Guyana Times - Friday, February 1, 2019

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Issue No. 3822

THE BEACON OF TRUTH Friday, February 1, 2019

PRICE

High Court’s no-confidence ruling

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Cabinet must resign, elections in 3 months – Chief Justice rules See stories on pages 3, 7&11

...33 is majority ...dual citizens cannot sit in Guyana’s Parliament …Opposition welcomes ruling upholding validity of motion ...Private Sector Commission urges GECOM to fulfil constitutional obligation

Toddler dies in ECD fire …9 homeless

$80 vat included

Dead: Mahin Rampersaud

Page 9

British advisor to SOCU fired …after setting up business with Govt official in Guyana …UK Govt unaware of consultant’s business Page 2

Cocaine in gas cylinder

Boat Captain fined $136M, jailed for 5 P8 years

New GPL generators shut down during peak hour in P10 Region 2

RDC, NA Hospital CEO at loggerheads P12 over Ophthalmology Dept

Venezuela’s Guaidó P17 says family threatened

2 news

fridAY, february 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

British advisor to SOCU fired

…after setting up business with Govt official in Guyana …UK Govt unaware of consultant’s business

British fraud expert, Sam Sittlington

B

ritish advisor to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Sam Sittlington, was on Thursday fired after it was revealed that he has set up a private fraud company in Guyana, which is a conflict of interest with his current role as consultant.

Sittlington was hired by the United Kingdom (UK) Government. On Thursday,

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn said, “In light of information about Dr Sam Sittlington’s private business interests, his contract in Guyana has been terminated with immediate effect.”

Guyana Times understands that the British High Commission in Guyana was unaware of Sittlington’s decision to establish a business locally until the local media broke the story. It was after this revelation that the UK Government fired the Ireland-based fraud expert.

Reports are Sittlington, who is the Director of the UKbased ‘The Fraud Company Ltd’, last year registered a branch of his company here, which deals with fraud, corruption, money laundering and other white collar-related matters. This newspaper understands that Sittlington has allegedly partnered with a senior Government official locally to establish the business.

According to filed documents seen by this publica-

tion, the local company, The Fraud Company (Guyana) Inc, was incorporated under the Companies Act of Guyana on September 25, 2018, with Sittlington as the Director and Orisa Branche as the Secretary.

Both signed consenting forms to the positions last August.

Moreover, the documents state that the local investigative firm is authorised to issue one million shares at $1 each.

Efforts by Guyana Times to contact Government officials about whether the David Granger-led Administration knew of the Irish consultant’s private business prior to Thursday proved futile.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon only confirmed that Sittlington’s service was terminated by the British High Commission.

The British Government had sponsored the Irish financial investigation expert as an advisor to SOCU back in 2016.

He had returned to the UK the following year after completing two short stints here, spending a total of 14 weeks.

However, Dr Sittlington had come in for much criticism during his stint in Guyana after it was revealed that he, along with Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and other top officials of SOCU, including Director Sydney James, had converge at a popular night spot in the city to “sip wine”, in what was described as a “celebratory atmosphere”.

That “celebration” was held

shortly after SOCU had questioned several former prominent Government officials over the purchase of lands at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, popularly known as “Pradoville II”.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Opposition had said that Sittlington was going beyond his advisory role and taking on executive functions, pointing out that he was going on operations such as raids and arrests. The British Advisor was with the team of SOCU ranks who had visited Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo’s Church Street, Georgetown, office back in March 2018 to escort him to SOCU for questioning.

Jagdeo had subsequently called for an investigation to be launched into the “celebration”.

He had questioned the motive behind the gathering, not “to drink wine immediately after arrests were made, warrants a full fledge investigation.”

Furthermore, the “celebration” controversy was also on the heels of resounding cries that the executive has been giving orders to SOCU to attack former Government officials as part of its witch-hunting exercise.

Despite the objections of the main parliamentary opposition, the British expert, nevertheless, returned in January 2018 as a financial investigation mentor an advisor to SOCU. This last assignment would have lasted until March 2020.

news

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fridAY, february 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, February 1, 2018 – a night retraction from 03:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Saturday, February 2 – 03:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, February 1, 2018 – 14:25h-15:55h and Saturday, February 2 – 15:10h-16:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

High Court’s no-confidence ruling

Cabinet must resign, elections in 3 months – Chief Justice rules …33 is majority ...dual citizens cannot sit in Guyana’s Parliament

office until the next President is sworn in but not the Cabinet which advises the President. The Judge added that the resignation of Cabinet does not result in the dissolution of Parliament as this is within the President’s remit to do so and call elections. Moreover, resignation of the Cabinet does not result in the dissolution of Government as Cabinet is a subset of Government.

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers are expected throughout the morning and early afternoon, followed by light cloudy skies in the late afternoon. Partly cloudy skies are expected in the evening, with overall temperatures ranging between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 02:08h and 14:24h reaching maximum heights of 2.19 metres and 2.32 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 06:56h and 20:30h reaching minimum heights of 1.02 metres and 0.87 metre.

Lawful and valid

Acting Chief Justice (CJ) Roxane George, SC

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cting Chief Justice (CJ) Roxane George, SC, ruled on Thursday that the No-confidence Motion was validly passed 3332 in the National Assembly and the Cabinet has to resign in keeping with constitutional provisions of Article 106 and 106 (7) respectively.

The Judge made several determinations based on her constitutional interpretations following three cases filed at the High Court in the wake of the Oppositionfiled motion that yielded success when former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Alliance For Change (AFC) Charrandas Persaud voted against the coalition Government. Thursday’s rulings now set the stage for the holding of elections within the constitutionally mandated three-month time which ends on March 21, 2019.

Justice George addressed the cases filed by Attorney General (AG) Basil Williams, who contended that 34 votes were needed to have the no-confidence vote validly passed, while Government supporter Compton Reid was challenging the citizenship status and validity of Persaud’s vote. The third action filed by Attorney and charted accountant Christopher Ram petitioned to have the Administration to resign with all convenient speed and have President David Granger call elections within 90 days.

Attorney General Basil Williams wanted to put a hold on the enforcement of the motion since he was convinced by way of legal arguments that half plus one was needed to successfully pass the motion. With a plethora of legal citations, the Chief Justice observed the position that a majority is better obtained when there is an odd number as in the case of the National Assembly of Guyana having 65 members.

The litigant, Williams, proffered a case in the Kenyan Parliament where the half plus one stance was taken by that country’s speaker. According to Madame George, Guyana’s Speaker,

President David Granger

Speaker Barton Scotland

Dr Barton Scotland found that motion was carried by majority of 33-32.

Ministers cannot therefore remain in Government in accordance with Articles 106 (6) and 106 (7) after three months. Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

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

She said too that Government will remain in

No-confidence proceedings valid

The Judge in fact noted that the validity of motion was not doubted when it was carried on December 21, 2018.

Moreover, she noted that when concerns were subsequently raised and advanced

by Speaker Barton Scotland stood by the resolution and moved that the court would be suitable for interpretation.

Citing case law, it was outlined that 27 is both the simple and absolute majority of 52 with comparisons drawn to Guyana’s 65 number. The CJ added that 33 must always be obtained for such a motion’s successful passage.

Govt must resign

Consequent to the declaration that the 33-majority meant that the motion was carried, CJ George observed that the President and the

Justice George also determined that the court cannot set aside a motion that is validly passed and noted that Speaker’s ruling in the resolution was “lawful and valid” therefore refusing the AG’s application. At this point, Williams rose immediately and applied for a stay of Justice George’s decisions so that Cabinet and Government would remain in office until the matter’s final determination. Thereafter, his predecessor Anil Nandlall who appeared for the Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo in the high-profile case registered his objection contending that all the AG did was seek the court to answer questions.

“I don’t know that Your Honour would stop the Constitution from taking place,” Nandlall opined, in response to Williams’s argument that there would be “chaos” if the Government would immediately demit office and stop governing.

Turn to page 8

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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

Law enforcement must up the ante on drugs in schools

L

ast year, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) made public that the use and sale of the drug ecstasy was discovered in five schools. Known as a recreational drug, it has harmful side effects, including addiction and can cause altered sensations. CANU’s announcement might have come as a surprise to many and is extremely worrying. What is clear is that some young people have and are been exposed to a drug that also affects the brain and one that also has reportedly been used as a date rape trap.

Sadly, drug use in some schools is reportedly not new.

Unfortunately, young minds are involved in cigarette smoking, consumption of alcohol to others that are far more harmful.

Some are bold enough to capture the effects through unsavoury activities they engaged in afterwards evident from videos that circulate. CANU’s Deputy Head, Lesley Ramlall, noted that looking at the videos, especially those involving young girls, is really worrying for society.

Clearly this will now attract attention and the expectation would be for the implementation of measures to eliminate this illegal practice, especially within the school system. Law enforcement will have to up the ante in all aspects including intelligence, to holistically deal with this situation which has a frightening potential to become a wider problem.

While CANU must be commended for making the discovery and alerting the nation, it rises the concerns over how long it might been ongoing; whether the schools were aware or whether they have the capacity to aid in identifying drug sales and use within. The drug trade tends to operate within a network and at this point it may be difficult to know how extensive it may be in the schools and whether the actual use is confined to the five.

Another reality is that young people will experiment unfortunately with harmful things. This is where the Education Ministry will have to be more innovative to derive mechanisms to build capacity among teachers so that they can be able to spot any possible sign. Once again this will not be easy given the innovativeness of those involved.

That aside, there must be some signs including changes in students’ behavioural pattern and performances depending upon the extent of usage. This is not just for ecstasy but other drugs as well.

The teachers will need to be supported in this fight and it may very well demand a relooking of policies at a higher level for the implementation of effective combating mechanisms. This would need some urgency given that some young people, who represent the future, are involved. It will take the involvement of all; parents, teachers, the Education Ministry and law enforcement.

Crucial is sustained education on the harmful effects of drug use for which the media should be encouraged to be a part of. It has to be national given what’s at stake.

Maybe this could be the opportunity for the establishment of a structured school monitoring mechanism with specific responsibility. This has been touted before, for other reasons, where trained personnel could either be stationed or make visits to schools to gauge any related effects.

This will have to be thoroughly thought-out for there is the possibility it could feel that part of their responsibility is being usurped. They generally look for signs that could indicate a shift in behaviour and try to find a way of having it resolved. With what is now in the news, it begs the question of whether the situation has in some way moved beyond the remit of teachers; be it a lack of capacity or awareness or frankly being afraid to intervene.

Beyond these shores in some schools in the USA, metal detectors were forced to be installed following an upsurge of attacks on students by students in what was described as gang-related violence. That was after the situation had festered and grown. Routine searches here may not be farfetched to take nip the ecstasy.

Masqueraders in Region 10, who participated in the Linden’s Children Mashramani Competition on Thursday as schools across the country partake in friendly competition which will culminate in Georgetown on February 14 and 15, 2019 (Education Ministry photo)

100 days after Khashoggi’s murder, how it challenges Saudi Arabia

– Saudi Arabia admitted murder of its prominent journalist after 18 days

By Mohammed El-Said

D

uring his latest visit to the Middle East early in January, the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he will ask from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to ensure that the killers of journalist Jamal Khashoggi are held accountable for their crimes.

“We will continue to have a conversation with the crown prince and the Saudis about ensuring the accountability is full and complete with respect to the unacceptable murder of Jamal Khashoggi,” Pompeo said.

But who is Jamal Khashoggi, and how did his murder affect Saudi Arabia?

Crime at consulate

Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist, was killed inside his country’s consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 2, 2018. He was at the consulate to obtain documents needed for his upcoming marriage.

His Turkish fiancée Hatice Cengiz was waiting for the journalist outside the consulate, and she called the Turkish authorities about the disappearance of him after entering his country’s consulate.

Saudi officials, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, had previously denied Khashoggi had been killed and dismembered inside the diplomatic facility.

Saudi Arabia recounted different narratives regarding Khashoggi’s murder. The last one said that 15 Saudi security members killed him, but we do not know where the journalist’s body is until now.

Riyadh previously said that 18 Saudi nationals were accused of the incident are under investigation and will be punished.

Internal change

Following the Khashoggi crisis, Saudi Arabia declared major changes including more pressures on the media and more gifts to the people including rewards for employees in the governmental sector.

The changes also included the intelligence agency “in order to enhance the performance of the agency”. New departments were added to the agency such as one for the strategy, a department for legal affairs, and another department for monitoring and evaluating the performance of the agency.

The kingdom said that the team which investigated and killed Khashoggi was formed by the Deputy Intelligence Chief Ahmed Al-Asiri, who was dismissed from his position is currently under investigation over the Khashoggi case, according to Saudi officials.

Asiri was internationally criticised by human rights organisations for his role as a spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, particularly after he declared in 2015, that the Houthi-held cities Saadah and Marran were military targets, placing thousands of civilians at risk of the coalition’s raids.

Yemen’s hell

Yemen remains a big challenge for Riyadh as it has formed the Coalition for Supporting Legitimacy in Yemen in March 2015, following the Ansar Allah ‘Houthi’group backed by Iran, which seized control of the Yemeni capital Sanaa in September 2014.

Besides Saudi Arabia, the coalition includes the United Arab Emirates; Jordan; Bahrain; Pakistan; Djibouti; Sudan; Senegal; Kuwait; Morocco; Malaysia; Egypt as well as the internationally recognised government of Yemen.

The murder of Khashoggi, who was demanding an end to the war in Yemen, pushed different European countries to reconsider its military cooper-

ation with Riyadh. Austria, for example, demanded from the European Union to stop selling arms to Saudi Arabia, stating that these arms are being used in the “terrible war in Yemen”.

Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Canada also announced halting all their arms bargains with Saudi Arabia until they reached an explanation of the Khashoggi case. Only the US which said it will not do the same thing.

