We had three so far. November last year was one and then we had two this year, one at Providence and one at

Leonora. We had almost 30 store owners in Leonora that would’ve come to see what’s in it for Guyana.”

He noted that this support has led to improvement in the quality and packaging of the products as well as recognition in Guyanese households.

“The response would’ve been extremely good in terms of the businesses. We’ve seen improvement in the businesses in terms of quality and packaging. What we’re trying to create at these events are that people should get to know these products and put them in their homes as well.

It’s also to encourage supermarkets and store owners to visit,” Ali said.

This exhibition is known to be the biggest event in recent time for the organization, owing to partnerships from the Business Ministry and Private Sector entities.

As 2018 unfolds, they are hoping to continue this venture in the coming year with increased collaboration.

“That will be our biggest event for the rest of the year.

We’re working closely with the Ministry of Business and Private Sector to help us to support this initiative next year.”

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he Guyana Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) has received 27 complaints from customers whose vehicles were repossessed by their respective auto dealer.

In addressing this concern, its Chairman, Ronald Burch-Smith is in support of the move by auto dealers since the customers were unable to meet their payment deadlines but in some cases, the customers were half way through their payments.

Guyana Times understands that auto dealers generally take it upon themselves to have vehicles seized from the customer who fails to meet an instalment date.

Some persons argued that this method was unfair since the customer is left with nothing in their wallets, even after making most of the payments required for the vehicle.

It is understood that while it might be fair for the auto dealers to repossess the vehicle, it leaves the customer out at sea, since all their payments are generally flushed away.

This move was however supported by the Chairman of the CCAC, who noted that the process is legal. He explained, “The short answer is yes, but the long answer is that it depends on the terms of the contract so the way a hire purchase agreement works is that you are really renting

Chairman of CCAC, Ronald Burch-Smith

and when you (are) finished paying for it, that is when you own it”. He made reference to the fact that there is a need for a standardised contract between the two parties which is likely to address these issues.

It was however on that note that the Chairman pointed out that customers often brush aside the fine print in contracts and would place their signatures, not realising what they are signing to.

“People don’t actually read the contract to understand their obligations which they frequently rely on the form of assurances from employees who work at the auto dealer so (if) they are running short on their payments, if they have had an accident, (if) they are late frequently (and say) I’ll come next week, I’ll come next month but the terms say

if you don’t pay, they can repossess the vehicles,” he explained.

Burch-Smith added that concerns were also brought to the attention of the CCAC as it relates to vehicular insurance. He pointed out, “There have been issues in the past about insurance, persons who are paying dealers for insurance were complaining that they pay expecting comprehensive insurance and when they actually checked it, they found that it’s part insurance”.

He noted the importance of customers making their own insurance arrangements so as to prevent such cases.

Standardised contract

Among the things that are likely to bring order in this sector, the Chairman noted, was a standardised contract for all auto dealers or a revised hire purchase agreement.

“One of the things about the auto industry is that many of the dealers offer payment terms (and) the contracts aren’t standard and they are sometimes unfair…I think one of the things that would make a big difference is a revised hire purchase agreement that gives clearer provisions and maybe set standard terms so that everyone is regulated by the same terms,” the lawyer stated.

This is likely to bring order in that all auto dealers will be required to offer the same Terms of Reference to customers, which most would be familiar with.

Guyana Times was informed that while some dealers would be lenient with its customers who are unable to meet their due dates for instalments, others would anxiously await the opportunity to repossess the vehicles.

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fridAY, september 21, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Education Ministry’s King to proceed on GECEP programme administrative leave today concludes after 3 years T City Hall CoI

own Clerk Royston King is expected to proceed on administrative leave with effect from today, as the Local Government Commission (LGC) prepares to commence its five-week probe into the operations of the Mayor & Councillors of the City of Georgetown (M&CC). Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green has announced that Deputy Town Clerk Sharon Munroe will perform King’s duties in his absence.

The Town Clerk was instructed to proceed on administrative leave following receipt of a letter issued to the M&CC by the Local Government Commission (LGC), which called for a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to probe City Hall’s questionable expenditures and operations. That CoI, headed by Justice (retd) Cecil Kennard, will begin public hearings on September 24, and is expected to conclude its assignment on October 31.

Necessary actions will be taken by the Commission after conclusions are drawn from the inquiry. Since this announcement was made, senior officials at the M&CC have refrained from answering any question relative to further activities at City Hall. Confronted by sections of the media for a comment at Monday’s statutory meeting of the Council, Mayor Chase Green said, “I have no comment!” as she was whisked away in her vehicle. This development comes just two months prior to the holding of

…sees major improvements in hinterland schools

T Mayor Patricia Chase Green

Town Clerk Royston King

Local Government Elections to elect a new executive body that would oversee activities at the Council.

It has been claimed that this development became necessary, since numerous complaints had been made by employees of the Council and other agencies regarding the expenditure and decisions being taken by the Council.

Sections of the LGC letter referred to the urgency that is needed for the inquiry, and as such, all areas which were highlighted will be examined.

City Hall’s managing committee has, for ages, complained about the lack of funding, which stands in stark contradiction with its excessive spending. Concerns were raised over this issue, and it was noted that while the City Hall building is in need of repair, millions of dollars were being squandered excessively.

This year, $57 million al-

located to the Council by Central Government was given to City Councillors to facilitate community projects.

Additionally, some $58 million was used to buy furniture for the Office of the Town Clerk, and other large sums were set aside to purchase vehicles and machinery for the said office.

King’s office was also given $4 million for overseas trips, and $550,000 for local travel expenses, all approved by the Council. Electricity charges also have this year been hiked from $5 million to $9 million. The excessive spending continued with another $17 million being allocated to the Council’s City Week celebrations, which occurred a few weeks ago even though funds are desperately needed to restore the City Hall building, since sections of the structure have been deemed “unsafe”.

Region 5 REO allegedly assaults farmer P

olice in West Berbice have been called in to investigate an alleged assault on a Region Five farmer by the Regional Executive Officer (REO), Ovid Morrison.

The assault allegedly took place on a farm at Naarstigheid on a plot of land which Krishna Sewlall had been occupying for decades. Only recently, he was forced to remove when the REO ordered an excavator to destroy his crops.

