Guyana Time Tuesday ,September 17,2019.

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4048

monday, september 16, 2019

PRICE

APNU/AFC fundraiser in NY overshadowed by massive protest Page 3

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Solid Waste Dept cleans commercial business areas in Georgetown P13

– Diaspora turns out in numbers, calls out Govt for breach of Constitution

“Safe City System will not violate P12 human rights” – Govt

US consultancy firm brings experience P10 to boost local businesses in IT …as it establishes 1st office in Guyana

Billions being spent on ministerial outreaches – Jagdeo See story on page 9

P7 Water truck intercepted, robbed in broad daylight

…says inflated food bills run into millions of dollars

Suspects escape from Body of USCANU ranks during based chef found in Kitty high-speed chase

Page 11

Page 2

– as car smashes through gate of DHB

apartment

Page 12

Carpenter stabbed during fight with co-worker

Apprehension of gang members can lead to reduction P2 of crime in Linden – Regional Chairman

2 news

monDAY, september 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Suspects escape from CANU ranks during high-speed chase – car smashes through gate of DHB

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gents of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) were reportedly in pursuit of a motorcar suspected to have been carrying illegal drugs in the wee hours of Sunday but the car managed to evade the well-trained members of the drug enforcement unit.

According to information received, the highspeed chase commenced along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) roadways around 01:20h sometime after the CANU ranks had been “tailing” the vehicle

that contained an undisclosed number of occupants.

According to a senior police source, the CANU agents had contacted the police in D Division (West Bank Demerara-East Bank Essequibo) shortly after 01:00h on Sunday to have them cordon off the area at the other end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

“They wanted the police here to help to close off the route at the bridge so that the people could not escape. Basically, to block off the access of the bridge from the suspects, and to

set up ranks in the perimeter at the end of the bridge on our side. Even though we did what they requested as soon as they notified us, the people got away.”

The suspects escaped from the narcotics agents by smashing through the gate on the northern side of the Harbour Bridge, damaging the infrastructure, before proceeding along the West Coast of Demerara.

Police in D Division would have established a roadblock where a number of vehicles were stopped and searched but the get-

The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) office in Georgetown

away vehicle was not spotted.

Hours after, it was discovered at the home of a

mechanic who owns and operates a “bodywork repair” shop at Vreed-en-Hoop.

Commander of

D Division, Senior Superintendent Linden Lord, when contacted about the matter on Sunday afternoon told Guyana Times that the mechanic was not arrested or detained since he was not at home at the time when the car was discovered.

“We have to go back at the location when he is home so that we can bring him in for questioning. So that we can know how he ended up with the car and other details,” Commander Lord noted.

Attempts to contact the Head of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit for a comment proved futile.

Apprehension of gang members can lead to reduction of crime in Linden – Regional Chairman

Region 10 Chairman Renis Morian

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n light of the arrest of several members of a notorious gang in Linden on Thursday, the community is now breathing a sigh of relief with the expectation that crime will be significantly reduced.

This was the sentiment of Regional Chairman Renis Morian, who noted that with the arrest of the 14 men, residents are expecting that crime will be on the low.

However, he noted that while he is optimistic that this will be the case, it might be too soon to predict since there are other members of the criminal gangs who might want to continue where the others left off.

“Only time will tell…if those men were indeed responsible and if the crime rate in Region 10 will decrease since the alleged gang members would be behind bars and off the streets”, he added.

The police nabbed several alleged arsonists on Thursday morning during a raid which unearthed multiple homemade incendiary bombs called “Molotov cocktails”.

A number of other illegal items were also unearthed during the police raid.

According to a senior police source, most of the suspects are between the ages of 20 and 25 and had been wanted by the police for recent crimes involving torching a motor vehicle and setting houses afire.

Reports are that the police operation commenced at 06:00h on Thursday and lasted some six hours.

When ranks arrived at the location where the men had gathered, the Molotov cocktails along with small amounts of illegal narcotics were in their possession.

The men were immediately arrested and taken into Police custody.

Meanwhile, two of the suspects were charged with illegal possession of motorcycles.

The motorcar that the men are believed to have torched belonged to ex-policeman Teon Allen, also called “Spoil Child”, who Police had issued a wanted bulleting for on September 4.

The press release had announced that Allen was wanted in connection with attempted murder and some five days later after Allen turned himself in to the police, his vehicle was torched while parked at a location at One Mile Wismar, Linden.

It is alleged that the suspects arrested on Thursday are a part of a “gang”, while Allen belonged to another.

The torching of the vehicle is said to have been as a result of a turf war between the two gangs.

When contacted by Guyana Times on Saturday for an update on the matter, Commander of E Division (Linden-Kwakwani), Ramesh Ashram was reluctant to comment on the issue.

He referred this publication to the Guyana Police Force’s Public Relations Officer for any information about the detention of the suspects.

news

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monDAY, september 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Monday, September 16 – 05:0006:30h and Tuesday, September 17 – 05:00-06:30h.

APNU/AFC fundraiser in NY overshadowed by massive protest

– Diaspora turns out in numbers, calls out Govt for breach of

Constitution

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, September 16 – 05:30h – 07:00h and Tuesday, September 17 – 06:00-07:30h.

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

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fundraiser organised by A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government in New York (NY) was completely overshadowed by more than one

unidentified woman showing the crowd her middle finger before entering the Richi Rich Palace.

According to one protester who was interviewed by a member of the local media fraternity on the ground, the fact that Ramjattan hurriedly bypassed hundreds of

ra rejects the AFC and the Government,” the protester said.

“They cannot engage us.

What is he going to tell us?

They are illegal occupiers.

When the AFC was formed, they claimed to bring fairness. They’ve joined with the PNC to bully the PPP

in fact done itself a disservice by hosting the APNU/ AFC fundraiser, since the American public would have seen the protest action against a cabinet the protesters contend is illegal.

“He (Ramjattan) has ten people inside, including the staff. The Minister came out,

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals are expected to be followed by thundery to light showers from the mid-morning into the mid-evening hours. Partly cloudy skies are expected for the rest of the evening.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Easterly to West SouthWesterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 05:37h and 17:51h reaching maximum heights of 2.69 metres and 2.68 metres.

Low Tide: 11:28h and 23:44h reaching minimum heights of 0.55 metre and 0.50 metre.

Scenes from the protest

saturday, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019 3

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FREE TICKET

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DAILY MILLIONS

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LUCKY 3

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hundred protesters picketed the meeting, demanding elections and constitutional compliance.

Held at the Richi Rich Palace on Atlantic Avenue in Richmond Hill, NY on Sunday, the fundraiser featured Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan representing the AFC, together with Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine representing APNU, and a small group in attendance.

The Minister and entourage arrived to be greeted by the large crowd of protesters behind NYPD barricades at the door of the restaurant, holding placards that read, “Ramjattan you sold AFC to the PNC”, “Ramjattan must go” and “(Ramjattan) a disgrace to Guyanese.”

Officers from the NYPD were also present, although they left the protesters alone and merely watched from a distance.

There were even placards aimed at Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh. One such placard read, “GECOM Chairman stand by your integrity!”

The Minister and company quickly entered the building without engaging the protesters. Other guests arrived, but a few of the would-be attendees turned back upon spotting the large crowd of protesters awaiting them.

When someone attending the fundraiser did engage protesters, that ‘engagement’ took the form of an

the Guyanese diaspora picketing his Government just to speak to a few in the luxurious establishment spoke volumes.

“He (Ramjattan) cannot engage us because he has nothing to tell us. You look at the crowd outside? There are about 10, 15 people inside. There are hundreds of us outside. That alone tells you that the diaspo-

and the Guyanese people, so there’s nothing he can tell us. He can’t talk about development, housing, finance, anything. All he can talk about is free Buju Banton tickets.”

The Minister’s failure to engage the crowd of protesters when he arrived did not sit well with the other protesters. According to one of them, Richi Rich might have

saw hundreds of Guyanese protesting and calling for elections now, and he going to 10 people inside including the staff of Richi Rich. This business has destroyed itself by hosting Ramjattan here today, with 10 people inside and hundreds of people outside calling for free and fair elections now. What are they doing? turn to page 7

4

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, september 16, 2019

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

Local Content Policy for O&G

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ver since Exxon struck oil back in 2015, apart from the revenues that would be negotiated with the international oil companies (IOCs) to exploit the resources of our country, and would flow into the national coffers, it was expected that the local populace would also benefit from participating directly in the ancillary activities consequent to the production of oil and gas. This latter expectation was covered under the rubric of “local content”.

It is however very disappointing that, four years after the discovery by ExxonMobil and just months before “first oil”, the Government of Guyana still does not have a local content policy in place, even though we have just been presented with a third draft that has elicited great consternation in sections of the business community. Designing an LCP for us in Guyana should not be rocket science, since examples abound from across the globe from countries that were, or are, similarly situated as we are. We can learn from their mistakes and benefit from their successes.

According, in the hope that our readers may have an informed appreciation of the ongoing local debate, we shall refer to one study that was undertaken for Tanzanian policy makers for their incipient oil industry: “The degree of local content in the production of a commodity can be defined by the share of local inputs (labour, capital, intermediate products) that are used in its production, and the share of local ownership of the production companies. The aim of a local content policy is to increase the degree of local content in the various value chains – beyond what it would be in the absence of such policies. This typically involves increasing the share of nationals working in the extractive sector, and increasing the participation of local companies in the supply chains.

“Based on a survey of LCP experiences in 48 countries, (one named study) provides a summary of the main factors for consideration in efforts to stimulate local economies.

First, they find that it is important to maintain consistency between LCPs and other economic development policies.

LCPs are embedded in a range of other policies, and all these policies must pull in the same direction if they are to be effective. Policies to improve education, health services, and infrastructure may well be an important part of attracting petroleum companies’ additional onshore upstream and downstream investments.

“In order to qualify nationals for the jobs in the value chain, skills development must be a cornerstone of LCPs. Shortages of qualified employees are a key obstacle for generating local content in almost all natural resourcesproducing countries. The more advanced the requirements are, the more dire the skills gap usually is. Education and skills enhancement at all levels are crucial in most countries’ LCPs. Knowledge transfer between companies is also important, and cluster development and regional trade have been used to promote such spillovers. Research suggests that clusters may be important for innovation and technology transfer.

Many LCPs build on this, and use geographical and sectoral clusters to accelerate the development of local companies.”

The following observation is most pertinent to Guyana: “Finally, it is important to keep the administration of the LCPs simple and transparent, and have built-in mechanisms to prevent corruption. The costs of complying with complex requirements may be high, and may in turn make it harder to detect corruption – especially if transparency is low.

The political economy in countries where rent seeking and corruption play a large role should always be considered when deciding whether to engage in LCP development. It is important to incorporate measures that take into account the fact that, in natural resource extraction, corruption and rent seeking are highly prevalent.

Local content requirements are easily adapted to the needs of rent seekers, and can also make it easier to conceal corrupt practices. Moreover, LCPs can be used strategically by multinational corporations, which in turn facilitate patronage problems in resource rich countries and exacerbate the resource curse.”

Ever seen an otter do 'the scream'? In this photograph shortlisted as a finalist for the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2019, the look on this otter’s face is priceless

Bolsonaro's beef with the Amazon forces US meat industry to change

…American beef firms have long resisted pressure to reduce their carbon footprints, but the global outcry over Amazon fires is forts — is also responding to leaving them with little choice Brazil.

“President Bolsonaro’s criticism. In a recent state-

W

hen Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro turned down aid from France in late August to tackle the wildfires that are scorching the Amazon rainforest, he was signalling his refusal to buckle under global pressure over his anti-environment policies. After all, Bolsonaro, who touts himself as pro-business, has encouraged farmers and ranchers to torch parts of the Amazon to clear land for pasture. But his actions are pressuring a sector well beyond Brazil’s borders to change: the American meat industry.

For years now, the industry has tried to resist calls from environmental activists to cut down on beef production and imports, despite the carbon emissions and deforestation that are known by-products of rearing animals on a large scale for meat. But America’s meat giants are now facing unparalleled pressure, in the wake of the Amazon fires, to adopt more environmentally friendly policies. And early signs suggest that the global outcry over the fires in Brazil is forcing them to change.

The US imports US$295 million worth of beef from Brazil, making it the sixth-largest buyer of the meat from that country.

Environmental groups such as Greenpeace are publicly demanding that American firms temporarily boycott Brazilian beef. But amid the forest fires, they’re also pressuring the firms to cut carbon emissions and shift away from beef more broad-

Brazilian Bolsonaro

ly.

President

Jair

Brazilian agribusinesses are feeling the pressure – the country alone is responsible for 20 per cent of the world’s beef exports.

Blairo Maggi, Brazil’s former Agriculture Minister and the primary shareholder at Amaggi, one of Brazil’s main grain trading groups, says that he is worried the crisis could lead to a boycott of the country’s exports, a view echoed recently by Marcello Brito, the head of the Brazilian Agribusiness Association.

And American companies are responding. In late July, as global attention began to focus on the fires, US agricultural giant Cargill announced a target to cut the emissions intensity across its North American beef supply chain by 30 per cent, by 2030. In August, Marfrig Global Foods SA, a subsidiary of Tyson Foods that’s responsible for 15 per cent of beef exports from Brazil, announced plans to introduce a plant-based meat alternative — which will be called the Rebel Whopper — to Burger King restaurants in

reaction has given companies sourcing from Brazil little option,” says Richard George, spokesperson for Greenpeace.

For sure, America’s food industry has faced pressure over its carbon footprint in the past too. Last year, the then Brazilian Government fined Cargill for buying soy from illegally deforested land. But the level of global attention that the Amazon fires have drawn and the broader increase in awareness around climate change are together changing the equation, forcing companies to act – in Brazil and in the US.

Concerned

“Leaders of agribusiness are concerned,” says Zeina Latif, chief economist at São Paulo–based XP Investimentos. “We have a challenging global environment, and competitors will use this [against them, if they don’t act].”

The expansion in demand from consumers for plantbased foods as an eco-friendly alternative to meat is adding to the pressure, suggests Maurice Schweitzer, professor of operations and information management at the Wharton School of Business. The plant-based meat industry is expected to touch US$85 billion by 2030.

“There are broad trends that have boosted demand for plant-based alternatives to meat,” he says.

Beyond the meat industry, American investment firm BlackRock — accused of having invested US$2.5 billion in stakeholders linked to Brazil’s deforestation ef-

ment, its CEO, Larry Fink, conceded that “companies must demonstrate their commitment to the countries, regions and communities where they operate”.

It’s unclear whether this pressure will indeed make Bolsonaro change what has been his consistent approach toward science and the environment — one that is also leading to an exodus of scientists and researchers from Brazil. The Brazilian President has, among other steps, cut funding for the federal agency responsible for preventing and controlling forest fires. Cattle grazing is behind 80 per cent of the deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, so unless Bolsonaro stops his support for farmers clearing forests for pastureland, the crisis is likely to continue.

And JBS — the Brazilian firm that’s the world’s largest meat producer, and the source of a third of America’s beef imports — has so far stayed silent on the Amazon fires. Experts say its refusal to appear defensive stems from its confidence as the market leader.

But there’s growing evidence that irrespective of size, no beef company will remain immune from the growing backlash against the meat industry’s carbon footprint, experts say. It’s a reality even JBS appears to tacitly acknowledge — in May, it announced plans to introduce a plant-based burger to Brazil.

The choice, they say, is increasingly becoming clear for American beef firms: Change, or get burned like the Amazon rainforest. (ozy.com)

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, september 16, 2019

5

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

GECOM Chairperson, do your job

Dear Editor, Now, that we are cognizant of the intentions of The PNC Led Coalition, that is, to delay elections for as long as possible and to hold on to power as long as they possibly can, what should the election body do in such circumstances? This is the question that should be on every member of GECOM’s mind.

This is the burning issue, but for some clandestine reason this chairperson seems not to understand?

