Guyana Times - December 7, 2018

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Issue No. 3769

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, December 7, 2018

Constitutional reform unlikely before 2020 – outgoing US Ambassador

PRICE

Page 3

...calls for powersharing between Executive, Opposition

Govt facilitating “dog food” economy with 2019 Budget – Teixeira Page 9

Gunmen attack supermarket; beat owners, customers Page 16

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

GTT’s "Pinktober" brings in $11M for cancer P12 organisations

Opposition MP blasts Govt over mismanagement of rice industry

P7

Drug Treatment Court can P13 reduce drug addict cases – Ontario High Court Judge P10 Man gets life sentence for raping 1-year-old

Lawrence fires back at Opposition over criticism of health sector Page 11

Man killed in ECD P2 accident

2 news Motorcyclist killed Convicted murder in ECD accident accused freed A A fridAY, december 7, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

n East Coast Demerara (ECD) resident was killed on Thursday after he was struck by a minibus while negotiating a turn on the Nonpareil, Public Road, ECD. Twenty-six-year-old David Aulder of Lot 254 Section A Nonpareil, ECD, was reportedly riding his motorcycle bearing registration number CJ193 at the time of the fatal accident.

Based on information received, at about 15:30h, the now dead man was proceeding North along the Coldigen Access Road at a fast rate when he collided with a minibus bearing registration numbers BRR 9843.

The minibus was at the time being driven by a 66-year-old resident of Mon Repos Pasture, ECD. As a result of the collision, the father of one lost control of his motorcycle and

Dead: David Aulder

fell onto the roadway, receiving head and bodily injuries.

He was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A breathalyser test was conducted on the driver of the minibus and he was found above the legal limit of alcohol consumption. He is currently in Police custody assisting with investigations.

jury was asked to return a formal verdict of not guilty in favour of a man who was initially sentenced to a 55-year jail term for murder.

Justice Priya Sewnarine Beharry on Wednesday upheld a nocase submission and directed the jury to enter a formal verdict of not guilty thus freeing 39-year-old Naresh Ramjohn of Stanleytown, and Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam.

It was his second trial for the July 2, 2008, murder of Anthony Samaroo.

In 2014, a jury had found Ramjohn guilty and Justice Navendra Singh had imposed a 55 ½ years jail term.

The sentence was subsequently appealed.

Attorney Murseline Bacchus had contended that the trial Judge had not given the jury proper guidance.

The Appeal Court then ordered a retrial with Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry presided over that retrial.

The prosecution’s

Freed murder accused, Naresh Ramjohn

case was presented by Attorney Mandel Moore.

Justice SewnarineBeharry had earlier rejected the prosecution’s effort to have the statement of star witness Ryan Samaroo admitted. Ryan Samaroo, who had given evidence in the Preliminary Inquiry, suddenly disappeared from

the area.

Another brother, Tejpaul Samaroo, who is a prisoner in the New Amsterdam Prison, had also testified in the Magistrate’s Court at the first trial. He told the court that he does not know who killed his brother and denied helping to take his brother to the hospital.

Defence Attorney Arudranauth Gossai in his no-case submissions told the court that there is no evidence to link his client to the crime. He said the prosecution witness, Brian Dhanpat, stated that he saw the incident and it was “Saddam’s” brothers who were seen inflicting wounds to the now dead Samaroo.

Gossai also submitted that there was no evidence submitted that the murder was premeditated.

The prosecution’s case was that on the day in question, Ryan Samaroo was walking on Levi Dam, when he was confronted

by Ramjohn who stabbed him to death.

3 Constitution reform unlikely before 2020 – outgoing US Ambassador news

fridAY, december 7, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, December 7 – 05:00h-06:30h and Saturday, December 8 – 05:30h-07:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, December 7 – 16:35h-18:05h and Saturday, December 8 – 17:00h-18:30h.

...calls for power-sharing between Executive, Opposition

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to light rain showers are expected throughout the day and into the evening, with overall temperatures ranging between 21 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 04:14h and 16:24h reaching maximum heights of 2.58 metres and 2.71 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 09:59h and 22:24h reaching minimum heights of 0.65 metre and 0.51 metre respectively.

Outgoing US Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway during a recent interview with a group of local journalists at the US Embassy

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utgoing United States Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway, believes the much anticipated Constitution reform is highly unlikely before the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The need for Constitution reform has long been highlighted and during its campaign trail leading up to the 2015 elections, which got it into office, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition had committed to have these reforms. In fact, the current Administration has come in for harsh criticism for not fulfilling this campaign promise.

The Constitutional Reform Consultative Commission Bill was laid in the National Assembly in July 2017 and has since been languishing before a parliamentary committee.

The Bill seeks to establish a 15-member constitutional reform consultative commission. It identifies 100 communities in each administrative region for consultations and hearings to be conducted by the Constitution Reform Commission, with a view that “no one be left behind.”

However, Ambassador Holloway is of the view that the people and the Government of Guyana are not serious enough about amending the Constitution, which is modelled after the British. He noted that the people will have to decide whether they want these reforms and take steps to proactively pursue it.

“I had seen a little uptake in the recent months… don’t know if that’s going to go anywhere or not… So whether you do it or not, that’s for the Government and people to decide… But if the people are not willing to twist your Government hard enough to do it, then the people have spoken,” he stated.

According to the outgoing US Diplomat, it seems

that the political parties – the People’s Progressive Party and the APNU/AFC coalition are currently focused on the big elections coming up in 2020 and as such, believes Constitution reform might not be on their minds at this point in time.

“I don’t think there is a lot of oxygen out there for Constitution reform, that’s my personal opinion; not to say there aren’t persons out there who don’t care about it, there are many people who care about it. But to do it, you will have to get both sides together… After the next election, there’s no election for five more years, so maybe that will be a good opportunity for constitutional reform but I mean that’s for the Government to decide,” the Ambassador contended.

Asked by Guyana Times what areas should be giv-

en top priority if efforts are to be made to reform the Constitution, Ambassador Holloway suggested that Guyana should get rid of the “winner takes all” model of the executive and adopt more of a power-sharing approach to governance.

“The Constitution of Guyana gives the executive a ton of power, a lot and so that’s neither good nor bad… But it’s the fact, and as I said it’s a winner takes all system so therefore, there is little for the Opposition to do except oppose. You have an Opposition now that was in power and you have in power now a former Opposition but still some of the activities are quiet the same – just different people in different parties… Maybe that’s the way the people like it and that’s fine but if not, the only way you’re

going to get rid of that is changing it,” he contended.

According to the US Diplomat, while he does not know if shared governance is the answer the country is looking for, this model certainly decreases opposition type behaviour.

On this note, he urged the Government and the Opposition to come together and work towards the interest of Guyana and its citizenry.

“Work more together because you never know who will be in power in 2020.

It could be one side or another. The last election was only won by 5000 votes give or take. Work more together… This is a country where 50 per cent of the population is under the age of 26. They are the future leaders, the future everything of Guyana and if you are not providing them the education, the training they need then it’s not going to work out so well,” he advised.

Ambassador Holloway went on to talk about the political climate in Guyana, noting that there is an apparent “race fight” going on. Drawing the issue close to home, he noted that being from South Carolina in US, racism still exists to this day.

While acknowledging that the “winner takes all” system gives full control to the executive, the US Diplomat believes, however, that this is an issue that both the Government and Opposition will have to work on together to tackle.

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

Violence against teachers

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ver the last few months there have been several reports of violence meted out against teachers.

During this week, there were screaming headlines in the local press after a head teacher of the Number Five Primary School, West Coast Berbice was physically assaulted by a 16-year-old student.

Less than two months ago, another teacher was in the local news after she was attacked by a Fifth Form student of the Number Eight Secondary. In that case, the teacher was put in a vice and dragged around the school’s compound before two male teachers intervened. More importantly, it must be noted that the teacher was at the time attempting to protect a student from the physical advances of the very male student that attacked her. It is sad that Guyana’s school system has been reduced to such a capricious level that children are no longer afraid, and even worse, do not have respect for their teachers. But while many may want to cast blame on the school system for this degradation it must be understood that moral values and respect are aspects of children’s development that are learnt at home. Families play an important role in creating and sustaining peaceful and inclusive societies, indispensable for sustainable and inclusive development.

There are several important aspects of stable family environments ensuring children’s well-being and early socialisation, such as secure attachment and the process of the transmission and acquisition of values.

There is no doubt that in Guyana, the younger generation faces many social ills. For example, the use of illegal drugs and alcohol, crime, suicide, domestic and other forms of violence, lack of jobs, are having a huge negative impact on communities. And now more than ever before, there is need for a genuine collaborative approach, with inclusive planning and coordination, where volunteerism is a key element, to help find practical and lasting solutions to these many ills.

Through the Social Protection Ministry, the Government must pledge to support families in parenting and in imparting core values; they will also work with communities, and members of the Private Sector to recognise the importance of maintaining the family unit while promoting a safe, stable and nurturing family environment for all members.

In his Budget 2019 speech, Finance Minister Winston Jordan said programmes to reduce bullying and violence, as well as other social problems in schools, will be expanded to ensure regular school attendance.

In this regard, he noted that two mobile welfare units will be introduced to expand access to a wider student population.

The Minister emphasised “Tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today!... truer words have never been said. It is for this reason that this budget allocates about 6.3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product” for the education sector.

However, while offering welfare units to counsel students, the challenges of violence among our school children cannot be dealt with alone, since a multisectoral, broad-based approach at finding solutions is required.

Given their central, strategic position in the lives of our children, schools have a crucial role to play indeed but this would require broad-based consultation with relevant stakeholders, an openness to innovative ideas and initiative and the willingness and commitment on the part of policymakers to see the entire process through.

There is no quick-fix in relation to the issue of violence in school and as such both short and long-term sustainable interventions will be needed, integrating a number of different social, governmental and Private Sector agencies.

We encourage all stakeholders, including the Private Sector and non-governmental organisations, to raise awareness of the challenges young people face at home and at school and to lobby for more support needed that would hopefully result in better children in our population. The act of a child hitting a teacher should be condemned at all levels of our society.

People stand next to a Christmas tree made of plastic chairs at the Macroplaza in Monterrey, Mexico (Reuters/Daniel Becerril)

Jamal Khashoggi latest: Senate to vote on holding Saudi Prince responsible for Journalist’s murder

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enators are to vote on a measure holding Saudi Arabia’s powerful crown Prince formally responsible for the murder of Journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Republicans and Democrats drafted a resolution stating Mohammed bin Salman was “complicit” and “in control of security forces” who killed Mr Khashoggi before dismembering his body.

It is largely symbolic but it registers the Senate’s growing unrest over the death and the response of President Trump’s administration. Senators emerged from a CIA briefing on Tuesday branding Prince Mohammed “dangerous”.

Key Republicans were meeting today to discuss how to punish Saudi Arabia. Restriction of US arms sales and support for the Saudis in Yemen are among the steps reportedly bring considered.

The resolution introduced by Republican Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, and Democrat Dianne Feinstein, says

Republicans and Democrats drafted a resolution stating Mohammed bin Salman (left) was “complicit” and “in control of security forces” who killed Khashoggi (right). The resolution was introduced in part by Republican Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally

the Senate believes Prince Mohammed “was in control of security forces” during the killing and “based on evidence and analysis … [the Senate] has a high level of confidence that Mohammed bin Salman was complicit in the murder”.

Graham said: “I believe it’s vitally important to US national security interests to make a definitive statement about the brutal murder of an American resident, Mr Khashoggi, who has three American citizen

children.”

It came as Istanbul’s chief prosecutor filed arrests warrants for a former aide to Prince Mohammed and the ex-deputy head of Saudi foreign intelligence.

The prosecutor said there is “strong suspicion” Saud al-Qahtani and General Ahmed al-Asiri, removed from their jobs in October, were among the planners.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post writer and critic of the Saudi regime, disappeared af-

ter entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018. Saudi prosecutors have charged 11 people with murder.

Turkish officials accuse the crown prince of ordering his murder, a claim Riyadh denies.

Trump has repeatedly sought to defend him.

Fatimah Baeshen, of the Saudi Embassy in Washington, tweeted: “We categorically reject any accusations purportedly linking the Crown Prince to this horrific incident.” (Evening Standard)

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

Nagamootoo has Police SOPs must not be betrayed all his inconsistent with the law ideals (Pt 2) Dear Editor, As Moses Nagamootoo will belt out another tune on the Parliament floor, I thought it wise to look at some of the other tunes he sung before in the hallowed chamber.

The Prime Minister will make a lot of hay about the size of the Budget – $300.7 billion – the biggest in our nation’s history. But while he will express pleasure about that fact, at the same time he will not say that tax revenues have also risen exponentially too. It has been pointed out that between 2014 and 2019, tax revenues are expected to go up by $88 billion, a 64.5 per cent increase. But more than that, using 2014 as the base year, increases in tax revenues will see Treasury receiving just over $210 billion.

That large sum has been removed, whether directly or indirectly, from the pockets of our people. This, in itself, is a staggering sum especially when one considers the short time that has gone by. Through my research, I found Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, then as an Opposition MP, in his 2012 Budget debate contribution saying “…take the money that you have increase from [Value Added Tax] VAT and give it to the pensioners, give it to the workers, and give it to the people who deserve social assistance.

That is the proof of growth.

It must be people centred”.

These are indeed good suggestions and I ask the Prime Minister what has happened now?

The Prime Minister in that speech too said “[i] t must be the duty of this National Assembly, not the Opposition but as a whole, to lower unjustified spending, to lower our national debt and to lower our fiscal deficit”.

Again indeed insightful words from our ‘indomitable’ First Vice President. But with those words in mind, it is, therefore, lamentable that Ram and McRae, in its 2019 Budget focus, pointed out that the Budget will record “…an overall deficit of $52.1 billion”.

It, therefore, means the Government will have to borrow, whether domestically or internationally, 17.3 per cent of the budgeted expenditure which will have to be paid back with interest, tomorrow and the days after that.

The Prime Minister in his 2013 Budget address regarding VAT championed an “…enlargement of the zero-rated basket”. But again, the Prime Minister seemed to have forgotten what he said, as his Government reduced the zero-rated basket and now Guyanese have to pay VAT on previously exempted and zero-rated items.

In fact during his stint as Prime Minister, VAT revenues are estimated to go up from $37.3 billion in 2014 to

$54.3 billion in 2019. This is a 46 per cent increase. In fact, the Prime Minister in his 2012 address deemed VAT “…the vampire tax…”.

Indeed with Nagamootoo at the helm, the tax has become vampiric.

The Prime Minister in his 2014 Budget contribution expressed his anxiety about using “our foreign reserves to keep the exchange rate in check…”. But Ram and McRae informed “[g] ross external reserves of Bank of Guyana at the end of 2018 projected at US$477 million, a decrease from US$581.0 million in 2017, or 17.9 per cent.

