Guyana Times - December 19, 2018

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Countdown to Christmas

GPHC completes 50 surgeries in “Operation Hernia” Page 14

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3781

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

PRICE

Ex-workers, families forgotten in “callous” aftermath of estate closures – Ram

WHAT'S INSIDE:

P8 Miner slapped with $5.7M fraud charge

Page 10

Page 3

PPP accuses Govt of trying to thwart noconfidence vote

– as MP summoned to court to face assault charge

$80 vat included

Man shot by Journalist accuses P12 Police of covering up matter

List of 400 padded with Page massacre 11 victims, bandits – Jagdeo

Labour Dept launches P9 probe into Pritipaul Singh Investments fishing tragedy

Corentyne homes burglarised as occupants attend wake P14

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan (centre) along with Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Three, Denis Jaikaran (back row sixth from left); Regional Information Officer, Ganesh Mahipaul (back row third from left) and the newly sworn-in NDC Chairs and Vice Chairs. The official swearing-in ceremony of the 14 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) of Essequibo Islands-West Demerara was held in the auditorium of the West Demerara Secondary School

Security guard allegedly stabbed Page to death by 13 brother-in-law

Govt confident of surviving noconfidence vote

Page 9

E Division records P14 successful year in crimefighting

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wednesdAY, december 19, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, December 19 – a night retraction at 02:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Thursday, December 20 – 03:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, December 19 – 13:30h-15:00h and Thursday, December 20 – 14:15h-15:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Light rain showers to thundery showers can be expected throughout the day, with cloudy skies expected in the afternoon. Partly cloudy skies and light rain showers are expected in the evening with temperatures ranging between 21 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 01:58h reaching a maximum height of 2.53 metres.

Low Tide: 07:29h and 20:00h reaching maximum heights of 0.80 metre and 0.66 metre respectively.

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TUESDAY, december 18, 2018 DAILY MILLIONS

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

PPP claims Govt trying to thwart no-confidence vote – as MP summoned to court to face assault charge

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he political Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has accused the coalition Government of attempting to tamper with the process leading up to the vote on the No-Confidence Motion that is scheduled to be debated in the National Assembly on Friday.

A Member of Parliament (MP) for the Opposition, Harry Gill, was summoned to appear before a Magistrate at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court to answer a charge of assault allegedly committed against former Region Five Councillor and People’s National Congress (PNC) activist Carol Smith Joseph.

“We believe this may be a deliberate act to detain one of our MPs as an attempt to reduce our numbers in Parliament on Friday to ensure the failure of the no-confidence vote,” the Party said in a statement on Tuesday, adding that this could be a strategic political move.

According to the PPP, Gill was allegedly viciously assaulted with a chain

by Joseph in the presence of a Police Inspector and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Supervisor, Clearmont Mingo, while he (Gill) was recording Joseph’s tantrum behaviour, which was hostile.

The Party said although this alleged assault was witnessed by a senior Police Officer who admitted on video that he “observed” the assault, Joseph was neither arrested nor charged.

“It is instructive to note that it is Harry Gill who, a few minutes after, made a report of this assault to the Fort Wellington Police Station upon the advice of the senior Police Officer, Inspector Rose and requested that the matter be investigated. It now turns out that the Complainant, MP Harry Gill, is the one being charged,” the Opposition party observed.

While maintaining that the charge is completely without any basis, the PPP has since called upon the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to immediately intervene and terminate what they described as a “baseless charge” against Gill. “…lest that office continues to bear the public perception that it is infected by politics and politicians,” it added.

It was only Monday that Opposition Leader and General Secretary of the PPP, Bharrat Jagdeo calling for the authorities and the National Assembly to implement measures that will protect MPs and ensure that Friday’s no-confidence vote can go forward unhindered.

PPP/C Member of Parliament, Harry Gill

The Opposition Leader expressed fears that there may be attempts to disrupt the vote by persons in the gallery. According to him, it only takes one crossover vote or two abstentions from the Government side for them to win. He said that because of this precarious margin and certain information his party has received, they were apprehensive.

Jagdeo theorised that they may be hoping that should the vote be disrupted, the vote will be invalidated. He made it clear that his party would notify Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland. “We will bring this to the attention of the Speaker,” he stated.

“When the Clerk of the National Assembly calls the names of the Members of Parliament and should one of their members vote (in favour), no matter what

happens afterwards, the vote is passed … because if you allow disruptions, you can never have (a non-contentious vote). So, if the Speaker allows (the vote to be invalidated), we will deem that an act of collusion.”

Jagdeo expressed hope that the diplomatic community would bear witness to the proceedings, whichever way the vote turned out. Noting that the proceedings were being recorded, he warned that attempts to disrupt the vote would be publicised around the world. Jagdeo also spoke of threats and related that they would write to the Police Commissioner.

Jagdeo had first announced the No-Confidence Motion on November 15, 2018, on the heels of devastating losses in the Local Government Elections (LGE) for the coalition

Government.

The next day, the scheduled sitting of the National Assembly was abruptly cancelled at Government’s request and the Opposition turned up to an empty chamber. At the half-empty Parliament Chambers, Jagdeo reiterated some of his expectations regarding the motion.

In a subsequent advertisement, the PPP went into further detail on its reasons for filing the motion, and the concrete reasons for the people’s rejection of the People’s National Congress (PNC)led coalition. It pointed to the thousands of jobs that have been lost as a result of the closure of Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) estates.

In addition, the Party referred to the many scandals that have erupted under the (PNC)-led Administration.

They include the single sourcing of the feasibility contract for the new Demerara River crossing, the single sourcing of a drug bond and the single sourcing of drug procurement contracts.

The Party noted the numerous breaches of fiscal laws flagged by the Audit Office of Guyana in its reports, as well as the lack of accountability in the D’Urban Park Project; something even the Auditor General had to launch a special probe into. The depletion of Guyana’s gold and foreign reserves was also highlighted, among other pressing issues facing the nation.

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wednesdAY, december 19, 2018

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

No-confidence motion G

uyanese will surely be following the upcoming vote in the National Assembly on a No-Confidence Motion brought by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) against the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) coalition Government. Over time, the PPP has made public its many reasons for not having confidence in the Government which in turn continues to boast of its numerous achievements since taking office in May 2015.

Even since the motion was filed, many have argued about its priority over the recently concluded 2019 Budget Debate.

Nevertheless, it is scheduled for December 21, just a few days before the Christmas holidays. If the Government were to be defeated, then it has three months to call fresh elections.

That has the potential to trigger traditional electoral concerns, which history will vindicate, within the mindsets of the electorate during the season of goodwill and merriment. Maybe that’s a reason why the Leader of the Opposition posited the vote be taken in January, given the possibility of it dampening celebrations and infusing electoral fears into the mindsets at this time. That seems only reasonable given how steeped in tradition this season is to Guyanese.

Shortly after, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who is the leader of Government’s business in the National Assembly, in a scathing media release, shut down any semblance of a deferral of the vote urging the Leader of the Opposition to instead withdraw the motion. His argument is that the Opposition, knowing that the motion will be defeated by the Government’s one-seat majority, is wasting parliamentary time and resources in the process.

The Opposition Leader stated that, with the stark economic reality, if the Government members were to vote with their conscious, the motion will be successful. He even noted that in such situations, only the Government can incur a loss since the Opposition cannot lose being the Opposition. High interest therefore surrounds the December 21 vote. However, what appeared striking is the immediacy and the authoritative tone of the Prime Minister’s statement.

This has to be put into context of utterances and response prior and subsequent to the May 2015 General Elections. A recurring decimal-like situation is the coalition’s promise to save the sugar industry and protect the welfare of thousands of workers. This is despite some members of the coalition, while in the Opposition, proclaiming that the PPP Government at the time was wasting money on the Guyana Sugar Corporation. One vociferously stated it was like throwing money into a black hole.

That said, the Prime Minister is a seasoned politician coming through the ranks of the PPP and holding ministerial offices in its Government. He was close to the founder of the Party, Dr Cheddi Jagan, and even claimed he was anointed to succeed him as President in 1997. He was part of the struggle to free Guyana from the iron grip of dictatorship imposed by the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government; the party that is the literally the current Administration.

While in the trenches with the PPP to restore democracy, the Prime Minister would have had firsthand knowledge of the importance of sugar to the national economy and the challenges sugar workers face. He would have known that they are poor and hardworking people who toiled to contribute towards the development of the country and how much their lives and that of their families depend on the industry for survival.

In other words, his knowledge and experience would have made him fully aware of the devastation closing the estates would unleash on the workers as currently unfolding for all to see. This brings into question why didn’t the Prime Minister, armed with the knowledge of the consequences of the estates’ closure by the Government he now represents, did not immediately and forcibly articulate the sufferings such action would bring upon the workers and demand it not be implemented. He is also a journalist and therefore could not be short for words then as he clearly isn’t now.

As it is, many of the workers are still to receive their severance pay, some two years since being made redundant. It must also be asked what could have prevented him, as opportunities abound during the recent Budget Debate, to demand that the severance be paid and point out that an injustice has been done by withholding their monies.

Given what has transpired in the context of the ongoing sufferings of the sugar workers with regard to the Prime Minister and his lack of action, it may appear that for him, nothing of the sort happened for it couldn’t be a case of him being oblivious.

Arguments can therefore be made about his priorities and his expected loyalty in his new found political abode. This once again epitomises what many have come to believe of his lack of influence.

Through his statement, he is strongly urging the Opposition Leader to “bring it on” on December 21. One can only wonder had he “brought it on” and urged that estates not be closed, the sugar workers may not have been in their current unjust situation and his influence may have been at a different level.

This James Deeges photo shows a family travelling in their wooden boat along the shores of Wakenaam in the Essequibo River

Israeli-Saudi ties reportedly set back by fallout from Khashoggi’s killing …with Crown Prince weakened and key advisers involved in rapprochement fired, burgeoning relations between the two nations have taken a hit, according to the Wall Street Journal

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srael’s and Saudi Arabia’s path to a closer relationship has been significantly set back by the fallout over the murder of Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, two top Saudi officials removed from office following international backlash to Khashoggi’s killing at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey were key figures in Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s efforts for warmer ties with the Jewish state.

Their ouster, and the Crown Prince’s now-weakened position in the Kingdom, have both allegedly contributed to diminished contacts since the scandal broke.

Saud al-Qahtani and Ahmad al-Assiri were key counsellors to the Crown Prince. Both were implicated in Khashoggi’s killing.

Khashoggi, a Saudi contributor to the Washington Post, was killed on October 2 shortly after entering the Kingdom’s Consulate in what Riyadh called a “rogue” operation. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly rejected Turkish demands to extradite suspects connected to the murder of the Journalist, a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed.

Despite speculation that the Crown Prince ordered

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (AP/Amr Nabil)

the hit, the Kingdom has strongly denied he was involved. US Senators briefed by the CIA have said they were convinced that he directed the action.

US Senators last Thursday passed a measure that blamed the Crown Prince for Khashoggi’s killing and called on Riyadh to “ensure appropriate accountability”. The move was strongly rebuked by the Saudis as interference in the Kingdom’s affairs.

Israel and Saudi Arabia have no official relations and the Kingdom does not recognise the Jewish State.

But recent years have seen a proliferation of reports on burgeoning clandestine ties, including secret meetings between top security officials in both nations, amid a shared concern over Iran’s regional influence and other aligned interests.

With Crown Prince

Mohammed and his confidants sidelined, there is reportedly little enthusiasm for risky moves – such as an upgrade of relations with Israel – that could further imperil Saudi leadership.

“Things have definitely cooled off right after Khashoggi’s murder,” a senior Saudi official told the WSJ. “The last thing the Kingdom wants is for this to come out now and cause another backlash.”

Negotiations that have slowed down include a planned US$100 million investment by the Saudis in Israel tech companies, the report said.

Qahtani and Assiri were both reportedly closely involved in bids to buy surveillance technology from Israeli companies.

The Saudi Government’s surveillance and hacking of political rivals and dissidents have come into sharp focus

following Khashoggi’s killing.

Numerous claims have surfaced that Herzliyabased NSO Group sold the Kingdom surveillance software that helped lead to the assassination. The company has denied the accusations.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emerged as one of the sole defenders of Riyadh in the wake of Khashoggi’s death and the international outrage it has elicited, saying on several occasions that though the murder was “horrific”, the Kingdom’s stability was crucial for the region.

A recent report by the Qatari-funded Middle East Eye website indicated that the Khashoggi fallout could actually contribute to closer relations between the two nations.

It said Crown Prince Mohammed was considering a public, Camp David-style meeting with Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump in a grand gesture intended to help rehabilitate the Crown Prince’s image. According to Middle East Eye, MbS hopes a public meeting with Netanyahu could help reframe him as a Middle East peacemaker and paper over international criticism.

The report quoted unnamed Saudi sources and could not be independently confirmed. (Times of Israel)

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

Photographing President CEO of NA Hospital Granger during his illness violating the rules

Dear Editor, Stabroek News on December 12, 2018, along with the Guyana Chronicle; published a photograph released by The Ministry of the Presidency, showing a picture of President Granger at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on the President’s return from Cuba. During his stay in Cuba, he underwent medical treatment. Guyana Times and Kaieteur News, on the same date, used another photograph of the President that was much more appropriate and reflected the commanding posture and image of our President.

Showing the President with a surgical mask over his mouth; clearly not in the best health, projecting a state of frailty, with his clothes looking oversized all due to the Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that he has been diagnosed with, and subsequent chemotherapy treatment is unacceptable and wholly unnecessary.

President Granger has always presented himself to the Guyanese Public in elegantly fashionable and impeccably stylish attire without being ostentatious. It is beyond comprehension, why the Ministry of the Presidency would allow President Granger to be

photographed while wearing the mask and clearly not in the best of health. It submerges rational thinking to justify taking such a photograph, and moreover, publishing the image. There are many pictures that could be used that reflect President Granger’s accomplished style of dressing, his look of leadership and his position as President of Guyana.

Hopefully, we will not see such a picture or similar snapshots of President Granger ever again in any of our major daily newspapers.

Sincerely, Nigel Hinds

Shocked by James Bond’s action Dear Editor, I read with great shock, in sections of the media that James Bond, a lawyer, has offered money to the parents of the two boys who were struck down on the Annandale Public Road by some Chinese, who cannot yet be located.

One of the young men died and the other is in a critical condition in the hospital. Based upon what I read in the newspapers, Mr Bond, on behalf of the Chinese Association, offered $1.9 million to the parents to settle the matter. The parents said that Mr Bond was in the company of a Chinese woman, who obviously knows the whereabouts of the driver.

I do not know what quality of lawyer Mr Bond is, but what I do know, is that his conduct is highly reprehensible and also illegal.