We, the People have already made our decision, twice to be exact, we’ve made that decision at the LGE Level and are eagerly awaiting our turn at the national level. We want an end to all of these meetings, interviews and what have you, of this illegal government with a final view to general elections soonest. We, The People, want elections because that is the end result of a successful passage of a no-confidence motion.

Having said that, what should be the role of the new-

ly installed Chairperson? I say her role should be one of expediting the dictates of the law as it relates to preparedness in time for elections within the legally stipulated time-frame. There should be no delay in such matters because the affairs of an entire nation are at stake.

However, this aspect of the nation’s business has been stymied by the many twists and turns in this ongoing saga of general election and a government’s fear of facing the electorate. Incidentally, GECOM who is supposed to be an autonomous and bipartisan body seems to be caught up in this mess also. I do hope that this electoral body get its act together and in the final analysis get into election mode. So, let us get a few pertinent facts cleared up, before we discuss this election business in a detailed manner.

For starters Madam Justice Chairperson took an entire month to as it were “settle in” that is making

cordial remarks and talking to members of the secretariat, smiling and handshakes.

We are talking about an entire month to make such salutations, when the urgent business of getting ready for Election 2019 was on the cards. It shows what mettle she is made of and to whose side she is leaning.

This is certainly not a good sign at all and does not augur well for the independence of the chairman or the GECOM. These occurrences all show some form of collusion with the illegal powers that be and that the chairwoman is acting under instructions from other outside sources.

Another case in point is in the stopping of the house to house registration, then soon after backpedaling in the statement that there would be a merger of the names from that very same process, she put a stop to. How can she in all fairness add registrants from an incomplete list to the National Register, this is an illegal act? This is prepos-

terous and coming from a Chairwoman/former judge?

Outrageous! You cannot merge an illegal document (the printed house to house registration forms was never sanctioned by parliament) on to the national register; this constitutes an illegal act. Further to it as a judge, Singh should know that you cannot use an unverified - and in the majority of cases duplicated list - on to the national register, this openly constitutes a fraud.

As a former judge Madam Justice Claudette Singh ought to know that you cannot, I repeat, you cannot legitimize a fraud, this is outrageous behaviour!

You just have to go straight into the Claims and Objections Phase which means that those persons who would have attained the age of 18 years and are eligible to vote would have been automatically updated into the National List of Electors.

Conversely, those who have died would be taken off the list by the clean and verified list that can only come from

the GRO; It is as simple as that!

Are we to believe then that 370,000 persons reached the age to vote in the last five months? That is the rank foolishness this government is telling us? They are telling us in no uncertain language, that Guyana saw a rise in 370,000 “new” names in 5 months and as such this must be “merged” or in other words “added” to the NRR, this is the Anansi Story this government is giving us? Outrageous! The truth of the matter is, that figure of 370,000 represents a duplication of registrants and as such should be left alone and the real update should be sought from the established list that they allowed to expire in April of this year.

Finally, what we see transpiring before our eyes is a chairperson who at best is a jellyfish actor, one who says one thing but undercover, does another. Is she afraid of doing the right thing? As someone rightly said, “this judge/chairwom-

an is under pressure, that is the reason for her behaving in this manner”.

Well, I vehemently reject that assumption, I submit that she is not under any pressure other than that which she has created for herself. If she sticks to the letter of the law, as she asserted, then she has nothing to fear, however, a deviation from the laws that govern our country means that she is bound to get into these shameful alleyways and poorly crafted apologies would be the order of the day.

If anyone that is under pressure then it is The Chief Justice and she has carried out her duties with high regards and legal precision. Claudette Singh on the other hand wants to “please” and for that reason she will go down in history as a weak, vacillating Judge/chairperson who was grossly guilty of dereliction of duty.

Dear Editor, The Guyana Police Force is mandated to protect and serve the people, unfortunately, the priority of the Police Force is to serve and protect the APNU/ AFC coalition Government Ministers, Government officials, while the ordinary Guyanese is being sacrificed to the mercy of bandits and criminals, thanks to the incompetence of Khemraj Ramjattan and the APNU/ AFC coalition Government.

The security situation in Guyana remains a serious concern for every single Guyanese. The APNU/ AFC coalition Government promised the Guyanese people in 2015 that high emphasis would be placed on the security of Guyanese but the only thing that changed was the name of the Ministry that is responsible for security, increased police security for Ministers, leaving Guyana with an uncontrolled level of crimes in the entire country. The Minister who is directly responsible for public security, Khemraj Ramjattan, and the Guyana Police Force boastfully, in reports, stats and the media, highlighted that the crime situation is under control but the reality is quite opposite.

The facts are that Guyanese have definitely lost confidence in the Guyana Police Force,

whereby people are even refusing to report incidents that they have encountered, and even if these matters are reported, the Police Force is of no help.

I am confident that the response that would be given

by Khemraj Ramjattan and other Government officials is that crime is under control.

A 170-year Indian culture in Guyana where music is being played for weddings is being stopped by Ramjattan and the GPF. This Indian tradition is being strangled by this APNU/ AFC Government and confined to Berbice alone.

The Guyana Police Force is being used as a political football. Recently at a picketing exercise at New Amsterdam Multilateral School, protesters were being forced by the police to move about 500 feet from the entrance of the school while thugs of the APNU/ AFC were allowed to remain at the entrance of the school. APNU/AFC thugs were allowed by the police to behave abusively towards protesters while the police refused to remove them from in front of the school entrance. The police even tolerated the loud abusive and taunts.

The protesters who were exercising their constitutional rights were not given that privilege, senior police officers ensured that

four policemen were placed to keep protesters 500 feet away from the entrance of the school. During the PPP/C Government in office, during the 2015 campaign, protesters were allowed at the location of a meeting in Lusignan, East Coast Demerara. I’m still contemplating if we had a change in rules now.

The big question is, are

we moving to a full-fledged dictatorship where the Police Force is being used to subdue and stifle democracy? David Granger’s visits to New Amsterdam Multilateral School is an insult to the lives of many of those students whose parents were dismissed from the sugar estates by this Granger Administration, and can barely afford to

be in school, the students’ cash grant was taken away by Granger’s APNU/ AFC Government and with the same breath, Granger is preaching that his Government wants every child to be in school, that is “high class hypocrisy”.

Granger’s rhetoric about regional involvement is just to mislead the populace. The 1 million dollar cash grant by

Granger is a pittance, compared to approximately 100 million dollars that is being spent at Bermine Ground for the Republic Celebration in 2020. So you the people can actually determine what is the priority of this illegal APNU/AFC coalition Government.

Dear Editor, It breaks my heart to know that paedophilia, trafficking and other child sex offences have become a scourge and industry in Guyana and around the world. In Guyana, we have seen many instances where mothers are prostituting their own underage children, where fathers are sexually molesting their own daughters, and in some cases, even their own sons. I recall a case, in the Vreeden-Hoop area, where a Corporal from the Guyana Defence Force, molested his two-year-old stepson.

Some stepfathers are also known to take advantage of their stepchildren. Girls are being threatened that if they “tell anyone, they will be killed along with their mother”. There are even many uncles who are involved in paedophile activities with their nieces and

nephews. Children are being sold every day on the dark web around the world to some of the most prominent people in society.

Victims of this kind of abuse usually undergo a series of psychological damage and destruction as they age.

Poor self-esteem, eating disorders, intense fear, horror, helplessness and depression are just some of the many issues our youths are bombarded with. Higher incidences of suicidal attempts, dysfunctional relationships, violence and self-destructive behaviours are becoming even more apparent in these victims.

It is evident that we are in a drastic situation when it comes to paedophilia and child sex abuse, and, therefore, we need drastic action.

I am, therefore, supporting chemical castration for good – that is not reversible.

If we don’t have the facili-

ties for chemical castration, then we do surgical castration, where there will be no pain or chopping of the organ.

Chemical castration is a method used to suppress sexual urges. It is already available to some sex offenders, both in prisons and communities worldwide, except Guyana as far as I know.

Countries such as Poland, Australia, India, Indonesia and a host of other countries have already implemented this system. A May 2016 issue of The New York Times, reported that a number of US States already use chemical castration, as part of a range of measures to reduce reoffending. In June 2019, Will Stewart of The Mirror reported that officials in Ukraine approved the law for the use of chemical castration on convicted paedophiles and rapists.

Unlike Indonesia, where

chemical castration is a non-optional punishment, Guyana should impose it as an alternative to life imprisonment or the death penalty. The opportunity of going through counselling and guidance may be given to paedophiles and rapists, with the understanding that they will be castrated.

It has been found by many countries that have already implemented this system that imprisonment and behavioural therapy are not particularly effective, as offenders usually repeat their crimes when released into society. Chemical castration is championed as an effective tool for achieving this.

Therefore, I plead with our Government to implement this system so that we can save our youths. Help us save our children.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Guyana Police Force is being used to muzzle protesters in Region Six

Regards, Zamal Hussain

Help us save our children

Sincerely, Roshan Khan

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MONDAY, september 16, 2019

Page

I

Be organised

f you stay organised, you will surely have all your materials and be prepared to complete all your assignments and get a good grade. Organising is one of the basic keys to school success, so be sure to keep your bag and everything you need organised.

Foundation

sleep during your pre-adolescent and adolescent years. Good sleep habits will help you in the long run. It’s a good idea to wake up at least an hour earlier than when you have to leave for school. Most 11-year-olds need about 10 hours of sleep to look, feel and BE their best. So remember to have

Always get your homework done right when you get home

This leaves more time for fun things but also makes you more responsible.

Ask questions when you are confused

The teacher most likely wants to answer any questions you have about what

Pay close attention in class

If the class is boring, try your best to pay attention and find a way to stay interested in the subject. Take good notes, focus your attention on the teacher, and follow directions. If you follow directions, you will succeed when you learn. If you don’t follow directions, you’ll have a hard time learning and be being successful.

Study, study, study!

Studying helps you retain knowledge. If you know information from previous years, the school will be easier to deal with than you might think. Review all the key points in every subject that you had, and study a little bit more for tests. Try to study for about an hour, beginning several nights before your test. Never cram your study time, but instead plan your studying period several days beforehand.

That way, you’ll be prepared with less stress.

Sleep more

If you can’t sleep, seek tips on sleeping better.

Sleeping will give your mind a rest, making you energetic when school starts. Always get at least 8-10 hours of

a nice long sleep before you go to school each day (for example: If you have to wake up at 06:00h, you should try to be in bed by 20:00h).

Eat a healthy breakfast

Eating

they teach. If you are too embarrassed to ask in class, (which you shouldn’t be), ask the teacher in private, such as after school. You can’t learn anything if you don’t understand it. Usually when they talk about something you don’t understand, and you don’t ask about it, it’ll lower your grade when you miss those questions in the test. Teachers are there to help you learn, not intimidate you.

Don’t overbook yourself

healthythings will improve your capa- bility and will make you ready to go. Be sure to eat p r o tein like eggs or bacon over sugary foods. The sugar will perk you up in the short term, but you will then crash, making it more difficult for you to concentrate.

It’s good to be involved in sports, clubs, or other extracurriculars, but don’t join so many that you are unable to do well.

Respect others

Be respectful of your peers and teachers. If you do, people will respect you more and you will likely never get in trouble. Treat others as

you would like them to treat you. If you make a good impression at the beginning of the year, the teacher will believe and trust you if you are accused of something. Don’t think that that means you can get out of trouble you cause though!

Make friends!

It’s especially important in school to make some really good friends. They’re your support group and your lifeline. If you have good friends, they’ll be able to support you all through school and help you to achieve your very best.

Don’t take phone or other electronics to school unless you can remain focused

Don’t text in class, it can get you in a lot of trouble, or even get your phone taken away. Only use or have out your phone and other electronics when you have permission from a teacher to do so. Remember that it can be disrespectful to the teachers if you have it out behind their back. If you do have your phone or other electronics with you, keep it on silent. It can distract your peers from learning and interrupt the teacher’s teaching if your electronic device goes off in the middle of class.

Start studying in advance

Begin studying for a normal test or quiz two weeks in advance or as soon as possible, and for midterms and finals (if you have them in school) start studying six weeks ahead. (Adapted from wikihow.

com)

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his activity helps kids understand how water from lakes, rivers, and groundwater that ends up in their cup gets cleaned and ready to drink when they engineer a water filter.

Supplies

• Clear 2-litre plastic bottles cut into two pieces, about a third of the way down the bottle • Thick paper towels • Gravel • Sand • Dirt • Items to “pollute” water such as dirt, grass, twigs, bits of plastic, cooking oil, food colouring, etc.

• Water • Containers for mixing polluted water What would you do if you turned on the faucet and no water came out? Where else could you find water? Is that water good to drink? What if you couldn’t buy bottled water or get water from a faucet? What would you do?

Identify local bodies of water; do they look clean? Would you drink that water? Use it to cook or wash or brush your teeth? Even if it looks clean, is it okay to drink it?

What do you know about filters? Have you seen a filter before? What does a filter do? Come up with examples kids may have encountered such as coffee filters or aquarium filters and talk about how a filter works. How could a filter help get water clean?

Put some of those ideas to the test. First, pour water into several containers and use the various materials to “pollute” it. Make notes about what goes into each container.

Now that there is dirty water ready to be cleaned, it’s time to make a water filter!

Turn the part of the 2-litre bottle with the neck upside down and fit it into the bottom half of the bottle.

Engineer the filter as you see fit, but start by putting a layer of paper towels into the bottle right above the neck. Layer gravel, sand, dirt, etc.

What do you think will happen when the polluted water is poured through these layers?

Make predictions for each of the polluted waters you’ve created and note the results. To avoid flooding the filter – and to get a good look at the filtered water — empty the bottom of the bottle after each test.

You may want to redesign the filter after testing. Even though water that went through the filter looks “clean”, it will still have invisible items, such as bacteria or other contaminants, that need to be removed. An additional chemical process is necessary to remove those impurities. (Adapted from startwithabook.org)

news

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monDAY, september 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Talks to revise Cummingsburg Accord ongoing – Ramjattan – says AFC, APNU negotiators to meet today – hoping for same arrangements as 2015

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fter getting off to a slow start last month, talks between the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) are presently underway for the revision of the Cummingsburg Accord.

This was revealed by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who said during a fundraising event in Richmond Hill, New York, on Sunday that a three-man team from the AFC has already started meeting their APNU counterparts.

The AFC’s team of negotiators include Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director Dr Vince Adams, Public Infrastructure Minister and AFC General Secretary David Patterson and the Business Ministry’s Director of Manufacturing and Marketing, Dominic Gaskin.

“We met as a larger team some time ago with President Granger and his team and decided that a smaller collective of three and five on their side will meet to trash out what is to be a revision of the

Cummingsburg Accord,” Ramjattan said.

“The presidential candidate must come from the APNU side; the prime ministerial candidate must come from the AFC side.

There must be certain arrangements that will be very close or exact to what we signed in 2015.”

Ramjattan reminded that the AFC joining with APNU in 2015 was responsible for their victory at the polls. He is, therefore, hopeful that the same arrangements will be retained, revealing that another meeting is scheduled for today.

“I believe the two sides understand the necessity of having an agreement.

The minute we crack up and do not have an agreement, that will be a huge political development. That can be disastrous for our Government,” Ramjattan stated.

Prior to the General and Regional Elections of 2015, APNU and the AFC signed the Cummingsburg Accord that stipulated conditions for the two parties to contest the elections as one.

Water truck intercepted, robbed in broad daylight

One of the trucks that were robbed on Saturday

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wo armed men executed a daring daylight robbery on a mobile water truck belonging to Krisna Balram at Onderneeming Public Road, Essequibo Coast on Saturday.

Based on reports received, the driver of the truck, who is also the owner’s son, was distributing water in a stretch off the main road in Onderneeming when he was intercepted by the two men who placed a wood across the roadway. The men were reportedly masked, with one carrying a handgun and the other a cutlass.

The gunman, according to reports, held the 25-yearold driver at gunpoint and demanded that he hand over the money. With some resis-

tance, the two armed men relieved the man of 50,000 in cash which he had in his pants pocket.