This represents 2.5 months of import cover”.

It seems that the Prime Minister was prophetic, as it appears, that this is what his Government is doing. In fact, our reserves have sunk below the acceptable international threshold of three months import cover. This is a matter, I believe, that has not been getting the attention it rightly deserves.

So, those are just some of what the Prime Minister has said before. But as it goes to show, actions are indeed louder than words.

Today, the hope the Prime Minister created prior to his election to his high office has been exposed as a mere smokescreen. The Guyanese people, clearly have been deceived.

Yours sincerely, Patricia Persaud

The Marriott lawlessness

Dear Editor, Amidst the multitude of negatives attributed to this People’s National Congressled coalition, one glaring and most disturbing fact is its penchant for loud, lewd and degrading parties. I am talking about an identifiable mark of this party, especially when they have nothing tangible to offer the people, so bamboozle them by offering a sideshow to dance away their troubles, wine away your fears.

This is the naked truth about this party in Government that is, creating distractions for a population that is wallowing in deep poverty. But lest I digress, I shall proceed with the discussion at hand.

I draw your attention to the latest debacle of the noise nuisance and the wild and licentious orgies right next to a five-star hotel the Marriott.

The licentious behaviour is not so much a degrading factor as it is not done on the hotel's immediate property, however, the non-stop deafening music is, something

that goes on and on until the wee hours of the morning, this is need of urgent concern.

The Marriott is an international hotel; one that is usually patronised by persons of decent, high moral calibre, and to subject them to such lawlessness is appalling to say the least.

When these persons return to their homeland, I shudder to think of the stories they would relate to their friends and love ones.

They would tell of the relentless assault that was forced upon their ears at the hands of some urban hooligans right below their hotel window, treatment that went way below civilised standards. Our country would have chalked up another rave review in backwardness.

Now, this noise nuisance would not have seen any curtailment far less a ban by the authorities, save for the fact that the management of the facility issued a lawsuit against the Government.

That was the final straw that prompted immediate

action from Government. It has nothing to do with the Government showing care and concern for its citizens or any such thing, it is a lawsuit and only that caused them to sober up to the fact that persons are entitled to peace and quiet and restful sleep at nights.

One can recall that a similar threat was made by private citizens on the East Coast where this uncultured lawlessness began.

On that occasion the illiteracy was removed to the portion of the seawall between Camp Road and the roundabout. As this crazy street party gained popularity, it finally found a resting place in civilised space, the Marriott beachfront.

The point I am making is if this bacchanal Government wants the lawlessness to continue then have them go into the National Park which is designed for such foolishness but not areas in and around decency and proper morals.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Dear Editor, A recent letter to the Editor in the print media written by Sherwood Lowe under the caption, "What are the rules for Police 'stop and search' in Guyana," has titillated me to pick up my pen again. I hope that my views will clear up some grey areas and/or encourage more enlightened confabulation on the issue. In his missive, the writer asked some pertinent questions: is reasonable suspicion required? If so, how do the ranks operationalise it on the ground and what is the scope of the search of persons, their belongings and their vehicles? He questioned stop and frisk activity. He attempted to equate the American justice system with that of Guyana, particularly on the issue of reasonable suspicion.

We are patterned after the British, not the American way of dispensing justice. Several years ago I attended the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in the United States of America. Among the many courses I successfully completed was one entitled, 'Legal Issues For Commanders.' We discussed numerous legal issues but reasonable suspicion never emerged. Probable cause was the dominant issue. I graduated from the Academy with the feelings that in America reasonable cause went through the window a long time ago if it was in fact in the building. The law enforcement officers generally deal with probable cause and not reasonable suspicion as the writer was positing. I am no legal expert, but it is my layman's understanding that reasonable suspicion is vastly different from probable cause. They are far apart as Imbotero on the northern tip of Guyana is from Wai Wai village, Guns Strip in the Deep South, Rupununi or Orealla on the East is from Kaikan on the West of Guyana.

Here is the law as it relates to the Police powers to stop, search and detain as set out in Section 18 of the Police Act Chapter 16:01, "Any member of the Force may stop, search and detain any aircraft, vessel or vehicle in upon which there shall be reason to suspect that anything stolen or unlawfully obtained, or that any person suspected of having committed any indictable offence, may be found; and he may also stop, search and detain any person who may be reasonably suspected of having or conveying in any manner anything stolen or unlawfully obtained."

There are several operative words in this section of the law; reasonable suspicion; any member of the Force; anything stolen or unlawfully obtained; indictable offence; conveying in any manner anything stolen or unlawfully obtained.

The vexed question that the Policeman would have to answer is: prior to the stop and search, what triggered his reasonable suspicion? To hazard a guess the most common answers one will receive are: the Policeman was acting on information received; the rank was acting on intelligence received; it was an intelligence-led operation.

Those are common buzzwords.

In addition, there is the power to establish road barriers. Section 26 (1) of the Police Act Chapter 16:01 states, "Notwithstanding any other Act, any officer, inspector or subordinate officer may, if he considers it necessary so to do for the maintenance and preservation of law and order or for the prevention and detection of crime erect or place or caused to be erected or placed, barriers in or across any road or street or in any public place within Guyana in such manner as he may think fit."

Under Section 26 (2) of the said Act, there is penalty for any driver of any vehicle

who fails to comply with any reasonable signal of a member of the Force in uniform, requiring such person to stop such vehicle before reaching any such barrier. He/she is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $48,750 and imprisonment for 12 months.

What about the reasons for frisk and other searches?

I can vividly recall when I was a Police trainee over four decades ago, my instructor posited several reasons for searching, including possibility of the prisoner injuring the searcher; possibility of self-injury; finding evidence relative to the charge; finding evidence of some additional charge; ensuring safe custody of the prisoner's property; to prevent escape; to prevent the prisoner damaging property – public or private; preventing further offences; gravity of the offence; and weight of evidence. Those reasons were apposite then.

They are even more relevant today. They are indelible in my mind.

In order for the Police to enforce the law, the Commissioner of Police is required to make Standing Orders (SO) or what is popularly known as Standard Operational Procedures to give guidelines to his ranks for their efficient and effective performance in order to deliver the highest quality of service to the citizens they swore to serve and protect.

These Standing Operational Procedures and Standing Orders must not be inconsistent with the law. They must fit nicely within the ambit of the law. However, it is not unusual that on occasions ranks will breach those SOPs and SOs. Wow! Did I hear somebody say that the law is an ass, or some persons who interpret it, or others who enforce it, or all of the above?

Yours faithfully, Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (retired)

Pensioners being treated horribly at NIS

Dear Editor, My name is Rampaul Chetaru and I attained the age of 60 on February 24, 2018, and filed for my old age benefits on January 3, 2018.

I appeal to your newspaper to highlight the difficulties I have been enduring for the past 10 month at the hands of the National Insurance Scheme.

On several occasions I made enquiries at the Georgetown local office (pensions section) and at the Melanie Damishana local office as it related to the status of my old age benefits, only to be informed that it is being processed; however, due to some issues with my contributions on the system, payment of my claim is being affected.

On my recent visit to the National Insurance Scheme,

I was referred to the Public Relations Unit where I spoke to an officer and even submitted a letter to her which was for the General Manager, appealing to her to intervene to bring closure to my claim.

The officer give me all assurance that she will look into the matter to ensure closure, however, when I recently enquired on the status of my old age claim, I was informed that my matter is still pending.

Mr Editor, I have satisfied the contributions amount to be entitled to an old age pension. However, I was informed that there is an issue with my self-employed contributions which is affecting my payment. After I left my job I went and registered with the National Insurance Scheme as a self-employed contributor on the October

1, 2006, and made my payments from the October 2006 to December 2010 and even with the difficulties that I face I was always punctual with my payments so why am I put to suffer because of the cancerous system within the National Insurance Scheme.

I recently read of Ms Sahadai’s matter versus NIS in the media and was thankful the court made the right judgement in her matter and also for Christopher Ram’s endurance that ensure justice was served to his client.

As I conclude, I appeal to the relevant authority to address my concern and bring closure to my matter since I am currently unemployed and have no other means of financial support.

Sincerely, Rampaul Chetaru

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Foundation

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ave you ever been in a bad mood that you just can’t shake? Or had a pile of homework but realised you’re not in the mood to get it done? Sometimes we feel at the mercy of our moods – but moods aren’t things that just happen to us. We can influence and change them.

Being able to choose the mood that’s best suited to a situation is one of the skills of emotional intelligence. Choosing the right mood can help you control whatever situation you’re in.

Mood + Mindset = Success Moods can influence how well we do in certain situations, but so can something else: our mindset. What’s the difference between a mood and a mindset? Moods are the emotions we feel. A mindset is the thoughts and ideas that go along with that mood.

Mood and mindset go hand in hand because our thoughts can influence our

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o get out of a mood that’s unpleasant or unhelpful, think “U for U-turn.” Try these mood changers: Undo. Do something to break the train of thought that keeps your old mood going. Distract yourself with a game of Sudoku or simply focus on what’s going on outside your window for a few minutes. Distractions are like rebooting your mind — they create a space between moods.

Unstick. Change your body posture. If you’re sitting, stand up. Do some jumping jacks. Stretch. Walk around the room. Moving your body changes your mindset and mood.

Unwind. Sit quietly, breathe gently, and focus on each breath. To keep your mind from wandering back

mood. Here’s an example: Imagine you’re competing in a swim meet this afternoon. Which mood and mindset helps you do your best?

Mood A: Insecure. You keep thinking about how the competition might blow you out of the water and maybe you’re not good enough to be on the team.

Mood B: Annoyed.

You’re thinking about how

swimming interferes with your social life.

Mood C: Pumped up and confident. You’re thinking that if you do your best, there’s a good chance your team can place well.

Of course, you’re likely to do your best with the mood and mindset in option C. But what if you’re feeling A or B and worry that those moods might affect your performance?

to a mood you’re trying to change, every time you take a breath, say to yourself: “I’m breathing in” and “I’m breathing out.” Focus on feeling calm.

You’ve probably chosen your mood before without even realising it — many times people choose a mood naturally without thinking about it. But practising ways to choose your mood intentionally can help you get good at it.

So next time you feel a strong mood, stop and name it.

Ask yourself if it’s the ideal mood for what you’re trying to accomplish. Sometimes, even the happiest of moods might not be right for a particular situation (as anyone who’s excited about weekend plans during Friday afternoon classes knows).

Luckily, you can change your mood.

How to choose a mood Step 1: Identify your mood. To switch moods, you need to check in with what you’re currently thinking and feeling. That way you can decide if you need to change your mood to one that’s more suited to your situation – or if you’re in the best mood to

begin with.

To identify a mood, stop and think about what you’re feeling and why.

Put those feelings into words, like, “Wow, I’m really sad right now” or “I’m feeling really alone.” You can say this silently to yourself, out loud, or to someone else.

Step 2: Accept what you feel. After you name your emotion, show yourself some understanding for feeling the way you do. It’s perfectly OK (and natural!) to feel bored on a rainy Saturday or annoyed about having to study when everyone else is going out. All emotions are acceptable and understandable. But you don’t have to hold on to feeling that way. Notice your mood, then choose to move past it.

Step 3: Identify the mood that’s best for the situation you’re in. If you’re competing in a swim meet, it’s best to be pumped up and confident. If you need to get down to some serious studying, it’s better to feel interested, alert, and confident (and not so helpful to feel grumpy, annoyed, and self-defeated).

Take a minute to think about which emotions will help you accomplish your goal.

How to get into the best mood After you imagine the mood that’s best suited for

your task or situation, it’s time to get into that mood.

Think “P for positive” and focus on these six things that can help you reset your mood: Purpose. Get clear on what you want and need to do. For example, you might want to get your studying done as fast and well as possible so you can go to a party later.

Place. Put yourself in the right situation – environment influences mood.

If you need to study, it’s better to find a table or desk in a quiet room than to go to the coffee shop where you might see friends who distract you.

People. Who can help you feel the way you need to feel? A focused classmate is a better study companion than a chatty friend. Sometimes, just thinking of a particular person is enough to help you feel confident, inspired, strong, or supported.

Playlist. Music is one of the most powerful influences on mood because it’s all about communicating and inspiring emotion.

Create playlists for the moods that are the most helpful and positive for your life.

Posture. Move your body into the right mood.

For studying, try exercises that help you focus on your physical posture like yoga or t’ai chi. For energy, try a workout that gets your heart rate up. To prepare for sleep, try deep breathing, gentle stretching, or other soothing activities.

P r o m o t i o n .

Encourage yourself with self-talk. Self-talk is a way of using thoughts to influence your mood. If you’ve ever said to yourself, “OK, let’s get serious for a minute” or “I can do this!” you’ve used self-talk to get into the right mood for a situation. Self-talk doesn’t just create the mindset that supports your mood, it also helps you keep a mood going. That’s why pep talks work so well for athletes. (kidshealth.org)

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fridAY, december 7, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Opposition MP blasts Govt over mismanagement of rice industry A s rice farmers on the Essequibo Coast continue to experience difficulties with their crop, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Dharamkumar Seeraj on Thursday took Government to task over the mismanagement of the rice industry, which he said was costing farmers billions in losses.

During his contribution to the 2019 Budget debate, Seeraj pointed out that the farmers in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) have suffered as a result of a drop in yields.

Seeraj, who is the Head of the Rice Producers Association (RPA), explained that these farmers lost some 357,000 bags of paddy to pests – a situation that could have been avoided had there still been the specialised unit at the Agriculture Ministry that was set up and equipped to deal with paddy bug infestations.

That unit was dissolved in 2015 and as such, the Opposition parliamentarian is blaming the coalition Administration for the losses suffered by the rice farmers.

“A specialised unit was established in recognition of the devastating effect and economic impact this particular pest could have on rice. In one season, one Region – just 35,000 acres – lost $1 billion because of the reduction in yields due to that particular pest and a fungal infestation called blast... The impact that is affecting Essequibo farmers right now is machines

Opposition MP Dharamkumar Seeraj

are being seized, houses are under the threat of being taken back, because they are unable to meet commitments to banking institutions,” he posited.

Moreover, Seeraj further outlined that rice farmers in Guyana were facing more hardships owing to the high cost of production, which now has been compounded by increased rates for drainage and irrigation as well as land rentals.

He pointed to the fact that farmers were forced to pay increased rental fees for leased lands. That cost, he added, was tripled in some cases.

“These are farmers facing low prices and are now being ... asked to produce more in an environment when they are getting less when the Government itself is contributing to the increase in cost of production,” Seeraj noted.

Despite these difficulties, Seeraj said the farmers were nevertheless paying. In fact, he revealed

that the farming section of the rice industry has contributed some $3 billion in taxes from the purchase of fuel. “[The farmers] need to be given support, so they can produce and compete because we are operating in a global environment that is becoming increasingly small and this government doesn’t seem to have an appreciation for that. As the whole world is giving support to agriculture, this government is penalising agriculture by increasing taxes,” he asserted.