As a lawyer, one would expect that Mr Bond is familiar with criminal offences, such as perverting the course of justice. Mr Bond has a duty as a citizen to assist the police in their investigations to locate the driver. He should be taking the Chinese woman to the police station to provide the police with information regarding the whereabouts of the driver.

Instead, he chose to take the woman to the home of the parents of the victims with a view of paying them off in order to compromise

the criminal justice system from taking its lawful course. This is one of the most serious criminal offences. It is akin to bribing a witness not to give evidence in a case. Only recently, a lawyer was charged for doing so in Berbice.

The police and the DPP must take actions against Mr Bond to send a clear message that serious criminal offences cannot be settled in this manner. If not, the entire criminal justice system will break down and the rich will commit crimes with impunity because they can afford to pay off the poor victims.

Regards, Jairam Seetaram

Dear Editor, I would like to shed some light on a circular dated December 4, 2018, and signed by the new CEO of the New Amsterdam Public Hospital on the issuance of sick-leave to the staff at the institution. The Laws of Guyana Chapter 32:02 - the Medical Practitioner Act protects the rights of a registered medical practitioner.

Can the CEO of the NAPH instruct Government medical officers on the amount of sick-leave to issue to a patient? Why does the staff at the NAPH have to get an evaluation from a consultant when applying for more than three days of sickleave? There are serious is-

sues at this institution where workers and medical practitioners’ rights are being violated by public officials (CEO) and tolerated by the Ministry of Public Health.

The Guyana Public Service Union and the Medical Council of Guyana should have intervened immedi-

ately to protect the rights of workers and medical practitioners at the NAPH. Sincerely, Zamal Hussain Chairman Regional Health Committee Region Six

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wednesdAY, december 19, 2018

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mily is in the mall stressing out about finding the perfect gift for her best friend, Sam. She and Sam set aside a day every holiday season to exchange presents. But this year Emily can't find anything affordable that she thinks Sam would like. So this year Emily decides she'll make her own gifts.

Lots of people feel stressed out about buying and giving gifts around the holidays. But have the holidays become too materialistic and more about the gifts than the feelings behind them?

The gift of holiday tradition Many families have traditions they look forward to

each year. Katie and her family attend their Christmas Eve church service and then head to her aunt's house to enjoy the rest of the evening with hot chocolate, eggnog, and stories. Katie says they tell stories in the den with the Christmas tree lights twinkling to put them in the cheery Christmas spirit. On Christmas morning, the family gathers at Katie's grandmother's house and opens presents.

"Our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day family tradi-

Foundation tion is the one thing I can't wait for all year!" Katie says.

"I must admit, though, that it's the presents that make me excited." Although Katie loves giving and receiving gifts, the family traditions help her keep a healthy perspective on presents.

Traditions that centre on family or friends can be a great way to knock those presents out of their starring role and put meaning back into the holidays. Here are a couple of ideas: Decide which family traditions you love the most. What can you do to put more emphasis on them? If you love the tradition of lighting the menorah, get together as a group to make

your own candles. If you enjoy the family trip to pick out a tree, make it an all-day event where you head to a tree farm to choose your own.

Find out what the holidays mean to others. Talk to a grandparent, parent, uncle, or aunt about how they spent the holidays growing up. Some holiday traditions that used to be strong — such as neighbourhood carolling – are all but lost today. Maybe you'd like to revive some of these as a way to share some holiday spirit with

your family, friends, or community.

Build some new traditions.

If you don't have any family traditions, it's never too late to start. Get together around activities that you all enjoy, such as cooking.

Serving others For lots of people, the holidays are about helping the less fortunate. Rather than buying presents for each other, a group of friends like to go to their local homeless shelter and give the homeless a day to remember. Says Jay, 18, one of the organisers, " It's awesome to know that we are able to take their minds off the stress in their lives for one day."

For this group, working together to help the homeless makes their bonds stronger.

They feel like a part of each other's lives in a meaningful way.

It may sound trite until you try it, but doing something for charity can really help you feel better about the whole experience of giving. That's because it benefits for the giver as well as the recipient: You're left with a feeling of belonging and being connected.

Choose to help an organ-

isation or group that fits with your values and the things you believe in. If you love children, buy a present for a child in need. If animals are your thing, talk to your local animal shelter – many distribute staples like pet food to low-income pet owners over the holidays and need volunteers to help.

If you miss a grandparent and would like to spend time with the elderly, help out at a nursing home over the holidays. Or share a special skill. If you're good with your hands, you can help build or refurbish housing for people in need.

Gifts with meaning Melissa likes to make individual photo albums for each of her friends. "I know this takes a lot of time, but I do it because I love to sit with my friends and watch them smiling and laughing over the fun times we've had together," Melissa says. Amy, one of Melissa's friends, received one of these scrapbooks during the holiday season last year. She says the scrapbook was really touching.

"I thought it was so cool how Melissa sat down for hours and put thought into making my present."

Do you feel like the surprise and excitement of gift giving that you remember from childhood is missing now that you're older? If you're among the many people who feel they're buying their holiday spirit, what can you do to take back

The tradition of holiday gifts

Why do people give gifts in the first place? Throughout the world, many cultures mark special holidays with gifts and food. Holiday traditions bring people together and allow us to feel a part of family and community. The gifts and food that we share are all about expressing a sense of gratitude, joy, and abundance.

The gifts of a few generations ago were probably more humble and homemade. Even the people who could afford extravagant presents probably didn't do as much buying and spending as we do today. Our culture has grown more commercial, and gift giving has become a booming industry. Sometimes the original meaning behind the tradition gets lost, and the gift giving takes on a life of its own.

Not only is the pressure on to spend money on the right present, but many people also find that when gifts become the focal point of a holiday, it puts too much emphasis on receiving, too. It's all too easy to have high expectations of what's in that beautifully wrapped box — and that can set anyone up for disappointment.

When the materialistic aspects of the holiday overshadow its meaning, that can leave people feeling empty and wishing for something more. It's no wonder that we often hear about people having the "holiday blues"— feeling sad or empty instead of happy and fulfilled.

The advertisements we see around the holidays also can help foster unrealistic expectations. With all the pressure to buy the perfect gifts, get the perfect outfit, have the perfect party, and get along perfectly with our perfect families and friends, it's hard for reality to measure up.

Not all people think the holidays are too materialistic, of course. Most appreciate the traditional aspects of the holidays, like getting together and celebrating with friends and family. And some love shopping and are just fine with all the giving and receiving.

But if you're feeling a little hollow about the holidays, what can you do? One way to take back the holiday spirit is to focus on traditions and service — and on putting real meaning into your giving. the real enjoyment of the season?

Here are some ideas for putting meaning back into giving: Get creative. It's a great way to express yourself and feel fulfilled. Design your own holiday cards (or your family's cards), decorate your home, or bake something delicious to share (baked goods make great gifts, too). Make a pact to give homemade gifts and create original presents. Not feeling too creative? These days, a gift of time is often more precious and meaningful than a store-bought item: coupons for babysitting or car washing can be big hits with parents.

Shop at an alternative gift fair. Lots of communities hold fairs where you can buy gifts of a donation to causes your family and friends care about.

Others offer gifts that are made by people with special needs.

Give gifts that have special significance. Your dad may be thrilled when you present him with a carefully researched and beautifully drawn family tree. Your grandmother may really welcome the gift of your

time to help her learn how to use a computer. Or your little sister may really want to learn how to knit. These days, when everyone's so stretched, a gift of time can actually be more meaningful than one that costs big bucks.

Not all store-bought gifts are bad, of course. Shopping can be stressful for some, but for others, it's all about convenience. For Jay, spending money means saving time: "I find it easy buying a gift because once I see something I think the guys will like, I can buy one for each of them," he says.

This approach wouldn't work for Melissa, who likes creating unique gifts, but it shows how everyone is different when it comes to gift giving.

One key to a relaxing and meaningful holiday is finding what works best for you, both in terms of gift giving and other holiday traditions. Putting some thought into what the holidays mean to you and then focusing your energies on those aspects that leave you feeling most fulfilled can help you let go of the stuff that may be stressing you out. (kidshealth.org)

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wednesdAY, december 19, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Jagdeo urges in-depth review of NRF managers’ track record – suggests potential firms to manage oil wealth be pre-qualified

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is urging that a comprehensive look be taken into whichever firm is brought to manage Guyana’s oil and gas revenue, noting the dangers of entrusting Guyana’s patrimony to the wrong people.

Jagdeo spoke on the matter during his recent press conference where he was asked to comment on the possibility of US investment firm Merrill Lynch coming to Guyana.

While he did not reference that firm, Jagdeo issued a general warning of the need to beware opportunistic companies looking to make a profit at Guyana’s expense.

“We have to learn to sift them through, look at their CVs, their track records, who delivers the greatest returns if we’re looking for fund managers, who delivers the greatest returns on funds managed over a long historical period, who has pretty safe investments.”

“All those things have to be (factored in). Right now, you’re going to have everyone under the sun coming here to try to be the fund managers,” Jagdeo, a former President and Finance Minister, explained.

Jagdeo recommended that prospective fund managers should be prequalified after being screened and have their background checked out. He suggested that once this is done, Government make its sale pitch to each of these companies, hear their feedback and decide which will be

The Natural Resources Fund will be used by Government to save and invest oil proceeds

more beneficial to the country.

“So assuming someone says I want one per cent as a fund manager, and another person equally qualified and great track record says they’ll take 0.5 per cent.

Then you take that (person).

Government has to lead the process, but it must be transparent,” he said.

Merrill Lynch has for some time expressed an interest in being involved in managing Guyana’s oil finances. In fact, representatives from the firm had reportedly met with Central Bank Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga.

After its 10th discovery of oil in the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil has estimated the recoverable resource in the block to be five billion oil equivalent barrels. In addition, an independent assessment, or competent persons report, had found that 2.9

billion barrels of oil existed in the Orinduik block.

All of this will represent a monetary windfall for Guyana, which will be saved and invested through a natural resources fund. A green paper on the fund was recently laid in the National Assembly, but the fund itself is still in its planning stages.

Government had released the draft Natural Resources Fund Bill of 2018, which had proposed among other things a 22-member public accountability and oversight committee that would oversee the management of the fund and provide checks and balances.

Bank withdrawals

Jagdeo also spoke of the withdrawal of certain international banks from Guyana. According to Jagdeo, the withdrawals of Scotiabank and Bank of Baroda from local opera-

tions must have had something to do with the institutions’ own research into Guyana and its prospects.

“Look at the signal that the banks are sending. I

said at the speech I had recently, we all share the view that oil will be transformational. And it should be. What I don’t share with [the A Partnership for National Unity] APNU is the timeline. They’re making it look like in 2020 things will be transformed here. And it will not. Most people in the know understand that.”

“It’s not going to happen in 2020, because the resources coming in are not that great, until you get to 2025. And that also presupposes that you move on to do the other oil fields, not just Liza 1,” Jagdeo said.

According to Jagdeo, Guyana has already started suffering from lack of focus on other productive sectors which have shown declines. This, he noted, is a well-known symptom of the Dutch Disease and Guyana

has not even reached first oil. Then there are other economic issues he identified. “(Government is) borrowing domestically, which will have a big call on the resources coming in in 2020, because the magnitude is so great. So that’s what we have. Just imagine two major banks are leaving Guyana when we are talking about this big boom happening (surely) everybody would want to be here because we’re supposed to see a big economic expansion.”

“Now part of their leaving Guyana is de-risking, but part of it… no one leaves a gold mine. Their internal assessment must have shown that it (transformation) is going to happen over a longer period. And they make their economic decisions,” the Opposition Leader related.

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wednesdAY, december 19, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

Miner slapped with $5.7M fraud charge

A

miner was on Tuesday arraigned with a $5.7 million fraud charge when the appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Thirty-eight-yearold Rudolph Braithwaite of McDoom, East Bank Demerara, denied the charges which stated that between April 27 and June 7, 2018 at Imbaimadai Landing, Mazaruni River, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), with intent to commit a fraud, he obtained a quantity of mining equipment and food supplies valued at $313,000; property of Davika Persaud. He pretended that the items were bought on the account of

Remanded: Rudolph Brathwaite

his employer, Rutherford Holding Inc. Another charge alleged that between January 1 and February 28, 2018 at the same location, with intent to commit a fraud,

he obtained a quantity of goods and fuel valued at $580,000; property of Grant Ali. Again, he claimed that he was purchasing the items for his employer, Rutherford Holding Inc.

The court also heard that between December 1, 2017 and July 9, 2018 at Imbaimadai Landing, he stole 19 ounces of raw gold valued at $4.9 million taken from the account of his employer, Neville Rutherford.

Stephen Telford, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who prosecuted the matter, objected to bail on the grounds that the defendant had committed such acts in the past.

As a result, Magistrate McGusty made no hesitation and remanded Brathwaite to prison until March 19, 2019.

Additionally the matter was transferred to the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court.

Fraud charge dropped against maintenance worker

R

omel Motillal, a maintenance worker attached of Gafsons Industries Limited, appeared before Georgetown Magistrate Faith McGusty on Tuesday and admitted to fraudulently converting almost $1 million in items for his own use.

However, Motilall was in luck when Head of

Security of the firm, Arvin Krishnalall, informed the court that the company does not wish to pursue the matter against the defendant.

Police stated that between November 22 and 26, 2018, at Georgetown, while being solely entrusted by Deon Foo with inverter slips, copper tubes, and hammer reflexes among

items in order to carry out maintenance work at the company’s McDoom bond and a medical centre, he converted same to his own use.

Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers who presented the facts of the case informed the court that on the day in question, upon checking, it was observed that

the maintenance work was incomplete and some of the aforementioned items were missing. An investigation was launched after a report was made, leading to the defendant’s arrest.

Magistrate McGusty after being informed that the company will not continue the matter against Motilall, dismissed the case.

Labourer gets bail on break and enter charge

A

20-year-old labourer of Stanley Town, West Bank Demerara (WBD), on Tuesday ap-

peared before Magistrate Faith McGusty after he was slapped with a break and enter and larceny charge.

The charge against Alfred Bransfield read that between December 13 and 14, 2018 at Westminster,

WBD, he broke and entered the dwelling of Arianna Oddie, and stole a television set, a DVD player and a gas cylinder among other items.

He pleaded not guilty to this charge.

Police Prosecutor Annalisa Brummell objected to bail, on the basis that the stolen items were found in the defendant’s possession and were positively identified by the Virtual Complainant.

However, Magistrate McGusty granted the defendant his pre-trial liberty for the sum of $75,000 and ordered him to report to the La Grange Police Station every Friday until the matter was completed.

The case was adjourned until January 10, 2018, and transferred to the Wales Magistrate’s Court.