US President Donald Trump said that “It’s early, we haven’t finished our review or investigation, but … I think it’s a very important first step,” Trump said, adding “I would prefer, if there is going to be some form of sanction or what we may determine to do, if anything … that we don’t use as retribution cancelling US$110 billion worth of work, which means 600,000 jobs.”

Trump has found the Saudi narrative credible, but Turkey has another view.

Turkey, angry ally

The relation between Turkey and Saudi Arabia witnessed one of its most critical moments since the begging of their alliance in the 1940s.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan repeated several times, compelling Saudi Arabia to hold the killers of Khashoggi accountable.

Saudi Arabia rejected Turkey’s requests of handing the murderers of Khashoggi to Turkey for trial.

Riyadh faced the Turkish official’s statements with a sober statement from the crown prince stressing the strength of relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, praising the Turkish president Erdogan.

But Saudi media began a cam-

paign calling for boycotting Turkey and accusing Turkey of harming the stability of their kingdom.

The former Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir accused Turkey of not cooperating with Saudi Arabia in the investigations, however, Turkey played the game of leaks with Riyadh, exposing details about the case step-by-step. This was the last public statement for AlJubeir before he left his post.

Analysts believe that Turkey was using the Khashoggi case to press Saudi Arabia into reconciliation with Qatar-Turkey’s ally-and end the gulf crisis.

Gulf crisis

The International pressure on Riyadh following Khashoggi’s case led to more flexibility or less escalation in the Gulf crisis. One of the Saudi steps was an invitation from Saudi king Salman Bin Abdulaziz to the Emir of Qatar Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani to attend the summit of the 39th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the Saudi capital Riyadh, in December.

Qatar’s Emir did not attend, and Qatar’s delegation was headed by its Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan Al-Muraikhi. But despite that there is no clear evidence of an imminent end to the Gulf crisis.

Saudi media decreased its attacks against Qatar particularly after the statements of Bin Salman in which he has praised Qatar’s economy.

Moreover, the Kuwaiti Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Khaled Al-Jarallah lately said that Kuwait sees “positive signs” for containing the Gulf escalation.

Kuwait is the most acceptable mediator from all the parties in the Gulf crisis which was enflamed on June 5, 2017, when Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt cut their diplomatic and travel ties with Qatar. The four Arab governments accused Qatar of supporting terrorism and Iran, disturbing regional security and stability, charges which Doha vehemently denies.

(Daily News Egypt)

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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

True colours for PNC power is unmistakable Dear Editor, As we watch the events and the behaviour of the People’s National Congress (PNC)led coalition since the no-confidence vote of December 21, 2018, the true colours of PNC power is unmistakable. Seems those with their hold on power are bent on taking Guyana back to the dreadful pre-1992 days; are determined to prevent the people from choosing their Government.

The PNC-led Government's obstinate refusal to abide by the Constitution after the no-confidence vote shows clearly that Guyana has bullies in power – people least concerned with service to the country and people; more concerned with hogging power to enrich themselves.

Despite the obvious nature of the PNC, it still escapes notice that it is the real obstacle to Guyana’s development.

Everyone seem to cling to the illusion that race, racial divide, and racial voting are holding our country back; that when we solve the illusive race problem, all will be well. But the behaviour of those in Government makes it clear that bullyism and not race is Guyana's real problem.

Bullyism was on obscene display against Charrandas Persaud in Guyana's Parliament when he voted his conscience in service of the people of Guyana. Fortunately, he stood his ground against the dishonourable behaviour by “honourable members” in the supposedly “hallowed” chamber.

He showed strength of character on behalf of right-thinking Guyanese who want the best for Guyana. He stood his ground for those of us who want to see Guyana avoid another spell of the destructive dictator-

ship we were bullied to endure through the pre-1992 years.

Since then, the bullying has continued. The flip-flop of the President and Prime Minister from their originally stated positions shows the low level of high office holders. Is it that in the current leaders in Government, the intelligence and morality to interpret and obey constitutional provisions are absent? Or is it that they are intent on bullying to cling to power?

The threat of taking the matter to court if the Speaker of the National Assembly did not reverse his ruling in their favour was also bullyism. Now it seems the President and his Government want to bully the Judiciary into reinterpreting accepted meanings, norms and conventions. Should they fail in bullying the Judiciary, is the next move to continue bullying

power from the people?

The events since December 21, 2018, and pronouncements by the fallen Government, should make Guyanese reflect on the nature of those who comprise the coalition. Do we want people devoid of conscience, grabbing the good life for themselves, and energised only by greed, and hatred for another party, ruling our country?

Bullies are bullies because they lack a conscience and live as if laws and the rules do not apply to them. According to Government, the vote was supposed to be devoid of conscience.

A nation with rulers without conscience and governed without it is doomed. And it is clear where Guyana has been heading under the now failed Government-led by the PNC. Dismissing thousands of workers without a thought for their welfare and the social im-

Saying ‘no’ happens only when the empowerment tools are provided Dear Editor, A letter writer recently called upon Guyanese to ‘say yes to life, not suicide’. We know that this person means well but if it were that easy then there would be no suicide deaths at all. The simple fact is that people must be armed with tools that would empower them to be able to not see suicide as an option.

A case in point is the recent suicide death of that 15-yearold student. One tool would have been the training of students and teachers to identify suicide warning signs and act immediately to get help.

Another tool would have been availability of a counsellor on the staff. In lieu of that, a third tool would have been quick and

easy access to a counsellor by the school. The most important tool would have been the capacity of the school to be proactive and save a life since being reactive does not bring back the dead.

Indeed, all we’re left with is a death that was eminently avoidable, embracing circles of agony and pain and finger pointing and fault finding.

Media reports indicate that ‘the motive for taking her own life remains a mystery’. But the warning sign was clear and evident – the student threatened to take her life!

Over the years, there have been numerous cases of suicide survivors claiming that they thought the suicide victim was joking when he or she

talked about wanting to die by suicide. The fact is that when it comes to someone’s life, any and all warning signs should catalyse immediate action. It is always better to say sorry for being wrong than to beat the breast and pull the hair in grief and agony.

Meanwhile, this tragedy once again puts the issue of school counsellors front and centre. The reality is that mobile counselling units cannot service schools with the speed, urgency, regularity and adequacy required. So once again we call on the Government to reach out to the psychology undergrads of the last few years and set up a pool of trained counsellors who can service batches of neighbour-

ing schools. And with UG now offering a psychology programme, current teachers can be facilitated to take the psychology programme so each school can have its own counsellor within a few years.

As well, teachers and students should be provided with ongoing training in mental health and teachers should be tasked with becoming mandated reporters of suicide ideation (and abuse). The Caribbean Voice does have a workshop for students that has already been taken to a number of schools and youth groups, most recently last month at a school on the East Coast of Demerara.

Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice

Battle in the AFC between the ‘anointed’ and his ‘anointer’

Dear Editor, It is now a battle in the Alliance For Change (AFC) by the ‘anointed’ and his ‘anointer’ for the prime ministerial candidacy! Both of these men were from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and left that party to fulfil their quest for power and material gain.

Moses V Nagamootoo joined the PPP in 1964 and since the inception, his main goal was to fulfil his personal ambitions with no regard to bring good to the people of Guyana. This was recognised at an early stage by both the Jagan’s leadership of the PPP. This became openly manifested when the late Janet Jagan opted for Bharrat Jagdeo as her replacement and not Nagamootoo. She knew that in Nagamootoo’s agenda, only Nagamootoo came first!

When he resigned from the PPP on October 24, 2011, and joined the AFC, it was a continuation of his quest to become the President of Guyana.

He wasted no time and in 2014 he was among the presidential nominees but in 2015 after his ‘President or nothing’ grandstanding with the A Partnership for National Unity, he had to settle for the prime ministerial candidacy.

However, after the results of the May 2015 General Elections, he was catapulted closer to realising his presidential dreams –

he became the Prime Minister and the First Vice President with opportunity to fleetingly hold the presidential office when President Granger is briefly out of the country. Talk about self-centred tenacity and guile! Just imagine a man who doggedly fought the People’s National Congress (PNC) since 1964 was willing to sacrifice his proclaimed ideals in order to pursue his personal ambitions. When he had ‘leadership issues’ with the PPP in 2005 he was quoted as saying that, “I intend to walk down and go to where I have come, which is the grassroots, which is among the masses, which is among the supporters of the party, which is my people…” but when he became the Prime Minister, he suffered amnesia. The grassroots no longer appealed to him and he began to endorse every act of corruption and mismanagement perpetrated by the PNC, especially the closing of the sugar estates and the discarding of 7000 workers resulting in untold sufferings among the ‘grassroots’ which was his ‘people’! He is now living the “Cadillac’ lifestyle which he had once spurned. He engineered, endorsed and carried out a ‘bloodless assassination’ of the poor sugar workers.

Today, he is once again fighting the leadership of his party, the AFC, to be giv-

en another chance to remain as the prime ministerial candidate. In 2011, when he defected to the AFC, that party was already a few weeks away from November 28 General Elections. He joined a party that gained seven seats at that election and he piggybacked on the contributions made by Dr Veerasammy Ramayya and others. This can be seen at the 2015 Elections when the support of the AFC in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) actually fell drastically, and the AFC actually rode on the success of the APNU. The LGE in November last year confirmed the dismal failure of the AFC, not only in Region Six but across the country! He failed to deliver and it is now clear that Nagamootoo’s future as a politician is ‘dead meat’!

His deceitful ploy in the State media that the ‘AFC backs Granger-Nagamootoo ticket’ just accentuates the cunning nature of this self-centred hypocrite. That never happened and the prime ministerial candidacy is still to be decided on. He is now willing to fight his mentee for power. It must be recalled that Ramjattan in September 2014 had declared that the ‘rotational’ principle to choose the top elections candidates was abandoned and will be based on ‘meritocracy’. He said ‘the popular democratic vote’ at the

AFC’s conference will decide on the candidate. However , he had admitted then that he endorsed Nagamootoo because of a combination of factors such as what ‘is best for the country, ability to attract campaign financing, hardworking, intellectuals, knowledge of running a government’. It is now clear that Ramjattan no longer believes that this holds true at this time! Moreover, apart from the power struggle, it is puzzling that even though the election of the prime ministerial candidate was supposed to be at the AFC’s conference as agreed in 2014, there was an attempt to do so at a statutory meeting of 108 members many of which are not NEC members. It would seem that a rigging process was planned to take place but was aborted after much wrangling.

It was then decided that the procedure will now be carried out in March at the rescheduled biennial conference. We can expect a ‘dogfight’ between Nagamootoo who had promised that 2015 elections will be his swan song and Ramjattan the man who was deceived not by a ‘swan’ but something exceedingly slithery!

But I have a strong feeling neither of the two will ever be the next Prime Minister!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

pact is heartless. Hiding US$18 million of the people's money is devoid of conscience. It is because we have political players who are bullies without conscience that Guyana is stuck in underdevelopment. The sooner we realise bullyism is the blight of our nation and not race, racial divide, or racial voting, only then our development obstacles can be overcome.

A look at the behaviour of the bullies shows racism is a major tool. They beat and kill their own race who break rank from them. This explains why Kwame McCoy was so brutally beaten on Election Day 2015. They reward handsomely for other races to join them as tokens to hide their racism and loyalty to their unholy alliance. The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change 2015 accord and the prompt, huge increases granted to themselves bears this out.

It might be worth noting the party in Government was born out of bullyism and continues to exist, and gain power by it.

Bullyism caused the split from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in the fifties. It ignited the race riots of the sixties. It subjected us to rigged elections for 28 years and sets Guyana’s development back for decades.

It forced us to endure the horrors and the difficulties of those dark days. It killed Walter Rodney, Father Darke among others. The bullying continued in violence perpetuated between 1992 and 2015. Bullyism by the PNC showed itself in after-election violence through the years. It gave us the "troubled years" 2001 to 2008, as the President likes to call them. It continued in Parliament between 2011 and 2015 with voting against development projects for the progress of Guyana.

It is displayed in blatant disregard for public opinion, the Constitution, as with the no-confidence vote, and laws of the land.

Bullyism ensures dysfunc-

tion of constitutional commissions and offices. The President’ disregard for established and accepted practice in the appointment of GECOM’s Chairman is a blatant display of bullying. It is also a clear example of how bullies ensure dysfunction so they can have things their way. The claim

by Government and its agents within the Guyana Elections Commission that they cannot have elections within the stipulated time is trying to exploit the dysfunction created.

We Guyanese are continuously being intellectually bullied to see the PPP/Civic as racist and destroying Guyana when in fact, the PPP/C rebuilt it from the destruction it inherited in 1992. Bullyism wants us to see post 1992 as the worst period in the country instead of pre-1992. Bullyism prevented the holding of Local Government Elections since 1994, then once in power claim it as achievement.

Bullies also label the bullied with their crimes. The corrupt and lawless label others with corruption and lawlessness and try to prove it as so. Spent millions on 50 forensic audits to prove the PPP/C did what they are doing. Now the bullies having bullied their way to power seem determined to bully the nation and cling to power beyond what the supreme law of the land allows. The behaviour of the PNC-led coalition shows Guyana’s obstacle to development is not illusive racism, racial divide, or racial voting. It is the blight of bullyism. When Guyanese refuse to allow themselves to be bullied or bought by bullies, when we elect leaders of conscience, focused on serving the nation instead of stealing the good life for themselves. Then the institutions of our State will function as they should and our nation will prosper for the good of everyone.

Sincerely, Art Foster

6

fridAY, february 1, 2019

Page

Foundation

H

ave you had it up to here with the gossip and putdowns? Are you tired of following the dress code of your group, but think you'll be dropped if you don't? Are you concerned about whether you'll still be included this year at school or whether you'll feel like an outcast – or worse, be picked on?