Furthermore, the Opposition MP stated that the issues in the agriculture sector were happening at a time when farmers were being told to produce more, but the commodity’s value was going down.

He outlined that in 2014, some 501,000 tons of rice were exported at a value of US$249.5 million; this was reduced in 2017 to 539,000 tons exported at a value of US$201 million.

“That is US$48 million less whilst we exported 38,000 tons more ... So, our farmers are being punished for producing more,” he posited.

Against this backdrop, Seeraj went on to question Government about the new markets that were promised to rice farmers.

He turned his attention to the Panamanian market, which he said was almost in jeopardy earlier this year as a result of the mismanagement of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).

“The Rice Board purchase from millers, they certified the quality, they do the inspection, they fumigate the containers,

they issue the certificates for those containers before they could travel and Customs could give their approval... [and yet still] more than 30 containers of not less-quality rice but a totally different type of rice arrived in Panama and the Panamanians had to send it back,” he stated.

However, despite this fiasco, as described by Seeraj, the GRDB on Wednesday announced that Guyana had secured another supply contract with the lucrative Panamanian market for the period December 2018 through 2019.

This new deal is worth some US$5.2 million and will see the supply of 200,000 quintals equivalent

to 9075 tonnes of white rice over the next few months, with the first shipment set for later this month.

“This development comes in the wake of Guyana successfully meeting its quotas in a timely and consistent manner,” the Rice Board said.

According to statistics from the GRDB, over the past three years, Guyana has shipped a total of 183,683 metric tonnes of rice to Panama valued at US$77.147 million.

Meanwhile, it was noted that exports for January to November 2018 show a value of US$25.856 million when compared to US$19.257 million for the same period in 2017.

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fridAY, december 7, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS Hill man charged GPF rank slapped with Blueberry with larceny, escaping illegal ammo charge from lawful custody

Charged: Police Constable Romel Cato

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30-year-old rank attached to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) was on Thursday slapped with an unlawful possession of ammunition charge, and was granted bail in the sum of $100,000 by Magistrate Faith McGusty when he appeared at the

Georgetown Magistrates Courts.

The Police Constable, Romel Cato, of West Bank Berbice, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on December 1, 2018 at Brickdam, Georgetown, he had in his possession 18 rounds of .223 ammunition along with one round of .32 ammunition without being a licensed firearm holder.

Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman, who presented the prosecution’s case, objected to bail being granted, citing the seriousness of the charge as well as the nature and the penalty the charge attracts.

An unrepresented Cato is expected to make his next court appearance on December 14, 2018.

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endell Pereira, also known as “Old Head”, of Lot 34 Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden, is facing two charges of break and enter and larceny and an escaping from lawful custody charge at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

On Wednesday, Magistrate Annette Singh reduced Pereira’s bail from $70,000 to $50,000. It is alleged that the 51-yearold broke and entered the business place of Richard Hopkinson and stole half a case of shandy between July 15 and 16, 2018 at the Wisroc/Amelia’s Ward bus park.

The second charge stated that the defendant between July 17 and 18, 2018 at Coop Crescent, Mackenzie, he broke and entered the busi-

ness place of Monica Reece and stole a quantity of items, including one flat-screen television valued $168,000, one VCR worth $15,000, an amplifier valued at $65,000, a gas bottle valued $8000, 18 bottles of Black Stone valued $32,000, 18 bottles of Banko valued $6000 and 10 Pringles valued $3600 – a total value of $297,600.

It is also alleged that Pereira on July 23, 2018 escaped from lawful custody while he was being detained at the Wismar Police Station in Linden. Bail for both counts of break and enter and larceny were reduced from $30,000 to $20,000 while bail for the escape from lawful custody charge remained at $10,000. The matter was adjourned to January 11, 2018.

Nailed…

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…on teachers’ “vocation” hypocrisy

t the Minister of Education’s award ceremony for Region Four teachers, one teacher read her poem detailing in verse the woes of her profession in light of their meagre wage – especially after the insult they received in lieu of increases after their one week strike. Immediately, up bounced Ivelaw Griffith, Vice Chancellor of UG onto the stage, to gratuitously “advise” the teachers that they should “do it for the passion, not the pay”!!

Can you believe this man? Here he is, earning millions monthly – not to mention his perks – after he was let go at his last posting at Fort Valley State University in Georgia and he’s talking about “teaching for passion and not pay”?? Was it the “passion for teaching” that drove him to appoint a 12-person “Cabinet” with three Deputy Vice Chancellors” to assist him?? You don’t believe he called his top assistants a “Cabinet”? Just google the UG website!!

Was it for “passion” that his first act after he was appointed was to raise UG students fees by five per cent, even though he attended for free back in the day?? Which he had to rescind because of the outcry!

Was it for “passion” he flew a huge entourage – mainly his “Cabinet” – up to New York supposedly to “raise funds” but ended up spending $4 million and brought back $2 million!! Unlike Jack of yore, he PUT IN a plum and PULLED OUT a thumb!!

Was it for “passion” he insisted on the first “Investiture Ceremony” for himself in the 50+ year history of Guyana? This involved a procession with faculty attired in academic regalia to confer the “official powers and responsibilities of the office to Professor Griffith”!! This, not so incidentally, cost $10 million??

Even greats like Drayton who preceded him didn’t try to puff up themselves at the expense of the institution.

He tied in the “Investiture Ceremony” with an elaborate “”Diaspora Conference” at the Ramada Princess Hotel. Was it because of his “passion for education” there were no students in attendance nor any papers presented by them? Was it because of his “passion for teaching” that had him launch a very expensive glossy “Renaissance” Magazine which seems to have as its sole goal to “big up” his reputation?

It’s hypocritical for Griffith to be telling teachers who still can’t get a living wage to not worry about money when he’s spending the stuff – from our tax dollars – like it was going out of style. And UG is over $500 million in debt!!

There needs to be a CoI into the operations of the VC. Maybe Justice Kennard who has experience with wild spending at City Hall?

…on wild claims in Parliament

In the wake of President Trump’s proclivity for making all sorts of wild and outrageous assertions, the term “fact checking” has moved out of the publication business and into general usage. In Guyana, the Public Infrastructure Minister seems to have caught the bug during his presentation on the budget!

He reels off a host of projects initiated by the PPP complaining there were “no feasibility studies”. He, of course, has been stung by the SOCU investigation into why he sole-sourced a $153 MILLION feasibility study for the Demerara Harbour Bridge – which had to be thrown out!! PPP’s Irfaan Ali nailed him immediately on one wild claim about the East Coast-East Bank bypass road!

But there was his claim for the Skeldon Factory. If he’d looked at Tate and Lyle’s website, he’d see “Booker Tate carried out a viability and expansion study which recommended… a new cane sugar factory at the Skeldon Sugar Estate”. The he spoke about Amaila Falls.

Did he check the one for Burnham in 1976 by MotorColumbus Consulting Engineers? Sheesh!!

…on sugar lie

Last Sunday, Nagamootoo gloated, “…the balance in severance payment…owed to the sugar workers who lost their jobs as a result of the closure of some estates, was paid.”

So why were the Wales workers picketing on Wednesday for “severance”?

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

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fridAY, december 7, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Government facilitating “dog food” economy with 2019 Budget – Teixeira ...organic farming assistance for farmers – Harmon

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hursday’s 2019 Budget Debates continued with customary fiery exchanges in the National Assembly as Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira berated Government’s handling of the economy, outlining that business prospects are greatly reduced under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration.

The senior Member of Parliament noted that the coalition Government has blinded its eyes to the woes of the Guyanese, as she appeared to be tired of Ministers outlining measures aimed at giving citizens a “good life”.

“We have heard about this being a good life but I want to ask the Minister on a human level, do you not see what is going on in the streets? Women selling water for a living; do you see the increase in beggars and the biggest industry in your Government is selling dog food… is this the new economy that you are proposing for the people,” Teixeira quipped.

She wants the Administration to be aware that people are suffering.

“Do you not see that our people are suffering? Do you not hear? Have you talked to the taxi and minibus drivers, the boats operators who are talking about the lack of business? Have you asked the business people what is happening? You go to barbers, nail technicians – do you not notice that they are earning less? The vendors,

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

you move them… 400 people, a lot of them are women… ask the miners what is happening with them... you admitted it in the budget that gold is now going down… you need to change your policies!” the Chief Whip declared.

She in fact called Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s budget ‘naked with nothing for the people of Guyana’ as she questioned the benefits of this and the prior three budgets presented by the APNU/AFC coalition Government that have collectively amounted to almost $1 trillion.

She was sure that even though the Guyanese people are suffering, the Government’s main concern since it took office has been for “vengeance” against the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). Teixeira also questioned if the country has truly benefited from the various budgets.

“Where is the proof of

the pudding? Where are the transformations?

Where is it that we can say that we are going forward? The Ministers have also been hard of ears to what has been said not only by us who have been pointing out problems, but also by the trade unions… you have come into this House with this bullyism that nobody counts except you!” the Chief Whip exclaimed.

Teixeira also chastised the Government, accusing it of never wanting to build national unity among the people of Guyana. Speaking on taxation, Teixeira questioned the cost of fuel, adding that it is still to be reduced even though the price decreased globally. She further observed that calculations show each Guyanese citizen in 2018 paid $265,000 to the Government per capita in taxes.

As a result of this, the MP revealed that spending power is expected to reduce by a whopping 18 per cent.

“Let’s talk about purchasing power, what drives the economy is people’s ability to spend… they are stimulating the economy so that people have more to spend and so Mr Speaker, in 2019 the total spending is expected to reduce by 18 per cent… that is $462,000 per household in Guyana. Do you understand when we say that this cannot be the good life?

People have to buy children’s supplies… they need to take care of their families… people will now be spending less” Teixeira revealed.

She also questioned the

invited the Opposition to come on board and join Government’s green agenda.

Harmon added that there were inconsistencies in the budget proposals of the Opposition, perhaps because the Budget was “so good”. He even said Government’s vision for Guyana is difficult to see for those who “don’t have 20/20 vision.

Speaking on plans for

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

$30 billion Guyana Sugar Corporation loan which was not reflected in the budget and the US$18 million signing bonus from United States oil company, ExxonMobil which was not paid over into the Consolidated Fund.

“You have lost a golden opportunity to present a better budget… this budget will not improve the lives of our people… this Government is on borrowed time… thanks to this budget, we will get into Government in 2020,” Teixeira declared.

Government wants green agenda support

Her previous speaker, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, saw things quite differently from the Opposition Chief Whip, telling the House that Government’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) was much broader than what was offered in the previous Government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). He even

2019, the senior Minister told the House that agriculture producers will be assisted with projects such as organic farming. Another plan for the State is smart classrooms which will connect schools all over the country.

Harmon added that strategies such as those for poverty production, social cohesion and culture policies will be enhanced.

10 news

fridAY, december 7, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

US$11.6M IDB loan approved for energy sector T

he Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on Thursday approved a US$11.6 million loan for Guyana which will go towards a project designed to support the strengthening and sustainability of the energy sector here by contributing to the institutional development of oil and gas governance and cleaner energy sources for electricity generation.

The specific objectives of the loan programme are first, to develop a management and planning framework for Guyana’s oil and gas sector; and second, to contribute towards the development of a policy framework so that Guyana may diversify its electricity generation matrix using cleaner or renewable sources.

“Guyana’s new energy

scenario, which will likely yield significant revenues for the Government, represents a transformative shift in Guyana’s development trajectory. It embodies a crucial and unprecedented opportunity for economic growth and sustainable development,” a statement from the IDB added.

It was further stated that the conversion of shortterm oil wealth into longterm, well-being hinges on the capacity of the Guyanese Government to adequately manage this new sector and enact productivity-enhancing reforms.

The IDB said if handled well; it can boost the overall standard of living for the country. However, there is considerable work to be done so that Guyana can enjoy the benefits of its recent

– and potential – oil and gas wealth.

The institution also highlighted that too often resource-rich countries have become or remained poor as a result of inadequate resource management. Hence, there is an urgent need to improve the governance of Guyana’s oil and gas sector ahead of production in 2020.

The agreed-upon policy commitments of the first tranche of the programme were geared towards establishing a department of en-

ergy within the Ministry of the Presidency to take over responsibilities related to the governance and development of Guyana’s oil and gas sector.

The second commitment was to approve the department draft roadmap to develop Guyana’s oil and gas institutional framework, and; design of a model contract for future Production Sharing Agreements (PSA) by the department and pre-

sented to Guyana’s Ministry of the Presidency.

Now that the second tranche has been disbursed, the Government will now have to ensure that the Department functions are placed in a manual establishing its organisational structure, budget and staff allocation, approved by the Ministry of the Presidency.

Additionally, it was be tasked with establishing a set of protocols and mechanisms for contract management; and an oil and gas depletion policy designed by the Department and presented for approval to the Ministry of the Presidency.

Finally, the programme will also aid Government with the development of a

policy framework to diversify and promote the sustainability of Guyana's electricity generation matrix.

The loan is funded in two components totalling US$11.64 million. The first component will total US$5.82 million from the IDB’s ordinary capital; disburse within two years, with a grace period of five and a half years, and an interest rate.

The second component will total US$5.82 million from the IDB’s concessional ordinary capital; disbursed within two years, with a grace period of 40 years, and 0.25 per cent interest rate. The executing agency will be the local Finance Ministry.

Man gets life sentence for raping 1-year-old

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odney Kurtzious who was on Thursday found guilty of raping a child was handed a sentence of life imprisonment by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Sexual Offences Court.

The toddler was just one-year-old at the time he committed the heinous act.

In addition, the child was a family member of his.

The jury returned the guilty verdict after two hours of deliberations in a proportion of 11-1. At sentencing, Justice Barlow

Rodney Kurtzious was found guilty of child rape

told Kurtzious that the crime was one of the worst she has ever seen and as such, she handed down the hefty sentence.

The convicted rapist will be eligible for parole after spending 25 years in prison.

Kurtzious had previously denied that on July 27, 2017, in the county of Demerara, he sexually penetrated the toddler.

The man was unrepresented while State Counsel Seeta Bishundial appeared for the prosecution.

Rice miller arrested for allegedly blocking entrance to aerodrome

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ssequibo rice miller Wazeer Hussein is once again in hot water after he was arrested on Thursday evening after he reportedly continues to block the entrance to the Hampton Court Aerodrome, on the Essequibo Coast. He was reportedly escorted to Eveleary where he will be further question alone with his son who was also arrested.

About a week ago, Hussein was slapped with several charges including resisting arrest, threatening behaviour and obstructing officials of the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GL&SC) from

A plan of the reserve that is being blocked by Hussein

carrying out their duties.