The inevitable…

T

…day of reckoning for PNC

he Leader of the Opposition didn’t want the Government to waste a ton of taxpayers’ money on the Budget Debate, which extends over three weeks. Imagine the food bill alone comes up to over $105 million!! He asked that his No-Confidence Motion against the PNC-led Government be given the highest priority – as it normally is – for the simple reason if the Budget Debate droned on and is followed by a No-Confidence Motion that gets the requisite votes, the election within three months makes the Budget moot!!

The Government, however, wanted nothing more than to delay the inevitable. So, through the Speaker, they refused the Opposition’s request and slated the noconfidence vote for this Friday. Now this is just before the Christmas Holiday so the Opposition Leader, out of his respect for the festive season which would be spoiled for the Government’s supporters when their party is ejected, suggested the PPP would be amenable to shifting the motion into January.

Now you’d think the Government Ministers would be pleased they’d be able to enjoy all the freebies for one last Christmas, and respect the Opposition’s grand gesture, wouldn’t you? Well, Moses Nagamootoo obviously couldn’t bear the tension of the no-confidence guillotine over his neck over the holidays and issued a statement that used the lowest and oldest trick in political rhetoric to refuse the offer.

This trick is the “appeal to pity” (also called argumentum ad misericordiam or the sob story) logical fallacy in which someone tries to win support for an argument or idea by exploiting his or her opponent’s feelings of pity or guilt. Nagamootoo was willing to exploit the national sympathy for President Granger’s unfortunate lymphoma.

He claimed “the Jagdeo-led Opposition has caused the Guyanese people some distress and hurt by unconscionably attempting to exploit the illness of President David Granger to unseat me as Prime Minister. They then resisted the pro-people $300.7 billion 2019 Budget.” And now the NoConfidence Motion!!

Now, what in the world does these three initiatives by the Opposition – each of which have the imprimatur of our Constitution - have to do with President Granger’s illness??

President Granger acted constitutionally to appoint Nagamootoo to act as President – it was Nagamootoo who refused to vacate his seat in the National Assembly.

If anyone might’ve caused the President grief, it was Nagamootoo!! On the second, the PPP shouldn’t have examined the Budget because the President was sick?? Or not followed up the peoples’ withdrawal of confidence in the Government at the LGE? Is Nagamootoo suggesting the Opposition draw their salary but not perform their duties to the country as mandated by the Constitution?

Just because it’s what Nagamootoo’s been reduced to?

…exposure of PNC’s haplessness on oil

The PNC-led Government belatedly hired the oil expert, Dr Jan Mangal to advise them – after Raphael Trotman had bungled the Exxon contract and given away the store. Now, you’d think, having been burnt once by having a rank (VERY rank!!) amateur in charge of oil, the Government would’ve listened to Dr Mangal. But the problem was, Mangal was a professional and wouldn’t sell out: he told the PNC as it was. Such as the Government should audit the claimed US$4.4 billion expense for developing Lisa 1. This, of course, was totally unacceptable to a party that insists on its “PARAMOUNTCY” and so knows everything! So Mangal was duly dumped after his contract expired after a year.

Your Eyewitness wonders, therefore, what is the paramount party thinking now that – on its own – Exxon conceded that its estimate was inflated by US$700 million!!!

Are they going to apologise to Dr Mangal?

Not in this life, baby!! After all…it’s only OUR money!!

…neglect of sugar workers

Based on the PNC’s philosophy, as expounded by its Chairman recently, it’s no surprise that, unlike T&T’s Petrotrin which gave land for homes and agriculture to its retrenched workers, Guyana’s sugar workers got ZILCH!!

They’re not PNC. Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

News

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wednesdAY, december 19, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt confident of surviving no-confidence vote – calls for support from the public

W

ith a No-Confidence Motion against it looming, Government on Tuesday reaffirmed that it was confident it would survive the vote; while at the same time hitting out at the Opposition and boasting of its achievements.

According to a statement released by the Government’s Department of Public Information (DPI), the coalition reaffirmed its commitment to fulfil its “good life for all” promise at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

While the Government acknowledged there were challenges and a “few” missteps, it insisted that there were also “impressive” successes since 2015. It bragged about its foreign affairs triumphs, the holding of Local Government Elections, regular Parliament sittings and Cabinet meetings and the “marked reduction” in serious crimes.

“Our coalition has promoted social security and lifted the image of our Indigenous peoples as Guyanese citizens, enjoying equal rights and opportunities. Our Government

The National Assembly will be host to the No-Confidence Motion against the Government on Friday

has upheld multicultural cooperation and facilitated social cohesion,” the coalition Government, through the DPI, also said.

“The coalition Government has restored confidence in, and integrity to, public life. We combatted rampant, pervasive corruption among persons holding public office, reconstituted the Integrity Commission and appointed a Public Procurement Commission to handle state procurement,” the Government added.

The Government went on

to boast of installing “thousands” of street lights, improvements to education, “reliable public health care”, infrastructural advancements, and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project started under the former Government.

Then it spoke of its efforts in the rice sector.

“We have worked on securing better and more markets for rice along with launching more seed paddy varieties for farmers who also benefit from several new, high capacity pumps and access to fer-

Labour Dept launches probe into Pritipaul Singh Investments fishing tragedy

T

he Social Protection Ministry’s Labour Department has launched an investigation into the drowning of a seaman attached to the Pritipaul Singh Investments Company after a mishap some 100 miles out at sea. The man had been identified as Navishwar Karamdatt, called “Sharma”, of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

According to reports surfacing, on Wednesday, operatives of the Labour Department took a team to the MV Snook which is docked at the company’s wharf in Georgetown. The team is attempting to ascertain what led to Karamdatt’s death by investigating the level of safety conditions under which workers are operating.

The entire ordeal which was captured on surveillance footage showed two workmen trying to stabalise a section of a caged instrument in the midst of ravaging waves on the open waters.

As the waves became more intense, both men were thrown about the ship’s deck, with Karamdatt being thrown into in the sea. From the footage, it was seen that the vessel’s rails had wide spaces below and underneath.

The boat on which Navishwar Karamdatt was working at the time of his demise

Guyana Times understands that the investigators interviewed several workers as the probe into the seaman’s suspected death gets underway. It was said that the vessel’s crew was a five-member team. The MV Snook departed on December 3, 2018 and made its way back to shore last week Saturday following Wednesday’s mishap.

It is believed that Karamdatt hit his head when he was thrown off the vessel by the ferocious waves. He was seen waving and from the footage, it was not clear if a lifebuoy was on hand to be thrown into the water in an effort to save the man’s life.

Marine safety is slated to become a topic of much discourse since Karamdatt’s suspected drowning was followed by the suspected next-day demise of a boat caption from Moruca, Region One (Barima-Waini) after he fell overboard, into the Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Thursday last.

Reports were that Linden Williams accidently fell into the river and despite efforts to locate him, this was to no avail.

Persons in the area had disclosed that the cargo boat usually travels from Moruca to Charity to transport goods for Williams’ employer.

tilisers,” the Government said.

“Guyana can now boast of having a truly national public information network that links the coastland and the hinterland. Our people all across Guyana have free access to the Internet and are connected and communicating with persons all over the world,” the Government said, a reference to its Information Communication Technology (ICT) efforts.

“Against this background, the coalition Government is certain that the NoConfidence Motion brought by the Opposition Leader will be resoundingly and comprehensively defeated in the National Assembly on Friday, December 21,” the Government added.

On the other hand, Opposition Leader Jagdeo had stated that the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)

and the Alliance For Change (AFC) had proffered several reasons for their move to file a no-confidence motion against the then PPP/C Government.

Among them was the restoration of monies cut from the Budget for the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF), hinterland airports, the University of Guyana student loan programme, vouchers for public school students, and the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) project.

Another reason was the non-transfer of monies to the Consolidated Fund, which was held, legally, by semi-autonomous agencies. A third claim was a procedural breach in the $4 billion transferred to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and allegation of corruption.

The Opposition Leader charged that if these reasons could have justified the filing of that No-Confidence Motion, then there is greater justification, now, for the filing of the No-Confidence Motion.

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

He also pointed to “unbelievable” levels of proven corruption, exposed via,

not only the parliamentary Opposition, but also by the Auditor General’s Office and the Public Procurement Commission (PPC). The hiding of the US$18 million signing bonus from ExxonMobil in a separate account, when the monies should have been transferred into the Consolidated Fund, was another example cited.

“Since this Government took office we have had taxes increased by 60 billion dollars per year, although they came in on a promise of lower taxes. They came in on a promise of creating more jobs. We lost 30,000 jobs. Acts of corruption have been unbelievable,” Jagdeo had stated.

In addition, the Opposition Leader had stated that it was made clear at the recently held Local Government Elections (LGE), where the PPP/C, from all appearances, came out victorious with a 45,000 votes more than the Government. As such, Jagdeo noted that it is time for the coalition to be called out for what he says are its continued failures.

Jagdeo further added that the country is “drifting” because of a lack of vision of the APNU/AFC coalition Government. According to him, the No-Confidence Motion is intended to protect Guyanese and Guyana from the excessive borrowing, taxing and wasteful spending of the current Administration.

10 news

wednesdAY, december 19, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ex-workers, families forgotten in “callous” aftermath of estate closures – Ram

...says teachers pooling money to fund school uniforms

The defunct Wales Estate was the first entity that was closed under the current Administration

O

utspoken political commentator and Charted Accountant Christopher Ram has described some of the harrowing tales that have resulted from the closures of several estates across country which came via Government’s downsizing of the sugar industry owing the billions of dollars in subsidised allocations.

Speaking with Guyana Times during an interview on Tuesday, the attorney opined that the current Administration should have implemented the industry’s overhaul in a phased man-

ner as opposed to the four closures within one year.

Wales was officially closed in December 2016 and the closures of East Demerara (Enmore), Skeldon and Rose Hall were finalised by December 2017 although the latter three were reopened under limited operations via the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited’s (NICIL) Special Purpose Unit (SPU).

Since then, Ram has been facilitating a donation drive to the children of ex-workers of the Guyana Sugar Corporation

(GuySuCo). The items have included bicycles, haversacks and stationery supplies. From his vantage point, the accountant imparted that the closures have facilitated social ills owing the fact the inhabitants of the various communities built their lives from their earnings in the sugar industry.

“The people need employment; they need sup-

“It is painful to watch, let alone talk about” – Christopher Ram port and it seems that they’re almost forgotten and its cynical, it’s callous and it’s cruel. The problem in those areas is that they’re almost single industry communities which have been built for decades and decades around sugar and you can’t take away their lifeline, then very es-

No-confidence lash

S

Chartered Accountant and Attorney Christopher Ram

sence of the community and think that you have solved the problem and you’ve created some extremely costly social problems,” he observed.

Ram also pointed out a disturbing scene whereby he saw persons fishing in nearby drains during one of his many visits and it was explained that this was for their sustenance.

Turn to page 12

atiricus was serious. He was mulling the departure of his old buddy Hari from their bi-weekly sojourn at their Back Street watering hole. Hari had been given a rousing send off and exhorted not to forget his old pals. What could they really say to dissuade him when he just wasn’t able to get a job after being axed from his Government job?

“Wha’ wrang Sato?” asked Cappo. “Yuh face look like yuh jus’ suck lime!”

“Nah man,” Satiricus replied. “I was just thinking about Hari.

“Y’all ain’t gat fuh worry ‘bout Hari, guys,” said Georgie, who had joined the group after returning from New York. “New York cold…but it got a lotta things to warm him up!!”

“An’ a C’ris’mus time now yuh know,” pointed out Bungi. “New Yark guh gat nuff party!”

“But Hari guh miss abee pre-C’ris’muss party in Parli’ment!” laughed Cappo. “De no-canfidence vote!!”

“Bannas, y’all ain’t goin’ nowhere wid dat move!” said Georgie forcefully.

“Georgie, you just came back to Guyana a month now and you talking so fat?” asked Satiricus.

“De maan gat spunks, bai!” said Bungi with a grin, that suggested he realised Georgie was buying their beers.

“I just move back, yes,” conceded Georgie. “But I’s de only man with a die-hard Pee’nSee source!” Georgie had gone into partnership with Pee’nSee friend who’d been given an IT contract but knew zilch about IT. “An’ wha’ yuh Pee’nSee padna tell yuh?” asked Cappo.

“Dat deh ain’t gat time wid no laang story,” said Georgie with a smirk. “Anybody from their side who break rank gon get a lash pon they head! End a story!!”

“But that’s intimidation!” exclaimed Satiricus. “Aren’t Pee’nSee MP’s supposed to think for themselves?”

“Sato, ah which worl’ yuh come fram?” asked Bungi.

“Rememba w’en Burnt Ham heng da trade yoonyan maan ovah de Atlantic from wan helicapta?”

“De trade yooyan man bin a t’ink fuh ‘eself ‘bout ‘e yoontan memba dem!” cackled Cappo. “De Pee’nSee back in force Sato ole buddy!”

“Maybe that’s why Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat talking so much stupidness,” said Satiricus musingly.

11 List of 400 padded with massacre victims, bandits – Jagdeo news

wednesdAY, december 19, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

...calls for independent inquiry into jailbreak crime spree

P

eople’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo has debunked as fallacious a list constantly referenced in sections of the media of persons allegedly murdered under the previous Administration, but in reality, this list is padded with the names of massacre victims and persons who died of natural causes.

At his press conference on Monday, Jagdeo walked with a copy of the list to show the media. He pointed out that among the names on the list are victims who lost their lives in the Lusignan, Lindo Creek and Bartica massacres.

“They would resur-

era… remember, we made it clear in Parliament that we’re prepared to have a Commission of Inquiry [CoI] into the whole period, in which you can inves-

“We are confident,” Jagdeo continued. “We can demonstrate in any CoI that they had deep links in the [People’s National Congress] PNC.

rect all of the old things.

So now with the resurrection of the 400 young, black men according to them, killed in the PPP

tigate the criminals, the phantom gangs, drug dealers, everyone else and their connections to political operatives on both sides.”

We are still waiting for the President to propose that CoI, because we support it. He went off to do Lindo Creek (CoI) and got

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo brandishes the list of 400; a list he debunked as misleading

(retired Justice Donald) Trotman and the lawyer, the Minister’s brother (Patrice Henry), to do that.”

According to Jagdeo, he wants a CoI covering the entire period from the 2002 Mash Day jailbreak to the time they were apprehended or killed. Jagdeo noted that the massacres that occurred within the time, where the criminals got their weapons from and any potential links between drug dealers and political figures should also be probed in the CoI. “All this talk about investigating, they would only say that because they had a hand in a lot of the turmoil that took place in that period. It was political. I can show you the list.