Whether you're on the outside looking in or the inside wanting out, it can help to know what makes cliques tick.

ple, being popular or cool is the most important thing, and cliques give them a place where they can get this social status. Other people want to be in cliques because they don't like to feel left out. Some people simply feel it's better to be on the inside than the outside (it's not, but more on that later).

Cliques give people who like to take control a chance to be in charge (for good or bad!). For people who feel more comfortable following, they offer a place where rules are clearly defined. It's usually clear to clique members what they need to do to fit in. Sometimes that means sacrificing some freeA group of friends vs a clique Being part of a group can help make your day easier to deal dom and following the leader rather than doing what you feel with – and you can learn some great life skills like being a good like doing.

Clique membership is usually tightly controlled by the listener, sharing experiences, and respecting people.

Groups can form around things people have in common. The leaders. These social gatekeepers are the ones with the power people in these groups feel they have a place where they're wel- to decide who should be hot and who should not. This type of come and supported, and where they can be themselves. Some peo- membership control usually happens in cliques of girls.

As many great kids have found, entry into a clique isn't guaranteed.

In fact, a girl who is seen as likeable and popular liques are tight groups that usually have a strict code of membership and ways to act. Instead may actually be excludof being centred on shared values and beliefs, many cliques tend to focus on maintaining their ed from belonging to a status and popularity. For instance, a clique may try to make it seem like the people in it are clique. That's because her "better" than those outside, or that their clique is higher status than another clique. personality or confidence People in cliques sometimes use their power to hurt others on purpose, either by excluding may pose a threat to the them, being mean, or both. Sometimes they might insult people by trying to "fix" them or give them leaders. She might not be "makeovers". Other times it becomes more serious and someone outside the group is targeted or a good "follower" — espevictimised for being, looking, or acting different. cially if she can be popUnlike regular groups of friends, where members are free to socialise with others outside the group, ular enough on her own. people in cliques often do everything together. They sit together in class, go to the mall together after Sometimes her friends school – and they only do stuff with other clique members or people they decide are "cool." may even be invited to Although people might think it's better to belong to a clique than to be excluded, many times people join when she isn't. Clique in cliques end up dealing with lots of pressures and rules. They soon start to worry about whether they'll members may deliberately continue to be popular or whether they'll be dropped. After a while, they may begin to realise that true exclude her in an attempt friends wouldn't be so bossy or demanding. to take away her perceived power or the threat they ple form groups from being in drama club, or liking the same music think she could pose.

Cliques aren't just for girls. Guys form cliques, too – usualor movies, or even just because they like to hang out at the mall.

Some groups stick together for a long time. Others drift ly around a sport, computer game, or type of clothing or music. apart after a while as people develop new interests, make dif- They can be just as mean as girls about the outcasts of the soferent friends, or just find they have less in common. People cial group. can move in and out of different groups and can even be part of several at the same time. Even within a group, people often The view from the inside have one or two friends they feel closest to and enjoy the most.

It's not all roses inside a clique either. A person's standing Some friendship groups seem pretty flexible and welcome within the group can always be under threat. Most of the folpeople to join in. Others seem much more restricted, though. lowers cling to the leader not out of true friendship but because People in these groups make it clear that not just anyone can they want to keep their position in the group. be part of their crowd. That type of restricted group is someBut even the leader can lose her power. In fact, the queen times called a clique. bee in a strong girl clique probably worries as much – or even more – about being popular and accepted as the outsiders do.

Because no one feels secure, clique members often use the tools Why do cliques attract people?

Cliques attract people for different reasons: For some peo- of flattery, humiliation, or rumours to manipulate situations

What's the deal with cliques?

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guyanatimesgy.com

and preserve their status.

A few girls manage to stay friends with people both inside and outside the clique. But that can be hard to do because there's often intense pressure from the group to be friends only with people on the approved list. It takes a lot of self-confidence to dare to be friends with someone outside the clique.

Sometimes clique members decide they want out. They don't like being limited by the rules, and they don't like leaving others out and hurting people's feelings. As people get older, they may not feel like being part of a clique anymore. Usually toward the end of high school, kids are more relaxed about who is "in" and who's not. But earlier on in your school life Want to know the it can take a lot of courage to leave a clique or decide to rereal secret to being main on the outside. popular and having Beware of online groups and cliques using social netfriends? Be a good sites. These have befriend yourself. People work come popular sites to put who enjoy true and others down, invite only selected friends to a party, and lasting popularity make mean comments or are those who have posts. People can even build good friendship skills. fake profiles. Only post profile information and photos Being a friend means that you want everyone to see. Keep your messages to being respectful, other people online private.

fair, interested, trustworthy, honest, caring, and kind. So if you want to have friends, be just the kind of friend you'd like to have and stay true to who you are.

Surviving cliques

Whether you're on the inside or the outside, cliques can make your life tough.

But there are ways to cope:

Know yourself – and your reputation. Now is a time for getting in touch with your values, interests, and beliefs. If you're encountering cliques, it's a good opportunity to ask yourself some self-discovery questions about what you and your true friends give each other. Do you want to be part of a group because you need to feel accepted or because you actually share their values? Has your group of friends morphed into something you don't like?

How do your friends influence the way people think about you?

Does this make you feel good or bad?

Stay involved in activities that make you feel good about yourself. If you're in a clique, don't let the group pressure you into giving up things you love or spending time and money on things that aren't important to you. If you're on the outside and feeling left out, getting involved in things that interest you is a great way to find a sense of belonging, help you feel valued, and take your mind off a group that's not welcoming. If you don't have friends at school, join a volunteer group (helping others or the environment can make you feel good about yourself).

Keep your social circles open and diverse. Cliques can be very limiting in the way they control how members look, think, dress, and behave. Don't let them make you miss out on getting to know people who may become close friends. If you're on the outside, it can help to find a close friend or group of friends whose values, goals, and behaviours fit in with yours.

The support and genuine caring you get will keep you from feeling so defenceless when the mean girls tease and bully.

Sometimes just knowing that clique members are probably insecure can limit their power over you.

Speak out. If you feel your group of friends is turning into a clique, take a stand for your beliefs. The clique might go on without you (remember those girls who feel threatened by someone else's strength). But there's also a chance that others might follow your lead and stop acting so clique-y. If it's too hard to get up the courage to speak out, you still don't have to participate in things that feel wrong. And if you're on the outside and know that a clique is bullying or intimidating others, let teachers or counsellors know about it.

Have a mind of your own. Be sensitive to others and don't go along with what you don't believe is right – even if others are doing it. You are the only one responsible for how you act. True friends will respect your mind, your rights, and your independent choices. Even if someone tells you to do something that is "just a joke", say no if you know it's not right. Try not to be intimidated. If your crush is on the "outside", ask him or her out anyway. It can feel good to mix things up a little.

Friendships change. Just as one clique can make life miserable, changes in social groups can take their power away.

The good news is that most cliques disappear by the end of high school. (kidshealth.org)

7 Opposition welcomes ruling upholding validity of no-confidence motion news

fridAY, february 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

…calls for Govt to respect Constitution, resign with immediate effect

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday welcomed the ruling by acting Chief Justice Roxane George who upheld the validity of the No-confidence Motion against the coalition Government, saying this now paves the way for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to start preparation for the hosting of General and Regional Elections, which is constitutionally due in March.

In a video statement, Jagdeo said the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is extremely pleased with the High Court’s ruling. Justice George dismissed arguments by Government to invalidate the December 21, 2018 passage of the No-confidence Motion, which was premised on the basis of dual

citizenship and need for a 34-vote majority to properly pass the motion.

According to the Opposition Leader, now that the Chief Justice has upheld the validity of the no-confidence resolution, and refuse to a stay the judgement as well as to refuse to issue a conservatory order for the Government to remain in office upon request of Attorney General Basil Williams, focus must be placed on the elections body. “… the timeline remains valid and the clock keeps ticking… So now we need to turn our attention to GECOM and force GECOM to act in accordance with the Constitution. And so in the next couple of days, even if it means legal action to force GECOM to start the preparations for elections,” he stated.

According to Article 106 (7) of the Constitution, Government should call elections within three months of the passage of a no-confidence motion. This means elections are to be held by March 19.

GECOM

Jagdeo insisted that the Elections Commission can be ready for polls within the next 50 days or so.

“We believe the basis is there to have [elections] happen, having successfully come out of a Local Government Elections.

They can easily do this but

President David Granger

they’re unwilling to do this because of the Government sending signals to them that they should not do so. So we will have to put pressure on the machinery at GECOM and the Commission to proceed immediately with the preparations for elections,” he asserted.

Furthermore, the Opposition Leader said he hopes that members of civil society and the international community, now that the Judiciary has spoken and that there is no stay of the decision, will ensure more strident calls are made for Government to respect the Constitution of Guyana.

Reflecting on the court’s ruling, Jagdeo posited that the country is now in a position where the Legislature has already spoken on the night of December 21, when 33 members voted in favour of the No-confidence Motion. This, he said, is

validated in the Speaker of the House, Dr Barton Scotland’s declaration of the motion being carried, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaac’s issuance of a resolution to that effect, and the subsequent refusal of the Speaker to review the passage of the motion.

“So the Legislature was very clear about the passage of the No-confidence Motion, we were awaiting the Judiciary and now the Judiciary has spoken, clearly, that the Noconfidence Motion has been passed and there is no stay of that decision. So right now the Government has to act in accordance with Article 106 (6) of the Constitution which states that the Cabinet and the Government shall resign upon the successful passage of the No-confidence Motion and it must also proceed in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the Constitution which is to hold elections in 90 days,” he contended.

Failing to and any other further procrastination in doing this, Jagdeo said, can led to a constitutional crisis. This, he added, would

GECOM Chairman James Patterson

mean the violation of the Constitution, which he said the country is already experiencing with Government’s refusal to resign and call elections.

GECOM, which successfully ran the Local Government Elections in November 2018, less than three months ago, is being blamed by Government for not being ready, but it is the President of Guyana who has to give a date for elections and not GECOM as being touted. The President of Guyana, according to the Constitution, has to dissolve Parliament and issue

GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield

a date for elections.

Meanwhile, the Government in a statement on Thursday evening said that it notes and respects the rulings of Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George.

“The ruling is not in favour of the Government’s position with regard to the vote on December 21, 2018; however, due process continues and the Government will file an appeal in the Court of Appeal.

The Government continues to believe that the full adjudication of this issue is in the national interest,” the statement said.

8 news

fridAY, february 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Cocaine in gas cylinders

Boat Captain fined $136M, jailed for 5 years

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Boat Captain who was implicated in the over 65 kilograms of cocaine found in a gas cylinder stashed in a car at Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) was on Thursday found guilty.

Damion Williams of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, was sentenced to five years in prison and fined $136 million by Magistrate Rushell

Liverpool at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.

In handing down her ruling, Magistrate Liverpool said that there was sufficient evidence to convict the 35-year-old man.

Williams was charged jointly with taxi driver Vaughn Anderson, 32, of Boodhoo Housing Scheme, Parika; however, the charge was dismissed against Anderson. Anderson had

confessed to the court that he was hired by Williams to take him from Parika to Georgetown.

The prosecution contended that on December 24, 2017, while in the vicinity of Parika, Williams had in his possession 65.027 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Particulars of the charge stated that on the day of the cocaine discovery, ranks

Cabinet must resign..

Justice George opined that the AG’s contentions should be taken to the Appeal Court since she did not see how a stay could be granted in relation to answering questions.

The Judge had earlier recalled that the proceedings of the vote were validly passed as the matter was debated then voted upon.

Attorney Anil Nandlall welcomed Thursday’s ruling, saying that Cabinet should have effectively resigned upon the passage of the December 21, 2018 vote.

“There is no Cabinet in force in Guyana currently and that is very important… if they are illegal,

those are issues we will have to take into account and address,” the People’s Progressive Party/Civic MP told members of the media.

Dual citizens cannot sit in Guyana’s Parliament

Another landmark interpretation for which the Speaker will be advised relates to MPs having dual citizenship. Justice George pronounced on the case filed by Compton Reid. The Judge refused the majority of the declarations that Reid sought based on her ruling that she had no jurisdiction to hear challenges to Charrandas Persaud’s election in 2015 since the appli-

from the Guyana Police Force Narcotics Branch, acting on information, swooped down on Anderson and the drugs were found concealed in a gas cylinder.

Anderson was arrested and confessed to Police that he was merely hired by Williams to transport items to Georgetown. Williams was later arrested and confessed to giving Anderson the drugs in the cylinder.

From page 3

cant would have had to file an elections petition within 28 days of that elections.

On this ground, she could not pronounce on validity challenges.

Persaud was elected as an MP following his name being included on the elections list for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) party. Justice George said the court has jurisdiction to comment on the dual citizenship matter, saying Persaud is indeed a dual citizen from the evidence provided.

She noted that the Constitution was very clear about dual citizenship sta-

tus. In fact, Article 155(1) of the Constitution states that: “No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who – (a) is by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state…”

It was stated that to be qualified to be elected to the National Assembly, one must be 18 years old and Guyanese and it was established that Charrandas Persaud is a Guyanese citizen by birth. She highlighted that the former MP would have sworn allegiance to Canada to receive a passport and citing case law, stated that a renewal of a passport is a renewal of that allegiance. She noted that the holding of a passport has far reaching consequences. The Judge however noted that there is no evidence that Persaud has renounced Guyanese or Canadian citizenship.

The evidence is that in order to be become a Canadian citizen one has to take an oath and bear allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II of Canada, her heirs and that laws of that country.

Guyana discontinued such an allegiance in February 1970 when it became a Republic.