Hussein is claiming ownership of the plot of land that is used to gain access to the aerodrome, but according to documents provided,

the GL&SC had informed the businessman that the plot of land was owned by the State and as such, ordered that he give up possession of the reserve immediately. continued on page 15

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fires back at Opposition S RAIGHT Lawrence over criticism of health sector

fridAY, december 7, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

2019 Budget Debate

Growing profits and blackouts at GPL

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othing is going according to plan for the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) except their cash richness.

Blackouts continue unabatedly, they have failed to submit their Annual Development and Expansion Plan to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for the years 2017-2021 as mandated by the Electricity Reform Act and the perennial problem of technical and commercial losses are not declining.

According to a release from the last report issued by Chairman Prem Persaud at the PUC, “the bane of the company remains the cost of system losses calculated at some GY$80 billion" over a 15-year period.

The latest published financial statements inform us that the company has spent some GY$1.3 billion in capital expenditure for 2016, 53 per cent less than it did in 2015. The main reason the company informs the nation for this is that an increasing share of the generation is now being done by an outsourced company by way of an operations contract and from the purchase of electricity from Skeldon. An insider at GPL told me that since these two arrangements, there is not a power generation problem in Guyana but a transmission and distribution (T&D) problem. Unfortunately, the new Board since May 2015 failed to invest adequately in the T&D problem and the long-suffering consumers continued to suffer into 2018.

Financial highlights

Source GPL 2016 Audited Accounts Total assets of the corporation increased in 2016 by GY$9.5 billion or 15.8 per cent, even as plant and equipment declined from GY$2.4 billion and accounts receivables declined by G$2.1 billion. The largest drop in this plant and equipment asset class was the massive depreciation of the T&D facilities, which speaks to its aged status and thus growing unreliability and hence more blackouts.

In the case of collections of old debt, GPL did a great job in 2016 of pursuing old accounts causing outstanding receivables to be reduced. But there is also a significant provision for bad debt in 2016 booked at GY$8.3 billion and up from GY$7.9 billion in 2015. Some 14 per cent of the total assets of the company are financed by capital contributions from the Government of Guyana, which was converted into share capital. So the taxpayers are paying from two sides – light bills and the tax collection, which is being diverted in portions to GPL. GPL’s turnover decline with good reason. Customers were able to benefit from a 10 per cent net reduction in electricity rates with effect from March 1, 2016, as a result of fuel rebate granted by the Government. But concurrently the largest portion of the generation cost (fuel cost) dropped by 19 per cent in 2016, which resulted in a net gain for the company. In spite of this positive drop in the generation cost, net profit before tax for 2016 remain stagnant at GY$3.4 billion. I am further advised that its profit before tax for 2017 topped GY$5.1 billion rather than the original figure that I projected last week and the main reason for this was the creeping increase in the fuel prices affected the company more than I projected. But more importantly is that the inefficiencies at GPL also increased.

In 2016, the net cash inflows at that company were GY$8.5 billion compared to GY$3.4 billion in 2015. I was again told that GPL’s net increase in cash for 2017 topped GY$10 billion but that was eroded in the first half of 2018 as the high fuel price ate into the cash significantly. However, as the fuel prices decline, the expectation for the next six months is positive.

GPL is expected to recover its cash inflows and should pass it back to the consumers by way of a fuel rebate or invest it in repairing the T&D Network.

And the balance sheet confirms these truths. The business had GY$15.8 billion in the bank at the end of 2016. I was told they have over GY$20 billion in their bank account at the end of 2017. All the evidence points to the fact that this company is cash rich, but yet they have the audacity to provide a quality of service that is deteriorating as the coffers remain strong.

The bottom line remains GPL remains badly managed and will continue to be the greatest deterrent to new investments in Guyana as cheap and reliable electricity continues to elude the nation.

Please share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

…GPHC to get trauma centre …doctorate and master's programmes for nurses

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ublic Health Minister Volda Lawrence on Thursday utilised her allotted 30-plus minutes during the 2019 National Budget Debates to square off with the Opposition over their criticism of the shortcomings in the health sector.

In her rebuttal, the Minister outlined the milestones of her Ministry as well as the plans going forward into the 2019 fiscal year.

After coming under heavy criticism by colleagues from the other side of the isle over drug shortages and issues relating to the timely delivery of drugs and medical supplies, Minister Lawrence said the Opposition is only focusing on the negatives and failed to recognise the gains achieved by the sector.

In presenting the achievements, Minister Lawrence said the Government is heavily focused on transparency and accountability, and as such, they would have established the Procurement Department at her Ministry.

She identified that the Department is still a work in progress, adding that the staff has been in two training sessions hosted by the Finance Ministry, National Procurement Tender Administration Board and the Public Procurement Commission where they were edified about the procurement procedures in keeping with the Procurement Act. “Presently, a USAID Consultant is in Guyana to assess the current operating structure of the MOPH Procurement Unit, provide hands-on coaching support with National Procurement planning and contract management, and assist with [Terms of Reference] TORs for a procurement tracking system,” she told the House.

Additionally, she boasted about the strides made in the maternal and child health area, alluding to the upgrading of the Leonora Cottage Hospital’s Maternity Ward as well as the commissioning of the first Paediatric

Critical Care Unit and the International Children’s Heart Foundation.

Further boasting, the Minister said seven successful kidney transplants were completed along with the first ever paired kidney transplant successfully done. She also told the National Assembly that her Ministry continues to build its human resource capacity with a particular focus in the field of nursing.

“This has resulted in a boost of 448 qualified nurses in the health system.

Mr Speaker, for the first time, the Governments of Guyana and Brazil have jointly sponsored a Masters and Doctoral programme in Nursing. Eight students are benefiting from the Masters while five are pursuing the Doctorate in Nursing. This will further enhance our human resource capacity, and provide the platform for the building of sustainable healthy communities,” Lawrence explained.

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

continued on page 13

12news

fridAY, december 7, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

GTT’s "Pinktober" brings in $11M for cancer organisations

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ith thousands turning out to show their support for the signature “Pinktober” event, which was aimed at increasing awareness of breast cancer and pushing for more action to be taken in the fight against the disease, the initiative has helped to raise $11 million.

That amount will be distributed to at least five cancer-fighting organisations.

“Pinktober” was held in October and saw more than 5000 persons participating. It was one of the largest turnouts since the launch of the event a few years ago.

GTT Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Justin Nedd

expressed satisfaction with this year’s figures and encouraged more sponsors and members of the public to take part in the awareness walk.

“We need to do better as a country to help raise awareness of this deadly disease, statistics show that in every 10 women, at least four are

Copa Airlines to increase flights to Guyana C opa Airlines has announced that it will be adding another flight to its Guyana-Panama route with onward connections effective December 9 of this year.

With approval from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Copa will operate the additional flight on Fridays, adding to existing flights on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

According to the carrier, this decision to add an additional flight day is based on increasing demand that has been generated as well as plans to expand its services in Guyana.

Copa’s Regional Sales Manager Bernardo Ordas commented on this move, saying, “The airline is very proud to be serving Guyana.

The additional flight will cater to the growing demand and will also provide a way by which Guyana’s tourism product could be further enhanced. We are also cognisant of the increase in traffic associated with Guyana’s emerging oil and gas industry and would like to continue playing a role in national development.”

Copa Airlines Sales Manager in Guyana, Nadine Oudkerk added, “The addition of a fifth flight to Guyana is part of our ongoing expansion efforts in the country and demonstrates that Copa is here to stay.

We have been able to build strong partnerships with a number of groups, companies, and individuals, and remain committed to further developing these valuable relationships.”

In 2015, the airline doubled its capacity to four flights in response to increased requests from passengers to expand the service. The airline company currently offers flights to over 78 destinations in 32 countries in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean.

With advancements in Guyana’s tourism sector, air transport has played a critical role and many carriers have sought to improve connections between Guyana and other nations.

Just a few weeks ago, American Airlines commenced operations in Guyana, one of its 19 destinations across South America.

At that time, GCAA

Director General Zulifar Mohamed mentioned that the carrier would advance Guyana’s tourism industry and increase the flight count to the North American continent. For him, bridging those gaps is essential for the country and its economy.

“We welcome them because the kind of connection they bring to Guyana would surely enhance not only tourism, but also trade in Guyana …The connectivity is needed in Guyana. We certainly know that the ridership will increase and the uplift out of Guyana will certainly welcome the increased flights out of North America,” Field was quoted as saying.

Adding to that, Guyana hosted the Air Transport

Meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, which was organised by the GCAA in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo highlighted during his remarks that Guyana made a 20 per cent improvement in the aviation sector and currently had 64 per cent compliance. He said this was evidence that the aviation sector was moving in the right direction.

The Air Transport Meeting addressed issues such as harmonising the regional air transport regulatory framework as well as the liberalisation of air cargo through regional and global approaches.

Beneficiaries of the 2018 “Pinktober” drive along with GTT representatives at the company’s press briefing on Thursday

affected by breast cancer, so our place is to help continue to raise funds so that tests and treatment can continue to be free and accessible,” Nedd explained.

Further, the local telecommunications giant’s CEO also thanked the members of the Guyana Cancer Foundation for the vital role they played in helping to promote the month-long activities associated with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“We do recognise the sacrifices you have made, and we are, therefore, aligning our efforts to make a great impact in this sector.

It is very sad that women lose their lives every day in Guyana, because they can’t afford treatment.”

Nedd underscored that cancer in Guyana was undertreated – this he added was “unacceptable”.

GTT Marketing Manager Davi Sookdeo echoed similar sentiments and also encouraged greater participation from the general public and the Private Sector.

Meanwhile, Chief Financial Officer Mark Singh was happy to announce that the event this year raked in far more than last year’s.

The company also men-

tioned its plans to build an Oncology Department where persons suffering from the disease could be treated.

It affirmed that come next year, “Pinktober” will be an event to which everyone looked forward.

The “Pinktober” breast cancer awareness initiative was first hosted in 2017 and raised almost $1.4 million, which was also donated to cancer-fighting institutes.

This year’s signature event – the inaugural Breast Cancer Awareness 5K walk and run and 10K run saw the turnout of more than 2000 participants.

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Drug Treatment Court can reduce drug Patterson refuses to apologise after PPP feasibility study surfaces addict cases – Justice Kofi Barnes

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O

ne day after being accused of presenting untruthful statements to members in the National Assembly over infrastructural projects under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson made it clear that he will not apologise to Opposition Member of Parliament Irfaan Ali. This stance was reiterated during a press conference held on Thursday in the lower chambers of the Parliament, despite the PPP/C MP provided him with a physical copy of an in-house Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) feasibility study regarding the East Bank Demerara to East Coast Demerara bypass road.

Patterson previously spoke on a number of projects valuing some US$608 million that were undertaken by the PPP/C where no feasibilities were conducted beforehand, adding that he would apologise if such documents were produced.

This appeared not to be the case when media operatives queried if he would withdraw his declarations as he responded in the negative when asked directly if he would apologise.

Patterson said he stands by the statement on US$608 million in projects while noting that did not know from where the East Bank (Diamond) to East Coast (Ogle) Road Link Project document surfaced. The study was conducted in 2014.

“No, no… I have acknowledged it [the document]; you

PPP/C MP Irfaan Ali

don’t just turn op and bring a study just like that but I don’t what to ascribe anything to anybody. I don’t do that,” the Minister stressed.

Patterson however, added that the coalition Government commissioned its own study after coming into office, since some of the lands were sold prior to the PPP/C leaving office in May 2015.

During his budget presentation on Wednesday, Patterson outlined a list of projects, which he claimed the previous Administration went ahead and undertook without conducting any feasibility study.

However, at the end of Patterson’s 30-plus minute presentation, Ali, who is a former Housing Minister under the PPP/C Administration, had risen to the floor, and told the Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, that a feasibility study was in fact done for the Bypass Road project and that he was in pos-

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

session of same.

In fact, Patterson indicated that the document was on his mobile device.

Ali had also shown the document to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs and offered to hand it over to the Public Infrastructure Minister which he did on Wednesday.

After the fiery display between the two sides, the Speaker had noted that he was surprised at the turn of events as the session ended.

During Thursday’s afternoon session, Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira remarked that the reason for Government Ministers not easily locating documents is because they have no idea as to where to look as many of the technical specialists and key personnel were dismissed after the coalition came into power.

The 2019 Budget Debates conclude today.

Lawrence fires back...

from page 11

Currently studying at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, are Karen Roberts, Nicola Nero, Afesha Leacock-Marshall, Winifred MardenboroughRazack and Nursing Education Co-Ordinator and Public Health Ministerial Adviser, Mandy La Fleur.

These five Guyanese women are to be the first in the Caribbean to attain Doctoral degrees in Nursing. This will be an asset to Guyana and will further enhance the country’s human resource capacity, and provide the platform for the building of sustainable healthy communities, according to the Minister.

The MoPH has been allo-

cated some 11.9 per cent of the $300.7 billion 2019 National Budget, which amounts to $35.9 billion. According to the Minister, $524.6 million has been budgeted under the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), which includes the construction of a Trauma Centre.

“Mr Speaker, in 2019, in order to eliminate the inadequacies of the 18 bed Emergency Unit that exists at the Georgetown Hospital, the construction of a state-of-theart trauma centre will be built in an effort to control patient flows, and to accommodate more patients seeking medical attention. The construction

of the trauma centre will see an increase in the number of in-patient ward space, with the number of beds increasing from 483 to 1000, more outpatient clinic space and an increase in the number of theatres from five to 12, including two separate theatres for Obstetrics and Gynaecology,” she said.

She added that critical pieces of legislation would also be brought to the fore and those includes the Nurses and Midwives Bill, Health Protection and Promotion Bill, Regulations for the use of radiation sources and for the management of the Associated Radioactive Waste, and Amendment to Licensing of Health facilities Act.

aw enforcement officers were on Thursday engaged in a Drug Treatment Court Awareness Workshop, intended as a preventative measure in controlling the number of drug addicts within the country.

With partnering agencies such as the National AntiNarcotics Agency (NANA); the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat; the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), the engagement sought to establish that drug abusers could be reintegrated into society thus preventing them from entering the drug arena.

Speaking at the workshop, Justice Kofi Barnes of the Ontario High Court pointed out that recovery through a drug treatment court was important to end the scourge of an unending cycle, which may present itself in a person’s metamorphosis.

He explained that when persons were indicted for a drug-related offence and were sentenced to prison, they served the required time and returned to that lifestyle once they were out on the streets again.

However, the court breaks this cycle by allowing addicts to receive assistance, medically and mentally.

Justice Kofi Barnes

He added that countries that turn to the judicial system to fix the high number of drug addict cases have saved millions of dollars in just one year.

“Ottawa in Canada calculated that based on the number of persons that have been going to the Drug Treatment Court, they have been able to save the justice system three million dollars a year… It costs money. If it is the healthcare services that they are using, it costs money. Police Officers always going to arrest them, it costs money. All these things, by going through the programme, is saving an additional nine million dollars.”