Sections of the media have reported that that REO wanted to develop a model farm there. Sewlall told Guyana Times that he had gone to his farm on Wednesday and was about to leave when he was attacked by the REO. He explained that a man who works with the REO, and who was carrying a cutlass at the time approached him, as the REO followed.

According to Sewlall, the REO blocked him from exiting the farm and as he attempted to walk around him, the official held onto

Famer, Krishna Sewlall

his waist and told him that he was carrying out a citizen’s arrest.

He said as he fell to the ground, he rolled into a drain and the REO put his arms around his neck and began to chock him.

During that time the worker with the cutlass stood over the farmer and the REO kept him on the ground while searching him.

According to Sewlall, while on the ground, he

begged Morrison to stop since he was bleeding from the nostrils. The ordeal ended after a Police Officer arrived on the scene. Sewelall said he was taken to the Police station and then sent to the Fort Wellington Hospital.

Sewlall and two other farmers whose farms were bulldozed went to the High Court seeking an injunction against the REO, preventing him from occupying the land.

Meanwhile, the Police have since been furnished with a copy of the writ which was filed in the High Court which claims that the farmers have been occupying the land since 1989 and were granted a twoyear lease for 1.4 acres in the March 2000 under the Social Impact Amelioration Project (SIMAP) for largescale farming.

They claimed that since the expiration of their leases, they have developed the said property, cured the soil and prepared it for farming.

he Education Ministry formally announced the conclusion of the Guyana Early Childhood Education Project (GECEP) on Wednesday, which was completed after three years of work in riverine and hinterland regions.

Among those in attendance were First Lady Sandra Granger; Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson; World Bank representative, Hongyu Yang; Global Partnership for Education representative, Daisuke Kanazawa, students and educators.

Over 8000 persons were involved in the training and interaction between teachers, parents and students at the nursery and Grade One levels to develop the techniques in which education is being delivered.

The project was funded with US$1.7 million and the sessions focused primarily in literacy and numeracy interventions which saw significant improvements.

Project Coordinator, Quenita Waldrond-Lewis gave insight into the developments that were observed which recorded a 91 percentage change in literacy and a 95 percentage change for numeracy in the hinterland schools between the period of September 2015 to June 2017.

Meanwhile, from September 2016 to June 2018, records show a positive change of 139 per cent in literacy and 133 per cent

Education Minister Nicolette Henry sharing her remarks

change in numeracy.

These numbers show improvements in the students’ ability to successfully complete tasks that are essential at their academic level.

On the other hand, educators across these areas were taught to change the methods which are used to share information and conduct classroom demonstrations.

“We did not pull them away from their Indigenous teaching environments because we wanted the training to be tailor-made for their individual circumstances and the nuances of their educational spaces like we took the training to them at their sub-regional level,” said Waldrond-Lewis. Remarks were shared by Education Minister Nicolette Henry who noted that the supplies which can be used to modify the standard teach-

ing techniques were the main tools used throughout the training and there are plans to supply these to the coastal region.

“Positive actions have solidified their place for national scale up. I would want to speak of early childhood resource tool kits which have been purchased and will be delivered in the coming weeks to all nursery schools in the coastland regions.”

Monitoring of these classrooms was ongoing for the last 36 months and are expected to continue so as to see how schools are performing and the ways in which classroom skills are evolving.

The representative for Global Partnership for Education has informed that US$1.3 million is in the pipeline for another such initiative which is expected to further develop the education sector.

“Fix It” changes plea to guilty ...wounded man who refused to give him money

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ne day after Quincy Henry, called “Fix It”, denied he had wounded Troy Bacchus, called “Fletcher,” with intent to murder him -- on September 20, 2015 at Bourda in Georgetown – he changed his plea to guilty at the High Court on Thursday.

He had previously said he was defending himself, but after reconsideration, he accepted responsibility for his actions; and this has led Justice Brassington Reynolds to direct the jury foreman to return a formal verdict of guilty.

Justice Reynolds has, however, delayed passing sentence on the handyman to October 8, to facilitate the preparation and presentation of a probation report. On

Quincy Henry has plead guilty to attempted murder

October 8, a plea of mitigation and summary of the facts will also be presented.

Based on reports surrounding the case, Henry has

had a habit of asking individuals for money, and would be violent when persons refuse his request. On the day in question, Bacchus refused Henry’s request, and was wounded by him.

During Wednesday’s court appearance, Henry seemed to have had difficulty hearing, as the Judge and the Court’s Registrar had had to repeat statements several times while communicating with him. He had been placed on $50,000 bail prior to his High Court appearance.

Henry had not been represented by legal counsel at his trial, as he had not retained one, and the State is not required to provide legal representation for attempted murder.

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he Suarez Brothers Circus out of Mexico; one of the most popular circuses in the world is expected to take Guyana by storm on September 28 at D’Urban Park, Georgetown. The entourage, comprising over 50 members, is expected to leave their audience breathless for three to five weeks.

Known for their intriguing performances, the members are ready to showcase their talent to Guyanese. The last time the circus was in Guyana was 13 years ago for a short time. This time, there are here for a long

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alling out all Libra born soca junkies! Please make your way to the District Ultra Lounge on Friday, September 28, 2018, for the wildest soca fete. Yes, you heard right!

Team MMR is doing it again with another exciting concept party titled “Libra Soca Fete” billed for the District Ultra Lounge; the ultimate party spot at the Giftland Mall.

The party is expected to be one with a difference with the best soca music being juggled by the best deejays on the console. Making sure patrons have a blast will be Deejay Golden Chyld who is fresh from his big birthday bash last weekend.

In addition, the “Party Boss” himself, WR Reaz, will be in the house. He is expected to return from Canada where he is presently performing at “Chutney Wine” this weekend.

At “Chutney Wine”, he will be among the best of the best including Rikki Jai, the renowned Queen Yasmin, Prince JP, Apachee Waria and many others.

Nevertheless, one of Guyana’s versatile selectors, Selector Andy, is ready to create a whirlwind on September 28. With the trio, patrons are bound to have a blast.

All Libras will be admitted free before 21:00h after which they will pay $2000 at the gate. This is yet another Team MMR Production.

period and it is an opportunity you cannot miss.