They also took away the man’s mobile phone and attempted to damage same.

The men then made good their escape. The young man reportedly picked up the phone and managed to place a call to his father, who in turn contacted the police.

The police arrived at the scene, combed the area but were not successful in making an arrest. Investigations are ongoing.

Only recently, Dalchand's Gas Station in Anna Regina was broken into and robbed.

Although, the bandit was caught on surveillance footage, he is yet to be identified.

But throughout this marriage, the AFC was criticised, especially by the parliamentary Opposition, for what many describe as the submissive role it has been playing since joining forces with APNU. Decisions such as the closure of sugar estates, which put thousands of sugar workers out of jobs, have gone unchallenged and even been supported by the AFC. This is despite the fact that the Ministry of Agriculture is held by a party member, Noel Holder.

In addition, there has been the strategic reallocation of responsibilities away from Ministries headed by AFC officials, to other Ministries. There is also the fact that despite the Cummingsburg Accord stipulating the Prime Minister, in this case Moses Nagamootoo, has responsibility for chairing Cabinet and domestic issues, this was not followed through.

Questions have been raised by analysts whether

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

the PNC would offer AFC the same terms it offered them in 2015 when the accord was first signed. These questions took on a life of their own after the AFC’s wretched performance in Local Government Elections (LGE) in 2018.

After Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan’s selection as the AFC’s prime minis-

terial candidate in waiting, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson had intimated that APNU is duty-bound to accept Ramjattan as President David Granger's running mate as long as the Cummingsburg Accord is in effect.

But despite the AFC choosing Ramjattan, the PNC has shown a dogged

preference for the incumbent, Moses Nagamootoo.

This has manifested in APNU officials making public statements in support of the Prime Minister.

PNC heavyweight and Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence recently stated publicly that while AFC has elected Ramjattan as its next prime ministerial candidate, APNU and AFC have not met on this new development.

The AFC top leadership had, in mid-November of 2017, moved to revise its governing agreement with its majority coalition partner. This made little headway and talks of revising the agreement petered out after the AFC’s showing at the LGE, where they failed to win a single Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

It had previously appeared as though talks between the two parties were stalled. A meeting that was supposed to have been held last month between the two coalition partners was cancelled, with APNU sending out a release to say that documents were exchanged and will be perused.

APNU/AFC fundraiser in...

Why are they dragging their foot? What is the Attorney General (Basil Williams) doing?” the passionate protester stressed.

Delays

Article 106 (6) of the Constitution of Guyana states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

Meanwhile, Article 106 (7) goes on to say: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the

oath of office following the election.”

A no-confidence motion was passed against the Government since December 21 of last year.

However, elections have not been held and there has been no resignation.

Instead, the Government went through several levels of court litigation, unsuccessfully arguing that the no-confidence motion was not validly passed.

At the level of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), that final court of arbitration had thrown out the Government’s case and had handed down judgement saying that when the no-confidence motion was passed on December 21, 2019, Article 106 of the Constitution had immediately been activated. In addition, the court had noted that the provisions of the article were clear.

Instead of immediately starting serious prepara-

tions to hold elections in the shortest possible time, however, GECOM proceeded to carry out house-to-house registration based on the orders of unilaterally appointed former Chairman Justice (retired) James Patterson.

A court case challenging this process and seeking to have GECOM comply with the constitution was in fact filed.

While that process was ultimately stopped by his successor, the decision to merge the new data from house-to-house registration with the national register of

from page 3

registrants and to prioritize the printing of identification cards, instead of seeking to have elections held as soon as possible, has been criticized by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) nominated GECOM commissioners as part of the Government’s delaying tactics.

Since then, the Commission, complete with Justice Singh and the six commissioners, have met with the two main political parties. At those meetings, assurances were given that GECOM would seek to hold elections this year.

8 news

monDAY, september 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

UG bomb threats

Trial to commence on October 8

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heneza Jafferally, called Diane, of Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, who was charged for causing chaos at the University of Guyana after making several bomb threats, is expected to appear at the Sparendam Magistrate’s Court on October 8 for the commencement of her trial.

Jafferally, a student at the University of Guyana (UG), was charged in February, for allegedly making bomb threats that interrupted classes on the campus.

Particulars of the charge alleged that on February 5, 2019 at Cummings Lodge, Jafferally sent, by means of a public telecommunication device system, for the purpose of causing need-

Sheneza Jafferally

less anxiety to the staff and students of UG, a message which she knew to be false.

During her first court appearance, the defendant had pleaded not guilty to the charge. Attorney-at-

Law Latchmie Rahamat will be representing the defendant during the trial, which will be heard by Magistrate Rushell Liverpool.

It was reported that on the day in question, a number of threats were sent to several online news outlets which were promptly reported to the Police.

Nevertheless, UG was on lock-down owing to the bomb scare. As a result, the gates to the tertiary institution were briefly locked, but were reopened once the Police and other officials gave the green light.

In the threat message, the alleged sender ‘Jack Ryan’ stated “I have placed 20 bombs across the University of Guyana campus which are hidden from plain sight. Attached to this

bomb is a timer which can be remotely activated/ deactivated”.

The sender also uploaded an image of the alleged handmade explosive devices. He also stated that the timer was set for eight hours before detonation.

“The bombs will be activated at exactly 15:00h unless my demands are met,” ‘Ryan’ continued. In a subsequent message, he related that students must leave the campus after which he would make his demands.

However, the Police had conducted a thorough investigation after no explosives were found on campus, which led to the defendant being arrested at her workplace after phone records allegedly linked her to the threats.

Woman accused of trafficking 60 lbs of ganja freed

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wenty-eight-year-old Shellyann Pompey, who was jointly charged with trafficking 27.318 kilograms (60 pounds) of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking, had the matter dismissed against her on Thursday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

When the matter was called before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers made an application to have the charge against Pompey withdrawn based upon advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Pompey had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge at her first court appearance and maintained that she was not involved and had no knowledge of the cannabis.

Pompey and Errol

Shellyann Pompey escorted by a Police Officer

Brown, both of Lot 74 First Street, Craig, East Bank Demerara (EBD), were jointly charged for the offence.

The charge stated that on August 19, 2019, at Lot 125 BB Eccles, EBD, they both had 27.318 kilograms

of cannabis in their possession for the purpose of trafficking.

However, Brown was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in August, after admitting ownership of the cannabis. He further told the court that Pompey was just a house guest, and

she did not know anything about the illicit substance.

According to information received, on the day in question, at approximately 11:00h, ranks from the Narcotics Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), received a tip-off and acted on same.

The ranks went to the Eccles home of Brown, where they met with him and asked to carry out a search, to which he offered no objection.

The ranks discovered a large green travelling bag and a large plastic bag, containing several parcels of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

The items were then shown to Brown and Pompey, who were cautioned and escorted to CID headquarters’ Narcotics Branch where they were interrogated and the charge later instituted.

GDF rank, cosmetologist freed of narco-possession charge

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cosmetologist and a serving member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) who were charged in November 2018 for narcotic trafficking had the matter dismissed against them.

Niketa Bishop and Jamal Eastman have been freed after the charge was dismissed by Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Providence Magistrate’s Court.

The Magistrate dismissed the charge after finding that the Police were unable to prove the elements of

the charge.

The duo of Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), had pleaded not guilty to the charge when they made their first court appearance.

The charge stated that on November 5, 2018 at Lot 1212 Diamond, they had 380 grams (0.8 pound) of cannabis in their possession for the purpose of trafficking.

During the trial, the couple were represented by Attorney-at-Law Bernard DaSilva.

Justice…

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…and the constitution very Sunday, the man who so much craves to be Prime Minister again - even though he complained bitterly he was gypped by Granger of his promised powers and his party has selected Ramjattan - gets a chance to brownnose his way into the PNC’s good graces.

There’s his weekly Chronic column he has to justify the outrage de jour of the PNC!!

This Sunday, it was the constitutional crisis that’ll be precipitated on Sept 18 since the PNC-led government will become illegal since elections should’ve been held by that day. “Not so!!” cried Nagamootoo stoutly and promised, “The sky will not fall”! But he knew better and this was revealed by his Freudian use of the phrase, “the sky will not fall.”

Even though he entered law school in his dotage, Nagamootoo did scrape through and is aware of the Latin legal phrase, “F?at j?stitia ruat cælum”. This means, “Let justice be done though the heavens fall.” Nagamootoo, the erstwhile Christian substituted “sky” for “heavens”.

So, the imperative for justice was definitely preying on Nagamootoo’s mind: that no matter what happens, justice must be realized.

And that’s the whole point about what’s going on now, isn’t it? If the constitution is the highest law of the land and it’s through the application of the law by the Courts that Justice is served, how can there be justice for Guyanese when the PNC govt Nagamootoo’s shilling for, is traducing the constitution?? And, as his words reveal he knows this, but then goes on to try to square the circle.

Let’s quote the mendicant’s argument fully since he often complains his words are being ‘twisted’: “They (the PPP) had petitioned the CCJ, Guyana’s highest court, to name September 18 as the deadline for elections. But the CCJ declined jurisdiction to do so, and refused to set any time-frame within which these elections could be held.

The CCJ ruled that it was for the constitutional players – the Parliament, Elections Commission, President and Opposition Leader – who could best do this in fulfillment of the requirements of Guyana’s Constitution and through a consultative process.”

But that’s not so, isn’t it?? If Nagamootoo was Pinocchio, his nose would’ve been two feet long!! The Court ruled that elections should’ve been by March 21, but since the PNC resorted to the Courts, the clock went on “pause” and resumed on June 18, when the CCJ threw out the PNC’s ridiculous NCM’s claims.

To wit, that elections were constitutionally due three months from June 18, and this needed no “gloss” nor explanation.

Excepting for the Nagamootoo. All that Lawwah must’ve made him bassidy!!

And he still ain’t gonna be the PM candidate!! …and fostering divisions The Government-controlled Chronic is playing a dangerous game…made even scarier ‘cause it’s a game crafted to provoke racial and political tensions in the country at a time when, historically, tensions rise and nerves are frayed. What they’ve been doing is rehashing particular acts of violence that were committed during one or the other “troubles” precipitated by the PNC as it launched its “mo fyaah; slow fyaah” strategy to oust the PPP from office.

This week, they selected the killing of Donna McKinnon.

They were forced to concede this occurred when PNC protesters were rampaging along Regent and Robb Streets lighting fires as they went. Even though a coroner’s inquest that couldn’t identify killer the market vendor, the Chronic headline the story “Gunned down outside Freedom House”. Regurgitating discredited claims made at the time by Mark Benschop, “correlation” was made into “causation” to once again pin the act on the PPP. The ERC should investigate this kind of “reporting” during another crisis precipitated by the PNC. …and race Barbados and Suriname reimposed a visa requirement for Haitians - and Bahamas never waived theirs. Yet when Guyanese raise concerns of their unchecked influx here, Felix and his comrades play the race card.

What’s race gotta do with it??

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

9 Billions being spent on ministerial outreaches – Jagdeo news

monDAY, september 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

…says inflated food bills run into millions of dollars

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he fact that Cabinet outreaches continue unabated has been slammed by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who noted that approximately $2 billion was already spent on what he essentially called political campaigning.

Jagdeo made this observation during a recent press conference, in which he referenced recent statements from Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon. Harmon had defended the outreaches by saying that they are catered for in the budget.

“Harmon said it’s provided for in the budget. They have spent about $2 billion on these outreaches. The outreach is part of their campaign,” Jagdeo said, adding that a kickback scheme may also be involved in the rental of certain equipment for the outreach.

“You should see the food bill for these outreaches.

Runs into millions of dollars. But it’s actually hundreds of thousands. And the excess goes to individuals. They are making up receipts for travel and subsistence. Imagine spending billions of dollars on outreaches that are meaningless to Guyanese. Taxpayer monies are being spent.”

And with Government having resorted back from holding a ‘plenary’ to holding ‘Cabinet’ and approving contracts, Jagdeo also warned that such contracts are invalid. He noted that by the Constitution, Cabinet ought to have been resigned and elections called.

“Let me just say that those companies getting contracts approved by this Cabinet now, that none of those contracts are valid that received the no objec-

A scene from a recent ministerial outreach

tion from Cabinet,” Jagdeo said, putting them on notice.

In June of this year, Harmon had to defend the recent move by the APNU/ AFC Government to secure more than $300 million in supplementary funding from the National Assembly for ministerial outreaches across the country.

At the parliamentary sitting on May 23, Finance Minister Winston Jordan had presented Financial Paper 1 of 2019 totalling in excess of $7.9 billion.

Of that amount, $800 million was approved for the Finance Ministry, part of which is for “increased activities such as ministerial outreaches”.

Asked to justify the additional $350 million when supplementary funds are only sought in the case of urgency and/or emergency, Harmon had sought to un-

derscore the importance of these ministerial engagements.

The Director General at the Ministry of the Presidency (MOTP) noted that Government first had these outreaches back 2016 and 2017, and it was based on the feedbacks that it found it necessary to continue the engagements with the public.

At the time, Government had held ministerial outreaches in Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Six, Nine and 10. These outreaches came amidst heavy criticisms that the APNU/AFC coalition was blatantly using taxpayers’ money and State resources to campaign heavily across the country.

Last month Government was even hit with protests at their own outreaches. When Government Ministers visited Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) on August 16, in

what was expected to be a ministerial outreach to the region, they were greeted by a poor turnout and widespread picketing.

At Glasgow, also in East Bank Berbice, Ministers Winston Felix and Tabitha Sarabo-Halley were expected to address residents, but instead, dissatisfied residents turned up with placards, highlighting the fact that the current Administration is illegal as they called on the David Granger-led Administration

to resign from office.

The situation was similar at Light Town, where Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence and Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman were slated to address residents. Meanwhile, at the other end of the region, at Crabwood Creek, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan was greeted with a barrage of protesters when he went into the community.

The protesters also chanted slogans as Minister within Indigenous Affairs Ministry Valerie Lowe spoke to less than ten persons as

she announced that General and Regional Elections will be held this year. Also attending the meeting was Minister Annette Ferguson, who explained the Central Government’s role.

At the end of the meeting, the few farmers who attended expressed disappointment, stating that none of the Ministers addressed issues of concern to them – namely agriculture – as rice, cash crop, and cattle farmers are in need of urgent intervention from Central Government to have canals and dams upgraded.

10 news US consultancy firm brings PPP MP assists Coomacka years of experience to boost students in getting back to school local businesses in IT O K monDAY, september 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

pposition Member of Parliament (MP) Juan Edghill on Friday last made a timely contribution of school supplies to several parents and students of the Coomacka community in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) which will assist in the students returning to school.

The MP noted that he made a decision after visiting Coomacka on Tuesday evening and hearing from parents that there were a number of students who were unable to attend school due to hardships they were facing.

He said the parents had expressed difficulty in getting their children attired and finding the necessary supplies to attend school and thus made an appeal for help.

“Right away I undertook

…as it establishes 1st office in Guyana

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Juan Edghill and recipients

to look into the matter because this is a serious matter when children are unable to go to school. And I spoke with a friend of mine and we agreed that the necessary intervention would be made and thus today we’re able to come up to Linden, take the parents and the children shopping, made sure that they got their uniforms, books, pencils, rulers and all the things that are need-

ed... to get them outfitted for school on Monday,” the MP noted.

He noted that it is regrettable that the children were unable to attend school while he pointed out that many are faced with such hardships due to the removal of the $10,000 “We care” cash grants. The MP said had the parents been able to access such a grant, this would not have been the situation.

“So I’m very happy that as a representative of the party that today we could have made it possible for these children to be outfitted for school on Monday,” he continued.

Meanwhile, the parents of the students who benefited were thankful for the gesture and expressed tremendous gratitude.S

een360, a United States (US) consultancy company with over 20 years of experience in assisting commercial enterprises and Government agencies to make better use of information technology (IT), aims at offering its services owing to the country’s rapid development in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

The company disclosed plans to establish its first international office in Guyana as it takes into consideration the familiarity with same, and its economic prospects.