Throughout the workshop, participants were briefed on plans which are crucial in establishing such a court, the importance of

monitoring the drug treatment court model, treatment issues and international approaches which are to be implemented for successful results.

For 2017, 55,139 kilograms (121,305.8 pounds) of narcotics was seized according to NANA. Law enforcement agencies seized the narcotics, which include substances such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and ecstasy; and have even managed to eradicate over 117,000kg (257,400 pounds) of marijuana plants.

The drugs were said to be valued in excess of $20 billion, and were snatched from the streets, while more than 300 persons have also been convicted for various drug crimes. A report issued in September of 2018 claimed that combined efforts by the Public Health, Education and Public Security Ministries, along with several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), resulted in over 900 persons receiving training in drug prevention and drug supply reduction, to work with youths and at-risk populations. Further, over 100 persons have reportedly received specialised treatment for problematic drug use via the Phoenix Recovery Project and the Salvation Army Men’s Social Service.

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117 graduate from New Amsterdam School of Nursing

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s the New Amsterdam School of Nursing held its 15th biennial graduation ceremony, 117 persons were certified to perform their duties in a more effective manner.

The new nurses were admonished to put forward a jovial attitude at work as well as to soar above and beyond the call of duty as the world of work awaits them.

This encouragement was given by Alex Foster, the Regional Advisor to the Senior Public Health Minister, as he was given the honour to deliver the feature address at the ceremony.

“Each one of you is precious to the fabric that makes up public health …

I, therefore, ask that today this be taken seriously, and you put your training into action … and be determined to make a difference,” Foster was quoted as saying in a report filed by the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Acting Principal and Senior Tutor of the Nursing School, Oselene Hicken-

was the valedictorian for the class of 2018, during her speech, reminded her colleagues of the challenging encounters and the many sacrifices they made. MarksWarde encouraged her batch, along with those who have completed other programmes, to always be professional in their respective fields.

The graduates were lat-

er charged by Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) L Johnson to be humble and to always make health and safety their number one priority.

For the past two years, the School has conducted training for the Professional Nursing, Nursing Assistant, Post Basic Midwifery and the Single Trade Midwifery programmes.

Men trained to deal with violence in home …as activism programme continues

A section of the 2018 graduating class

Paul related that during last year the institution saw massive improvements compared to previous years.

Among these was the acquisition of seven full-time tutors and some senior nurses who lecture part-time and

ensure that the curriculum is completed. Hicken-Paul also reported that two new classrooms were installed, along with a spanking new student hostel.

Among the graduates were 61 Registered

Nurses (RNs); 44 Nursing Assistants (NAs) and 12 Midwives. The eight male graduates in the group were acknowledged for their perseverance.

Reniska Marks-Warde, a newly-graduated RN, who

Men gathered at a previous programme which discussed issues affecting men in society

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s the annual ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’ campaign continues, the Social Protection Ministry hosted a programme that saw men from all walks of life participating, with the aims of eliminating all forms of violence against women.

Held under the theme ‘Hear me too: collective voices against gender-based violence’, the programme aims at targeting all males across the length and breadth of Guyana.

According to Social Services Director Whentworth Tanner, activities will be conducted in all 10 administrative regions. Tanner noted that, “We are working closely with the Regional Democratic Councils, but where we don’t have those collaborations, we are working through the Regional Women’s Affairs Committee”.

Tanner noted that the through the programme, men complained about not being heard in society as it relates to violence. This, he noted, caused the Ministry to set up a forum where men can freely discuss their social issues.

“Most men don’t see themselves as perpetrators but because a few men that participate in activities that are condemned by society, all men are painted with the same brush. We don’t want that so the goal of this activism programme is to be able to help the targeted audience which are men to change their mindsets as it relates to violence against women.”

Tanner also related that the Ministry is also working to introduce more male-related programmes where they can be trained in particular divisions which will in return be beneficial “not only to women but society also”.

Some of the topics dis-

cussed during the 16-day programme were sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence, poor health choices, male perpetrators of violence, masculinity and manhood and consequences and corrections.

The awareness session will conclude on December 10. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign is a time to galvanise action to end violence against women and girls around the world. The international campaign originated from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute coordinated by the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991.

Currently, more than 3700 organisations from approximately 164 countries participate in the campaign annually.

Joining these organisations this year is Voices Against Violence, an umbrella entity comprising non-government organisations, faith-based organisations, community-based organisations and other entities and activists that organise speak outs across Guyana.

This effort has been endorsed by the Ministry, which is partnering with Voices Against Violence; the Women and Gender Equality Commission and Help and Shelter.

Organisations, groups and communities are urged to bring people together and have them share experiences, personal or otherwise, on gender-based, child and sexual abuse as well as to brainstorm ideas which will address these scourges.

The idea is to create scope for victims to speak out since doing so is a form of catharsis that can also motivate and inspire other victims.

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fridAY, december 7, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Green Conversations: Providing Guyanese MARAD officers with information to create sustainability excel at Caribbean …agro-processing can have negative implications shipping programme

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nother installment of the Green Conversations discussion unfolded on Thursday evening at the Pegasus Hotel, featuring key talks on sustainability in Guyana and how it can be achieved through various economic sectors.

The event, which was organised via collaborations with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the University of Guyana (UG) and the United Nations (UN), saw input from persons within these agencies.

While delivering his feature address, senior economist Ralph Lucan of the United States Environmental Protection Agency shared some insight into Guyana’s economic sector.

He noted that Guyana’s economy needs to delink its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from resources use and pollution. “Decoupling basically means delinking

Ralph Lucan

manufacturing activities from resource use from pollution.”

Relative decoupling defines a situation when the GDP is rapidly increasing than the resource use. On the other hand, absolute decoupling states that while there must be increases in the GDP, the resource use must remain constant.

Lucan focused his pre-

sentation on activities that can result in relative decoupling in Guyana, while acknowledging that there has been great consideration of the agro-processing sector.

He outlined the consequences, asserting that a value chain analysis will better understand if the positives outweigh the negatives.

“In the processing, there could be negative environmental implications in terms of increased pesticide, increased fertilisers. There could be inefficiencies in the production processes. There is a certain amount of waste in various sectors,” said Lucan, while highlighting the negative aspects.

However, he went on to list the positives, stating, “There can be positive in terms of increased profits, job generation. Those are positive so I think a value chain analysis would complement what is going on already in here, looking at one or two sectors as an example

of both the positive and negative.”

The economist insisted that the availability of data is a necessity in the manufacturing sector for areas such as what is the export and import rate and moreover, the net gain among issues.

The Conversations are a series of talks held throughout Guyana with its main focus on enlightening citizens on green economic development and how it can be achieved through their input. They can also get information on some of the issues that are emerging from Guyana’s Green State Development Strategy.

The document is before Cabinet and is a development plan, expected to last some 20 years. Next year is expected to be the implementation stage of this two-decade framework to set the economy for sustainable innovations.

Murder accused set free for murder of carpenter T he two men who were accused of killing a Crabwood Creek carpenter were set free on Thursday.

Magistrate Rhondel Weever upheld a nocase submission made by Attorney Mursaline Bacchus who represented the two accused; Satrohan Madray and Antonio Singh Balrup.

Asif Hamid, the murdered carpenter’s son, is currently incarcerated for a previous murder. He is accused of conspiracy.

Saeed Hamid at Bennett Dam, D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice, had disappeared after leaving his home on April 19, 2018.

Detectives arrested Madray and Balrup after allegedly receiving information that implicated them.

While in custody, they reportedly confessed to bludgeoning Hamid to the head and then burning his body behind the home and temple of Madray at D’Edward village.

Madray reportedly told

Antonio Singh Balrup

Satrohan Madray

the Police that he conspired with Asif Hamid, his close friend, to murder the vendor to prevent him from providing evidence against his son in his upcoming High Court trial.

Bacchus, in his submission, stated that a prima facie case has not been made out against the two accused and they should both be discharged. “No person can be sent to trial at a Preliminary

Inquiry unless a prima facie case is made out. In fact, it is the duty of a committing Magistrate to ensure that no one be sent to trial unless a case is made out.”

Bacchus argued that there is no evidence that Balrup heard what Madray was saying in the video that was taken at the murder scene. He further argued that there was no confrontation between Madray

and Balrup but yet, the prosecution’s case stated that Madray’s had given a statement that implicated Balrup.

“Apart from all the above, which, I submit, is sufficient for the discharge of both accused, there is no evidence that the person whom the accused person are charged with murdering, died from any injuries inflicted by any of the accused or by them both,” Bacchus said.

The no-case submission was up held and they were set free. The case was prosecuted by Corporal Raquel Mars.

The two men, who were arrested back in April during the initial stages of the investigation, were re-arrested in June but after intense interrogation, they allegedly led investigators to the burnt remains suspected to be that of the 65-year-old man.

This is the second murder the duo was accused of committing and have been freed.

Rice farmer arrested for allegedly...

The notice also stated that failure to comply will result in legal action being brought against him by the Commission.

Guyana Times was told that Hussein has claimed ownership of the land for quite some time now, but only recently, he started to block the main access route

to the facility which is supposed to be accessible on a 24-hour basis in case of emergencies.

However, on Thursday, the miller was arrested and taken into custody after he refused to comply with the order.

While this newspaper could not confirm what other

offences he is being held for, it is believed that he is been questioned in relation to the death of a baby after the infant was transferred from the Essequibo Coast to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Guyana Times understands that on the day the baby was supposed to be transferred to Georgetown,

from page 10

Hussein blocked the entrance to the aerodrome, thus causing a prolonged delay in the execution of the medevac.

In addition, this publication understands Hussein would have made several comments on social media which is also been allegedly investigated by the Police.

T

The Guyanese participants at the training session

wo officers from the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) successfully attended the Caribbean Ship Inspector Training (CASIT) programme, which was held between October 29 and November 16, 2018, in Trinidad and Tobago.

Sherry-Ann Wilson and Trey Simon serve in the capacity of Port State Control Officer/Marine Pilot Trainee and Marine Officer respectively at the Ports and Harbours division.

Among the 40 persons from 13 Caribbean Member States and four territories who participated in the programme, the Guyanese emerged at the top in performance and evaluation sessions which will prepare participants for the diploma course that is offered online.

Wilson gained 100 per

cent while Simon achieved 93 per cent in their respective evaluations.

The CASIT programme is designed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to train Flag and Port State Inspectors. This training helps to ensure that ship standards are maintained, and that there is compliance with international codes and regulations, also, with the aim of reducing accidents and marine pollution.

The programme was aimed at preparing participants to function in their respective administrations as Flag State and Port State Officers. Trainees will be able to perform Flag State Inspections (FSI) on all ships under 24 metres in length and carry out annual and renewal surveys on vessels up to 500 Gross Tonnage (GT).

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News

Gunmen attack supermarket; beat owners, customers

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Owner of the supermarket, Dewan Ramdeo

pregnant woman was among 14 persons beaten after four masked gunmen attacked and robbed a supermarket on the East Coast of Berbice (ECB) on Wednesday evening.

Reports are the armed men came from the backlands and stole two bicycles before riding to Arjune Mahadeo Business Enterprise located at Lot 37 Number 19 Village, ECB. At the time of the attack, several customers were inside the supermarket.

Nineteen-year-old Vishnu Seeram who was at the time performing duties at the supermarket was outside when the men executed the brazen attack.

He explained that initially, he thought it was a prank by villagers. According to Seeram, two men appeared at the business establishment on bicycles.

“I thought it was a laugh joke thing like, but then I see that they serious and pull out guns and start pull in my friends in the shop… I try to run at the side but one of them come behind me and he lash me with a crowbar and tell me that is bandit and he pull me in the shop.

When I go in the shop, I see everybody lie down.”

Seeram said he later heard his mother screaming from the upper flat of

the building. As the men entered the supermarket, the owner Dewan Ramdeo 33, and his daughter, 14, were attending to customers while a close relative who is visiting from the United States, was in the upper flat.

that the one that come in first had on mask and he had on a cap and mask. I see one in the row with me and one in another row with some customers an I aint see none of dem by the gate,” he related.

The men ransacked the supermarket, taking two cellphones from customers along with their jewellery.

They also removed $650,000 in cash; $50,000 in phone cards and food items from the shelves and refrigerators.

While this was happening, Ramdeo realised that there was an opening for him to escape.

“So I get up and try to run but one of dem hold onto my shirt and he pelt a lash with the cutlass and it catch me behind my neck but I still try to run and the shirt

Vishnu Seeram was hit on his jaw with a crowbar

The woman’s 16-year-old daughter was also assisting in the supermarket.

Ramdeo told Guyana Times that the first bandit to enter the establishment ordered everyone to lie on the ground. He was carrying a firearm and his face was covered.

Ramdeo recalled that several customers were kicked in their faces as they attempted to get a glimpse of what was happening.

“So you can’t watch up and see but what I know is

tear so I run out.”

In relating the ordeal, the businessman said two of the bandits came running after him. As he reached the street, a neighbour was on his way to the supermarket but the businessman alerted him.

The resident made a run for it but one of the two bandits went pursued him while the other continued in pursuit of Ramdeo.

“I reach by my neighbour and she went in front on the

bridge and I tell she bring the cutlass but I still running and run pass she and she and the bandit come face to face and he give she two lash with the cutlass and take way she phone…”

Meanwhile, one of the bandits went to the upper flat of the building that housed the supermarket where he confronted Shamwattie Inderjeet, 39, who has been in Guyana for one week.

The pregnant woman related that the masked man carrying a cutlass entered the room and started to assault her.

“Just as I go to get up, he gave me one cutlass lash across my head and I fall over the bed…I get up to run to the washroom and he give me another cutlass lash.”

The woman said she felt blood running down her neck. She was stripped naked and pulled away from the bathroom by her hair.

She said she was kicked and beaten by the armed man.

“I start asking him why you beating me, why? I din know is who because he never say that he is a bandit, then he give me one more broadside with the cutlass and tell me that he come for the money and he want all the money.”

The woman related that she was beaten until she showed them where she kept her valuables. She said she was able to escape and hide in the house until he left. The pregnant woman was later rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she was treated.

Upon her return, she discovered that US$1000 was missing from her bag along with jewellery valued at $315,000, along with GY$15,000 and a cellular phone.

However, her passport and those belonging to her children, were intact.

Nevertheless, Ramdeo, the owner of the property,

Shamwattie Inderjeet had to seek medical attention after being beaten

said he was able to get villagers to use empty beverage bottles as missiles to hurl at one of the bandits who was standing guard. He

fled the scene.

Police reportedly arrived at the scene 10 minutes later and launched an investigation. This is the third

A section of the ransacked supermarket

then called out the others.