Look at all these people,” Jagdeo said, just before he brandished the list. “They were all killed... the supposed black men. Shazam Mohamed, Lusignan Massacre; Clarence Thomas, Lusignan Massacre; Ron Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Ashraf Ally, Errol Thomas.”

“You have people of every race here. You have the “Fine Man” gang members, the Bartica Massacre peo-

ple, and members of the “Fine Man” gang. “Fine Man” (Rondel Rawlins) is on the list himself. The Lindo Creek (victims).

Two persons who died of heart attacks are on this list. Lieutenant Colonel D Narine died from heart attack and Tony Ross. And they’re on the list. This is a fallacy. They don’t have anything else.”

Checks on the list confirmed that it contains the names not only of victims of the massacres, as well as the infamous Rondel “Fine Man” Rawlins and Jermaine “Skinny” Charles, but it also contains the names of criminal elements who were killed in shootouts with the Police.

One documented case in the list dates way back to 1999, with the inclusion of Terry Madhoo. Madhoo, also known as “Rusty”, was reportedly part of a gang that robbed an America Street cambio, opening fire indiscriminately, in the process injuring several persons, including an off-duty Policeman.

Newspaper reports are that the gang was chased

by Police into a cane field on the East Bank of

Demerara, during which gunfire was exchanged and Madhoo was killed.

The list is contained in a dossier that details various cases that occurred under the previous Government which the then Opposition parties and now governing coalition had wanted investigated for alleged human rights violations.

In the dossier, the joint Opposition parties of the Alliance For Change, National Front Alliance, People’s National Congress and the Working People’s Alliance all joined together in their demands for an international inquiry.

“The goal of this dossier is to establish that there is a sufficient prima facie basis to warrant further interrogation of grave human rights abuses in Guyana by an independent body cloaked with the legal authority to do this,” the dossier also states.

The dossier was released by the then Opposition in 2009. Since coming to office in 2015, however, the only steps that have been taken towards an investigation of that era is a CoI ordered by President David Granger into the Lindo Creek Massacre earlier this year.

12news

wednesdAY, december 19, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Man shot by Journalist accuses Police of covering up matter – Police say file with DPP

J

immy Ramgobin, the 28-year-old labourer of Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown, who was allegedly attacked and shot by journalist, Travis Chase two weeks has accused the Police of covering up the matter.

The victim, speaking with Guyana Times on Tuesday, recounted the ordeal, revealing that at no time did he attack Chase by pelting bottles. According to the man, on the night in question, he went out with friends and became highly intoxicated.

On his way home, he claimed that due to his drunken state, he fell on the parapet and lost consciousness. He later learnt that he fell unconscious in front of Chase’s girlfriend’s property, located along De Abreu Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

However, he was awakened by repeated kicks to his ribs and in a trauma-

Injured: Jimmy Ramgobin

tised state, he got up and attempted to escape the beating.

“Between my sleep, I feel somebody kicking me in my ribs when I look up, I see a man with a gun in he hand, I look on the other side, I see a girl standing on the other side, so I get up and I decided to run,” Ramgobin related.

He further recounted that as he ran away, he heard several shots being fired from behind him and suddenly felt a burning sensation on his right foot.

“I heard about four to five shots behind me, I then stop on Garnett Street corner and realise that I got shot, when I look back, I didn’t see anybody,” the man revealed.

Ramgobin said with blood oozing from his leg, he made his way to the Police Station where he reported the matter.

He related that he was then taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) where he received treatment and was told by ranks that the matter would be investigated.

When questioned, Ramgobin held out that at no time did he attempt to attack Chase as was reported to the Police.

“There is no way I can attack a person and get shoot behind my foot… there is no way I can attack him with a bottle and get shoot behind my foot, if I was attacking him, I was supposed to be shot in front so I did not shy him with no bottle,” Ramgobin is holding out.

According to the labourer, the bullet is currently lodged in his leg and could not be removed by doctors.

This, he noted, is hinder-

Journalist Travis Chase

ing him from performing his work. He posited that he will not drop the matter, as he again maintained his innocence.

“I can’t do no kind of heavy work right now and this time of the year, I does work hard for my money… this bullet has not been removed, it’s still in my foot, the doctor tell me that bullet can’t come out because it jamming the nerves and the tissue, until January, then they could see if they could operate to take it out”.

When contacted, Chase told Guyana Times that he has no comment, noting that the matter is still with the Police.

The Police, however, revealed that the case file is still with the Director of Public Prosecutions awaiting directions.

It was reported that on

December 2, 2018, Ramgobin allegedly fell asleep on the parapet in front of the reporter’s girlfriend’s home but was subsequently awakened by the journalist who began kicking him in the vicinity of his ribcage.

On the other hand, the reporter told Police that he was attacked by the man who began to hurl bottles at him and in retaliation; he whipped out his licensed firearm and discharged several rounds. One of the bullets, he told police, struck Ramgobin.

The injured man was

taken to the GPHC where he was admitted. This publication was told that a .32 spend shell was recovered at the scene. As the news broke of the shooting incident, the journalist held out that he was not involved in the shooting incident and that he had to reason to be in De Abreu Street, Kitty, at that time in the morning since he resides at Lot 1 Republic Drive, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.

He also related that he was not the owner of a .32 weapon.

Ex-workers, families...

from page 10

“I saw people catching fish in drains and I asked an adult what that child doing in that drain they said; ‘What you think, they na got to eat?’ That was the answer. This is misery and yes we would sit in Georgetown and drink champagne,” Ram highlighted.

Speaking from a fiscal perspective, Ram pondered why the country’s budget deficit is higher in spite of the rationalisation objectives. He added that there was “no question” that some realignment was necessary in the sugar industry but said it not only should have been phased but well planned.

“What we have is chaos, confusion and misdirection,

particularly led by NICIL which has only added to the confusion,” he said.

Ram outlined that based on the information he obtained, some of the children are inclined to miss classes as they lack school uniforms and lack basic meals.

“Teachers are pooling money to give a meal to children.

That child is a human being who is going to grow into an adult and what is he or she going to do?” he asked.

Prior to the closures, observers including the political Opposition were calling for social impact studies to be conducted beforehand.

Now that Government went ahead with its cost-cutting measures, many of the workers have held out that they are finding great difficulty in attaining well-paying and consistent employment. Some are of the view that these communities should be allocated subsidies for travel, text books, electricity and water owing to the vacuum that came to the fore when the industry was slashed. More than that, workers at Wales, were waiting almost two years for their severance pay due to their refusal to take up work at the Uitvlugt Estate which is 22 miles away from their homes. Though they were finally paid this month with interest, many parents said that in the interim they could not have afforded to send their children to school on a consistent basis.

(Shemuel Fanfair)

news

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wednesdAY, december 19, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Security guard allegedly SBB to vet companies registering for 20% Govt contracts stabbed to death by brother-in-law I

T

he body of a security officer attached to the Sentinel Security Service was on Tuesday morning found dead with two suspected stab wounds to his body in a clump of bushes at Stanleytown, New Amsterdam.

The dead man has been identified as 29-yearold Nkomo LaRose, also known as “Komo”, of Lot 54 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam. At the time of the discovery, his body was lying face down in a trench.

His body was discovered at about 06:30h. The man’s reputed wife, Asha Bailey, told Guyana Times that the family believed the murder was committed by her brother with whom LaRose had an argument on Monday evening. The suspect, she added, lives with them.

She recalled that on Monday evening, her reputed husband and the suspect were imbibing on the street in front of their home when an argument broke out. The argument was over the suspect’s girlfriend.

She explained that her brother, Jermaine Bailey (the suspect) was in a relationship with another woman who has two children for him but he was also friending his current girlfriend, called “Not a Girl”.

“They were arguing over a girl Jermaine does going around. The girl reach “Komo” and tell “Komo” all kind of things about Jermaine, and he tell

Dead: Security officer Nkomo LaRose

Jermaine to ease the girl completely and that is how they start arguing,” she explained.

The aggrieved woman stated after the argument prolonged, so she picked up the bottle of alcohol and threw it away. This she added did not stop the two men from arguing. “Dem start to threaten to kill each other and it was then I called the Police,” she noted.

The Police took some time to respond to the report and as such, the woman decided to go to the Police station.

The men, she noted, armed themselves with a cutlass and a knife.

“I leave to go to the station and same time I see the patrol passing and I stop them and send them in the street thinking that it would have finished but it de still

going on…”

The mother of two related that the Police ranks spoke with the men and left.

At the same time, she left the home and went to her grandmother’s home which is about half-mile away.

Meanwhile, Silvya Moolyneaux, the dead man’s grandmother-in-law, related that she was informed by a neighbour that a body was lying in the drain, a short distance from her home. While on her way to the scene, she was told that it was her sonin-law.

She explained that the suspect, who is also her grandson, visited her home at about 02:00h on Tuesday morning. Upon enquiring about the reason for his visit at that time in the morning, she was told that he came to kill his sister.

At the time he was carrying two knives. “I say ‘Out the yard! Outside, don’t murder nobody in here. The gate was locked and I am not sure if he jump the gate or the fence,” the elderly woman stated. Her granddaughter, she added, was asleep.

It is believed that the now dead man was on his way to meet his reputed wife when he was confronted by the suspect and stabbed.

The suspect is known to Police since he has served a lengthy jail sentence. He was reportedly seen on Tuesday morning, a short distance from where LaRose’s body was found. Police have launched a manhunt for him.

n efforts to avoid corruption in the Small Business Procurement Programme, which seeks to ensure that 20 per cent of Government contracts go to small firms, the Small Business Bureau (SBB) is undertaking a series of measures to vet companies registering for the programme.

This was revealed by Chief Executive Officer of SBB, Dr Lowell Porter, at the Bureau’s year end press conference on Tuesday, where he announced that the programme will kick off in January.

Stakeholders have expressed that such a programme creates the possibility for corruption, especially with established businesses wanting to take advantage of the initiative by posing as a ‘small business’. However, according to Dr Porter, the Bureau has taken steps to detect and prevent this from occurring. “[The businesses] have to register and during that process, we have to verify [their authenticity]. We have developed MoUs (Memorandums of

SBB CEO Dr Lowell Porter

Understanding) with GRA (Guyana Revenue Authority and NIS (National Insurance Scheme). And we believe that once we have those applications, we will try to verify if that person or company is indeed a small business; if they have submitted returns that is outside of the criteria for small business,” the CEO explained.

Moreover, Dr Porter posited that another step the SBB has taken to thwart corruption with the programme is by using a ‘points system’ which will not only ensure that genuine busi-

nesses benefit from the contract procurement scheme, but also give those business the preference.

“We would have a point system so if it’s an approved small business that was in business from before, that we know of, it gets more points than someone that just started… So you can go around now and start your business but you will be on a lower [points] scale because you get started. [Even though] you might have the capacity, this is the only way we can actually make this fair,” Dr Porter contended.

While it the Bureau is playing its part in ensuring that approved small businesses benefit from the programme, the SBB CEO reminded that this is the first time that the initiative is being launched and there will be some loopholes that they will have to be corrected in the future.

Nevertheless, with the Small Business Procurement Programme set to roll out in January, Dr Porter is calling on small businesses to register in order to be qualified to benefit from the initiative.

turn to page 14

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wednesdAY, december 19, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

GPHC completes 50 surgeries E Division records successful in “Operation Hernia” year in crime-fighting …“Operation Fibroid” to commence in 2019

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n an effort to reduce the backlog of hernia cases at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), a number of lead surgeons, surgical residents and other medical officials recently joined forces to treat 50 patients in the form of surgeries.

This was announced by the GPHC on Tuesday during a press conference at its Resource Centre, in New Market Street, Georgetown.

A total of 62 surgeries were conducted in a matter of days by the professionals who were eager to see their patients live their lives

without being stigmatised.

Along with the GPHC, the New Amsterdam Hospital also targeted and saw 18 hernia patients being treated with 21 surgeries. It was explained by Head General Surgery, Dr Navindranuth Rambaran that the number of surgeries conducted exceeded the amount of patients, as some patients’ required more than one operation, due to multiple hernias.

A hernia occurs when an organ or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or connective tissue called fascia.

The most common types of hernias are inguinal (inner groin), incisional (resulting from an incision), femoral (outer groin), umbilical (belly button), and hiatal (upper stomach).

A person who is affected by an inguinal hernia may experience pain or discomfort in the affected area, which is usually the lower abdomen, especially when bending over, coughing or even lifting an object. It also causes weakness among other things.

Hernias are caused by a combination of muscle weakness and strain. Depending on its cause, a hernia can develop quickly or over a long period of time.

While hernias are more common in men, females are also affected.

The successful surgeries, as explained by Dr Rambaran, were not possible without the aid of the eight lead surgeons, 13 surgical residents and other medical officers.

It was noted by the doctor that most of the patients operated on were able to leave the hospital the same

Head of General Surgery, Dr Navindranuth Rambaran

day and even walk hours after the surgery.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital, Brigadier (Ret’d) George Lewis told media operatives

that the health institution recognised the need for the surgeries and was able to complete them in a timely manner.

He alluded to the fact that quite a number of patients refused surgery because of the festive season, while some were excited to be operated on.

In fact, Lewis promised that come 2019, “Operation Hernia” will continue. According to him, the Hospital will continue to collaborate with the Public Health Ministry to take such operations to the outlying areas, even if it means taking surgeons from GPHC to areas such as Linden and others.

On another note, the CEO gave his word that “Operation Fibroid” will commence early 2019. A fibroid is a type of fat that grows and develops mostly in women.

A fibroid can cause a woman to suffer anaemia as a result of heavy fibroid bleeding. It can also cause back pain or a feeling of pressure in the lower belly.

Women who have fibroids often experience trouble conceiving and suffer problems during pregnancy such as miscarriage or preterm labour, among others.

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he E Division (Linden-Kwakwani) Police Headquarters has recorded a number of successful activities and exercises in 2018 thus far.

Some of these successes were highlighted during the annual presentation of the Division's Christmas Policing Plan which was recently presented by Divisional Commander Linden Lord.

It was reported that for the period January to November, several drug eradication exercises were conducted at Wisroc and West Watooka (Linden), Coomacka Mines, Five, Ten and 18 Miles (Ituni Road) and would have resulted in over 16 acres of approximately 7300 cannabis

plants being destroyed.

For the same period, there were reportedly five murders committed in the Division, four of which were solved by ranks attached to the Division's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), who according to Lord, "demonstrated proactive policing and thorough investigations”.

Additionally, there were 14 robberies recorded over this period, with eight cases being solved and five criminals prosecuted in connection with these crimes.

As it relates to outreaches, Police in the Division have also conducted several outreach programmes and lectures at schools and communities across the Division which Lord noted

were done, "as a means of fostering a better relationship with the community".