In explaining to Guyana Times as to why the firm chose to expand its operations in Guyana, Founder of the company, Zahid Khan related that the plan is as a result of a successful pilot project that was conducted.

“We started looking at the Caribbean and Guyana, and why Guyana? So we looked at Guyana and we ran a pilot here. We decided to try it and see if it will work, so we did this and it worked extremely well because the quality of resource that we’re finding here is extremely high, and the additional benefit is geography, and English being the first language it helped tremendously so the communication between Keen360 and our clients is phenomenal compared to our competitors.” Khan asserted.

Further on this note, Khan underscored that the company is focusing on working alongside both private and public organisations, to help them achieve their goals and objectives, with regards to IT.

Founder of Keen360, Zahid Khan

“Our goals is to work with an organisation and understand what is your goals and objectives, what are the things you’re trying to achieve, and then working with you in these areas to solve those problems…. it doesn’t matter what your organisation is, the industry you’re in, whether you’re commercial meaning Private Sector or you’re a Government organisation” the founder stated.

The consultancy firm specialises in solving strategic, operational and technological problems by means of delivering high standards of data quality, customer engagement, operational excellence and customer care to companies it is working with.

Additionally, Keen360 has also established a programme for rewarding academic achievements and funding school supplies, together with providing sponsorship for the Dynasty Cricket Club.

This is undertaken as the firm seeks to contribute to the country as it continues to improve its social conditions by moving towards grasping immense economic opportunities.

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monDAY, september 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt continues to display gross incompetence in looming oil and gas sector

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is of the belief that Guyana has become a laughing stock on the international stage owing to the gross incompetence the coalition Government and top officials continue to portray.

He was at the time speaking about statements made by Head of the Department of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe, during an interview with the New Yorkbased Bloomberg.

The August 13, 2019 article titled “The World’s Newest Petrostate Isn’t Ready for a Tsunami of Cash” states: “When Mark Bynoe, the director of Guyana’s Department of Energy, was a boy, he used to play cricket barefoot with friends in his village outside Georgetown. At the end of the day, his feet “would be shiny at the bottom,” he remembers. “We knew oil was around.”

Statements like this, Jagdeo pointed out, highlights the incompetence of the governing coalition.

“This is the person who heads our Department of Energy, giving an interview to Bloomberg which is the premier business and eco-

ed.

Opposition Jagdeo

Leader

Bharrat

nomic news [agency] and is read around the world.

When the Head of our Energy Department makes such a statement, you recognise how sad our situation is about the state of affairs in our country.

“I can imagine how people around the world, when they read this, how they think of Guyana – how disparaging their views may be about our country. It is the same incompetence and comical actions on the part of the Government that causes so little respect for Guyana and our people,” the Opposition Leader stat-

He went on to say that this was the same sort of incompetence that took the country into the negotiation of contracts with United States oil giant ExxonMobil and British-based Tullow Oil, which saw Guyana being short-changed.

“So, this is the tragedy of Guyana today – having an incompetent government in place that squanders all of the opportunities for the future of all Guyanese and we’ve become the laughing stock of the international community when key Government officials – imagine the person that is in charge of our total Energy Department and policy making makes a statement like this. His foot bottom was ‘shiny’ so he knew we had oil,” Jagdeo posited.

The Opposition Leader, who is also a former President, said that this sort of incompetence “pains” him, especially since Guyana once had a reputation as a pioneering country.

“We had a growing reputation for leading the world, almost, on green policy-making and pioneer-

Body of US-based chef found in Kitty apartment

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he nude body of a USbased chef was on Sunday morning discovered on the kitchen floor of his Station Street, Kitty, Georgetown apartment. The dead man has been identified as 52-year-old Andrew Gordon.

Based on reports received, the man, who was scheduled to return to the United States today, was last seen alive on Friday evening. However, relatives became worried after calls to his mobile phone went unanswered between Friday evening and Sunday morning.

They nevertheless, contacted a friend and requested that he check on Gordon.

As he arrived at the man’s Lot 51 Station Street, Kitty

Dead: US-based Chef Andre Gordon

apartment, he recognised that the doors were open.

He called out several times for the man but there were no answers.

It was at this time that

he decided to enter the house where he saw the man lying on the kitchen flood in a nude state. An alarm was raised and the police were summoned. While the detectives stated that no marks of violence were found on the man’s body, bloodstains were reportedly seen on his neck.

Persons in the area contended that the now dead man entertained lots of people at his apartment including a group of young ladies.

When Guyana Times visited the scene on Sunday afternoon, neighbours were tightlipped.

His body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Home where a post-mortem is expected to be conducted today. Police are continuing their investigations.

ing the sale of forest carbon around the world. That was our reputation; people used to quote what we’re doing in Guyana prior to the oil and gas find. And today to be reduced to a laughing stock because of the incompetence of the Government … it pains me,” he lamented.

Jagdeo has always been critical of the coalition Government’s failure to negotiate a better deal with Exxon and more recently, his criticism was directed at the contract with Tullow, which will see the company paying zero royalties. This is despite the contract with the British company being signed after oil had already been discovered in commercial quantities offshore Guyana, Jagdeo contended.

But Tullow has defended recovering the one per cent royalty it pays to Guyana through cost oil, saying it is consistent with international frontier exploration standards.

In an interview with Guyana Times last month, the British oil company’s Head of Media Relations, George Cazenove reminded that back in 2012, Tullow and its partners spent and lost over US$100 million on

Director of the Department of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe

a failed exploration well in Guyana.

“What I can say is that our licence is entirely in line with licences around the world in frontier exploration areas. Don’t forget that the Jethro well had a onein-four chance of success at our risk. And we know what it’s like to lose money in exploration – we and our partners spent US$185 million in Guyana in 2012 on the Jaguar well and, as per our licence, got nothing back,” Cazenove had said.

Experts have argued for some time that the Guyana Government has not done enough to include ring-fencing provisions within the oil contracts it signed with operators. Ring-fencing terms ensure that liabilities (losses) associated with a com-

pany’s asset, in this case a previous well, cannot be transferred and the costs recouped from another well.

Tullow’s one per cent royalty, itself, has been criticised in recent times for the very amount. It falls short of the two per cent ExxonMobil has to pay to Guyana. When compared to oil producers around the world, however, the rate falls even shorter.

While some oil producers did start with low royalty rates similar to Guyana’s, their respective governments had the foresight to include provisions in their contracts for a sliding scale that would ensure the royalty rate went up as oil production increased.

On August 12, the British oil company announced that it discovered oil in commercial quantities at the Jethro-1 exploration well in the Orinduik Block.

This is the first discovery in the Orinduik Block, which is located in close proximity to the Stabroek Block – where ExxonMobil has already made 13 lucrative oil discoveries since 2015.

The US oil giant is gearing up for oil production in the first quarter of next year, producing up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day from the Liza Phase 1 development.

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monDAY, september 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Carpenter stabbed during fight with co-worker

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carpenter is battling for his life at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) after he was stabbed twice to his body during a fight with a co-worker on Saturday.

The injured man has been identified as 27-yearold Ajay Prittipal of Hague, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

Guyana Times understands that the incident occurred just after midday on Saturday in Vreed-

en-Hoop, West Bank Demerara, where the duo was said to be constructing a house.

Based on reports received, an argument ensued between Prittipal and the suspect for reasons un-

known but quickly escalated.

As the argument spiralled out of control, the duo began fighting but it was brought to an end by other co-workers who intervened.

However, while Prittipal was in the process of walking away, the suspect allegedly whipped out a knife and attacked him from behind, thus stabbing him once to his shoulder.

The victim attempted to block another stab but in-

stead was stabbed to the lower arm.

The suspect was again pulled away from the victim but managed to flee the scene as attention was placed on Prittipal.

The injured man was

picked up and rushed to the WDRH where he remains in a stable condition.

The matter was reported to the police and an investigation was launched.

The suspect is yet to be arrested.

“Safe City System will not violate human rights”– Govt

Local bakers trained to adopt global trends

NAMILCO Managing Director Roopnarine Sukhai

T

he National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) in partnership with a leading German baking company recently hosted a baking seminar to help local bakers improve in marketing their goods.

The seminar, which was hosted last week, saw over 130 local baking businesses participating. Held under the theme “A bright future

in baking”, the event expected to prepare local bakers to capitalise on niche markets.

With assistance from leading German baking company, DeutscheBack, representatives from the various bakeries were trained to adopt global trends.

In his remarks, NAMILCO Managing Director Roopnarine Sukhai shared some advice that could aid in the improvement of the bakers’ business standards.

Some of the tips included having a strong front, that is, improving the appeal of the business; improving packaging, spreading the name of the business far and wide, widening product range, acquiring international certification, observing good manufacturing practices, and practising guidelines outlined in the Food Safety Act. The Director further urged the businesses to be

conscious of the fact that many investors are presently eyeing the baking and catering industry.

“Economic activities will increase and you stand to benefit, however, some of these investors may be looking at the baking and catering industry so that your livelihood would also be

of larger bakeries that are looking to enter Guyana, we should all be on guard and be able to find the niche in the market in order to remain in business,” Sukhai cautioned.

Presenters at the event also included DeutscheBack’s Regional Sales Manager, the Private

T

A section of the gathering

threatened, you have to try and protect your market, but to do so, you will need to reengineer your business. It will need complete change in the way that you carry on your trade … we are aware

Sector Commission’s Captain Gerald Gouveia, NAMILCO’s Regional Sales Manager, and DeutscheBack Research and Development’s Tania Monsivais.

he Public Telecommunications Ministry on Friday assured members of the public that it’s Safe City Project, which saw the installation of scores of cameras around Georgetown and the country’s main ports of entry, will not violate human rights.

Since its commissioning back in July, persons have raised concerns about their personal data being accessed through the project, but the Ministry has laid all these fears to rest.

According to the Telecommunications Ministry, facial recognition technology will only be deployed at the official ports of entry including the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Timehri, East Bank Demerara, the Eugene F Correia International Airport in Ogle, East Coast Demerara, and at the Moleson Creek Ferry Crossing, East BerbiceCorentyne.

It said that the cameras set up in public spaces are very different from those installed at the ports of entries. In fact, while those on the streets are “of extremely high quality” they are not equipped for automatic face recognition.

The Government has no plans to install face recognition cameras in the streets of Georgetown in the “foreseeable future” according to the Ministry.

“We also wish to assure the public that personal data stored by agencies such as the Central Immigration and Passport Office, Guyana Elections Commission and Guyana Revenue Authority, have not been and will not be shared under this project.

In fact, the laws and regulations that govern these agencies prevent unauthorised sharing of such data”, the Telecommunications Ministry stated.

The Ministry went on to assure that access to the CCTV network of cameras is

only possible by authorised security personnel who are stringently examined before they are assigned to the Command Centre.

In addition, their operations will be guided by the standard operating procedures (SOPs) being developed by the consulting team of UK security experts.

The SoPs will comprise of adherence to an agreed set of security standards and operating practices, with strict, limited and supervised access to the operations of the Command Centre. Strong penalties are also in place for persons who breach these requirements, the Ministry pointed out.

On the other hand, it was noted that the Safe City Project operates on an independent Government-owned fibre optic network managed by the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), an umbrella agency of the Telecommunications Ministry.

“It has no points of entry or gateways for any third party – individuals or companies.

This network is physically independent with all trunking and cabling standing alone. It is physically isolated from the eGovernment platform which provides connectivity to Government institutions, agencies, schools, health and other public facilities,” the Ministry stated.

On July 26, the multimillion-dollar Command Centre in Liliendaal was activated with the intent of monitoring criminals, suspects, and vehicles involved in crimes.

Back then, subject Minister Cathy Hughes explained that it was two years ago that this project, through the country’s National Broadband Strategy and Programme, was started and is funded by the China Exim (ExportImport) Bank and implemented through the services of Huawei.

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monDAY, september 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Solid Waste Dept cleans commercial business areas in Georgetown

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ommercial businesses throughout several areas in Georgetown had their surrounding areas cleaned on Sunday morning during a six-hour-long cleanup exercise executed by the Mayor and City Council’s (M&CC) Solid Waste Department.

The cleanup, which is expected to become a weekly exercise, saw a team from the department clearing out several garbage piles, especially around businesses located in the areas of Regent and Robb Streets.

The garbage situation continues to be an is-

sue since the businesses in those areas are still without proper garbage receptacles.

According to Solid Waste Director Walter Narine, businesses in the vicinity of Regent and Robb Streets and those around Avenue of the Republic, Wellington Street and Charlotte Streets

are presently being run by foreigners who are yet to be sensitised on Guyana’s laws.

As such, the businesses are failing to adhere to requirements as a result of being ignorant of same.

This, however, is expected to be soon rectified in a

ECD attempted murder/sucide

Wife, daughter of dead taxi driver still critical

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he estranged wife and three-year-old daughter of Balkarana Persaud aka “Clement”, the taxi driver who allegedly committed suicide moments after feeding them a poisonous substance, continue to battle for their lives at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

This was related by Commander of C Division (East Coast Demerara), Calvin Brutus, who told Guyana Times on Sunday that the two victims are still receiving treatment for the ingested poisonous substance that they had consumed on Monday last.

On this note, he added that investigations are still ongoing while noting that statements will be ob-

tained from Kavita Persaud as soon as she is in a position to do so.

It was reported that Persaud attempted to kill his estranged wife and their daughter but there was a possibility that the trio could have mistakenly consumed the poisonous substance.

Meanwhile, according to a police source, the post-mortem examination (PME) conducted on the taxi driver’s body revealed that he had died from consuming pesticide.

According to reports, the now dead man’s estranged wife, Kavita, did not reside at the Mon Repos home where the incident occurred, but the couple’s young daughter, Sarswati,

Balkarana Persaud and Kavita Persaud in happier times

lived with her father.

This newspaper was told that Kavita, who separated from her husband a few months ago, would visit the home to assist with taking care of the child.

However, last Monday morning at about 07:30h, neighbours heard screams from Balkarana Persaud’s home, and upon investigating, they discovered the trio

lying on the floor, frothing from their mouths.

The neighbours sounded an alarm and persons living in the street rushed to the scene.

However, Balkarana Persaud had already died before the efforts were made to save his life. The woman and her child were rushed to the GPHC where they were treated and admitted.

sensitisation programme which will see enforcement being carried out by the Solid Waste Department.

“We have to remember that these businesses that we closed down are now taken over by foreigners who don’t understand the laws of Guyana and they don’t understand the requirements or stuff like that so it’s something that we have to re-sensitise again, so we will speak to them and then enforce after” Narine explained.

The Director noted that his Department is presently hoping for a meeting of the relevant Departments to have the matter of receptacle enforcement looked into.

“Well it is something that is in the pipeline for the longest while so we are hoping that we can sit together soon so that we can take it one block at a time, I would say first from Avenue of the Republic to Wellington

Street and from Charlotte Street to Robb Street and give them some amount of time to have their receptacles in place and then enforcement should happen afterwards” the Director stated.

However, in the meanwhile, the Department made the decision to remove the garbage until such time that the businesses can be brought up to date with their relevant requirements.

“We have an excess amount of garbage on the streets but we couldn’t have left it until tomorrow so that’s why we went to clean it up…My Department made a decision to remove the garbage until enforcement can happen” Narine explained.

The Solid Waste Department has been carrying out various clean up campaigns around central Georgetown in its efforts to “clean up” the capital city.

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MonDAY, september 16, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

Amazon Warriors assist 14 -year old to fight cancer

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he Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) cricket team has assisted 14-year-old Shaniece Nahoe, who has been diagnosed with a cancerous facial tumour, in her battle for survival.

While preparing for their clash against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (SKNP) in Basseterre in this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the Warriors learnt of the Washington Archibald High School student’s situation and immediately pooled financial resources to hand over to the family.

Nahoe, who was born in Guyana, is currently in Jamaica at the University of the West Indies Hospital with her mother, Shelly Jailall, while her father and two younger siblings remain in St Kitts praying for her speedy recovery.