According to the CJ, by swearing allegiance to another state, a dual citizen is not qualified to be elected to serve in the National Assembly. This, she noted, is applicable to the current MPs who hold dual citizenship. It was also observed by the CJ that even though it was unconstitutional to be a dual citizen and serve in the National Assembly, the voting by Persaud did not invalidate the no-confidence resolution. She further noted that if he had voted against the motion, there would not have been any dispute.

Attorney Sanjeev Datadin appeared for Charrandas Persaud while Rafiq Khan, SC, appeared for the House Speaker, Speaker Barton Scotland.

Anil Nandlall appeared for Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

Upside down…

O

…on justice ne of the most sacred principles in the criminal justice system is the premise that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty. In other words, the prosecution must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, each essential element of the crime charged – and until then, the defendant is presumed to be INNOCENT. If this principle is not upheld with the strictness diligence, then what you have is a totalitarian state in which the ruling principle becomes, “Give a dog a bad name and hang him”.

That is, simply have one of the minions of the State claim that the citizen has breached the law and immediately bring down the might of the State to exact penalty on the hapless citizen for ACTUALLY breaching the law. Your Eyewitness was reminded by this principle when he read that Irfaan Ali, the PPP Presidential Candidate for the upcoming elections, was advised not to travel to Canada by their Consulate in T&T because the Guyanese State, through SOCU, has slapped him with 19 “fraud charges” as the Minister of Housing responsible for selling the properties known as “Pradoville 2”. Conceding that Ali did not benefit in the least from the transactions, the gravamen of the SOCU charges is that Ali should have obtained a valuation for the lands before selling them!

Your Eyewitness is flummoxed at this action since Canada has traditionally been a state that adheres to the rule of law. What makes their action even more anomalous is that the case in the Magistrate Court, such as it is, was halted by the High Court on Ali’s contention that the CHARGES ARE UNKNOWN AT LAW!! Because of the punitive sanctions that the criminal law imposed for its breaches, it’s a cardinal principle that the law must be clearly known to the citizenry.

And here it is there isn’t even a law on the books for what Ali was hauled out of bed at 4am in the morning by SOCU and charges with – which demonstrated “malicious prosecution” – if not persecution by this organisation whose chief investigator had to resign because of faking her qualifications!! She has already had one of her other “fraud causes” thrown out!

As one of Ali’s lawyers said, not only are “the charges unknown to law, but the particulars, even if they are able to prove them, do not constitute an offence known to the criminal law of this country. Selling property without a valuation has never been a criminal offence.” The High Court will make their ruling on whether there is even a law on which to charge Ali with and yet Canada is preventing him from travelling there??

What gives?? Is Canada feeling its oats?? …on agri help Today’s Chronic’s article – “Ithaca farmers benefit from CDF project”, prompted a thought. In December 2016, when Wales was the first of four sugar estates to be closed, the PNC-led coalition Government announced a GY$3 billion (US$12.43 million) programme to help revive agriculture in Ithaca, Buxton, BV and Mocha. Very pointedly, all four villages are predominantly dominated by African Guyanese supporters of the PNC. Which can be confirmed by the public place-of-poll statistics!

Now for sure, a case can be made that these villages have poor rural folks living in them and they need the help to live the “good life” promised by the PNC coalition.

But what about the residents of those four closed sugar estates where some 7000 mostly Indian sugar workers – PPP supporters – were fired and they don’t have a chance in hell of getting alternative employment??

To paraphrase Shylock on Jews: “Hath not an Indian hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions; fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means…?

If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh?”

…on Royston King’s justice The LGA accepted Kennard CoI’s recommendation and fired Royston King.

But why hasn’t SOCU been sicced on his properties?

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

news

9

fridAY, february 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Toddler dies in ECD fire

…9 homeless

A

Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara family was sent into a state of shock on Thursday afternoon when their child perished in a fire, which destroyed the entire house, leaving nine persons homeless.

Based on information received, the fire started about 02:00h at the Lot 83 Agriculture Road, Mon Repos premises.

Mahin Rampersaud, who was almost two years old, was sleeping in the upper flat of the two-storey house in the company of his four-year-old sister.

Neighbours were alerted by thick, dark smoke emanating from the house

The remains of the home at Agriculture Road, Mon Repos, ECD

cue the children, the little boy had already been consumed by the flames. They managed to save his sister, who escaped unhurt, along with family members who

Neighbours stand in disbelief outside the razed home

and immediately raised an alarm.

However, by the time, public-spirited persons rushed to the scene to res-

were in the lower flat.

When Guyana Times visited the scene, a crowd was gathered in disbelief in front of the building.

Several fire-fighters were seen battling the blaze to salvage the five-bedroom house.

While the upper flat of the concrete and wood structure was completely destroyed, some sections of the lower flat and an adjoining shed were saved.

The mother of the now dead child, Mala Rampersaud was inconsol-

able as she explained that she received a call while at work and rushed home. By that time, the house had already been ravaged and adding to her distress, she was told that her son had burnt to death.

“I get the call and then I come home right away … we lost a lot,” the distraught woman stated.

Her friend, Indira

Bissoondeo explained that she lived nearby and was awakened by loud noises.

Upon glancing outside, she saw clouds of smoke billowing from the house.

“I tell my neighbour I hear something banging and then when I look, I start to I holler ‘fire’. I was confused and all of we run and come over. Next thing you know, when the family and a man who was on the street run upstairs to get the children, he get to save the girl, but he couldn’t get inside to save the baby ‘cause the fire was big,” said Bissoondeo.

The grandmother of the two children, Sabita Rampersaud cried as she relayed, “I was downstairs, and we didn’t hear anything.”

Persons at the scene explained that the Fire Service arrived promptly, but did not have sufficient water to douse the flames.

As such, it took some time to source water from nearby

Dead: Mahin Rampersaud

trenches.

This publication understands that nine persons resided in the building and it was the first time such an incident occurred. The family estimates their losses to be in the millions and could not say what could have caused the fire.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Fire Service has launched an investigation into the incident. (Rupadai Seenaraine)

10 news

fridAY, february 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

New GPL generators shut down during peak hour in Region 2

T

he Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast branch conducted a 24-hour test on the three new generators at the new power station in Region

Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Reports from the region are that at about midday on Wednesday, the three new generators were put into operation and were given the full work load to power the

entire Essequibo Coast. All went well until about 18:30h when the entire Essequibo Coast was plunged into total darkness after the generators shut down. The management at the Anna Region

GPL’s Anna Regina power station

sub-station was forced to restart the Caterpillar standby generators to power the region.

Guyana Times was told that engineers at the power station are trying to get the new generators up and running but are at loss as to why the system tripped when given the peak hour load. The new generators’ installation are behind schedule since they were to be installed since mid-December of 2018. In the latter part of 2018, the Chief Executive Officer of GPL, Albert Gordon and a team

from Georgetown visited the sub-station on the Essequibo Coast after residents in the region took to the streets to protest the poor service of the utility company. During that period, residents were experiencing daily power outages for prolong periods.

Essequibians, this newspaper was told, are now concerned about the capacity of the new generators to meet the power needs of the region.

Last year, the power company had said the region’s frequent service inter-

ruptions were as a result of the two main generators becoming inoperable, due to major mechanical and electrical issues respectively.

At a meeting with the regional administration, the business sector and residents last year GPL’s CEO has said that he is aware of the growing electricity demand in the region and will put a 20-year plan in place for the power company to meet the growing demand for electricity in Guyana. He had also promised to purchase a fourth generator for Region Two.

S RAIGHT

11

news

fridAY, february 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

No-confidence resolution

Private Sector Commission urges GECOM to fulfil constitutional obligation

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The Venezuelan challenge and the Granger regime

By Sase Singh; MSc – Finance, ACCA

M

ajor political developments are happening in Venezuela, our western neighbour. The democratically-elected National Assembly President Juan Guaidó took an oath to become Venezuela’s interim President with the full backing of most of the powerful nations in the Western hemisphere. What was surprising to me was how rapidly the number of countries in Latin America lined up to support the interim President. Even the usually even-tempered Canada was one of the first nations to reject the de-facto strongman Nicholás Muduro. Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland issued a statement saying Canada supports Guaido's "commitment to lead Venezuela to free and fair presidential elections, as prescribed by that country’s Constitution. Within hours of that statement from Canada, some 20 other democracies, including the majority of Latin American nations, offered their support to the interim President. Other governments even went so far to warn Senor Maduro that he must make way for democratic elections.

What is clear to me is that the “beginning of the end” phase for Senor Muduro has commenced. The powerful nations of the world are taking action. England and many other countries have frozen all assets of the Venezuelan Government and the leading players in the military and Government and the US Government has gone so far as to provide access to Venezuelan Government accounts at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to the interim President. Senor Muduro’s goose is being cooked slowly but surely as the grip tighten on his de facto regime.

Unfortunately, in the political process, the ordinary Venezuelans are experiencing what countless others have suffered in other counties like Zimbabwe, Turkmenistan, Syria, Sudan, North Korea, Burundi, Chad, Equatorial Guinea Gabon, and so on. The Venezuelans are suffering from political repression that some three billion people of the world are still experiencing. After March 21, 2019, if Guyana does not benefit from free and fair elections, it can be classified internationally as an undemocratic nation, just like Venezuela, unless an agreement is struck with the Opposition to extend that date.

History has proven that in repressive regimes, the only certain outcome is destitution and poverty of the people, which leads to anger, which is never good for any society. Is this the legacy President David Granger wants to be remembered by 20 years from now when his name is mentioned? Does he want to be the man who threw away democracy in Guyana?

The US has promised the Guaidó Government US$20 million in humanitarian assistance, but will it come with the tools of rebellion to help the people liberate themselves from these Statesponsored acts of under-development. In Venezuela, liberation is vitally needed from this now failed Chavisimo revolution. This was not what the late Hugo Chávez, with the help of friends from Cuba, was planning. Their plan made major inroads into attacking their high infant-mortality rates, and malnutrition.

But since the death of Senor Chávez, basics like running water, electricity and toilet paper are now luxuries. Today under Senor Muduro, Venezuela suffers from hyperinflation, disease and rampant crime and corruption.

Many in the Venezuelan military are using State facilities and equipment to facilitate the drug trade on a national scale and this can offer an explanation why the higher up in the military are prepared to back an intellectually and policy bankrupt Senor Muduro. Today millions of hungry, jobless Venezuelans have fled their homeland, hundreds of whom now live in Guyana. In such hopelessness, the United States must step up and act by guaranteeing the military high command safe passage out of the country in order to disarm the regime. Without his Generals, Senor Muduro is nothing.

Where does Guyana stand in all of this? It is unfortunate that the Granger Government continues to holdout with Mexico in not endorsing Senor Guaido's as the interim President.

This policy has put it at a distance from the majority of Latin America and the so-called 14-nation Lima Group. This foreign policy position also puts Guyana apart from the United States, a nation that President Granger continues to rely on as a potential partner to help him defuse this growing crisis around the legitimacy of his own Government. It is clear that Guyana has not applied its collective mind adequately to this matter of international importance and our position can end up hurting the national interest in the long run. This is what you get when you have an intellectually bankrupt, aloof and unavailable Head of State.

Please share your comments and feedback at sasesin1@ yahoo.com.

Please share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

hief Justice (ag) Roxane George’s rulings upholding the validity of the Opposition’s No-confidence Motion has sparked mixed reactions from the public and several stakeholder bodies are calling on the nation to accept the court’s decisions.

On Thursday, Justice George ruled that the Noconfidence Motion was validly passed on December 21, 2018 and that the absolute majority of the 65 seats in the National Assembly is 33 and not 34 as contended by Government. She also noted that while former coalition Member of Parliament Charrandas Persaud should not have been a sitting parliamentarian because of his dual citizenship, at the time of his vote on the motion, he was a valid MP hence his vote was valid.

Moreover, the Chief

Justice in her decision on a separate matter filed by Christopher Ram said the President and the Cabinet should have resigned immediately upon the passage of the motion but remain in office until elections are held.

Hours after these rulings, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) called on the entire nation, including political parties, to respect the court’s decisions.

In a statement, the PSC went on to urge the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), “to fulfil its constitutional obligation to hold itself ready to conduct General Elections as is re-

Kitty man to face Judge, jury over rape of teen

by Justice Dawn Gregory.

On appeal, a retrial was ordered by the Guyana Court of Appeal and a no-case submission was upheld and Greene was freed on May 12, 2005. Harvey was murdered between December 9 and December 12, 1999.

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Odinga Greene

42-year-old Station Street, Kitty, Georgetown man was committed to stand trial in the High Court on Thursday

by Magistrate Leron Daly after a prima facie case was made out against him on the charge of raping a 13-yearold girl.

Odinga Greene, 42, of Lot 17 Station Street, is alleged to have raped the teen between November 1 and 31, 2016.

During the Preliminary Inquiry (PI), the prosecution contended that the teen was home alone when Greene forced his way into her room and raped her. Further, the court heard that Greene was freed twice of two separate murder charges. The first charge was for the murder of 28-year-old Nazalene Mohamed, of Lot 1 East Ruimveldt Front Road, Georgetown, which occurred between February 2 and February 12, 2007. Greene had also been convicted of the murder of Sandra Harvey on April 26, 2004, and was sentenced to death

quired by the Constitution as a result of the No- confidence Motion, that is, within 90 days of the motion, unless otherwise extended by a two-thirds majority of the Parliament.”

The Private Sector umbrella body further called on the elections body to immediately declare its position on this question as a matter of public interest and necessity.

While the Opposition also believes that Government should adhere to the court rulings, the coalition has insisted it will be appealing the decision at the Court of Appeal since Thursday’s decisions were not in favour of its position with regard to the vote on December 21, 2018.

Government’s move to appeal was supported by the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), which said in a statement on Thursday that exhaust-

ing a legal resource is a constitutional option afford to the Government.

