Guyana Times - Friday, February 22, 2019

UNICEF to P12 collaborate with Guyana to deal with influx of migrant children Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3842

THE BEACON OF TRUTH friday, February 22, 2019

PRICE

GECOM elections preparedness

WHAT'S INSIDE:

ABCE diplomats raise concern of impact to investment

See stories on pages 7&9

…President not obliged to take GECOM’s advice – Govt Commissioner ...PPP will not allow GECOM to subvert Guyana’s Constitution – Jagdeo Page 5

Pilot dies in Eteringbang plane crash

Region 5 RDC meeting abruptly ends after disruptions

by Govt Councillors

$80 vat included

Farmer chops reputed wife P2 to head Taxi driver pawns employer’s car

…charged for fraudulent conversion P8

P8 Linden man who threatened to “cut” baby out of wife jailed Police called again as tensions over Belle Vue farmlands P14 intensify

Page 5

Teen killed in Opposition calls on Chancellor another mining Page Page 3 to fast-track process pit accident 2 No-confidence appeal hearing

Mae’s Schools tackles social issues at Mashramani P13 walk

2 news

friday, february 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Teen killed in another mining pit accident Farmer chops reputed wife to head

A mining pit in Guyana’s interior

A

teenager was on Wednesday afternoon killed when the walls of a mining pit in which he and two others were working caved in.

Dead is 17-year-old Romeo Ruben of Imbaimadai Landing, Upper Mazaruni River, Region Seven.

Reports are that at about 14:00h, Ruben and two others, 29-year-old Virgil Andrews and 26-year-old Delby Perry, were working in the mining pit at Gold Hill Backdam, Upper Mazaruni, when its eastern wall suddenly collapsed.

According to information received, the teen was reportedly covered with slush for a short period before he was pulled from the rubble alive. He was rushed to the Imbaimadai Health Post, where he died while receiving medical attention. The Police were notified, and an investigation has been launched.

His body has been transported to the Lyken Funeral Parlour in Georgetown, where it is awaiting a post mortem examination (PME).

This newspaper was told that the teen had been employed by a 25-yearold man of Scottsburg Housing Scheme,

Berbice.

Ruben is the second person for the month whose life has been snatched away as a result of a mining pit accident.

A 54-year-old miner died on February 4 after the mining pit in which he was working collapsed.

Timothy Hunter of Jawalla Village, Upper Mazaruni River died after being covered with mud.

According to Police, the incident occurred at about 16:30h at a mining pit located at Ominaik Village, Upper Mazaruni River.

The initial investigation revealed that Hunter and several other miners were “jetting” inside the pit when a wall collapsed and covered him.

Reports are the other miners attempted to rescue him, but by the time they dug through the slush, he was unresponsive.

Back in October 2018, Lennox Douglas, 33, of Canvas City, Wismar, Linden also met his demise when a portion of rocks from a mining pit reportedly fell onto his head.

He was, however, quickly picked

up and rushed to the Issano Health Centre, where he succumbed to his injuries.

In September 2018, two miners lost their lives after they were covered by mud when a pit in which they were working caved in at the Mowasi Backdam, Konawaruk, Potaro, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Those two were Deon Sproston, called “Jersey Joe”, 36, of Lot 133 Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and a miner known only as “Shawn”.

The incident occurred at about 20:00h on September 17.

Guyana Times understands that the two men and other persons were working the walls of the pit with metal detectors searching for gold while it was raining heavily.

While working, a large portion of the pit wall suddenly broke off and fell on both men, burying them alive.

Also, in January 2018, 23-year-old Handel Payne, also called “Daggie”, of Kaneville Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD), died after the mining pit in which he was working at 35 Miles, Konawaruk Backdam collapsed.

In April 2018, a miner named Kevin Adams, 25, of Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) died at Chinese Creek Backdam, Mazaruni River, after a pit caved in and buried him alive.

One month later, in May, Ken Ranny, 20, a resident of Kamarang, Upper Mazaruni River, died at Pepper Camp Backdam, Upper Mazaruni River, after he was covered by mud after the wall of a mining pit in which he was working collapsed.

Again, one month later, in June, miner Elmo Adams died after he also was buried alive after the walls of a pit in which he was working caved in at Imbaimadai, Upper Mazaruni.

P

olice in ‘E’ Division (Linden-Kwakwani) are on the hunt for a 45-year-old farmer who hails from Loo Creek, LindenSoesdyke Highway. He allegedly has chopped his reputed wife to the head with a cutlass during a domestic dispute on Tuesday.

Guyana Times understands that the 54-year-old woman, Nora Emmanuel, who is also a farmer, was also repeatedly lashed about her body during the altercation with her reputed husband, and had become unconscious.

Reports are that at about 17:00h on Tuesday, the accused and his wife were embroiled in an argument at their Loo Creek home over the removal of a radio and cellular phone, and the accused became annoyed.

Preliminary investigations disclosed that the victim and the accused, who have been working on a farm for several months, were engaged in an argument over the alleged removal of a cell phone from their workplace. It is alleged that the couple was last Friday in-

structed by their boss not to remove anything from the farm. However, the accused allegedly left the farm with the boss’s radio and cell phone. After the boss reportedly visited the farm on Tuesday, the woman allegedly told him what the accused is alleged to have done, and this caused him to become annoyed.

During the argument over the matter, the accused dealt the woman several lashes about her body with his cutlass. Fearful for her life, the woman reportedly ran out of the home and on to the road, where she collapsed. It was at this point that the accused allegedly dealt her one chop to her head, which caused her to become unconscious.

This newspaper was told that after a while the woman regained consciousness, and walked about a mile and a half to a friend’s house, where she related what had occurred. The Police were called, and the woman was taken to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC).

Police have launched a hunt for the accused.

news

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friday, february 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, February 22 – 05:00h-06:30h and Saturday, February 23 – 08:00h-09:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, February 22 – 06:25h-07:55h and Saturday, February 23 – 07:05h-08:35h.

No-confidence appeal hearing

Opposition calls on Chancellor to fast-track process

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Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

T

he Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has made a request to have the appeal in the no-confidence matter fast-tracked for early hearing, due to the fact that the 90-day period is fast approaching for the constitutionally mandated General and Regional Elections.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo made this revelation on Thursday during a press conference at his office, explaining that there is nothing preventing the immediate hearing of the matter.

“We are calling on the Chancellor (Yonette Cummings-Edwards) to urgently, in fact immediately move to hearing of the appeal. The appeals have been filed; the records of appeal have been settled since February 15.

So, there is nothing to prevent the immediate hearing of these matters,” he explained.

The Opposition Leader referred to Chief Justice Roxanne George’s handling of the matter, which saw it being fast-tracked and a decision being made in quick time based on the case’s high-profile status.

He said the Opposition expects the same action to be taken on the matter from the Court of Appeal.

He said, “There is nothing before the Court of Appeal now that has a higher demand on the time of the court than this issue, which is about the constitutionality of our Government, and us heading into an unconstitutional situation.”

Jagdeo used the opportunity to also highlight that the international community has been calling for these hearings to be heard expeditiously. The most recent body to do so was the Caribbean Community (Caricom). He said he hopes that they will adhere to these concerns being raised.

The Chief Justice had

ruled that the no-confidence vote was validly passed, and that Cabinet should have resigned.

However, Attorney General Basil Williams in his appeal claimed that the Chief Justice made an error in her rulings and plans to challenge the matter all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Meanwhile, as it relates to another matter, Jagdeo said a request has also been made to the CCJ to have them fast-track the case regarding appointment of the GECOM Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson, for which the Opposition maintains was a unilateral decision.

The Court of Appeal’s ruling, handed down on October 19, 2018, upheld the High Court’s ruling that President David Granger was well within his rights when he unilaterally appointed Patterson as GECOM Chairman. But PPP Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha has challenged that decision.

The party feels that the President acted “unconstitutionally, illegally or unreasonably” in appointing him.

Stay

Further, in commenting on the issue regarding the application for a stay of the No-confidence Motion, Jagdeo is of the opinion that that timeline cannot be altered by the court. The

Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards

reason for his argument is that if the court goes ahead, it would seem to suggest that it is altering provisions of the Constitution.

“And the Constitution says the three months can only be extended if you have two thirds vote in the National Assembly. And at this point in time, we are not going to vote with APNU (A Partnership for National Unity) to extend that timeline that would expire in March,” he added.

Given the national importance of the challenges to the no-confidence case, stakeholders have been calling on the Judiciary to ensure the matter is fast-tracked. However, defects in the summons filed in the Appeal Court by Government to stay last month’s High Court rulings on the no-confidence resolution means Williams will have to refile one of the

summons in the matter.

This was the order handed down by Justice Rishi Persaud in preliminary proceedings on Wednesday ahead of the overall case.

The Attorney General is expected to file the corrected documents as he holds out the stay and conservatory orders are necessary to preserve Government’s continuance in office for the foreseeable future. Justice Persaud said moments prior that the summons must be filed without defect and be corrected. Williams was seeking to amend the appeal to include the names of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister of State Joseph Harmon that were not included as named respondents.

The PPP in a statement after the case was heard, condemned what it described as “characteristic incompetence of the Attorney General in matters of national importance, which coincidentally, is symptomatic of the ineptitude across the entire spectrum of the Government.”

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friDAY, february 22, 2019

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

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Alcohol abuse in Guyana

n Guyana, there are many social ills affecting citizens, and alcohol abuse is seen one of the contributing factors. In many of the headline stories that in the local press often highlight the issue of alcohol consumption in abuse, murder and domestic violence reports.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), alcohol kills a whopping three million people worldwide each year — more than AIDS, violence and road accidents combined. It was stated that men are particularly at risk.

WHO’s Global status report on alcohol and health 2018, published recently, presents a comprehensive picture of alcohol consumption and the disease burden attributable to alcohol worldwide. It also describes what countries are doing to reduce this burden. And for those that are lagging, it explains what could be done to discourage the use of alcohol and possibly reduce the huge negative impact it is having on countries.

According to the WHO, alcohol causes more than one in 20 deaths globally each year, including drunk driving, alcoholinduced violence and abuse and a multitude of diseases and disorders. Men account for more than three quarters of alcohol-related deaths.

The report explains that alcohol drinking is linked to more than 200 health conditions, including liver cirrhosis and some cancers. Alcohol abuse also makes people more susceptible to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV and pneumonia.

For young people, the numbers are even more alarming, with a full 13.5 per cent of all deaths among 20-29-yearolds considered to be alcohol-related, the study found. In comparison, HIV/AIDS was responsible for 1.8 per cent of global deaths in, road injuries accounted for 2.5 per cent and violence for 0.8 per cent. Globally, an estimated 237 million men and 46 million women suffer from alcohol use disorders, WHO said.

According to the WHO, the alcohol death rate for Guyana is 5.95 per 100,000 (globally ranked 70). This is still quite high and urgent action must be taken to further reduce this figure.

Due to poor lifestyle choices such as; alcohol abuse, tobacco use, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity, NCDs have resulted in large numbers of our young people dying.

Another significant number have also fallen ill and therefore cannot contribute to their families or the development of their communities in any way.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was quoted in the media as saying that far too many people, their families and communities suffer the consequences of the harmful use of alcohol through violence, injuries, mental health problems and diseases like cancer and stroke.

According to The Caribbean Voice, an organisation that has been engaged in research etc in this field, alcohol is a trigger for abuse, especially gender based, child and sexual abuse. It explains that some abusers rely on substance use (and abuse) as an excuse for becoming violent – alcohol allows the abuser to justify his abusive behaviour as a result of the alcohol. Alcohol affects the user’s ability to perceive, integrate and process information. Further, the organisation points to other substantial costs to society include property damage, job loss and health service costs.

WHO is urging countries to do more to counter harmful drinking and to reach a goal of cutting global consumption by 10 percent between 2010 and 2025. It is also urging countries to tax alcohol and ban advertising of such beverages to reduce consumption. However, this is not enough, there is need to push for a change in attitude and lifestyle changes in general, especially amongst the younger segment of our population.

While the Government must play a crucial role in designing the relevant programmes and policies and putting in place the necessary legislative framework and other support mechanisms aimed at addressing the harmful use of alcohol, this burden must also be shared by other stakeholders too; such as religious groups, the private sector and other NonGovernmental Organisations (NGO) etc.

It is hoped that the Government here, international development partners and other stakeholders will use the WHO report on alcohol as a wakeup call to take urgent action aimed at addressing the harmful use of alcohol in this country.

