Guyana Times - December 6, 2018

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Countdown to Christmas

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EPA trains 64 new teachers in Environmental Education Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3768

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, December 6, 2018

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2019 Budget Debate

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

“Do it for the passion, not the pay” – Vice Chancellor to teachers P2

Irfaan Ali confronts David Patterson over lies in Parliament Page 7

...after claims that PPP did no feasibility study for major projects

Closure of Wales sugar factory

Ex-workers must get severance with interest – court orders

Page 3

Drug-related offences P12 2nd leading cause for incarcerations – IDB study finds – Govt explores alternative sentencing

Woman charged P8 for killing reputed husband

Linden man P11 slapped with murder charge

Manickchand, Henry face off over education sector …as former Minister decries $2B sent back to treasury Page 9

UG unions want Govt to end salary talks deadlock …claim administration using delaying tactics

Page 12

Guyana participates in WHO meeting on substandard, false Page 13 medical drugs

Carjackers, Police exchange gunfire P10

...1 injured

GPOC lost $8.3M in 2 years to robberies

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...GPOC explores pension payment options

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thursdAY, december 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

“Do it for the passion, not the pay” – Vice Chancellor to teachers

Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith

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ice Chancellor of the University of Guyana (UG), Professor Ivelaw Griffith on Wednesday encouraged teachers to do their jobs for the passion and not the pay, moments after a teacher took to the stage of the National Cultural Centre to complain, in the form of poetry, of the miniature salary increases Government has announced.

Professor Griffith was at the time giving the feature address at the Education Ministry’s Regional Award Ceremony in Region Four

(Demerara-Mahaica), which was held under the theme ‘Recognising and Celebrating our Achievements’.

“Teachers whether at the primary or secondary or university (levels) don’t get paid enough but we don’t do it just for the pay, we do it for the passion, for the motivation, for the incentivising of youth development,” he said.

His comments on educators’ salaries came just after a teacher performed her poem, calling out Government for their small increases while raising the cost of living in other areas.

The Vice Chancellor asked teachers across the auditorium of the National Cultural Centre to hold hands with their colleagues and students while reciting “I may not get paid enough money as a teacher, but I will continue to be excellent.”

Meanwhile, 98 awards were handed out to teachers and students who performed well over the past year at the National Grade Two, Grade Four and Grade Six examinations. Teachers were rewarded in the area of music and athletics, among others.

will get one per cent in increases and those with a $1 million salary and above will get a 0.5 per cent increase.

The circular issued by the Finance Ministry with regards to the salaries makes it clear that the increases do not apply to teachers, University of Guyana employees, Government Ministers

and Members of Parliament.

It does, however, apply to the Disciplined Services, including the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force.

Nonetheless, teachers will be receiving a 12 per cent increase on their salaries for 2016 and eight per cent for 2018.

Supply Health Centre

Special stalwart teacher Francesca Vieira, who was honoured for her years of dedicated service

A special stalwart teacher, Francesca Vieira, was also paid tribute to for her years of dedicated service in the Education Ministry.

The event was attended by the Regional Education Officer (ag), Tiffany FavouriteHarvey; the Regional Chairman, Genevieve Allen; and other executives from the Ministry, along with teachers and students from various schools across the region.

The Government recently announced that persons earning less than $100,000 a

month will receive a seven per cent increase.

Those earning between $100,000 and $299,999 will get an increase of 6.5 per cent, while those in the $300,000 to $499,999 range will get a five per cent increase. Those with a paycheque of between $500,000 and $699,999 a month will have their salaries increased by three per cent.

Meanwhile, those in the $700,000 to $799,999 range will be eligible for an increase of two per cent, while those earning $800,000 to $999,999

Retendering process slated for 2019

…after contractor’s termination

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The foundation of the Health Centre at the centre of the controversy

ollowing the termination of a contractual agreement between the Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) executives and a contractor, Navin and Sons, for the construction of a new health centre at Supply, East Bank Demerara, Regional Chairperson Genevieve Allen has revealed that bids for the project will be retendering early next year.

Allen made the announcement during an interview with Guyana Times on the sidelines of an event hosted at the National Cultural Centre on Wednesday.

“With the termination of the contractor it means the works will have to be re-advertised so that another contractor can begin works,” she said.

According to the regional executive, the region is seeking to conduct invitation of bids for the major project early in 2019.

Asked whether or not legal action is an option against the contractor, the Chairperson noted that he was already informed of what is required of him and the region is working to ensure that he meets his requirements.

On Sunday, Guyana Times reported that as a result of shoddy works, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Four has not only terminated the contract but has also ordered the contractor to repay the region monies for the foundation and columns.

“I have therefore written to the Ministry of Communities outlining the issues and thereby seeking the advice on the way forward. As such, the Ministry wrote me and accepted my recommendation of terminating the contractor with the contractor tasked with repaying the region,” the REO Pauline Lucas said.

Lucas stressed that the decision to terminate the con-

tract is based on recommendations made by the senior engineer for the region and the Auditor General’s Office, both of which conducted tests on the works done. Both tests lead to similar findings.

The Supply Health Centre has for some time been at the heart of a struggle between regional officials seeking value for money and the contractor. A few months ago, an investigation was ordered into the issue by Regional Chairperson Genevieve Allen.

The move was sparked after Councillors on the RDC recommended sanctions against the contractor.

At the time, it was pointed out that the contractor has multiple contracts in the region and thus, those projects could also have issues.

There have been long standing concerns over the quality of the work and the actions of the contractor; all of which had caused the Region Four authorities to seek to halt the construction of the health centre.

According to a report that was submitted by the Clerk of Works, the contractor had failed to comply with a number of requirements for the project. Among the requirements reportedly ignored by the contractor was one for the complete removal of tree roots and debris from the site. Regional officials have complained that contrary to the specifications of the project, the casting of the health centre flooring was found to have been done without removing a major tree stump. Lucas had previously expressed concern that this raised serious questions about the strength and quality of the building.

The contractor was ordered by the Clerk of Works to not proceed with casting the foundation of the health centre. This cease work order was reportedly ignored.

news

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thursdAY, december 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, December 6 – a night retraction at 04:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Friday, December 7 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, December 6 – 15:50h-17:20h and Friday, December 7 – 16:35h-18:05h.

Closure of Wales sugar factory

Ex-workers must get severance with interest – court orders

FERRY SCHEDULE

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WEATHER TODAY Partly cloudy skies are expected to give way to light rain showers that will last throughout the day, followed by partly cloudy skies in the evening.

Temperatures will range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 03:37h and 15:48h reaching maximum heights of 2.56 metres and 2.69 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 09:23h and 21:48h reaching minimum heights of 0.66 metre and 0.52 metre respectively.

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Many of the Wales sugar workers seen protesting outside Parliament were finally awarded their 2016 severance payment by the court

By Shemuel Fanfair

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determination in the matter involving the retrenched Wales, West Bank Demerara sugar workers was made at the High Court on Wednesday, with a ruling urging Government to pay dismissed employees their severance benefits with interest.

This decision comes some two years after many of the workers refused to take up work at the Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara Estate.

The workers were contending all along that under the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act (TESPA); they could not be compelled to travel 22 miles from their point of origin to Uitvlugt by the employer – the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

Though it took over a year for the High Court to initially hear the matter, Justice Sandil Kissoon finally concluded the matter which came just hours after the workers protested outside Parliament Buildings on Wednesday.

After Wednesday’s ruling, lawyer for GuySuCo, Nikhil Ramkarran, told the media that the respondents are going to be paid their severance from December 31, 2016 with interest up to Wednesday, December 5, 2018. He noted that those who went to Uitvlugt will be paid severance up to Wednesday’s date as well, together with a month’s pay in lieu of notice.

Meantime, Attorney Pauline Chase, who represented the interest of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), agreed with Ramkarran and added that no overall figure was given by the court because interest “will have to be calculated”. Guyana Times however understands that it will be in the hundreds of millions.

Chase outlined that 345 workers will benefit from the court’s determination, noting that if the workers do not receive the payments then action will be taken, though she trusts GuySuCo will honour the payments. Though it was initially 371 workers that were auguring for severance, Chase said it was found that some had to come off the list as some workers were not entitled; some died and others could no longer be found in

the country.

In early November, the National Assembly gave approval for almost $2.5 billion to cater for the remaining severance to 4723 sugar workers and Agriculture Minister Noel Holder had told this newspaper earlier this week that the funds were available to pay the ex-sugar workers.

Earlier protest

Earlier Wednesday, sugar workers assembled in front of Parliament, where they protested for higher salaries.

GAWU representative, Ricky Rambeer, was on the protest line and he demanded with great emphasis that the workers be paid what was due to them. At the same time, he criticised Government for not paying sugar workers since coming into office in 2015.

“The question is why they not giving sugar workers an increase – four years; they closed four estates. This Government victimising the sugar workers,” Rambeer noted.

This comment came one day after GAWU President

Komal Chand declared that Government had not given sugar workers “one blind cent” in increases. “Sugar workers received harshest of treatment, not even the Burnham sugar workers didn’t receive this kind of treatment, they didn’t give the sugar worker any increase since APNU took office… It is baffling to understand why the workers are treated so shabbily, this is plain eye pass by this anti-working class Administration,” Chand had criticised.

During Wednesday’s protest, Opposition Members of Parliament, including Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, met with the protesters outside Parliament.

During the boisterous protest, those gathered once again called for the removal of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Agriculture Minister Noel Holder from their posts. But according to Minister of State Joseph Harmon, the protest was purely political in its nature as persons were aware the matter was in court.

The High Court had earlier ruled that all workers severed by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) must be paid with interest ranging from four to six per cent. Wales Estate was shut down in December 2016 while Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon were closed in 2017.

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursdAY, december 6, 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

Noise nuisance

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here is no questioning the prevalence of noise nuisance and its harsh consequences on residents. The numerous related complaints, including letters in the media, tell of extremely worrying situations. Much has been said about the disturbing effects, especially on the elderly, the sick and children, seemingly left at the mercy of the perpetrators. Much has also been said about the reportedly reluctance of the Police to intervene or their very delayed and inconsequential response.

Based on reports, noise nuisance is widespread with common sentiments by affected residents. Their stories detail the horror they are forced to endure and their passionate pleas for help. To put in perspective the impact of loud noise, the USA used it as a means of “music torture” for psychological warfare on former Panamanian leader, General Manuel Noriega.

Facing indictment for drug-trafficking and other claims, he was at the time hiding out in the Vatican's embassy in Panama City, after the USA invasion. Having surrounded the embassy, troops blasted rock music non-stop. It is believed that the Vatican complained to the then US President, George HW Bush and the music war stopped within three days. Shortly after, Noriega surrendered.

That further demonstrates the potency of noise to inflict psychological harm on humans. Evidence is not necessarily needed to make that point, but noteworthy, loud noise can potentially cripple the mindset. While the Noriega situation lasted only three days, here in Guyana, many residents are subjected either on a daily basis or throughout every weekend.

As this nuisance continues unabated, affected residents are left short of a solution for relief.

Recently, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan spoke to the issue during related training involving representatives of the Guyana Police Force and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He alluded to the social problems noise nuisance can precipitate and reminded that persons can be prosecuted.

He also stated that other mitigating measures such as seizure of equipment, revoking of licences and the increasing of fines can be taken against perpetrators and urged knowledge of the related laws.

While the training is welcomed and the Minister’s pronouncement would be seen as a call to action by those tasked with maintaining law and order, it did not answer why there is a reported lack of action in many instances to the numerous reports made. Clearly, the authorities cannot be oblivious of residents’ cries; both in the media and complaints made to various Police stations.

It should be noted that after accusing its predecessor of failing, the current Government campaigned vigorously to restore law and order in all forms. If that were to be believed, then an obvious question is why it took more than three years for the Minister to appear to be implementing measures to bring relief to residents? What could have led to his pronouncements at this time and which prevented him from doing so before?

There have been numerous allegations of some Police ranks deliberately turning a deaf ear to complaints of noise nuisance.

One reason is reportedly some the ranks benefit from owners of bars and promoters. There are also allegations of some ranks patronising some bars and events even while the music is devastating to surrounding residents. The common response to aggrieved callers is that permission is granted until midnight. In reality that “midnight” turns out to be much closer to sunrise.

Gauging from reports in the public domain regarding the Police/EPA training, it appears that the issue of “untilmidnight permission” may not have been a focus. This is not to say it probably was not discussed. However, that needs to be addressed, taking into consideration the welfare of citizens.

Equally worrying, is the Minister urging knowledge of the related laws to the gathering. Is that suggesting that the first responders are unaware? Should that be taken as an answer for the lack of meaningful intervention, especially in the past?

Surely that cannot be accepted for residents wanting relief.

Many have asked why particular bars are given the freedom to consistently blare music in total disregard for others. Action has since been taken against one and residents are relieved after years. A question is; why not earlier? Naturally, clamping down on noise nuisance will find favour with residents but the wrath from the perpetrators.

When interests clash, the welfare of the general citizenry is expected to be given priority. As the Minister’s charge is executed, the foremost expectation would be for no favouritism to be shown to the believably friends and/or benefactors of some ranks. As it is, some bars, in and out of the City, operate unfettered as if the Minister’s statements were never made.

If the Minister is genuinely concerned over the various social problems that can manifest, then he has to be even-handed and the efforts sustained across the country. If this is now a priority, then he must also implement a mechanism whereby citizens can easily further their complaints when ignored at Police stations with the expectation of a swift resolution. Failure in these regards will probably see residents surrendering to blasters as Noriega; only in the context of being fatigued by noise.

Sully the service dog of former President George H W Bush lays in front of Bush's casket as it lies in state inside the Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill in Washington, December 4, 2018 (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst photo)

Turkish Prosecutor seeks arrests of Saudis over Khashoggi murder

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stanbul's Chief Prosecutor has filed warrants for the arrest of a top aide to Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler and the deputy head of foreign intelligence on suspicion of planning the killing of Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The Prosecutor's office concluded that there is "strong suspicion" that Saud al-Qahtani and Ahmed Asiri, who were both removed from their positions following the murder, were among the planners of the murder, two Turkish officials said on Wednesday.

Khashoggi, a United States resident and columnist for the Washington Post, was killed shortly after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

"The prosecution's move to issue arrest warrants for Asiri and Qahtani reflects the view that the Saudi authorities won't take formal action against those individuals," one of the officials told Reuters news agency.

The official added that Saudi Arabia could address the international concern by extraditing all suspects in the case to Turkey.

According to AFP news agency, the application for the warrants was filed on Tuesday.

At the time of publication, Saudi Arabia had not publicly responded to the request.

The Saudi prosecution has previously acknowledged that al-Qahtani and Asiri were part of the plot to kill Khashoggi.

The two men were both high-ranking officials with close ties to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Al-Qahtani is one of the

Ahmed Asiri and Saud al-Qahtani both have close ties to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman [Al Jazeera]

highest-profile figures implicated in the killing; he is believed to have been Prince Mohammed's right-hand man.

The 40-year-old was removed as a royal court adviser following Khashoggi's assassination. Prior to that, he served as a media adviser to Prince Mohammed.

Al-Qahtani is believed to have supervised a 15-man hit squad that flew from the Saudi capital, Riyadh, to Istanbul to carry out Khashoggi's murder, although he did not travel to Turkey.

Nor did Asiri, who served as spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen before being appointed as an adviser to Prince Mohammed, who then promoted him to his intelligence position in 2017.