Recognising that the proceedings will extract high tension and emotional reactions, the GTUC urge persons to desist from any actions that besmirch the character of the learned and upstanding Judge.

Moreover, the Union went on to repeat calls for Government and the Opposition to work together to keep the nation intact through this phase, while keeping the citizenry mindful of the tension, both internal and external, threatening the country’s peace and stability.

“Citizens are also urged to hold all politicians, civic society and those who engender to engulf this nation in any acts of mayhem or terror accountable for their well-being and safety at this point in time. So far our society is holding up well in pursuing this legal recourse and we must continue to do so cognisant that at the end of the day, we still have a nation to build, and a destiny to mould. We are still one people, interdependent and connected by a shared history. This is as defining a time as many historical landmarks in our political struggles,” the GTUC said in the missive.

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RDC, NA Hospital CEO at loggerheads “Disaster risk management is everybody’s over Ophthalmology Dept business” – Harmon tells regional heads

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he Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the New Amsterdam Hospital has reportedly refused to accept an instruction from the Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

Guyana Times understands that the CEO is unwilling to make the arrangements for an ophthalmologist to operate at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

On November 1, 2018, the Region Six RDC took a decision to have an ophthalmologist operate out of the New Amsterdam Hospital after the National Ophthalmology Centre had not done any cataract surgeries for the past three years.

However, when Regional Chairman David Armogan passed down the instruction, he said he was met with resistance.

Head of the Regional Health Committee, Zamal Hussain told this publication that the Regional Chairman contacted the CEO by way of telephone.

“There is a crisis in the eye care system or the ophthalmology system in Berbice and as such we were trying to assist… the CEO bluntly tells the Chairman this morning (Thursday) that she has to seek the guidance of the Minister,” Hussain related.

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The National Ophthalmology Centre at Port Mourant, Berbice

He reiterated that the region is being managed by an RDC and not Ministers.

For more than a year, the RDC has been calling for the National Ophthalmology Centre to be equipped to recommence cataract surgeries.

In May last year, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence announced that the Centre will recommence cataract surgeries shortly, but this has not been forthcoming.

At the November 2018 sitting of the RDC, the decision was taken to utilise space at the New Amsterdam Hospital to have an ophthalmologist operate.

“We as an RDC must overlook the health care system. We are not given the opportunity to implement some of the decisions that we are taking at the Health Committee and to an extent the RDC and as such the system is failing in Region Six.

I think the Minister, or the Ministers are in a situation whereby they are trying to grabble the local democracy of Region Six; they are disrespecting the RDC and they are trying to manage the healthcare system with their dictatorship level,” the Regional Health Committee Chairman said.

The National Ophthalmology Centre has the capacity to conduct about 10,000 surgeries per year.

The $140 million facility at Port Mourant was commissioned in July 2009 and was the first specialised Ophthalmology Centre in the Caribbean. However, there has been no cataract surgeries at the facility since 2015.

In its first 10 months of operation, there were 21,074 persons seen at the Centre; 8932 were seen for refractive errors of the eye, 1536 surgeries were done of which 316 were cataract surgeries.

inister of State Joseph Harmon, who holds responsibility for the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), on Thursday said the responsibility of disaster risk management and response rests not only with Central Government but rather, it requires a concerted effort from every member of society.

The Minister was at the time delivering the feature address at the opening of the first Annual Regional Disaster Risk Management (RDRM) Conference for Regional Chairmen and Regional Executive Officers from the 10 administrative regions at Cara Lodge, Georgetown. He noted that Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) are a very important layer in the governance system of the country and particularly in disaster risk management and response, since it is the first responder to the needs of the citizens in their respective regions.

The Minister is quoted by the Ministry of the Presidency as saying that Guyana has been experiencing the effects of climate change since the massive floods of 2005 which left many communities across the country inundated. Since then, Guyana has experienced several disastrous situations as a result of climate change and global warming. These disasters, he said,

Regional chairpersons and REOs at the Regional Disaster Risk Management Conference held at Cara Lodge, Georgetown

severely affected the livelihoods of many villages and the overall economic and infrastructural landscape of the respective regions. Disaster risk management and response planning must therefore become a concern of every stakeholder.

Harmon then noted that the Conference will become an annual feature that will see all regions coming together and planning for the year as there is requirement for this system all across the country.

Director General (Ag) of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig in his remarks to the gathering said this year’s Conference was held with the aim of examining the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities in the Regional Disaster Risk Management System, which the Commission has already

rolled out in eight of the 10 regions. Additionally, he noted that the work of the regions as it relates to disaster management in 2018 has been reviewed while plans for 2019 are being finalised.

To date, the CDC has produced 24 community disaster risk management plans, five municipality plans, six disaster risk assessments and a risk assessment for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). It has also finalised and handed over eight regional multi-hazard preparedness and response plans to eight regions. The Commission hopes to complete Region Four and Region Eight’s (PotaroSiparuni) regional multi-hazard preparedness and response plans by the end of 2019, thereby equipping all of the regions to prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters.

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Archaic sea defence structure to be replaced T he archaic network of Guyana’s sea defence structure along the coastland, which has led to severe overtopping, will be replaced with the injection of over $3.8 billion in works for 2019.

This is according to Chief Sea and River Defence Officer, Kevin Samad, who told Guyana Times that there are a series of projects which will unfold throughout the year to ensure that the coastland is protected from breaches.

Through the Nationally Funded Capital Programme, $1.4 billion was made available for works along with some $548 million for the Maintenance Programme. A loan was also granted from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) which has been divided into several projects.

“For the Nationally Funded Capital Programme, there was an allocation of $1.4 billion. For the Maintenance Programme, there was a budgeted allocation of $548 million. In addition to that, there is a foreign funded project where a loan

An area at Uitvlugt which will be updated with rip-rap materials

was taken from the CDB and for this year, the budgeted allocation is $1.950 billion.

The total sea defence budget for 2019 is $3.898 billion,” he said.

Overtopping

While addressing areas that have faced overtopping, Samad stated that these areas constitute of concrete structures which are almost

50 years old. As such, the mandate is to replace these with riprap structure, which can be extended if the need arises.

“The areas where we are having the overtopping is the areas where we have the old concrete sea defence structures. All of them have outlived their designed life. They probably more than 50 years old. The recent works are ar-

Trotman touts establishment of Mining School in Linden …as Mineral Prospecting and Map Reading Course launches at LTI

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

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he Natural Resources Ministry has collaborated with the Guyana Mining School and Training Centre Inc; Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and National Technical Training Institutions to launch Level One of the Mineral Prospecting and Map Reading Course at the Linden Technical Institute (LTI).

The educational training programme, which was launched at the Institute in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) on Thursday, will see 75 students benefiting.

Topics will include occupational safety and health, mining and environmental regulations, applying for exploration and mining permits, mineralisation and topographic map interpretations, use of navigation instruments and mineral prospecting.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Natural

Resources Minister Raphael Trotman said he was elated with the collaborative effort in launching the first module of the programme.

Noting that it was time for action, the Minister said this was the first of several collaborative efforts between the three agencies as he made calls for a branch of the Mining School to be established in the community.

In his encouragement to students, the Minister said it was important that they recognise that opportunities, though not always available, were being provided and that they should always be ready whenever opportunity “knocks”.

“The secret to success ... is being able to ready whenever that opportunity knocks ... It is important that you apply yourselves and so I’m encouraging you to apply yourselves over the next many weeks that this course offers you...We may not be able to prom-

ise each one of you a job in a Government office, or the Government sector, but certainly we are giving you the skills to make you marketable ...,” he said.

In echoing the sentiments of Linden Deputy Mayor Wainewright Bethune who spoke before him, Minister Trotman said it was intended for the Mining School to be established in the mining town, not only to serve the people of Linden or Upper Berbice River but Regions Seven, Eight and Nine.

“So, with whatever little powers the President has put in me, I am mandating the Chairman of the Mining School and the Director of the Mining School to ensure that there’s a branch of the Mining School established in Linden before the end of 2019. That is your mandate, and that is not to replace the Technical Institute, but to come alongside it, to offer courses that will strengthen it ...The facilities are there; the resources are certainly available. I know that resources are scarce, but with education, we must find resources,” he said.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mining School and Member of Parliament (MP), Audwin Rutherford, in his address, noted that all activities of the Mining School were executed in keeping with the theme “Explore, develop, sustain”. He said the rolling-out of such programmes was part of the mission to develop, explore, and sustain the activities of the local mining sector.

eas where we have adapted the rip-rap which is the boulders structure, so all the new areas will have that.”

Almost one year ago, the

West Coast of Demerara sea defence suffedred several breaches along the structure, which caused major flooding in several villages. As such, projects were awarded and will be executed in the near future. He reiterated that most of the sea defence rehabilitation is done in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara).

For Leonora, West Coast Demerara, a contract was awarded to the sum of $175 million to address a gap of 325 meters. Works are ongoing and are 20 per cent completed.

Meanwhile at Uitvlugt, a sum of $130 million was allocated to address 250 meters of sea defence. The contractors are mobilising materials and the works are likely to commence in two weeks.

For Stewartville, $107 million was awarded for 200

meters of work. No works have commenced to date as materials are now being acquired.

For De Willem, 250 meters of work was completed in September of 2018.

There will be a continuation of works for another 200 meters at a cost of $107 million.

At Anna Catherina, two projects were tendered at $104 million and $106 million, which will be executed simultaneously.

Other areas for rehabilitation includes Blankenburg, Windsor Forest, La Jalousie and Cornelia Ida. At Crane, funds from the CDB loan will be used for a sea and river resilience project. Under the $1 billion loan, several projects will be completed under the programme for 1200 meters of riprap structure.

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friday, february 1, 2019

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Around the World

Venezuela’s Guaidó says family threatened

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enezuela’s self-declared interim president Juan Guaidó has said his family has been threatened, amid the country’s continuing political crisis.

In a speech at Venezuela’s Central University, he said police had visited his family home looking for his wife.

Guaidó declared himself president this month and was immediately recognised by the US and several Latin American countries.

Russia and China back President Nicolás Maduro.

Military support is seen as crucial to Maduro’s hold on power. But Mr Guaidó says he has held secret meetings with the military to win support for ousting

Mr Maduro.

Protests have been held across the country since Maduro began his second term on 10 January. He was elected last year during a controversial vote in which many opposition candidates were barred from running, or jailed.

About three million people have fled Venezuela amid acute economic problems.

“Right now, special forces were at my home asking for Fabiana,” said the opposition leader during a speech at the university.

“The dictatorship thinks they will frighten us. I received this information before I came here. But I didn’t start with that. I

Juan Guaidó

started with a plan for all Venezuelans.”

Addressing security forces directly, he said: “I will hold you responsible for any

BHP predicts return in T&T deepwater blocks

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HP Billiton has been operating in TT for 22 years, and, its president Vincent Pereira hopes, will be here for at least 22 more.

“Trinidad is a great place to do business. We’ve been quite successful here so that’s always good. And I think the environment itself is good because clearly it has a century-long established industry,” Pereira said.

Pereira spoke to Business Day at his Invaders Bay office, Mucurapo, overlooking the Gulf of Paria. He’s a soft-spoken man and one of the most prominent voices in energy in TT, having served a two-year stint as president of the TT Energy Chamber.

Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, BHP Billiton’s success in TT is legendary. In 1999,

just three years after getting its first licence to drill, the world’s biggest mining company struck oil in the Angostura field, off the east coast – the first major oil find in TT for 30 years, with estimates close to 160 million barrels of oil and up to 1.75 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

“The harder we work the luckier we get. It’s one of those things,” Pereira, a Trinidadian, said, laughing.

“We’re an oil and gas company all over the world, certainly in the deepwater. We came here with a bias towards oil but the first thing we want to do in the deepwater, wherever we’re looking, is find hydrocarbons.

When we find hydrocarbons, it could be oil or gas and then we’ll figure out what to do and to be quite honest in block 2 in Angostura what

we found first was gas. We kept looking and then found oil so we started off then as an oil company with a longer-term plan that we are going to transition to gas,” he said.

Oil is a different type of commodity than gas, he added, and easier to trade than gas, which tends to be market-oriented. The company can do both, he said, and he acknowledged that gas has become more global, especially because of advances in liquefied natural gas, but, “We like oil so we look forward to finding more oil.”

BHP also famously reinvigorated the prospects for TT’s deepwater potential, when in 2013/2014, the company won the rights for all the deepwater blocks that went up for option in TT’s first deepwater bid round.

(T&T Newsday)

8 dead as US cold snap continues

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t least eight people have died in the US Midwest as the region shivers in the grip of its worst cold snap in decades.

An Iowa student found dead outside a college building is among the victims of the deadly freeze. Hospitals have been treating patients reporting frostbite as life across a swathe of the nation grinds to a halt. The iciest blasts may still come on Thursday. Ninety million people - a third of the US have seen temperatures of -17C (0F) or below.

Some 250 million Americans overall have experienced the “polar vortex” conditions, but southern states such as Florida have escaped the brutal chill. * University of Iowa student Gerald Belz, 18, was found unresponsive behind a campus building before dawn on Wednesday and later died in hospital.

Officials said weather was a factor. His father told local news channel KCRG that Gerald was a “mama’s boy with a tough exterior”.

* A 70-year-old man in Detroit, Michigan, was found dead in front of a neighbour’s home on Wednesday * Another Michigan man in his 70s was found frozen to death in his neighbourhood. Officials said he was “inadequately dressed for the weather” and was probably disoriented * On Tuesday, 55-yearold Charley Lampley froze to death in a garage in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, having “apparently collapsed after shovelling snow”, accord-

ing to a medical examiner * An 82-year-old man in Pekin, Illinois, died from hypothermia after apparently falling outside his home on Tuesday * A 75-year-old man was fatally struck by a snow plough near Chicago on Monday. The driver has since been placed on paid leave pending an investigation, according to WGN9 News * In northern Indiana, a young couple died after a collision on icy roads (BBC)

intimidation of my baby, who is just 20 months old.”