From clowns to high rope riding, the kids will have a blast. The animals are well trained and are ready to perform for their fans. The first show kicks off on September 28.

For the time the circus will be in town, there will be one show between Mondays to Fridays commencing at 19:30h. On Saturdays, there will be two shows – 17:00h and 19:30h and on Sundays, there will be three massive shows - 14:00h, 17:00h and 19:30h.

he Jewan Ka Nritya Dance Group will host its first National Cultural Centre dance production on Saturday, September 29, titled “The Book of Dance”.

The action gets underway at 20:00h. The theme – ‘A Galaxy of Emotions’ – features a combination of dance routines that will undoubtedly leave the audience mesmerised.

Tickets for the show cost $2000, $1500 and $1000 and will be available at the National Cultural Centre an0d from members of the production.

The Jewan Ka Nritya (JKN) Dance Company has been under the leadership of the multitalented Roshini Persaud since 2003. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. Persaud is a former Miss India Guyana and international award winner of The Miss India Worldwide Miss Congeniality.

She is on the Guyana National Dance Committee and has performed on the national and international arena, representing Guyana at Carifesta. She was awarded the National Y o u t h A w a r d

Tickets will be sold based on preference.

The bleachers tickets cost $1500 for children and $2300 for adults while tickets for the middle section will cost $2000 for children and $3500 for adults and the VIP section will cost $3500 for children and $4700 for adults.

Tickets will be available on September 16 at D’Urban Park from 10:00h to 22:00h.

The circus is expected to be what is seen on television. Be sure to pick up those tickets early.

of Excellence in 2015 and was awarded Peace Ambassador in 2016. She is one of the co-authors of Women Across Borders.

She is also a television personality and a radio broadcaster. Beyond this, Persuad is a wife, a mother, a mentor and role model.

“I have been dancing since I was five years old. Dance for me began in cultural school performances. When I reflect on my ages of dance, it’s quite clear that dance has become who I am. I allow dance to consume me each time I perform. My sanctuary; just me and the music,” she noted.

She is advocating for culture, diversity and extra curriculum. “Dance or any form of the art or sport teaches discipline, time management and balance,” she added.

She holds Jewan Ka Nritya (JKN) close to her heart and more so, loves and cares for her students more than expression defines. “I teach them to be grounded and most importantly, to be true to themselves, to express and dance from within,” she added.

At all times, she challenges and reminds them that they can be anything

they want to be as long as they are passionate. “When all else fails; dance can save you, dance can bring you back. Smile, sing and dance, allow your inner energy to triumph. Why hold back? There aren’t any walls, no confinement just free open space; so just dance.”

Sustainability of culture is important generation after generation. There are corporate entities that hold this by definition; and they contribute towards this valuable cause which provides the youths to express themselves through the arts.

Gratitude is extended to Impressions, Sissons Paint, Ganesh Parts, Del Ice Company – Crystal Ice House, Victoria Najab’s GO, Lotus Mall (Parika), Feel The Beat Tassa Group, Roshini’s Rocking Recipes and John Lewis Styles.

The general public is urged to support JKN’s family of dancers so that they can commence their dream project of building a dance studio on the West Bank Of Demerara; providing youths with a medium of positive influence that teaches discipline and time management, whilst embracing culture.

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talent,” the upcoming artiste told Guyana Times Entertainment.

So far, he has recorded 15 songs in his friend’s studio. His friend would mix and produce these songs with his guidance and direction. One such song talks about suicide and its effects in Guyana and the family as a whole.

In the next 10 years, he sees himself on the top of the music billboard amongst other talented artistes, making money and having everything he ever wanted to help others realise their dreams.

His advice to youths is “Music takes times and you wouldn’t get everything in the first try. Just keep pushing yourself and practice as much as possible.

Don’t make people tell you that you cannot do something and try to change your mind. If you know you wanna do music, keep pushing and practicing. And have faith.

Everything works with time.

Never underestimate the studio. Keep practicing and always be in your element”.

On a lighter note, his favourite colours are white, black and green. He loves fast food and although he loves dancehall music, he does not have a favourite tune.

ineteen-year-old Sewdat Junior Persaud is optimistic that he can be the “next big thing” in the music industry in the line of dancehall music.

This talented young man has a few songs under his belt to release to the public and is ready to take on the world and more so, put dancehall music where it belongs. Not a strange coincidence, he loves to listen to Vybz Kartel, Konshens, Tommy Lee and Akaline from whom he gets his inspiration.

Persaud, who is commonly called “JR” by his relatives and friends, hails from Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice, but now resides in Queens, New York. In Guyana, he attended Auchlyne Primary School for just a few years after which he migrated to the US where he started a new life.

The eight years spent in Guyana was indeed the best years of his childhood. He grew up in a poor family and although he is much better off in life now, he promises to never forget his roots.

Going to school and meeting his friends was something he looked forward to on a daily basis. He had a huge imagination and always finds time to spend outdoors with his relatives and friends.

From a tender age, he exhibited his creative skills but more importantly, his love for dancehall music. He never one day gave up his dreams in becoming one of the most recognised artistes in Guyana and the Caribbean.

While growing up, his favourite subject was English Language which he mastered since he had to write his own songs.

Also at an early age, he was encouraged to pursue a singing career since he had the natural talent. Presently, he attends Richmond Hill High School. After moving to the US, he realised he had more opportunities, not only in school, but also as he pursues his musical career.

He chose to take advantage of all the opportunities that were thrown at him with no turning back. He believes Guyana has scope for dancehall music but one has to stay dedicated and keep pushing themselves. “Anything is possible because everyone was born with a

J

avaun Fearon, more popularly known to the world as “Masicka”, is one of dancehall’s hottest talents and now, the 26-year-old Jamaican is ready to ignite the National Park on September 29 for his ‘They Don’t Know My Story’ concert, compliments of Lion Heart Entertainment, Guinness and Kings of Kings Records and Productions.

Masicka is enjoying a breakout year in dancehall, becoming the most sought after dancehall artiste. The ‘Top Form’ singer will be heading to Guyana to perform for the first time and according to Damion “Teflon” Forbes, the principle of Kings of Kings Records, all systems are in place to host the show which will also feature world-rated and sound clash champions Bass Odyssey.