Asiri frequently was the subject of condemnation from rights groups over apparent disregard for civilian casualties in the war in Yemen.

Al Jazeera's Mohamed Vall, reporting from Istanbul, said it was possible that more arrests would be ordered.

"The Turkish prosecution believes that these men are

only a part of the planning and we understand that the list is not conclusive.

"We understand also that there was a previous request from the Turks to Saudi Arabia to extradite the 18 men they mentioned were involved in the crime, but none of that has happened.

"No response came from Saudi Arabia and now there is this specific mention of these two men at the top, but it's not a conclusive list and they said these men are among the planners, not all the planners," he said.

US pressure needed

Wednesday's announcement came hours after CIA Director Gina Haspel briefed US Senators on new evidence in the Khashoggi case.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he felt there was "zero chance" the Crown Prince wasn't involved in Khashoggi's death.

While several countries have taken steps to put pressure on the Kingdom, including in some cases suspending weapons exports, it is felt that Saudi Arabia is unlikely to comply with

Turkish demands without encouragement from the US. "We know that Mohammed bin Salman takes his cues from President Trump and that Trump so far has not commented on the statements that have been issued during the night from Congress members.

"I think the Saudis on their own will not comply with any Turkish demands unless there is enough pressure put on them from the American side," Valls said.

Also on Wednesday, United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said that an international investigation was needed to determine who was responsible for Khashoggi's murder.

"I do believe it is really needed in terms of ensuring what really happened and who are the [people] responsible for that awful killing," she said at a news conference in Geneva.

Speaking in Brussels on Wednesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu urged Saudi Arabia to be transparent, saying Ankara would not hesitate to launch an international probe if its investigation becomes deadlocked.

Khashoggi's murder prompted international outcry and forced many countries to reassess their ties with the Kingdom.

After weeks of repeated denials that it had any involvement with Khashoggi's disappearance, Riyadh eventually acknowledged that Saudi officials had planned and executed the killing.

The whereabouts of his remains are still unknown.

(Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

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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

Noise nuisance

Dear Editor, Government’s current concern about the country’s noise nuisance is long overdue and most welcome. Its particular concern for the comfort of visitors who stay at the Marriott Hotel which underlies the banning of noise generated for “entertainment, social and other events” above the permissible level at the hotel’s beachfront is undoubtedly good, ol’ Guyanese hospitality.

There can be no doubt that Government is equally concerned about the comfort of its own citizens and must, therefore, have a new policy with regard to the noise nuisances that are Mashramani and the newly-minted

Independence Carnival.

The residents of Kitty and Queenstown, Georgetown, have suffered the illegal ear-splitting noise that accompanies these national celebrations for decades.

The noise which shakes our homes to their very foundation and which goes on unabated all day and well into the night has actually been encouraged and approved by all past governments.

However, now that Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan vows to crack down on bars, restaurants, music carts, etc, that breach the peace with extremely loud music, there must also be a stated policy with regard to Mashramani and Carnival.

There is every hope that these very important holidays can become national models for the kind of peace and decency, which show us to be law-abiding citizens who practise good neighbourliness and have due regard for the law.

I am already breathing a sigh of relief in anticipation of Minister Ramjattan’s public announcement of Government’s policy on these particular noise nuisances which, we can be sure, will reflect Government’s concern for the comfort of all its citizens and a full adherence to the law.

Sincerely, Ryhaan Shah

No-confidence motion takes precedence

Dear Editor, A no-confidence motion was filed against the Government last month before the date of announcement of the budget presentation. There is debate on when the no-confidence motion can be heard and its meaning. I researched the issue while visiting the United Kingdom where several Members of Parliament have written to the Speaker of the House of Commons asking for a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister.

Parliamentary conventions dictate that the no-confidence motion takes precedence over other matters.

The parliamentary leader of the coalition, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said debate on the motion is not a priority of the Government. It should be.

Ironically, a similar no-confidence motion was filed

by Nagamootoo against the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government in November 2014. The AFC made it a priority and demanded immediate debate.

The PPP Government respected that motion and made it a priority, so much so that no other matter was discussed and Parliament was dissolved because the Government lacked numbers to pass the floor test.

A no-confidence motion must be heard urgently (immediately) unless there is a more compelling piece of legislation before Parliament.

It is a debate to hold the Government accountable for its policies and laws. It is common for a government to face a no- confidence motion when it badly loses a local or state election. A no-confidence motion is a very important proposed act or mechanism on whether the elected body has confidence for the continuation of the Government. Its purpose is to expose the errors and blunders of the Government with the hope of toppling it when a vote is taken. Once debated and voted upon,

and if passed by a simple majority, the Government resigns. New elections are immediately triggered – it had happened in Germany, the UK, Australia, Canada, Barbados, India, New Zealand, etc.

As is the convention in parliamentary forms of governance, any important piece of legislation, like those pertaining to budgetary matters, is also considered as a no- confidence motion and several Governments were forced to resign after losing budgetary bills. If a government can’t get its budget approved, as Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge noted last week, it must also resign.

But a budget debate and vote can’t replace a no-confidence motion which is specific and different from a budget vote.

The research on no-confidence motions reveal that such a parliamentary motion is debated in the order, it is presented as a proposed act of parliament. In the Guyana case, unless the proposed budget presentation was tabled before the budget presentation, then the no-confidence motion takes precedence. Experts also feel that a no-confidence motion should take precedence over a budgetary matter or other legislative acts even if filed after those. In England, where I was last week, there was discussion on a no-confidence motion filed by several Members of Parliament.

It requires 48 MPs to write to the Speaker asking for a no-confidence vote. The numbers are growing and there could be one soon in the UK. The no-confidence debate and vote supersede all other motions or debates, including a budget. It is accepted that if a parliament does not have confidence in the Government, then there is no point in presenting a budget or other legislative act. New elections will have to be held and the new government will have to prepare the budget necessary for Government functioning.

Once a motion of no confidence is presented to Parliament, it must be debated before new legislative acts, including the Budget, unless the mover of the motion or Parliament agrees to put off the debate. The mover has to withdraw the motion. Several motions of confidence were presented before the Parliament in Trinidad (between 2010 and 2015) and they took precedence over other proposed debates. In Guyana, in late 2014, then President Donald Ramotar accepted that a no-confidence motion filed under Nagamootoo’s name and supported by the A Partnership for National Unity – APNU (PNC) took precedence over other matters. Ramotar recognised and accepted that the no-confidence motion took precedence over other matters.

Instead of debating the motion, Ramotar prorogued and then dissolved Parliament.

He should have made deals with the Opposition (like forming a coalition) that would have seen him retaining office and the presidency perhaps until now. He gambled with fresh elections and was ousted from office by the Granger Administration.

Once a no-confidence vote is taken and the government loses, the vote can’t be reversed by replacing Government MPs who voted against the Government.

There can’t be another vote.

The Government collapses and new elections are held.

Any other act is unconstitutional.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Mr Nagamootoo has betrayed all his ideals (Pt 1) Dear Editor, The 2019 Budget debate which has been interesting thus far will wrap on December 7, 2018. The Administration, with the belief that it is saving the best for last, will put up its heavyweight speaker, First Vice President and Prime Minister, Mr Moses Nagamootoo up to bat. He will try as best as he can to offer a defence for what clearly is an indefensible budget. The Prime Minister who is, in my mind, really less than a featherweight in the Government will expectedly sing lustily and boisterously for his $70,000 per day supper while our ordinary workers will take home $64,200 per month.

Mr Nagamootoo, in his own words, will seek to charm the Guyanese people like the famed snake-charmers of India. He will tell our people that he and his Government are doing wonderful things for them; he will tell them better will come and he may very well

tell us we will become the Emiratis of Latin America.

The Prime Minister, true to form, may also repeat to the sugar workers that he loves them though 7000 have been put out of jobs; the rice farmers may hear how he cares for them though he lost them their most lucrative market, and the farmers may hear how he has their well-being at heart though his Administration has raised land rents and D&I charges.

Let us also expect tangential explanations about the hardships he imposed; and the launching of personal attacks on those he deem his opponents, as he reminisces about yester-year while ignoring the realities of today. Surely, he must eulogise his Budget innings in his Sunday Chronicle column and his DPI, true to form, will promote his remarks as the best thing ever.

But after all of that, the fact remains that the Prime Minister will not be able to convince many Guyanese

people that he is sincere in what he said. Today, the Prime Minister’s naked political behaviour is there for all to see and evaluate.

Today, he sits near to the apex of power, though he deeply wants to reach the pinnacle. He should ask himself why he’s the proverbial bridesmaid and never the bride. Today, Mr Nagamootoo presides over a land and people that feel oppressed and unsure about the future. Today, he occupies a place in the most expensive Government in history. Today, while he believes he is the star of the show, he really is not well-liked. Today, Mr Nagamootoo has betrayed all his ideals – his so-called Jaganite-principles – and his roar has become less than a whimper as he participates, advocates and approves willingly measures that punish rather than reward the Guyanese people.

Yours sincerely, Patricia Persaud

Ministers must justify their public statements

Dear Editor, It is irresponsible and taking the people for granted, for Ministers to make public statements without evidence and justification to the national community. Finance Minister Winston Jordan publicly alleged that the national economy under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration was supported by drug money. Where is the evidence, Minister Jordan? Establish your credibility with a sense of integrity and prove your allegation. The population is waiting for the evidence.

Please provide it, Minister Jordan.

There is also the misleading statement by Public Works Minister David Patterson justifying the takeover of the operations of the Berbice River Bridge on the grounds of PUBLIC SAFETY. The Minister needs to explain to the nation what public safety was involved?

He is challenged to prove to the nation that public safety was in danger.

Everyone knows that there were no threats to public safety, but a cheap, colluded political ploy and shenanigan to get some votes from Berbice at the last Local Government

Elections. That ploy of rescuing the Berbicians from unconscionable prices for crossing vehicles over the bridge did not work, AFC Ministers.

Everyone knows the colluded timing of the increases – November 12, 2018, the day for the last LGE. The other consequence of this action is engendering the lack of confidence in the public-private partnership and scaring away private investors.

Let the Government buy out all the shares with full compensation, and manage and operate the Berbice River Bridge with the same pricing for the crossing the Demerara Harbour Bridge, thereby bringing equity in the river bridge transport system.

The people await the responses of the Ministers.

Yours faithfully, Joshua Singh

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Foundation continued

“Friends are kind of scary”

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veryone can benefit from making an effort to practise gratitude every day. These three steps can help you start feeling more grateful, and appreciative of the good things in your life: Notice good things, look for them, appreciate them.

Savour, absorb, and really pay attention to those good things.

Express your gratitude to yourself, write it down, or thank someone.

Notice the good things in your life

Start to notice and identify the things you are grateful for. Tune in to the small everyday details of your life and notice the good things you might sometimes take for granted.

Try these ideas:

Each day, think of three things you are grateful for.

Nature. People. Community. Shelter. Creature comforts like a warm bed or a good meal. It’s amazing what you notice when you focus on feeling grateful.

Start a gratitude journal. Making a commitment to writing down good things each day makes it more likely that we will notice good things as they happen.

Practise gratitude rituals. Some people say grace before a meal. Pausing in gratitude before eating doesn’t have to be religious. It’s a simple habit that helps us notice and appreciate the blessing of food on the table.

Once you’re aware of the blessings of everyday life, the next step is to savour them.

Savour the feeling of gratitude

There are moments when you naturally, right then and there, feel filled with gratitude. These are moments when you say to yourself, “Oh, wow, this is amazing!” or “How great is this!”

Pause. Notice and absorb that feeling of true, genuine gratitude. Let it sink in. Soak it up. Savour your blessings in the moment they happen.

Express gratitude

Expressing gratitude is more than courtesy, manners, or being polite. It’s about showing your heartfelt appreciation.

When you thank someone, you’re also practising the first two gratitude skills: you’ve noticed something good, and you’ve genuinely appreciated it.

Try this:

Show your appreciation to someone who did something nice.

Say: “It was really kind of you to…,” “It really helped me out when you…,” “You did me a big favour when…,” “Thank you for listening when…,” “I really appreciated it when you taught me…,” or “Thank you for being there when….” You also can write your gratitude in a letter.

Friendship isn’t easy. To hear many of you tell it, making a good friend is almost like adding a new family member. It comes with risk and responsibility.

“Friends are kind of scary,” said Mary, 14, who has trusted some friends with secrets and regretted it. “Not them in person, but the thought of them in general. It’s almost like you are investing in this one person, whoever it may be.”

Sometimes what a good friend needs from you is brutal honesty, not a cheerleader. Gretchen, 15, said: “A true friend is a person who would really tell you how bad you look in that bright pink spandex suit, even though you really like it.”

Friends aren’t always forever. Angelica tells the story of a friendship that began in kindergarten. She remembers how close they were back in the days when she helped her friend cope with diabetes, sat with her after her appendix was removed, and listened to her as she struggled with family problems.

But her friend moved away recently and hasn’t returned her calls. Angelica has heard that her friend now hangs out with kids who drink and do drugs. “I know

Express gratitude by doing a kindness.

Gratitude might inspire you to return a favour, or act with kindness or thoughtfulness. Or you might see a situation when you can “pay it forward.” Hold the door open for the person behind you, even if it means waiting a little longer than you normally would. Do someone else’s chores without letting the person find out it was you. Notice how you feel afterward!

Tell the people in your life how you feel, what they mean to you.

You don’t have to be mushy or over-the-top. We all have our own style. But if you say what you feel in the right tone at the right moment, even a simple, “Mom, good dinner.

Thanks!” means a lot.

True gratitude doesn’t leave you feeling like you owe other people something — after all, if you’ve done someone a favour, you probably don’t want the person to feel like you expect something back in return. It’s all about feeling good and creating a cycle of good. (kidshealth.org)

what these things can do to you,” Angelica said, “and I could help her again. But I feel too far away.”

Romance, like distance, can complicate things. Many teens told of friendships that soured after their friend began seeing someone.

“I think the nicest thing a friend ever did for me was to decide that she would still be my friend this school year even after I dissed her to hang out with all these cute guys,” 14-year-old Darilynn said. “I love her for that ... I’ve learned my lesson.”

When friends move on

Many of you learnt the true value of friendship after it was gone. Lots of you urged people to work at their most important friendships, rather than letting them fall apart after a fight or fade away.

Roxanne, 15, said her closest friend died recently.

Her advice on how to treat your friends? “Cherish them like you only have one last day with them.”

And for some, it was OK if good friends only accompanied them for part of their journey in life. People grow and change, and so do their friends. Lily, 14, said her best friend will be moving away this year. Lily will try to stay in contact, but she is realistic about the prospects.

“Friends come and go,” she said. (kidshealth.org)

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thursdAY, december 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

2019 Budget Debates

Irfaan Ali confronts David Patterson over lies in Parliament

...after claims PPP did no feasibility study for major projects

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ay three of the 2019 Budget Debate ended in an uproar as the parliamentary Opposition took Government to task over what was described as “lies” spoken about infrastructural projects under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) regime.

During his contributions to the debates, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson outlined a list of projects, which he claimed the previous Administration went ahead to undertake without conducting any feasibility study.

Among those the Minister mentioned was the East Bank (Diamond) to East Coast (Ogle) Road Link Project.