The inaugural Mashramani Folk Night was hosted at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) on Tuesday evening, as part of the Department of Social Cohesion’s Mashramani activities. In photo, dancers perform on the tarmac at the NCC where diverse folk traditions, food and games took centre stage (DPI photo)

Latest on Khashoggi…

Saudi Crown Prince “didn’t order” Khashoggi killing: Minister to NDTV

S

audi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel Aljubeir who is accompanying Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman on his three-nation tour in Asia told NDTV that the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year was a “rogue operation” by government agents who acted without authority. The killing of Jamal Khashoggi – a prominent journalist and critic of the Saudi government – in Istanbul is seen to have strained ties between Saudi Arabia and western nations, especially the US. The western media has labelled the Crown Prince’s Asia tour - which comes five months after the murder – as a move to “refurbish” his image.

“His Royal Highness does not need to refurbish

his image because his image is not tarnished. He had nothing to do with this. He did not give the order. This was a rogue operation, these were individuals who are Saudi government agents who acted outside their authority,” Aljubeir told NDTV in an exclusive interview on Wednesday, terming the high-profile murder as a “heinous crime”.

Although the Crown Prince has US President Donald Trump’s support, days before his tour, the US House of Representatives, controlled by Democrats, voted to ask the President to withdraw US forces from the Saudi-led conflict in Yemen. Several lawmakers in the Senate, prominent Republicans among them, have threatened to impose

sanctions against Saudi Arabia.

On October 2, 2018, Khashoggi had walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and did not emerge. While Saudi Arabia maintains that he was murdered inside on the orders of a rogue intelligence officer, Turkish officials claim to have evidence – including audio recordings – indicating that the journalist was killed by Saudi agents on orders that came from the highest reaches of the country’s administration. His body is yet to be recovered.

Aljubeir, who came to India as part of a delegation led by the Crown Prince, said an investigation was ordered as soon as the murder came to light. “(We have) Levelled

charges against 11 of those detained. Five are now facing the death penalty.

The trials began in early January, and we will make sure that those behind this crime are punished,” he added.

Aljubeir said that the widespread scepticism over their version of Mr Khashoggi’s murder stems from a hysteria that seems to have gripped the West.

“The principle in law is ‘innocent until proven guilty’, but in this case it’s guilty and will not be proven innocent. But, in the end, this was a crime committed by people who exceeded their authority,” said Aljubeir, adding that his country was looking at ways to ensure that incidents like these do not recur. (Excerpt from

www.ndtv.com)

Khashoggi’s fiancee asks EU to put human rights before economy

S

lain journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancee has urged the European Union (EU) to “transcend economic interests” and exert pressure on Saudi Arabia to ensure justice in the sensational killing. “Up until now, nothing has been done to those implicated in this crime,” Hatice Cengiz said in the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday.

“Hasn’t the moment come? I ask this question as a simple human being.”

Cengiz was speaking as one of the victims of human rights abuses in the Gulf

Cooperation Council (GCC) states, who were invited by the European Parliament’s subcommittee on human rights to give evidence.

“I’m here not only as the fiancee of Jamal, but also for the values he fought for, values he wanted for the people in his own country, the people of the Arab world,” Cengiz said.

Khashoggi, a US resident and columnist at the Washington Post, was a well-known critic of the Saudi regime. He went missing last year on October 2, 2018, after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul

to pick divorce papers he needed to marry Cengiz.

Following international pressure and media attention, Riyadh admitted Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate by a Saudi squad and his body dismembered.

System turned against him

Eleven suspects have been indicted for Khashoggi’s murder in Saudi Arabia, which has insisted it will handle the case and refused their extradition to Turkey.

The United Nation’s special rapporteur Agnes

Callamard, who leads an inquiry into the death, called it “a brutal and premeditated killing, planned and perpetrated by officials of the state of Saudi Arabia”.

The international investigation started in late January and an official report is due in June.

“The system turned against him,” said the 37-year-old Cengiz. She argued that if a prominent personality such as Khashoggi could be targeted the way he was, then “anybody could fall victim of this system”.

Continued on page 5

news

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fridAY, february 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Pilot dies in Eteringbang plane crash A

pilot was killed late Thursday afternoon when the aircraft he was flying burst into flames minutes away from the Eteringbang airstrip in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

Dead is Captain Randy Liverpool of Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown. He was a former Air Traffic Controller (ATC). The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) confirmed that the incident occurred at about 17:45h.

According to the Aviation Authority, Liverpool was the lone occupant of the Cessna

206 aircraft, bearing registration number 8R-GHB, at the time of the crash.

However, information reaching Guyana Times revealed that the pilot was on a shuttle flight and as he was about to land at the Eteringbang airstrip, he crashed and the plane burst into flames.

This newspaper understands that the aircraft is owned by Domestic Airways Inc (DAI) which is owned by Captain Orlando Charles.

When contacted, Charles was unable to give any further details into the accident

Dead: Captain Randy Liverpool

but related that Captain Liverpool is “a very experi-

enced pilot with over 3000 hours of flying in the hinterland regions.”

Guyana Times was told that Liverpool is married and recently became a father to his first child, who is just three months old.

The news of the accident and the pilot’s death has further shaken aviation operators who are still reeling from another plane crash earlier this week after the aircraft ran out of fuel.

Reports are at about 19:00h on Monday, a Cessna aircraft crashed about one mile from the Boerasirie

Water Conservancy at Canal Number Two, West Bank Demerara, Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara).

The aircraft, which is the Guyana Adventist Medical Aviation Services (GAMAS) medevac plane, had two occupants at the time – the pilot, Captain Lincoln Gomez, who suffered a broken jaw and a Police Officer, Michael Grimond, who has a broken leg.

They were transporting the body of dead missionary, Christopher Matthews, from Arawai to the Eugene

F Correia International Airport (Ogle airport). The Director of the Kaikan Bible School in Guyana had reportedly fallen off a mountain and died Monday morning.

GCAA Director, Colonel Egbert Field had told this newspaper that after the crash, the Police rank on board had contacted his superiors via telephone. Ranks from the Guyana Defence Force, the Civil Defence Commission and Guyana Police Force were then dispatched to the area on a rescue mission.

Region 5 RDC meeting abruptly ends after disruptions by Govt Councillors

The Region Five RDC being disrupted on Thursday

T

he Region Five Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC’s) statutory meeting was abruptly adjourned on Thursday after constant interruptions by the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Councillors.

This is the 13th consecutive month that the RDC has not been able to hold a successful statutory meeting.

At Thursday’s meeting, coalition Councillor Delon Crawford refused to take his seat when instructed by Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal to do so on several occasions.

Crawford told the Regional Chairman he has

the right to stand and speak on a point of order while the Chairman was speaking.

His colleague, Abel Seetaram, also supported him. Seetaram also accused the Chairman of not providing accurate information to the RDC. The coalition Councillors accused Ramphal of trying to stifle development in the region while Ramphal has continuously repeated those accusations against the coalition Councillors as he pointed out the lack of progress as a result of the disrupted meetings.

After about 30 minutes, Ramphal adjourned the meeting since he was being interrupted when he tried to

address the Council.

Ramphal at a subsequent press conference explained that since February last year, the RDC has not been able hold a meaningful meeting because of these disruptions.

Over the past year, many of the issues affecting the people of Region Five have not been addressed at the RDC level.

In both 2016 and 2017 the coalition refused to sit in most of the meetings.

In May 2017, they walked out after the Regional Executive Officer Ovid Morrison demanded an apology from the Chairman.

The Regional Executive Officer (REO) said his cred-

Khashoggi’s fiancee asks EU...

“These problems that exist within the Gulf are not exclusive to the region,” she added, echoing calls from other speakers for the EU to not turn a blind eye as the ramifications of Gulf problems go “beyond borders”.

Last week, the European Commission confirmed it would blacklist Saudi Arabia as a high-risk jurisdiction for money laundering and terrorism financing in what is seen as a turning point in the bloc’s relations with the kingdom.

The United States has been accused of helping in

the cover-up of Khashoggi’s murder after President Donald Trump’s administration failed to report back to Congress on the issue.

US Senators have asked the Trump administration to probe the role of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Khashoggi’s death.

Saudi Arabia was the world’s number one arms importer in 2017 and the main buyer of US arms between 2013 and 2017.

Nearly a quarter of Saudi Arabia’s weapon imports come from the EU, with four EU countries among

the top 10 exporters.

EU’s double standards?

The other high-profile speaker to give evidence before the European Parliament’s subcommittee was Matthew Hedges, a British researcher who was arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on spying allegations.

Hedges was allowed to return home last November after receiving a pardon from a life sentence.

Hedges called on the EU and its member states to “acknowledge the UAE is a hostile environment for ac-

itability was at stake after the Chairman called for an investigation into allegations that two NDC officials had used an NDIA machine to carry out personal work.

Morrison said he saw the machine being used and is of the opinion that since he stated that he saw the machine carrying out personal work, no investigation is needed and to call for an investigation is an insult to his integrity.

“In March of 2018, the Regional Executive Officer who is the Clerk of the Council had wanted to remove a Guyana Times reporter and because I strongly objected to that, saying that the Council must pronounce on the matter and then take action, the Clerk of Council refused to sit in the meeting and walked out,” Ramphal informed reporters.

Following the REO’s walk out of the March meeting, coalition Councillors and support staff also followed him.

The meeting was subsequently adjourned by the Chairman after the REO and coalition Councillors failed to return.

After some time, the REO returned to the Chambers and conducted an unauthorised meeting. Since then, coalition Councillors have been trying to get the RDC to ratify the minutes for that meeting and the Chairman maintains that he will not be part of it.

“This is a democratic

from page 4

ademics”.

Others speakers included former member of Bahrain’s parliament Ali Alaswad, and Wafaa Al Yazidi, a single Qatari mother of three, who is looking to reunite with her family after the Bahraini government asked her children to leave Qatar as a result of the political crisis in the Gulf.

Some Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) questioned the collection of testimonies and said such moves were still rooted in double standards.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal

council and so the democratic rights of the people must be respected. The laws and standing orders that govern the Council must be respected at all times and so I will not allow the Clerk of the Council and the coalition Councillors to conduct any illegal activity and with this, I am referring to the minutes,” Ramphal said.

Meanwhile, in address-

ing allegations that he does not want the region to move forward, Ramphal said it was untrue.

“Since I took up the position as Chairman of this region, my main objective has been to always address the issues affecting the people of this region. I always have the interest of the people at heart and I will continue to do so, however I will not allow any illegality.”

During the meeting, Ramphal announced that for them to move forward, they must ratify the minutes of the February 2018 meeting.

Following the Government Councillors’ refusal to have discussions at meetings in 2016 and 2017, Councillors on both the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and coalition side of the House made an attempt in August 2017, to resolve the impasse which has been affecting the RDC preventing it from having any meaningful meeting. (Andrew Carmichael)

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friday, february 22, 2019

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation Solving skin problems

I

t keeps your insides from falling out. It helps you warm up when you’re cold and can cool you off when you’re hot. It lets you feel things by touch. It protects you.

What is this wondrous stuff? Your skin, of course! And what does your skin ask for in return for all the wonderful things it does? Just a little care and consideration. So let’s learn how to take good care of the skin you’re in.

Why be nice to your skin?

Like the heart, stomach, and brain, your skin is an organ.

In fact, it’s the largest organ in your body, but it’s still easy to take skin for granted. Unless there’s a problem, you may not think about your skin very much. But skin has an important job to do.

Your skin is constantly protecting you. Your skin keeps infections out of your body and keeps you from getting sick.

When you take care of your skin, you’re helping your skin do its job. And taking care of your skin today will help prevent future problems, like wrinkles and even skin cancer.

Clean skin is happy skin One simple way to take care of your skin is to keep it clean.

Keeping your hands clean is especially important because your hands can spread germs to the skin on other parts of your body.

When washing your hands, use water that’s comfortably warm. Wet your hands, then lather up with a mild soap. You should lather and rub everywhere, including the palms, the

Screening your skin from damage

There is one product that everyone needs: sunscreen. Even if your skin is naturally dark, you still need to use a sunscreen. Protecting your skin from the sun prevents sunburn, which hurts and is a kind of skin damage. Sunscreen also can help prevent wrinkles when you get older and can decrease the risk of skin cancer, which is caused by exposure to the sun’s harmful rays.

Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or 45, and apply it evenly. Try not to miss any spots, such as your neck or the middle of your back.

Have a friend or your parent help you with the hardto-reach spots. Follow the directions on the sunscreen, which often recommend reapplying it, especially after swimming or sweating.

Because sunscreen cannot protect your skin completely from the sun, it’s also a good idea to wear a brimmed hat and use a lip balm containing sunscreen.