The form two student is far from full recovery having just recently undergone her first chemotherapy session.

The next session is set for the end of September and

GAW Media Officer, John Ramsingh hands over the donation on behalf of the team to the Nahoe family in St Kitts

once the tumour begins to shrink, radiation treatment will begin.

Upon receiving the donation, Nahoe’s father, who was

born in Guyana, thanked the Guyana Amazon Warriors for their support and wished the team well in their quest for a maiden CPL title.

Linden municipality gets new Junior Mayor

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welve-year-old Janae Bristol of the Bishops’ High School is Linden’s new Junior Mayor. Bristol, who is a former student of the Regma Primary School, was selected by a panel on Saturday evening after she and six other students from various schools across Linden contested for the post at the Linden Mayor and Town Council.

The other members of the Junior Council who competed include Quasha Lewis, who represented the Christianburg Primary; Aneesa Algernon, who represented the Mackenzie Primary; Nyocie Feidtkou, who represented the Amelia’s Ward Primary; Carlisa Stellington, who represented the Amelia’s

Linden’s Junior Mayor, Janae Bristol

Ward Primary; Kenson Jennings, who represented the Watooka Day Primary and Natassia Ashby represented One Mile Primary School.

Following their introductory presentations, the students were each asked: “if they were to become

Junior Mayor what is one thing that they would see change in their community or school or both”. They were judged by a panel and were each awarded tablets as tokens, compliments of the Telecommunications Ministry.

In her remarks, Bristol noted that she was happy to be the first female Junior Mayor of Linden as she advocated for women to be leaders in society.

“In my opinion, females should start rising up. We can do things that males can do too...I’m happy that I will be helping to make Linden a better place for the next generation to come”, she posited.

The Linden’s Junior Mayor and Council has a motto which states, “Continuity in leadership at the local level”.

President gives NA Secondary $1M to enhance STEM programme

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resident David Granger on Friday last donated $1 million to the New Amsterdam Secondary School to improve its science and technology capacity.

The Head of State made the donation during a visit which was part of activities in observance of Education Month.

The ancient county, the President said, has played a pivotal role in the development of education in Guyana. He lauded the school for its exceptional performance at the recent Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams which recorded a 93.1 per cent pass rate.

The school registered 100 per cent passes in Agricultural Science, Resource Management, Food and Nutrition, Industrial Technology, Office Administration, Physics, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Social Studies and several other subjects.

However, the Head of State also added that Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) is an economic pacesetter.

“Timber, bauxite, rice and sugar and some of the resources in abundance in this region. These commodities have made this region the food basket of the country. More than half of the sugar that Guyana produces comes from East Berbice-Corentyne.

Quarter of your rice and the majority of your fish and cattle meat comes from this region. So, your economy has built up over the years but we need to think more of what we can do… outside of Demerara, this is the only region with a university campus.”

President Granger explained that the New Amsterdam Multilateral School is one of six multilateral schools which were established to bring into

President David Granger presents the cheque to the Head Teacher of the New Amsterdam Multilateral School, Vanessa Jacobs to assist the school's STEM programme

operation a new curriculum.

He said the advancement of the science and technology field will produce scientists who are going to propel Guyana’s development.

“We need scientists, architects, agronomist, biologists, botanist, chemists, doctors, engineers, environmentalist, hydrologist and physicist. I am a man that puts my money where my mouth is.”

On that note, the President announced that he will be giving the school $1 million.

President Granger told the students that he has established the National Endowment for Science and Technology (NEST) fund from which the money was taken.

The original education system in Guyana, President Granger noted, has been the recipient of tremendous investment.

He explained that this

year, investment in the education sector moved from 14.8 per cent of the national budget to 17 per cent of the budget which is $52 billion, 15 per cent more than last year.

The President said he is not satisfied with only ensuring that every child is in school but he is looking forward to A grade students.

“The first A means access - Every child must be able to access primary and secondary schools. The second A is attendance - Every child must attend the school and the stay in school. Studies have established that there is a strong relationship between school attendance, school literacy and numeracy. Giving access and assuring attendance are not enough; we want children to reach a high level of attainment which means that we want children to stay in school so that they can graduate and go to university,” the President added.

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monDAY, september 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

SRHR Adventures hosts infertility symposium

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egarded as an innovative and unique venture by the Ministry of Public Health, a recently held infertility symposium was held to have persons discuss what is considered a taboo subject.

The symposium was facilitated by the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Adventures, a Non-Governmental Organisation, at Moray’s House on September 14.

Doctors and other interested stakeholders attending the meeting listened to presentations on the prevalence of infertility, how it affects couples and alternatives that can be sought after.

Coordinator of SRHR Adventures, Dr Faqueeda Watson-Jones

Infertility is a condition in women which causes the inability to conceive a child.

This could be as a result of an untreated Sexually

Transmitted Diseases (STD) such as Chlamydia. It can also be as a result of delayed pregnancies or botched abortions. Men are also af-

fected by infertility through poor behavioural patterns and health practices which can result in a weak sperm count.

Addressing the gathering on behalf of the Minister of Public Health was Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud, who explained that statistics indicated that about 5 per cent of persons worldwide are affected by infertility. This, he said, accounts for a significant figure worldwide.

Further disaggregating the numbers, the statistics show that 30 per cent of infertility cases are as a result of factors relating to men, while 25-40 per cent are as a result of female issues.

Leguan sea defence projects progressing

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he boundaries of Leguan are at the mercy of surging tides as it sits in the mouth of the Essequibo River. As such, the island’s sea defences are of great importance. With

northern end of the island, the $44 million construction of 150 metres of rip-rap sea defence structure is moving along and that project is 80 per cent complete. Speaking with the Department of

Sea defence project at Cane Garden, Leguan

the implementation of several sea defence projects, the structural integrity of Leguan’s shoreline continues to be strengthened.

In Cane Garden, on the

Public Information (DPI), Ranger within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Sukhu Jettoo said that works are to conclude by the end of October as only 17

metres of sea defence are to be built.

The sea defence in Cane Garden borders a canal that separates the earthen embankment from farmlands.

DPI spoke with a nearby multi-crop farmer, Rhamat Hussain, to understand the impact of the project on his business.

Hussain, who has been working in the area for little over a year, recalled the losses he experienced due to poor sea defences on the island and signalled his support for the project that will protect his livelihood. “We had a flood couple mornings back that damaged a whole set of watermelon… thousands of watermelon and pumpkin and so forth.

So, this is going to be a good help for the farmers here,” Hussain stated.

According to Region Three’s Regional Engineer within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Seenarine Nandram, a sea defence breach spanning 1 km along the earthen em-

Ranger within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Sukhu Jettoo

bankment occurred in 2010.

This event led to the implementation of emergency works. Nandram noted that in 2015, the Government began to upgrade the boulder face structures that were there with rip-rap sea defence structure.

Over in Elizabeth Ann, the $9 million sea defence project begun recently and entails the construction of a concrete crest wall to replace the failed sandcrete structure.

Chief Medical Officer, MoPH, Dr Shamdeo Persaud

About 28 per cent of infertility cases are as a result of factors relating to couples (both men and women) and this includes incompatibility.

In explaining the effects of infertility, Dr Persaud said “it [infertility] has a very wide reach, both from an individual point of view with personality issues, and in cases with couples’ – failed marriages, interpersonal relationships and even in some instances violence and distrust develop in families. We need to address some of those issues in a broader context and I am happy that psychologists and family counsellors are involved.”

This issue has escalated socially resulting in persons seeking desperate solutions to correct infertility.

From the perspective of the Ministry of Public Health, the CMO noted that though it is a small issue, it has a great impact on sexual and reproductive health, often leading to emotional challenges.

“Infertility has been a challenge that is growing worldwide. Here in Guyana, we are no exception and we have noted that more and more, especially through social media and other outlets, that persons are trying to

seek services that could enhance their own capacity,” Dr Persaud said.

The symposium was themed, “What the fertility! Navigating the ups and downs of another ‘F’ word.” Coordinator of SRHR Adventures, Dr Faqueeda Watson-Jones remarked that after attending a seminar in Canada focusing on infertility, she realised that this is a sensitive topic that is not discussed enough, as there is little research done in the area.

“We would have noticed on social media that there are a lot of persons who lack the knowledge of infertility or they have issues with it, hence the reason for this symposium targeting males and females to address infertility issues and explore factors which contribute to the knowledge, attitude and cultural conditions surrounding infertility.”

In response, the Health Ministry has opted to first ensure that testing and treatment for STDs are available for both men and women across Guyana whether in private or public facilities. Also, through maternal health and family planning services, women can be advised on fertility treatment options available locally.

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, september 16, 2019

Regional

Bermuda on alert as Tropical Storm Humberto strengthens F orecasters have warned Bermuda that strengthening Tropical Storm Humberto is a potential threat to the island after it moved to the north of The Bahamas.

The storm, which was due to reach hurricane strength late on Sunday, is expected to be around 230 miles west of Bermuda by midday on Wednesday as a Category Two Hurricane.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said the storm, packing 65 mph winds with higher gusts, was moving north at seven miles per hour, but is expected to make a sharp turn to the northeast today.

Early on Sunday, Humberto was located 180 miles north-northwest of

vene should the weather system’s forecasted track pose a threat to Bermuda,” National Security Minister Wayne Caines said.

“I take this opportunity to remind the public that Bermuda is in the midst of hurricane season. I strongly encourage the public to revisit your business, household and family preparedness plans.”

Humberto has lashed already devastated parts of The Bahamas with heavy rain and strong winds

Abaco, which suffered loss of life and massive damage earlier in the month from Hurricane Dorian.

“Additional strengthening is forecast through Wednesday, and Humberto is expected to become a hurricane by tonight,” the

NHC said in its latest advisory.

Bermuda’s Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) has said it has begun to monitor the track of Humberto.

“The EMO is prepared and stands ready to con-

The Bermuda Weather Service said Humberto would bring dangerous sea conditions to the island ahead of it.

Humberto lashed already devastated parts of The Bahamas with heavy rain and strong winds, which hampered recovery efforts after Dorian. (Excerpt from CMC)

Colombia plane crash kills 7 – authorities

Photographs on social media showed parts of the airplane scattered atop houses in the area [AFP photo]

A

small plane crashed near the south-western Colombian city of Popayan on Sunday, killing seven of the nine passengers aboard, the city’s Mayor and the country’s civil aviation authority said.

The incident occurred just a few minutes after the aircraft, owned by a small local company, took off from the airport in Popayan, a city of about 270,000 surrounded by mountains. The other two passengers were injured

and were being treated at a hospital, Popayan Mayor Cesar Gomez said.

Photographs on social media showed parts of the airplane scattered atop houses in the area. Gomez said he had convened a working group to assist residents who had been affected.

Colombia’s civil aviation authority said in a statement it was investigating the cause of the accident.

Mexico targets former Attorney General in probe of missing students case OAS peace mission to Nicaragua says M denied entry by Ortega Government exican Prosecutors will target a former Attorney General and his top aides in their investigation into the handling of a controversial probe into the disappearance five years ago of 43 student teachers, a Government official said on Sunday.

The Attorney General’s office said on Saturday Prosecutors would hold to account those who oversaw the widely-panned probe into the abduction and ap-

parent massacre of the trainee teachers by corrupt Police working with a violent drug gang.

The scandal battered the reputation of then President Enrique Pena Nieto. His successor, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has criticised how the case was handled and the release of suspects at the heart of the probe.

Deputy Interior Minister Alejandro Encinas, the official overseeing the reopening of the case, told

a news conference 77 of 142 suspects detained over the September 26, 2014 disappearances in the south-western city of Iguala had been released by courts.

The drug gang leader, Gildardo Lopez Astudillo, was recently released after a judge found officials had tortured him to get evidence. The United Nations human rights office said last year that authorities had probably tortured dozens of people in the case.

Encinas said the probe

by Prosecutors into the officials in charge of the case would focus “in particular” on Jesus Murillo, Tomas Zeron, and Jose Aaron Perez Carro.

Murillo was the Attorney General who presented the Government’s official account of what happened to the students, while Zeron headed the agency that led the investigation. Perez was in charge of a special office dedicated to the Iguala case. (Excerpt from Reuters)

IDB confirms commitment to work with Caribbean countries to reduce crime

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he Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has confirmed its commitment to work with Latin American and Caribbean countries on strategies to prevent and reduce crime.

During the Citizen Security Week 2019 that wrapped up at IDB headquarters in Washington, DC on Friday, the international financial institution emphasised that to improve long-term citizen security, it is necessary to have greater investment in social

development and more effective, efficient, and transparent institutions.

“One of the lessons learned over the past 20 years is that we can’t solve security problems if we act in an isolated manner,” said IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno.

“At a time when criminal activity can cross borders faster than goods and services, regional cooperation in citizen security is critical to securing a safer future.

“Our shared objective

should be to openly discuss our challenges, share best practices, and collaborate to find and implement solutions,” he added.

During the Citizen Security Week, the IDB said discussions focused on the importance of preventing crime and violence in high-risk areas and those that impact vulnerable populations, such as women and youth.

“I urge all of us to join forces and act firmly and with determination to eradicate a hidden violence

in the Region that has no voice, that lives in fear and helplessness,” said IDB Vice President of Sectors and Knowledge, Ana María Rodríguez-Ortiz.

“It is the dreadful cultural silence that hides domestic violence,” she added. “We know that the best inheritance we can leave to future generations is a region with respect for laws and life, trust in institutions prevail, and contribute to their efforts to achieve a much safer region.” (Excerpt from CMC)

Trinidad: CJ to address divided Judiciary

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hief Justice Ivor Archie will address a country divided over the state of the Judiciary when he delivers his annual address at the opening of the 2019-2020 Law Term this morning.

Archie, whose private and professional decisions have been under public scrutiny for some time, may choose to use the opportunity to address his numerous critics including colleagues, prom-

inent attorneys and most recently the organisation’s non-judicial staff.

Such a move would not be unprecedented as Archie has used the forum in the past to address controversial national issues, to highlight developments within the Judiciary and to advocate for reforms.

In an exclusive statement granted at the request of Guardian Media, High Court Judge Frank Seepersad

shared his concerns on the current state of the organisation he represents.

While he praised recent efforts to improve the criminal justice system through procedural and administrative reforms, Seepersad questioned the sustainability of the efforts in light of existing financial constraints.

He also questioned the knock-on effect of the measures on long-standing public servants, who stand to

(Reuters)

lose their positions.

Seepersad also cited a recent poll by pollster Nigel Henry, which gave the Judiciary a 12 per cent approval rating, as a cause for concern.

“This statistic is so shockingly low that, even if one factors in margins of error and other polling deficiencies, the head of every single judicial officer should be bent in shame,” Seepersad said.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega speaks to supporters during an event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution, at Juan Pablo II square in Managua, Nicaragua, July 19, 2019

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AS peace mission to Nicaragua says denied entry by Ortega Government A commission from the Organisation of American States seeking to help broker an end to a political crisis in Nicaragua said on Sunday the Government of President Daniel Ortega had barred its entry into the Central American country.

In a statement, the OAS said the delegation made up of representatives from the United States, Canada, Argentina, Paraguay and Jamaica had been informed

by Nicaragua’s migration authorities that it would not be allowed into the country.

Nicaragua has been gripped by its worst political crisis since demonstrations broke out against the Ortega Government in April 2018 over planned cuts to welfare benefits.

The demonstrations spread into broader protests against Ortega, and subsequent clashes between pro-Government forces and protesters have

claimed more than 300 lives and prompted thousands of Nicaraguans to go into exile, rights groups say.

Critics, including human rights groups, criticised Ortega for the severity with which the demonstrations were put down.

Ortega, a former Marxist guerrilla, described the protests as an illegal plot by adversaries to oust him.

The OAS commission was due to spend September 16-17 in Nicaragua in order to “take diplomatic steps at the highest level to seek a pacific solution” to the crisis in the country, it said.