“The former President, [Donald] Ramotar, went on a trip [to India] and they say here is US$50 million… and he give it to the Honourable Member Irfaan Ali (then Housing Minister) who drew up a plan and said we gon link this from here to here [with] no feasibility study, none... You can bring it or lay it here and I will apologise to you in public if you bring a feasibility study…” the Public Infrastructure Minister said.

However, at the end of Patterson’s 30-plus minute presentation, Ali, a former Housing Minister under the PPP/C Administration, rose to the floor, indicating to the Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, that a feasibility study was in fact done for the Bypass Road project and that he was in possession of same, as he waved his phone in the air to indicate the document was on

Opposition MP Irfaan Ali

the device.

Ali added too that he had shown the document to the Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs and offered to hand it over to the Public Infrastructure Minister.

“I have here a Government of Guyana Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) document 2014 – ‘East Bank/East Coast Road Linkage Feasibility Study’.

The complete document is here! The Honourable Minister said there exists no feasibility study. I’m saying to this honourable House that this feasibility study exists and the Minister should do the honourable thing, as he suggested, at this time,” Ali contended.

The Opposition frontbencher then turned to Patterson telling him, “…

You lied in the National Assembly!”

At that point, the Public Infrastructure Minister was on his feet but then sat down, as a verbal confrontation erupted between members from the two sides of the House.

The Speaker then said

he was surprised at the turn of events as the day’s session wound down, before asking Minister Patterson whether he wanted the floor to speak.

In response, the Minister then muttered, “No, sir. I would not even bother, Sir because I have here in my hand, a bible.” He further added, “I was going to address but having something waving in my hand… is not proof of anything. So Sir, I don’t think I need to add anything else,” the Public Infrastructure Minister asserted.

Speaker Scotland then informed both Ali and Patterson that they can “solve whatever the difference is they and not have us all try to solve it for them”, before adjourning the day’s session.

“Bullyism”

Afterwards, Ali told Guyana Times that the Public Infrastructure Minister has “continuously lied to the house and the nation; and it’s time to put a stop to it. That’s why I decided to put a stop to it.”

The Opposition MP

noted that the coalition Administration believes they can run the country through “bullyism and their high-handed approach” to Government while side-tracking important things.

“This whole thing is a side-tracked, they trying to side-track from the exposure from all that is happening in [Patterson’s] Ministry. The person who spoke before him, Bishop Juan Edghill, highlighted all the facts surrounded corruption and the type of governance that is taking place,” Ali related.

Corruption

During his presentation, Member of Parliament Edghill, the Opposition’s Shadow Infrastructure Minister, outlined a number of projects undertaken by the coalition that are marred by corruption. He wrapped the Public Infrastructure Minister over the new Demerara River Bridge feasibility study; the contract for which saw not only the Patterson breaching the procurement laws but the entire Cabinet as well when they approved the award to a Dutch company.

Edghill, however claimed the payment for

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

the study came from an extra budgetary account; that is, the Asphalt Plant of the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB). He went on to say that some $227 million was reportedly spent on the feasibility study when the nation was told that the company only got $148 million.

“Where did the rest of the money go? We want to know today… because you went into an extra-budgetary account, you took money illegally and paid for a feasibility study that was an unsolicited bid… How much did you spend because you’re asking for another $100 million from the Budget,” Edghill stated.

The former Junior Finance Minister continued by upbraiding the Public

Infrastructure Minister over the fact that one of the agencies under his Ministry with highest spending, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), has been without a Board of Directors since January 2017. He also mentioned the fact that an audit report flagged Patterson’s Ministry for failing to produce the requested documents that could account for the $500 million that was supposedly spent on the controversial D’Urban Park Project.

This, according to Edghill, is the reason the upkeep of the facility was removed from the Public Infrastructure Ministry and placed under the remit of the National Sports Commission.

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thursdAY, december 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS Woman charged for killing reputed husband

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he mother of three who reportedly stabbed her reputed husband to death at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara was on Wednesday slapped with a murder charge.

Melissa Playter appeared before Magistrate

Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. It is alleged that Playter killed Victor Roberts on December 2, 2018 at Lot 41 Prince William Street, Plaisance.

The unrepresented woman was remanded to

prison and the case would continue on January 17, 2019.

Reports are that the 38-year-old man was reportedly stabbed to the chest by his reputed wife after they were engaged in a heated argument.

Residents who knew the

couple have since related that this was not the first time he was attacked.

The now deceased man was the owner of a grocery shop which he operated in the lower flat of the apartment he shared with Playter and their child.

Unlicensed firearm lands mechanic on remand

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25-year-old mechanic of Lot 197 Cummings Street, Georgetown was remanded to prison on Wednesday by Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

Khayyam Ahmad denied that on December 1, 2018, at South Road, Georgetown, he had in his possession a .32 pistol without being the licensed firearm holder at the time.

Defence Attorney

George Thomas, in a bail application told the court that the illegal weapon was not found in his client’s possession, but rather in the vulcanising shop where he is employed.

However, Police Prosecutor Warren Thornhill objected to bail, citing the nature and seriousness of the offence.

The prosecution is contending that on December

1 at his place of employment, Ahmad was engaged in an argument with a man who unbeknownst to him was a Police Constable.

According to the prosecution, Ahmad became angry and armed himself with the gun. However, during the confrontation another customer present at the time of the altercation alerted the defendant that the person with whom he

was arguing was a Police Officer. The prosecution stated that Ahmad then fled and hid the weapon at the back of the vulcanising shop. He was, however, arrested and charged for the offence.

Magistrate Azore upheld the prosecution’s submission and remanded Ahmad to prison. The case will continue on December 19, 2018.

Making hay…

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…while darkness falls here was a very revealing exposé of the mindset of this government illustrated by the actions of their chosen “friends and PNC members” who’ve been given employment. Your Eyewitness is talking about the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) created by the Government to oversee the selling off of the four shuttered sugar estates. It’s headed by one Colvin Heath-London, who not long after his appointment in March 2018 shared the podium with PNC executives at a conclave of the North American Chapter of the PNC! We don’t know whether he was a member of the PNC – but it was obvious he was a “friend”!!

Around the same time, the full-page advertisements were splashed in all the national dailies announcing that the same Head of the SPU– and friend of the PNC – was made Chairman of a new Board of Governors of GuySuCo!! Your Eyewitness thought it odd that the fella selling off the store would be running the rump. Evidently with an MBA, he had some theoretical experience in business – but running sugar estates?? It’s always nice to have friends in high places!!

His “appointment” was quickly squashed after the public outcry – and the non-PNC Agriculture Minister – at the fella’s overreach! But that didn’t stop the PNC ‘friend” from enjoying his perch. Next we heard was when the SPU using GuySuCo’s assets as collateral floated a $30 billion bond – that’s US$150 million, folks!!

– but decided to park it in the back earning .01% interest while forking out 4.7% interest payments!! Was this new finance?

A clue was provided when he used some of the money to redo the entire old-time “Manager’s Club” at LBI Estate – complete with tennis courts, swimming pool, bar and a dance hall!! What was this all about?

Massa day come back? Evidently it had. Soon there were invitations for private soirees for the inside crowd – presumably “friends of members of the PNC”! But the folks at GuySuCo, who’d been put on a stringent budget after 7000 workers had been fired – didn’t take too kindly. They’re protesting.

The mindset exposed is one that is willing to not only live high off the hog at the people’s expense, but to rub it in the face of the most deprived – in the industry they’re supposed to be “saving”!! Hasn’t it crossed the minds of Heath-London and PNC friends that LBI/Enmore Estates – where they insist on “sporting” – just fired 1700 persons who are on the breadlines?

But that’s the PNC style, isn’t it? The old folks remember when “ice apple” and grapes were banned – along with flour and split peas (for dhal) – but were flown in for PNC big ones and friends!

The more things change… …with “lef or write” Your Eyewitness had a chuckle when he read about the Jamaican Police Commissioner working on a “Strategy to deal with ‘lef or write’”. In case you didn’t get his subject, he was talking about the proclivity of Jamaican Traffic Police, flagging down motorists for specious reasons, then demanding that they “lef’ something” or they’ll “write a ticket”!! “Lef’ or write”!!

Now your Eyewitness thinks his Guyanese counterpart should follow this strategy closely when it’s unveiled. Whatever might be the “shakedown” rate of motorists in Jamaica, it’s a hundred times worse here.

Your Eyewitness spent some time in Jamaica – and he knows!! Why the disparity? Not that our Traffic Cops are greedier, but simply here, they have more opportunity because of our traffic regulations.

Where else in the world would they allow a cop to haul a motorist who overtook on a yellow line to the Police Station and have him sit on the bench with criminals for four hours?

So, here most motorists “lef’” not to be “left” on the bench! …or making joke??

Someone suggested the Government should aim to present a “balanced Budget”. Are they kidding? How do you tell that to “PNC Ministers” who have to hire all their members and friends?

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

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thursdAY, december 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Manickchand, Henry face off over education sector …as former Minister decries $2B sent back to Treasury …says money could have been spent on text books, $10,000 grants

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ormer Education Minister and People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP) Priya Manickchand has decried the coalition Government for returning some $ 2 billion to the national Treasury, which she said could have been used to pay $15,000 in subsidies to students, referencing the $10,000 grant that was removed by the current Government. This was discussed in her presentation to the National Assembly as the 2019 Budget Debates entered its third day, but current Education Minister Nicolette Henry held out that the grants were seen as an “elections gimmick”.

MPs heard from Manickchand that the returned funds could have even been used to purchase text books for students in need or to pay teachers an increase, who she said, had to beg Government for their benefits. She then added that Government has not been willing to work with the Opposition for what she blamed on petty leadership.

“You know Mr Speaker if you are ashamed of what you did then that speaks to the level of mismanagement, you can’t be ashamed of it, I am very proud of our stewardship,” Manickchand noted in the midst of an animated National Assembly.

Manickchand feels that Government must present the already completed Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on education in the National Assembly and the revision of the Education Act which she said, is over 100 years old and thus cannot serve the nation's children in its current form.

Manickchand speaking on this year’s 2019 Budget for the education sector touched on historical reports showing a less than favourable state of Guyana’s education system,

especially in the 1980s when Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge served as the Finance Minister under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government. Other reports she cited reflected the shortfalls that continued after the PNC’s tenure ended and how her party was able to improve childhood education.

The PPP/C MP reminded the House of a World Bank report that showed that ‘the state the education system was in at the time.’

“It said very clearly that at that time, we had 30 per cent of our primary teachers trained and 29 per cent of secondary teachers trained.

It said school facilities were dilapidated and very crowded. Four per cent of children in 1984 were likely to write [Caribbean Examination Council] CXC. It said Guyana moved from being the third out of seven in terms of student pass rate to last in the

“Facial information”

Education Minister Nicolette Henry

Caribbean,” she told her fellow colleagues.

She said many of the MPs still alive and sitting on Government benches are taking Guyana back to that time.

Reflecting on her tenure, Manickchand recalled that the PPP/C Administration was able to make a school at Rosignol in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) a Grade A school in 2012.

Education Minister Nicolette Henry in her presentation responded, by saying Opposition members were providing “facial information”, noting there were improvements under this Government in increasing the number of trained teachers in the public education system and curriculum reform.

She noted too that Physical Education and music will be strengthened in the coming year. Contrary to what her predecessor outlined, Henry was adamant that students are garnering improved performances under the coalition Government.

“Twenty-three per cent of our students are passing English, 25 per cent Mathematics, 37 per cent Social Studies and 23 per cent Science. In three short years, we have seen improvements and this year we were able to record 60 per cent pass rate in English and sim-

PPP/C MP Priya Manickchand

ilar improvements were recorded in other subject areas,” Henry told the National Assembly.

Responding to allegations of corruption, especially on the subject of missing vouchers, Henry stressed that some

of the vouchers were signed for and collected by the Auditor General’s Office. She added that some documents were not requested and said that she hopes this matter can be addressed at the Public Accounts Committee.

Speaking on the $10,000 grant, Henry cited another local newspaper article which claimed in 2014 that the programme was an “elections campaign gimmick that was not sustainable”. Henry later cited that the number of school drop-outs has been decreasing under the current Administration and observed several new programmes the University of Guyana is offering as improvement in tertiary education. One such programme was for Petroleum Engineering.

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thursdAY, december 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

GPOC lost $8.3M in Carjackers, Police exchange gunfire 2 years to robberies ...1 injured A …entity explores pension payment options C ome 2019, pensioners can access their monthly pension payments through several more convenient payment options.

Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes explained that the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) under her remit is responsible for administering these payments and will be introducing new methods to effect same.

Even as the postal service in Guyana strives to maintain and upkeep its relevance in this day and age, incorporating technology and digitisation in its dayto-day operations is being explored by the Ministry under whose authority it falls.

With regards to the payment of pensions, “These will include a choice of either having a transfer to a bank account that the citizen may have, by cheque or some of the new financial payment systems, such as like mobile money or if they choose, they can continue to visit the post office.

The difference is at least the citizens would have a choice,” Minister Hughes is

Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes

quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

The Telecommunications Minister in her 2019 Budget Debate presentation, told the National Assembly that within the past two years, the GPOC suffered a loss of $8.3 million as a result of a number of robberies; the most recent being $2.2 million taken from the Charity Post Office in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Minister Hughes also indicated that financial trans-

actions conducted at post offices should be done in a more modern manner, hence the move to explore these options. Also, postal services, if they are to become financially viable, must reduce the amount of cash it has on hold.

In a more general sense, she said Guyana needs to move into new financial payment methods when it comes to paying our pensioners.

“With this in mind, the postal service is committed to leaving no stone unturned and therefore we have started to look at projects that would be able to increase the convenience of our senior citizens in accessing their pensions.”

Additionally, the Ministry recognising that a significant number of citizens are approaching the year of retirement, has envisioned electronic payment to these persons as a smoother transition. “We know that many of them already have bank accounts and are digitally competent and therefore we are sure they would want to utilise such a facility,” Minister Hughes said.

n attempt to highjack a car on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) on Wednesday ended with one of the alleged thieves being shot by Police.

Reports are Police ranks in C Division (East Coast Demerara) responded to a report of four men attempting to steal a motorcar which was parked at West Road, Sparendaam, ECD. As the Police arrived, the men at-

tempted to escaped but were confronted a short distance away at Goedverwagting, ECD. According to the Police, the suspects discharged several rounds at the lawmen, who returned fire, wounding one of the men, whilst the others escaped.

The 24-year-old injured suspect who resides in Sophia, Greater Georgetown, received med-

ical attention and was discharged. His home was subsequently searched and three spent ammunition were found. According to the Police, the suspect was also wanted in connection with the theft of a motorcar in A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara).

An investigation has been launched as Police hunt for the other three suspects.

Linden man jailed for stealing crankshaft

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34-year-old Lindener, who admitted that he stole a crankshaft, was jailed for two months by Magistrate Annette Singh.

Compton Spooner appeared at the Linden

Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, where he confessed that on November 30, 2018, while at Mabura Hill, he stole one crankshaft valued $80,000; the property of Bryan George. In his

explanation, Spooner, who is a saw and skidder operator, told the presiding Magistrate that he worked with George but was not paid and as such he took the item.

Attempted murder charge lands man in prison

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wenty-two-year-old Preston Skeete of South Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden; and also of Victory Valley, Wismar, Linden, was on Wednesday remanded to prison by Magistrate Annette Singh for the offence of attempted murder.