If you need more protection from the sun, wear long sleeves and pants. Also, avoid the sun between 10:00h and 16:00h.

wrists, between the fingers, and under the nails. Rinse well, dry thoroughly with a clean towel, and you’re done!

You’ll also want to use water that’s warm, not too hot, when you take a shower or bath. Use a gentle soap to clean your

Bug bites, bee stings, and poison ivy are all common skin problems. Try not to scratch! Scratching can tear your skin and is another way for germs to get in there and possibly cause an infection. Your mom or dad can help you by applying an ointment or cream to fight the itch.

Eczema (say: EGG-zuh-muh) is another itchy problem. You’re more likely to have this dry skin condition if you have asthma, hay fever, or other allergies. If a moisturising cream doesn’t work, you may need to see your doctor or a dermatologist (say: dur-muh-TAHL-uh-jist), a doctor who specialises in skin care.

Urticaria (say: ur-tuh-KAR-ee-ah), also known as hives, is a type of skin rash that causes red blotches or bumps that itch. Hives can be caused by an infection, or an allergic reaction to an insect bite, or something you ate, breathed in, or touched. Your mom or dad might give you medicine, such as an antihistamine, to reduce the swelling or itching related to the hives.

If someone has hives and other symptoms, such as trouble breathing, the person needs to go to the emergency department.

You may not think of it as skin, but you have skin on your scalp, where your hair grows. Sometimes, this skin can get flaky and fall off. This might be dandruff, the little white flakes you can sometimes see if you are wearing a dark-coloured shirt. Talk to your mom or dad about this and they can buy you a special shampoo, or talk to the doctor about getting a medicated shampoo to control dandruff.

body. Don’t forget under your arms and behind your ears! Your face needs attention, especially as you enter puberty and the skin on your face gets more oily. It’s a good idea to wash your face once or twice daily with warm water and a mild cleanser.

If you look in the drugstore, you’ll see shelf after shelf of skin care products, but kids don’t usually need anything more than a gentle soap. Talk to a parent or your doctor if you have questions about what to use on your skin.

If you have dry, flaky, or itchy skin, you might use a cream or ointment. When choosing a moisturiser, pick one without a lot of colours or perfumes. Petroleum jelly can work for some kids. If you are worried about pimples, look for a moisturiser that is noncomedogenic (say: non-kom-uh-doe-JEN-ik), which means it won’t cause pimples.

With pimples, you might think that scrubbing your face is the way to get rid of them. But actually, your skin will be less likely to break out if you clean it gently, using your fingertips, not a rough washcloth. If you have trouble with pimples, talk with your doctor about which cleansers are best to use.

Allergies to skin care products Sometimes when you use a new kind of soap or other skin product, your skin may get irritated or you may get an allergic reaction. If you get a rash or if your skin feels itchy, hot, dry, or like it’s burning, tell an adult. Stop using the product and don’t forget that it caused a reaction.

To test a new product, place a tiny bit of it on the inside of your wrist or arm. Watch for any redness or irritation over the next 24 hours. If your skin becomes red or irritated, don’t use the product. Sometimes, your skin is fine with a new product the first time, or few times, you use it, but then your skin gets red or irritated later on. You’ll want to stop using the product whenever redness or irritation happens.

Soothing skin that’s sore Everybody gets little scrapes and cuts on their skin. When this happens to you, be sure to wash the area with warm water and a mild soap. Talk to one of your parents about whether to use an antibiotic (say: an-tie-bye-AH-tik) cream or ointment.

This can kill germs at the site of the cut and prevent an infection. Covering a cut with a bandage helps keep it clean.

When you have a more serious cut, you may need to go to the doctor or the emergency department. A deep cut might need stitches to heal properly. Instead of stitching a cut together with special thread, in some cases, doctors can use a special kind of glue.

Hot stuff Burns are another serious problem for your skin. Prevent them by staying away from fire (such as matches, candles, and fireplaces) and steering clear of stoves, irons, and other sources of heat. If you accidentally get burnt, tell a grown-up so he or she can get you the care you need.

Super skin!

We’ve been talking a lot about the problems your skin can have, but don’t forget how super your skin is. Your skin has amazing healing ability. Remember the last time you had a cut? What happened to it? Let us guess – your skin completely healed or left only a small scar? See what we mean? Your skin is simply skintastic! (kidshealth.org)

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friday, february 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

ABCE diplomats raise concern of impact to investment …during meeting with GECOM on elections preparedness

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embers of the American, British, Canadian and European (ABCE) diplomatic community on Thursday met with officials from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) during which concerns were raised about the impact the current political situation can have on potential investment opportunities.

The diplomats met with GECOM’s Chairman, Commissioners and members of the Commission’s secretariat after Chairman of the entity, retired Justice James Patterson used his deciding vote to pass the motion to inform the President that General Elections cannot be held by the constitutional March 19, 2019 dead-

The ABCE diplomatic members – Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee; Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy, Terry Steers Gonzalez; Deputy High Commissioner of UK, Ray Davidson; and Minister Counsellor/Deputy Head of the European Delegation, Philippe Coessens meeting with GECOM Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson; and Commissioners Sase Gunraj, Bibi Shadick, Robeson Benn, Vincent Alexander, Desmond Trotman and Charles Corbin at GECOM on Thursday

line.

The foreign delegation at the meeting included Canadian High

Commissioner, Lilian Chatterjee; Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States (US) Embassy, Terry

PPP will not allow GECOM to subvert the Constitution – Jagdeo

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has said his party will not sit idly by and allow the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to subvert Guyana’s Constitution to its likening, while saying that the Commission is in breach of its statutory responsibilities for political reasons.

Addressing his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo said he believes GECOM has allegedly received clear direction from Government, and the three Commissioners representing the Government have also received these instructions too.

“Therefore their political role is to delay the election. They are in breach of their statutory duties and all of the responsibilities they have as Commissioners at GECOM. And they are acting in breach of the Constitution of Guyana, notwithstanding that they are just forging ahead for political reasons,” he added.

He recalled that earlier statements made by the GECOM secretariat had indicated that elections could be held anytime, and thereafter two timelines were proposed. The Opposition Leader also noted that the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) staged protests across the country, stating that if there is no house-to-house registration “there will be war in Guyana.”

“And we have now heard the Commission anxiously and suddenly come up with a vote that predictably… with the three Government Commissioners and the Chairman (retired Justice James Patterson) that they can’t be ready in the three months as stated in our Constitution…They have not said anything about when they will be ready or whether they have started preparation.”

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

As such, Jagdeo said the Opposition may file legal action against GECOM in relation to a breach in its responsibilities. He explained that legal opinion is now being sought on the matter, but not to a great deal. In fact, he stated that dereliction of duty could the basis of such a challenge.

International sanctions

In the meantime, however, he told media operatives that his party plans to call for international sanctions, not only against GECOM, but some Commissioners.

Jagdeo noted that he would prefer personal sanctions as opposed to the entire country, because the nation could suffer.

Furthermore, he said if there were any doubts that the coalition Government is pulling strings at GECOM, the actions taken over the past few months is enough proof to validate the argument that the Commission is being influenced by the People’s National Congress (PNC).

“We are going to mount our call for that and we are going to brief all the organisations. We have already started doing that and have our voice go to the capitals around the world to deal with this situation,” he stated, explaining that he plans to meet with more foreign

diplomats.

Asked again whether he plans to meet with President David Granger to address the issues before it becomes a constitutional crisis, Jagdeo said he does not intend to request any meeting and will not be part of any meeting for public relations purposes.

He said the Government appears in denial since the No-confidence Motion and he does not understand why he has to “always be the responsible one” when it comes to the issues related to the no-confidence vote and possible early elections.

GECOM had given July as a timeline for the hosting of elections, but at the same time, it stated that the present voters’ list would expire on April 30.

Although the Opposition has been calling for elections within the constitutional time frame, the Government claimed that it was up to GECOM’s readiness to host same.

Since the passage of the no-confidence resolution, GECOM has been dragging its feet with respect to elections preparation.

It has also been calling for house-to-house registration which could take months.

However, it is President David Granger who has to dissolve Parliament and set a date for elections.

Steers Gonzalez; Deputy High Commissioner of the United Kingdom (UK), Ray Davidson, and Minister Counsellor/Deputy Head of the European Delegation, Philippe Coessens.

During the meeting, the diplomats posed questions and sought clarification from the GECOM representatives on elections preparations.

Speaking with reporters following the more than twohour engagement, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) nominated Commissioner at GECOM, Sase Gunraj, disclosed that several concerns were also expressed by the diplomats. “…one member of the delegation we just met, made it very clear to us and brought it to our attention that the current impasse that the country finds itself in is affecting the inward flow of investments into this coun-

try. And that recognition by this person with whom we meet is a recognition that this country ought to come to. The longer this situation continues, it affects the livelihood and progress this country will make,” Gunraj asserted.

Nevertheless, the Commissioner said that they also highlight their already-public position on the entire issue regarding the holding of polls. He said that the emissaries were also told of apparent delay tactics, including the latest issue of funding at the Elections Commission.

“I said to them democracy is not a cheap thing, democracy is a costly thing; and elections and the holding of elections is an integral part of that democracy.

I described it in that meeting [that] it’s a very fragile democracy that Guyana enjoys and…that starvation of funds to the Commission for the holding of elections, I believe, provides a fetter to the Commission to effectively carry out its functions…

That was made every clear to the (diplomats),” Gunraj stated.

Adding to this, another PPP Commissioner, Bibi Shadick, who is also a lawyer by profession, posited that the law is clear in that GECOM funds are a lump sum subvention drawn directly from the Consolidated Fund and should be disbursed to the agency as a lump sum within one month of the passage of the Appropriation Bill.

“The CEO (Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield) said GECOM is

not yet in possession of the subvention that was voted for and so, in withholding that money from GECOM, the Executive no longer exists. The Government of this country is stymieing the work of GECOM. Other than that, I know as a matter of fact and law, the monies that are given to constitutional agencies are spent by those agencies in carrying out their duties and if some of those duties become priority or emergency then the money has to be used for that,” Shadick contended.

Integral

N e v e r t h e l e s s , Commissioner Gunraj further told reporters that international bodies such as the ABCE community, can be very integral in effecting changes.

“But they were very receptive to whatever we had to say including the diverting views between Commissioners. I hope it falls on very fertile ears and perhaps they can assist us in coming out of this conundrum in which we find ourselves,” the PPP Commissioner stated However, the GECOM Commissioners, both from the Government and PPP sides, indicated that there was no suggestion or advice given by the diplomats during the meeting.

“There were no suggestions, merely questions and expressions of appreciation that they now have a better understanding of things,” Government nominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander told reporters.

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friday, february 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Linden man who threatened to “cut” baby out of wife jailed

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Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) man, who threatened to “cut” the unborn baby out of his wife’s body, was on Tuesday jailed.

Julian Persaud of Lot 22 Lower Kara Kara, Mackenzie, Linden, was jailed for three months by Magistrate Wanda Fortune. The 38-year-old man was found guilty of the offences of assault and threatening behaviour when he appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

In handing down the sentence, the presiding Magistrate said it was established

beyond a reasonable doubt by the prosecution that Persaud committed the offences.

The court heard that on February 3, 2019, at Lower Kara Kara, Mackenzie, he made use of threatening behaviour towards his wife, Malini Persaud. The court also heard that on the day in question, he unlawfully assaulted the woman. The defendant was represented by Attorney Rene McDonald. In plea of mitigation, McDonald noted that the defendant, who is the sole breadwinner of the home, was remorseful, willing to seek

counselling and is a first-time offender.

Persaud apologised to the court, adding that such an incident will not happen again.

Police Prosecutor Venetta Pindar urged the court to take into consideration the prevalence of domestic violence and the need for a strong message to be sent to offenders.

However, the Magistrate noted that she took into consideration the grievous and serious nature of the threat, which involved a knife and the threat of cutting an unborn child out of its mother’s womb.

Taxi driver pawns employer’s car …charged for fraudulent conversion

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Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) man found himself before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday slapped with a fraudulent conversion charge.

Rabindranauth Doodnauth, 27, stood before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied that on January 8, 2019, at Seaforth Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he obtained the sum of $6000 from Samuel Lloyd, in order

Taxi driver Rabindranauth Doodnauth

to purchase one Ambassador taxi logo, knowing same to be false.

It was also alleged that Doodnauth on the same day at the said location being solely entrusted by Samuel Lloyd with one Toyota Fielder Wagon HC 5946 valued $2 million, in order that he may work same, fraudulently converted same to his own use and benefit.

The prosecution is contending that the Virtual Complainant hired the defendant as a taxi driver and

he was instructed to drive the motor vehicle and return proceeds weekly to Lloyd.