Shots were then fired at the missile throwing gang but the residents took cover behind a lorry as the bandits

time in the past seven years that bandits have attacked and robbed the owner of the supermarket. (Andrew Carmichael)

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iss India Guyana Shoshanna Ramdeen and Mrs India Guyana Shivanie Latchman departed Guyana on Thursday evening to compete in the international pageant slated for December 9-14 in New Jersey.

The two beauty ambassadors were accompanied by franchise holder Hashim Ali and an entourage.

The Guyanese beauties will compete in the preliminary competitions leading up to the pageant. In high spirits, the two ladies are confident that they will do Guyana proud.

Ramdeen’s natural talent, involvement in community service, strong faith, and humility make her a true embodiment of a rounded young lady.

An avid reader, this 22-year-old draws much o f her inspira-

friday, december 7, 2018

tion from writers who convey real experiences by presenting true accounts of their challenges and revealing how they overcame them. She believes that one is not necessarily born with courage, but rather one is born with potential.

She describes herself as a selfless, driven, committed individual, traits she acquired while a student at the Zeeburg Secondary School.

After completing her secondary education, this aspiring medical practitioner entered the gates of the Greenheart Medical University where she is currently a third-year medical student.

Mrs India Guyana is the founder and lead dancer of the Ishara Dance Troupe. She hails from Diamond/Grove on the East Bank of Demerara, and holds a diploma in computer studies and a diploma in marketing.

She is present-

ly employed at the Guyana Marriott Hotel as a Catering/Sales Manager.

Apart from work, she is a television host/ producer of Entertainment Buzz. As the founder of the dance group, she was quite pleased to have taken it above the others with her blend of old and contemporary styles of filmi, classical folk Bharatanatyam, bhangra and Bollywood music.

Latchman has performed with some of the Indian stars who have visited Guyana, such as Karan, Abha, Purvi, Arjune and also as the back-up for Dance India Dance winner Shakti Mohan.

In addition, the dance group performed at the 2014 Chutney Monarch Competition held in Trinidad. Dancing, the talented young lady says, is a passion of hers. Guyana Times Entertainment wishes both delegates the very best as they compete in the international pageant.

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he Region Five Chamber of Commerce will host its Christmas Festival and Business Fair/Commerce and Big Sale on December 7 and 8 in the Rosignol-D’Edward Community.

The event is intended to usher in the festivities of the season and give the community a jump start in commercial activities while providing an opportunity for consumers to enjoy bargain prices and discounts over the celebratory period.

There will also be a concert and Christmas parade moving through the community on December 8 to offer children entertainment, goodies and an exciting atmosphere.

The activity will revitalise the community and entice shoppers/local tourists in and out of Region Five.

The event is slated to open with a ceremony on December 7 at 18:30h at the Rosignol Mall Square followed by a concert and then the commercial activities will continue until December 8.

There will be a food zone, children play zone, music and much more to entertain the entire family. Stores in the area will be offering massive discounts from 10 to 40 per cent off selected items. Promotional offers will also be available from various companies.

Interested persons and companies are encouraged to come on board. For further details, any chamber member could be contacted or call 611-005-5. Vending booths and spots are available for those who wish to be a part of the two-day affair.

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he Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) will come alive on Saturday evening when Ramraj and Rappy Children’s Foundation presents “Bollywood and Chutney Hungama” – a fusion of Bollywood and Chutney.

The event will feature some big names in the Indian movie industry and Chutney singers out of Trinidad and Tobago. These include Bollywood legend Zeenat Aman, Soca Opera star

Shradha Rani Sharma, Bollywood playback singer Satish Dehra, Kumar Saxena, Tatchana Sordjoe, Apache Warrior, and Rick and Vanessa Ramotar.

The line-up also includes “The Shakti String Orchestra” and its dancers. General seating for the show costs $3000 while the general standing will cost $2000 and those who wish to experience the VIP treatment are asked to pay $6000. Gates to the Guyana National Stadium open at 16:00h and

the show gets underway at 18:00h.

The mesmerising event will be hosted by Roshan Amad Ali out of New York. Meanwhile, the show is also slated for Sunday evening at the Albion Community Centre Ground, Berbice. The cast includes the same line-up except for Rick and Vanessa Ramotar. They will be replaced by the sensational “Ravi B”.

Ticket prices remain the same, and the tickets will be available at the gate.

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n Saturday evening, the Parking Lot of Giftland Mall will be transformed into a carnival-like atmosphere as the Guyana Carnival Committee launches Guyana Carnival 2019.

The event will see the revelation of the Genesis and Pulse Bands that will not only wow the patrons but leave them with the wildest imagings.

Known for its skimpy and stylish costumes, the event will be one of a kind with Soca music booming through the speakers of

Fusion Sound System. Until the costumes are revealed, the BOOM DJs will be making sure those who are present have the best and grandest time.

Gully Ras, Kerwin, Rawle, Selector Diamond, DJ Energy and others will undoubtedly set the tone for a fantastic evening. Not forgetting DJ Ryan from Pulse Entertainment.

There will be over 30 sections and patrons will have the opportunity to get the first view of the costumes designed by several top-

class Guyanese designers. At the launch as well, persons who are interested in being part of the Carnival Band can sign up.

Carnival 2019 is slated for May 17-27 and will see collaborations with designers and promoters from New York, the United Kingdom, Canada, Trinidad, Barbados, and Guyana.

The organising committee is very pleased to welcome sponsors on board. These include Church’s Chicken, ANSA McAL Trading, Always Feminine Products,

Banks DIH, Wave Pale Ale, and Stag Beer with more to be added.

Tickets for the spectacular launch cost $2000 and can be purchased at That Look Boutique, Exclusive Styles and Pulse Online Shopping. If you are ready to discover the unknown, then the place to be is at the Giftland Mall Parking Lot on Saturday.

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ll roads will lead to the LindenMackenzie Bridge on Saturday evening for the second annual Bridge Light-up and Boat Parade.

The event is organised by the Linden Youth Leaders and from reports coming out of the mining town, it will be a fun-filled event.

The second edition of the event is expected to be more spectacular than the first and will attract a huge crowd. Those who turn up to witness the event will be treated to live performances by reigning Chutney Monarch Brandon Harding.

In addition, the Redeemer Band and others will be performing. There will also be lots of activities for the children, but more excitingly, Santa and his helpers will be there to distribute gifts to children who are present. The action starts at 16:30h with nonstop entertainment throughout the evening.

The event is sponsored by Linden Chambers of Commerce, Guyana Airways, Banks DIH, the Communities Ministry, Linden Youth Leaders and Linden Youth Group.

Admission to the event is free.

mran Aleem Beharry, popularly known as “GI”, is a Trinidadian singer who is known for his big hits in recent times.

For many who may not know about the talented chutney singer, his singing career began some years ago before his teenage years.

In a recent interview with Guyana Times Entertainment, the artiste reflected on his journey. Born on January 8, 1987, Beharry grew up in a single-parent family, which prompted him to turn to music as an escape.

With the help and encouragement of his mother, he entered a local competition known as Children of Mastana Bahar and in 1998, he placed second in the Grand Finals.

Not giving up, he entered the Mastana Bahar adult competition and in 2003, he placed third in the Grand Finals.

In recognition of his talent, esteemed promoter Rafi Mohammed enlisted Beharry to sing in the concert in 2004 at Anchorage.

He captivated hearts with his melodious voice and had the crowd in raptures over his wonderful performance.

And it was that year Beharry was recruited by the Chutney Soca band “Karma” as band leader Anil Bissambhar sought him out to be one of the frontline vocalists. Beharry’s first official recording was entitled “Badi Door” and it was an instant hit on almost every radio station. From then on, he was labelled as “General Imran” – “GI”. That song won him his first official award as “Best New Recording Artiste 2006”.

Beharry would sing with Karma, dominating both local and international shows in North America, South America and Europe. He would then go on to be the first Chutney Soca Artiste to win “Top

20 Stars of Tomorrow”, a prestigious award from the former President of Trinidad and Tobago in 2007. Later that year, Beharry won another coveted award at 103FM’s Music Awards for “Best Collaboration”, with a song entitled “Ek Tera Saath”.

After working with “Karma” for almost four years and touring extensively with them, he joined the infamous Chutney/ Soca band, Dil E Nadan. He maintained the name “General Imran” and continued to produce excellent work with this band, learning from persons like Raymond Ramnarine and Richard Ramnarine.

In 2013, “General Imran” resigned from Dil E Nadan and took a break from music to focus on his family and his business efforts. He continued to produce music for the airwaves, and performed at private events.

In 2015, Beharry joined forces with renowned producer Zaheer Khan and with a proper management team focused on marketing, producing and managing him, he re-branded himself “GI”, an acronym for General Imran.

“GI” released his first song under his new label, and it was an instant hit.

Entitled “Raining Rum” (2015), it crossed over into the urban markets and was being played on most of those radio stations. In February 2016, “GI” entered the esteemed “Chutney Soca Monarch” competition, and with a magnificent performance, placed sixth.

With his brand now firmly established, he continued to produce cover versions of Bollywood songs as well as original compositions, collaborating with numerous artistes, including veterans like Rikki Jai. In November 2016, “GI” released three songs for the 2017 Carnival season: “Loner”, “The Chosen One” and “Ho Ja Ram”.

He has produced all of his music for the songs that he has sung, as well as for other artistes. “GI” comes from humble beginnings and has remained a humble, fun-loving, charismatic personality. He is very health conscious as he is actively involved in the gym, promoting a healthier balance of life. At all times, in the public sphere, he is mindful of his deportment.

His aim is to achieve international recognition and represent Trinidad and Tobago on the Grammy stage.

In the next few days, fans of “GI” and WR Reaz can watch out for a new collaboration, titled “Pretty Girls”, which is expected to be released soon. The song was produced by Bigrich from the Pungalungs Factor and was written by Shatta Youth.

fridAY, december 7, 2018

19

Pujara lords over batting shambles I

ndia’s start to the much-hyped series got off to a disastrous start with their batsmen seemingly competing for the worst shot played on the day. The lone exception was Cheteshwar Pujara who hit his 16th Test ton (123 off 246) and saved India some blushes as they reached 250/9 at stumps on the opening day.

Winning the toss was an advantage for Virat Kohli on the Adelaide Oval pitch but India’s batting, yet again, failed to come to terms with Australia’s persistence.

J o s h Hazlewood set the tone early with a probing first over which also resulted in KL Rahul edging a full, wide ball to third slip. With the template set, Australia’s pacers continued to induce false drives that resulted in catches all across the cordon behind the wicket with the exception of first slip.

Murali Vijay was test-

ed on both edges by Hazlewood, and by the short ball from Mitchell Starc, before finally falling through a soft drive. Kohli came in with similar intent, but that too yielded similar result. Cummins got the Indian captain

in his first over with much credit to Usman Khawaja’s stunning one-handed grab at gully. At 19/3 in the 11th over, the toss advantage had been nullified.

With the introduc-

tion of Nathan Lyon, Australia could have had a fourth straightaway with Rahane turning one to short leg. Peter Handscomb couldn’t latch on to the sharp chance but that triggered a small one-upmanship battle between the two. Rahane would step out in the next over to loft Lyon for a six, and then continue to use h i s feet

sion of Rohit Sharma, India still had the depth to stage a comeback. And Rohit, along with Pujara, steadied the ship for a while, putting on 45 runs. Rohit though was increasingly on the attack, hitting as many as three sixes in his 37. The last of which though came with Marcus Harris overbalancing beyond the ropes after taking the catch. But Rohit was not done with the intended attack against Lyon.

He tried another loft off the next ball and skied a simpler catch to Harris.

Rishabh Pant’s brief stay saw him play a mix of wild swings and watchful defence but he too fell, nicking a

Lyon off-break for 25.

Through the flurry of wickets, Pujara remained steady at the other end, scoring an unbeaten 46 by the Tea interval and upping the ante in the final session.

After a 67-run stand with Ravichandran Ashwin for the seventh wicket was ended by Pat Cummins, Pujara switched modes to push for runs. The cut, the pull and punched-drives were brought out of the closet as Pujara remained intent on keeping the strike and racking up a hundred in the process. He was eventually run out for 123, bring to close a day of what-ifs for the visitors. (cricbuzz)

SCOREBOARD

to unsettle the spin-

Cheteshwar Pujara batted 246 deliveries for his fighting 123

ner.

Just when there was a semblance of a partnership building though, Hazlewood struck and once again, through an inexplicable, loose drive from Rahane.

With some extra batting cushion with the inclu-

India 1st Innings KL Rahul c Finch b Hazlewood 2 M Vijay c †Paine b Starc 11 CA Pujara run out (Cummins) 123 V Kohli (c) c Khawaja b Cummins 3 AM Rahane c Handscomb b Hazlewood 13 RG Sharma c Harris b Lyon 37 RR Pant † c †Paine b Lyon 25 R Ashwin c Handscomb b Cummins 25 I Sharma b Starc 4 Mohammed Shami not out 6 Extras (lb 1) 1

TOTAL 250/9 (87.5 Overs, RR: 2.84) Yet to bat: JJ Bumrah Fall of wickets: 1-3 (KL Rahul, 1.6 ov), 2-15 (M Vijay, 6.6 ov), 3-19 (V Kohli, 10.3 ov), 4-41 (AM Rahane, 20.2 ov), 5-86 (RG Sharma, 37.3 ov), 6-127 (RR Pant, 49.1 ov), 7-189 (R Ashwin, 73.6 ov), 8-210 (I Sharma, 82.4 ov), 9-250 (CA Pujara, 87.5 ov) BOWLING: MA Starc (194-63-2), JR Hazlewood (19.5-3-52-2), PJ Cummins (19-3-49-2), NM Lyon (28-283-2), TM Head (2-1-2-0)

USA Gymnastics, reeling from abuse claims, files for bankruptcy U SA Gymnastics, the sport’s governing body, filed for bankruptcy on Wednesday, saying that it is staggering under the weight of lawsuits filed by hundreds of women who were sexually abused by former national team doctor Larry Nassar.

The organization’s chairwoman, Kathryn Carson, cited the lawsuits in the decision to seek protection from creditors in federal bankruptcy court in Indianapolis.

“Our organization is a financially solid going concern but for the hundred lawsuits that we do have out there,” Carson said on a conference call with reporters.

“That is the primary reason that we made this filing, to use the Chapter 11 process as a vehicle for resolving those claims.”

Nassar was sentenced to up to 300 years in prison in two different trials in Michigan last February after more than 350 women testified about abuse at his hands, including Olympic

champions Aly Raisman and Jordyn Wieber.

The scandal prompted the entire board of directors at Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics to resign, along with the president and athletic director at Michigan State University, where Nassar also worked. The school agreed to a $500 million settlement with his victims earlier this year.

In addition, three chief executives of USA Gymnastics have stepped down in the last two years amid criticism of their handling of the Nassar case.