Included in these exercises, were an interactive session conducted with students of the Muritaro Primary School and another conducted by traffic ranks with youths interested in acquiring a provisional license.

Traffic ranks also conducted lectures with students of the Harmony and Linden Foundation Secondary schools in Linden.

The boundaries of the Division extend to the left Bank of the Essequibo River (West), Ebini River (East), Dora (North) and the left bank of the Kurupuri River (South).

Corentyne homes burglarised as occupants attend wake – cash, jewellery missing

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t least three houses at Alness, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) were burglarised on Monday evening while the occupants were attending a wake in the village.

At about 00:15h on Tuesday, when Jasodra Budhran, 80; Kalawattie Dhanpersaud, also called “Wattie”, 53; and Kowsilla Sukhu, 41, returned home, they discovered that their

homes were burglarised.

Budhran, Dhanpersaud and Sukhu live in the first, second and third houses in the same yard respectively.

Dhanpersaud stated that as she made her way to her yard, she saw two pickets missing from the fence and thought something was amiss. The mother of two explained that she then realised that the front door to her house was wide open.

“I call dem boys because

SBB to vet companies...

“You have to be an approved supplier before you can be part of the programme. Small Business Bureau has that authority to approve so that means you have to register with the Bureau. We’re trying to see if we can have all the firms ready, we already have people coming in to ask about it because they saw it in the papers and on the news… We want every small business that is capable to have a bite,” asserted the Bureau’s CEO. The provision of 20 per cent contracts for small business was passed into law under the Small Business Act since 2004 but its implementation was only announced a year ago.

And after months of prepa-

ration, Cabinet approved the programme back in October.

In its last Annual report laid in the National Assembly back in July, the SBB highlighted the need for Government to award more contracts to small businesses as catered for in the law, which states: “The Government shall use its best endeavours to ensure that at least twenty per cent of the procurement of goods and services required annually by the Government is obtained from small businesses.”

During this year, work had to be done to put together a policy framework that looks at, among other things, monitoring the number of small business-

we scared. When dem boys come and check then I go in.” The other women also requested the ‘boys’ to check their homes since the doors were also open.

“We go up and check, next thing I see them try bruk the lock but it was too big so they pull out the whole facing and break down the door,” Dhanpersaud said, while noting that a small quantity of jewellery and an undisclosed sum of cash were missing.

Budram, who occupied the first house in the yard,

from page 13

es that will benefit from the programme. There was also work done on syncing the Procurement Act with the Small Business Act to ensure that they complement each other.

Recently, Business Minster Dominic Gaskin emphasised the need to have this programme up and running.

“This programme is so important that it must begin and we must start collecting the data to show what percentage of Government procurement is going to small businesses so that we can make annual adjustments going forward until we hit the 20 per cent target provided for in the Small Business Act of 2004,” he posited.

One of the ransacked rooms

explained that her home was ransacked but nothing appeared to be missing. It is believed that the intruders left before completing their mission.

The street had been busy as persons were going to and from the wake during the evening. It is believed that the main target was Sukhu’s home.

Several overseas visitors who came for the funeral were staying at her house which was also ransacked.

Upon checking, it was discovered that the men stole three gold bangles, one pair of gold earrings, a gold chain and three gold finger

rings were missing. In addition, Sukhu related that then perpetrators also escaped with US$150.

“I had those pieces of jewellery for many years.

This is the first time something like this happen to me in this village,” she said.

One of the visitors, Deonarine Budram, told Guyana Times that out of fear, they will be cutting short their visit.

The Police were summoned to the area to investigate but the victims were told that the ranks will return to take statements but up to press time, this was not done.

15 Ramsammy’s Ruminations Remapping of Guyana Diabolical – Replacing to begin in 2019 non-medical members of Medical Council with "PNC people" C news

wednesdAY, december 19, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

S

everal weeks ago, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence replaced Kamal Ramkarran and Sylvia Conway as the nonmedical members of the Guyana Medical Council (GMC) with James Bond and John Adams; two prominent People's National Congress (PNC) members, making good her promise that only "PNC people" must get jobs and positions of influence.

The Medical Council is made up of six medical doctors elected by their colleagues, the Chief Medical Officer (Ex-Officio) and two non-medical members named by the Health Minister, after consultations with civil society. The two non-medical members were provided for Dr Leslie Ramsammy by an amendment of the original Medical Practitioners Act 1991. I navigated the amendment through Parliament when I was Health Minister.

At the time, I made clear that the two non-medical members must be chosen after wide consultations and that those consultations must lead to the appointment of one woman to represent the interest of consumers, particularly women and girls, and a lawyer that would assist the Council in investigating and dealing with complaints of abuse and malpractice. It is a betrayal to now have no woman among the non-medical membership of the GMC. Surreptitiously, the Public Health Minister, several weeks ago, replaced the two long-serving non-medical members of the GMC with the new members. Sylvia Conway served on the Council because of her keen interest, her activism and advocacy for women and children's rights. Kamal Ramkarran served as a lawyer in the Council. These persons served the Medical Council since I was Health Minister. From my own experience and from feedback I have had for more than a decade now, these Guyanese citizens served the Council with distinction. But Minister Lawrence, under the authority of the law, decided it was time for a change and named James Bond, a former PNC Member of Parliament; and John Adams, a present PNC Member of Parliament to replace them. I am not aware that any recommendation was made to replace Ramkarran and Conway and I am also unaware of any consultations that were conducted to name the new members. I am flabbergasted Minister Lawrence could not name a woman non-medical member for the Council.

Were the long-serving non-medical members of the Medical Council changed just for the sake of change? Was there any recommendation from anyone that these members needed to be changed? Did the members themselves asked to be replaced? Changing them for change sake is not in the interest of Guyanese citizens. Worst, changing them simply to make place for the appointment of two PNC members is downright repugnant.

Coming at a time when Minister Lawrence was forced to apologise for announcing at Congress Place that the Government must become more forceful in appointing only "PNC people" in jobs and in positions of influence in the country, appointments like this prove that her apology was only one of convenience; empty and meaningless. It means that jobs and positions on Boards and agencies are increasingly based on party cards, reminiscent of the PNC days between 1964 and 1992. Kamal Ramkarran and Sylvia Conway were not card-carrying PNC members and, therefore, had to be replaced

by Bond and Adams, two prominent PNC members.

We will see more of this in the coming weeks. A few months ago, another plan was hatched to replace Dr Oudho Homenauth as the CEO of NAREI (National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute). When Dr Chesney was appointed as the Chairman of the Board in June this year, the plan was to have him replace Dr Homenauth as the CEO. The Minister himself was hopeful that the Board will make the move to replace Dr Homenauth and save the Minister from dirtying his hands. Dr Chesney's job was to conduct a witch-hunt to drive Dr Homenauth away. The Board rebelled and this nasty plan backfired to the extent that the Agriculture Minister had to ask Dr Chesney to vacate the position of Chairman of the NAREI Board. Dr Homenauth has survived an ugly plan, for now. But the unfortunate truth is that he does not have the card that could guarantee his job. He is not one of Minister Lawrence's "PNC people".

We must stand up, in spite of the fear of this Government, stand up against the blatant discrimination practiced every day, stand up for the values of our country. Today, to their everlasting shame, rather than retreat from the obnoxious admission of Volda Lawrence that their priority and mission is to ensure jobs for PNC people, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change has become even more aggressive in implementing the old, reprehensible policy of only PNC cardcarrying members for jobs. Let us lift our voices in rebellion.

ommissioner of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), Trevor Benn, at the Commission’s annual end-of-year press briefing on Monday said plans are in place to begin remapping the country. According to Benn, the last time Guyana was mapped was in the late 1960s.

“We will begin work on this, this year, starting with Region One. This is coming at a cost of over $200 million,” he told media operatives.

Additionally, Benn said the Commission has received estimates for the overall remapping of the country.

According to him, estimates from international suppliers

Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Trevor Benn

have been received and range from “£20 million (GY$5,277,906,928.82) to US$79 million (GY$16,509,420,000)”.

The Commissioner said the importance of good base

maps and generally updated maps cannot be overstated.

He highlighted that work has commenced on the development of the land parcel database for Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam),

Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) with the expectation that this will be taken “across the rest of the regions in the coming years.”

“This is an important aspect in the management of all lands in Guyana since ultimately, a completed land information system enables the generation of accurate and important land statistics,” Benn explained.

He added that this would aid data-driven development decisions and increase the efficiency in land management. The land parcel database involves geo-referencing of survey plans to determine which areas have been surveyed, which have not and which are vacant.

Only 50% loan applications for small businesses approved by banks

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SBB CEO Dr Lowell Porter (centre) and staff at a press conference on Tuesday

espite having less than half per cent delinquency in loan payments by small businesses, Chief Executive Officer of the Small Business Bureau, Dr Lowell Porter lamented that a significant amount of loan applications are rejected.

“Small Business Bureau does not lend any money, we do not have a lending programme so all loans are done by the banks and there’re only two commercial banks in Guyana that support the programme; and those banks are the ones who have the final decisions on who gets the loan and how much they get”, he added.

Further, he added that the bureau prepares the clients and ensures that they meet with the banks. “But the rejection rate, however, is also very high [with] only about 50 per cent of our loans are approved [by the banks]. So here again is something for us – all of us to start thinking… Why does that happen, why aren’t [the banks] more interested in lending money to businesses so that that rejection rate can go down?”

Dr Porter asked during a press conference on Tuesday at the Bureau’s Head office.

The two commercial banks currently on board the Bureau’s programme are Republic Bank Limited (RBL) and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI).

According to the CEO, they had approached the other banks to join the programme but have been unsuccessful thus far.

“Some banks said they’re not interested in working with clients who are less than two years old…

Some of them said straight out ‘we’re not interested in working with Government’.

These are private institutions so they have to report to their shareholders. They want to make a profit and if they don’t feel this is a good fit, they don’t take it and that’s their prerogative,” asserted the Bureau’s CEO. Nevertheless, Dr Porter said that the Bureau will continue to work with its clients to ensure that they maintain the half per cent delinquency rate on loans.

“We screen our clients, we try to make sure they have everything in line, and we continue that relationship with them. I believe that is important because we know when they’re gonna fall short and they even tell us and we try to see

ways we can work around it so that we can keep them in the paying mode. We want them to service their loans, we want them to be successful,” the CEO posited.

Currently, the Small Business Bureau has approximately $1 billion in loans that have been approved for clients since 2014 that it is standing in as guarantor for. In fact, it was disclosed that for 2018, the Bureau stood as guarantor for a total of 66 loans - an increase from its initial target of 55.

However, he noted that the total of dispersed loans was set at 75 but only 68 have been completed thus far. This, he explained, can be attributed to the banks’ discretion in approving the loans, which is not guaranteed even if they do their part in preparing the clients.

Nevertheless, in reflecting on the Bureau’s performance over the past year, the CEO posited that the surplus trend continued in other areas including grants offered. According to Dr Porter, SBB dispersed 165 grants as of October 31, exceeding its target of 127.

It was further outlined that the training target this year was 770 but 916 were

recorded; similarly, jobs created and sustained by the Bureau was set at 275 but surpassed it, and instead created 345. The awareness campaign also showed a similar performance, benefiting some 2,747 persons when its target was 2,500.

On the other hand, outlining that most businesses tend to fail within first two years of establishment, the Bureau’s CEO posited that a survey carried out this year of its database, which has over 10,000 clients, showed that those businesses which started within the past five years and benefited from programmes offered by SBB – whether training or financial – amounted to about 78 per cent of clients that are still in business. This, he stated is a record number.

To this end, Dr Porter assured that the SBB will continue to offer programmes to benefit its clients moving forward in 2019 and also come up with new initiatives to not only sustain and expand small businesses but also encourage new ventures. One such programme he mentioned is a pilot project launched in schools to foster entrepreneurs. According to the SBB CEO, the project has been successful thus far.

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, december 19, 2018

Regional

Brazil’s Bolsonaro says he will target Venezuela, Cuba

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razil’s far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro said on Tuesday that he would take all action “within the rule of law and democracy” to oppose the Governments of Venezuela and Cuba.

Bolsonaro, who takes power on January 1, is a fervent anti-communist who has praised his country’s 1964-1985 military regime. He frequently targets Venezuela and Cuba for verbal attacks, a drastic change from Brazil’s Governments under the leftist Workers Party that ruled from 2003 to 2016 and had warm relations with those regimes.

Brazil’s incoming president did not provide any details during the Facebook live video when he made his most recent comments on

Venezuela and Cuba.

The United States is counting on Brazil under Bolsonaro to be a strategic ally.

In late November, US President Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser John Bolton met Bolsonaro in his Rio de Janeiro home to help cement ties.

Bolton said Bolsonaro’s election was a “historic opportunity” for Brazil and the United States to work together on security, economics and other issues.

Bolton hailed Bolsonaro’s election as a positive sign that Brazil would support US pressure on Venezuela’s left-wing Government of Nicolás Maduro, which he describes as part of “the troika of tyranny” in the Americas, alongside Cuba and Nicaragua. (Reuters)

Brazil’s President-elect Jair Bolsonaro leaves the transition government building in Brasilia, Brazil, December 11, 2018 (Reuters/ Adriano Machado)

Sandals Resorts denies claims of coverup of sexual assaults on guests

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amaica-based luxury resort operator, Sandals Resorts, is denying allegations that it is covering up sexual assaults at its hotels.

“Recent allegations of cover-ups by our organisation are false and are gross misrepresentations of not only the facts but who we are and what we stand for as a leader in the industry,” it insisted in a statement on Monday.

The Butch Stewart-

founded company that boasts of leading the industry with the highest guest return rate of any resort company in the western hemisphere – which it says is partly as a result of “the safe and enjoyable environment that we have provided for over three decades” – is defending itself on the heels of allegations that it has been trying to silence tourists’ claims of sexual assault.

Some of the allegations

were made in a report aired Monday on US-based ABC Network, in which makeup artist Melissa Blayton alleged that when she was a guest at a Sandals property in Ocho Rios, Jamaica last year, one of the hotel’s employees sexually assaulted her during a solo sailing lesson. Couple Jeff and Ashley Pascarella also claimed that when they went to Sandals Royal Bahamian to get married in 2016, the butler assigned

to them sexually assaulted the bride the night before their wedding.

In both cases, the alleged victims said they were asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

Blayton was given a voucher for future stay, which she has not used. In the case of the Pascarellas, they refused to sign the NDA to get the refund they were offered, and are instead suing Sandals for US$30 million.