However, after being unable to contact the defendant for a lengthy period, Lloyd made a report to the Police which prompted Doodnauth’s arrest.

After being arrested, Police Prosecutor Stephen Teleford told the court that Doodnauth confessed to pawning the motor vehicle.

Doodnauth was released on $200,000 bail. The case will continue on March 8.

Berbice businessman’s murder trial opens

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he trial of the accused in the murder of a Hampshire, Corentyne, East Berbice

businessman who was killed during a robbery opened on Wednesday in the Berbice Assizes.

Devendra Deodat, also called ‘Dave,’ 34, of Lot 72 Hampshire Squatting Area, Corentyne, was shot to his

chest, chopped to his neck and hands, and had one of his fingers severed during the attack at his home. His father-in-law Rafeek Abdul, called ‘King,’ 57, of Lot 63 Williamsburg, Corentyne, was shot twice to his shoulder; and Deodat’s wife, Shaneeza, was chopped to the head during the robbery.

Ramnarine Jagmohan is accused of killing the businessman on October 9, 2013.

When the trial opened before Justice Brassington Reynolds in the Berbice High Court, the accused pleaded not guilty before a mixed jury.

Attorney-at-law Mondel Moore is representing the State, while Attorney-at-law Chandra Sohan is representing the defendant.

On Wednesday the State called two witnesses.

Detective Constable Beharry Jaigopaul, who witnessed the post mortem, told the court that the cause of death was given as shock and haemorrhage due to gunshot injuries and multiple gunshot wounds.

He said the Pathologist, Dr Vivekanand Bridgemohan, handed over to him seven small metal balls which were removed from Deodat’s body.

Under cross-examination

by Sohan, Jaigopaul said he could not say what happened to the metal balls. He also said he was unaware whether any ballistics tests had been carried out.

The accused and his younger brother, Neshan Jagmohan, were charged with the murder of Deodat.

However, on June 21, 2017, Neshan Jagmohan was killed in a brawl at the New Amsterdam Prison. The trial continues on Monday.

The trials of…

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…Basil Williams et’s count the ways how Basil Williams can lose cases:(i) Failing to appeal an Appellate Court’s judgment within the prescribed period - and having the state shell out $446 million in favour of Dipcon. (ii)In criticising the AG for failing to appeal in time, the CCJ said this was totally “unacceptable”!! (iii) There was that presumably “open and shut” case against the former SWAT head for smuggling liquor.

The Judge ruled that the case brought by Williams was ““unconstitutional, capricious, whimsical (and) irrational, based upon irrelevant and extraneous considerations, contrary to the rules of natural justice, unreasonable, unlawful, null, void and of no effect.”

Whew!! Williams finally boasted in Parliament - after being chastised by his predecessor for his abysmal record - that in 2018 he “only lost 68 cases!!

In some instances, he lost without even going to court – like when a businessman was paid $1.2 billion on a mere letter threatening litigation!! There was the case with GUYTRAC wherein he shelled out $224 million because he failed to follow up.

In all of these losing efforts, Williams proved to be a very sore loser. In one instance he even used threatening language to a sitting Judge - causing the man to leave the Bench, so as not to lose his temper. The Judge demanded an apology, which Williams never gave. He was later awarded silk by Granger for his “performances”!! Talk about devaluing an honour!!

In all of this pitiful fumferring, Williams never took any blame. Invariably, he’d lash out at his staff and office.

Three Solicitors General and one Dep SG have quit in the three years he’s been in office. The Dep SG’s resignation came after a very public washing of the AG’s dirty linen in the public arena. The professional female lawyer pointed out that even though Williams blamed her for submitting pleadings that left out the names of one party – Opposition Leader Bharat Jagdeo – the documents had been approved

by Williams, proving that he never even perused the legal briefs submitted under his name.

And that brings us to the matter that prompted your Eyewitness’s ire this good morning. The biggest constitutional case brought by the PNC-led coalition in their frantic efforts to save their skin after the NCM went against them in the High Courts. Williams, of course, appealed on behalf of the Government; but, once again, the names of Bharat Jagdeo and other parties were omitted, causing the decision to be delayed to be corrected.

When his bluster in court against the Judge failed to save his blushes, he rushed out and had loud words with the Solicitor General, Nigel Hawke, whom no one even knew was the SG!!

Slacker!! …SOCU’s origins Folks have forgotten that SOCU - Special Organised Crime Unit - was established by the PPP to go after the drug lords and other “organised criminals”. The Opposition PNC/APNU and AFC had made quite a stink about those dastardly types infiltrating Government and doing all sorts of terrible deeds. So imagine when they came into office and transformed SOCU into a special attack squad to go after the PPP ex-officials!! In the meantime, the organised criminals are presumably laughing all the way to the bank!!

But like old people say, “payback’s a bitch”, especially when you try to use nasty means to accomplish putatively good ends.

The first SOCU mission we heard about was when an ARMY intelligence officer was assigned to shadow a NICIL official’s home and decided to tail a car leaving the home. In what became a high-speed chase, the poor officer crashed and died. Nobody talks about him.

…SOCU’s demise??

But other chickens are coming home to roost. First was news that the British “fraud Expert” Sittlington was setting up a private shop to feather his nest. He’s now fired! Then the chief investigator was discovered to have padded her resume. Another sacking.

Now we hear the head of the unit hasn’t been seen, and scads and scads of money’s missing??

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

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friday, february 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

President not obliged to take GECOM’s advice – Govt Commissioner

President David Granger

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o v e r n m e n t ’ s Commissioner on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Vincent Alexander, has admitted that President David Granger is the one who is delaying the elections, since the power lies with him to announce a date for the polls.

Guyana Times has reported in several articles that according to the Constitution of Guyana, it is the President who has to dissolve Parliament and set a date for elections.

Speaking with media operatives following a meeting with the diplomatic community at GECOM on Thursday, Alexander said the Elections Commission only starts preparations for polls after being given a date by the Head of State.

“What people don’t seem to understand, [it] is not for GECOM to automatically go into preparing for the

elections outside of an order from the President giving a date. The President has to give a date for elections and that is what GECOM has to work with because there are statutory dates leading up to that date. You can’t determine those statutory dates outside of an order,” the Commissioner stated.

On this note, he went on to reject accusations that it is the elections body that is delaying the holding of General and Regional Elections by the constitutional March 19 deadline.

According to Alexander, what is required of GECOM is for it to state its level of preparedness, which is what the Commission has done.

“So to accuse GECOM of flying in the face of the Constitution is to not understand GECOM’s role.

GECOM doesn’t set an elections date, GECOM responds to a set elections date and the fact that the emissaries were sent was a clear understanding by those who sent them that they have to find out GECOM’s state of preparedness,” the GECOM Commissioner pointed out.

Against this backdrop, the Government appointed Commissioner was asked whether the President is obliged to adhere to the advice of the elections body or can go ahead and set a date of his choice.

He responded saying, “Legally he might not be obliged, but certainly in the

ed.

Government Commissioner at GECOM, Vincent Alexander

terms of the spirit of the Constitution and in terms of any logical framework, one would expect him to take that advice. And more than that, we have precedence of [presidents] taking that advice [from GECOM].”

After weeks of stalemate on the way forward, GECOM earlier this week voted to continue its normal activity and to inform the President that new General Elections cannot be held by the constitutional deadline – a move which has placed Guyana on the brink of a constitutional crisis.

During a Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, GECOM Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson used his deciding vote and sided with Government Commissioners to pass a motion that new elections could not be held in 90 days as constitutionally mandat-

This decision was made during a meeting of GECOM Commissioners on Tuesday at the Commission’s Kingston, Georgetown headquarters, where they put three issues in relation to elections preparation to a vote.

The first being elections cannot be held in 90 days; the second issue had to do with funding for elections, and the third was for GECOM to return to normalcy. The votes from both the Government and Opposition nominated Commissioners created a deadlock, which was broken with the Chairman’s deciding vote.

Meanwhile, the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has said in a subsequent statement that the situation at GECOM would certainly guarantee that Guyana is pushed towards a constitutional crisis.

It said too that the action by GECOM is intended to influence the court proceedings set to continue today in the Court of Appeal.

The Constitution makes clear that the Judiciary cannot extend the deadline by which General and Regional Elections are constitutionally due; such an act remains in the remit of the Legislature.

According to the Party, GECOM in its refusal to hold elections demonstrated its illogical willingness to toe the Government line

Government Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield

GECOM Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson

and in so doing, it has made the Constitution of Guyana subservient to the will of the Commission and this should not be the case.

GECOM’s mandate, as stipulated by the Constitution, clearly states in Article 162 (1) of the Constitution that: “The Elections Commission shall have such functions connected with or relating to the registration of electors or the conduct of elections as are conferred upon it by or under this Constitution or, subject thereto, any Act of Parliament.”

Although the Opposition has been calling for elections within the constitutional time frame, the Government claimed that it was up to GECOM’s readiness to host same.

Since the passage of the no-confidence resolution, GECOM has been dragging

its feet with respect to elections preparation. It has also been calling for houseto-house registration which could take months.

However, at a press conference earlier this month, GECOM had given July as a timeline for the hosting of elections, but at the same time, it stated that the present voters’ list would expire on April 30.

At the time, Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield had indicated that given the circumstances the process forward would be a claims and objection with registration for a duration of 28 days period and a seven days objections period to clear out deceased persons.

This, he noted, will ultimately ensure that there is a list within the shortest time possible with the objective of having an early deliverable elections.

10 news

friday, february 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt, RUSAL meet to discuss dismissal of 60 workers …Guyana’s laws must be upheld – Jagdeo

Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, Social Protection Minister Amna Ally, and Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle meeting with RUSAL’s representative Vladimir Permyakov and Director of Alumina and Bauxite Department at RUSAL, Sergey Kostyuk

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fter 60 striking workers who were dismissed by bauxite company – Russian Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) – which is owed by RUSAL, for downing tools in protest of an arbitrary one per cent salary increase, Government met with the company on Wednesday.

Led by Minister of State Joseph Harmon; Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman; Social Protection Minister Amna Ally; and

Junior Social Protection Minister with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott; along with RUSAL’s representative Vladimir Permyakov and Director of Alumina and Bauxite Department at RUSAL, Sergey Kostyuk; met to discuss ways in which the issue can be resolved in an amicable manner.

During the meeting, Harmon asserted that Guyanese workers must be treated in a respectful manner and the country’s labour laws

must be upheld.

“There are two objectives to this: the Guyanese workers must be treated in a respectful and fair manner at all times; their rights must be respected and at the same time, the company must function and ensure it makes profits for its shareholders. It is a question of finding common ground and ensure that our workers’ rights are respected. We must find common ground to move forward. The issues must be dealt with in a clear way,” Harmon

is quoted by the Ministry of the Presidency as saying.

Ally also shared that the Government has sought to lay out its contentions, giving the company an equal opportunity to do so as well. Adding to that, the dismissed workers will also get a chance to be heard today via a meeting with Government at Aroaima.

Officials from the company also committed to making a decision after further discussions with their principals.

Meanwhile, at a press conference on Friday last, when asked for a comment on the issue, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said Guyana’s laws must be upheld.

The 60 workers were fired by the bauxite company for protesting against a one per cent salary increase. On Tuesday, residents of Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) in disagreement with the dismissal of the striking employees attached to the company retaliate by blocking the access road which leads to the company located at Aroaima.

During initial deliberations, representatives of the company stated that they do not recognise the Guyana

Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU), which has been advocating for the affected workers.

“We have no relation with this union,” the Russian company’s representative said.

“It happened before I came to Guyana to work… it was an alternative poll. This poll took place on October 3, 2017. It was won by Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union.

“Only a few weeks after, we got information that the Judge in (a case decided) this board was constituted with some breaches and could be considered illegal. It meant former worker was considered by decision of judge illegal. I think many people knew the Board was illegal. But nobody said to us such a (poll) could be considered nil and void.”

This is a reference to the judgement issued in the case of the Trade Union Recognition and Certification

Board (TURCB) versus the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG).

FITUG General Secretary Carvil Duncan had claimed that TURCB unilaterally appointed a chairman in 2015 without consulting them, and only recognised the Guyana Trades Union Congress.

In the written judgement issued by the High Court on November 8, 2017, it said FITUG was not consulted prior to the appointment of a chair in 2015. This was found to be in violation of the Trade Union Recognition Act, especially as it relates to the selection of a chairman of the organisation.

Chairman of the Union, Lewis maintained that the company has no authority to ascertain this, stating that it a responsibility of the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board (TURCB).