It is alleged that he wounded 25-year-old Kevin Valladores, a labourer, of Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden on September 6, 2018 with intent to murder him. The incident occurred at about 19:00h at Victory Valley, Wismar. According to reports, Valladores was at a shop in Victory Valley imbibing along with Skeete and others when an argument ensued between the two. Skeete is alleged to have choked the victim, be-

Remanded: Preston Skeete

fore allegedly pulling out a knife and slitting his throat.

He then made good his escape. Following the alleged incident, Valladores placed a rag to his throat, which

was reportedly bleeding profusely and ran East along Sunflower Street, Wismar.

He was picked up by a public-spirited citizen in a motorcar but subsequently exited the vehicle while at Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge while awaiting the traffic light.

Valladores reportedly then ran in the direction of the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) holding onto his throat. He was reportedly then placed into another car by public spirited citizens and rushed to the LHC where he was treated for an eight-inch laceration to his neck. Skeete, who later went into hiding, was apprehended by Police and charged in connection with the offence.

The case will continue on January 11, 2019.

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thursdAY, december 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Noise nuisance crackdown

Ramjattan stands by decision to shut down beachfront parties P

ublic Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan said he stands by the recent move to bar the hosting of social events at the Marriott beachfront, Kingston.

He explained to reporters on Wednesday that this decision was taken because of the negative effect activities hosted on the beachfront have on nearby businesses.

“You cannot… do activities that will hurt other people and that is what happens there… They injured them with the noise level so high and they don’t even want, although I told them, get some decibel meters because the range is 100 decibel but they range about 300,” Ramjattan stated.

He went on to highlight how recent activities held at the beachfront affected visitors at the Marriott Hotel.

“The New Zealand cricket team, and couple of the [other] cricket teams that came for the [ICC Women’s T20] Cricket World Cup, they said they couldn’t sleep. And I came around here and I heard them. It was extraordinarily loud.

They do not care one thing about other people’s rights,” the Public Security Minister posited.

Earlier this week, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson disclosed that the Government was forced to take this step after the Marriott Hotel filed a lawsuit for noise nuisance.

Marriott Beachfront in Kingston, Georgetown

This gave effect to the ban, which prohibits activities that could generate noise above permissible levels between Fort Groyne and Camp Street, Kingston.

In a statement issued by the Public Infrastructure Ministry, it was noted that the area will not be used as a venue for entertainment and/or social and other events which involve the use of loud audio and video systems, including those installed in motor vehicles; and for events “characterised by crowd generated noise”. this move, Government related, is in keeping with the recent campaign to clamp down on operators and business owners who facilitate sounds that exceed the provisions stated in the guidelines for noise emission into the environment, much to the annoyance of others nearby.

As such, organisers seeking approval for host-

ing events at the beachfront have since been advised to use alternative venues and to also operate with the relevant regulations for use in public spaces.

This, however, has not gone down well with sections of society, especially the business community, which sponsors and hosts the very events that are being curtailed.

But Minister Ramjattan is adamant about the ban, saying that they cannot allow these activities to affect surrounding businesses.

“Are you gonna affect a big hotel that has made a big investment like this?

You want me to give them the authority to come in front of your house to come and play that loud music?

We must understand, as responsible citizens, assuming they were to make the application to Ramjattan to come in front of your house, do you want me to give them it because they want to make

Linden man slapped with murder charge A post-mortem examination which was later conducted on the body of the 55-year-old gave the cause of death as brain hemorrhage due to blunt force trauma to the head.

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Remanded: Travis Hazel

Dead: Leroy Barron

ravis Hazel, also known as "Fifty", of Lot 24 Silver City, Wismar, Linden, will be spending Christmas in jail after he was remanded on a murder charge when he appeared at the Linden Magistrate's Court.

Hazel appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh, who read the charge which stated that on September 15, 2018, he murdered 55-yearold Leroy Barron.

In court on Wednesday, Hazel was remanded to prison until January 10, 2019, when the matter will be called again for statements and fixture.

It is alleged that on September 15, at Co-

op Crescent, Mackenzie, Linden, Hazel inflicted injuries on Barron, which lead to his death. Barron of Lot 59 Old Kara Kara, Mackenzie, was allegedly beaten to death during an altercation with Hazel. Initial investigations had revealed that there was an argument between Barron, who was known to do odd jobs around the Mackenzie Market and the accused, during which the Hazel allegedly armed himself with a piece of wood dealt the man a severe beating before fleeing the scene.

The deceased was later taken to the Linden Hospital Complex in an unconscious state but was pronounced dead on arrival.

a living,” the Public Security

Minister asked rhetorically before storming off.

Guyana Times was told by sources at the Marriott Hotel that visitors staying at the hotel would often leave during the hosting of any event on the beachfront, due to the noise levels.

The reliable source noted that the five-star hotel is on the losing end when this happens, since guests will have to be compensated.

Last month, Government kick-started a noise nuisance campaign. As part of a training exercise, which

some 50 Police ranks undertook, the Environmental Protection Agency together with the Guyana Police Force carried out an exercise on Station Street, Kitty, where they tested the noise level at several popular nightspots using the decibel meters before shutting down a few popular nightspots.

Moreover, last week, the Public Security Ministry has re-enforced the ‘2am curfew’ for night spots and other places of entertainment.

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thursdAY, december 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Drug-related offences 2nd leading cause for incarcerations – IDB study finds – Govt explores alternative sentencing

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study conducted on a group of prisoners locally has revealed drug-related offences were found to be the second leading cause for incarcerations.

This was revealed at a high-level meeting between local stakeholders and a team of international experts on exploring alternatives to incarceration, including the

establishment of drug treatment courts in Guyana.

During the opening ceremony on Wednesday at the Marriott Hotel, Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), Michael Atherly, explained that the study conducted by the Centre of Latin American Studies of InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), in collabo-

ration with the Guyana Government, assesses the role drug use plays in the execution of crimes leading to imprisonment, among other things.

Atherly noted that the study produced data from 900 inmates, who responded to more than 250 questions.

“The findings revealed that drug-related offenc-

Burrowes report should be implemented – CoI recommends …"questionable incidents" unearthed during inquiry

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City Hall CoI Chairman, Justice Cecil Kennard

hairman of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into City Hall’s mismanagement, Justice Cecil Kennard, while presenting recommendations at the handing over of the report into the Inquiry made a recommendation for the Burrowes report to be implemented.

According to Kennard, “Burrowes had carried out an investigation into the working of the City Council…that should be implemented”.

The Chairman mentioned that the implementation of those recommendations could improve the work being done by the Council.

Back in 2009, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Keith Burrowes had carried out an extensive inquiry into the state of affairs at City Hall.

This led to former presidential advisor, Ramon Gaskin’s appointment in May of 2012 to verify if the recommendations from the report were implemented.

Upon investigating, it was found that none of these recommendations were applied to the operations of the local organ body.

“He (Burrowes) did the inquiry for the City Council in 2009 and in 2012, he hired me to go and inquire if they had implemented any of his recommendations. I got the opportunity to go there…

The recommendations of Burrowes were not implemented,” testified Gaskin during the CoI. While that report was submitted the following June, the economist said he delved into other matters of the Council where astonishing financial procedures and

other questionable incidents were unearthed. From those signals, he is of the belief that the Town Council has adequate revenues to sustain operations but it is being hindered by mishandling of funds.

Being tasked to provide him with a list of outstanding revenues and taxes, staffers provided documents which indicated that over $12 billion were owed from businesses and taxpayers.

One of Burrowes’ recommendations was for the establishment of an Internal Audit Department which never materialised. In the City Treasury Department, Gaskin is certain that a majority of the persons are not trained in accountancy.

He pointed out that in the year 2000, the Auditor General at that time had stated that they hadn’t conducted any financial assessment of the Council in 10 years. Following up in 2016, an announcement was made that no audits were orchestrated in 12 years. “The whole accountancy and books and ledger were wrong…”

For many years, financial analysts have been calling for a report on the spending of City Hall.

In fact, Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo has highlighted the need for yearly audited statements.

The former Head of State at one of his weekly press conferences said with the addition of its new voices at City Hall, the Party will be employing measures to ensure that the Georgetown City Council is fully accountable to its constituents.

“First of all, accountability in the City Council, we want audited statements every single year; we want

every civil work be tendered using the National Procurement Act because you have seen that they have not had audited statements for the last three years [but] they have given out hundreds of millions in contracts without any form of tendering to friends and family. We want to correct that,” Jagdeo told the press.

The CoI commenced on September 22, 2018, and had 15 sittings during which 50 persons testified.

A section of the participants at the meeting between local stakeholders and a team of international experts at the Marriott on Wednesday

es were the second leading cause for incarceration, with 21.3 per cent of inmates overall being imprisoned for drug possession or dealing.

The findings… awakened us to the realisation that the mechanism of incarceration for dealing with our youth, poor and underprivileged drug-hooked offenders was providing little or no opportunity for breaking the revolving cycle of drugs, crime and incarceration,” he noted.

According to the CANU boss, this study clearly highlights the need to act now in implementing alternative sentencing.

On this note, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan pointed to the need to shut this revolving door by not only finding alternatives to incarceration but also rehabilitation for drug offenders, whom he

said, are clogging the streets, courts and prisons.

“I can immediately see drug users coming out of the habit, through what I now understand the court will order as their treatment, detoxification and stabilisation periods of treatment and so on. I could also see that, with treated people, recidivism rates will also fall and not only with drug offences but other offence because drug-users support their bad habits by often stealing [and committing other crimes]…

So indeed, this court can have that consequential positive effect that crimes, other than drug-related ones, will be reduced,” Minister Ramjattan asserted.

He went on to note, however, that Guyana needed support to establish a drug treatment court, which was one of the alternative pro-

grammes identified in the National Drug Strategy Master Plan 2016-2020 under the policy to reduce incarceration.

To this end, he expressed his gratitude to the international partners who are here to share their expertise and experience, and to walk local stakeholders through the challenges as they prepare to set up a drug treatment court here.

Wednesday’s high-level meeting was a collaboration between the Public Security Ministry and the Organisation of American States’ (OAS) Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD).

OAS Country Representative, Jean Ricot Dormeus, lauded Guyana for taking a step in this direction.

UG unions want Govt to end salary talks deadlock …claim administration using delaying tactics

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ne week after the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) and the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) announced they were pushing for their concerns regarding salary increases heard at the level of the Governing Council, these unions have now requested the immediate and direct intervention of the Government, through the Department of Labour.

The unions said on Wednesday that the reason for the request was mainly due to the fact that the administration of the University has embarked on a series of delay tactics which are apparently designed to force the staff into accepting the imposed three and four per cent salary increases for 2018.

The proposed increases have been described by officials from both unions as an insult. They have even argued that considering what staff go through — sometimes even subsidising their own classrooms — they deserve more.

As such, they plan to fight for more.

“The University’s staff rejected the attempt of the University’s administration to delay meeting with the Unions until Tuesday, December 18,” a joint statement issued by these Unions noted.

The offer to the Unions to meet to discuss 2018 negotiations was made on Friday, November 30, 2018. In response to a request for clarification, Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith

University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus

made it clear that the administration would have no time to meet with the Unions before that date.

According to the Unions, the administration has already indicated via a memorandum to staff that they intend to pay the unilaterally imposed increase before the University closes. The University closes on Friday, December 21, 2018, for the Christmas break.

It was noted that the University’s Registrar, Dr Nigel Gravesande, who serves as Secretary to the University’s Council, on Tuesday circulated a proposed date of Thursday, December 20, for the Council meeting to address the issue.

The matter had been referred to him by the University’s Pro Chancellor, Major General (retired) Joseph Singh since November 19.

“This means that Council will not have an opportunity to deliberate the matter until the day before the University closes. The discussion would also take place at a point where most likely the increase would already have been paid out to staff,” the

Unions added.

But these unions have an issue with that and have said while the time proposed for the Council’s meeting is 09:30 hrs they recalled that this has proven difficult for many Council members in the past few months to attend morning meetings in view of their work commitments.

The Unions therefore said it have serious doubts about whether the administration is actually attempting to secure the full participation of all Council members.

“The University’s administration has made it clear through its actions that it is attempting to force staff into accepting the imposed increase. The University’s staff reject this attempt, and call on the Department of Labour to intervene before the situation deteriorates further,” it said. The Unions have said they had attempted to negotiate this year’s salary increases with the University’s administration since January 2018, when they first wrote to the Vice Chancellor to request the start of negotiations. The agenda for the negotiations could not be agreed because

the administration refused to let the Unions’ agenda items is discussed first.

According to the Unions, their number one agenda item was ‘wages and salaries for 2018’. They claim it is disingenuous for the Vice Chancellor to claim “he has been forced to ask for the unilateral increase because he could not get the administration to agree to discuss these matters.”

The UG administration has refused to negotiate wages and salaries with the Unions, as they failed to attend a conciliation meeting which was scheduled by the Department of Labour.

In early November, the Unions had refused to sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) put forward by the administration since it includes the non-submission of grades by lecturers as the sole performance issue.

The Unions maintained that the Vice Chancellor was attempting to use staff performance as a distraction to “cover up what appears to be the sheer greed of demanding the same percentage salary increase as persons earning far less than those senior members of administration”.

Despite these concerns, well-placed sources at the University have noted that the Union’s demands do not take into account existing allowances that were put in place to incentivise staff.

According to one, these allowances include the University’s policy of waiving tuition for eligible staff who study at the university.

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thursdAY, december 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana participates in WHO NA Special Needs School meeting on substandard, observes International false medical drugs Day of Disabled Persons

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he Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) recently participated in the Seventh Meeting of Member State Mechanism on Substandard and Falsified (SF) medical products hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) at its Geneva, Switzerland headquarters.

Guyana was represented at the meeting, which lasted from November 27 to 30, by GA-FDD Director Marlan Cole.

According to a statement from the Department, discussions at that meeting targeted problems associated with SF medical products entering the global supply chain, particularly in middle and low-income countries.

This problem was highlighted in a Study of the Public Health and Socioeconomic Impact of SF medical products published by WHO in 2017 and reports received by the WHO’s Global Surveillance Monitoring System (GSMS) for SF medical products, a surveillance system that was launched in July 2013.

According to the Study

by WHO, 1 in 10 or 10.5 per cent of medical products sampled was SF and given the estimated market value of US$300 billion in middle and low-income countries, it equates to over US$30 billion in cost to these countries.

In addition, the University of Edinburgh developed an Impact Model for WHO, which was used to estimate the impact of SF antibiotics for the treatment of childhood pneumonia in SubSaharan Africa. The model revealed that as many as 72,430 excess deaths can be attributed to SF antibiotics with reduced antibiotic activity and 169,271 excess deaths to SF antibiotics with no antibiotic activity.

With regard to WHO’s Global Surveillance Monitoring System, it provides National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs), with a portal to report SF medical products and after four years, over 2000 SF medical products reports were received from 111 countries. Reports were in all therapeutic categories, ranging from cancer

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GA-FDD Director Marlan Cole at the WHO meeting in Switzerland last month

medicines to contraceptives and from antibiotics to vaccines. Reports were also evenly split between generic and innovator products with antimalarial and antibiotics being the most frequently reported.

Moreover, the meeting also focused on significant works by the Member State Mechanism to fight SF medical products in the following areas: distribution or the supply of SF or “ fake” medical products via the Internet and medical products in-transit; strengthening of regulatory systems to prevent, detect and respond to SF medical products in health systems; guidance for manufacturers, importers, and distributors’ registration; the authorisation of medical products

by Member States; and the advancement of a global communication campaign framework to combat the threat of SF medical products using IDEAS – insight, data, engagement, action, and solution.