Central America to get billions in US aid to curb migration

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he United States is committing billions of dollars toward development in Central America and Mexico, as part of a plan to strengthen economic growth in the region and curb illegal immigration, the US and Mexican Governments said on Tuesday.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has been seeking to persuade US counterpart Donald Trump to work with Mexico to develop Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, as well as Mexico’s poorer south to stem the flow of migrants.

However, Trump’s threats to slash aid to the region if illegal immigration was not contained have persistently raised doubts about how much the United States would stump up.

Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said the United States is committing US$5.8 billion toward development

in Central America. It is also increasing public and private investment in Mexico by US$4.8 billion via the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), US$2 billion of which would go to the south.

Speaking as the US State Department issued a statement setting out the commitments, Ebrard said that the Mexican Government had pledged to find US$25 billion to develop the south of the country during the next five years.

“The agreements established here mean more than doubling the foreign investment in the south of Mexico from 2019,” the minister told a news conference in Mexico City.

It was not immediately clear how much of the investment announced represented new funding. A spokesman for Ebrard told Reuters he understood that US$2.5 billion of the pledges to develop Central America were fresh commitments.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

People smugglers arrested in several Latin American countries

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Court drops charge against former model accused of insulting Vincentian Finance Minister’s wife

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former model who had been accused of using insulting language to the wife of Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves, walked out of court on Monday without that charge hanging over her head.

Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett dismissed the case against 23-year-old Yugge Farrell for want of prosecution.

Farrell was charged in January this year with committing the offence against Karen Duncan-Gonsalves, calling her “a dirty b****”.

She was initially remanded to the Mental Health Centre for observation for one month, before being released on bail until Monday.

Yugge Farrell left court without the burden of the almost oneyear-old charge (Photo credit: iWitness News)

When she appeared in the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, dressed in all black, the court was told that the prosecution was withdrawing the charge against her. But her lawyer, Grant Connell noted that there had been no disclosure in the matter and expressed concern that the prosecution was leaving the door open to prosecuting his client again.

Farrell had claimed to have had an affair with Gonsalves, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves’ son, for about a year. But the Finance Minister has not spoken publicly on the alleged extramarital affair.

(Caribbean360)

T&T: 3 killed during Police shootout

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rison escapee 26-year-old Teddy Singh, along with two other men, was killed after a shootout with Police early Tuesday morning.

Around 05:00h, Arima CID Police responded to reports of a home invasion at Maturita when they saw three men exiting the house. The Police said

they were fired upon by the men, and returned fire shooting one man in the knee, while two escaped.

They later found the men, accompanied by another man, in the forest near Dump Road, Arima. There was another shootout and the three men, including Singh, were killed.

They are believed to be responsible for a series of crimes between Monday night and Tuesday morning in Arima, including breaking and entering, chopping and sexual assault.

Singh escaped from custody at the Arima Magistrate’s Court in May. (Newsday)

Migrants run after crossing the Mexico-US border fence in Tijuana, Mexico

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crackdown on migrant smuggling networks across the Americas has resulted in 49 arrests.

The operation was coordinated by Interpol which said organised crime networks were helping to smuggle South Asian migrants into the United States.

Nearly US$2 million has been recovered during anti-smuggling operations across 11 countries, Interpol says.

The arrests come amid rising tensions over US immigration policy along its southern border.

They also highlight how the US-Mexico frontier is still a major entry point for illegal immigration from outside the continent.

Interpol's four-day Operation Andes was coordinated across nearly a dozen countries in South

America and the Caribbean, including Brazil and the Dominican Republic.

Migrants from India, Nepal and Bangladesh were reportedly paying between US$15,000 and US$30,000 for each journey into the United States.

Chilean authorities also found Bangladeshi migrants trying to obtain temporary visas by posing as crew members of a shipping company with the help of smugglers.

Interpol says 22 African and Haitian migrants were also rescued in Nicaragua after being "left to their fate in the mountains" by smugglers.

"With another 13 investigations opened across the region, what we are seeing is just the tip of the iceberg," said the agency's Secretary General, Jürgen Stock. (BBC

News)

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wednesdAY, december 19, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Judge blasts Trump ex-adviser Flynn, delays sentencing in Mueller case

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US judge fiercely criticised President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn on Tuesday for lying to FBI agents, and delayed sentencing to ensure Flynn cooperates fully with an investigation into possible collusion between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia.

During the sentencing hearing, US District Judge Emmet Sullivan told the retired lieutenant general that he “arguably” had sold out his country. Flynn pleaded guilty in December 2017 to lying to FBI agents about his conversations with Sergei Kislyak, Russian ambassador in Washington at the time.

Special Counsel Robert

Former national security adviser Michael Flynn arrives for the sentencing hearing at the US District Court in Washington

Mueller, leading the investigation, had asked the judge not to sentence Flynn to prison because Flynn already had provided “substantial” cooperation to prosecutors over the course

of many interviews.

But Sullivan told Flynn his behaviour was abhorrent, noting that Flynn had also lied to White House officials, who in turn lied to the public.

“Arguably, you sold your country out,” Sullivan said.

“I’m not hiding my disgust, my disdain for this criminal offence.”

The judge also noted that Flynn was operating as an undeclared lobbyist for Turkey even as he worked on Trump’s election team and prepared to be his national security adviser. He appeared ready to sentence Flynn to prison but then gave him the option of a delay in his sentencing so that he could fully cooperate with any pending investigations.

Flynn accepted that offer.

Prosecutors said Flynn had already provided most of the cooperation that he could, but it was possible he might be able to help investigators further. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Trump Foundation to shut down amid lawsuit

U

S President Donald Trump's namesake charitable foundation has agreed to dissolve under court supervision following a lawsuit by New York's Attorney General claiming Trump misused the foundation to advance his 2016 presidential campaign and his businesses, the attorney general said on Tuesday.

New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood, a Democrat, said the Donald J Trump Foundation's assets will be distributed to charities vetted by her office. The deal is subject to approval by a New York state judge.

Underwood sued Trump and his adult children Donald Jr, Eric and Ivanka

on June 14, after a 21-month probe that she said uncovered "extensive unlawful political coordination" between the foundation and Trump's campaign. That lawsuit will continue, with Underwood seeking US$2.8 million in restitution and a 10-year ban on Trump and his three eldest children running any charities.

"This is an important victory for the rule of law, making clear that there is one set of rules for everyone," Underwood said in a statement. "We'll continue to move our suit forward to ensure that the Trump Foundation and its directors are held to account for their clear and repeated violations of state and federal law."

A lawsuit against Trump and his adult children will continue, with the New York Attorney General seeking US$2.8 million in restitution and a 10-year ban on Trump and his three eldest children running any charities

Tuesday's decision came less than a month after Justice Saliann Scarpulla of the New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan rejected Trump's motion to dismiss Underwood's lawsuit.

The motion had argued

that the US Constitution immunised Trump from Underwood's claims alleging breach of fiduciary duty, improper self-dealing and misuse of assets belonging to the Foundation. (Excerpt from Al

"Very pregnant" UK Duchess Meghan makes Christmas trip to care home

Meghan, 37, who is expecting her first child with husband Prince Harry next spring

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eghan Markle, Britain’s Duchess of Sussex, joked she was feeling “very pregnant” as she carried out a solo official engagement on Tuesday, a day after her father had made headlines by pleading with her to get in touch with him.

Meghan, 37, who is expecting her first child with husband Prince Harry next spring, joined in Christmas celebrations at a nursing and care home for those who had worked in the entertainment industry.

Asked by one of the residents how she was feeling, she replied “very good”, before rubbing her baby bump and saying “I’m very pregnant today”.

On Monday, her father Thomas Markle directly appealed on television to Queen Elizabeth to intercede and end his estrangement from

his daughter whom he has not seen since her wedding in May to Harry, Elizabeth’s grandson.

The publicity did not appear to have affected Meghan who seemed cheerful as she met residents at Brinsworth House, owned by the Royal Variety Charity which helps retired entertainers and has the queen as a patron.

Meghan, who was an actress herself and attended the annual Royal Variety performance last month with Harry, joined residents as they made festive decorations and were entertained with Christmas songs.

The visit is Meghan’s last official engagement before she and Harry, 34, join the other senior royals to spend Christmas with the queen at her Sandringham country residence in eastern England. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Nigeria's presidency expresses "concern" Brexit: Cabinet 'ramps up' no-deal planning over Amnesty activities

T

he cabinet has decided to "ramp up" preparations for a nodeal Brexit amid uncertainty over the fate of Theresa May's proposed EU exit deal.

It has approved £2B to help if the PM's deal is rejected and the UK leaves on 29 March without an overall deal.

Letters will be sent to 140,000 firms updating them on what they should do while 3,500 troops will

be put on standby to help Government departments.

Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable said it amounted to "psychological warfare".

With 101 days left until Brexit and many MPs still opposed to the Government's withdrawal agreement, which MPs will vote on in mid-January, Ministers met for a longer-than-normal two and a half hour meeting.

They agreed that businesses should activate their own 'no deal' contingency

plans, as they think appropriate.

Updated Revenue and Customs information packs will be sent to firms later this week, setting out what changes could be needed at the border.

Consumers are being advised to familiarise themselves with advice published this summer, in areas ranging from booking flights to using credit cards, with more details promised in the coming weeks.

Jazeera)

Separately, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has told MPs that 3,500 military personnel, including logisticians and engineers as well as infantry units, were ready to be deployed if needed.

About 10 per cent of the force would be reservists who will receive their call up papers in the middle of January so that if needed they would be ready in March. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Deadly pesticide found in temple food that killed 15 in India

A

toxic pesticide that a UN agency asked India to ban a decade ago contaminated food that killed at least 15 people at a temple last week, police said on Tuesday.

More than 100 others were hospitalised after devotees consumed portions of tomato rice blessed at the

Hindu temple in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.

Laboratory tests showed the presence of monocrotophos - a pesticide that attacks the nervous system - in food and vomit samples.

"We are trying to find out how the food got contaminated and not ruling out foul play. We have detained a few

people and are inquiring further," said Chamrajnagar district police superintendent Dharmender Kumar Meena, without specifying the number of arrests.

The same pesticide was responsible for the death of 23 schoolchildren in the eastern state of Bihar in 2013, one of India's worst mass poi-

sonings.

That was caused by cooking oil kept in a container previously used to store monocrotophos.

According to the World Health Organization, swallowing just 120 milligrams of monocrotophos - the weight of about five grains of rice - can be fatal. (Al Jazeera)

N

igeria is "concerned" about Amnesty International's activities in the central African country, a spokesperson for President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu has said, just days after the Government briefly banned UNICEF over claims it was training "spies" sympathetic to Boko Haram.

"The federal Government is increasingly concerned about the role that Amnesty International is playing in the war against terror in Nigeria," Shehu said in a statement on Monday, adding that "The organisation's operations in Nigeria seem geared towards damaging the morale of the Nigerian military."

"It often appears as if the Nigerian Government is fighting two wars on terror: against Boko Haram and against Amnesty International."

Isa Sanusi, a spokesper-

son for Amnesty in Nigeria, sent Al Jazeera a statement, saying the aid group would continue its efforts.

"We believe these threats from the Nigerian army are just a way of diverting attention from the real issues: the issue of failure of Nigerian Government to protect the lives of Nigerians, which lead to the murder of almost 4,000 people in the last three years," the statement read.

"Whenever we are launching a report, they will come up with allegations to divert attention from the real issues. They did exactly this in May a day before we launched our report on sexual violence against Internally Displaced Persons in northeast Nigeria. We are all Nigerians and we remain here to protect the rights of Nigerians," the statement added. (Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesdAY, december 19, 2018

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Count your money before you decide to spend it.

Sticking to a budget will help you enjoy the spirit of the season without the worry and stress. Love doesn’t have a price tag.

Feel the spirit of the season and get gussied up. If you look your best and add a little bling to your everyday style, it will make you feel good.

You’ll be easily enticed into overdoing it. Whether it’s taking on too much or being a spendthrift, it will not bring you the joy you hoped for. Stick to moderate behavior.

Put time aside for someone you love. Making special plans, enjoying a romantic evening and sprucing up your looks will all lead to a unique experience. An early gift will surprise you.

Don’t let your emotions take the reins. If you make a fuss, your plans will backfire. You are best off partying with friends or picking up an impromptu surprise for someone.

Problems will mount if you let a situation escalate.

Address any issue that arises and avoid a run-in that could ruin your day. Be considerate, but don’t be someone’s doormat.

A celebration is a great LIBRA (Sept. 23- idea, as long as you don’t Oct. 23) overdo it or invite co-workers. Try to avoid being talked about.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — MERCIES (MERCIES: MER-seez: Acts of kindness or compassion.)

SUDOKU

Average mark 16 words Time limit 25 minutes Can you find 21 or more words in MERCIES? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — CHILBLAINS cabin call cash chain challis chili chill chin china cilia clan clash hail hall hill ibis

inch laic lain lash lilac bail ball banish bash basic basil basin bias bill blah blain

blanch alibi nail sahib sail salic scab scan shall shill shin silica sill slab slain snail

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Touch base with people you may not get to see before the end of the year.

Sharing ideas will lead to an interesting thought regarding how you can please a loved one.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Be reasonable when engaging in festivities or offering your services to others.

It’s important to put your time and effort where they will count most. Put family first.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Home is where your heart should be. Doing things with loved ones and agreeably taking part in family-oriented activities will make you feel good about life.

solution for LAST PUBLISHED puzzle AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Be kind, humble and gracious, even when dealing with people you don’t care for. Use intelligence and charm to put others at ease.

Collect an old debt or pay back someone you owe.

Compromise will help make this a day to be fondly remembered. Stick to the truth and practice moderation.

wednesdAY, december 19, 2018

19

Lyon, Starc blow away lower order to level series A

ustralia made quick work of breaking India's lower-order resistance - a meek, thin, inexperienced resistance to level the series at 1-1 before lunch on the fifth day. It was their first win since the Newlands episode in March, and Tim Paine's first as captain.

Having broken the overnight partnership inside six overs with Hanuma Vihari's wicket, Australia swiftly ran through India's long tail, albeit with some intimidation thrown in against the tailenders. Mitchell Starc

was especially fiery, going relentlessly at Umesh Yadav and co., and taking two wickets on the morning.

Nathan Lyon was crafty as ever at the other end, and snared Rishabh Pant to end India's chances inside an hour.