The self-proclaimed president had been speaking as part of an event out-

lining his broad vision for the future direction of the country.

Guaidó called for the “re-establishment of public services”, measures to tackle the worsening humanitarian crisis, and support for the “most vulnerable sectors” of the economy.

His “Plan Venezuela” also focused on restoring oil production.

“We want a child who is born in any Venezuelan state to aspire to as much as, or more, than any child who lives in Madrid, Barcelona or Bogota or in any other part of the world,” he said.

He called on Venezuelans to gather together on Saturday as part of fresh protests to demand “human-

itarian assistance”, before asking for foreign diplomats to accompany him home to help protect his family.

Later on Thursday he told the Reuters news agency that a change in the country’s government would be advantageous to Russia and China, who support Maduro.

“What most suits Russia and China is the country’s stability and a change of government,” he said, adding that Venezuela would be “responsible” to its creditors and bondholders.

Guaidó earlier said he had held “clandestine meetings with members of the armed forces and the security forces”. He did not say who he had been speaking to. (BBC)

guyanatimesgy.com

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s the date draws closer for the semi-finals of the Chutney Monarch competition, the 12 artistes are making sure they are ready to compete with the intention of securing a spot in the finals.

The semi-final is set for the Bath Settlement Community Centre ground on Sunday, February 10, and the final is billed for Sunday, February 17 at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground.

Reigning Chutney Monarch, Bunty Singh will be defending his title on the night of the finals and from all indications, he is optimistic of retaining the title.

He is set to perform

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t’s February 1, 2019, and Jovinski “The digital Assign” Thorne is set to defend his Junior Calypso Monarch title and lay claim to the Junior Soca Monarch.

In February 2018, he sang his way into the Judges hearts with the song “calypso” and won the coveted crown of Junior Soca Monarch.

Many felt that he should have also won The Junior Soca Monarch also but he placed second in that competition.

One year later, this young trailblazer has his eyes on both crowns.

The talented singer says this weekend, Barticians are in for a treat of a lifetime as the juniors take the stage in the Green Town, also known as “the gateway

“Mashaaraani and She Polaures”.

But before he can keep the title, he will have to compete with some young and upcoming and promising artistes.

And then there are the ones who have been in the spotlight in the past years.

Pooran Seeraj, a former Chutney Monarch, who had taken a break due to commitments overseas, is back and he will be performing “GT Ladki”. Then there is Steven Ramphall who came in the top three last year and who is also well versed in the business. This year, he will be performing “Rang ke bare”.

Some of the other artistes that have been creating quite a stir are Arijit Singh who will perform “Ring on the lukanee”; Parsasram Singh, also known as “Vicadi Singh” with “Mr Rajput”; Sasnaayan Hitnarayan, also called “Prince HTN” with “Love and Unity”.

The others who are competing for the title are Chandarpaul Nathoo who will be singing his tune “Mash 49”; Goonwattie Harrynarine, also called “Amrita” with “Dulaha Dulahin”; Hamesh Rhyna, called “Entertainer V Star” with “My dreams”; Deonarine

to the interior”.

Incidentally, Jovinski’s soca entry is entitled “The Stage” and part of the lyrics read “… I’m the magician, I am in command. You can’t escape, you are not Houdini, cause I control you with my wand. I control The Stage.”

Jovinski has been rehearsing and has undoubtedly improved his vocals and his onstage presence. He will be competing with several other young people in the Junior Calypso competition which is set for the Bartica Community Centre Ground commencing at 20:00h.

Barticians are urged to come out and support the junior calypsonians this weekend.

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friDAY, february 1, 2019

Balkissoon, also called “Nishal B” with “I Proud to be a Guyanese”; Satish Udairam with “Mash up Guyana”; and another Berbician, Christopher Ramphal with “Sundar Larki”.

Over the past few days and leading up to the semi-final, the artistes will be rehearsing at the Seawall Bandstand.

They will all be accompanied by the Shakti String Orchestra.

t’s the first day of the month and only 22 days to Mashramani 2019!

As such, Pulse Entertainment is not wasting any time as the entertainment group is already in the loop with its Pulse party truck experience.

As usual, the contingent to join on Mash Day is the Pulse bank based on the fact that they know how to party and how to get the partyholics onboard. This year will be no different – skimpy costumes, drinks, music and live performance will be

the order of the day.

The party trucks will leave Palm Court where they will join the parade at the roundabout and then move into D’Urban Park for the grand display before they head back to Palm Court for the after party.

For those wanting to join the frolic and fun experience, there are two options – general and VIP. General tickets cost $5000 and entitle you to lunch, a local bar and the “on the road experience”; while the VIP experience costs $10,000

and gives patrons lunch, access to the local bar, the party truck and free passes to the Pulse Entertainment After Party at Palm Court.

To ensure you have the time of your life on Mash Day; Deejays Ryan, Anisah and Countri Boi will be on the consoles whipping up the best soca music to revel down the road.

Tickets are available at Pulse Online Shopping, Fashion Line Boutique, Palm Court and Gizmoz and Gadgets.

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, February 1, 2019

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he 2019 edition of Naya Zamana 22 – “Tere Bin” will be staged at the National Cultural Centre on Sunday, February 10.

This theatrical spectacular received fantastic reviews when it was first staged in August 2018 and there was a demand by those who missed it and those who wanted to see it again to have a hold over. The February 10 show is in response to that call.0 “Tere Bin”, meaning without you, is written, choreographed and directed by Dr Vindhya Vasini Persaud and features in the lead roles Aliyah Hassan, Anusha Doodnauth, Travez and Amber Piaralall, Deepta Banik, Angelina Leitch, Renuka Muniram and Saanvi Dukhbanjan.

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It traces the struggles and adventures of two sisters who want to succeed in the entertainment world and is replete with fabulous choreography and spectacular costumes and sets. Special lighting for the show is provided by Travellers Sound

he A1 Night Club, Soesdyke Back Road, East Bank Demerara, will come alive on Saturday evening as “Showtime” hosts his second annual birth night party.

Last year, there was not enough space to party but this year, provisions are being made for everyone to have a grand time.

The celebration is one that allows you to “dress to impress” and at the same time, scream “Tell me if yuh like it”. It will be a night of pure fun and entertainment, with emphasis on security.

Those who intend to come out and celebrate

and Lighting.

The production features a cast of more than 50 dancers who have been trained at the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s Dharmic Kendra in Prashad Nagar, Greater Georgetown.

Patrons are promised a memorable experience.

with the jovial “Showtime” are bound to have a blast. The deejays and selectors are all ready to spin the best tracks that will have everyone gyrating to the sounds.

Setting the place on fire will be the Fusion Sound Team, including Gully Ras and Selector Diamond. In addition, there will be some juggling by Silver Star Sound System, Black Stone, Voice Family and Selector Red Ants.

There will be scrumptious barbecue on sale all night long, with exciting activities to make sure patrons have a blast.

Tickets for “Tere Bin” cost $3500, $3000 and $2500 and are available at the National Cultural Centre, Dharmic Kendra, Red Mango, M&M Snackette, Bhagwans, E-etworks, Unique Innovations in Giftland Mall and the Murti Shop. The production

is supported by Impressions, NTN, E-Networks and Tropical View International Hotel.

Naya Zamana was first staged at the National Cultural Centre by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha in August 1994, with opening words by Dr Cheddi Jagan and Pandit

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Reepu Daman Persaud.

Over the past 25 years, the production has been the launch pad of hundreds of Guyanese artistes and is recognised as one of the best theatrical productions in Guyana.

In recent times, Naya Zamana has been presented in theatrical format with unique storylines linking dance and musical elements. The grand costumes, sets and attention to detail are hallmarks of the production.

“Tere Bin” has been described as one of the favourite Naya Zamanas of all time. Check out this production at the National Cultural Centre on Sunday, February 10.

Showtime is 18:00h and dress code will be in effect.

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NSA McAL under its Stag brand is set to host “Stage 7 – The Ultimate J’Ouvert Experience” on February 22 at the National Park Tarmac; the night before Guyana’s 49th Republic anniversary.

For the past three years, the National Park has been packed to capacity for this fun-filled event. It’s all paint, water and powder and can get “dutty” in a fun way. But what is a J’Ouvert party without entertainment.

This year, Barbados soca sensation Lil Rick will be the headlining act, accompanied by some of Guyana’s best artistes. These include reigning Carib Soca Monarch, Brandon Harding;

” former Soca Monarch, Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson; Michelle “Big Red” King; and the versatile Heatwave Band, comprising Carvin Burnette.

However, before the live performances, Deejays Father Moey and Rayvon, Shizzle, Energy, Anisah and Ryan will set the tone for a fantastic evening. Tickets for the event will not be on sale but rather persons can participate in the Stag promotion and win tickets.

“Stage 7 – The Ultimate J’Ouvert Experience” will be hosted by radio personality Curtis “Casual” Armstrong.

Sound, stage and lighting will be provided by Crown Vibes.

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fridAY, february 1, 2019

2018-2019 CWI Regional 4- Day Tournament…

Jaguars, Red Force battle as 20 wickets fall on day 1

By Brandon Corlette

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he eventful day belonged to the bowlers as 20 wickets collapsed on the opening day of the sixth-round clash between Guyana Jaguars and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force. Red Force were bowled out for 108 while Jaguars were bundled out for 150 on an eventful opening day. Keemo Paul was the star of the day with three wickets and a 36-ball 66.

Under clear skies and beautiful playing conditions at the Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana Jaguars Captain Leon Johnson won the toss and opted to field first.

The leading fast bowler in the tournament, Romario Shepherd and Keemo Paul shared the new ball for the Jaguars. On a pitch that looks well-prepared, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force new-look openers, Jeremy Solozano and home boy Joshua Da Silva, went out to bat.

It was an eventful start to the match, when Red Force’s only century maker this season, Solozano opened the scoring account with a boundary. The Jaguars opening bowlers moved the ball in the air, bowling with extreme control. Paul was awarded his first wicket in his opening over; he removed the Red Force and Queen’s Park opening batsman, 19-yearo l d Joshua Da Silva.

D a Silva was out caught behind b y

Imran Khan

Bramble edging a moving Paul delivery with the score on 6-1.

Shepherd continued to steam in from the other end bowling from around the wicket, he struck Solozano (08) in front trapping the lefthander leg-before. Solozano was

leaving a ball that was coming in sharply; he departed with the score on 16-2 after 6.2 overs.

With experienced Kyle Hope absent from the Red Force team, Tion Webster came in at number three and Captain Denesh Ramdin came at number four. Ramdin was bowled all ends up for a five-ball duck when he played forward to a deadly Shepherd delivery, missing the ball completely.

Red Force were in all sorts of trouble with Ramdin departing with the score on 22-3 in 8.1 overs.

The right-handed Webster stroked 19 and he looked composed, but the introduction of the first change bowler, Raymon Reifer, led to his demise. Reifer was on target when Webster looked to play a full-straight ball into the leg-side and was given out leg before. Red Force slumped to 46-4 after the drinks break. The batsmen continued to struggle when the fiery fast bowler Clinton Pestano struck Jason Mohammed in front.

After a loud appeal by Pestano, the female umpire, Jacqueline Williams raised her finger and Mohammed fell for 17, inc l u d ing four boundaries.

Half of the side was

out, with the score on 465, Red Force’s second batsman with a half-century this season, Yanic Cariah stuck around with Imran Khan. After the pair added 23 runs together, in what looked like a “mini-resurgence”, Khan was the sixth Red Force wicket to fall. The right handed Khan was out for 17 when he left a Paul delivery that swung sharply and clipped the bails off the stumps.

Red Force e n d e d the morning session on 69-6 with Cariah remain-

ing unbeaten on four and Odean Smith unbeaten on zero. The morning session belonged to the Jaguars, and Red Force were on the back foot. With two spinners in the Jaguars XI, their Captain rotated the fast bowlers.

Paul continued to attack the batsmen with two slips and a gully starting the afternoon session, as opposed to the three slips and a gully in the morning session. Paul got his third wicket when he removed Smith caught behind with the score on 797. Smith fell for 8 attempting to swing for the hills and ended up playing away from his body, with the ball taking the outside edge.

Pestano, bowling with tied hair, bowled a short delivery and Cariah was out caught behind attempting to pull a delivery, but he gloved one to Anthony Bramble. The Jaguars wicket-keeper continued his excellent tournament when he dived down the leg-side to complete a spectacular catch.

Red Force were 87-8 after 33 overs; 14 balls later, the ninth wicket bit the dust when Anderson Phillip skied one and was eventually caught by Veerasammy Permaul off the bowling of Reifer. Permaul and Paul almost caused a serious collision but Phillip departed for 9 with the score on 1009 after 35.2 overs. The final wicket fell when Pestano bowled a well-disguised slower ball to remove Ravi Rampaul for five.

Red Force ended on 108 in 38.4 overs, with all their batsmen falling to make 20 runs. Keemo Paul was the best bowler finishing with figures of 3-26 in 10 overs, including two maidens.

Pestano ended with 3-37 while Shepherd took his tally this season to 21 wickets, ending with 2-23. Reifer’s 2-20 completed the allseam bowling demolition, as Permaul and Gudakesh Motie did not get a ball.

The confident Jaguars openers in Chandrapaul Hemraj and Tagenarine Chanderpaul went out to bat under sunny conditions.

Hemraj was at his best, looking to play his shots, after hitting three fours and one six that he pulled Anderson Phillip – he was out for 22.

Hemraj’s shot-filled innings came to an end when he was trapped in front by Ravi Rampaul with the score on 31-1.