Errant driver crashes into car, drives away from accident scene

- crash victim calls for help in locating unknown perpetrator

The damaged Toyota Raum after the accident

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fter his car was hit by an unknown perpetrator last Sunday, 26-year-old Ganesh Persaud is now seeking further assistance from both the Police and public-spirited persons in locating the errant driver.

The Nonpareil, East Coast Demerara (ECD) resident related to Guyana Times that he was on his way home at about 21:30h on Sunday last when the accident occurred.

Persaud explained that while driving his Toyota Raum bearing registration number PRR 7706 along the East Coast of Demerara, another vehicle crashed into him at Good Hope and drove away.

Persaud said as a result of the impact, he lost control of his vehicle and slammed into a nearby heap of sand.

“I was heading from East to West. I was at Good Hope and I was heading to Nonpareil and at the junction of Lusignan where the golf course road is, as I was approaching the road a car hit me… and the car hit like from the middle of my vehicle and he sent me off the road. When I drove off the road I went up to a pile of sand where it turned over,” a concerned Persaud said.

Public-spirited persons, who witnessed the incident, assisted in getting Persaud

out of the damaged car but the still traumatised man related that even though he sustained no serious injuries, his worries have not ended since he is calculating the expenses to be incurred for fixing the damages his car received during the accident.

A report was made to the Vigilance Police Station and an investigation has since been launched.

Persaud told this publication that efforts to locate the driver who slammed into him proved futile. According to the victim, he spoke to Police ranks on the progress of the investigation but they were only able to obtain blurred footage of the accident.

“After the vehicle turned over I was basically hanging with the seat belt in the vehicle…public spirited persons helped me out of the vehicle… just a small footage the Police sent me but from what I can gather, there’s not much you can get from the video because apparently the street light was not working,” he related.

Nevertheless, Persaud is asking anyone with information which may help in locating the individual to contact the nearest Police station or contact him on telephone number 656-0148.

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Friday, february 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

12 news

friday, february 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

UNICEF to collaborate with Guyana to deal with influx of migrant children

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he United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) plans to work with the Guyana Government to develop schools in communities close to the border with Venezuela, so that migrant children can have access to a proper education.

Among its objectives for this year is building up capacity for schools to deal with the influx of migrant children in communities along the Venezuela border. To this end, UNICEF will work with stakeholder groups to assist them in improving access to education, according to Ian Jones who is the Emergency Officer for UNICEF Guyana.

“Our primary focus is in Regions One [BarimaWaini], Two [PomeroonSupenaam], Seven [Cuyuni-Mazaruni] and Nine [Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo] but we are

Emergency Officer for UNICEF Guyana, Ian Jones

not eliminating the other regions, so our secondary focus is on Regions Three [Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara], Four [Demerara-Mahaica] and 10 [Upper DemeraraBerbice],” the official remarked.

He noted too that the body will also work with the Childcare and Protection Agency, noting that some 12,000 people, include 4800 children, are being targeted. Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge is his re-

marks praised the agency for the work it has done is assisting this country in attaining its sustainable development goals.

“UNICEF has actively supported and partnered with the Government of Guyana on several initiatives aimed at the care, protection and well-being of our children,” he stressed.

The Vice President added too that measures to reduce climate change and its support for Guyana’s health services through which children and adolescents can benefit were also advanced.” Our strategic partnership has generated fruitful results; some of which include the establishment of one-stop centres for victims of child sexual abuse, a functional children’s court and approved Juvenile Justice Act in 2018,” he outlined.

S RAIGHT Conditional dialogue and the date of the elections By: SASE Singh; M.Sc. - Finance, ACCA.

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hosen lawyers have been paid a sum of more than G$60 million in aggregate so far from the taxpayers’ resources to advocate for a case that is totally bereft of constitutional logic. Fortunately, Guyana still has some well-read Judges with the right level of integrity, who are singularly committed to the rule of law and nothing else.

The ruling by the Chief Justice (ag.) clearly embraces the spirit and intent of Guyana’s Constitution. One of her rulings debunked such irrational underpinnings like 34 rather than 33 is a majority of the 65 in reference to the National Assembly.

Welcome to Guyana, where a ruling oligarchy is struggling to explain its delusional positions. What is now absolutely sure is that the mask has fallen, and what the people thought they were voting for in 2015 is no longer there. All the rhythm of “let us co-operate” has been replaced by anti-democratic actions and legal theatrics all focused at procrastinating the acceptance of the rule of law, and with much help from GECOM, who seem very unaware of their responsibilities.

All this for what? Political power through the back door, using a unilaterally appointed GECOM Chairman as your pawn? Why fight for back door access when the front door was fully opened to you by the people in 2015? Did you not win an elections freely and fairly at the ballot box? So why did you not rule fairly and justly, rather than propagate a model that was fuelled by ethnic supremacy, jobs only for Congress Place members, and contracts only for family and friends? After all of this administrative misconduct, do you still expect the majority of people to stand by you?

Dr Ramharack, in a letter the editor, pointed out the fact on how the distribution of scholarships was abused in the last three years. He also alluded to the fact that over G$2 billion in agriculture projects were bequeathed to areas that are perceived to be PNC strongholds. At the same time, you fired 7,000 sugar workers, who are perceived as the core support base of the PPP. I might add from my own research that you appointed 16 of the 17 Permanent Secretaries from one group over the last three years, and shut out the other groups. To compound your public acts of ethnic supremacy and triumphalism, you also appointed some 85 per cent of the Heads of Department from that same group. With such actions in a nation where 39 per cent are Indo-Guyanese, 29 per cent are Afro-Guyanese, 21 per cent are Mixed, and 11 per cent are Amerindians, do you expect the majority to endorse your positions?

The resistance to Team Granger has now spread to every corner of the country and every socioeconomic class.

One important reason for this situation is that social media has provided a totally new outlet for the dissemination of information that no government can control.

The time is now for civil society to lobby the diplomatic community, so that they can accelerate their international assistance to ensure that Guyana returns to the path of a peaceful democracy. History has shown us that behind every statement from the US Government, there are more than just words. Senor Maduro in Venezuela is about to find out this fact. Let us hope, for the PNC’s sake, good sense prevails. The irrefutable fact remains that Guyana isn’t divided, it is just the political players who are making this out this way with their statements, such as “the only people I gun give wuk to is PNC people”.

Finally, I saw civil society, in a press statement on February 16, 2019, calling on the Leader of the Opposition and former President Jagdeo “to meet and work together with Granger to find a solution”. This is an unfortunate statement, since it acts as an incentive to the bully who is trampling on the Constitution. Is the Civil Society Group suffering from Stockholm Syndrome? It is time we have some bravery from this lot. They must call a spade a spade.

There should be only a conditional dialogue to discuss the date of the elections. If the elections date is not the number one item on the agenda, no dialogue for Granger.

FULL STOP! Feel free to share your comments with me at sasesin1@ yahoo.com Please share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

news

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friday, february 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Local artists showcase talent at Main Street expo

Costume jewellery on display during the Main Street expo

By Rupa Seenaraine

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he passion for art was alive on Thursday as thriving local artists showcased their creative pieced on Main Street, Georgetown, during an art exhibition.

Over the past two days, the avenue was buzzing with people who stopped to admire the intricate pieces.

Others who were mesmerised by the level of talent event purchased some of the intricate and unique pieces to add to their personal collections.

The initiative was organised by the Social Cohesion Ministry as part of the Republic Day celebrations and saw persons from every walk of life.

Some of the exhibitors stood patiently in their booths as they awaited the sight of a potential buyer who might be interested in what they had to offer. Others, however, were just eager to tell passersby of their collection, how they would have created the artwork and the amount of time and energy that was poured into perfecting the pieces from every angle.

Some of the works on display were made primarily of fabric, wood, paper and recyclable materials. The more complex pieces varied from scented candles, handmade dolls, herbal products and carvings.

Speaking with Guyana Times during the expo, newcomer artist Celina

Dolls and basket craft

Constantine stated that she recently graduated from the ER Burrowes School of Art and thought it would be interesting to enter the exhibition and promote her work.

At that time, most of her paintings were sold out with just a few remaining, which attracted the attention of many. At the end of the day, she said she hoped to receive continuous support from people to promote her art.

“I’m just here to promote my work. The response has been good so far. I sold a lot of my paintings yesterday and only these that are with me I have remaining,” the 20-year-old said.

Meanwhile, the Mahaica Women’s Group was represented by its Chairman,

Mae’s Schools tackles social issues at Mashramani walk

Revellers parading along the route

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tudents of the Mae’s Schools Annex on Thursday raised their voices against social issues plaguing society through a Mashramani walk around the city.

Commencing from Middleton Street, Campbellville, the parade continued through several streets until they were back in school where other activities were lined up.

Dressed in colourful costumes to depict the Mashramani festivities, the students paraded with banners bearing slogans, which condemned acts of racism and child abuse among others. On the way, the children were also cheered on by passersby who looked on at the spectacle.

Director of the School, Simone Nurse, gave a synopsis of their activities as she pointed out that child abuse, the use of drugs, child labour and violence were some of the areas where awareness was heightened for the Mash

walk.

She added that this was done to inform the public that the school recognises these issues and are committed to

people, one nation and one destiny,” said Nurse.

“The things that we’ve depicted are things that relate to children, abuse of drugs, child labour so we’re highlighting it to the public to let them know that we’re concerned with all of those things,” she added.

The Director noted that over 200 children from the preschool and primary levels were present, and more were expected throughout the day as it is customary for the school to participate in the Mashramani celebrations.

“We have approximately 200 children here and some of them will be here later on. When we’re done and get back to school, the children

One of the banners which demonstrated unity

eliminating them. Through this initiative, the students were having fun while being enlightened about the social topics.

“We’re excited because we’re on the road with our children to be a part of our Republic celebration for 2019.

Our children are beautifully decorated and we’re celebrating the fact that we’re one

will have a celebration there.

This is an annual event. We do it every year and we try to do something different every year.”

The official Mashramani celebration will unfold on Republic Day, this Saturday, after the flag raising ceremony at fmidnight on February 22.

Debbie Argyle who explained that her organisation caters for women who are seeking to earn a livelihood while creating quality products. On display were vanilla, blue daisy, citronella, jasmine, pumpkin spice, peppermint and lime scented candles.

“It has been very satisfactory in boosting our business. We enjoy it. We are known for our candles but you can find decorated bot-

This couple displays their handmade baskets and craft at the expo

tles and other craft. Some of the candles have three scents so you have chocolate spice, cherry and a variety of others,” Argyle explained.

Meera Sookdeo of Meera’s Creative Craft Designs told this publication that she specialises in dolls, baskets and other embroidered fabrics which can be customised to suit. But her biggest seller happened to be earrings which modelled the Guyana flag.

“I specialise in dolls, baskets, earrings and a variety of other stuff which is made of canvas and wool mostly. The stuff can be personalised with your name, any wordings or whatever it is you want in different colours.”

The craftswoman says she now supplies Guyana Stores with various merchandise, after entering the craft world eight years ago.

14 news Police called again as tensions over Belle Vue farmlands intensify friday, february 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Police ranks called in to settle tensions that erupted on Thursday

By Shemuel Fanfair

I

t was high drama again at Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara on Thursday when farmers blocked the Belle Vue Cane Farmers Marketing Co-op Society Chairman’s machinery from clearing farmlands they say has rightfully been theirs for more than 60 years.

However, as the events unfolded, popular businessman Deodat Deokinandan, who has been chair of the society since 2013, denied

This stemmed from an initial stand off from Sunday afternoon after the Society opted to fence sections of the lands and allow cows to graze in the fields which was incensed farmers over their loss of investment.

“He bully us and take the number three section; now we got all this cultivation here and he bullying us for the number four section but we nah decide for this hymac go in one inch here; it got to come out because he taking advantage on us

preserve law and order but Thursday’s face-off saw a more boisterous demonstration.

“This hymac come here illegally. This is not “Beard Man’s” property; this is the Society’s property and this land belongs to the Government of Guyana. We are farmers’ children that lived here for 60-odd years,” Rampertab Rajpat told this newspaper as he told stood in front of the heavy-duty machine.

After sugar operations

society to operate.

“I am never a bully and will never be a bully. These people come illegally and squat on the Society’s land and it is not the right thing to do and dem ah seh de President tell them to do that… I don’t know who is the real bully but these people already take compensation from the Society; some in 2011 and some in 2014,” Deokinandan explained.

He says the cows grazing in the lands fenced off are legally placed since this was passed during a general meeting of the Society.

He also denied claims that he has been threatening the farmers at Belle Vue. Society Secretary Antoinette Manichand meanwhile said many of the farmers were errant members and were taken to arbitration for not paying their share of fees in land rentals to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

She observed that it would be unfair for the Society’s contributing members to offset the costs for those who were not paying their dues.