In Guyana, according to the GA-FDD, the first line of defence against SF medical products is enshrined in the Food and Drug Act, Chapter 34:04 and its accompanying regulations, particularly Regulation 78, whereby registration and authorisation of drugs are required based on the reliance (full assessment) for efficacy, quality, and safety by one or more of the following countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada or Australia.

In fact, in 2017, an additional pathway for registration was created

when the Public Health Ministry and the GA-FDD signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Caribbean Regulatory System (CRS) for assistance with medical products registration. This was in an effort to ensure SF medical products do not enter our health-care system and that of the region.

The GA-FDD said too that it has been faced with and also simultaneously advanced litigation regarding the sale, release, registration, and distribution of medical products that are not registered or intended for registration. In this regard and in efforts to protect Guyanese consumers from SF medical products, the Department has received key and critical support from the Public Health Ministry and the Attorney General (AG) Chambers with matters before the courts.

On this note, the Department thanked the Government through its Public Health Ministry for its support in efforts to combat this problem with public health and economic implications.

“The magnitude of this problem in Guyana is currently unknown; however this exposure and alliance will allow us to double our efforts to prevent, detect and respond to Substandard and falsified-SF medical products in our health-care delivery system, by scaling up wharf and facility inspections, medical products examination and sampling,” the GA-FDD said in its missive on Wednesday.

he annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities into every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

IDPD has been celebrated every year on December 3 since 1992, and the theme for the 2018 celebration is “Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”.

In observance of this day, the New Amsterdam Special Needs School (NASNS), on the afternoon of December 3, held an awareness walk through the streets of New Amsterdam, which was followed by a concert.

NASNS Head Teacher Zoya Crandon told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the road march and concert were two activities held every year by the school in observance of IDPD. Crandon said that this year the members of staff decided to “give back to the community”, which assisted the institution in a number of ways during the year.

When asked how she

Head Teacher Zoya Crandon

felt about the success of the programme, the Head Teacher responded, “We started planning from last year. So, we feel really good because a lot of work was put into it.”

Regional Education Officer of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Valika Mohabir-Jaikishun in her address, emphasised the need for inclusivity for persons living with disabilities.

“We don’t want persons, because you have some form of disability to be left behind. We at the Ministry of Education want equality so that all our children can benefit … we want them to have an education because that is the key to success.”

The walk, which commenced at Main and

Vryheid Streets, New Amsterdam, saw participation from students and teachers of the NASNS, along with parents as well as officials of the Education Ministry. The participants later assembled at the New Amsterdam Town Hall for the concert and award ceremony which followed.

Additionally, students, parents, and sponsors received awards in appreciation of their support throughout the year.

This year, the local theme focused on empowering persons with disabilities for inclusive, equitable and sustainable development as part of the Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Agenda pledges to “leave no one behind”.

According to the United Nations, “Persons with disabilities, as both beneficiaries and agents of change, can fast-track the process towards inclusive and sustainable development and promote resilient society for all, including in the context of disaster risk reduction and humanitarian action, and urban development.

Governments, persons with disabilities and their representative organisations, academic institutions and the Private Sector need to work as a “team” to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.

EPA trains 64 new teachers in environmental education

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The teachers who were trained in environmental education

he Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has trained 64 trainee teachers and lecturers of the Cyril Potter College of Education’s six centres – Anna Regina, Vreed-en-Hoop; New Amsterdam; and Linden, Georgetown (in-service) and Turkeyen (pre-service) – on environmental education.

The training was part of its 9th annual

Environmental Education Training Workshop hosted during November 2830, 2018, at Camp Alpha, Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

The goal of the workshop was to enable participants to utilise a variety of methods to successfully infuse environmental education into the main subject areas of the school’s curricula – Science, Social Studies, Mathematics and English

Language. The natural setting of the workshop served as a constant reminder and learning tool for the indispensable benefits our environment provides.

It also supported a fun and interactive learning process and equipped teachers to effectively engage in Environmental Education in support of the Green State Development Strategy.

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thursdAY, december 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

3 to face Judge, jury over murder of Corentyne man …victim’s mother expressed delight

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Corentyne, Berbice mother has expressed delight over the committal of a businessman, his son and another man for the 2017 death of her son, who was killed, and his body burnt.

There were verbal clashes between the mother and the businessman’s wife after the trio was committed to stand trial in the High Court.

Last Monday, Magistrate Charlyn Artiga committed Bharrat Ramsaywack, 43, a block maker of Number 55 Village; his son Prem Ramsaywack, 17; and Mohanlall Sewsankar, 20, a labourer, who worked with the block maker to stand trial before a Judge and jury for allegedly killing Mahendra Ghanie, of Bloomfield, Corentyne between October 2 and

Indranie Seenauth

October 4, 2017.

The bones of 21-year-old Ghanie was found in a shallow grave with burning coconut shells next to a cemetery at Number 55 Village, close to Ramsaywack’s fence.

It had been reported that the trio offered Police a confession statement stat-

ing that Ghanie was struck on his head with a piece of wood rendering him unconscious. They then reportedly dragged his body and dumped it in the shallow grave. It was then set afire.

The men after checking and found that the body was not destroyed, burnt it again in another shallow grave, the Police said.

They had earlier accused Ghanie, who worked with the block maker, of stealing a goat. Magistrate Artiga committed Bharrat Ramsaywack to stand trial for murder, while his son and Sewsankar were committed to stand trial for being accessories to murder.

After the court found that there was sufficient evidence to commit the trio to stand trial in the High Court, Defence Attorney Mursaline Bacchus, who represented the younger

Dead: Mahendra Ghanie

Ramsaywack, argued that he could not be tried in the High Court for murder since the evidence suggest that he allegedly assisted to dispose the body.

The ruling was then that the two be tried for being accessories to murder.

Following the ruling, Indranie Seenauth, the

Committed to stand trial; Bharrat Ramsaywack and Mohanlall Sewsankar

mother of the dead man, said that she is elated knowing that she is getting justice for her son’s death.

“I feel a little better but I still lost my son,” she said.

“The mother of Prem Ramsaywack came downstairs and she talking to

me and my daughter could hear that we can’t see we son but she could see she own. I start to cry and feel real bad because I lost my son and I can’t get him back but I leave everything in God’s hands,” she said as she broke down in tears.

CCJ issues record number of judgements in 2018 D

uring 2018, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) issued 34 judgements and reasons for decision, its highest number of judgements delivered in a calendar year since it began its operations in 2005.

Throughout that period, the CCJ also heard 28 new matters in both its original and its appellate jurisdictions. The court’s term ends on December 17; its last hearing for the year was a case from Barbados, heard on December 5. This matter was the appeal of Renaldo Alleyne, who was convicted of manslaughter after six young women died when the Campus Trendz Mall was fire-

bombed during a robbery in 2010.

Alleyne had been sentenced to six concurrent life sentences. The hear-

ing was broadcast live, as are all the hearings from the Court.

During this period, the judicial officers will be preparing for upcoming cases and hold case management conferences on current matters. Judicial reform work also continues during this period. The CCJ Academy for Law will be staging during this period its fifth Biennial Conference, in partnership with the General Legal Council, from December 13 to 15, 2018 in Kingston, Jamaica.

The Conference is being presented with the support of the Judicial Reform and Institutional Strengthening (JURIST) Project, the Caribbean Development Bank, CaribExport

and Scotiabank Jamaica, and will feature over 50 international and local speakers. During the Conference, the Jurist Project will be launching a Criminal Bench Book for Magistrates and Parish Court Judges. The Bench Book provides guidelines, based on best practices gleaned from courts and judicial officers throughout the Region.

The Bench Book will be an excellent resource document for Judges and Magistrates and will provide a template for judiciaries to adapt for their unique situations.

Additionally, the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers, UN Women and the JURIST Project collaborated earlier this year to launch a Gender Protocol template, which the

56 trainees to graduate from 2-week aquaculture course …course funded by China

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ifty-six trainees who are currently participating in the Overseas Training Course on Aquaculture were given a first-hand look at field operations, during a tour of the Sweet Water Aqua Farm at Canal Number Two, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

The participants include persons from the Private Sector, Government, civil society and the security services.

The course, which began on November 28 and ends on December 11, saw the participants undergoing training in the care of freshwater fish, production systems, and feeding and harvesting.

According to Fisheries Officer Nakita Dookie, Wednesday’s visit afforded participants the opportu-

Aquaculture trainees tour Sweet Water Aqua Farm, Canal Number Two Polder, West Bank Demerara

nity to handle the fish and identified them by gender.

“Aquaculture is the fastest growing sector within the international economy, FAO [Food and Agriculture Organisation] estimates that by 2050 fish harvest-

ed from aquaculture farms will make up more than 50 per cent of the market,” Dookie is quoted by the Department of Public Information (DPI) as saying. Aquaculture products are currently not exported;

however, according to the Fisheries Officer, tremendous growth in this sector is expected. “Guyana has species that can be expanded upon … farmers are very enthusiastic about farming new species.”

Judicial Education Institute of Trinidad and Tobago (JEITT) has developed for use by Judicial Officers in Trinidad and Tobago.

The JEITT launched the Trinidad and Tobago Gender Protocol on November 27, 2018.

The CCJ is also preparing to launch its second Strategic Plan early next year. The new Plan will cover the period 2019-2023. The Plan will include updated vision and mission statements as well as new core values for the 13-year-old organisation. The Court’s units are currently preparing work plans, which will be broken down to work plans for each CCJ employee, to align with the Court’s overall strategic plan.

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thursdAY, december 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

UN commends Caricom’s electoral processes as genuine

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nited Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Guyana, Mikiko Tanaka has commended the Caricom Region for making “important progress” in the conduct of periodic and genuine elections.

She expressed those sentiments while also lauding the important role the CARICOM Secretariat has played in consolidating democratic processes through the conduct of election observation missions.

The UN representative said “for sure” there are many lessons the Region can share with the rest of the world. She was at the time speaking at the commencement of the second Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections (BRIDGE) Workshop on Electoral Observation and Round Table Discussion on Gender and Elections which began on Monday 3 December at the Ramada Princess Hotel.

Participants of the fourday meeting include senior electoral officials and experts from Caricom, as well as regional organisations including the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the African Union (AU) and the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation

(OIC). It is being facilitated through the collaborative efforts of the CARICOM Secretariat, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN Electoral Assistance Division (UNEAD).

Tanaka said Caricom Election Observation Missions have assisted Member States not only in promoting transparency and increasing public confidence in electoral processes, but also in mediation and good offices support to contentious electoral issues when necessary.

It was critical to take all necessary steps to maintain and strengthen confidence in international electoral support and election observation, she added, noting that impartiality, professionalism and integrity were key guiding principles in building that confidence.

The increasing role of civil society and domestic observers in safeguarding genuine elections and in enhancing the credibility of electoral processes were also important she said. She also emphasized the need for supporting women’s political participation, which she said “is of key importance in ensuring peaceful and inclusive electoral processes, and more stable and democratic societies.”

Adviser within the

UN Permanent Representative to Guyana, Mikiko Tanaka

Directorate of Foreign and Community Relations, Valerie Alleyne Odle, in her remarks on behalf of the Ambassador Colin Granderson, Assistant Secretary-General of the Directorate, noted that the Secretariat acknowledges the important role of women in all aspects of the election process, including their participation in observation.

This has been demonstrated by the 116 women out of 315 officials who have been a part of the 47 Caricom Election Observation Missions undertaken to date. 13 of them held the positions of chief and deputy chief of mission,

6 missing after US military aircraft collide off Japan

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ix US Marines were missing following a still-unexplained mishap off the coast of Japan on Thursday involving two US Marine Corps aircraft, which may have collided mid-air during a refueling exercise gone wrong, US officials said.

Japan’s defense ministry said that its maritime forces had so far rescued one of the seven Marines who were aboard the two aircraft at the time of the incident. Search and rescue efforts were ongoing, US and Japanese officials said.

The rescued person had been on the F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet, and was a in stable condition at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya told a news conference.

“The incident is regrettable, but our focus at the moment is on search and rescue,” he said. “Japan will respond appropriately once the details of the incident are uncovered.”

The Marine Corps said

in a statement that the incident occurred around 02:00 local time in Japan on Thursday (1700 GMT Wednesday) about 200 miles (322 km) off the Japanese coast.

The F/A-18 and the KC130 Hercules refueling aircraft had launched from Marine Corps Air Station

Iwakuni and were conducting regular training when there was a “mishap,” the Marine Corps said.

The Marine Corps did not elaborate on the nature of the incident. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it occurred during a refueling exercise.

(Reuters)

she informed.

She said election observation was viewed as an essential element of Caricom’s effort to promote and maintain its democratic and good governance values. The Missions’ recommendations when implemented were useful in building the capacity of electoral offices, she

added.

Caricom Electoral Observation Missions began in 2000 to Suriname and Haiti. Missions are usually fielded at the request of Member States and Associate Members, however, in April 2017, the Community fielded an observation mission to Curacao, a candidate for Associate Membership.

Odle said, though small in terms of size, Caricom Observer Missions have comprised “extremely qualified and experienced” members drawn from the cadre of Chief Election Officers or Election Commissions within Member States.

More significantly, she added, members of the team are familiar with the political environment of the Caribbean, its traditions, culture and characteristics.

That immersion has placed them in an advantageous position to monitor and evaluate electoral processes to ensure conformity with both domestic and international

standards, the Director said.

But in spite of those attributions, she said Caricom is committed to enhancing the capacity of specialists in the field, hence the convening of the workshop which is being facilitated by the international Co-coordinator of the BRIDGE Project, Ross Attrill; and Aleida Ferreyra, Electoral Policy Specialist of BRIDGE/UNDP. The first workshop was held in Georgetown in March 2016 for officials who served as chiefs and deputy chiefs in Caricom Election Observations Missions. It was highly commended by the participants, and they requested similar training for other election officials.

The Coordinator for Strategic Partnership, UNEAD Mansour Sadeghi who moved the vote of thanks at the opening ceremony described the Caricom-UN electoral observation partnership as one of the most efficient in the field.

Oil prices dip as stock markets slide

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il prices fell along with weak stock markets on Thursday, but trading was tepid ahead of a meeting by producer group OPEC that is expected to result in a supply cut aimed at draining a glut that has pulled down crude prices by 30 percent since October.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 were at $52.66 per barrel at 0140 GMT, down 23 cents, or 0.4 percent, from their last close.

International Brent crude oil futures LCOc1 were down 7 cents, or 0.1 percent, at $61.49 per barrel. Traders said oil prices were being weighed down by

weak global financial markets, which saw stock markets tumble on Thursday.

Since early October, crude oil has lost around 30 percent of its value amid surging supply and fears that an economic downturn will erode fuel demand.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is meeting at its headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on Thursday to decide its production policy.

Led by Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s crude oil production PRODN-TOTAL has risen by 4.1 percent since mid2018, to 33.31 million barrels per day (bpd). Oil output from the world’s biggest

producers - OPEC, Russia and the United States - has increased by a 3.3 million bpd since the end of 2017, to 56.38 million bpd, meeting almost 60 percent of global consumption.

The increase alone is equivalent to the output of major OPEC producer United Arab Emirates.