The odds weren't in India's favour to start with: since the start of 2014, only six teams had chased 200 or more in 124 attempts, and overall, India had gone past 287 - the target - only twice in a successful chase. With a sixth-wicket pair that had fewer than 10 Tests' expe-

SCOREBOARD

Australia – 326 & 243 India 1st Innings - 283 India 2nd Innings (target: 287 runs) KL Rahul b Starc 0 M Vijay b Lyon 20 CA Pujara c †Paine b Hazlewood 4 V Kohli (c) c Khawaja b Lyon 17 AM Rahane c Head b Hazlewood 30 GH Vihari c Harris b Starc 28 RR Pant † c Handscomb b Lyon 30 UT Yadav c & b Starc 2 I Sharma c †Paine b Cummins 0

M Shami not out 0 JJ Bumrah c & b Cummins 0 Extras (b 6, w 3) 9 TOTAL (56 Overs, RR: 2.5) 140 all out Fall of wickets: 1-0 (KL Rahul, 0.4 ov), 2-13 (CA Pujara, 3.5 ov), 3-48 (V Kohli, 19.1 ov), 4-55 (M Vijay, 21.5 ov), 5-98 (AM Rahane, 34.5 ov), 6-119 (GH Vihari, 46.6 ov), 7-137 (RR Pant, 53.4 ov), 8-139 (UT Yadav, 54.6 ov), 9-140 (I Sharma, 55.3 ov), 10-140 (JJ Bumrah, 55.6 ov) BOWLING: MA Starc (17-346-3), JR Hazlewood (11-324-2), PJ Cummins (9-0-25-2), NM Lyon (19-3-39-3)

rience between them, and a lack of any allrounders No. 8 onwards, it didn't look likely India would come close.

For what it was worth, Vihari looked compact in the first half hour of play, getting behind the line solidly against Starc, and using his wrists to pick up singles both in front of and behind the wicket against Lyon.

But Perth's extra bounce persisted on the final day

Man City beat Leicester on penalties to reach semifinal

vance to the last four, while Arsenal face rivals Tottenham and Chelsea host Bournemouth in Wednesday's remaining quarter-finals.

Guardiola showed how seriously he is taking the competition by selecting a team blending experience and youth, with the likes of Sergio Aguero, De Bruyne and Kyle Walker starting alongside youngsters Phil Raheem Sterling chipped his penalty over Danny Ward's bar, but his Foden, Eric Garcia and side still progressed Brahim Diaz. olders Manchester City edged But despite their unusual team the through to the Carabao Cup semi-fiPremier League champions lost none of nals by beating Leicester City 3-1 on their trademark slick passing as they domipenalties after a 1-1 draw at the King Power nated large periods of the game and enjoyed Stadium.

66% possession.

A poor quality shootout saw the home Leicester manager Claude Puel made side miss three penalties while a dinked efchanges himself - including leaving out fort went wrong for Raheem Sterling before Jamie Vardy - but Demarai Gray went close Oleksandr Zinchenko stepped up to emphatwhen he had a low shot tipped away by ically thump the decisive kick into the top City's stand-in goalkeeper Arijanet Muric. corner to take his side through.

James Maddison came off the bench in Pep Guardiola's side took the lead in the the second half but it was fellow substifirst half through Kevin de Bruyne's first tute Albrighton who grabbed the equaliser, goal of the season - a sweet, low drive into latching on to Wilfred Ndidi's ball over the the bottom corner. top to smash home.

Leicester were poor in the first half but With no extra-time in the competition regrouped at half-time and levelled the conthe tie went straight to penalties and after test through Marc Albrighton's well-struck Christian Fuchs lashed over, Maddison and effort before crumbling in the shootout.

Caglar Soyuncu both had poor efforts saved League One side Burton shocked the

by Muric. (BBC Sport) Championship's Middlesbrough to ad-

and Starc's pace was sufficient to make Vihari's inside-edge carry to square leg off the pad.

From there, it was upto Pant to bat with a lower order that has normally had at least one of R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar to help him out during his short career. In the absence of all three, Pant couldn't keep his innings going for

long enough.

And Australia weren't going to make it easy. The field placements were telling of Pant's skillset, and how Australia had figured him out. For Starc, Australia had three fielders behind square on the off side against Pant - a deep point, a deep third man, and a fly slip.

For a batsman who feasts on the front foot against bowlers on low pitches, this

strategy seemed particularly stifling. Pant's propensity to slash rather than drive didn't help either, and for most of the early period after Vihari's dismissal, a lot of his shots were either skewed or off the leading edge.

When he made occasional brute connection against Lyon, the field was spread out enough for it not to be damaging to them. They were giving nothing away to a thin, nervous lower order.

They weren't even letting them stand easy. Umesh was in Starc's crosshairs, copping at least two bouncers on the body, and being put on his backside trying to slash at another. In the middle of this barrage, he saw Lyon beat Pant in flight to have him caught superbly

by Handscomb at midwicket, and after a cursed 23-ball stay, Umesh ended up fending a bouncer straight back to Starc.

Pat Cummins was then handed the ball for one last volley of bouncers. He managed to get Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah with them, and in the space of four balls, India fell to their sixth consecutive away defeat in a chase this year.

(ESPNcricinfo)

Messi wins record 5th Golden Shoe award

H

Lionel Messi has won the Golden Shoe award five times (2009-10, 2010-11, 2012-13, 2016-17, 2017-18)

B

arcelona forward Lionel Messi says he "never imagined having so much success" after being presented with a record fifth European Golden Shoe award.

The Argentine scored 34 goals in 36 La Liga appearances in 2017-18, making him the highest goalscorer in Europe ahead of Liverpool's Mohamed Salah

(32).

Messi's latest Golden Shoe award moves him one ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won four in total.

"The truth is I had no idea this would happen when I started," said Messi.

"I dreamt of playing professional football and enjoying success, I love the game, but I never imagined I would have so much."

Tottenham's Harry Kane finished third in the rankings with 30 Premier League goals, while former Real Madrid forward Ronaldo now at Juventus - ended the season with 26 goals in 27 league matches.

Messi currently leads Europe's goalscoring charts once again, with 14 goals so far this term, as he targets a sixth Golden Shoe award.

(BBC Sport)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesdAY, december 19, 2018

BCB/Ivan Madray Memorial 100 Balls Cricket Tournament…

Young Warriors Cricket Club advance to final

Suresh Dhanai grabbed 2-9 (Brandon Corlette photo)

– Rose Hall Town, Tucber Park clash in lone semi-final

Y

oung Warriors Cricket Club on Sunday last advanced to their third successive First-Division final after making a return to the level earlier this year.

They easily defeated Albion Community Centre Cricket Club in the second round, to draw the bye into the final of the Ivan Madray 100 Balls Tournament, which is sponsored by the Madray and Chintamani families in memory of the late West Indies Test player, the third Berbician and member of the historic Port Mourant Cricket Club to play Test Cricket.

Powerhouse Rose Hall

Town Gizmos & Gadgets crushed Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club by nine wickets to advance to the lone semi-final in a much-anticipated clash against Tucber Park Cricket Club.

At the historic Albion Ground, Young Warriors Cricket Club struggled to score quickly against the home team’s all-spin bowling attack. They lost national youth opener Alex Algoo bowled by left-arm spinner Gourav Ramesh for 12 while fellow opener Vishal Mohabir was bowled by off-spinner Mahendra Chaitnarine for 5.

Young Warriors Cricket Club were eventually bowled out for 93 from 98 balls, with former Guyana Under-19 all-rounder Linden Austin, Mortimer Fraser and Ishwar Singh being the principal scorers. Bowling for Albion Community Centre, Beesham Surujnarine and Sharaz Ramcharran both took two wickets in an impressive bowling and fielding display.

In reply, Albion were in deep trouble, as left-arm medium pacer Devindra Ramoutar claimed two wickets in two balls and then dismissed a careless Kandasammy Surujnarine as they slipped to 14 for 4. They never recovered and were eventually dismissed for 67 from 13.5 overs with only Surujnarine and Devendra Latchman (22) reaching double figures. Ramoutar claimed dream figures of 5-9 and with fellow medium pacer Suresh Dhanai (2 for 9) were the impressive bowlers for the visitors.

In the second match at the venue, Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club were bundled out for 48 as Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets continued to dominate FirstDivision cricket in Berbice. All the Rose Hall Canje batsmen failed to reach double

Thorne for 11. Junior Sinclair (18 not out) and Vidal Crandon (13 not out) then led their team to an easy nine-wicket victory as they ended on 50 for 1 from 42 balls.

The lone semi-final and the final will be played on Sunday, December 23, 2018, at the Port Mourant Ground. Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets and Tucber Park Cricket Club will clash at 09:30h, with the winner facing Young Warriors Cricket Club in the final from 13:30h.

Devindra Ramoutar snatched 5-9 Keith Simpson took 4-7 (Brandon Corlette photo)

figures as left-arm spinner Keith Simpson claimed 4 for 7 and received support from off-spinners Junior Sinclair (2-8) and Eon Hooper (2-8). Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets lost opener Kevin Sinclair caught at extra cover off the bowling of impressive Guyana Under-15 fast bowler Isaiah

Mourinho sacked by Manchester United M

anchester United have sacked manager Jose Mourinho after identifying a catalogue of his failings at the club.

The Portuguese, 55, took over in May 2016 and led United to League Cup and Europa League titles, but they are 19 points behind league leaders Liverpool.

The club have made a change after no progress with results or style despite spending nearly £400m on 11 players.

They also say the new manager will understand the philosophy of the club, including their attacking tradition.

It is understood players and staff are not happy after a disappointing and unsettling period during which young players were not developed.

United are sixth in the Premier League, but closer to the relegation zone than leaders Liverpool, who beat them 3-1 on Sunday.

The decision to sack Mourinho, which will cost more than £18m, has been taken in the long-term in-

terests of United with a view that the club is bigger than any one individual.

Mourinho is understood to have wanted his own structure, but the new manager will be appointed with a head of football above him reporting to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

A United statement said: "A caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the season while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a

new, full-time manager.

"The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester United and to wish him success in the future."

The club hope to appoint a caretaker manager before they face Cardiff City on 22 December but it will not be assistant manager Michael Carrick or academy boss Nicky Butt.

The candidate will be drawn from outside the club, but will not be for-

mer Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

A familiar conclusion to a rocky season

United's haul of 26 points after their first 17 Premier League games is their worst tally at this stage of a season since 1990-91.

They are 11 points off the top four, which would earn a Champions League qualification place.

The sacking of Mourinho, who replaced

Louis van Gaal in May 2016 and signed a contract extension in January, comes after a fall-out with £89m record signing Paul Pogba, who was an unused substitute for the defeat at Anfield on Sunday.

Following a 1-1 draw with Wolves, Pogba said he wanted United to be able to "attack, attack, attack" at home, which led Mourinho to say the France midfielder would no longer be the club's "second captain".

After Mourinho was sacked, a post which said "caption this", along with a knowing expression on Pogba's face, appeared on his Twitter account before being deleted.

Former United captain Gary Neville replied: "You do one as well!"

United later claimed it was a "scheduled marketing post" by Pogba's sponsors Adidas.

Mourinho's third season did not begin well after missing out on key transfer targets in the summer, and two defeats in the first three league games to Tottenham at home and Brighton away - meant his

side were playing catch-up with the leading teams.

By October, there were reports Mourinho might be sacked prior to the home game against Newcastle, but after the team trailed 2-0, they turned it around to win 3-2 and seemingly buy the former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid boss more time.

Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes attempted to calm matters earlier this month by taking the step of issuing a statement to say his client was "very happy" and "fully committed" to the club.

Despite reaching the Champions League last 16, where United will play Paris St-Germain, they have won just one of their past six games in the Premier League.

Mourinho's dismissal continues his run of having never completed four consecutive seasons in charge of a club.

Only once has he made it into a fourth campaign, but he left Chelsea on 20 September 2007 during his first spell at Stamford Bridge. (BBC Sport)

CLASSIFIED BCB/Ramnaresh Sarwan Under-17 cricket…

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sports

21

Caesar, Ramsammy

lead Tucber Park to victory W

ith the closure of school, exciting cricket continues. The 30th tournament in Berbice bowled off when Mount Sinai and Tucber Park clashed.

Opting to bat first in hot conditions, Tucber Park Cricket Club scored a decent total – 273 all out in 49.4 overs.

Guyana Under-15 opening wicketkeeper-batsman Tomani Caesar stroked a breath-taking 83. His Guyana Under-15 Captain, Zeynul Ramsammy stroked his way to an attractive 43 as he showcased mature batting at a tender age.

Batting in the middle order, Ramsammy was rock solid and build a solid partnership with the attacking Caesar. After the National Under-15 duo were dismissed for good knocks, Ravishkar Sobahi scored 21, while right-hander Justin Meghu hit 25. Kevin Kisten scored a quick-fire 18, to polish off a brilliant Tucber Park batting performance.

In reply, Mount Sinai looked out of sorts, and were bundled out for 43 in 16.4 overs. Berbice Under-17 off-spinner Abdul Ramsammy, the brother of Zeynul, spun webs around the Mount Sinai batsmen. Abdul had dream figures of 5-6 and was supported by Nicquan Samuels, who took 2-11. C Arokium and K Kristen took one wicket each in a dominant bowling performance.

In the other matches, Achievers defeated D’Edward, Port Mourant defeated Albion A, Rose Hall Town A defeated Albion B at Hampshire, Edinburgh defeated Kendall Union at Kendall Union, and Blairmont A defeated Blairmont B at D’Edward.

The highlights of the first round were a sensational 243 by Blairmont’s Farook Subhan and 111 not out by Jai Tika of Rose Hall Town Bakewell. The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) will select a squad of 26 and the players will gain selection for Berbice Under-17 trials early in 2019.

Abdul Ramsammy grabbed five wickets; Tomani Caesar scored 83

Cricket in Caribbean will suffer till somebody does the right things, says Phil Simmons

F

ormer West Indies opener Phil Simmons Thursday said cricket in his native will continue to suffer till “somebody decides to do the right things”, expressing sadness at a time when his country of employment, Afghanistan, is making rapid strides in the sport.

On the West Indies team’s struggles over the years and the crushing innings loss to Bangladesh in a Test recently, he said it was depressing.

“I can imagine how depressing it must be for the Clive Lloyds, Viv Richards’ and Sir Gary Sobers of this world. It is depressing for all of us. “Until somebody decides to do the right things where cricket is concerned, it is going to stay like that for a while,” he said.

The Afghanistan coach lauded India’s victory in the first Test against Australia and expected the team to maintain the momentum at Perth.

“Brilliant performance

by India in Adelaide. They have put down a marker saying that we are here to win the series. I think Pujara was exceptional in that first innings and he kept India in the match,” Simmons said.

India defeated Australia by 31 runs to take a 1-0 led in the four-match series.

“India has good fast bowlers too, it is not just Ashwin and Kuldeep. Bumrah, Shami, Ishant, Umesh Yadav can

bowl well on bouncy wickets too and it is something that Australia should be wary of at Perth,” Simmons, who is here with the Afghanistan team for a training camp, told PTI. The Afghan players are training at the Centre for Sports Sciences (CSS) premises at Sri Ramachandra University. The camp would conclude on December 15.