It was earlier explained by members that the descendants were reportedly no longer interested in cultivating sugar cane.

“The arbitrator gave them a month and a half to pay off their debts and they didn’t pay up so grad-

Aggrieved farmer Rampertab Rajpat

ually we expelled them and we accepted new members but they going about reaching Government officials until the matter reached the Cabinet with Dr Roger Luncheon. We had a meeting with them and they agree to accept compensation,” she said.

She also claimed one such farmer was Francis Ferreira who was allegedly paid $290,000 in compensation; a cheque made out in the name of the businessman, while others were paid hundreds of thousands and some over a million dollars for their fields. She provided documents to this effect.

Guyana Times spoke to an unmoved Ferreira who out-

right denied giving up his land rights.

“I aint give up no rights; its three years after bullying that people accept money due to frustration… the Cabinet minutes said the farmers should be reinstated. I am prepared to go, this hymac is going to walk over me today!” expressed Ferreira.

However, the machine was removed from the area just before lunchtime. Thereafter the farmers moved to protest the Co-Op Society in the afternoon. Nevertheless, the grazing cows and fences erected could remain in place as the society maintained that since farmers lost their rights it does not intend to pay compensation for the crops they have been planting since 2017.

Deokinandan held out that he, nor his society, is obligated to pay any compensation owing to the farmers “squatting” on the land.

The Belle Vue farmers are descendants of multiple sugar cane workers turned farmers who came from all across Guyana and were contracted with Bookers company to supply canes to Wales and live in the Belle Vue Pilot Scheme from 1956. Cane operations ended with Government’s closure of Wales Estate in December 2016.

The Co-op Society shows that Ganpat Rajpat was paid $1.5 million in compensation

ever threating the farmers as he accused them of squatting on the Society’s land.

The intense emotions played out during the morning hours in a usually quiet community which lies near the defunct Wales Sugar Estate. Farmers were adamant that the Co-op Society and Deokinandan, called “Beard Man”, would not touch an inch of the farmland as they blocked an excavator from land clearing operations as they renewed claims of being bullied.

because he has money. He want walk pon all these poor people but this is the end of everything,” farmer Imraz Hassan declared as he stood in front of the hymac.

He made his position clearly known when ranks from the Wales Police Station arrived on the scene in a bid to settle escalating tensions. When tensions were less animated on Sunday, one rank had spoken with the sparring farmers that he wanted to

ceased, descendants of Belle Vue farmers moved to plant diversified crops but the businessman, along with several of his central committee members, categorised the demonstrators as squatters.

Squatting

The Society provided documents purporting to show that many of the farmers allegedly sold their shares to the society while others supposedly relinquished their lands for the

Another scene from the heated stand-off which left the hymac suspended

CANU unearths narcotics in package shipped to Guyana

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wo persons are currently in custody following a drug bust at a local shipping company’s bond in Timehri, East Bank Demerara, the Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), Michael Atherly said.

Atherly in an interview with Guyana Times said the drugs were unearthed about a week ago at the terminal and a male and female were arrested.

The two were hauled in for questioning after a pack-

age, which contained about 136 grams of narcotics, was unearthed.

“It came in in a parcel addressed to someone, a box,” the head of CANU said, while opting not to disclose whether the package arrived in the duo’s names, or if it they were the ones sending the package.

He would only say that no one had been charged yet as the investigation into the seizure continues.

Atherly explained that this seizure was not the

first for the year as there has been one for at least the past three weeks by the department.

In addition to this, he said the Police have also seized some illegal drugs.

A total of 121,305.8

pounds of narcotics was seized in the year 2017, according to the National Anti-Narcotics Agency.

Statistics for last year’s drug seizures are yet to be released to the public.

This was revealed in September last year when the Agency launched its annual report on the Guyana Drug Information Network (GUYDIN), which seeks to provide comprehensive data on drug supply-and-demand interventions for evidence-based policy and pro-

gramme development.

Law enforcement agencies have seized a total of 55,139 kg of narcotics, which include substances such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and ecstasy; and have even managed to eradicate over 117,000 kg of marijuana plants.

The drugs were said to be valued in excess of $20 billion, and were snatched from the streets, while more than 300 persons have also been convicted for various drug crimes.

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, february 22, 2019

Venezuela crisis: Maduro to close border with Brazil

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enezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has announced he is closing the border with Brazil on Thursday night as a row over foreign humanitarian aid continues.

The embattled leftist leader went on TV to say that he was also considering shutting the border with Colombia to stop the Opposition bringing in relief. He denies any crisis and calls the aid delivery plans a US-orchestrated show.

Opposition leader Juan Guaidó is leading a convoy to the Colombian border from the capital Caracas. Guaidó declared himself interim leader during anti-Government protests last month and is recognised by dozens of foreign states.

Buses forming his convoy set off from the city on Thursday to cheering crowds.

Guaidó and his allies hope to collect food and medicine in defiance of President Maduro.

The Venezuelan military has so far managed to block shipments of US aid from coming across the border with Colombia.

Despite denying there is any humanitarian crisis,

Security forces block the road as they clash with lawmaker members of the Venezuelan National Assembly and supporters of the Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaido, who many nations have recognised as the country’s rightful interim ruler, on the outskirts of Mariara, Venezuela February 21, 2019

Maduro announced this week that 300 tonnes of aid would be shipped to Venezuela from its ally Russia. More than three million Venezuelans have fled in recent years as the country grapples with hyperinflation and shortages of essentials like food and medicine, the UN says.

Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, has been

criticised at home and abroad for his handling of the economy.

Flanked by Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez and other top military commanders, Maduro announced that the border with Brazil would be closed “completely and absolutely” from 20:00 (23:00 GMT) until further notice. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Dominican Republic milita rises gas stations along border with Haiti

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he military in The Dominican Republic which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, has stepped up its presence along the Haitian border as protests continue to grip the French speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country.

According to sources in the military, following the scarcity of fuel across Haiti, the military agencies of The Dominican Republic on Sunday stepped up their presence at gas stations on the Haitian border.

The steps taken are aimed at preventing the transfer of fuel to the neighbouring country and will be extended for as long as necessary.

“These measures are aimed at preventing the smuggling of fuel at petrol stations on the border of the

A scene of the violence in Haiti

country, in addition to ensuring strict control of vehicles moving in this area to avoid illegal transportation of fuel,” the military official noted.

Since the beginning of fuel supply problems in Haiti aggravated by socio-political unrest for more than 10 days, the Dominican re-

finery Refidomsa PDV, has strengthened its controls of shipping of fuels on its territory.

This is due to the abnormal demand for border service stations, resulting from the fuel shortage in Haiti, particularly in the North, in recent weeks. (Nation News)

Crews to abandon 2 Venezuelan tankers stuck in Portugal – operator

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he crew of Venezuelan oil tanker, the Rio Arauca, that has been stuck in the middle of the river Tagus in Lisbon for nearly two years due to unpaid debt, is set to be dismissed, managers Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) said on Thursday.

BSM also said in a statement sent to Reuters another Venezuelan tanker, the Parnaso, which is in dry dock at the port of Setubal, south of Lisbon, will also have its crew removed later this week due to a lack of payment from owners

PDV Marina, a subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA. Lisbon’s maritime court ruled to take possession of the Parnaso last August.

Both vessels are under BSM management. PDVSA had no immediate comment on the issue.

The amount owed by PDV Marina to BSM globally is at least US$15 million, according to a source at the company and a document seen by Reuters. BSM said the Rio Arauca arrived in Lisbon in May 2017 but has been inactive and unable to dock since then.

Legal responsibility for the vessel now sits with the arresting parties, it said. The port authorities in Lisbon and Setubal declined to comment on BSM’s intention to remove the crews.

Lisbon’s Port Authority (APL) said Rio Arauca had entered the port with a cargo of crude for the local oil firm Galp Energia, but later Portuguese navigation company Navex declined to continue to be the tanker’s agent. The tanker was then subject to “successive arrest orders”, APL said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

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Regional

Criminals switching to military weapons – senior Cop

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riminals in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) are shifting from the use of handguns to commit crimes to more sophisticated military-type rifles.

This from Assistant Commissioner of Police (Anti-Crime) Jayson Forde on Wednesday as he told a Parliament Joint Select Committee on National Security that Police were seizing an average of 1000 illegal firearms annually.

Forde admitted that the rate at which illegal firearms “appear on the streets is something to be concerned about.” Vice chairman of the Committee Paul Richards told Forde the SSA’s 2016 data showed there were 8154 illegal firearms in T&T and this figure may be a drop in the bucket. Many of those weapons came in through legal ports of entry, the SSA found.

Forde said the figures of firearms recovered have been

Some of the high-powered guns seized during the raid in Cunupia in November 2018

far larger compared to previous years. Of the 8000 firearms, Richards said 169 were used in crimes.

Richards said when he looked at the 2000 criminal gangs operating in the country, each recruiting an average of 20 members, we were “grossly under-estimating the number of firearms in T&T. The numbers don’t seem to

add up to me.”

Richards asked if the same guns are used in multiple homicides.

Forde said every gang member would not possess a firearm but could not say if the same guns were being used in killings. As for the criminals’ choice of firearms, Forde said it was initially handguns.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Jamaica Govt gets nod for legislation to retake Venezuela’s shares in the island’s oil refinery

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egislation to retake ownership of the 49 per cent shares in Jamaica’s oil refinery, Petrojam, currently held by Venezuela’s State-owned oil and natural gas company, Petróleos de Venezuela (PDV) Caribe, has been passed in the House of Representatives, despite resistance from the Opposition.

The Compulsory Acquisition (Shares in Petrojam Limited) Act, 2019 was piloted by Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

Holness said the decision to move in the current direction was not taken lightly, noting that Petrojam and Jamaica have been left at risk due to years of inaction.

Holness argued that without an upgrade, Petrojam would be unable to further process heavy fuel oil (HFO) into high-value products, and having lost a major customer in JPS, Petrojam would become unprofitable.

The Prime Minister also cited the United States Executive Order 13808 dated August 24, 2017, which essentially prohibits United States persons from entering into specified transactions with the Government of Venezuela and any political division, agency or instrumentality thereof, including PDVSA. “While Petrojam itself was not identified as a ‘sanctioned entity’ under the

Executive Order, the fact is that its banks and correspondent banks, which facilitate basic transactions with suppliers and service providers, are considered US persons, and were, therefore, at risk or at perceived risk of high fines for breaching such sanctions, and accordingly, they were hesitant to continue providing such services which were fundamental to the most basic operations of Petrojam,” he said.

Holness explained that the Government has no choice but to take action in the interest of preserving the energy security of Jamaica.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

CDB, AFD and EU strengthen partnership to build climate resilience

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hree million euros has been added to the efforts to create a more a more climate-resilient Caribbean region.

Officials of the Agence Française De Développement (AFD), and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) signed a finance agreement on January 25, 2019, which will provide grant funding to facilitate the preparation and implementation of sustainable, climate-resilient infrastructure projects in the region.

The project will be financed under the European Union Caribbean Investment Facility (EUCIF). Monica La Bennett, vice-president (operations), CDB, in welcoming the new funding, noted that the agreement built on “longstanding partnerships between CDB and both the EU and AFD.” Nearly three years ago, CDB and the AFD signed an agreement for a US$33

Vice President (Operations) of the Caribbean Development Bank, Monica La Bennett (centre) and Philippe La Cognata, Atlantic Regional Director, Agence Française De Développement (right) sign the finance agreement. At left, Ambassador Daniela Tramacere, Head of the European Union Delegation to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, OECS and Caricom/CARIFORUM and CDB Senior Legal Counsel Dave Waithe (second from left) look on

million credit facility, which provided financing for projects supporting climate resilience. Several projects funded under that facility are currently being implemented around the Caribbean.

Philippe La Cognata, Atlantic Regional Director, AFD, said his agency was looking forward to strength-

ening its partnership with CDB as it pursued the goals of its new 2018-2022 strategy. Under the strategy, new regional policy directions have been created, with the Atlantic Direction based in Fort-de-France, Martinique, covering 13 territories in the Caribbean. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

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guyanatimesgy.com

friday, february 22, 2019

Regional

Pakistan’s Imran Khan approves Jussie Smollett: Empire star military response if India attacks ‘staged hoax attack over salary’

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he Pakistani Government has authorised its military to “respond decisively and comprehensively to any aggression or misadventure” by neighbouring India, as tensions soar between the nuclear-armed rivals.

India has vowed a “jaw-breaking response” to a suicide bombing in the disputed Kashmir region last week that killed 42 Indian soldiers – the worst such attack since the start of an armed rebellion in 1989.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the order in a government statement released after a meeting of his National Security Committee on Thursday.