Nicaragua’s Government did not respond to requests

by Reuters for comment.

The OAS created the commission on August 30 and tasked it with reporting back on the situation in Nicaragua within 75 days.

The Nicaraguan Government had previously dismissed the creation of the commission, viewing it as an attempt to interfere in the country’s affairs.

The commission said it would proceed with its work. (Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, september 16, 2019

17

Around the World

At least 12 dead, Hong Kong protesters hurl petrol bombs at Government buildings in latest wave of unrest dozens missing

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ong Kong Police fired water cannon and volleys of tear gas to disperse protesters throwing petrol bombs at Government buildings on Sunday, as months of sometimes violent demonstrations showed no sign of letting up.

Some protesters threw bricks at Police outside the Chinese People’s Liberation Army base in the city’s Admiralty district, and tore down and set fire to a red banner proclaiming the 70th anniversary on Oct 1 of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, in a direct challenge to Beijing.

Thousands of protesters,

An anti-Government protester throws back a tear gas canister at the police during a demonstration near Central Government Complex in Hong Kong, China, September 15, 2019

many clad in black masks, caps and shades to obscure their identity, raced through the streets of the financial hub in cat-and-mouse tactics with Police, setting street

fires and blocking roads in the heart of the city.

Violence erupted in the district of Fortress Hill on the east of the island as men in white T-shirts, some

claimed it. Tehran has rejected the accusation, but said it was ready for war.

The US official, who asked not to be named, said there were 19 points of impact in the attack on Saudi facilities and that evidence showed the launch area was west-northwest of the targets - the direction of Iran not south from Yemen.

The official added that Saudi officials had indicated they had seen signs that cruise missiles were used in

the attack, which is inconsistent with the Iran-aligned Houthi group’s claim that it conducted the attack with 10 drones.

The attack on plants in the heartland of Saudi Arabia’s oil industry, including the world’s biggest petroleum-processing facility, was expected to send oil prices up US$5 to 10 per barrel today as tensions rise in the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi

wielding rods, clashed with anti-Government activists.

A heavy Police presence could be seen in and around subway stations. Rail operator MTR Corp has become a prime target of vandalism, with activists angry that it closes stations during protests and prevents demonstrators from gathering.

The Airport Authority said on Sunday passenger numbers fell 12.4 per cent year-on-year in August to six million. Protesters last month jammed the airport arrivals hall, leading to cancelled or delayed flights as they sought to draw world attention to their fight for democracy. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Attack on Saudi oil facility came from direction of Iran, not Yemen – US official

T

he attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities on Saturday that has threatened global oil supplies came from the direction of Iran, and cruise missiles may have been used, according to a senior US official.

The comments added heft to Washington’s accusation that Iran was behind the attacks that knocked out more than 5 per cent of global oil supply, instead of the Yemeni Houthi group that

dismissed the US allegation it was responsible as “pointless”. A senior Revolutionary Guards commander warned that the Islamic Republic was ready for “full-fledged” war.

State oil giant Saudi Aramco said the attack cut output by 5.7 million barrels per day, at a time when Aramco is trying to ready itself for what is expected to be the world’s largest share sale.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

as tour boat capsizes in India

A policeman stands on a bridge as houses are submerged in the waters of the overflowing river Godavari after heavy rainfall [Francis

A

Mascarenhas/Reuters]

t least 12 people have drowned and dozens of others are missing after a sightseeing boat capsized on a swollen river in southern India, Police and local media reports said.

The Royal Vasishta vessel was carrying 61 people 50 passengers and 11 crew members, all of them Indian nationals - when it capsized on the Godavari River on Sunday, Andra Pradesh state’s Home Minister Mekathoti Sucharita said.

A search operation was underway, with rescue teams including divers and a helicopter scouring the river to find the missing people, a senior police official said.

Twenty-four people have been rescued so far, while 25 others are missing, Sucharita said.

The accident occurred near Kachuluru village in East Godavari district,

380 kilometres (236 miles) east of the State’s capital, Hyderabad. The boat was heading from Singanapalli to Papikondalu, a famous tourist spot.

Sucharita said tour boats had been barred from operating on the route following the recent flooding of the river and it was not clear how the boat that capsized had managed to take out the tourists.

“Stern action will be taken against the culprits,” she told the Associated Press news agency.

Apart from tourists, residents in the area depend on boats and ferries to travel between villages on the banks of the Godavari.

Overcrowding and poor safety checks often cause boat accidents in India, especially during the annual monsoon rains when rivers are swollen. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Lib Dems pledge to cancel Tunisia holds second Brexit if they win general free presidential Turkey: Russian election election S-400 missile P system operational T in April 2020

he Liberal Democrats have pledged to cancel Brexit if they come to power at the next general election.

Members voted for the new policy at their party conference in Bournemouth by an overwhelming majority.

Previously, the party has backed another referendum or “People’s Vote”, saying they would campaign to Remain.

After the vote, their leader Jo Swinson, said: “We will do all we can to fight for our place in Europe, and to stop Brexit altogether.”

The commitment only comes into force if the party wins the election as a majority Government.

Swinson also confirmed that before an election is called, the Lib Dems would continue to work with other opposition parties to campaign for a further referendum, and to prevent a “dangerous” no-deal Brexit.

The Government said it is trying to get a deal with the EU so it can leave on October 31 - the current deadline agreed with the

Leader of Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson

EU. The PM is due to meet European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in Luxembourg this week, as negotiations aimed at securing a deal continue.

MPs passed a new law earlier this month that forces Boris Johnson to ask the EU for an extension to the deadline if a deal isn’t agreed by October 19 - two days after a key EU summit.

The Lib Dems’ motion said that if the party became the Government at the next general election, it would revoke Article 50 - the law that ensures the UK leaves the EU. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

olling booths have closed in Tunisia, which is holding its second free presidential poll since the 2011 uprising that toppled ex-President Ben Ali and sparked the Arab Spring.

Twenty-six candidates, including two women, are running in the election.

Exit polls suggest an independent outsider, Kais Saied, has done well in the first round of votes.

Turnout has been low at 45 per cent, despite an ear-

booths were young.

Official results are not expected until Tuesday.

The outcome is difficult to predict but early exit polls suggest that along with Kais Saied, Nabil Karoui - a media magnate currently in jail - could also be well placed to make it to the second round.

Essebsi won Tunisia’s first free presidential elections in 2014 and was credited with largely maintaining stability in the country during his almost five-year rule.

At 92, he was the oldest sitting President in the world at the time of his

Few young people have been seen voting

lier call for young Tunisians to get out and vote.

The election was brought forward after the death in July of Beji Caid Essebsi, the first democratically elected President, who took office in 2014.

It is widely viewed as a test of one of the world’s youngest democracies, but there were reports that few of those travelling to polling

death. Essebsi had previously confirmed that he was not planning to run for re-election. His wife, Chadlia Saida Farhat, died on Sunday morning, aged 83, their son announced on Facebook as voting was getting underway.

Parliament speaker Mohamed Ennaceur is currently acting as interim President. (Excerpt from BBC News)

T

he delivery of a second battery of Russian S-400 missiles to Turkey was completed on Sunday with the controversial defence system expected to become fully active in April 2020.

Efforts to mount the missile system and train military personnel to use it were continuing, a Turkish Defence Ministry statement said.

The first S-400 equipment was delivered to Ankara in July despite warnings about possible United States sanctions over the purchase.

Ankara and Washington have been at odds over Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 system, which the US says is not compatible with NATO defences and poses a threat to its F-35 stealth fighter jets.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told CNN Turk television on Saturday the S-400s would be activated despite repeated US warnings.

“They [US officials] told

us ‘don’t activate them and we can sort this out’, but we told them that we didn’t buy these systems as a prop,” Cavusoglu said, adding Turkey would be open to buying US Patriot missile systems as well.

T u r k i s h President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Reuters news agency last week he intended to discuss buying Patriot missiles with US President Donald Trump this month, saying his personal bond with the US leader could overcome the crisis caused by the S-400s.

Ties between Ankara and Washington have been strained over a host of issues, including conflicting strategies with the war in Syria and the Trump Administration’s approach towards Iran.

However, the dispute over the Russian defence system has brought the NATO allies to the brink of one of their biggest ruptures in ties. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, september 16, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO

Calvin and Hobbes

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

SUDOKU

Change is only as good as your timing. Assessing a situation acutely and making your move confidently are encouraged. Be proactive and seize the moment.

Pay more attention to your appearance, how you present what you have to offer and whom you include in your projects.

If something needs to be done, do it. By taking the initiative, you will gain control, respect, and the support you need to finish what you start. Say less and do more.

Ask questions that will help you understand a nettlesome situation. Talk to experts, older family members, or anyone who can offer insight into a choice you have to make.

Network with people who can give you an idea of how to make the most with what you’ve got. A positive change is within reach.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Don’t start something you can’t finish. Proceed with caution when dealing with matters that could cause a rift between you and someone that you must get along with.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Don’t wait to see what everyone else is going to do.

If you want something, go after it. Be the one to initiate change, drum up interest and take charge.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Make changes to your personal life, home environment or appearance. How you present yourself to others will determine what kind of interest you attract.

CAPRICORN

If you overanalyse what you want to do or see happen, you will miss the mark.

If a change needs to be made, take the initiative to get things done.

(Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Saturday’s Word –

Look for opportunities to expand your interests or add to your resume. Picking up skills, knowledge, and experience will help you manoeuvre your way into a higher earning bracket.

solution for SATURDAY’S puzzle AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Use common sense when dealing with money matters, joint endeavours and health issues. Look for an opportunity that’s cost-effective and interesting. Romance is on the rise.

PISCES Don’t let someone else (Feb. 20- take care of your responsiMarch 20) bilities. If you want to excel, do the work. An unexpected change to how you earn your living is apparent.

MONday, september 16, 2019

19

England win 5th Test to draw Ashes series but Australia keep urn T

he defining moment – there is always one of those at this time of year – came in mid-afternoon.

Up strode the noble Stuart Broad from the Pavilion End, a gallant, gnarled old warrior in this campaign, who has never relented in his pursuit of the Ashes. He banged down another delivery, just short of a length and on the stumps. Steve Smith was on strike, shuffling towards the City of London and he flicked the ball away on the leg side from the middle of his bat.

So what’s new here? The ball travelled fast but in the air towards fine leg. But there was a fielder, stationed at leg slip, Ben Stokes, who has licence to roam in this England side, to go wherever he senses the ball might end up. He dived to his left to make the catch before hurling the ball skywards. There was a moment of disbelief among the crowd and even among the England players at what had just happened. Smith was out for a paltry 23. Stokes was embraced; Root, who has been driven to distraction throughout this series by Smith, punched the air with abandon. Surely victory was around the corner now.

And it was by 135 runs despite a defiant century from Matthew Wade.

That mixture of relief and jubilation on this dismissal among the England players encapsulated the impact that Smith has had on this series, the 21st-century Bradman who was the foundation of every Australian innings. In fact Bradman had far more support from capable batsmen in the

Tim Paine lifts the urn for Australia after the Ashes ended in a draw for the first time since 1972 (The Guardian)

Thirties than Smith ever did in 2019. For all the efforts of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, two bowlers who are capable of joining the list of great Australian pacemen, Smith is the man that ensured the retention of the Ashes; it is remarkable that his 774 runs have not secured a series victory. And it was obvious that he should be the recipient of the Compton/Miller award for the man of the series, which is decided by the members of the press corps (it was almost a unanimous decision – there is always one).

On this historic day of Smith failure Australia needed someone else to keep them afloat and it came in the form of Wade, the little battler from Tasmania, who is not noted for his reticence. They were set a target of 399 for victory after the remarkable sight of Broad

cracking two short balls from Pat Cummins over the distant leg-side boundary early in the morning.

Soon Broad was back in more familiar territory, running in from the Pavilion End and tormenting left-handed Australian batsmen. First he dismissed Marcus Harris, who has had a wretched three Tests, by knocking his off-stump out of the ground. Then he dispatched David Warner, who was neatly snaffled by Rory Burns at third slip.

This was the seventh time in 10 knocks that Broad has dismissed Warner in this series, which is a record. Warner’s total number of runs – 95 – and his average – 9.50 – are the lowest ever for an opener in a fiveTest series. It is worse than the output of John D’Arcy on New Zealand’s 1958 tour of England.

Premier League: Watford come from behind to draw with Arsenal Bournemouth’s English striker Callum Wilson heads home the opening goal (AFP/Getty Images)

A

Watford side brimming with attacking intent fought back from two goals down at half-time to draw at home to Arsenal in Quique Sanchez Flores’ first match since being reappointed Hornets manager.

The hosts fired in 31 shots - a club-record for a Premier League game - as Arsenal’s shaky defence finally cracked after the break.

Watford levelled the scores when Roberto Pereyra rolled in a late penalty to secure only their second point of the season.

Tom Cleverley had earlier reduced the deficit when Gunners defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos gave away possession inside his own area.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put the visitors in front when he collected Sead Kolasinac’s pass on the turn before firing past Ben Foster.

Arsenal doubled their lead as Aubemeyang finished a sweeping team move but the hosts improved after the break as the Gunners unravelled in front of the vociferous home support.

The Hornets had their chances to complete a stunning comeback with a decisive third,

In fact the record speaks of Warner’s high standing in the game since he retained his place throughout this torrid run. It is also remarkable that in one innings – at Headingley – Warner made 61, which can now be regarded as a false dawn.

Marnus Labuschagne failed for the first time in the series when he fell victim to an alert stumping by Jonny Bairstow, who noticed that the batsman’s right foot had crept out of the crease even though he was defending at the time. Even so, expect to see more of Labuschagne, who has done everything right in this series – except score a century.

Then Smith departed and a swift conclusion was in prospect.

Wade ensured this would not be the case. Wade is no more popular in the England dressing room than the speaker

Wilson hits two as Everton lose at Bournemouth

Eddie Howe said Bournemouth’s victory over Everton was a “huge moment in our season” as Callum Wilson scored twice at Vitality Stadium.

Having lost their previous two league games, against Leicester and Manchester City, the Cherries kick-started their campaign with a thoroughly deserved first home league win, lifting them to eighth in the table.

“Psychologically, it was hugely important to win that

first home game which is why today was a huge moment in our season,” said Bournemouth manager Howe.

“We took our chances when the game was in the balance.”

England forward Wilson nodded Bournemouth into the lead after Joshua King’s close range miss.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised with a towering header, his first league goal since March, before two goals in five second-half minutes sealed Everton’s fate.

Substitute Ryan Fraser made it 2-1 from a low free-kick which appeared to come off Fabian Delph on its way into the net before Wilson made it three goals in two games with a delicious lob past Jordan Pickford. (BBC Sport)

the odd boundary. Yet another full house lapped up this spectacle.

Archer remained wicketless and Wade reached a deserved century, his fourth in Test cricket. But England kept picking up wickets before the situation became too serious; Leach trapped Tim Paine in front of his stumps; Cummins edged off Broad and Root had Wade stumped for a magnificent 117.

Then suddenly it was all over courtesy of two fine catches from Root off the bowling of a grateful Leach. Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood were caught in the ring from consecutive deliveries. Whereupon two exhausted teams shook hands after the first drawn Ashes series for 47 years. No matter the quality of the teams – there have been brilliant performances and dire ones throughout – there has seldom been a dull moment.