Asked to pick a favourite for the 50-overs World Cup in England next year, the former Caribbean batsman said England would have to be one because of the way the team was playing.

“England will be high

u

p

there. It will be because of the way they are playing and also the conditions. Given their form and the make-up of their team, you have to say England,” he added.

About Afghanistan team’s preparations for the World Cup, Simmons said it had started with the camp in Chennai.

“Preparations for the World Cup have just started and it has started well. The series against Ireland in February and March will give us a better idea as to where we

stand.

“We still have a lot of work to do in the next three months so when May comes we can be as sharp as we can hope to be. We have started well. Hopefully everything will get better as we move along,” the Afghan coach said.

On whether he had an idea of the squad that would be travelling to England, Simmons said the series against Ireland would be an indicator in that regard.

“Once we start whittling down our

squad, we will know who are the 18 who will make it to the tournament.

By the end of February-March, when we play the ODI series against Ireland, we can know.”

To a query as to whether the team was too dependent on star leg-spinner Rashid Khan, he said that was not the case.

“I don’t know where that concern comes from. In the Asia Cup recently, it wasn’t just Rashid Khan who took wickets. Lot of guys got wickets too. I’m not too worried. People are of the opinion that he is the only one who can win games. As long as the team doesn’t think that way, we are fine.” Afghanistan, who made their entry into Test cricket with a comprehensive defeat to India in Bengaluru earlier this year, need to get better at playing the longer format, he said.

“We need to get better at playing the longer format of the game as we haven’t played much over the years. Most of the players have been exp o s e d to the whiteball format. “As with every team before, they struggled at the beginning because you have to learn how to adapt. That’s the same with this team.

They have to learn how to play for five days. It is a learning process.”

(Hindustantimes)

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesdAY, december 18, 2018

Minister Norton GFF-ExxonMobil

meets UG officials

– efforts begin to improve sports at institution

Social Cohesion Minister with responsibility for culture, youth and sport, Dr George Norton (left) receiving some tokens from UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith

S

ocial Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton on Monday met with the Vice Chancellor and other officials of the University of Guyana (UG) to discuss the advancement of the Sports Programme at the tertiary institution.

The meeting, which was held at the office of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, also received input from Director of Sport, Christopher Jones and UG’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Philanthropy, Alumni

and Civic Engagement, Dr Paloma Mohamed.

Birthed from the auspicious meeting was the formation of a working group tasked with addressing the most immediate sports challenges faced by the University.

Minister Norton, who also holds responsibility for culture, youth and sport, expressed concern that young, talented athletes were often discovered at the level of the National Schools’ Championship, but would

vanish from the field after entering tertiary institutions.

“We want to change that.

We want to be able to nurture our sporting talents.

We want to ensure that our sports girls and boys become vibrant sports women and men – fully capable of propelling the industry to new heights.”

The working group was expected to have its first meeting today, Wednesday, December 18.

International Futsal Festival secures another partnership

W

Nalea Naraine presents the sponsorship package to GFF’s Debra Francis in the presence of K&S's Aubrey “Shanghai” Major

J Enterprise, a Regent Street wholesaler, has come on board in support of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)ExxonMobil International Futsal Festival with the donation of an undisclosed sum.

The donation was made on Tuesday by one of the agency’s Directors, Nalea Naraine to GFF’s Debra Francis and tournament organiser representative Kashif and Shanghai’s Aubrey “Shanghai” Major.

Naraine said her compa-

ny was pleased to support the development of sports in Guyana: “Our company is very happy to be a part of the GFF-ExxonMobil International Futsal Tournament, because we are happy to contribute to the development of sports and also happy that young athletes, through this festival, will be given a platform to showcase their talents.”

The four-day festival will kick off with six matches that will be played between 18:00h and 00:00h, with each match being played on the hour culminating with

the final match beginning at 23:00h.

The international teams participating in the Festival include Morvant Caledonia United from Trinidad and Tobago and a São Paulo selection from Brazil. The local teams are East Coast All-Stars, Linden All-Stars, Georgetown All-Stars and West Demerara All-Stars.

The winning team will pocket $1.2 million, while the losing finalist will receive half that amount. The third and fourth-place finishers will pocket $300,000 and $100,000 respectively.

Director of Sport Ibrahimovic re-signs congratulates with LA Galaxy for 2019 IPL-bound trio

D

irector of Sport, Christopher Jones has sent congratulatory remarks to Guyanese and West Indian players Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford and Keemo Paul, who have been selected to be part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019.

Hetmyer was selected by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Rutherford and Paul were selected b y

Director of Sport, Christopher Jones

Delhi Capitals in Tuesday’s auction held in Jaipur, India.

The Director of Sport also congratulated the three other West Indian players who were selected – Carlos Brathwaite (Barbados); Nicholas Pooran (Trinidad and Tobago) and Oshane Thomas (Jamaica).

According to the release, Jones said, “All of Guyana looks forward to exciting performances from our trio in the marquee tournament, and we will be all glued to the broadcast as we follow their exploits.

“We are assured that they will each represent our proud nation of world-class cricketing pedigree and the Golden Arrowhead with dignity and pride.”

Other West Indian players who were retained for IPL 2019 are Dwayne Bravo (Trinidad and Tobago) –Chennai Super Kings; Chris Gayle (Jamaica) – Kings XI Punjab; Andre Russell (Jamaica) – Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunil Narine (Trinidad and Tobago) – Kolkata Knight Riders.

Z

latan Ibrahimovic has signed a new contract with LA Galaxy that ties him to the club for the 2019 MLS season.

The former Manchester United and Paris SaintGermain forward had been linked with a return to AC Milan but will become a designated player for the upcoming campaign, meaning the Galaxy will have to buy down or sell either Giovani dos Santos, Romain Alessandrini or Jonathan dos Santos.

Ibrahimovic scored 22 goals in just 27 MLS appearances after joining from United last March but was unable to guide the team into the playoffs.

"We are very pleased to sign Zlatan to a new contract that will see him return for the 2019 season," said Dennis te Kloese, who was appointed general manager last week.

"He showed his value last season and we look forward to him representing our club next year.

With

Zlatan returning, we will continue to improve our team in advance of the season."

Ibrahimovic marked his Galaxy debut with a phenomenal double off the bench against rivals Los Angeles FC, helping secure a 4-3 victory on March 31.

He became just the third active player, after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, to score 500 goals for club and country when he acrobatically volleyed home against Toronto in September.

The Swede was named LA Galaxy Player of the Year, won MLS Newcomer of the Year and earned a spot in the league's Best XI. (Sportsmax)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesdAY, december 19, 2018

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IPL 2019 Auction: Hetmyer to RCB for US$588,000 – Delhi Capitals buy Rutherford for US$277,000, Paul US$70,000

G

uyana Amazon Warriors Stars Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford and Keemo Paul were drafted into the India Premier League for the first time after their performace in the Caribbean Premier League 2018 edition.

Shimron Hetmyer became the first big-ticket purchase at the India Premier League (IPL) 2019 Auction, fetching a winning bid of INR 4.20 crore (US$588,000) from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Sherfane Rutherford and Shimron Hetmyer during CPL 2018

The West Indian batsman – known to Indian audiences for his sensational hitting during the recent ODI series between the teams – found himself in a fierce tug of war in the opening half hour of the auction in Jaipur on Wednesday.

RCB were actually the last entrants during Hetmyer’s bid, with Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals initially in the fray for the 21-year-old, and Sunrisers Hyderabad taking the bid up to Rs 4 crore (US$560,000).

Bangalore’s first bid ended up being good enough to pick up the explosive West Indian.

Hetmyer shot into the Indian mindspace with some astounding hitting during West Indies’ ODI series in India in October, smashing 106 off 78 balls and 94 off 64 balls in back-toback games at Guwahati and Visakhapatnam.

The left-hander possesses a healthy career T20 strike rate of 144, already forming a penchant of hitting sixes with ease (26 sixes in 19 T20s, 30

sixes in 20 ODIs).

Guyanese all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford, with a T20 strike-rate of 142 and a First-Class best of 6 for 32, joined the Delhi team for INR 2 crore (approximately US$277,000). Delhi also capitalised and bought fellow Guyanese Keemo Paul for 50 lakh (approximately US$70,000).

Carlos Brathwaite will resume his Eden Gardens love affair, going to Kolkata Knight Riders as they beat out Kings XI, the franchise with the biggest purse at this auction, to buy him for INR 5 crore (approximately US$694,000). The West Indies all-rounder first made a name for himself in the World T20 final in 2016 when he hit four sixes off four balls to win the title at Eden Gardens.

Oshane Thomas, who is known to hit speeds of 150 kilometres per hour, will do just that for Royals, who acquired him for INR 1.1 crore (approximately US$153,000) Hard-hitting wicketkeeper-batsman Nicholas Pooran will join Kings XI's squad, for INR 4.2 crore (approximately US$588,000).

IPL 2019 team squads:

Chennai Super Kings reads: R Gaikwad, MS Dhoni, S Raina, F duPlessis, M Vijay, S Billings, A Rayudu, D Shorey N Jagadeesan, R Jadeja, D Willey, B Bravo, S Watson, K Jadhav, C Brishnoi, M Santner, I Tahir, H Singh, K Sharma, M Sharma, L Ngidi, D Chahar, KM Asif, S Thakur, and M Kumar.

Delhi Capitals reads: A Baines, H Vihari, S Iyer, S Dhawan, R Pant, P Shaw, C Munro, J Saxena, K Paul, S Rutherford, C Ingram, A Patel, H Patel, M Kalara, C Morris, A Mishra, R Tewatia, J Yadav, S Lamichhane, B Ayyappa, N Singh, I Sharma, A Khan, K Rabada, and T Boult.

Kings XI Punjab reads: S Singh, S Khan, N Pooran, KL Rahul, C Gayle, M Agarwal, K Nair, D Miler, M Singh, H Brar, A Ayachu, D Nalkande, S Curran, V Chakaravarthy, M Henriques, M Ashwin, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, R Ashwin, A Singh, H Vilojen, M Shami, A Tye, and A Rajpoot.

Kolkata Knight Riders squad reads: J Denly, N Naik, D Karthik, R Uthappa, C Lynn, S Gill, R Singh, S Mundhe, C Brathwaite, A Russell, S Narine, N Rana, P Chawla, K Yadav, P Yara, H Gurney, A Nortje, L Ferguson, P Krishna, S Mavi, and K Nagarkoti.

Mumbai Indians reads: Yuvraj Singh, A Singh, R Sharma, I Kishan, S Yadav, S Lad, A Tare, E Lewis, Q de Kock, P Jaswal, H Pandya, K Pandya, A Roy, K Pollard, B Cutting, M Markande, R Chahar, R Dar, B Sran, L Malinga, J Bumrah, M Mc Clenaghan, A Milne, and J Behrendorff.

Rajasthan Royals reads: H Singh, H Klaseen, D Padikkal, S Hetmyer, V Kohli, A de Villers, P Patel, A Nath, P Barman, M Kumar, S Dube, G Singh, W Sundar, P Negi, M Ali, C de Grandhome, M Stoinis, Y Chahal, N Coulternile, M Siraj, T Southee, U Yadav, N Saini, and K Khejroliya.

Sunrisers Hyderabad squad reads: M Guptill, W Saha, J Bairstow, K Williamson, D Warner, M Pandey, D Hooda, R Bhui, S Goswami, Y Pathan, S Al Hassan, M Nabi, A Sharma, V Shankar, R Khan, S Nadeem, B Kumar, S Sharma, T Natarajan, S Kaul, K Ahmed, B Stanlake, and B Thampi.

West Indies T20 Series in Bangladesh…

Upbeat Windies seeking rare series win – Brathwaite wary of Bangladesh comeback

By Brandon Corlette

A

cracking second T20 International between West Indies and Bangladesh is scheduled to play at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka on Thursday.

tory was inspired by Shai Hope’s sparkling career best 146* and Oshane Thomas’s three-wicket haul.

It was a comfortable win for the Caribbean men in the first T20I against Bangladesh, winning by eight wickets. The star

Shakib Al Hassan

In the One-Day International (ODI) series, Windies registered their first win on tour at the same venue and they will be reminiscing. The vic-

performers were Sheldon Cottrell and the ever-dependable Shai Hope. In the post-match press conference for the first T20, Captain

Carlos Brathwaite explained that “it was a good win, but in recent times we started a series well, but lost the remaining matches”.

Heading into the second T20I, the Brathwaite-led Windies team are not taking the opposition lightly: “we are respectful and will want to come back fresh in the next game”. After humbling defeats in the T20 series in India, West Indies needed to play more expressive cricket and in the first T20I against Bangladesh, they proved that. The Windies bowlers are usually adaptable bowlers, but in recent times they have failed owing to the small amount of runs the batsmen had scored.

Speaking after his player-of-the-match performance, Cottrell explained that the Windies bowlers adapted brilliantly to a pitch that was not seam-friendly.

The team selected in the first match included four seam

Carlos Brathwaite

bowlers and one spinner; the faster bowlers shared eight wickets. The batting department of the West Indies T20 team is an explosive lineup including Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Darren Bravo and Shai Hope, who is playing out of his skin, stroking sixes at will.

Lewis has a T20

International strike rate of 157, Pooran has a career strike rate of 156.7 and Hope’s career strike rate is 156.7. With such dangerous strike rates, the batsmen will be the key to chase any sizeable target and set huge totals batting first. With the fearless Guyanese duo Hetmyer and Keemo Paul, the batting line-up has va-

riety. Explosive left-handed batsman Sherfane Rutherford is yet to receive his well-deserved opportunity at the international level, and may be in contention to play if the Windies wrap up the series win with one match to spare. The bench strength of the West Indies is fairly good with the likes of experienced gloves man Denesh Ramdin, specialist T20 bowler Kesrick Williams, and young spinner Khary Pierre.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh team have not lost hope; in tomorrow’s clash, they will be looking to level the series. Courageous Captain Shakib Al Hassan noted that everything went wrong for his team in the first T20I except winning the toss. “We have to learn from this match and move forward,” Shakib explained after the post-match press conference.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

IPL 2019 Auction: Hetmyer to RCB for US$588,000

Page 23

– Delhi Capitals buy Rutherford for US$277,000, Paul US$70,000 Madray Memorial 100 GFF-ExxonMobil International BCB/Ivan Balls Cricket Tournament…

Futsal Festival secures Young another partnership Warriors

Cricket Club advance to final

Nalea Naraine presents the sponsorship package to GFF’s Debra Francis in the presence of K&S's Aubrey “Shanghai” Major

Page 22

– Rose Hall Town, Tucber Park clash in lone semi-final

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