Many gymnasts who suffered abuse at Nassar’s hands have accused USAG of failing to investigate earlier complaints about his misconduct.

Filing suspends lawsuits

The filing could complicate efforts by Nassar’s victims to recover damages from the organization through lawsuits. Typically, a bankruptcy petition will temporarily halt any litiga-

Larry Nassar, a former team USA Gymnastics doctor who pleaded guilty in November 2017 to sexual assault charges, stands in court during his sentencing hearing in the Eaton County Court in Charlotte, Michigan, US, February 5, 2018

tion while the process unfolds in bankruptcy court.

“This bankruptcy filing will suspend all lawsuits by Nassar survivors and their ongoing efforts to discover

the truth about who at USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic Committee knew about Nassar’s criminal conduct and failed to stop it,” John Manly, an attor-

ney whose firm represents around 150 of Nassar’s victims, said in a statement.

In a court filing, USAG’s chief financial officer, Scott Shollenbarger, said the organization has estimated the impact of the lawsuits at between $75 million and $100 million.

“The survivors’ claims, in the aggregate, may exceed the available resources of USAG,” he said in the sworn statement.

Carson said victims’ claims will be paid

by USAG’s insurers, but Shollenbarger’s declaration said insurance proceeds “may be insuffucient” to cover all claims.

The U.S. Olympic Committee, which has also been sued by many of Nassar’s victims, filed a complaint last month seeking to remove USAG’s status as the sport’s official governing body. That attempt will also be frozen while the bankruptcy case unfolds, according to a lawyer for USAG, Catherine Steege.

A USOC spokesman, Patrick Sandusky, said the committee was reviewing the effect of Wednesday’s filing on its complaint.

In its bankruptcy petition, USA Gymnastics listed assets of between $50 million and $100 million and the same amount in liabilities.

Among the biggest unsecured claims listed in the filing is a $340,000 severance payment for former Chief Executive Steve Penny, who resigned in March 2017 in the wake of USA Gymnastics’ handling of the abuse claims against Nassar. The payment is “disputed,” according to the filing.

Carson said USA Gymastics has no intention of closing its doors.

“We absolutely will continue as a not-for-profit organization serving the sport,” Carson said. “We have 100 lawsuits with about 350 survivors. We think this is the best way to get it done, and to expedite it.” (Reuters)

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fridAY, december 7, 2018

2018 Windies tour of Bangladesh ODI series…

Tigers’ ODI batting unit could faze Windies

By Clifton Ross

B

angladesh flexed their 50 Overs batting muscles as they easily thumped the Windies in Thursday’s 50-Over tour game, thus sending an ominous message about the batting ahead of Saturday’s first One-Day International (ODI).

Renowned for their abilities in ODI and T20 cricket, Bangladesh will be heading into the ODI series with much confidence and already boasting a strong batting line-up, which showed glimpses Thursday that could mean trouble for the Caribbean bowlers.

However, despite their added strength in their world-class bowling attack with Mehedy Miraz, Mustafizur Rahim, Shakib Al-Hasan, skipper Mashrafe Mortaza and Rubel Hossain, it is clear that the Tigers will be banking on their star-studded batting or-

der to do the bulk of the work over the next few games.

The return of opener Tamim Iqbal who made a clean century upon return from injury will boost the home team’s batting.

With more than 6000 ODI runs, the 29-year-old has a decent record against the Caribbean side, averaging close to 37 with two centuries, one of which is unbeaten (130*) from the 19 matches played against them.

Iqbal’s 130* c a m e against the

Windies a few months ago at

Providence in Guyana during the home series. The dashing lefthander then hit 54 in the next ODI before capping off an emphatic series by hitting 103 in the final ODI at Basseterre, before showing class in the T20s with a brisk 74.

His 73-ball hundred in Thursday’s practice game now makes the situation even more worrisome for the visitors as the Windies will definitely be keeping an eye out for the opener who could be an x-factor for his side should he make runs early in the series and further reaffirm his psychological grip over the Windies.

Another batsman the West Indies will be keen on containing will be Soumya Sarkar, who joined Iqbal as the other centurion in the tour game as he warmed up with 103 not out.

Despite not being a heavy scorer against the Windies this year, the left-hander has been in top form, especially in limited overs cricket. Apart from his 103, he hit

78 during the BCB XI’s practice game against the Windies prior to the Tests. In the twomatch ODI series against Zimbabwe in October, he smashed scores of 117 and 102* while keeping the runs coming in the domestic circuit.

With him likely to come in at number 3, Windies will be keen on containing a dangerous Bangladesh top order.

Opener Imrul Kayes will also want to channel his phenomenal form from the Zimbabwe series, where he was among the leading run-getters with scores of 43, 90, 115 and a magical 144, which he struck in the first ODI, ironically at the same venue of Saturday’s

first match in Dhaka.

Bangladesh will be happy to have Shakib back in the ODI mix after returning from injury to emerge among the stars in the recently-concluded Test series. The star all-rounder has been a menace to the Windies with bat and ball throughout their encounters this year.

Also, with Mortaza winning the previous ODI series played in the Caribbean a few months ago coupled with his own performances in both departments, Bangladesh will be full of confidence come Saturday.

GMR&SC Endurance Series 2018…

Final round unravels on Sunday T his Sunday, the action returns to the South Dakota Circuit for the culmination of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) 2018 Endurance Series.

It will see the champions being decided across four classes: the 0-1500 cc, 1501-1600 cc, 1601-2000 cc and 2001 cc & over.

However, the sport, never short of competition, will see the decider in the over-

all championship, which is currently led by the duo of Adrian Fernandes and Anand Ramchand, who make up Team Wreckers.

The team amassed 83 laps in round one and carried on their form to secure victory in the second round also.

Having already cement-

ed their names at the top, Wreckers will no doubt be looking to make a clean sweep and officially take home the title of the 1501-

1600cc class.

Meanwhile, Roshan Ali and Shahabudin Roshandin are the defending champions of the 0-1500cc class after outdoing Team Nexus, which comprises Haniff Mohamed and Raymond Seebarran.

In the 1601-2000cc class, Rameez Mohamed was the only driver to finish the race with 32 laps, and reset the lap record with a time of 1 minute

19.086 seconds, in the process.

The unlimited class was won by Romeo Singh, who completed 57 laps.

The event is scheduled to get underway at 13:00h and is free to the public.

Sponsors onboard the event include Special Auto, BM Soat, Tropical Shipping, Hand-in-Hand Insurance, R Kissoon Contracting, Jumbo Jet and ANSA McAL.

1 skill, 1 leg, can’t head

– Pele’s damning assessment of Messi

P

ele has belittled Lionel Messi as a player who only has “one leg” and “one

skill”.

The Brazil great is regarded by many observers to the greatest footballer of all time but has seen this status come under scrutiny on account of Messi’s phenomenal exploits for Barcelona over the past decade.

Indeed, three-time World Cup winner Pele does not even think Messi is the best Argentinian player in history – telling Folha de Sao Paulo that Diego Maradona was “much better”.

“How can you make a comparison between a guy who heads the ball well, shoots with the left, shoots with the right and another who only shoots with one leg, only has one skill and doesn’t head the ball well?”

Pele said, comparing his own playing attributes to the fivetime Ballon d’Or winner.

“How can you compare? To compare with Pele, it has to be someone who shoots well with the left, shoots well with the

right, and scores headers.

“As far as I’m concerned, Maradona was one of the best players ever. If you ask me, ‘Was he better than Messi?’ Yes, he was. Much better. “[Franz] Beckenbauer, [Johan] Cruyff were also excellent players.”

Messi led Barca to a LaLiga and Copa del Rey double last season, the ninth and sixth times respectively the four-time Champions League winner has claimed those trophies.

The 31-year-old has scored 41 goals and supplied 20 assists in 45 matches across all competitions in 2018, giving him more goal involvements than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues.

Nevertheless, this was only good enough to give him a fifthplace finish in this week’s Ballon d’Or vote, as Real Madrid’s Luka Modric walked off with the main prize – the first time since 2006 Messi has not attained a podium place at the prestigious gala.

(SportsMax)

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21

Trophy Stall Angels continue impressive form – Regal Masters defend 188

A

fter a brief break, the Back to Eden/ Permaul Trading/ Khan’s Trading/Trophy Stall-sponsored softball tournament continued over the weekend, with several matches being played at the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) and the Jai Hind Ground in Albion.

Playing at the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) Ground, Trophy Stall Angels stormed to a 48-run victory over the Swan Strikers. Batting first, Trophy Stall Angels accumulated runs from the getgo as they showed their attacking prowess, ending their innings on 144-6 off their allotted 15 overs with Ruth George scoring a magnificent 90 to lead her team to a defendable total.

Needing 145 for victory at 9.6 runs per over, Swan Strikers succumbed to the pressure as they were bowled out for 96. The chief tormentors were Aneisa Persaud who bagged 2-18, Matana Cambridge who claimed 2-21 and Alicia Allen who chipped in with 2-27.

Following their commanding victory over the Swan Strikers, the Trophy

Stall Angels went on to trump 4R Lioness by 16 runs as they posted 143-6 in their allotted 15 overs. Topscoring for the Angels once again was Ruth George as she followed up her 90 with a blistering 47; however, in reply, 4R Lioness could only muster 127-2 as they failed to get over the line despite only having lost two wickets.

Having lost their first match, Swan Strikers added some joy to their innings as they defeated Wellwoman by four wickets. Batting first Wellwoman posted 1266 in their allotment of 15 overs as Joan Vansertima led the innings with 33 and Amanda Bobsemple supported with 23. The pick of the bowlers for Swan

Strikers was W Davidson who bagged 3-27. In reply, Swan Strikers chased the score down in 14.4 overs with two balls to spare ending on 128-4 as Avina Adrian led the innings with a resistant 43, and D Jagdeo and Sherry Ann bagged two wickets apiece.

Following their defeat, 4R Lioness boosted their

confidence as they defeated Wellwoman in a seven-over affair ending on 58-1, with Akaze Thompson remaining unbeaten on 20, Kaysia Schultz then came and bagged 2-9 as she then restricted Wellwoman to 46-5 as they lost by 12 runs.

In the masters category at the Jai Hind Ground, the inform Regal Masters crushed Albion Masters by 49 runs as Regal racked up an impressive score of 188-6 in their allotted 20 overs. Top scoring for Regal once again were Mahase Chunilall with 51, Eric Thomas 45, and Samuel Kingston, 25. In reply, Albion fell to the pressure of excellent bowling spells by Tyrone Sanasie, who bagged 4-23, David Harper 2-0 and Saheed Mohamed 2-16 as they could only muster 139 all out in 16.4 overs.

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

For further information, teams may contact Wayne Jones on 650-1790, Anil Beharry on 623-6875, or Jailall Deodass on 615-8644.

Qualander shines in GNRA Year End Classified Championship pistol shoot Ads V $5+VAT per word

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eteran marksman Mohamed Qualander copped the senior award as the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) ended its Pistol Shooting Championships last weekend.

Qualander lit up the Timehri Rifle Ranges during the shoot, which featured Three Stages with ranges from 10-25 metres which Qualander dominated with an aggregate of 167 points. Qualander won a good shoot as he got the better of some expert marksmen the likes of sec-

Queen’s College Sports Day gets underway today A s the Petra-organised Guyoil/ Tradewind Tankers School Under-18 Football tournament comes closer to its final round, the Queen’s College Sports Committee will now be focused on hosting an annual day of sports in collaboration with the South Turkeyen Sports Committee at the Ministry of Education Ground today.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, physical education teacher and sports organiser Johnny Barnwell stated that the school would be running off its First, Second and Third Form softball and tapeball cricket competitions and the highly-anticipated First and Second Form male and female football tournament.

He further went on to state that the feature match being played in the afternoon will be Queen’s College versus School of the Nations or Covent Garden Secondary.

Events for parents are also on the card as Barnwell believes everyone should be included in sporting activities.

When asked the purpose of the tournament, Barnwell said, “Well, first of all, we want to mobilise the first and second formers, let them be introduced to sports from a tender age; we are looking at the first formers as they have the potential to play and we are making a plan for that.”

Also for the new year, the school is looking to organize an Under-14 tournament that will cater to the needs of schools in a few aspects that were seen as weak.”

When asked about the team’s position in the ongoing tournament, Barnwell said, “Well, we haven’t placed well. We have had some unfortunate events, but what I am saying is that this is a wakeup call for us.

Because actually, QC used to perform very well, but, as I said, it is a wakeup call and we will be working hard to produce a top team when we compete again.”

The event will commence at 09:00h.

An entrance fee of $200 will be charged.

(Timothy Jaikarran)

ond-place winner Harold “Top Gun” Hopkinson who closely trailed with 163 points and third-place winner Johan DaSilva, who shot 160.

In the junior class, it was Brian Backer, who stunned the competition with 119 points, while Jason Cox shot 98 points for his second-place finish and Clint McKenzie was third with 92 points. Meanwhile, other shooters to star with the 9mm pistol were James Singh (159 points) and GNRA Small-bore Vice Captain Gordon Richards (155 points) among others.

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

fridAY, december 7, 2018

2018 West Indies tour of Bangladesh

Powell, the interim ODI captain:

Did selectors make the right call?

– Shouldn’t Hetmyer be considered?

Campus and Colleges (CCC).

Some may say Shimron Hetmyer is too young to captain the Caribbean senior team. Hetmyer has proved on countless occasions that he is a natural leader and he performs brilliantly while leading. The rapidly rising Guyanese batsman has captained the West Indies Under-19 team to victory in

By Brandon Corlette

W

ith the absence of regular One Day International (ODI) Captain, Jason Holder, Rovman Powell was appointed to captain the West Indies team in the upcoming Bangladesh ODI series.

The Jamaica-born batting all-rounder is a 25-year-old cricketer that has represented the West Indies in 48 limited overs internationals.

Powell played 31 ODIs in his blooming career in addition to his 17 T20 Internationals.

The right hander has a lone international century with two half centuries thus far; he scored 101 against Ireland in the 50- over World Cup Qualifiers. Powell has been a bright prospect in the first class arena, averaging 32.66 with the bat with 13 half centuries in his 65 List A cricket career.

In addition to his batting, Powell has picked up one five-wicket haul in List A cricket with 21 wickets.

However, his bowling has not caused an impact in international cricket as he is recognised as a specialist batsman in the team. In the Caribbean Premier League, Powell had a great season scoring 329 runs for the Jamaica Tallawahs with his highest score being a scintillating 84. Powell had an astonishing average of 54.83 in the 2018 CPL, hitting 20 sixes and scoring three half cen-

t h e Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Hetmyer averages an astonishing 43.41 in ODIs scoring three unbelievable ODI centuries in a short period of time. At 21 year old, the present New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson has became turies.

Given the fact that Powell has never been recognised as a natural leader to the Caribbean, the selectors have strangely appointed the Jamaican as the captain of the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh.