Russia, a major oil producer but not a member of OPEC, will meet with the producer cartel on Friday to discuss production levels, and it is widely expected that a supply cut will be agreed.

“Markets...believe the production cut deal will be in range of 1-1.3 million bpd,” ANZ bank said on Thursday.

(Reuters)

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, december 6, 2018

Regional

Cuba offers 3G mobile Trinidad Police make major bust of drug trafficking ring with alleged foreign connections Internet access to citizens

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From left: Some of the drugs found in the apartment in the upscale community. Police Commissioner Gary Griffith and officers at the scene with one of the female suspects (at right, in yellow). Two male suspects were also arrested (Photo credit: Trinidad and Tobago Police Service)

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olice on Tuesday made a multimillion-dollar drug, firearm and ammunition bust at an apartment in an upscale residential area and arrested five people.

And according to media reports, intelligence had revealed that there was a Venezuelan/Mexican drug cartel link to the seizure which is valued at approximately TT$15 million (US$2.2 million).

Acting on intelligence, the Special Operations Response Team (SORT) and Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith went to the residence in Westmoorings, Diego Martin, west of

the capital Port of Spain, around midday, and discovered the large quantities of drugs and firearms.

Two men and two women were arrested at the house, while a fifth suspect who fled the scene in a BMW was intercepted by police not too far away.

Commissioner Griffith explained that the sting was set up after Police received information the day before about possible drug activity in the area. He said the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) was going after all those responsible for the drug trade, no matter where they were.

“What I am doing is cutting the

food chain, cutting the drug trade. The more drugs that I seize the more it is they are going to make mistakes. The more mistakes they make, the more I’m going to keep pegging them back,” he told reporters.

“I intend to cripple the drug trade. I intend to cripple the trade of gangs and others who continue to bring in guns and drugs into this country.”

Asked by a reporter to give, in one sentence, a message to drug traffickers and drug dealers in the twin-island republic, the top cop replied: “happy hour over.” (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

uba’s population is to be offered Internet access via a 3G mobile network from later this week. Telecom provider Etecsa said citizens would be able to start subscribing to the service from Thursday.

Until now, locals have mostly relied on Wi-Fi hotspots and internet cafes and the 3G service has been restricted to state-employed journalists and foreign businesses among others.

This will change – but many will still be unable to afford the new contracts. Etecsa’s packages range from a month’s use of 600MB of data for 7CUC (US$7; £5.50) to 4GB for 30CUC. Users get a bonus 300MB use of local .cu domain websites. But the average state wage for the island’s 11.2 million residents is the equivalent of about US$30

per month. The launch marks a further relaxation of the Government’s restrictions on online activity.

Until five years ago, access was largely limited to tourist hotels and state-operated clubs. But in 2013, the authorities began opening internet cafes.

In 2014, they began allowing mobile phone owners access to the state’s Nauta email service at a charge of 1CUC per megabyte – the price has since fallen to the same charge for 50MB. In 2015, the first Wi-Fi hotspot opened at a cultural centre. Hundreds of other public spaces then followed.

And then in 2017, Etecsa began offering a limited number of home connections.

Access to the new 3G service will be rolled out over a three-day period in order to reduce the risk of it being overwhelmed with demand.

Regional leaders concerned about information flow in the C’bean 1st baby born after deceased womb transplant C aribbean Community (Caricom) leaders have expressed disappointed at the flow of information within the 15-member grouping and have agreed to a working group to examine the situation, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has said.

“You can probably tell me what went on in New York today or what went on in Iowa or what went on in Texas, but you can’t tell me what went on in Belmopan,

you can’t tell me what went on in Kingston or you can’t tell me what went on in Kingstown.

“We have therefore to ensure that Caribbean people have access to real time information. We need to move it to that stage, we have to ensure that the decisions we take at the levels of governments, at the level of regional institutions are shared,” Mottley told the news conference that followed the two-day special Caricom

summit that looked at ways of deepening the regional integration process through the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) that allows for the free movement of goods, services, skills and labour.

She told reporters that access to information “is what drives people’s decision and our citizens need that information in order to decide what they plan to do at the individual level or hat they plan to do at the level of

business”.

Mottley did not indicate whether the performance of the Barbadosbased Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), which produces a nightly programme on regional events as well as its daily wire service, had come under scrutiny during the two-day meeting, but informed sources told CMC that the need to mobilise funds to support the regional media network had been discussed. (Excerpt from

Jamaica Observer)

Taiwan donates US$167,000 to Nevis to purchase hemodialysis machines

T

aiwan continues to make good on its promise to assist the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) in its quest to arrest and control chronic kidney disease on the island.

On Tuesday, Tom Lee, resident ambassador to St Kitts and Nevis, handed over a US$167,000 cheque to Mark Brantley, premier of Nevis and minister of health.

“The amount is meant to procure hemodialysis machines and the water systems, etc. and I really believe in the near future all the CKD patients they don’t have to travel to St Kitts anymore, they can enjoy the service in Nevis,” he said.

The ambassador noted that the embassy continues to work tirelessly to en-

From left: Gary Pemberton, Administrator at the Alexandra Hospital; Nicole Slack-Liburd, Permanent Secretary in the Health Ministry; Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis and Health Minister; Tom Lee, Resident Ambassador of Taiwan to St Kitts and Nevis; Cynthia Hung, First Secretary at the Embassy of Taiwan; and FengTa Tsai of the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund at a handing over ceremony on December 4, 2018

sure that more people from St Kitts and Nevis benefit from cooperation projects between his country and the

Federation.

Brantley thanked the government of Taiwan for its continued attention to

(Excerpt from BBC News)

the partnership forged with St Kitts and Nevis 35 years ago. He underscored the significance of the health initiative dealing with the issue of renal failure, an illness which is of major concern locally and regionally.

The three-year medical and public health project, which began in April 2017, is the first of its kind to be introduced and implemented by Taiwan since establishing diplomatic relations with the Federation.

It is designed to strengthen the capacity for prevention and control of chronic kidney disease in the Federation, through early detection and case management. It is expected to result in a reduction of risks and costs associated with the disease. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

The baby was delivered by Caesarean section

A

healthy baby girl has been born using a womb transplanted from a dead person.

The 10-hour transplant operation – and later fertility treatment – took place in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2016.

The mother, 32, was born without a womb.

There have been 39 womb transplants using a live donor, including mothers donating their womb to their daughter, resulting in 11 babies. But the 10 previous transplants from a dead donor have failed or resulted in miscarriage.

In this case, reported in The Lancet, the womb donor was a mother of three in her mid-40s who died from bleeding on the brain.

The recipient had MayerRokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, which affects about one in every 4500 women and results in the vagina and uterus (womb)

failing to form properly.

However, her ovaries were fine. And doctors were able to remove eggs, fertilise them with the father-to-be’s sperm and freeze them.

The woman was given drugs that weakened her immune system to prevent her body attacking and rejecting the transplant. And about six weeks later, she started having periods.

After seven months, the fertilised eggs were implanted. And, after a normal pregnancy, a 6lb (2.5kg) baby was delivered by Caesarean section on December 15, 2017.

Dr Dani Ejzenberg, from Hospital das Clínicas in São Paulo, said: “The first uterus transplants from live donors were a medical milestone, creating the possibility of childbirth for many infertile women with access to suitable donors and the needed medical facilities. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

Colombia landmine casualties triple to 180: non-governmental group

T

he number of people killed or wounded by landmines in Colombia more than tripled in 2018 to 180, a landmine monitoring group said on Wednesday, as militants occupying territory abandoned by demobilised leftist rebels have expanded their use of

the weaponry.

The casualties, compared with 56 in 2017, were mostly in jungle and mountain areas previously controlled by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels, who demobilised last year under a peace deal with the Government to end five

decades of war.

As FARC members returned to civilian life, much of the drug trafficking and illegal mining territory they previously controlled has been occupied or fought over by criminal gangs, dissident rebels who did not lay down arms and

the smaller rebel group the National Liberation Army (ELN).

“This year we have had an increase of more than 200 per cent in people who have suffered accidents with mines, many with dramatic injuries,” said Alvaro Jimenez, the director of

the Colombian Campaign Against Landmines, which detailed the casualties in a report.

The majority of victims were civilians, the report said, a change from previous years when many were military personnel. The FARC traditionally warned civil-

ian populations about mined areas, while current armed groups have largely not, the report said.

Colombia cleared two square kilometres (0.77 square miles) of landmines since the peace deal was signed in late 2016. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

17

thursdAY, december 6, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

US bids farewell to George HW Bush

T

he United States bid farewell to former President George HW Bush on Wednesday in a State funeral that brought together world dignitaries, US leaders and the 41st President’s friends and family.

The funeral began with a procession from the US Capitol to the National Cathedral.

All four living former US Presidents, current President Donald Trump and several world leaders attended the service in Washington, DC. “To his very last days, dad’s life was instructive,” George W Bush said in his eulogy to his father.

A State funeral was held for the 41st President of the United States who died on Friday at the age of 94. His son, former US President George W Bush speaks next to the flag-draped casket of his father at the National Cathedral [Alex Brandon/AFP]

“He taught us how to grow with dignity, humour and kindness. And when the good Lord finally called – how to meet him with courage and with the joy of the promise of what lies ahead,” he added. “Through our tears, let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great and noble man, the best father a son or daughter could have.”

Bush was “the last great-soldier statesman”, historian Jon Meacham said in his eulogy, “our shield” in dangerous times. On a lighter note, he added that Bush, campaigning in a crowd in a department store, once shook hands with a mannequin. Rather than

flushing in embarrassment, he simply cracked, “Never know.

Gotta ask.”

Wednesday’s funeral caps off three days of remembrance of the Republican president who oversaw the post-Cold War transition and led the US during the Gulf War, only to lose re-election in a generational shift to Democrat Bill Clinton in 1992.

“America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude,” former President Barack Obama said after Bush’s death on Friday. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Australian scientists develop Russia will build missiles if US leaves treaty, Putin warns “10-minute” cancer test

R

esearchers at the University of Queensland in Australia have developed a new test that can detect the presence of cancer cells in the body.

The 10-minute test, announced in a study published

by Nature on Tuesday, can determine whether a tumour is present in the human body by identifying a unique DNA nanostructure that is common to all types of cancer.

It is designed to detect cancer from blood or biopsy tissue by analysing methyl group changes at the genomic level.

Methyl groups, which are tiny molecules of DNA, were found to be significantly altered in cancer patients.

Researchers noted that the methyl groups are spread out across the genome in healthy cells, but were present only in particular places in the genome of individuals with cancer.

Matt Trau, a professor at the University of Queensland, said: “Discovering that cancerous DNA molecules formed entirely different 3D nanostructures from normal circulating DNA was a breakthrough that has enabled an entirely new approach to detect cancer non-invasively in any tissue type including blood.

“This led to the creation of inexpensive and portable detection devices that could eventually be used as a diagnostic tool, possibly with a mobile phone.”

The new diagnostic test demonstrated an accuracy of up to 90 per cent when tested on 200 human cancer samples and normal DNA, according to the researchers.

“We certainly don’t know yet whether it’s the Holy Grail for all cancer diagnostics, but it looks really interesting as an incredibly simple universal marker of cancer and as an accessible and inexpensive technology that doesn’t require complicated lab-based equipment like DNA sequencing,” Trau added.

The technology, however, requires further development as it can currently only determine the presence of cancer, but not the disease type or stage. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

R

ussia will develop missiles banned under a Cold War agreement if the US exits the pact, President Vladimir Putin has warned.

His comments follow NATO’s accusation on Tuesday that Russia has already broken the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.

Signed in 1987 by the US and USSR, it banned both countries’ use of all short and medium-range missiles.

But Putin says the accusation is a pretext for the US to leave the pact.

In televised comments, the Russian leader said many other countries had developed weapons banned under the INF treaty.

“Now it seems our

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the accusation was a pretext for the US to leave the treaty

American partners believe that the situation has changed so much that [they] must also have such a weapon,” he said.

“What’s our response?

It’s simple – in that case we will also do this.”

US President Donald

Trump has previously said the country would leave the treaty because of Russian actions.

Analysts say Russia sees the weapons as a cheaper alternative to conventional forces. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Mafia struck in CO2 emissions Liberia electricity reach “all-time high” Europe-wide sting crisis: “About 60% of power stolen” M embers of the notorious ‘Ndrangheta Italian mafia have been targeted in a simultaneous Police sting in Europe.

Hundreds of Police are understood to have been involved in the operation in Belgium, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands.

At least 90 people were arrested, and more than three tonnes of cocaine and 140 kilogrammes of ecstasy were seized.

Italian restaurants and ice cream parlours used to launder money were among the premis-

A

The main factor in the rise is coal use in China

booming global market for cars has helped drive carbon dioxide emissions to an alltime high in 2018, say researchers.

The main factor in the near three per cent rise has been coal use in China, driven by Government efforts to boost a flagging economy.

But emissions from cars, trucks, and planes using fossil fuels continue to rise in all parts of the world.

Renewables have also grown this year, but are not keeping pace with the CO2 rise.

The research, carried out by the Global Carbon Project (GCP), says that this year’s “strong” rise is projected to be 2.7 per cent.

That’s much bigger than 2017’s 1.6 per cent. This will worry scientists as they had seen CO2 emissions relatively flat for the three years before.

While coal use remains below the historically high level of 2013, it has grown again this year. China, the world’s largest emitter, saw emissions rise an estimated 4.7 per cent. (Excerpt from BBC News)

es raided.

Millions of euros in laundered money was seized at the businesses and homes raided across the four countries, officials said, and several “high-ranking” members of ‘Ndrangheta are believed to have been among those arrested.

Eurojust – the European judicial cooperation body involved – said Operation “Pollino” had been in motion since 2016.

Italy’s chief anti-mafia prosecutor, Federico Cafiero De Raho, praised the “extraordinary nature of this operation”.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

China vows speedy action on trade commitments

C

hinese officials have said they are “confident in implementing” trade commitments made to the US “as soon as possible”, without giving details.

An ongoing trade war has seen both countries impose duties of billions of dollars on one another’s goods.

Over the weekend, a temporary truce was agreed between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 meeting in Argentina.

But concerns linger over discrepancies in information coming from either side.

The US and China paused hostilities after several months of tit-for-tat tariffs, agreeing to halt any new duties for 90 days.

This prevented a widely expected escalation in the trade war. Tariffs already imposed on Chinese goods had been due to rise at the start of the year and additional tariffs had also been threatened.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Most of the capital, Monrovia, does not have electricity

P

eople are stealing about 60 per cent of the electricity generated in Liberia annually by making illegal connections to their homes and businesses, the State-owned power utility has said.

The theft caused annual losses of about US$35 million, Liberia Electricity Corporation officials told State radio.

This was robbing the utility of cash for extending power supply, they said.

Liberia is trying to rebuild its power sector, destroyed during a civil war

which lasted from 1989 to 2003.

The US is giving financial and technical aid to the West African state to increase connectivity, as part of the Power Africa initiative launched by former US President Barack Obama to bring electricity to 50 million people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020.

But up till now only 12 per cent of Liberians – and less than 20 per cent of residents in the capital, Monrovia –- have electricity, one of the lowest access rates in the world. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursdAY, december 6, 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

Set your goals and don’t stop until you are satisfied with what you’ve accomplished. A gift, reward or financial gain is heading your way. Express your gratitude.

Personal improvements can be made that will enhance your relationship with a loved one. Your determination and dedication will pay off. A bonus, raise or chance to make some money is apparent.