“Masicka is more than excited to come to Guyana.

He’s aware that Guyanese love his music, he knows that Guyana is a great place to perform, and what I can say to people is grab your tickets early, avoid the rush. Apart from Masicka, Kellz from

Tobago and Sky Kidd from Antigua will also be performing for the first time in Guyana.

Patrons will also see Lion Heart Sounds making a return, DJ Ackeem and other top local Deejays,” said Forbes.

Marriott Hotel, Digicel, White Castle Fish Shop and Chelsea’s Restaurant are listed as some of the sponsors for the show which carries a gate entry price of $3000 per ticket, while VIP tickets are being sold for $8000.

Early birds tickets will be sold for $2000 and are available at White Castle Fish Shop, Clairan’s Boutique and Chelsea Suits.

Masicka is considered as the leader of the ‘new school’ in dancehall music, with the Portmore, Jamaica born and raised entertainer entering the scene as a teenager, and has slowly been making a name for himself and his ‘Genahsyde’ crew.

In recent years, songs such as “Top Striker” and “Knock It”, allowed Masicka to show his ability to tell vivid stories of the streets and his rise to the top. Coupled with his undeniably versatile melodic sensibility and punch-to-the-gut delivery, Masicka has made it clear that he is a musical force to be reckoned with, in Jamaica and beyond.

Masicka said he’s looking forward to his time in Guyana, since he’s aware that some of his music is on the playlist of many dancehall fans.

G

uyana’s Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) film festival, “Painting the Spectrum 14,” ends next week with two screenings that focus on experimentation.

Pushing the limits of cinema, society and sexuality, these films are visually compelling, thought-provoking, and, at times, radically sexual.

On Tuesday, September 25, at 18:00h, SASOD presents the last feature film of the festival, “Desire Will Set You Free,” – a German film directed by Yony Leyser.

The movie is the story of a young American writer who falls in love with a Russian sex worker and introduces him to Berlin’s queer and underground scenes. The film was presented in over 20 festivals worldwide, including the East End Film Festival in London; Montreal World Film Festival; and the Boston Wicked Queer Film Festival.

On Thursday, September 27, the festival ends with a screening of 10 shorts from countries such as Moldova, Colombia, Mexico and Israel. From telling stories of trauma, war and sexual abuse to using dances and performances to express sexual desire, these shorts push both the limits of societal conventions and of cinematic technique.

After the screenings on Thursday, SASOD will close the festival with the traditional ‘painting the spectrum’ using a variety of paints on fabric to represent thoughts, ideas, perspectives in an artistic way that celebrate the LGBTQ+ cultures explored throughout the screenings.

The closing night will also include a light reception sponsored by Maggie’s Snackette and Catering Services and Wine Days. The other sponsors of ‘Spectrum 14’ are COC Netherlands, Paper Craft and Bettencourt’s Food Inc. The final two evenings of “Painting the Spectrum 14” are Tuesday, September 25, and Thursday, September 27. The festival screenings take place at SASOD’s office, located at 203 Duncan Street, Lamaha Gardens, (between Durbana Square and Eastern Highway) at 18:00h each evening. For more information on the screenings, the festival has a dedicated website which can be found at: https://spectrumguyana.wordpress.com/.

Admission to the film festival is free. The films are intended for mature audiences. SASOD reserves the right to refuse admission to minors who are not accompanied by a parent or guardian or persons who do not have identification to prove that they are not minors.

The film festival aims to both offer a safe space for the LGBTQ+ Guyanese to interact and communicate, and to educate the general public by presenting queer-themed films, which are almost never screened in mainstream cinemas in Guyana.

SASOD is the 15-year-old international and local award-winning, human rights movement and organisation, leading change, educating and serving communities, to end discrimination based on sexuality and gender in Guyana.

fridAY, september 21, 2018

19

St Cuthbert’s Mission stuns Swan I

– to represent Region 4 at National Heritage finals

t was sweet revenge for St Cuthbert’s Mission FC when they upset Swan FC 2-1 to win the Region Four Heritage Football Playoff and earn themselves the right to represent that region at the National Heritage finals this weekend.

Playing in a three-way competition, St Cuthbert’s Mission had lost 4-2 to a more organized and evidently determined Swan team, sending shockwaves in the St Cuthbert’s community.

However, St Cuthbert’s regrouped, defeating Laluni 4-2 on penalty, and ultimately earned the right to play Swan in the finals, to determine the rightful representative for the region.

Swan seemed to lack the finishing touch, and were unable to convert their scoring opportunities against St Cuthbert’s, who raided the Swan scoring area in search of goals. Cheered on by a large and vocal crowd, which included Mrs Beverly Clenkian, St Cuthbert’s Toshao and Sports Councillor, the St Cuthbert’s side used their home advantage to play a much more competitive football.

Swan’s goalkeeper was unable to hold on to St Cuthbert’s first goal

Entering the finals with some amount of complacency, Swan played a loose game, and were stunned in the fifth minute when Shamai Bernard rampaged through an empty Swan defence to stun the goal keeper with a long range shot for which Swan had no answer.

With confidence dented and morale under siege, the Swan players began wilting in face of the St Cuthbert’s determination and self-confidence. It was as though St Cuthbert’s had cut the Swan

lifeline, and the Swan players immediately resorted to a game which was completely out of character with their competent display of the first encounter.

As the game progressed, St Cuthbert’s gained more ball possession, and it did not take long for the scoreline to shift to 2- nil, especially since danger man Zack Pererria had come to play ball, and was demonstrating why the other regions should take note of his presence. He cleverly shot a missile into the Swan goal

as he added his name to the score card in the 15th minute.

After this second goal, Swan threw everything into defence, no longer even bothering to hunt for a hunt.

However, as the game progressed, an energized and determined Joseph Williams scored for Swan in the 23rd minute, and the scoreline was amended to 2-1 in favour of St Cuthbert’s Mission.

In the second half, both teams were guilty of wasting several scoring opportunities, with Swan being the more

culpable party.

As the final whistle was blown, a crestfallen Swan team dejectedly exited the pitch, several of their young players emotionally hurting with the results. It was clear that while this young team was fired up to play, it didn’t have the experience needed to play football against St Cuthbert’s Mission at this level.