Averaging a mere 26.16 in ODIs a non-mind-blowing record thus far in his career, raised number of question marks over his appointment as captain. The West Indies ODI squad that was selected

for the upcoming series has experienced players such as Marlon Samuels and the T20 International captain, Carlos Brathwaite who recently won the Regional Super 50 tournament as captain.

Brathwaite is not amongst the consistent performers for the West Indies since his World T20 heroics, but his captaincy skills have developed tremendously over the years; he proved that after winning the Super 50 tournament for the Combined

captain of the New Zealand team, and he is amongst the finest batsmen in the modern era. Captains that are usually appointed at a young age are those that become successful in the future. South Africa’s Graeme Smith is a perfect example, leading the South Africa team at 22 years old, Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hassan led his team at 22 and neither of the players won Under-19 Cricket World Cups.

The Cricket World Cup is scheduled for May-June 2019 and West Indies have two ODI series until the beginning of the prestigious 50-over tournament. Time will tell if Powell is the right choice made by the selectors in the first of two ODI series to play, prior to the World Cup. Powell, as the majority of the Windies batters, lacked consistency in recent times and his place in the squad to the World Cup in England may be determined if the thread cuts.

GABA/Rainforest Water/Malta Supreme League…

Guardians fail to defend against Ravens – Pacesetters outclass Eagles

CONCACAF issues decisions in BFA player eligibility cases – Guyana awarded 3-nil victory

A T

he Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) on Thursday, announced its Disciplinary Committee has decided to sanction the Barbados Football Association (BFA) by declaring as a forfeit, the CONCACAF Nations League Qualifying match played against Guyana on September 6, 2018.

After due examination of the evidence, the Committee determined that the BFA infringed the applicable articles of the Tournament Regulations and the Regulations Governing the Application of the FIFA Statutes, in relation to the eligibility of players to play for representative teams by fielding ineligible players Hallam Hope and Krystian Pearce.

In accordance with Articles 55 and 31 of the FIFA

Disciplinary Code, the BFA is considered to have lost the match against Guyana by a score of 3-nil. The match, which took place in Guyana at the Leonora stadium, ended in a 2-2 stalemate.

The result of the match played against El Salvador on October 13 of this year is upheld in accordance with Article 31 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, with a score of 3-nil in favour of El Salvador.

s the preliminary stages of the 2018 Rainforest Water/ Malta Supreme/Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) League concluded, fans were ecstatic as the semi-final stages commenced with a double header.

Headlining the evening was the FirstDivision match between the Plaisance Guardians and Ravens, which the latter won 65-71 while Pacesetters shot down the Eagles 7034 in their Second-Division showdown.

In the first match-up of the evening, First-Division table toppers Dynas Ravens proved to the fourth placed

Plaisance Guardians why they were the top team in the League as they held their nerves to clinch a seven-point victory.

Throughout the match, it was an evenly matched contest until the final quarter when the eventual victors outscored Guardians to claim the victory.

Scoring for the winning side was Ryan Stephen with 20 points and he was ably supported by Tyron Hamid with 16, Sebastian Luke 13, and Dominic Vincente 12.

Top-scoring for the Guardians was Nikkolai Smith with a whopping 30 points as he absorbed most of the pressure for the Guardians, while the sec-

ond highest score came from Trenton Woolford with eight points.

This now means Ravens have advanced to the final and await their opponents to battle for top honours.

In the second match of the night, Pacesetters brushed aside Eagles by 36 points as George Yearwood led with 21 points while Zion Gray and Jude Corlette both had 11 points and Quincy Dos Santos chipped in with 10 points.

Despite the Eagles having Sherland Gillis (14) and Shamar Huntley (12), who have been in top form in the League, the Pacesetters were able to keep them at bay.

guyanatimesgy.com

fridAY, december 7, 2018

23

Cricket West Indies Regional 4-Day tournament…

Singh shines with bat on opening day – Pestano strikes late

By Brandon Corlette

I

n a pink-ball day-night encounter in St Lucia, the Guyana Jaguars were bowled out for 223 on the opening day of the first round of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional 4-Day Tournament against the Windward Islands Volcanoes.

In the much-hyped contest between the defending champions, Guyana Jaguars, and the fifth-place team last season, Windward Island Volcanoes, Kirk Edwards won the toss and opted to field first.

Jaguars’ contrasting duo, Trevon Griffith and Tagenarine Chanderpaul made their way to the middle to negotiate the likes of Delron Johnson, Josh Thomas and Ray Jordan.

Chanderpaul looked tentative at the crease and was quickly removed by the lively Johnson.

The tall left-arm seamer bowled the young Chanderpaul for 2 with the score on 2 at the end of the first over.

Captain Leon Johnson, batting at number three for the Jaguars, partnered Griffith and the pair looked to consolidate. With a miscommunication between Griffith

and Johnson in the ninth over of play, the Jaguars’ Captain fell via the run-out route.

Johnson was dismissed for 14 while Griffith followed soon after in the sixteenth over after scoring 19.

Tevin Imlach, making his 4-Day debut, looked composed until he skied a delivery that resulted in him being caught and bowled by Shane Shillingford for 8.

One of Guyana Jaguars senior batsmen, Vishaul Singh, looked trouble-free playing each ball on its merit. Singh was partnered by Christopher Barnwell, but another soft dismissal by a Jaguars batsman in this innings was on the cards.

Barnwell scooped a full toss to mid-on after he hit three fours in his 23-ball 18.

Singh continued to watch his partners walk towards the dressing room with Anthony Bramble dismissed for 4.

With the score on 101-6, the more than capable batsman, Romario Shepherd, joined Singh and brilliantly rebuilt the Jaguars’ innings.

Singh brought up a well-deserved half century in the process where the pair added 95 runs together. After the break, the Volcanoes struck immediately, removing the well-set Singh for 74.

He faced 150 balls, stroking six boundaries in his valuable knock in context to the game.

In t h e space of a run, Shepherd’s invaluable innings of 47 came to an end when he was run-out, during a miscommunication with Veerasammy Permaul.

Shepherd fell with the score on 197-8 and the 250 mark was far from Guyana Jaguars’ reach.

Permaul was left unbeaten on 21 after he ran out of partners.

Shillingford was the pick of the bowlers with 4-61 while Johnson snatched 2-34.

After 69.1 overs had been bowled in the Guyana Jaguars innings, the Volcanoes top order had to

negotiate in tricky conditions under the lights with the pink ball at the

Darren S a m m y N a t i o n a l C r i c k e t Stadium.

Keon Joseph and Shepherd bowled disciplined opening spells as Taryck Gabriel retired hurt after facing 14 balls without scoring. Edwards partnered Tyrone Theophile and the pair batted with caution.

In conditions for the seam to prosper, the Jaguars bowled all-four seam options with Clinton Pestano striking twice, leaving the Volcanoes reeling at 32-2 in 17 overs.

Theophile (18) and Edwards (7) were the batsmen dismissed at the end of the day’s play.

Hurricanes battle Pride

In the other match played at the 3Ws Oval in Barbados, Leeward Islands Hurricanes were bowled out for 252 in 72.2 overs against the Barbados Pride.

Axed Guyanese player Rajendra Chandrika opened the batting for the Hurricanes but he failed to make a significant contribution.

3

Keacy Carty’s century highlighted the opening day of the 2018-2019 Regional 4-Day Tournament. Carty stroked 113 but no other batsmen passed 19 runs so he lacked support throughout.

Hayden Walsh picked up 5 wickets for Barbados Pride.

Barbados Pride were 12-0 at stumps on day 1. Day two of both matches will commence from 14:00h, Eastern Caribbean time.

SCOREBOARD

Guyana Jaguars 1st Innings T Chanderpaul b D Johnson 2 T Griffith c Hodge b Jordan 19 L Johnson run out 14 V Singh c Theophille b Shillingford 74 T Imlach c&b Shillingford 8 C Barnwell c Shillingford b D Johnson 18 A Bramble+ c Jordan b Thomas 4 R Shepherd run out 47 V Permaul not out 21 C Pestano c Theophille b Shillingford 2 K Joseph c Gabriel b Shillingford 3 Extras (b 6, lb 2, w 1, nb 2) 11 Total (69.1 overs) 223 Fall of wickets 1 - 2(Tagenarine Chanderpaul, 0.6 Ov) , 2 23(Leon Johnson, 8.1 Ov) ,3 44(Trevon Griffith, 15.1 Ov) ,4 - 56(Tevin Imlach, 20.3 Ov) ,5 87(Christopher Barnwell, 29.1 Ov) ,6 - 101(Anthony Bramble,

33.4 Ov) ,7 - 196(Vishaul Singh, 57.4 Ov) ,8 - 197(Romario Shepherd, 59.5 Ov) ,9 201(Keon Joseph, 65.2 Ov) ,10 - 223(Clinton Pestano, 69.1 Ov) Bowling: D Johnson 8-0-34-2, J Thomas 19-7-52-1, R Jordan 11-0-41-1, S Shilingford 24.14-61-4, T Theophile 2-0-160, A Athanaze 5-1-11-0 Windward Islands Volcanoes 1st Innings T Theophille b Pestano 18 T Gabriel not out 3 K Edwards lbw Pestano 7 K Hodge not out 0 Extras 4 (b 0, lb 1, w 3, nb 0) 4 Total (2 wickets, 18 overs) 32 Fall of wickets 1-28 (Theophille, 14.2 Ov) 2-29 (Edwards, 16.3 Ov) Bowling: K Joseph 5-1-7-0, R Shepherd 6-1-20-0, C Pestano 5-3-4-2, C Barnwell 2-2-0-0

2018 West Indies tour of Bangladesh

Windies suffered defeat in 1-day practice match – Tamim, Sarkar record tons

By Brandon Corlette

I

n preparation of the One Day International series that is scheduled for December 9, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) hosted a one-day practice match for the visiting West Indies team. A match played between the strong Bangladesh Cricket Board XI, the West Indies were defeated by 51 runs via the DuckworthLewis method (D/L method) due to bad lights.

West Indies won the toss and opted to bat first, scoring a respectable 331-8 in their allocation of 50 overs. The classy Shai Hope stroked his way to a top score of 81 while Roston Chase, making an ODI return, scored 65. Fabian Allen chipped in with 48, Keiran Powell made 43, while Shimron Hetmyer scored a brisk 33. The opening stand between Keiran Powell and Hope was an aggressive one, with BCB XI removing Powell in the sixteenth over, with the score on 101. Darren Bravo then joined Hope and the pair added 58 runs for the second-wicket partnership until Bravo was removed for a 33-ball 24.

In the process, Hope continued to showcase

his brilliant technique, but was dismissed for 81 off 84 balls, including six hallmark boundaries and three maximums. Veteran batsman

M a r l o n Samuels continued his failure, scoring five runs; newly-appointed Captain Rovman Powell was removed for a five-ball duck.

Hetmyer and Chase consol-

idated after Samuels and Powell fell in the space of one run. The pair added 39 runs together until the dominant Hetmyer was removed for 33. Fabian Allen, a useful player who offers variety with his left arm spin, occupied the crease with Chase and the pair put on 78 runs to-

gether. Allen was dismissed by the lively Rubel Hossain for an attractive 48 while Chase was left unbeaten on a classical 65, that included six fours and one six.

The BCB XI bowlers shared wickets among themselves with Rubel Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Rana and Nazmul Islam capturing two wickets each.

In reply, the pugnacious Tamim Iqbal, who is returning from injury, was presented with game time ahead of the important ODI series. Iqbal and Kayes added 81 for the first wicket scoring at nine runs per over. The Bangladeshi batters scored briskly to remain ahead of the game.

Iqbal was removed for a 73ball 107 that included 13 textbook fours and four huge sixes. Soumya Sarkar was at

his best making the ordinary West Indies bowlers pay. Sarkar was left unbeaten on 103 from 83 balls, ensuring that the Bangladesh Cricket Board XI ended on 314-6 in only 41 overs. With Iqbal and Sarkar setting the tone earlier, the BCB XI was

ahead of the game winning by 51 runs by the D/L method. Roston Chase returned with the ball capturing two wickets while Devendra Bishoo captured two wickets in his expensive spell of bowling.

3

SCOREBOARD

West Indies Innings K Powell c I Kayes b Islam 43 S Hope (wk) st Ali b Islam 81 D Bravo c Ali b Rana 24 M Samuels c Rana b Mortaza 5 S Hetmyer c Sarkar b Rubel 33 R Powell c Ali b Patwari 0 R Chase not out 65 F Allen lbw b Rubel 48 K Paul c Hridoy b Rana 2 S Ambris not out 10 Extras (b 1, lb 6, w 13) 20 Total (8 wkts, 50 Ov) 331 Fall of wickets: 101-1 (Kieran Powell, 15.2), 159-2 (Darren Bravo, 26.1), 167-3 (Shai Hope, 29.2), 175-4 (Marlon Samuels, 30.2), 176-5 (Rovman Powell, 31.2), 215-6 (Shimron Hetmyer, 37.4), 293-7 (Fabian Allen, 46.4), 296-8 (Keemo Paul, 47.3) Bowling: Rubel Hossain (100-55-2), Mashrafe Mortaza (c) (8-1-37-1), Mehedi Hasan Rana (10-0-65-2), Sahin Alam (2-018-0), Soumya Sarkar (8-0-720), Nazmul Islam (10-0-61-2), Shamim Patwari (2-0-16-1)

Bangladesh Cricket Board XI Innings T Iqbal st Hope b Chase 107 I Kayes c Hetmyer b Chase 27 S Sarkar not out 103 M Mithun (wk) c DM Bravo b Bishoo 5 A Haque c & b Bishoo 21 T Hridoy b Fabian Allen 0 S Patwari b O Thomas 9 M Mortaza (c) not out 22 Extras (lb 9, w 9, nb 2) 20 Total (6 wkts, 41 Ov) 314 Fall of wickets: 81-1 (Imrul Kayes, 9), 195-2 (Tamim Iqbal, 22.5), 202-3 (Mohammad Mithun, 25.4), 233-4 (Ariful Haque, 29.5), 234-5 (Towhid Hridoy, 30.5), 2656 (Shamim Patwari, 35.1) Bowling: Kemar Roach (5-049-0), Oshane Thomas (7-057-1), Roston Chase (10-057-2), Keemo Paul (4-0-42-0), Devendra Bishoo (10-0-812), Fabian Allen (5-0-19-1)

fridAY, december 7, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Cricket West Indies Regional 4-Day Tournament…

Romario Shepherd

Singh shines with bat on opening day – Pestano strikes late

2018 West Indies tour of Bangladesh

Windies suffer defeat in 1-day practice match Page 23

Page 25

Vishaul Singh

CONCACAF issues decisions in BFA player eligibility cases

– Guyana awarded 3-nil victory

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