Too much of anything will be to your detriment. Don’t let anyone talk you into something you shouldn’t do.

Overspending, exaggerating or emotional indulgence should be curbed.

Your ability to see all sides of a situation will keep you out of harm’s way. Dig in and concentrate on what you want to achieve; the rewards will be spectacular.

Do something different.

Attend an event that you can share with the whole family or friends. Shop for a festive outfit or a present you’d like to give someone special.

You’ll do best if you don’t stick too close to home.

Distance yourself from any emotional chaos or someone who tends to be indulgent.

Visit a friend or find something entertaining to do.

Socializing will be fun, LIBRA (Sept. 23- but be careful what you Oct. 23) share if you are out with colleagues or people who could easily put you in a vulnerable position at work.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — EVANESCE

SUDOKU

(EVANESCE: ev-un-NES: To dissipate like vapor.)

Average mark 16 words

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Personal improvements will turn out well and give you the lift you need to get your energy level at maximum. An idea you have will be considered if your budget is realistic.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Don’t overreact. Get the facts and consider things carefully before you take action. Indulgent behavior will be frowned upon. Protect your reputation and avoid being reprimanded.

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

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

YESTERDAY’S WORD — HOROSCOPE

hero hers hoer hoop hoopoe hope horse hose ocher oops rope rose scoop

scooper scope score shoe shoer shoo shop shore sore spoor spore cero choose

chooser chop chore chose coho coop cooper cope coper copse core corps corpse

crop perch peso poor porch pore pose poser posh prose echo epoch epos

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

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

You’ll discover something about your heritage that will surprise you and influence your plans for travel or education. A new look will draw compliments and encourage romance.

A change to the way you earn your living will lead to new opportunities. Your descriptive way of sharing information will please some, but not all.

Stick to the truth, or you will be sidelined by your peers. An emotional situation will surface if you or a colleague is indulgent or overreacts.

thursdAY, december 6, 2018

19

Cricket West Indies Regional 4-Day championships…

Ready to play: Johnson-led Jaguars prepared for today’s 1st round clash

– Kirk Edwards-led, Devon Smith-less Volcanoes ready

By Brandon Corlette

S

peaking on the eve of the first round of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional FourDay tournament, Guyana Jaguars Captain Leon Johnson noted that his team were eager to play the Volcanoes in the first-round match.

Johnson explained that although the rain has been affecting their practice sessions in St Lucia, the Jaguars squad is fully prepared.

With the Guyana Cricket Board Three-Day Franchise cricket tourney not being held this year, Johnson noted that he would have been happier if the batters spent

more time occupying the crease in the lead-up to this tournament. Having lost the 2018-2019 Regional Super50 tournament final, Johnson and his team have put that behind them and are fully focused on transitioning into red ball cricket.

Having played the Windward Islands Volcanoes last season to an unforgettable tie, the Guyana Jaguars team are not taking their opponents lightly even though they are without their leading batsman, Devon Smith.

The Guyana Jaguars Captain noted that his team have great all-round ability with most of the bowlers capable of scoring runs with the bat. Each player in the

squad is expected to play their own role and that will mould the team’s success to continue their unbeaten streak from last season.

With three games away from home, the Johnsonled team are ready to adapt mentally and will be up for the challenge.

“It is important to start solid and play consistent cricket, but we are looking to play consistent cricket,” Johnson added.

Meanwhile, opposing Captain Kirk Edwards described his team as fully prepared and the team have taken a patient approach ahead of this tournament. The Windward Islands Volcanoes finished fifth last season and

would be looking to overcome and correct their mistakes.

The team that comprise more young players than senior players will be aiming to bring everything together on the day.

The Windward Islands Volcanoes Captain and his team are looking to play a consistent brand of cricket and go one extra mile against the Guyana Jaguars in the opening round, from last season’s tie. Having lost 10 matches against the Guyana Jaguars since 2013, Edwards is asking his team to be willing and do the basics. The much-anticipated match is scheduled to bowl off from 14:00h Eastern Caribbean time.

FIFA Futsal Referees’ Workshop kicks off O

ver the next four days, officials in the futsal arena will have a chance to sharpen their skills as they participate in the FIFAfacilitated Futsal Referees Workshop.

On Wednesday, the Federation launched the programme and had its first session.

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) continues to press forward in different aspect of the game, since futsal has begun to gain popularity around the world.

Gifted with the task of conducting the workshop is FIFA Instructor Shane Butler, who has a class of 17 match officials from Berbice, Linden, Georgetown, West Demerara and Essequibo.

The programme will run from 10:00h to 17:00h daily, with the practical sessions scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the National Gymnasium.

According to Butler, t h e

Kirk Edwards

course outlines the laws of futsal and the interpretation of those laws to give the officials a better understanding, to referee futsal at a higher level for the upcoming international championships.

Butler said, “The sport is growing in regional CONCACAF – there are more member associations and Guyana competing and having more quality competitions will only make themselves better for Clubs Champions and CONCACAF Championships.”

He believes the sport can get bigger here, following the hosting of the international championships.

Meanwhile, GFF President Wayne Forde believes this was a step in the right direction, prior to the hosting of the GFF/ExxonMobil/Stag Beer Futsal Tournament.

Confirmed teams for the Tournament included Trinidad and Tobago’s Morvant Caledonia United, ZV All-Stars of Suriname, and a Brazilian side from São Paulo.

The eight-team tournament will see a Guyana Select squad, along with a team from Linden, East Bank Demerara and West Demerara football associations.

Wayne said, “It was just an opportunity we sought to exploit. We’ve all seen a heightened interest in the smaller version of the game. It’s attracted a lot of good fan following and corporate support.

We’ve seen from time to time that the quality of officiating needs to be adjusted.”

The GFF President was pleased at the turnout of participants, since it was the first course of its kind for the year. He hopes too that having an international tournament will give the participants a chance to practise some of the skills they are going to be gaining over the next few days.

Wayne also made mention of the National Futsal League, which will be launched in early 2019.

Indian Premier League 2019…

No Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch in upcoming auction, Australians to concentrate on national duty

Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch out of IPL 2019

A

ustralian internationals Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch have opted not to participate in the IPL auction this year. Cricket Australia has put some restrictions on the participation of its players, as they look to defend their World Cup title next year. CA in November had said that any player selected in Australia’s squad for World Cup in England will have to compulsorily attend a training camp in May. The Indian Premier will run from March 29 to May 19.

Maxwell and Finch are one of the best T20 players in the world right now and could have fetched some large amount of money in the auctions. But they would have likely missed a crucial part of the IPL. Now both Maxwell and Finch have now chosen not to enter the IPL auction as Australia have a packed schedule in the first half of next year.

They tour India and Pakistan for limited overs series before the World Cup

and after that, they have to travel to England for the Ashes series.

Maxwell and Finch were released by their franchises in November after spending only one season with them.

Maxwell was picked by Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) for Rs 9 crore while Finch turned out for Kings XI Punjab.

The list of all the players who are going to take part in the IPL 2019 auction was announced today. 9 players have put themselves in the Rs 2-crore base price bracket including England’s Sam Curran, Brendon McCullum, Lasith Malinga and Angelo Mathews.

Meanwhile left-arm fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat has the maximum base price by an Indian player at Rs 1.5 crore.

Unadkat was the highest-paid Indian player at the auction last year when Rajasthan Royals signing him for Rs 11.5 crore. Yuvraj Singh, Mohd Shami and Axar Patel are some of the other big-name Indian players in the auction.

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursdAY, december 6, 2018

Playing regional cricket at the senior level is on my agenda

Shawn Pereira has 500 club wickets for Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club

– former Guyana youth Captain Shawn Pereira

By Brandon Corlette

T

he Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) leg-spinner Shawn Pereira is currently working towards representing the Guyana Jaguars team in the near future.

During an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport, the talented cricketer noted that he was the captain of Berbice and Guyana Under-15, U-17 and U-19 teams during his youth days. Shawn, who resides in Williamsburg on the Corentyne, Berbice has been playing cricket for the Rose Hall Club for over a decade and has been a natural leader.

Born on December 29, 1994, Pereira captured 35 wickets in last year’s Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) franchise tournament representing the Upper Corentyne team. He was also Anthony Bramble’s deputy in that tournament.

Pereira has been a consistent performer during his time representing Guyana youth teams, having a tally of 20 wickets in the Three-Day Under-19 tournament, including a helmet trick (four wickets in four balls), along with 196 runs. The mysterious leg-spinner achieved that rare feat against Windward Islands in the youth tournament played in 2013.

Pereira has shown great leadership skills in a blooming career,

Shawn Pereira delivers a googly during a First-Division match (Brandon Corlette photos)

winning many tournaments. He told this reporter that he placed huge emphasis on his bowling and fitness, and was a regular face in the gym.

In the recently-concluded Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Pepsi 50-Over First-Division Tournament, Pereira led the Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets team brilliantly to another title. It was a dream tournament for the leg-spinner, not only as captain but as the strike bowler.

Pereira had dream figures of 5-9, 4-18, 6-20, 4-32 and 3-19 in the

high-quality First-Division tournament. To put the cherry on the cake, Pereira has 500 club wickets for the RHTY&SC, since making his debut at the Under-13 level.

Unsurprisingly, Pereira’s favourite international player is the greatest leg-spinner that ever played the game, Shane Warne.

His Guyanese hero is present West Indies spin king, Devendra Bishoo while he greatly admires Rashid Khan. When asked a familiar question – where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Pereira responded with confidence,

“Guyana and perhaps the West Indies senior team.”

In his community, he is recognized as one of the most knowledgeable cricketers and he enjoys assisting and giving advice to young aspiring cricketers.

With his great self-discipline in life and non-procrastinating attitude, Shawn Pereira may be next in line to play regional cricket for the Guyana Jaguars.

Holloway returns after turbulent 12 months to face Brian Ortega M

ax Holloway returns to the octagon on Saturday for the first time in more than a year, after a turbulent period in his life that led him to cut himself off from “the whole world”.

“It’s been a tough year,” says Holloway, who defends his featherweight title against undefeated number one contender Brian Ortega at UFC 231.

Having won and retained the 145lb title last year, the Hawaii-born fighter has twice been pulled from fights in 2018.

In April, after stepping in at six days’ notice to face Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title, Holloway was withdrawn because of weight-cutting complications.

Three months later, ‘Blessed’ was scheduled to defend his featherweight crown against Ortega at UFC 226 - but was again pulled from the card late on, this time with “concussion-like symptoms”.

Here he tells BBC Sport about dealing with depression, his admiration for heavyweight boxer Tyson

UFC Featherweight Champion Max Halloway (left) successfully defended his title twice by TKO, against former champion Jose Aldo

Fury, a potential rematch with Conor McGregor, and his goal to be the greatest pound-for-pound fighter ever.

"It’s not how you start the race, it’s how you end it"

“I feel great, I look great, everything is great.”

Holloway, who spent his 27th birthday on Tuesday

training and fulfilling UFC media obligations, is evidently in good shape as he prepares for Saturday’s fight in Toronto.

But he concedes he has had “tough times” in the past 12 months.

“I wasn’t talking to anyone,” he says. “I cut myself off totally from the whole world. The only people who

had contact with me were people who had my house key, but if they came over, I wouldn’t talk to them. I would just leave.”

This is the first time the Hawaiian has struggled with his mental health, and he says friends and family - including six-year-old son Rush - played a crucial role in his recovery.

“I spent a lot of time with my son,” he says. “He is awesome. He has got too much personality. ‘Mini-Blessed’ can get a bunch of people out of any state.

“To get out of that state, you need to start reaching out to friends and family.

These people are there to help you.

“I have a great team behind me, great coaches and great team-mates.”

Saturday’s fight will be Holloway’s first appearance in an octagon since 2 December 2017, but he says: “It’s not how you start the race, it’s how you end it. I am about to finish strong”.

As well as those close to him, Holloway found inspiration in the recovery of another fighting superstar - heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury.

Briton Fury slogged his way to a draw with WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in his third fight back after a 30-month absence.

Speaking after the fight, Fury said he had “fought back from thinking about suicide, mental health, depression and anxiety” and

wanted to “show the world it can be done”.

Holloway says: “The dude is an inspiration, for sure.”

And what of McGregor?

Holloway’s last defeat in the octagon was back in 2013, against Conor McGregor.

He does not know if he will ever get the chance for revenge against the Irishman, who was beaten by Nurmagomedov in October on his return to UFC after fighting boxer Floyd Mayweather last year.

But he has a message for McGregor: “If you want to be the best, the greatest again, then we’re going to cross paths.”

And Holloway believes he has a long, successful UFC career ahead of him.

Whether that continues to be in the featherweight division, or in the talent-stacked lightweight division, the Waianae fighter predicts that 12 months from now, it will still be “Max Holloway - the reigning, defending champion”.

(BBC Sport)

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acer Jermaine Levy is the only newcomer to the Jamaica Scorpions 13-man squad named on Tuesday for the West Indies Championship that bowls off later this month.

The Scorpions, who will have a new captain in Paul Palmer Jr, open their campaign against the Barbados Pride from December 13-16.

“It’s an honour to be selected for participation; every young cricketer aspires to represent his country and here in the Caribbean, to represent the West Indies in every format of the game,” said an excited Levy who represented the CCC Marooners which won the recently concluded regional Super 50 tournament.

“This selection takes me one step closer to realising my childhood dreams. Each level of participation opens up more opportunities to grow, develop and earn.

“I’m a pacer in a squad with strong, talented players. The chemistry is good, we have each other’s backs. When I’m on attack they will be sharp in the field. I’m here to put every effort into defending any total we put up; dot balls, maiden overs and wickets are my top priority along with staying injury free.”

Meanwhile, Jamaica Cricket Association CEO Courtney Francis is confident that the Scorpions will represent well citing that the coaches have put in quite a bit of work in strengthening the team’s

abilities to remain focused for longer periods.

“In last year’s competition we had some games in which we would post strong first innings scores but the second innings scores were subpar. The players and staff have all learned from those errors and have put in some serious effort into targeting our shortcomings in maintaining concentration,” said Francis.

“The squad is balanced and should challenge for the title. As always, once we field well and deliver at high levels through our batting and bowling then the title will be well within reach. The lads are physically fit and strong; once this is complemented by mental strength, our opponents will have a tough task to better us.

Williams set for Australian Open return

S

erena Williams will return to the Australian Open in 2019 as she goes in search of a record-equalling 24th grand slam title.

The former world number one has not featured on the WTA Tour since the US Open – when she was beaten in the final by Naomi Osaka.

Williams’ straight-sets defeat at Flushing Meadows was overshadowed by a row with umpire Carlos Ramos, who she labelled a “liar” and a “thief” after being penalised with a game penalty following code violations for on-court coaching, racket abuse and verbal abuse.

The Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi is scheduled to be Williams’ next tournament at the end of the month, providing her with a platform to be ready for the first grand slam of 2019 when she could match Margaret Court’s record of 24 titles.

Serena Williams

Williams has not featured in Melbourne since winning her 23rd major title in 2017 while pregnant with her daughter Alexis Olympia, who was born the following September.

Her return was confirmed by tournament organisers on Wednesday, with Simona Halep and defending champion Caroline Wozniacki also in the field.