Jaguars entered tea on 36-1 with Johnson yet to score and Chanderpaul on 13. Two balls into the final session, Rampaul struck once more; he caught Chanderpaul on the crease, playing in two minds.

Entering this match as the Jaguars leading run scorer, Chanderpaul was dismissed for a 24-ball 13 that includ-

Keemo Paul

ed two boundaries.

The returning Vishaul Singh was the next batsman that departed in unusual fashion with the score on 40-3. Singh was displeased when he was run out after Phillip got his right index finger on the ball and hit the stumps finding Singh backing up too much. After the delay, Singh eventually departed for four runs, including a boundary.

Red Force sneaked back into the contest when Johnson fell for a 14-ball three, after taking 11 balls to come off the mark.

Johnson was out caught by Mohammed when a short Phillip ball rushed onto him and he stuck him up, playing a loose pull-shot.

Jaguars were 44-4 after 14 overs and things got darker for the Guyanese. Bramble faced three balls and was out for a duck when he left alone an in-swinger and was trapped in front, with the score on 44-5.

At Bramble’s dismissal, the ball seems to have been missing the stumps owing to the extra bounce, but Umpire Jacqueline Williams adjudged the wicket-keeper out. Shepherd partnered Reifer and the duo added 33 runs together when Reifer was out for 16 from 30 balls with two boundaries. He was out caught behind by Ramdin off the bowling of Jamaican speedster Odean Smith.

With the score at 76-6, the attacking Shepherd was partnered by Paul, and the all-rounders started the rebuilding process. The 38run partnership was broken when Shepherd was trapped in front from leg-spinner Imran Khan for 23 from 31 balls. At 114-7 that soon became 114-8. Pestano was

out first ball when an Imran Khan googly shattered his stumps. Khan found himself on a hat trick after Pestano’s golden duck, but the hat-trick ball was a wide

delivery that was left alone

by Permaul.

It was all happening at the Queen’s Park Oval; Permaul edged one behind and was out for one, giving Smith his second wicket of the innings. With nine wickets down, Paul shifted gears, after being dropped in second slip by Da Silva and having survived a caught-behind chance, he rode his luck. Paul hit the bowlers for boundaries at will, bringing up his half-century with three consecutive sixes off Khan.

The Jaguars innings came to an end when Khan removed Motie for a duck; Jaguars acquired a lead of 42 runs. Paul was left unbeaten with the best innings of the match – 66 from 36 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes. Khan finished with 3-22 while Rampaul, Phillip and Smith had two wickets each.

The Red Force opening batsmen made their way out to bat in the testing afternoon period as the Jaguars bowled eight overs.

Red Force ended on 13-0 with Solozano on eight and Da Silva on four. The second day’s play will commence from 10:00h local time at the Queen’s Park Oval.

3

SCOREBOARD

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 1st Innings 108 all out J Solozano lbw Shepherd 8 J Da Silva c Bramble b Paul 0 T Webster lbw Reifer 19 D Ramdin b Shepherd 0 J Mohammed lbw Pestano 17 Y Cariah c Bramble b Pestano 12 I Khan b Paul 17 O Smith c Bramble b Paul 8 B Charles not out 7 A Phillip c Permaul b Reifer 9 R Rampaul c Shepherd b Pestano 5 Extras 6 Total (all out 38.4 overs) 106 Fall Of Wickets 1 - 6(Joshua Da Silva, 1.6 Ov) , 2 - 16(Jeremy Solozano, 6.2 Ov) , 3 - 22(Denesh Ramdin, 8.1 Ov) , 4 - 46(Tion Webster, 13.4 Ov) , 5 - 46(Jason Mohammed, 14.2 Ov) , 6 69(Imran Khan, 23.3 Ov) , 7 - 79(Odean Smith, 27.3 Ov) , 8 - 87(Yannic Cariah, 32.6 Ov) , 9 - 100(Anderson Phillip, 35.2 Ov) , 10 108(Ravindaranth Rampaul, 38.4 Ov) Bowling R Shepherd 11-6-23-2 K Paul 10-2-26-3 R Reifer 9-3-20-2 C Pestano 8.4-1-37-3 Guyana Jaguars 1st Innings 150 all out T Chanderpaul lbw Rampaul 13 C Hemraj lbw Rampaul 22 L Johnson c Mohammed b Phillip 3

V Singh run out 4 R Reifer c Ramdin b O Smith 16 A Bramble lbw Phillip 0 R Shepherd lbw Khan 23 K Paul not out 66 C Pestano b Khan 0 V Permaul c Ramdin b Smith 1 G Motie c Charles b Khan 0 Extras 2 Total (all out 31.4 overs) 150 Fall Of Wickets 1 - 31(Chandrapaul Hemraj, 8.5 Ov) , 2 - 36(Tagenarine Chanderpaul, 10.2 Ov) , 3 40(Vishaul Singh, 11.4 Ov) , 4 - 44(Leon Johnson, 13.3 Ov) , 5 - 44(Anthony Bramble, 13.6 Ov) , 6 - 76(Raymon Reifer, 20.5 Ov) , 7 - 114(Romario Shepherd, 27.2 Ov) , 8 114(Clinton Pestano, 27.3 Ov) , 9 - 117(Veerasammy Permaul, 28.3 Ov) , 10 150(Gudakesh Motie, 31.4 Ov) Bowling R Rampaul 11-1-34-2 A Phillip 11-2-44-2 O Smith 7-1-48-2 I Khan 2.4-0-22-3 Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 2nd Innings J Solozano not out 8 J Da Silva not out 4 Extras 1 Total (8 overs) 13-0 Bowling R Shepherd 2-0-7-0 K Paul 2-1-5-0 V Permaul 2-2-0-0 G Motie 2-1-1-0

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21

sports Trophy Stall Port Mourant/UCCA Under-19 50 Overs

Final set for this Saturday at No 72 Cut & Load Ground between No 73 & Scottsburg N

o 73 Young Warriors and Scottsburg United have reached the final of the Trophy Stall, Port Mourant, Berbicesponsored Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) Under-19 50-over round robin tournament.

The final is set for this Saturday at the No 72 Cut and Load Ground. Action starts at 09:30h; admission is free, and there will be a PA system/music to entertain and lots to eat and drink will be on sale.

Trophy and cash incentives will be presented to the winner and runner-up.

While trophies will be presented to the batsman with the most runs and the bowler with the most wickets in the competition, a trophy will also be presented to the

MVP of the tournament and Man of the Match in the final. Both teams in the final will also receive medals.

The leading runs scorer so far is Mahendra Chaitnarine of No 72 Cut and Load with 145 runs (including two half-centuries), followed by Vettorie Latchman with 139 runs and Sarwan Chaitnarine with 126 runs (including two half-centuries), both of No 73 Young Warriors.

The leading wicket-taker is Seiraj Chatterpaul of No 72 Cut and Load with 20 wickets, followed by Sarwan Chaitnarine 17 (including 2 five wicket haul), Mahendra Chaitnarine 14 followed

by Rudy Jamalodeen of Scottsburg United with 13 wickets. The tournament was dominated by the bowl-

Flashback: The launching of the competition at the Trophy Stall’s Port Mourant location, Berbice during November 2018.

Managing Director Ramesh Sunich hands over the winner’s trophy to former UCCA and Berbice Cricket Board Treasurer Vicky Bharosay

ers; however, 15 half-centuries were scored while in the bowling department, seven five-wicket hauls were taken. Sarwan Chaitnarine is the only player to take two five wicket-hauls and score two half-centuries. Also, the best bowling figures were from Rudy Jamalodeen of Scottsburg United, taking 7 for 36 while the highest individual score came from M Headley – 77 of Radha Krishna Foundation Academy.

This tournament is organised by the UCCA and is sponsored by Ramesh Sunich, Managing Director of Trophy Stall, Bourda Market, Georgetown, whose new location at Market Road, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice will be opening soon.

Bennett hosts free karate class I t all goes down this Saturday as Sensei Miranda Bennett will be commencing her classes at the Berea International Hall opposite Impeccable Hall on Brickdam.

Bennett is a 2nd Dan black belt, and the classes will be held from 10:00h to 11:00h. As Bennett celebrates her birthday this Saturday, she decided to give back to society by hosting the classes free of cost.

The classes will cater for children between the ages of 6 and 17.

Bennett started martial arts in 2002 while she was seven under the instruction of Sensei Robert Alleyne; following her success, she further went on to the Banks DIH dojo and learnt Wado with Master Winston Dunbar. In

July 2012, Bennett joined Little Diamond International Martial Arts Academy, which is known today as Guyana International Kyokushinkai Martial Arts Academy under the guidance of Dr Nazim Yassim, where she worked her way up the ladder, earning a 2nd Dan black belt.

In 2017, Guyana International Kyokushinkai Martial Arts Academy) collaborated with LiveProactive and was placed in charge of teaching tai chi, self-defence and kids karate class.

Having the option to choose, Bennett decided to teach kids karate classes as she could use her platform as a positive way to teach self-defence. In 2018, LiveProactive and GTT collaborated

for Pinktober and Bennett became involved once again.

Some of her accomplishments are receiving awards such as community spirit and Ambassador Hall of Fame Awards, being the first of two females to receive a black belt in Guyana for Kyokushin, and also representing Guyana in Suriname.

In 2019, she will focus on achieving 3rd Dan and passing Chief Instructor level exams, which are set for November, as she aims to qualify herself more and become a standout for Guyana in karate.

This class is sponsored by Red Cherry and Fruitylicious.

MYO Inter-Jamaat Softball Cricket Competition to commence February 10 ...registration will close on February 6 …6 teams confirmed thus far

T

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

he highly-anticipated Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) of Guyana Inter-Jamaat Softball Cricket Competition will once again hit open the 2019 season with tons of action as it is scheduled to start on February 10, 2019 at the MYO Ground, Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

However, registration has been further extended to February 6, 2019.

Thus far, six teams have successfully registered – New Amsterdam Masjid, Uitvlugt Masjid, Cornelia Ida Masjid, MYO Masjid, lbi Masjid and Farm Masjid.

Speaking with Guyana

Times Sport, Sports Committee Chairman and Senior Vice President Imran Ally stated that the intention of the competition was to bring out the youths to do something meaningful, as from this tournament they would be able to have clean recreational fun. Fostering brotherhood through sports is the tournament’s main objective. Ally went on to state that the tournament was usually held at least two times per year and would usually have intense action from the first ball bowled.

He also told this publication that for the many tournaments that have been held, there have been vari-

The MYO Ground will be the main venue for all matches

ous winners, but noted that participating teams should be prepared as MYO and Farm were two of the top teams that have been dominating the competition.

In closing, Ally invited all teams to come out and register and be part of some clean exciting fun. The regis-

tration fee is $3000 per team and lots of trophies and cash incentives will be at stake.

All Jamaats interested in participating in this competition are kindly asked to make contact with Br Imran Ally on 231-9822 (h), 6897425 (c); Br Ralph Khan on 625-4330; Br Abdool Kumar

on 670-8207, or Br Azad Ibrahim on 624-3362. Also, sports fanatics interested in attending can check out the Facebook page, “Muslim Youth Organisation of Guyana”.

This event is sponsored by the MYO.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

fridAY, february 1, 2019

“We don’t want you to be another statistic” O

– Ministry PRO urges players in Milo/MoPH collaboration

nce again, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has teamed up with the Milo Under-18 football tournament to shed light on gender-based violence. In this partnership, the MoPH hopes to instil values in the young players, preventing the continuation of gender-based violence, especially against women.

The MoPH exercised its position of information sharing through Public Relations Officer (PRO) Terrence Esseboom, who was present at the team-briefing exercise for the 2018 tournament.

Speaking at the event on Thursday afternoon at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue, the Co-Director of the organising body Petra, Troy

Petra’s Troy Mendonca, Mark Alleyne, Jackie Boodie and MoPH’s PRO Terrence Esseboom surrounded by players in the upcoming tournament

Mendonca explored the importance of the initiative, explaining that it was important to instil these values in the minds of young men from a tender age.

“I just want to implore upon you, this effort that the Ministry of Health has made is not just a situation where we come on weekend and we try to preach

on the issues as it relates to gender violence. But somewhere along the line, we have to get our young men to take heed to what’s going on. It’s a sore on our soci-

ety,” Mendonca stated.

Presenting the MoPH’s position, PRO Esseboom highlighted its strong stance against the committing of such heinous acts.

In trying to make a point to the young men present at the event, Esseboom used the analogy of fouls and repercussions in the game of football, relating it to real life.

“Football has rules and you play according to the rules. If you breach the rules, you can be put off the field and allow your team to continue at a disadvantage.

Life also has rules and as young men, you are expected to live by those rules.

And if you breach those rules, there’s no referee there to put you off. There are the Police and the legal system which are much

harsher than the referee on the field,” he explained.

As such, the Ministry’s PRO urged the students to be aware of their tempers, while giving them sound advice about taking positive game related skill sets into their everyday life.

“These are the types of skills that we expect you to graduate from football with and take it into the broader arena,” Esseboom said.

“We don’t want you to be another statistic in this thing. So understand that there is a great future for you,” he charged, after citing shockingly high abuse statistics.

The tournament will commence on Saturday, February 9, with the 24 teams being divided into six groups of four for the round-robin stage.

Windies Women’s tour of Pakistan…

Windies Women notch winning return to cricket in Pakistan F

ifteen years after their last visit to Pakistan, the Windies Women returned with a convincing 71-run victory over Pakistan Women in the first T20 International in Karachi.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Windies women recovered from 59 for 2 to post a demanding total of 160 for the same two, thanks to a destructive 109-run partnership between Deandra Dottin and Chedean Nation, who scored 90*(60) and 50*(35) respectively.