It said Pakistan was “not involved in any way, means or form” in the attack, which it said was “conceived, planned and executed indigenous-

ly”. In the statement, Pakistan reiterated its offer to help investigate the attack and to take action against anyone found to be using the Pakistani soil for attacks on India.

Pakistan also offered to hold a “dialogue” with India on all issues, including terrorism.

Earlier, it had demanded India provide evi- Imran Khan had offered to hold talks dence for its claims that with India even as he warned New it supports Kashmiri Delhi to refrain from launching any attacks rebel groups.

India and Pakistan, The Himalayan territory is both nuclear powers, have been fighting for seven split between Pakistani and decades over the Himalayan Indian zones of control, but region of Kashmir, now one of both countries claim it in its the most militarised zones in entirety and have fought two of their three wars over it. the world.

Following last week’s atIndia has long accused tack, India halted trade and Pakistan of harbouring and aiding armed rebels who tar- a key bus service with the get its forces in Kashmir. Pakistani-controlled part of Kashmir. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

U

S actor Jussie Smollett staged a fake attack on himself because he was “dissatisfied with his salary”, Chicago Police say.

Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said in a news conference that he “took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career”. Smollett is charged with filing a false police report after he said he was the victim of a homophobic attack.

Police say he also had sent a racist letter to himself at a Fox studio. On Thursday, Smollett appeared in court, where a Judge set his bail at US$100,000 (£76,000), requiring the actor to submit a bond of $10,000 and surrender his passport.

Smollett turned himself in to Police on Thursday

The 36-year-old star of the TV series Empire is suspected of paying two brothers

to stage the attack. They are both co-operating with the investigation, police say.

On Wednesday his lawyers said they would “mount an aggressive defence”.

In a scathing news conference on Thursday, Supt Johnson accused the actor of committing a crime “to further his own profile”. He said Smollett had betrayed the city of Chicago, and said “this publicity stunt was a scar that Chicago didn’t earn and certainly didn’t deserve”.

The “hoax”, he said, “received national attention for weeks”, and may deter future hate crime victims from coming forward for fear that their allegations may be met with scepticism. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Fire guts ancient part of Bangladesh’s capital, killing 81

Putin to US: I’m ready for another Cuban Missile-style crisis if you want one

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ussian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is militarily ready for a Cuban Missilestyle crisis if the United States wanted one and threatened to place hypersonic nuclear missiles on ships or submarines near US territorial waters.

The Cuban Missile Crisis erupted in 1962 when Moscow responded to a US missile deployment in Turkey by sending ballistic missiles to Cuba, sparking a standoff that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.

More than five decades

on, tensions are rising again over Russian fears that the United States might deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe, as a landmark Cold War-era arms-control treaty unravels.

Putin’s comments, made to Russian media late on Wednesday, follow his warning that Moscow will match any US move to deploy new missiles closer to Russia by stationing its own missiles closer to the United States or by deploying faster missiles or both.

Putin detailed his warning for the first time, saying

Russia could deploy hypersonic missiles on ships and submarines which could lurk outside U.S. territorial waters if Washington now moved to deploy intermediate-range nuclear weapons in Europe. “(We’re talking about) naval delivery vehicles: submarines or surface ships. And we can put them, given the speed and range (of our missiles)... in neutral waters. Plus they are not stationary, they move and they will have to find them,” Putin said, according to a Kremlin transcript. (Excerpt from Reuters)

A

devastating fire raced through densely packed buildings in a centuries-old shopping district in Bangladesh’s capital, killing at least 81 people, officials and witnesses said Thursday.

The fire in Dhaka’s Chawkbazar area was mostly under control after more than 10 hours of frantic firefighting efforts. Some of the about 50 people injured were critically burned.

The district dating to the Mughal era 400 years ago is crammed with buildings separated by narrow alleys, with residences commonly above

shops, restaurants or warehouses on the ground floors.

Denizens of the Muslimmajority nation throng to Chawkbazar each year for traditional goods to celebrate iftar, when the daily fast is broken during Ramadan.

Hossain’s brother took his hand and they leaped onto the street before the shop was engulfed in flames. Outside the gutted store, the road was strewn with charred vehicles, pieces of still-burning metal and plastics and hundreds of cans of body deodorant.

The blaze started late Wednesday night in one build-

ing but quickly spread to others, fire department Director General Brigadier General Ali Ahmed said.

Many of the victims were trapped inside the buildings, said Mahfuz Riben, a control room official of the Fire Service and Civil Defense in Dhaka.Another control room official, Russel Shikder, said 81 bodies had been recovered.

First responders were delayed reaching the site in part because nearby roads were closed for national holiday commemorations on Thursday. (Excerpt from MSN)

Heckler & Koch fined for illegal gun sales to Mexico

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German court has handed suspended jail terms to two ex-employees of gun maker Heckler & Koch and fined the firm €3.7 million (£3.2 million) for illegal arms deliveries to Mexico.

The Stuttgart court acquitted three other H&K ex-employees. H&K was found to have breached German arms export rules by shipping nearly 5000 G36 assault rifles and smaller firearms to strife-torn regions.

Mexico is plagued by warfare involving drug gangs and paramilitaries. Germany’s arms export restrictions include Mexican states such as Chiapas, Chihuahua and Guerrero, which are blighted by murders and kidnappings.

The H&K deliveries took place in 2006-2009. One ex-employee was given a suspended sentence of one year and 10 months, plus a fine of

The G36 is one of the world’s most widely used assault rifles

€80,000. The other received one year and five months and was ordered to do 250 hours of social work.

H&K guns, made in the South-western town of Oberndorf, are used in conflicts worldwide.

Besides Mexico, they have gone to troops and militias in Pakistan, Myanmar (Burma), Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkey. The firm’s annual turnover is about €200 million.

German broadcasters SWR and BR found evidence that G36 guns were used in a notorious militia attack on Mexican students in Iguala in 2014, in which six students died and 43 were kidnapped. All but one of the 43 disappeared without trace.

The Stuttgart case was triggered by evidence against H&K presented by peace activist Jürgen Grässlin eight years ago, German media report. (BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

T

he melodious sounds of the Indian-Caribbean musical genre, chutney, will be the emanating sounds from the Better Hope Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara on Saturday, February 23.

This Carib beer sponsored “Chutney Fest” will feature several singer, including reigning Chutney Monarch Steven Ramphal and 2019 monarch, Bunty Singh. Members of the Shakti Strings Band will also be featured at the show this weekend. Aside from the musical entertainment, patrons can be prepared for an evening of entertainment from comedian and not so fragile, Granny Ivelaw, and members of the Shalita Dance Troupe.

During the various performances, the crowd will be entertained by several deejays to keep the high energy level at the event. These deejays include Father Moey, Golden Chyld, and 71 Sound.

friDAY, february 22, 2019

Trade Marketing Assistant of ANSA McAL Trading Limited, Ray Lutchman, stated, “Everything is usually kept around Georgetown and for the past few years there hasn’t been any such event of this nature on the East Coast of Demerara.”

But, tickets can be redeemed with the purchase of a Carib special at selected supermarkets and bars on the East Coast of Demerara before February 23.

ANSA McAL Trading Limited remains committed towards cultural inclusion and is pleased to be associated with this event as a means of providing quality entertainment to the community in which it operates.

A

s Guyana prepares to celebrate its 49 years as a Republic nation, the National Park tarmac will come alive for the highly anticipated “STAG Stage 7” – the ultimate J’Ouvert experience. Nigel Worrell, Brand Coordinator, Beverage Division of ANSA McAL Trading Limited, describes the Mashramani calendar event as “no other J’Ouvert experience.”

The show is set for Friday, February 22 and will feature Guyana’s recently crowned Soca Monarch Brandon Harding and Chutney Monarch Steven Ramphal. However, the headliner act for the show will be Barbados’ Sweet Soca 2019 Monarch Lil Rick, also known as “Rockey Minaj”.

Casual, better known as “Brawla” will host the show while additional performances include artistes such as Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson; Big Red, backed by the Heatwave Band; Father Moey and Rayvon; Shizzle; DJ Energy; DJ Anisah and DJ Ryan.

According to Worrell, “this is the widest entertainment line-up” since “its three monarchs, one night, and one stage.” Worrell

believes while there has been other J’Ouvert parties, STAG Stage 7 has managed to stand out when it comes to presentation, performances, and artiste selection.

Tickets are not on sale and are only available via promotion at selected supermarkets and bars on the East and West Bank of Demerara, East Bank Essequibo, West Coast Berbice, Linden and Georgetown with a limited supply of VIP tickets up for grabs.

The public can be assured that adequate security and safety measures are being put in place at the National Park come Friday evening with the gate set to be open at 19:00h.

Persons are also being reminded to not drink and drive and be responsible when it comes to alcohol consumption at this event.

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friday, february 22, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

dilbert

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

Consider what you enjoy doing most and structure your resume to help you qualify for positions that excite you. Taking action will bring results, so stop dreaming and start doing.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Engage in activities that take your mind off your troubles. If someone hasn’t been fair or nice to you, distance yourself from that person. Put your needs first.

CANCER

Nurture an important relationship. Make special plans for two or find out what will make a loved one happy. Less drama and more fun should be your mantra.

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

WORD GAME

Don’t let emotions dictate your actions. Take a step back and consider your options. You are best off talking to a trusted source of advice before you make a move.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

Get involved in a physical activity that will help you blow off steam. It will save you from getting into a nasty discussion with someone who doesn’t share your opinions.

Sign up for an event or activity that interests you.

What you discover or learn will help you make a decision that will improve your life, relationships and health.

Listen carefully, but don’t share your feelings or your plans. Time is on your side, and gathering information will help you gain perspective on the best way to move forward.

Don’t let anger get the better of you. Channel your energy into self-improvement, travel or exercise. Romance or a creative outlet will ease tension and encourage peace over discord.

Consider what you would SAGITTARIUS like to be doing and what you (Nov. 23- are doing. Assess your skills, Dec. 21) experience and knowledge, and look for a position or activity that will improve your life.

Stick

close

to

home.

CAPRICORN Traveling or visiting relatives (Dec. 22- or people you don’t always Jan. 19) agree with will lead to discord or unwanted changes. Home improvements are favored, provided you do the work yourself.

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

A chance to change the way you earn money looks promising. An investment or gift will put you in a better financial position, but could also lead to additional responsibilities.

Listen to what everyone has to say and be aware of what’s accurate and what’s false. Someone will make unrealistic promises that could end up being costly.

friday, february 22, 2019

I

n 2018, under the Presidency of Hilbert Foster, Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, the proactive and vibrant Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) hosted record breaking tournaments at all levels.

This year, with additional tournaments at the Under-23, Intermediate and Two-Day First Division levels, the BCB is on the verge of surpassing the number of tournaments it hosted in 2018.

The BCB received a major boost on Tuesday last when international cosmetics brand Elizabeth Styles renewed its sponsorship of the Under-21 tournament. The simple launching ceremony was held at one of the brand’s distributing agencies in Guyana, Bissan’s Trading located at King Street, Lacytown, Georgetown.

Director of Bissan’s Trading, Ryan Singh, handed over the sponsorship cheque to BCB President Hilbert Foster in the presence of BCB Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu.

Foster, who is spearheading the BCBs aggressive marketing campaign to attract sponsorship, stated that the tournament would be the third of its kind, and would be open to players born on or after the 1st September, 1998.

In total, about twenty clubs are expected to participate. Among the clubs would be Blairmont Community Centre, Paradise Cricket Club, Ryan Singh handing over sponsorship to BCB President Hilbert Achievers Cricket Club, D’ Edward Cricket Foster (left) in the presence of PRO Simon Naidu Club, Tucber Park Cricket Club, Edinburgh Cricket Club, Mt Sinai Cricket Club, Young Cricket Club.

Warriors Cricket Club, Rose Hall Canje, Kendall’s Union Foster expects that, just like in 2018, the 2019 version Cricket Club, Albion Community Centre, Rose Hall Town would be a success, with all of the Berbice leading youth Gizmos & Gadgets, Port Mourant Cricket Club and No. 73 players expected to play. Players like Javed Karim, Collis

- saying in a statement: “We are obviously concerned and want to wish Zion a speedy recovery.

“The quality and performance of our products are of utmost importance. While this is an isolated occurrence, we are working to identify the issue.”

Williamson left the court and did not return, with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski confirming he had suffered a mild knee sprain, with information on his recovery to be revealed later on Thursday.