Swan’s very disappointed coach, Gonsalves, said he was lost for words over his team’s showing in the finals. “We had

a game plan; and while I don’t want to sound as though I am hitting the guys very hard, the reality is that we didn’t stick to the plan, and therefore lost a game which, had we played according to plans, we may have won,” he said.

“We have a corps of players who, with the right training, discipline, and determination, will go on to greater things; because they are determined and confident, and that is the brightest part of everything,” he said in hopes that his players will someday go on to play in the National team.

An overjoyed St Cuthbert’s captain, Duran Adrian, said his team was forced to rebound, after underestimating Swan in their first encounter.

“We recognised that we had to regroup, as we came out to win all of our matches; and unfortunately for us, we lost the first (match), but rebounded in the second and last (matches), which (were) the most important ones. We are confident of doing well, and we are all elated that we have not disappointed the people of our community,” Adrian said.

Wada lifts Russia’s 3-year doping suspension and faces its biggest crisis T

he World Anti-Doping Agency is facing the gravest crisis in its 19-year history after it was widely condemned by other members of the anti-doping community for a “bewildering” and “deeply troubling” decision to lift the suspension of Russia.

Nicole Sapstead, the chief executive of UK Anti-Doping, said the move was premature and accused Wada of “casting aside its responsibilities to clean athletes, sports fans and those who work tirelessly for clean sport”. The US AntiDoping chief executive, Travis Tygart, called the decision “bewildering and inexplicable” and a “devastating blow to the world’s clean athletes”.

A lawyer for the Russian whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov, moreover, called it “the greatest treachery against clean athletes in Olympic history”.

The decision to welcome back the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (Rusada), which had been suspended since 2015, means Russia will be free to test its own athletes again and also issue Therapeutic Use Exemption certificates. It also makes it more likely that track and field athletes, as well as Paralympians, will compete under the Russia flag sooner rather than later, while the country is likely to start bidding for major sporting

Russia’s flag-bearer Alexander Zubkov leads his country’s contingent during the athletes’ parade at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics

events again.

Wada’s critics, however, remain furious it secretly moved the goalposts for Rusada’s return – especially as Russia has still not fully accepted it was running a huge state-sponsored doping programme.

They are also angry the Wada president, Craig Reedie, and director general, Olivier Niggli, offered a secret compromise to the Russian sports minister, Pavel Kolobkov – which was only revealed when let-

ters were leaked to the BBC – to make it easier for Rusada to be let back in.

Reedie insisted, however, the decision by its executive committee in the Seychelles was the right one.

When Rusada was suspended Wada insisted Russia had to accept the McLaren report – which found that more than 1,000 athletes across more than 30 sports were aided by state?sponsored doping. It also insisted Russia had

to allow access to the Moscow laboratory and the data contained therein so that hundreds of outstanding Russian doping cases could be prosecuted.

However, a compromise was agreed that allowed Russia to accept that “failings” were made by some figures in the ministry of sport – while it insisted independent expert access to the Moscow lab would be allowed at some point in the next six months. That was not good enough for Sapstead, who

said fundamental questions remained unanswered in respect of the conditions for reinstatement of Russia.

Tygart of the US said the case showed Wada needs to be reformed so the International Olympic Committee – which funds and controls half of the organisation – is no longer involved in it.

“The world’s athletes want a Wada with teeth, authority, sanctioning powerand the determination to get the job done of cleaning up sport and restoring the trust of the billions of sports fans and athletes worldwide,” he said. “Today, that job must start – and it starts by reforming Wada and giving it the power to regulate as any good global watchdog must do.”

The former British javelin thrower Goldie Sayers, meanwhile, who won an Olympic bronze in 2008 after a Russian in front of her was found to have doped, reflected the thoughts of many athletes by saying she could not understand the rush for Rusada’s reinstatement.

“If you are an individual that dopes you get a four?year ban,” she told the Guardian. “But if you are a country that is complicit in a state-sponsored doping system you only get three years and a slap on the wrist.” (The Guardian)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

fridAY, september 21, 2018

GFF’s TD and Men’s Head Coach to attend FIFA conference H

ead coach of the national senior men’s football team, Michael Johnson, and Technical Director of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Ian Greenwood, will be among head coaches and technical directors of FIFA member associations and technical experts of all six confederations who will participate in a FIFA conference aimed at reviewing the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™.

Scheduled for September 23 in London, England, the conference “aims to analyse the FIFA World Cup from a technical and tactical point of view, identify trends, and compare the main findings to previous editions of the FIFA World Cup based on the report by FIFA’s Technical Study Group (TSG), and assess the impact of VAR on the

game.”

The GFF staff will engage the FIFA technical experts to garner the infor-

mation from the conference, so as to share with coaches locally and regionally.

During the interaction, special attention will be paid to goals scored, where they came from, and the role of key players throughout the tournament.

Besides the conference, specific meetings are planned with national teams’ head coaches and technical directors of the member associations. The purpose of these meetings is to go deeper into the analysis of the teams from the different confederations and to discuss the influence that this World Cup might have on the development of football in the various GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood

Banks DIH/GABA League

Eagles, Pacesetters demolish opponents

T

he Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association/Rainforest Waters/ Malta Supreme League continued on Wednesday night at the Burnham hardcourt with two thrilling matchups that left the well-attended spectators stunned.

Another night at the hard-court began with the Under 23 division having Pacesetters and Pepsi Sonics on show. For the Pepsi Sonics, it was a bad day at the office, as Pacesetters showcased their might, trouncing them by 45 points.

On the winning side, Zion Gray and Troy Davids both netted a game high 18 points, with their teammates Shaquan Gill (15) and Kwesi Roberts (13) contributed to the mountainous score of 91.

Pepsi Sonics’ Lemuel Grant (12) and Kelmar Carmichael (10) were not enough of a match, coming up short with 51 points.

Speaking after his team’s win, Pacesetters Coach Clement Brush declared he was not surprised by the spectacular performance, since “Pacesetters are the biggest basket- ball club in the country.”

His team is well poised to go all the way to the finals, since the under-23 division will have a new champion in 2018 because of Bounty Colts’ non-participation in this particular division. The Colts are, however, contesting in the first division.