The visiting team got off to a flyer before they lost opener Kycia Knight midway through the fourth over with the score on 34. In the next five overs, Pakistan slowed the scoring rate, only giving up 17 runs and taking the wicket of Shemaine Campbelle via the run-out route. However, Nation then joined Dottin and

the two put on an unbeaten partnership of 109 runs off a little more than 11 overs. The two were especially ruthless in the last five overs, scoring a quick-fire 62 runs with Nation smashing two huge sixes much to the delight of her teammates.

Dottin indicated she didn’t open the innings with the intentions of going hard from early on. However, the pitch set the deliveries right in the “sweet zone” and she punished the Pakistan bowlers, smashing the ball around the Southend club. Pakistan Captain Bismah Maroof rotated her bowlers to try and curb the Windies free-scoring, but they all felt the wrath from the Windies Women’s bats.

The biggest surprise unleashed by the Windies Women came via Nation. The veteran batter took a few deliveries to settle in, but then unfurled 4 fours and two

mammoth sixes on her way to a maiden T20I half-century.

When Dottin’s scoring slowed, Nation took the charge in taking the Windies score well past the par-score on the ground. She matched Dottin’s pace between the wickets, as the pair picked up the singles and doubles when boundaries were hard to come by.

Maroof brought herself on with the hope of breaking the partnership, but she was punished with 10 runs from her only over. Nashra Sandhu was the only Pakistan bowler to take a wicket when she had Knight caught for eight.

Campbelle was run out for 4. The Windies Women finished their innings on 160-2, with Dottin on 90 not out and Nation on 50 not out. Sandhu finished with figures of 1-23.

Pakistan’s innings never got the foundation or stability they needed to go after the 161-run target. Only Captain

Goodwill Rugby competition set for tomorrow

T

he National Sports Commission (NSC), and by extension the Director of Sports, Christopher Jones, on Thursday handed over a number of trophies and plaques to Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) Events Coordinator Troy Yhip .

This is in support of the Goodwill Rugby Competition which will see Guyana and French Guiana competing for the top spot.

Categories include Under-17, Under-19, Male, Female and Seniors Championship slated for Saturday, February 2, 2019. The event will be held at Police Sports Club Ground at Eve Leary with action starting at 14:00h.

The NSC wishes the competitors the best of luck, and urges the public to come out and support our athletes as they represent Guyana to the best of their ability.

Guyana Rugby Football Union Events Coordinator Troy Yhip receives the trophies from Director of Sports, Christopher Jones

Maroof and Khan reached

Javeria dou-

warded for her accuracy and consistency. She removed the Pakistan Captain, caught and bowled for a valiant 38, then took the last

Pakistan wicket of Aiman Anwer lbw for four. Pakistan were 89 all out in 18 overs.

Dottin was adjudged Player of the Match. (CWI)

Deandra Dottin was named Player of the Match for her blistering 90

ble figures. Shamilia Connell opened with a spell of beautiful seam-bowling, which had both openers, Sidra Ameen and Javeria Khan caught behind by Captain Merissa Aguilleira for 2 and 19 respectively. Knight took a brilliant catch, covering a few yards to her left to dismiss Umaima Sohail, handing Connell her third wicket. Then Shakera Selman stunned Nida Dar with a lightning fast return to run her out for two.

Anisa Mohammed playing in her 100th T20 International, showed just why she’s the leading wicket-taker (male or female) in T20 International cricket. She used the grip of the surface along with leg-spinner Afy Fletcher to peg back the Pakistan batters.

Mohammed’s four overs and Fletcher’s four overs went for a total of 32 runs and bagged three wickets. Dottin added a wicket to her 90 not out with that of Sidra Nawaz for 0.

Shakera Selman, who bowled her first two overs for five runs, returned to bowl the 18th over and was re-

SCOREBOARD Windies Women’s Innings Kycia A Knight c Aiman Anwer b Nashra Sandhu 8 DJS Dottin not out 90 SA Campbelle run out (Nida Dar) 4 CN Nation not out 50 Extras (lb 1, w 7) 8 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 8.0) 160/2 Fall of wickets: 1-34 (Kycia A Knight, 3.3 ov), 2-51 (SA Campbelle, 8.2 ov) BOWLING Aiman Anwer: 4, 0, 31, 0 Nida Dar: 4, 0, 28, 0 Sana Mir: 4,0, 32, 0 Nashra Sandhu: 4, 0, 23, 1 Aliya Riaz: 3, 0, 35, 0 Bismah Maroof: 1, 0, 10, 0 Pakistan Women’s Innings Sidra Ameen c † Aguilleira b Connell 2 Javeria Khan c †Aguilleira b Connell 19 Bismah Maroof (c) c & b Selman 38 Umaima Sohail c Kycia A Knight b Connell 3

Iram Javed c Connell b Mohammed 7 Aliya Riaz c Selman b Fletcher 6 Nida Dar run out (Selman) 2 Sana Mir c Connell b Mohammed Sidra Nawaz † b Dottin 0 Aiman Anwer lbw b Selman 4 Nashra Sandhu not out 0 Extras 6 (w 6) TOTAL 89 all out (18 Overs, RR: 4.94) Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Sidra Ameen, 3.5 ov), 2-32 (Javeria Khan, 5.5 ov), 3-46 (Umaima Sohail, 7.4 ov), 4-57 (Iram Javed, 9.3 ov), 5-71 (Aliya Riaz, 12.3 ov), 6-74 (Nida Dar, 13.4 ov), 7-84 (Sana Mir, 15.6 ov), 8-85 (Sidra Nawaz, 16.4 ov), 9-89 (Bismah Maroof, 17.4 ov), 10-89 (Aiman Anwer, 17.6 ov) BOWLING SC Selman: 3, 0, 8, 2 SS Connell: 4, 0, 29, 3 DJS Dottin: 3, 0, 18, 1 ASS Fletcher: 4, 0, 17, 1 A Mohammed: 4,0, 17, 2

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, february 1, 2019

23

Windies openers firm after England fold for 187 W

while Foakes looked solid throughout as the duo bailed England out to go

indies claimed Day One honours in the Antigua Test by bowling out England for 187 in their first innings before playing out the 21 overs without any damage.

The openers’ dogged batting meant the hosts ended the opening day of the second Test 157 runs behind with all 10 wickets intact.

Having wrapped up the visitors' first in-

Windies celebrate the wicket of Ben Stokes

Kemar Roach

nings for a paltry score, Windies had 21 overs to survive in an extended post-Tea session on a rather lively green-top.

Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell did exactly that, the latter particularly overcoming a nervy start to finish the day with 16 against his name off the 71 deliveries he faced.

With immense aid off the pitch, England's newball pair of Stuart Broad and James Anderson seemed menacing – the former in particular, bowling seven overs on the trot in his opening spell and thoroughly testing Campbell – but eventually returned wicket-less, as did England at the end of

the day. The visitors were in with a chance late into the session, though, when an lbw appeal against Brathwaite was turned down. However, England lost their review when replays found Sam Curran to have overstepped.

While the Windies openers successfully saw off the new ball, England went back knowing they hadn't done much wrong since their batting capitulation earlier in the day.

England's resistance with the bat lasted just 61 overs and runs came courtesy of Jonny Bairstow’s and an under-fire Moeen Ali's half-centuries. Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel were the wreckers-in-chief, sharing seven spoils between them. The top order crumbled around Bairstow, who hit a brisk 52, while Moeen combined with Ben Foakes for a vital 85-run stand that helped England avoid total catastrophe.

Unchanged Windies had no hesitation in putting England in, who made two changes to their playing XI by handing a debut to Joe Denly and replacing Adil Rashid with Stuart Broad.

The new England opener got off to an ominous start in Test cricket, surviving a very

3

SCOREBOARD

England 1st Innings 187 all out RJ Burns c Holder b Roach 4 JL Denly c †Dowrich b Joseph 6 JM Bairstow lbw b Roach 52 JE Root (c) c Hope b Joseph 7 JC Buttler c Campbell b Holder 1 BA Stokes c †Dowrich b Gabriel 14 MM Ali c Gabriel b Roach 60 BT Foakes † b Gabriel 35 SM Curran c sub (SSJ Brooks) b Roach 6 SCJ Broad not out 0 JM Anderson b Gabriel 1 Extras (w 1) 1 TOTAL 187 all out (61 Overs, RR: 3.06) Fall of wickets: 1-4 (RJ Burns, 4.4 ov), 2-16 (JL Denly, 9.1 ov), 3-34 (JE Root, 15.1 ov), 4-55 (JC Buttler, 18.6 ov), 5-78 (JM Bairstow, 24.2 ov),

6-93 (BA Stokes, 27.6 ov), 7-178 (MM Ali, 55.3 ov), 8-186 (BT Foakes, 58.6 ov), 9-186 (SM Curran, 59.2 ov), 10-187 (JM Anderson, 60.6 ov) BOWLING KAJ Roach: 15, 5, 30, 4 ST Gabriel: 15, 5, 45, 3 AS Joseph: 10, 3, 38, 2 JO Holder 13, 5,43, 1 RL Chase: 8, 1, 31, 0 Windies 1st Innings 30-0 KC Brathwaite not out 11 JD Campbell not out 16 Extras 3 (lb 2, nb 1) TOTAL 30/0 (21 Overs, RR: 1.42) BOWLING JM Anderson: 6, 1, 10, 0 SCJ Broad: 7, 2, 10, 0 BA Stokes: 5, 2, 5 0 SM Curran: 3, 0, 3, 0

close lbw call even before he had opened his account, but fetched only six runs before chasing a short and wide delivery from Alzarri Joseph.

Joseph was coming into the attack after a testing opening spell by Roach and Gabriel that saw four maidens on a trot. Rory Burns got England off the mark after 26 dots, with a crisp boundary through square leg, but got a thick edge to Jason Holder at second slip one ball later as the procession started early.

Soon after, a confident-looking Joe Root was undone by extra bounce and, in his attempt to get out of the way, gloved one off Joseph to Campbell at second slip.

A back-pedalling Campbell, however, could only manage to get his hand on to it, but Shai Hope ran in from gully and put in a dive to send the English captain on his way.

Jos Buttler, sent ahead of Ben Stokes, too became a victim of extra bounce, top edging to Campbell, who took the catch diving comfortably this time.

Bairstow was the only solace for England on a forgetful morning that brought back memories of the Test series opener. The England No 3 mixed caution with aggression and kept his team afloat at lunch with 52 off just 62 deliveries, slamming nine boundaries and a six in his knock. But Roach brought an abrupt end to Bairstow's fireworks soon after the session break. The pacer struck Bairstow low on the pads with just the second ball of the over and this time the DRS call went in favour of the hosts. Shortly after Stokes called off his verbal duel with Gabriel with a fist-bump, he nicked one behind to the 'keeper to add to England's woes.

Moeen came to England's rescue, hitting a timely half-century in a stabilising partnership with Foakes.

He had a nervy start, with edges evading the fielders twice early in his innings, but grew in confidence as the pitch eased out and the ball got softer. That coupled with the fact that Windies pacers were starting to tire out, runs started flowing at a steady pace in the hour lead-

ing to tea. Joseph, in particular, continued to offer freebies – bowling either too short or too full outside off – and both Moeen and Foakes jumped at the opportunity to pick up runs in boundaries. Moeen raised his fifty with a boundary off Holder,

t o tea a t 172 for 6.

The relief though was shortlived. England witnessed another collapse

post tea, losing their four remaining wickets for just 15 runs. Eerily similar to how it unfolded after lunch, Roach struck early after tea as well to take out the half-centurion Moeen, who fell to a nothing shot.

At the other end was Gabriel, who sent Foakes on his way after he dragged a pull shot onto his stumps.

Roach and Gabriel went on to pick up a wicket each – the former dismissing Curran in a manner quite similar to Root's dismissal, while the latter yorked Anderson out for 1 – as England collapsed from 178-6 to 187 in their first innings.(cricbuzz)

Moeen Ali

Langelier-Amsterdam rematch for Patrick Forde Memorial A

s the weeks wind down to the second edition of the Patrick Forde Memorial Boxing Championships, Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle President dropped the news that one of the most nail-biting bouts of the Caribbean Boxing Championships will be repeated in a matter of weeks.

The contest between St Lucian Arthur Langelier and Guyanese Desmond Amsterdam was one to watch at the Caribbean Boxing Championships, with punches flying in quick succession. One of the highlights of the encounter saw the St Lucian having an eight count on the Guyanese, in what was one of his toughest fights of the entire championships.

Now the two will reignite the flame of their rivalry come February 17 when the second annual Patrick Forde Memorial tournament is hosted at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

Aside from that exciting bout, the GBA President also shared other updates on the upcoming tournament. According to Ninvalle, Trinidad and Tobago’s Cecil Forde will finalise their five-member Arthur Langelier team today. Suriname also has submitted a four-member team that will be travelling to Guyana on February 15.

This year’s tournament will see four countries participating as opposed to last year’s three. This is all part of the plan that the GBA President is said to be working on, hoping to attract more teams in the future.

“Hopefully next year, we’ll have a larger amount of countries participating,” Ninvalle said.

The Patrick Forde Memorial tournament is a collaborative effort between the GBA and Alford McDonald.

Under-16 action

Closer than the Patrick Forde Memorial Under-16 boxing event of the year. The Andrew Lewis Gym in Albouystown, Georgetown will morrow with Under-16 action featuring young Linden, Berbice, Georgetown, and interior loIn 2018, a total of 12 Under-16 tournaments held and for this new year, the GBA is looking to improve on that number.

“This year, we’re hoping to better that, with, of course, the necessary sponsorship,” Ninvalle disclosed.

The Under-16 championship will be seen as preparation for the fourth annual Caribbean School Boys and Juniors Championships slated for August this year.

is the first “Sixhead” come live toboxers from cations. w e r e

Desmond Amsterdam

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