(The Guardian)

SCOREBOARD

England 294 & 329 Australia 1st Innings 225 Australia 2nd Innings (target: 399 runs) MS Harris b Broad 9 DA Warner c Burns b Broad 11 M Labuschagne st †Bairstow b Leach 14 SPD Smith c Stokes b Broad 23 MS Wade st †Bairstow b Root 117 MR Marsh c Buttler b Root 24 TD Paine (c) † lbw b Leach 21 PJ Cummins c †Bairstow b Broad 9 PM Siddle not out 13 NM Lyon c Root b Leach 1 JR Hazlewood c Root b Leach 0

Extras (b 2, lb 12, nb 2, pen 5) 21 TOTAL (77 Overs, RR: 3.41) 263 all out Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Marcus Harris, 4.6 ov), 2-29 (David Warner, 6.4 ov), 3-56 (Marnus Labuschagne, 16.3 ov), 4-85 (Steven Smith, 26.3 ov), 5-148 (Mitchell Marsh, 43.3 ov), 6-200 (Tim Paine, 55.6 ov), 7-244 (Pat Cummins, 70.6 ov), 8-260 (Matthew Wade, 75.1 ov), 9-263 (Nathan Lyon, 76.5 ov), 10-263 (Josh Hazlewood, 76.6 ov) BOWLING : SCJ Broad (15-1-624), JC Archer (16-2-66-0), SM Curran (8-3-22-0), MJ Leach (22-8-49-4), CR Woakes (71-19-0), JE Root (9-1-26-2)

Bloodied British fighter takes points victory over battling Swede

T

but the otherwise impressive Gerard Deulofeu dragged his effort narrowly wide.

The result sees Arsenal move into seventh, while the Hornets remain rooted to the bottom.

is in the Leadsom household but he batted with great skill and spirit. He took three consecutive fours off Jack Leach in an otherwise miserly spell from the left-armer and was never shackled, irrepressibly annoying his opponents yet exhibiting great touch along the way.

Mitchell Marsh, caught off a Chris Woakes no-ball early on, kept Wade company for 17 overs before being caught at short-leg off Root, who bowled some respectable off-breaks.

Then came a captivating duel between Jofra Archer and Wade, teammates in Hobart in the Big Bash, though there was little sign of a deep and lasting friendship in their exchanges in the middle. Archer peppered Wade with bouncers, occasionally exceeding 96 mph in an eightover spell. Wade dealt with the barrage well, ducking bouncers with fine judgment in between

yson Fury battled to a rugged points win over Otto Wallin as he fought for over nine rounds with heavy cuts to maintain his unbeaten record in a dramatic bout in Las Vegas.

The 31-year-old Briton, a 1-25 favourite with bookmakers, was expected to walk through Sweden’s Wallin but a deep wound above his right eye was repeatedly checked by the ringside doctor, prompting moments of stunned silence at the T-Mobile Arena.

It was a punch in the third round that drew blood above the eye and Fury displayed greater urgency when officials began to show concern, switching from patient boxing to planting his feet in a bid to land heavy, destructive shots.

A barrage in the ninth forced Wallin to sway, before a hard right hand piled him into the ropes in the 11th as Fury came through the type of examination few expected with a unanimous 116-112 117-111 118-110

points win.

Fury was taken to hospital after the fight, with promoter Frank Warren confirming he was set to have micro-surgery on the cuts - one above the eye and one on the eye-lid.

“It was a great fight,” said Fury afterwards.

“I got caught on the eye and that changed the fight. For the majority, I could not see out of the eye, then there was a clash of heads and I got cut again.

“It was a good 12 rounds, he was tough. It’s all heart and determination - if I can keep going I will do. He was 20-0 and didn’t know how to lose, but I was the better man.”

Wallin said: “I did everything I could, I tried my best and Tyson is a great champion. Nobody can question my heart or question that I’m a good fighter.” (BBC Sport)

Tyson Fury (left) is now unbeaten in 30 professional fights (Reuters)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

MONday, september 16, 2019

Spain beat Argentina 95- Hero CPL 2019: Dernbach, Smith 75 to win FIBA World Cup and Blackwood to play for Tallawahs T

S

Spain’s Rudy Fernandez lifts the trophy to celebrate winning the FIBA World Cup with his team (Reuters)

pain beat Argentina 95-75 to win the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time since 2006 on Sunday, completing a stunning campaign for a squad considered by many to be among the outsiders when the 32team tournament began.

The Spaniards scored first and never relinquished the lead, relying on swarming interior defense and superior rebounding to snuff out the offensive threat of 2004 Olympic champions Argentina.

Point guard Ricky Rubio racked up 20 points and three assists and Marc Gasol and Willy Hernangomez swatted three shots each as Spain pulled down 47 rebounds, 20 more than Argentina, en route to a comprehensive victory.

For Gasol it was the crowning achievement of an incredible year that saw him win an NBA World Championship with the Toronto

Raptors before leading his national team to glory.

His 33 points in the semi-final victory over Australia put them in a position to fight for the gold medal, but it was his defense that put them on the top step of the podium.

From the opening tip, the 34-year-old dominated the driving lanes to the basket that Argentina had used to such great effect against France, forcing them into outside shots that would not fall.

He was equally effective banging under the basket at the other end and, though he made only two of his nine field goal attempts, he hit nine of his 12 free throws to maintain the gap between the two teams.

He and Rubio were rewarded for their performances in Spain’s unbeaten run to the gold medal with a place in the tournament’s five-man All-Star team, which was announced after the final, with Rubio

named the tournament’s most valuable player.

“Right now, we made history, and we were ready for that. We had a great tournament, (but) you’ve got to give credit to Argentina, we had to fight for this win,” Rubio told a news conference.

“It’s just amazing how the whole tournament has been us as a team, and you can tell. We weren’t the most talented team, the biggest team, put whatever you want, but we were the team that had the big heart.”

There was to be no fairytale ending for the seemingly evergreen Argentinian Luis Scola, whose superb show against France had helped to carry his side into the final.

The 39-year-old power forward, his jet-black hair now flecked with gray at the temples, was kept well-shackled throughout, and it was late in the third quarter before he notched up his first point from the free throw line.

Spain’s win marked the second time they have won the tournament on Asian soil, having claimed the 2006 title by beating Greece in Saitama, Japan.

Earlier in the day, Nando De Colo netted 19 points as France shot 43% from behind the arc to take their second consecutive World Cup bronze medal with a 67-59 win over Australia.

(Reuters)

GCOS continues support of sport – grateful for public response to annual raffle

T

he Guyana Committee of Service (GCOS), whose mandate is to assist sportspersons/ sports organisations and the performing arts, has doled out gear and cash grants to various track & field clubs, not only from the capital city, but from Berbice and Linden as well.

This was done on Thursday last at the National Park in Georgetown.

GCOS Committee Member Leslie Black, in a correspondence to the media, noted that for the past three years the GCOS has been at the beck and call of the athletics community whenever support has been needed, and he referred to the sponsorship of the CARIFTA Games athletes as a case in point.

Black shared that the GCOS has been able to continue assisting sports’ de-

he Jamaica Tallawahs have announced that Jade Dernbach and Dwayne Smith will be joining them for the remainder of the 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Dernbach will replace Kennar Lewis who has become unavailable due to personal reasons. Smith will come into the team for Rovman Powell who has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to injury sustained during the Tallawahs match against Trinbago Knight Riders Dernbach has played in 24 ODIs and 34 T20 Internationals for England, claiming 70 international wickets in those matches. In the recently concluded T20 Blast he claimed 11 wickets for Surrey at an average of 31.09 and an economy rate of 8.88.

Smith has some serious CPL pedigree, having scored four hundreds at the tournament, the joint highest by any player. He is the fifth highest run scorer in CPL, having scored 1,584 runs in his 58 CPL matches.

They have also added Jermaine Blackwood to the team as temporary cover for Andre Russell while he recovers from the blow he received while playing against the Trinbago Knight Riders.

Blackwood has played for the Tallawahs in the past and has appeared in 28 Tests and two ODIs for the West Indies.

Dwayne Smith

Kenyan Kamworor breaks half marathon world record by 17 seconds K

enya’s Geoffrey Kamworor broke the world half-marathon record by 17 seconds in Copenhagen on Sunday when he won the IAAF Gold Label road race with a time of 58 minutes and one second.

The 26-year-old made a winning return to the Danish capital, where he won his first world half-marathon title in 2014, breaking the previous record of 58:18 set by compatriot Abraham Kiptum in Valencia last year.

“It is very emotional for me to set this record,” Kamworor was quoted as saying by the IAAF. “And doing it in Copenhagen, where I won my first world title, adds something to it.”

Kenya’s Bernard Kipkorir finished second with a time of 59:16 while Ethiopia’s Berehanu Wendemu Tsegu was third a further six seconds behind.

Kamworor was initially behind the world-record pace in the first five kilometers before he pulled ahead to finish the final 11 km without any rivals to push him.

Heavy rain in the latter stages of the race slowed him down a notch after he set a record pace to reach the 15km mark but he was still fast enough to break the world record.

(Reuters)

Leslie Black of the GCOS handing over a sponsorship cheque to longserving coach of Mercury Fastlaners, Christopher Gaskin

velopment mainly through the proceeds of its annual

raffle that was drawn last month, and he thanked all

those who had supported the fundraising venture.

Kenya’s Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor (Reuters)

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21

BCB Let’s Bet 100 Ball Tournament…

RHT thrash UG B’ce campus by 10 wickets

T

he Rose Hall Town team completely outplayed the University of Guyana (UG) Elites (Berbice campus) in their opening match of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Let’s Bet 100 Ball Tournament.

More than one million dollars has been contributed towards staging of this tournament, which was officially opened by “Let’s Bet” Brand Ambassador Rawle Toney and other representatives of the Guyana Lotto

Company. Teams began playing their opening matches across various venues from yesterday.

In the match mentioned above, which was played at the ‘Area H’ Ground in Rose Hall Town, the UG Elites took first strike, but were bundled out for a mere 96 runs scored in 15.3 overs.

Romeo Lynch, batting at number eight, top-scored with 20, which included two maximums.

Although the Rose Hall Town team

Team Rose Hall Town (Brandon Corlette photo)

employed pace from both ends, with former Guyana Under-19 speedster Sylus Tyndall rocking the Elites with his pace, the spinners were the ones who took the wickets. Left-arm spinner Keith Simpson took 2-8 in two overs, while Guyana Under-19 player Junior Sinclair also took two wickets. Simon Naidu, Kevin Sinclair and veteran Collis Butts, son of former West Indies spinner Clyde Butts, each took a wicket.

RHT continued their dominance in

the second innings to end UG’s debut match in BCB tournaments in seven overs.

The Sinclair cousins, Junior and Kevin, played the end game, smashing 47 and 43 respectively. Kevin hit seven fours and two sixes in his 47, while Junior’s 43 included four boundaries and three sixes. They completed the chase of 97 in 42 balls. (Brandon Corlette)

4th EBFA/Ralph Green U-11 League…

KK Warriors & Vurlon Mills Academy notch wins on opening day K

uru Kururu Warriors and Vurlon Mills Academy have each collected full points on the opening day of the 4th annual East Bank Football Association/Ralph Green-sponsored Under-11 League.

There were three draws that highlighted play in this league, which kicked off on Saturday last at the GFF’s National Training Centre at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Playing in the final match on this opening day, the young KK Warriors clawed their way back from being a goal down to defeat last year’s runners-up, Grove Hi Tech, 2-1, after Rayfield Hillman had given Grove the lead in the 9th minute.

Last year, the Kuru Kururu Warriors ended 10th of the 12 participating teams, but had shown an eagerness to put on a better show. This time around,

Midfield action in the match between Diamond United and Samatta Point/ Kaneville

they first equalised through a 13th minute Johnson Maddison goal, which was greeted with ecstatic celebrations from the players and Coach Dillion Roberts.

Grove was denied from the penalty spot in their quest to take the lead, and the first half ended 1-1.

As the minutes ticked away in the 30-minute encounter, with water breaks half-way between each half, the match looked destined for the fourth draw of the day; but that was

not to be, as a Clifton Sampson goal in the 28th minute separated the two teams and sealed full points for the Warriors out of the LindenSoesdyke Highway community.

The other team taking full points on the day were the debutants Vurlon Mills Academy, which defeated defending champions Timehri Panthers 2-0 in a keenly contested match.

Mills Academy took the lead with just one minute to

the half-time whistle when Christian Enderson tucked the ball past Panthers’ goalkeeper Jaden Tasha; and five minutes into the second half, the game was sealed by Mills Academy when Tasha was deemed by the referee to have crossed the goal line with the ball in his hands, after gathering same in the 20th minute.

Diamond United (7th in 2018), and Samatta Point/ Kaneville which were making their debut appearance at this

tournament, played to a 1-1 draw. Rick Ramatar had sent Diamond into the lead in just the second minute when he registered the first goal of the tournament, and Diamond were thus on course to take full points; but in the 17th minute, goalkeeper Romano Fraser gifted Samatta Point/Kaneville the equalizing goal when it was deemed by the referee that he had stepped over the line with the ball in his possession; thus the match ended 1-1.

A similar score line determined the Friendship All Stars (9th in 2018) vs Riddim Squad (debut) encounter, while a nil-all end determined the match between last year’s third and fourth place finishers: Agricola Red Triangle, and Swan Football Club which is based on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

Matches continue next Saturday at the same venue.

Pandit Ravi lights up Crown ECO Golf Tournament V

eteran golfer Rabindranath ‘Pandit Ravi’ Persaud outshone a full field of golfers battling for glory in the inaugural Crown [Mining] ECO tournament that was played on Saturday 14 September at the Lusignan Golf Club in honour of the late ‘Papo’ Haniff, former Lusignan Club Coach and golf coach in Trinidad and Tobago, who passed away on Tuesday September 10th in the twin island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.

Playing in the ‘B’ or 10-18 flight, in a group with veteran golfers Deoram Dinanath and Kassim Khan and with rookie golfer Jeremy Fernandes, Ravi turned in an outstanding performance in a flight where the keenest competition was observed to emerge winner with a score of 63/18. Deoram Dinanath (65/18) placed 2nd.

In that flight, some 11 golfers were bunched in a scoring range of between 67 and 73 strokes, indicating that fierce competition can be expected therein in the coming weeks. In that group were Satrohan Tiwari (67/18), Shanella London (68/15), Parmanand Persaud (70/12), Bridgelall Harry (70/16), Lekhnarine Shivraj (70/16), William Walker (71/12), Brian Glasford (71/17), Hilbert Shields (72/16), Bholaram Deo (72/18), Pur

Crown staff take a photo op with the top performers of the Crown ECO Golf Tournament at the Lusignan Golf Club

Persaud (73/15), and Ian Gouveia (73/15).

Before the tournament commenced, all present observed a minute’s silence in honour of the deceased, while bells were tolled.

LCG President Aleem Hussain also informed the golfers that two golf carts are now available at the Club as additions to enhance Club equipment.

As expected in the run-up to the Guyana Open of late October 2019, golfers

have been showing marked improvement in their performances each week. In the ‘A’, or 0-9 flight, winners were Patrick Prashad (67/9) 1st, and Kassim Khan (68/9) 2nd.

Other notable performances came from Mike Mangal (70/9), reigning Guyana Open champion Avinash Persaud (71/2), Club President Aleem Hussain (73/9), and veteran golfer Alfred Mentore (73/9).

Former Captain Patrick Prashad has been in winners’ row in almost every

tournament since the year began. It is expected that his enviable performance will be targeted by those in his group in the coming weeks.

In the ‘C’, or 19-28 flight, winners were Maxim Mangra (71/19) 1st, and Pope Emanuel London (72/20) 2nd. Good performances also came from Guillermo Escarraga (74/22), Miguel Oviedo (74/28), Carlos Adams (82/26), Brian Hackett (83/21), Mario Acuna (87/28), and Eureka Giddings (87/28).

Specialty prize ‘Nearest the Pin’ was won by Shanella London and ‘Longest Drive’ by Avinash Persaud. Best Gross (73) was also won by Avinash Persaud, while the overall tournament champion, with a Best Net of 63, was Rabindranath ‘Pandit Ravi’ Persaud.

CEO of Crown Mining and Crown ECO, Patanjilee ‘Pur’ Persaud, himself a great golfer, expressed appreciation for the significant number of golfers - some forty - who turned out for the tournament.

Crown Mining Supplies is Guyana’s leading supplier of equipment and supplies for small and medium-scale gold and diamond mining. It has recently launched its new Crown ECO Division.

The entity has been a supporter of the Lusignan Golf Club for over a decade.