After soaring to a scintillating win in their previous matchup, the Eagles proved why they are among the best, as the edged past Vikings Basketball Club on Wednesday.

Playing their usual well composed game, the Eagles were in control for most of the matchup, having a seven-point lead by the fourth quarter.

Belgrave had a quiet night, while his teammate Sherland Gillis took over the reins. Gills netted 30 points for his team, and his dominance was clear, given that Nickosie Allicock was the closest scorer with eight points.

The matchup intensified in the fourth quarter when an unexpected three-pointer from Osafa Johnson and unforced turnovers brought their opponents, Vikings, to level scores. What followed next was a movie finish:- with the scores locked and the seconds flying by, Gillis managed to pull out another brilliant shot to secure the winning points via a layup. The Eagles have now won 2 of three games.

For the Vikings, Kevin Dey hooped 18 points, skipper Shayne Joseph scored 15, and Jeffrey Wilkinson netted 12 in a losing cause.

The action will continue this weeke n d at the same venue. On Saturday evening, Eagles will come up against Kobras under-23 division at 18:30 hrs, while the first division will see reigning champs Bounty Colts challenge the Plaisance Guardians at 20:30 hrs.

The following day, Plasaice Guardians will clash with Pacesetters; then, later on, Kobras and Eagles will meet again in the first division tournament.

regions.

According to FIFA, the World Cup winning-coach Didier Deschamps will share his view on France’s path to glory at the conference in London. Besides Deschamps and Southgate, the other FIFA World Cup semi-finalist coaches: Croatia’s Zlatko Dalic and Belgium’s Roberto Martinez, as well as Russia’s Stanislav Cherchesov and 2014 FIFA World Cup champion manager Joachim Low, have registered for the conference.

Participants in the special panel would include Gareth Southgate (Coach of England), Tite (Coach of Brazil), Aliou Cisse (Coach of Senegal), and Juan Antonio Pizzi (Coach of Saudi Arabia).

Golden Jags Head Coach Michael Johnson

The discussions will be moderated by ex- players Clarence Seedorf (Netherlands) and Alex Scott (England). The conference will take place in conjunction with The Best FIFA Football A w a r d s 2018™, and all delegates will be invited to attend the show on the evening of the 24th September 2018.

BCB, Bakewell to host Nasir Memorial OneDay Tournament

T

BCB President Hilbert Foster (left) receiving the sponsorship cheque from Bakewell’s General Manager, Rajin Ganga

he Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTYSC) has benefited from the generous sponsorship of the Bakery giant Bakewell since 2000.

Even after the passing of Bakewell’s founder, Naeem Nasir, the club has kept his memory alive via cricket.

This year, RHTYSC and Bakewell will, on October 7, be sponsoring a one-day knockout cricket tournament for second division teams of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB). Activities will be held at the Area ‘H’ Ground, and would involve eight second division teams, including the Rose Hall Town Bakewell Team. The tournament will be played on a five-over-per-side basis, and the main objective is to assist in promotion of

the game at the grassroots level.

Other teams scheduled to participate in the tournament are Tamarind Root, Fyrish, Courtland, Jai Hind, Belvedere United, Albion and Whim. The winning team will take home $100,000; the first runner-up will take home $50,000; the second runner-up $30,000 and the third runner-up $20,000.

All prizes will be accompanied by a trophy.

Nasir sponsorship assisted in the development of players like Esuan and Royston Crandon, Assad Fudadin, Delbert Hicks, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Clinton Pestano, Eon Hooper, Kevlon Anderson, Shabika Gajnabi, Dominique Rikhi, Renwick

Batson, Khemraj Mahadeo, Shailendra Shameer, Murphy La Rose and Abdel Fudadin, who all played for Berbice and Guyana at different levels.

Bakewell’s General Manager Rajin Ganga, in brief remarks, declared himself greatly impressed by the outstanding work of the Board and RHTYSC, and said he felt privileged to work alongside both organisations.

Ganga noted that the late Naeem Nasir had been a passionate believer in using sports as a medium to channel the energies of vibrant young minds. His two favourite sports had been cricket and lawn tennis, and he had made massive investments in both.

sports

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Heavyweight champ says he feels ‘tonnes of pressure’ A

nthony Joshua believes a shot at his world titles “means everything” to Alexander Povetkin and says he can feel growing pressure going into the bout.

Britain’s WBA, WBO and IBF world heavyweight champion Joshua defends his belts against Russia’s Povetkin, 39, at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

He says his body has been “broken down” and “rebuilt like never before” going into a fight which is likely to be Povetkin’s last shot at a world title.

“I feel loads of pressure,” he said.

“Tonnes of pressure. That’s the reality of it, even though I present myself as cool, calm and collected. I just have to roll with the punches, find a way to win.

“The pressure has definitely grown but I still feel like I have everything to gain.

But pressure, 100%.”

The meeting, which should draw a crowd of around 80,000, will be Joshua’s fourth consecutive stadium fight.

London 2012 Olympic champion Joshua, 28, has faced criticism from some quarters for failing to agree a bout with WBC champion Deontay Wilder.

However, his trainer Rob McCracken says Povetkin who won Olympic gold in 2004 - is from the “top tier of heavyweights” and is a tougher challenge than Joshua faced in his points win over Joseph Parker last time out.

Anthony Joshua (left) and Alexander Povetkin pose

Povetkin will stand four inches shorter than Joshua and weigh around two stone less, making the champion weary of the speed his opponent could bring, not to mention the determination that comes with seeking a world title at the age of 39.

“It’s everything to him,” Joshua told BBC Sport’s Mike Costello.

“I’m in for a tough night so I have to go in there and be tough. Everything is on the line and he wants to be champion.”

Saturday’s bout will be Joshua’s sixth as a world champion and his 22nd in all.

He remains undefeated, while Povetkin - who earned his shot by becoming a mandatory challenger - has 34 wins from 35 bouts, with his only loss coming against Wladimir

Klitschko in 2013.

Povetkin told media he was “much weaker” against Klitschko five years ago and Joshua expects to have to adapt the patient style he showcased in his points win over Parker in March when he faces a mobile and rugged opponent.