Andy Murray will be included in the men’s draw alongside Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

The Briton spent much of 2018 recovering from injury and will use his protected ranking of number two at the event, which begins on January 14. (Sportsmax)

“Further, I’m particularly excited about the inclusion of young Levy. This young man had two 4-wicket hauls in the recent Super 50 competition and one of them was in the final guiding his team to victory. He knows success and is hungry for more; this is the kind of injection of talent we can benefit from.”

The 13-man squad includes John Campbell, Chadwick Walton, Jermaine Blackwood, Paul Palmer Jr (captain), Andre McCarthy, Steven Taylor, Aldaine Thomas, Kenroy Williams, Dennis Bulli, Nikita Miller, Derval Green, Ryenard Leveridge and Jermaine Levy.

The Jamaica Scorpions depart for Barbados on Monday, December 10.

Hamilton Green 9-a-side Inter-Ward/Village KO Cup…

Final set for Sunday at Den Amstel – exhibition bouts stirring up a buzz

A

s we approach the final day of action in this year’s Hamilton Green 9-a-side Inter-Ward/Village KO Cup, the three exhibition matches planned are receiving much buzz from fans.

The winner-takes-all matches will see the winner in the respective encounters collect $25,000 each and trophies, and tournament coordinator Lennox Arthur said the scheduled games have been receiving quite a surprising buzz since many believe they are grudge matches and teams believe they have all to play for come Sunday when the tournament is set to conclude, at the Den Amstel Community Centre Ground.

In the first fixture: hosts Den Amstel tackle Soesdyke for cash and a trophy sponsored by MACORP. In the next encounter, Goed Fortuin square off against Timehri, and this will be for cash and a trophy, compliments of Sterling Products Ltd, while the other engagement pits Pouderoyen against Liliendaal for cash and a trophy sponsored by Muneshwers Ltd. Meanwhile, play in the competition has reached the quarter-final stage with the winners advancing to the semi-finals

and then the final.

Sophia are set to take on Newtown Kitty while Central Mackenzie go up against Mahaica.

In the other two quarter-finals, Charlestown square off against Mahaicony, while Uitvlugt and Crane face each other for a place in the last four.

The Citizenship Ministry has sponsored the first-place prize of $400,000 and the winning trophy, while John Fernandes Ltd has done likewise for the losing finalist – a prize of $200,000 and a trophy.

The Highest Goalscorer and Most Valuable Player will collect gifts, compliments of China Trading and AH & L Kissoon.

They will also receive trophies donated by Javon Dazzell.

Among the other sponsors on board are: Courtney Benn Construction Services, Techno Mills, IPA, Alfro Alphonso, Sattaur Gafoor, ANSA McAL, Top Brandz Distributors, MACORP, Starr Computers, Cummings Electrical, Ready Mix, BK International, New Thriving, E-Networks, NAMILCO, Sleep In, Comfort Sleep and EC Vieira Investments.

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursdAY, december 6, 2018

No great Windies Test spinners have been produced since Lance Gibbs

– Bishoo ranked 4th among leading Windies spinners Test wickets in 79 Test matches, capturing 18 five-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket match hauls.

Some may say the modern West Indian spinners are not given a fair opportunity at the Test level, but the likes of Veerasammy Permaul, Sulieman Benn, and Shane Shillingford failed to cement places in Tests. Permaul played six Test matches and in the 11 innings that he bowled, he picked up only 18 wickets without a five-wicket haul. Benn had a decent run

By Brandon Corlette

W

Shane Shillingford

Jomel Warrican and Bishoo are the ultimate test spinners in the West Indies Test team. In Warrican’s blooming Test career, he has 21 wickets in seven Tests, but he has not made a huge impact thus far. Gibbs’ 309 wickets seem a million miles away for the current Windies spinners.

Windies braced for spin challenge

Lance Gibbs

est Indies leading wicket-takers have been dominated by quick bowlers of the glory days. With the exception of the iconic Lancelot Richard Gibbs and the occasional spin of the greatest all-rounder, Sir Garfield Sobers, no West Indian spinner has dominated Test cricket.

The modern era sees Guyanese leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo ranked fourth as the leading wick-

who is still playing regional cricket, has 70 Test wickets in 16 matches along with six five-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket match hauls.

In contrast, other Test nations, such as Australia, India and Sri Lanka, have produced great spin bowlers in the modern era.

Australian Nathan Lyon has 318 Test wickets; India’s spin king, Ravichandran Ashwin has 336 Test wickets while the recently-retired Sri Lankan Rangana Herath captured 433 Test wickets.

The likes of Carl Hooper and Roger Harper were decent spinners in their time but were considered parttime spinners. Presently,

et-take r behind L a n c e Gibbs, Sonny Ramadhin, and Alf Valentine. Bishoo has 36 Test matches beneath his belt with 117 wickets to his name with four five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket match haul.

Gibbs may remain as the leading wicket-taker among spin bowlers for the West Indies. Gibbs has 309

Devendra

Bishoo

– Hope

with 26 matches picking up 87 wickets, but he lacked consistency which his bowling average of 39.10 proves.

Meanwhile, Shillingford was among the dangerous spin bowlers when he played Test cricket but he was reported for a suspect action. Shillingford,

Premier League…

Liverpool fight back to win at Burnley

S

ubstitute Roberto Firmino scored with his first touch as Liverpool came from behind to beat struggling Burnley and stay in touch with leaders Manchester City in the Premier League table.

Jack Cork gave the hosts a surprise lead after Alisson could not gather the ball following a corner but Jurgen Klopp’s side hit back with three goals.

James Milner equalised with a superb low finish from distance and Firmino, one of seven players left out from the side that started against Everton on Sunday, tapped home from Virgil van Dijk’s athletic cutback.

Xherdan Shaqiri ensured Liverpool moved back to within two points of Pep Guardiola’s side with a clinical counterattack goal moments after Alisson had saved superbly to deny Ben Mee. For the first time since May 2017, Klopp started a match without Salah, Firmino or Mane.

This was Liverpool’s 21st competitive game of the campaign and, with a lunchtime kick-off at Bournemouth on Saturday followed by a mustwin Champions League game against Napoli on Tuesday, the Liverpool boss made wholesale changes.

For long periods it looked like the German’s decision could backfire.

The Reds were subdued in a first half in which they lost defender Joe Gomez - one of only four survivors from Sunday’s line-up - to injury after he collided with the advertising hoarding following a challenge with Mee. Nevertheless Clarets keeper Joe Hart still had to save well from Daniel Sturridge and Naby Keita when the game was goalless and the visitors’ evening got worse when they conceded in the top-flight for the first time since 3 November.

Soon after Milner cancelled out Cork’s goal, leading scorer Mohamed Salah and Firmino

were introduced and Liverpool finally took control.

Firmino was in the right place to tap home only his second top-flight goal in three months after a terrific assist from Van Dijk while Phil Bardsley cleared another effort

by Keita off the line in the closing stages.

In a frantic finish, Alisson stretched to keep out Mee’s header out before Shaqiri finished emphatically after an excellent breakaway involving Sturridge and Salah.

Wolves fought back from a goal down to stun Chelsea and gain their first victory in seven Premier League matches.

The visitors went ahead when Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s 25-yard effort was headed into his own net by Wolves captain Conor Coady.

Chelsea had chances to extend their lead but Willian had a free-kick tipped over, Antonio Rudiger shot off target and N’Golo Kante fired just wide. (BBC Sport)

Shai Hope

T

he Windies crashed to an innings defeat in the second Test of the series against Bangladesh in Dhaka and were cleanswept 0-2. Shai Hope, the mainstay of the visiting side’s line-up, however, said that they would look to put the series defeat behind them and the players are “gelling well” going into the three-match ODI rubber against Bangladesh.

Before the three-game rubber, starting on Sunday (December 9), the Windies also have the opportunity to fine-tune their limited overs skills as they are scheduled to take on Bangladesh Cricket Board’s XI on December 6.

“The team has been gelling quite well since we have

also played a few games in India. We have to make sure to get the best possible preparation in the practice game tomorrow, leading up to the first ODI.” The Windies played well in patches in the fivematch ODI series in India, but couldn’t sustain the momentum as they were beaten 1-3. Hope agreed that the Windies need to improve their consistency and notch up sizeable totals on the board.

“Consistency is the key.

We need to put our hands up and put some big targets on the board, and make sure the bowlers have something to bowl at. The wickets maybe a bit different here in Bangladesh, but same things apply. We need

to maximise the entire innings.”

Hope expected the hosts to continue with their tactic of preparing spin-friendly tracks, but he also pointed out that Bangladesh have some “quality” pacers.

“As everyone would expect the ball will spin a bit more in Bangladesh. But we have to wait till the day to see what it (pitch) would be like to play. We can expect spin and it can be something different, so we have to cover all our bases and be ready for whatever they throw at us.

“They also have some quality pacers, who have been around for a long time.

We know what to expect from that part as well,” he added. (Cricbuzz)

guyanatimesgy.com

thursdAY, december 6, 2018

Archery Indoor Recurve Finals…

23

Mangra, Mohamed secure men’s and women’s gold T

he National Gymnasium came alive again on Sunday , December 2, 2018 when Archery Guyana’s Indoor Recurve Championship Finals were run off.

The action began at 12:30h after brief remarks and introduction of officials by Secretary General Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon; Director of Shooting Umasankar Madray and National Sports Commission Head, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, who declared the competition open.

Individual Match Play commenced with the women’s quarter-finals and semi-finals whereby competitors were required to shoot four rounds of three arrows each, with the aim of winning the round (two points) and reaching six points in total to qualify for the final.

These matches were hotly contested by the ladies as nerves seemed to play a part going to five rounds, but the gold was secured by Narda Mohamed, giving Shereeda Yusuf the silver.

In the match-play between Samira Duncan and Persaud-McKinnon, the first end was won by Duncan with a score of 18 vs 7, but Persaud-McKinnon won the second round with her score of 16 vs. 5.

Thereafter, Duncan won the other rounds, thereby securing the bronze medal.

In photo: Director of Sport Christopher Jones and Anand Mangra

In the individual cadet women’s division, Talitha Kissoon and Jessica Callender went head to head with Kissoon winning gold and Callender winning silver.

Next were the men’s individual match play; Umasankar Madray, Anand Mangra, Sean Duncan, Ryan McKinnon, Latchman Singh, Mohamed Khan, Jeewanram Persaud and Nicholas Hing in the individual men’s division. The same four rounds were

shot for the semis and final as competition heated up. Persaud was knocked out by Madray, while Duncan knocked out Singh, Mangra knocked out Khan and McKinnon knocked out Hing to gain top spots in the medal matches.

Competition was stiff between Mangra and Madray for the gold with both men determined to win. The first end was a win by Mangra with a score of 21 vs 17.

The shooters tied in the second round with a score of 19 thereby each securing one point. However, the following two rounds wound up with Mangra coming out on top while Madray took the silver. Meanwhile, Duncan and McKinnon battled for the bronze. After winning the first three rounds thereby securing full points, McKinnon upset Duncan to take the medal.

Results of Archery Guyana’s 2018 Indoor Recurve Championships – Sunday, December 2:

Individual Women

Individual Cadet Women

Individual Men

Gold – Umasankar Madray & Nicholas Hing Silver – Sean Duncan & Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon Bronze – Jeewanram Persaud & Talitha Kissoon

Gold – Narda Mohamed – 77 Silver – Shereeda Yusuf– 69 Bronze – Samira Duncan – 62

Gold – Anand Mangra – 85 Silver – Umasankar Madray – 74 Bronze – Ryan McKinnon – 66

Gold – Talitha Kissoon – 65 Silver – Jessica Callender – 40

Teams

Director of Sport Christopher Jones and Narda Mohamed

As soon as the individual rounds ended, the team rounds began. In much the same as the ranking rounds, excitement between the teams was high as they shot their rounds hoping to come out as number one.

The top team gold medallists were Madray and Hing, while team silver medallists were Duncan and PersaudMcKinnon and team bronze medallists were Jeewanram Persaud and Kissoon.

All medals were sponsored by the National Sports

Commission and presented

by Director of Sport Jones to each archer. In his closing remarks, Jones expressed his commitment to seeing archery’s development in the schools and the regions, while working along with Archery Guyana.

Archery Guyana’s next and final archery competition to close the year will be the 2018 Outdoor Recurve Championships on Sunday, December 16 at the Carifesta Sports Complex Ground.

4 Guyanese in contention for Windies Under-19 selection – Nedd, Anderson, Umroa, Singh selected for training camp

By Brandon Corlette

G

rateful, thankful, satisfied and a dream come true were some of the words used by the Guyanese that gained selection for the training camp ahead of the Cricket Under-19 World Cup. In preparation for the Under-19 World Cup, Cricket West Indies has selected a training squad for encampment in Antigua that includes four Guyanese. The squad will undergo training from December 10 to December 20, 2018.

Speaking to Guyana Times Sport, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) player Ashmead Nedd explained that his selection for the training camp was nothing new.

“I was there before, having represented West Indies Under-19 in New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup,” Nedd noted.

He has been a consis-

Ashmead Nedd

Kevlon Anderson

Kevin Umroa

Sachin Singh

tent performer at the regional level, representing Guyana at all youth levels from the Under-15s. The left-arm spinner, who usually extracts deadly turn and bounce, was among the few players who represented Guyana at the Under-17 and Under-19 level in the same year. Nedd told this reporter that his experience will give

him an edge over his teammates and many of them will look at him as a leader.

The young Berbice batting sensation, Kevlon Anderson who is labelled as the best youth batsman in the country, told Guyana Times Sport that he was happy to be selected, since it takes him closer to representing West Indies at the

Under-19 level. The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club player, who hails from Number Two Village on the Corentyne, further explained that he was eager to play in the prestigious cricket tournament because the tournament has produced numerous Test cricketers. The likes of Virat Kohli, Kagiso Rabada and

even Guyanese duo Keemo Paul and Shimron Hetmyer are the products of Under-19 World Cups.

In conclusion, Anderson said that wearing the “maroon colours” would be “very satisfying, but I will continue to work on my fitness and batting during the valuable training camp.”

Sachin Singh, the young-

est of the four selected, is another proud product of the DCC. He is satisfied and grateful for the selection. The left-handed elegant stroke maker has represented the West Indies Under-16 team, and was given the opportunity to captain the regional team.

Umroa, the left-arm spinner who is following the footsteps of his Albion Cricket Club teammates Veerasammy Permaul and Gudakesh Motie, is more than happy about his selection. Umroa told this publication in an interview that the selection moved him closer to his childhood dream of playing for the West Indies.

He told this reporter that the training camp will greatly assist him in the improvement of his bowling and fitness.

The training camp will be coached by the experienced duo Graeme West and his assistant Roderick Eswick.

thursdAY, december 6, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Archery Indoor Recurve Finals…

Cricket West Indies Regional 4-Day championships…

Ready to play: Johnson-led Jaguars prepared for today’s 1st round clash Page 19

Mangra, Mohamed secure men’s and women’s gold Page 23

In photo: Director of Sport, Christopher Jones; Archery Guyana President Mohamed Khan (kneeling left) and winners at the 2018 Indoor Archery Finals at the National Gymnasium

FIFA Futsal Referees’ Workshop kicks off 4 Guyanese in

– Kirk Edwards-led, Devon Smith-less Volcanoes ready

Page 23

FIFA Instructor Shane Butler makes a point to the participants of the workshop

Page 23

contention for Windies Under-19 selection – Nedd, Anderson, Umroa, Singh selected for training camp

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