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MONday, september 16, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Jordan takes 4 on debut before Lewis fireworks seal big win for Patriots Roland Cato on the boundary.

The Patriots were just 14 short of their target when another flurry of rain forced another short stoppage, but the home side’s celebrations were not delayed for long.

Mohammad Hafeez fell for a measured 26 with the finishing line in sight, but Carlos Brathwaite finished the job with a huge six - and with a whopping 31 balls to

an even bigger wicket as the in-form Rahkeem Cornwall sliced one down to third-man where Sheldon Cottrell took a smart catch.

Hodge got a couple of boundaries away in Jordan’s third over inside the Power Play but then picked out deep midwicket looking for a third.

Usama Mir got to work in the middle of the innings, dismissing Cato and Colin de

Zouks’ Colin de Grandhomme was dismissed for a resistant 30

A

keem Jordan took 4/33 on his Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) debut to set St Kitts & Nevis Patriots on their way to a six-wicket victory over St Lucia Zouks.

Jordan’s are the second-best figures ever for a Hero CPL debutant, and the best since the very first year of the tournament.

He took a wicket in each of his four overs as the Zouks were restricted to 138/9 from their 20 overs, a total the Patriots chased down with minimal fuss thanks largely to Evin Lewis’ ferocious 65 from 30 balls.

The Patriots recovered quickly from the early loss of Devon Thomas for just a single, with Lewis and Laurie Evans adding 45 for the second wicket either side of a

short rain delay.

Evans was bowled by a beauty from Fawad Ahmed that spun past the edge into off stump, but Lewis was on a mission.

Having set the record for the fastest ever Hero CPL half-century earlier in the tournament he became just the second man to score 100 career Hero CPL sixes with the first of his six sixes here.

Chris Gayle has 160.

Lewis dominated a 62run stand with Mohammad Hafeez that finished the game as a contest, reaching his 50 in just 26 balls with his fifth six, hit high and handsome off Kavem Hodge.

That started a run of 20 runs in four balls before Hodge exacted a measure of revenge, Lewis finally miscuing one to be caught by

Akeem Jordan celebrates Kesrick Williams’ first ball duck during his 4-wicket haul

spare – to seal a victory that had looked on the cards ever since that dramatic first Hero CPL spell from Jordan reduced the Zouks to 33/3.

Jordan struck a key blow in the very first over of the night as Andre Fletcher slapped a short ball straight to Fabian Allen at point. In his next over he picked up

Grandhomme while giving up just 13 runs in four expert overs of leg-spin.

De Grandhomme made 30, while Daren Sammy unleashed a couple of huge Hero Maximums in his 18.

But Sammy and Kesrick Williams fell to stunning diving catches in successive balls from keeper Thomas –

Williams the fourth victim for Jordan – to leave the Zouks 100/8.

Hardus Viljoen and Obed McCoy added an enterprising 35 for the ninth wicket, but the damage had been done.

Victory for the Patriots lifts them to third in the Hero CPL table, behind only the unbeaten heavyweight pair of Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders.

(CPL)

SCOREBOARD St Lucia Zouks Innings (20 overs maximum) ADS Fletcher † c Allen b Jordan 1 RRS Cornwall c Cottrell b Jordan 5 RO Cato c Emrit b Mir 10 KAR Hodge c Ottley b Jordan 13 C de Grandhomme c Ottley b Mir 30 NLTC Perera c Evans b Emrit 5 DJG Sammy (c) c †Thomas b Cottrell 18 GC Viljoen c Mir b Emrit 28 KOK Williams c †Thomas b Jordan 0 OC McCoy not out 14 F Ahmed not out 1 Extras (b 4, lb 2, w 7) 13 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 6.9) 138-9 Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Andre Fletcher, 0.3 ov), 2-14 (Rahkeem Cornwall, 2.2 ov), 3-33 (Kavem Hodge, 4.4 ov), 4-39 (Roland Cato, 5.1 ov), 5-52 (Thisara Perera, 8.1 ov), 6-78 (Colin de Grandhomme, 11.5 ov), 7-99 (Darren Sammy, 14.6 ov), 8-100 (Kesrick Williams, 15.2 ov), 9-135 (Hardus Viljoen, 19.3 ov) BOWLING: A Jordan (4-0-33-

4), SS Cottrell (4-0-27-1), U Mir (4-1-13-2), RR Emrit (40-29-2), CR Brathwaite (30-22-0), FA Allen (1-0-8-0) St Kitts and Nevis Patriots Innings (target: 139 runs from 20 overs) DC Thomas † c Ahmed b Williams 1 E Lewis c Cato b Hodge 65 LJ Evans b Ahmed 19 M Hafeez c Sammy b McCoy 26 CR Brathwaite (c) not out 14 FA Allen not out 1 Extras (b 4, lb 2, w 11) 17 TOTAL (14.5 Overs, RR: 9.64) 143-4 Did not bat: KY Ottley, RR Emrit, Usama Mir, Akeem Jordan, SS Cottrell Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Devon Thomas, 1.2 ov), 2-56 (Laurie Evans, 5.3 ov), 3-118 (Evin Lewis, 10.6 ov), 4-136 (Mohammad Hafeez, 14.2 ov) BOWLING: OC McCoy (3.50-38-1), KOK Williams (20-27-1), Fawad Ahmed (4-0-11-1), GC Viljoen (1-020-0), KAR Hodge (2-0-30-1), RRS Cornwall (2-0-11-0)

Briton John dominates Berbice event

Top cyclists and Guyana Cycling Federation officials and sponsors stand in front of Club Fiesta Story and Photos by Brandon Corlette

I

mpressive cyclist Briton John has had an unforgettable weekend, and would doubtless be savouring his successes for a long while.

He has followed up his brilliance in the 35-lap Triskits Cycling event held in the National Park last Saturday by dominating the cycle race held in Berbice on Sunday: from the Rose Hall Town Arch to Number 53 Village, and back to finish at the point of origin.

John completed this race in one hour, 39 minutes and 21 seconds to outperform all the country’s top racing cyclists, and his feat was witnessed by multiple hundreds of excited cycle-racing enthusiasts.

In the process of dominating this activity, he won four of the sprint

prizes in the Senior category.

Team Cocos’ Marcus Keiler came in second, while John’s “currently in form” team mate Deeraj Gharbharan came in third. Kemuel Moses rode in fourth, while Adealie Hodge was fifth and Curtis Dey sixth, to complete the podium of top finishers.

The Berbician Andre ‘Padlock’ Green, having exerted his best efforts, finished sixth in the Senior category, but was disqualified because he had breached an official rule that prohibits a cyclist from being fed more than thrice. Andrew Hicks, another Berbician, was also disqualified.

Gharbharan took two sprint prizes, while Paul DeNobrega, Kemuel Moses, Marcus Keiler and Christopher Griffith each took one.

In the Veterans’ category, Junior

Niles reigned supreme, while Alex Mendes rode in second and Kwame Ridley came in third.

Jason Sampson, Ajay Gopilall and Juslin Thom were the top three cyclists in the Juniors category.

Berbician duo David Hicks and Steve Bhimsen rode in first and second respectively in the Juvenile category of the race.

This event, jointly organised

by Club Fiesta, the Jagdeo Racing Stables, DJ Dauren, Jaggernauth Entertainment and Contemporary Events Planning and Décor, had all the action of an international event, with a few cyclists even being involving in minor accidents with animals that were obstructing the roadways.

John broke away from the pack at the approach to the turning point at Number 53 Village, and from then

was never seriously challenged.

He was in sixth position when he made his move, and he commended his team mate Gharbharan for the support he had received from him during the race, as he explained that that support had allowed him to maintain a solid pace throughout the race.

For his win, John walked away with a trophy and the first prize of $50,000. He later explained that he was happy to see all his hard work paying off. He said that winning intense back-to-back races on consecutive days is simply an amazing feat.

John, who normally controls a race from its early stage, disclosed that he had the race under control with 35 miles to go.

“Everyone was attacking, and I saw the opportunity, which I grabbed”, he highlighted.

Two wins in two days!

Briton John celebrates his win in Berbice

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MONday, september 16, 2019

23

Spinners and Walton guide Tallawahs to 1st win of the season Barbados Tridents’ captain Jason Holder celebrates the removal of Tallawahs captain Chris Gayle

J

amaica Tallawahs recorded their first 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) victory at the fifth attempt after restricting Barbados Tridents to 140/9 and surviving a mid-innings wobble to get home with

able

to

extract and slicing catches to point.

A n d bounce continued t o

trouble the Tridents. Leniko Boucher had looked decent for 15 before chipping a return catch to Ramaal Lewis, while Jason Holder got a beauty first up from Zahir Khan that found the shoulder of the bat to give Gayle a straightforward catch at slip.

JP Duminy was trying to hold things together but when Jonathan Carter holed out to long-off to hand Lewis a second wicket, the Tridents were 70/5 and running out of time and men.

Enter Ashley Nurse, who shifted the momentum in fine style. He plundered 14 in three balls from Christopher Lamont and two more Hero Maximums off Zahir Khan – accounting for over half of the total runs he conceded in his four overs and made 37 from 17 balls in a 49run partnership with Duminy.

They fell in successive deliveries, though, to plunge the Tridents right back into trouble.

Duminy slapped Derval Green straight to Lewis at deep cover before Nurse

four wickets in hand thanks to Chadwick Walton’s unbeaten 51.

In conditions very different to those that saw almost 500 runs in the record breaker last time out at Sabina Park, a pitch offering turn and, most importantly, bounce kept batsmen honest and spinners interested throughout.

Tridents openers Alex Hales and Johnson Charles both fell in identical fashion, failing to get over the extra bounce George Worker was

was completely deceived by a slower ball to give former England international Jade Dernbach his first Hero CPL wicket, Gayle holding on to the skied chance.

Zahir Khan struck twice in his final over with two more googlies, the first trapping Hayden Walsh Jr. plumb lbw and the second even better to beat the edge of the overbalancing Roshon Primus before Phillips whipped the bails off for a smart stumping.

That left Sandeep Lamichhane and Josh Lalor to scramble the final total up to something approaching respectability in the final 12 balls.

Gayle and Phillips got the Tallawahs chase off to a quick start, both men finding and clearing the boundary on a regular basis to put 48 on the board in the first five overs.

Both fell to Tridents skipper Holder, though, caught in the deep looking to exploit the final over of Power Play fielding restrictions.

Alex Hales walks off the field after being dismissed

Walsh Jr. then removed Worker and Dwayne Smith lbw in successive balls to give Tridents real hope at 68/4 with 73 still needed.

That hope was fleeting.

Javelle Glen hit Lamichhane for two Hero Maximums in the next over, Walton added another in the next and the momentum was firmly back with the Tallawahs.

They added 45 together in just four overs before Glen holed out to Hales to give

Lamichhane something to show for a difficult day.

Lewis fell cheaply but the Tallawahs were always in control of things while Walton was at the crease. He finished the match with a six to reach his half-century, which got the Tallawahs home with nine balls to spare and their season up and running at last.

Upcoming Fixtures: Tuesday 17 September – St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Trinbago Knight Riders (6pm), Warner Park. (CPL)

SCOREBOARD Barbados Tridents Innings (20 overs maximum) J Charles c Lewis b Worker 12 AD Hales c Lewis b Worker 12 LS Boucher † c & b Lewis 15 JP Duminy c Lewis b Green 31 JO Holder (c) c Gayle b Zahir Khan 0 JL Carter c Walton b Lewis 6 AR Nurse c Gayle b Dernbach 37 RS Primus st †Phillips b Zahir Khan

1 HR Walsh lbw b Zahir Khan 2 JK Lalor not out 6 S Lamichhane not out 10 Extras (lb 4, w 4) 8 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 7.0) 140-9 Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Alex Hales, 1.6 ov), 2-27 (Johnson Charles, 3.3 ov), 3-58 (Leniko Boucher, 7.6 ov), 4-59 (Jason Holder, 8.3 ov), 5-70 (Jonathan Carter, 11.3 ov), 6-119 (JeanPaul Duminy, 15.6 ov), 7-119 (Ashley Nurse, 16.1 ov), 8-123 (Hayden Walsh, 17.1 ov), 9-124 (Roshon Primus, 17.6 ov) BOWLING : C Lamont (4-0-380), GH Worker (2-0-16-2), RA Lewis (4-0-23-2), JW Dernbach (3-0-16-1), Z Khan (4-0-20-

3), DC Green (3-0-23-1) Jamaica Tallawahs Innings (target: 141 runs from 20 overs) CH Gayle c Primus b Holder 22 GD Phillips † c Duminy b Holder 28 CAK Walton (c) not out 51 GH Worker lbw b Walsh 2 DR Smith lbw b Walsh 0 J Glen c Hales b Lamichhane 27 RA Lewis b Primus 2 DC Green not out 9 Extras (b 1, w 3) 4 TOTAL (18.3 Overs, RR: 7.83) 145-6 Did not bat: C Lamont, Zahir Khan, JW Dernbach Fall of wickets: 1-48 (Glenn Phillips, 5.1 ov), 2-50 (Chris Gayle, 5.4 ov), 3-68 (George Worker, 8.4 ov), 4-68 (Dwayne Smith, 8.5 ov), 5-113 (Javelle Glen, 12.5 ov), 6-116 (Ramaal Lewis, 13.3 ov) BOWLING : JK Lalor (3-0-250), AR Nurse (1.2-0-15-0), JO Holder (4-0-21-2), S Lamichhane (4-1-35-1), HR Walsh (4-032-2), RS Primus (1.4-0-71), JL Carter (0.3-0-9-0)

Limacol Football Tournament…

Fruta Conquerors upset GFC with 2nd win

F

ruta Conquerors FC Under-20 squad kept their streak clean on Saturday evening by bagging their second group round victory in the fourth edition of the Limacol Football Tournament.

Playing at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue, Fruta Conquerors’

Under-20 squad took on the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) in the second encounter scheduled for the night, which turned out to be the more exciting of the two.

Fruta Conquerors’ captain Nicholas McArthur began his hunt of the goal from the very first sound of the whistle, charging past the entire GFC defensive line and

the goal-keeper to net his first goal within 5 seconds of play.

McArthur relentlessly continued his pursuit of the goal, and was soon rewarded with a penalty, which he took cleanly to up his tally and that of the Fruta Conquerors to two.

Three minutes later, in the 11th minute of play, Rishun Rich enjoined the scoring frenzy when he found the GFC goal-keeper slipping, and connected with the back of the net for the Conquerors’ third goal.

Kelvin Moore netted a consolation goal for the GFC in the 14th minute, much to his team’s delight. However, the Georgetown Football Club team would not rejoice again, as their attention was concentrated on resisting the Fruta Conquerors’ advances.

While their defense held up for the remainder of the first half, their opponents returned in the second half with fresh enthusiasm; and Ravon Bailey added his name to the score sheet in the 49th minute while Mc Arthur returned in the 59th minute to complete his hat trick.

Fruta Conquerors eventually took the win 5-1.

In the previous encounter on Saturday night, Camptown and Black Pearl played to a 1-1 draw,

and thus shared points.

Black Pearl first sealed their lone goal off the boots of Peter Smith in the 36th minute, and with much enterprise and hope, held on to their lead for the remainder of the first half; but Camptown’s scoring time came in the second half, when near misses came in succession before Jamal Codrington levelled the scores for Camptown in the 54th minute.

The encounter thereafter became more intense as both sides hunted the winning goal, but this was not to be, as regulation time

expired with the scores level.

This tournament is sponsored by the New GPC Inc under their Limacol brand, and is supported

by W.J. Enterprise, who are the sole distributors of Croxley Paper.

When the curtains come down on this 4th edition of the tournament, the winner will walk away with $400,000, while second-placed team would have to settle for $200,000. Third- and fourth- placed team will pocket $100,000 and $50,000 respectively. (Jemima Holmes)

MONday, september 16, 2019

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

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Spinners and Walton guide Tallawahs to 1st win of the season Page 23

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