“Against Parker, the game was not to get caught,” he added. “I’d never gone the 12 rounds so I tried to keep it simple.

“I just know I can take a beating anyway and I know I can box. So with this one I think I’ll just get stuck in, step forward on my punches rather than punch from a distance.

Don’t be scared to get a cut eye and bloody nose. Let’s get the punches landing with velocity and ferociousness.” (BBC Sport)

Arsenal 4-2 Vorskla Poltava: Gunners cruise to Europa League win

TO LET

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ierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice as Arsenal opened their Europa League Group E campaign with a comfortable win over Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava.

Until Aubameyang’s opening goal it had been a laboured performance from the Gunners, who had struggled to break through well-drilled opponents.

However, the Gabon striker - the club’s record £56m signing last January - changed the dynamics of the contest by steering Alex Iwobi’s pass into the bottom left corner after the visitors overcommitted in attack.

It was only Aubameyang’s sixth touch of the game, and Arsenal’s first shot on target but it allowed them to cut loose after the break.

England forward Danny Welbeck doubled Arsenal’s lead three minutes after the interval with a header from Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s cross.

And as Unai Emery’s team surged forward, Aubameyang stroked his second goal of the night past visiting goalkeeper Bohdan Shust before substitute Mesut Ozil rounded off the scoring for the hosts.

At 4-0 the scoreline was cruel on Vorskla, who have had

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice as Arsenal put Vorskla Poltava in their place at the Emirates Stadium

a mixed start in the Ukrainian Premier League after finishing third last term.

They did, though, muster consolation goals via captain Vladimir Chesnakov’s leftfooted shot from 18 yards and Vyacheslav Sharpar’s strike moments before the final whistle blew.

In the group’s other game, Sporting Lisbon beat Azerbaijani side FK Qarabag 2-0.

Despite making eight changes to his line-up, Arsenal manager Emery was still able to select an XI brimming with international players as he racked up his 32nd win in the competition, more than any other manager in the Europa League.

There were opportunities for Uruguay midfielder Lucas Torreira, Switzerland fullback Stephan Lichtsteiner and Germany goalkeeper Bernd Leno - all three making their Arsenal debut.

The inclusion of Torreira, a £26m signing from Sampdoria, and Leno, a £19.2m acquisition from Bayer Leverkusen, also served to underline the disparity in resources available to each manager.

Vorskla manager Vasyl Sachko’s squad has a combined value of about £11m and even at near full strength he could only field four senior internationals - two from Ukraine and one from Georgia and Armenia. (BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

fridAY, september 21, 2018

GFF Elite League III…

GDF hamstring Cougars, Tigers maul Kings

Part of the intense action in the GFF Elite League III

T

he Guyana Football Federation’s Elite League continued on Wednesday, September 19, at the Georgetown Football Club ground with a double-header that turned out to be a nail-biter.

At the end of the night, supporters of city sides Western Tigers and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) football clubs went home satisfied.

When the referee signalled the start of the first match, GDF playing against Cougars, the army side seemed determined for success, with a display about their demeanor that said

something big was coming.

They pounced at every opportunity given to them, and found the back of the net in the second minute through the effort of number 11, Darrell George.

But that wasn’t the last for the soldiers, it would seem they were at war and fighting for survival, as Jeffrey Perreira also found the back of the Cougars net in the 33rd minute, to give the soldiers a 2-0 lead.

They weren’t finished yet; five minutes later, Delwin Fraser pierced the uprights to put the score at 3-0 at half time, with an all but obliterated Cougars in

defence. With a substantial lead, the soldiers could have defended their goals, but they continued to play on the offence as they wiped the floor with the Cougars. The fourth goal was scored in the 65th minute by Kenneth Oparaemetuche. It was now 4-0, and GDF were cruising, but it wasn’t over, as another goal was scored in the 81st minute by Cargill Younge, who further helped extend the soldiers’ lead.

In a futile effort, the Cougars managed to score a goal in the 82nd minute when Mark Wronge slipped one in, but it was a little too late for them. In the 90th

minute, Younge returned to haunt the Cougars when he signed off the soldiers’ night by adding insult to injury, ending the match with the score on 6-1 in favour of the army.

The next match saw Western Tigers playing against Victoria Kings. The Kings took the lead when Aiden Lawrence scored

within the first ten minutes of the game. However, the Tigers pounced at the opening they received in the 14th minute, and that allowed Daniel Wilson to score the equalizer.

From thereon it was pretty much back-and-forth, as both teams, in their quest to get ahead, tried a number of strategies known in the foot-

ball realm. They attacked hard, and even made some desperate substitutions; but at the half, the score was still 1-1.

With fulltime drawing near, Tigers blazed one into the back of the Kings net, to take the lead to 2-1. The Kings tried to equalize, but the Tigers were too fired up to allow that to happen.

Softball action hits DCC on Sunday

Part of the action in the softball tournament

A

fter a brief break for various reasons, the Back to Eden/ Permaul Trading/ Khan’s Trading/Trophy Stallsponsored softball tournament will continue its action on Sunday, September 23, with four matches being played at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) Ground.

The battle entails Regal Masters taking on Success Masters, and Albion Masters going up against Narine Masters simultane-

ously from 10:00 hrs; then, at 13:00 hrs, Regal Masters will play against Tropical Springs, while Regal All Stars will be clashing with Beach Knight.

In last week’s fixtures, Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) defeated Spikeland Challengers by 9 wickets. Sent in to bat first, Spikeland managed to score 41 all out from their allotted ten overs, with Mark Harold bagging 3-8. In reply, MSC chased down the

target in 4.5 overs with the loss of one wicket.

The competition is organised by the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA), and also features teams in the Masters’ over-50 category and Female Open.

For further information, teams may contact Wayne Jones on 650-1790, Anil Beharry on 623-6875, or Jailall Deodass on 6158644.

guyanatimesgy.com

fridAY, september 21, 2018

23

Exciting card slated for Saturday, says Marques

B

oxing action will return to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall this weekend with a number of young boxers taking to the ring to compete in the ‘Young Guns- The proving Ground’ boxing card.

Brainchild of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), in collaboration with Dexter Marques and Clive Atwell, the fivecard competition is regarded as an avenue to give younger boxers an opportunity to showcase their talent while building their portfolios.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, organizer and boxer Dexter Marques shared a bit about the event’s purpose.

“It’s all about exposing our young boxers, because for the past couple years we haven’t had a champ, we haven’t had a title fight, or no belt to our country; and we have a lot of young fighters now turning pro, and we expect good things from them”, Marques stated.

He noted that development of those boxers would provide them with opportunities to venture outside of Guyana and the Caribbean for a higher level of competition.

“By building our young fighters, it helps them to move forward into the boxing world; ‘cause

they’re a lot of openings and shots waiting for our young fighters, but they need to build their records, and the only way they can do that is to prove themselves in competition,” he explained.

The boxing enthusiast also disclosed that plans are in the pipe-

line to keep similar competitions going, since it would be beneficial to the objective of continued development.

“Myself and the Board came together, and the plan is every other month there will be a card, and boxing will be alive,” Marques

shared.

The undeniable main bout of the night will be the middleweight showdown between Guyana’s Derick Richmond and Barbados’s Keithland King. In this grand event, Marques noted, there will be a lot to prove, since competi-

tion between the two countries has been ongoing for some time now.

“The Bajan guys always think that they control from middleweight to the light- heavy to the heavyweight; so it’s a very good competition for our Guyanese fighters. Guyanese fighters think they control those categories too; so it’s a good competition,” he said.

The other fights of the night will see Anson Green going against Joel Williamson in the junior welterweight category, Delon Charles and Terrence Adams matching gloves in the featherweight category, and James Moore and Romeo Norville exchanging punches in the cruiserweight category.

The only female encounter of the night will see Rewinna David and Ansilla Norville facing off in the bantamweight division.

Marques is urging boxing fans and the populace alike to come out and support this noble venture.

“Everything will be more exciting because it’s youngsters; all we need is the support from the public, because we want boxing to be the number one sport in Guyana again.”

Admission to Saturday’s bout is $1000 for entry to the stands, and $2000 for a ringside seat.

The Hardware Depot donates $100K in raincoats to BCB N

Annual Ryan Crawford horse racing meet on this Sunday

T

he Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club and Sports Facility at Alness Village on the Corentyne Coast in East Berbice is scheduled to host a horse race meet this Sunday, September 23.

With more than 40 entries already confirmed for the card, which consists of six categories, the day promises to be an exciting one.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, Organizing Secretary Compton Sancho said, “We are focusing heavily on the preparation in terms of the track and the infrastructure.” He said he has taken a look at the track and is very impressed at what he has seen, as parts of the track have been refurbished, such as the 5-furlong area, and the track has been rolled and compressed to bring out the best in its surface.

Asked what races fans should be on the lookout for, Sancho delightfully responded, “The H class and Lower will be the feature event on the card, and I can safely say off-hand that it’s going to be a real race that will be long remembered; because, for a very long time, we haven’t had a line-up in this class as compared to what we have now.”

Some of the horses that will be in action on Sunday are the in-form Seven Dust, which is set to battle it out with defending champion Lucky Star; Orion, a really impressive animal hailing from the Crawford Stables; Not This Time, recent winner of the race for threeyear-old Guyana-bred horses in the Guyana Cup 2018; Slim Shady and Kentucky Woman.

Sancho also said this Crawford horse racing meet

is going to be a big event, not only because of the sponsors, but simply because some of the horses that didn’t make it in the frame for the Guyana Cup will have a chance to compete on the small track; thus some will redeem their budding reputations while others will prove themselves.

For further details, interested persons are kindly asked to contact President of the Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club & Sports Facility on 678-5342, or the club’s organising secretary, Compton Sancho, on 691-1175.

The sponsors on board for this event include Kanhai’s Electrical on Regent Street, Curtains and Drapery Designs, Stag Beer, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, Candy Corner, and Attorney-atLaw Poonai.

ot very often does Corporate Guyana walks unannounced into a sports organisation’s office to pledge assistance; but this was the case when Raymond Haniff, Marketing Executive of ‘The Hardware Depot’, stepped into the New Amsterdam office of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and pledged a donation of twenty raincoats to BCB President, Hilbert Foster.

The offer was then doubled to forty after Haniff consulted with his Managing Director, Bonny Singh.

On Tuesday last, The Hardware Depot handed over the raincoats to Foster at a simple presentation ceremony held at its Charlotte Street head office in Georgetown.

In accepting the donation, a delighted Foster expressed gratitude to the management and staff of the company for investing in Berbice Cricket.

The raincoats, he said, would be distributed to clubs which play cricket on a regular basis. These include Albion, Port Mourant, Skeldon, Rose Hall Town, Rose Hall Canje Welfare, Blairmont, Bush Lot, Cotton Tree, Kendall’s Union, No.73, Fyrish, Jai Hind, and Tamarind Root.

The BCB, Foster disclosed, is currently working on a proposal to obtain at least three pitch covers by the middle of next year.

The covers would be used

Sarah Singh, daughter of The Hardware Depot’s Managing Director Bonny Singh, hands over the donation to BCB President Hilbert Foster (right) as her dad looks on

on grounds across Berbice whenever quarterfinal, semifinal and final matches are held.

Foster assured the principals at The Hardware Depot that the donation received would be used for its intended purpose, and would be taken care of.

The Board, he said, was open to partnership with major companies across Guyana as it strives to make sure Berbice Cricket remains the best on and off the field.

A main objective of the Berbice Cricket Board is to

make sure that clubs are assisted as much as possible to fulfill their mandates to members.

Foster also disclosed that by the end of October, 2018, the Berbice Cricket Board would successfully complete fifteen of the twenty-two tournaments it has committed itself for 2018.

The Hardware Depot had indicated an interest in sponsoring a tournament, but Foster politely requested that it be discussed in 2019, because the 2018 season is packed.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

GFF Elite League III…

GDF hamstring Cougars, Tigers maul Kings Page 22

St Cuthbert’s Mission stuns Swan Pages 19

– to represent Region 4 at National Heritage finals

St Cuthbert’s danger man Zack Perriera

GFF’s TD and Men’s Head Coach to attend FIFA conference Page 20

Golden Jags Head Coach Michael Johnson

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