Zion Williamson reacts during the incident Unprecedented demand he 18-year-old tipped to be the next big had seen tickets to watch the thing in basketball was injured after teenager in Wednesday’s local derby eclipse only 33 seconds on Wednesday, when his NFL Super Bowl prices thanks to the ‘Zion Nike shoe fell apart.

Effect’.

Zion Williamson, who is the projected numAnd his spectacular performances in colber one pick in June’s NBA Draft, has been lege basketball mean when he turns profesdubbed the ‘next LeBron James’. sional he could earn $1bn, an ESPN college Former US president Barack Obama basketball analyst told Forbes, joining six-time was among the crowd as Williamson’s Duke NBA champion Michael Jordan, 14-time golf University played local rivals North Carolina. major winner Tiger Woods and former fiveBlue Devils forward Williamson, hailed by weight world champion Floyd Mayweather as double NBA champion Kevin Durant as a “once a member of the billion dollar club. in a generation athlete”, hurt his left knee after The 2019 NBA Draft will take place on 20 his foot burst through his shoe when he landed June at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New while dribbling.

York, with Williamson a 1-20 odds-on favourite The rubber sole ripped loose from the Nike to be the number one pick. shoe, with the sportswear giant - Duke’s excluZion’s injury meant North Carolina won 88sive supplier of uniforms, shoes and clothing 72 in the 46th meeting between the rivals. (BBC

T

Sport)

19

Noble, Chris Harry, Seon Glasgow, Nigel Deodat, Alex Algoo, Leon Swammy, Garfield Benjamin, Travis Stanislaus, Kevin Umrao, Karran Arjpaul, Isaiah Thorne, Kevlon Anderson, Sylus Tyndall, Kevin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Keith Simpson and Adrian Sukhwa are expected to turn out for their respective teams.

Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu has said the Under-21 tournament serves as a bridge between the Under-19 and First Division levels. The Under-23 tournament which would be launched later in the year is also expected to serve as another bridge, as the BCB seeks to make sure that all of its players have every opportunity to fulfill their true potential. Naidu disclosed that all teams have to be fully attired in white; and, if needed, have the proper records to verify the dates of birth of players. Teams that turn up half-hour late would lose the match by walk-over, while those which are not present at the venue at the scheduled time to spin the toss would forfeit their rights to it. The winning teams, runner-up and Man of the Final are to receive trophies and financial prizes.

Executive Director of Bissan’s Trading, Bissoondyal Singh, declared Elizabeth Styles delighted to sponsor the 2019 tournament, and said that cosmetic giant was very impressed with the two earlier editions.

The organising skills of the BCB are extraordinary, Singh noted, and he said the brand also received widespread media coverage across Guyana in the print and electronic press.

The tournament will bowl off shortly, and teams which have interest in participating can contact Hilbert Foster on 337-4562; Simon Naidu on 643-9040; Angela Haniff on 333-2375, or Neil Rudder on 616-9648.

St-Pierre, known as “GSP”, had previously said that he was frequently bullied throughout his childhood and used that conflict as fuel to dedicate himself to martial arts.

After working his way up through the ranks, he debuted on the big stage with a unanimous decision win over Karo Parisyan at UFC 46 in 2004. He won his first welterweight championship with a knockout victory over Matt Hughes at UFC 65 in 2006.

In 2011, St-Pierre set the largest UFC gate outside the United States at $12 million when he headlined a UFC event in Georges “Rush” St Pierre in a post-fight interview Toronto. The event holds the second largwith Joe Rogan est attendance in UFC history with 55,724 fans. eorges St-Pierre, a two-division St-Pierre, whose success in the cage also champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and one of the helped to fuel the UFC’s worldwide expanmost popular mixed martial arts fighters of sion, vacated his welterweight title in 2013 all time, announced his retirement from the when he first stepped away from the sport, citing a need for a break for his mental health. sport on Thursday.

Following a four-year hiatus, St-Pierre reThe 37-year-old Quebec native, who last fought in 2017, put mixed martial arts on the turned in November 2017 and dethroned midmap in Canada during a career in which he dleweight champion Michael Bisping to bewas widely considered the greatest welter- come a two-division champion.

That victory made St-Pierre only the weight champion of all-time.

St-Pierre announced his retirement at a fourth fighter in the history of the UFC to be a news conference in Montreal and leaves the multi-division champion.

“Georges has cemented his legacy as one of sport with a 26-2-0 mark and on a 13-fight winning streak. He also holds the UFC record the pound-for-pound greatest fighters ever,” for the most 170-pound title defenses at nine. said UFC President Dana White.

“He beat all the top guys during his welter“It takes a lot of discipline to become and stay champion,” said St-Pierre. “It also takes weight title reign and even went up a weight a lot of discipline to stop while still feeling that class to win the middleweight championship.

“He spent years as one of the biggest you’re in the best physical and mental shape of your life but I’ve always planned to leave names in MMA and remains one of the best the sport when I’m at the top and in good ambassadors for the sport. He put Canada on the MMA map.” (Reuters) health.”

G

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friday, february 22, 2019

High Court dismisses case against GFF T

he High Court action Guyana, such other orders as the against the Guyana Football Court may deem just and proper, Federation (GFF) filed by and costs.

According to the Claimants’ Collin Aaron, representative of members of the Slingers Football case, the two football clubs had Club, and Odinga Lumumba, suffered loss after they withdrew representative of memfrom an Elite League Tournament bers of the Alpha United that was organised by the GFF. Their withdrawal from the tourFootball Club, was on the Monday dismissed by nament resulted from their disHer Worship Madame approval with the GFF adding Justice Jo-Ann Barlow. two elite clubs that were not Aaron and Lumumba members of the Elite League for participation in the tournahad sued the Federation ment. They contended for damages for that the inclusion breach of conof these two clubs tract, speWayne Forde cial damages was in breach of in excess of a contract that they had with eighty-eight the GFF, and million dolwas also in breach of the constitution of the GFF. The claimants contended that they did not agree to the Regulations of the 2016 round of the matches, and therefore did lars, interest not sign them. They pursuant to the Law Reform contended that the Miscellaneous 2015/2016 Rules and Provisions Act Regulations formed a binding contract between Chapter 6:02 themselves and the GFF, of the Laws of

and the GFF could not change any part of those Regulations for 2016.

The Court, on examination of the 2015/2016 Rules and Regulations, discovered that they are just what the name suggests.

They are guidelines that set out the framework within which the tournament was to be conducted, and did not elevate that document to a contract in the legal sense of the word.

The defendant, like any parent body of a sporting fraternity, is empowered to make regulations in relation to its competitions. Article 75 (4) of the GFF Constitution provides that the Executive Committee of the GFF may issue special regulations in relation to competitions.

The power to issue special regulations is not limited to regulations accepted by individual members.

It may be from time to time that not every member is in agreement with the regulations as formulated. That, however, does not give a member the right to have those regulations modified to suit that member. Chaos would ensue if every member could dictate to those mandated to draw up the regulations what they want included or excluded from the regulations.

The claimants, having been dissatisfied with the changes in the Regulations, chose not to participate in the tournament. They withdrew their players from fur-

Holder comments on 1st Colonial Medical Insurance ODI

W

est Indies captain Jason Holder spoke to members of the media following the first Colonial Medical Insurance ODI against England. The home side made a record 360-8 off their 50 overs, but England replied with 3644 off 48.4 overs to win by six wickets with eight balls to spare.

Chris Gayle marked his return to the Windies with a superb 135 off 129 balls. The big lefthander smashed 12 towering sixes to record his 24th ODI century. It took him to 9,862 career runs in 285 appearances. Gayle led the charge as the Windies as they hit 23 sixes to establish a new record in ODIs. His first 50 runs came off off 76 balls then he reached the landmark at a run-a-ball in the 35th over.

Wicket-keeper Shai Hope made 64 off 65 balls in a second-wicket partnership of 131 with Gayle. Darren Bravo chipped in with 40 off 30 balls, debutant opener John Campbell, 30 off 28 balls, while at the end Ashley Nurse hit 25 not out off just eight balls.

The total was also the West Indies highest-ever at the venue – surpassing the 312 against Sri Lanka, 16 years ago, and the side’s joint

Jason Holder

third-highest – tied with the mark against Pakistan in Karachi, over three decades ago. Overall 724 runs were scored at a run rate of just under 7.4 runs per over on a superb batting surface. It was the highest run aggregate for an ODI in the West Indies.

When England batted they were bolstered by centuries from opener Jason Roy (123) and Joe Rot (102) as they added 104 for the second wicket.

Roy won the Colonial Medical Insurance Player-of-theMatch award.

“Credit to our batters I thought we played

exceptionally well on what was a really good pitch, one of the best I have seen at Kensington Oval for a while. I thought Chris played a really good innings. He took a bit of time upfront, got himself set and then put pressure back on the spinners in the middle and forced Eoin Morgan to bring back the seamers back a bit earlier. I felt he held the innings together and gave other batters a chance to express themselves.

England played well to chase down our target. We’re now 1-0 down so we know we have to bounce back on Friday and look to make it 1-1 before we head off to Grenada,” Holder said. The second Colonial Medical Insurance ODI will be played on Friday at the same venue. First ball is 11am Eastern Caribbean time. (CWI)

ther participation.

CONCACAF viewing them as not The GFF contended that the in- being in good standing with the clusion of the two Elite Clubs could GFF following their action of withnot prejudice the claimants, since drawal from the second season of those clubs, like the claimants, the Elite League Tournament. were Elite Clubs but were not proThe Court found that there was moted to become members of the no evidence of any contractual arElite League. The defendants con- rangement between the claimants tended that they were merely add- and the defendant in relation to ed to expand the pool of Elite Club the Elite League Tournament, and players in the tournament. It was therefore no breach of contract by further contended on behalf of the the defendant, nor was there any GFF that there was no contract breach of the constitution of the GFF. The claim was between the claimants and therefore dismissed. the defendants in relation to the Elite League tourK.A. Juman-Yassin, S.C. and Teni Housty, nament.

Attorneys-at-Law, apWitness statements were filed by Colin Aaron peared for the GFF. and Odinga Lumumba, and by the President of the Federation, Wayne Forde; and each had given evidence. The claimants had contended that by not playing in the Elite League Tournament, and being barred Odinga Lumumba from playing in the CONCACAF tournament, they were made to suffer loss.

Their inability to participate at the CONCACAF level was occasioned by

Semenya sets record straight over government funding for IAAF case

C

aster Semenya says a report that the South Africa government has paid R25million (US$1.78m) in costs for her case against the IAAF is wide of the mark.

The double reigning Olympic 800 metre champion turned to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to challenge proposed IAAF regulations that could force her to lower her testosterone levels to compete.

Semenya, whose case got under way at CAS on Monday, on Thursday set the record straight over the amount of public funds that have been spent to back her.

T h e 28-yearold also said she has nothing to do with an on-

Colonial Medical Insurance ODI Series Schedule

3rd Colonial Medical Insurance ODI – Monday, February 25 Grenada National Stadium, Grenada 4th Colonial Medical Insurance ODI – Wednesday, February 27 Grenada National Stadium, Grenada 5th Colonial Medical Insurance ODI– Saturday, March 2 Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia

petition requesting donations to generate financial assistance for her.

Semenya said in a statement: "It has come to my attention that on 15 February 2019 an article was published on Times Live that the government has paid R25m towards my case.

"Whilst I have no knowledge of what was paid by the government to its legal and medical team in respect of its own case, my personal representation has been funded mainly by private funders and the portion funded by the government is a small fraction of the amount that has been quoted in the article.

"It has also come to my attention that there is a petition that has been started by an organisation in support of Caster Semenya which requests as part of a sign-up a donation of money.

"I have no knowledge of and have no affiliation to this petition and it has not been sanctioned by me. I will not be receiving any of these funds and donors are advised accordingly.

"I am grateful for all the local and global support that I have received."

(Sportsmax)

Caster Semenya

l i n e

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21

Bakewell and RHTY&SC, MS, enter 20 years of productive relationship – Foster hails company’s investment

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oday we are widely Cricket Academy, Education considered Guyana’s Summer Camp, Say No to most dynamic and Crime, Christmas Village, sharing out of $1million worth successful youth and sports of school bags, Berbice Sports club, but none of our success over the years on and Award, and Tribute to Law off the cricket field would not Enforcement Officers.

Naidu also disclosed that have been possible without the support and investment apart from the cricket sponsorship, Bakewell also co-sponof Bakewell. The company is sors the Club’s Annual Review without doubt one of the main foundations for our remarkMagazine, Award Ceremony, able success, and for this we Cricket Academy, Patron’s Cup, monthly Pensioners are very grateful”.

Breakfast, and Christmas Those were the words of Village, among others. the long serving Secretary/ Special thanks have been CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Hilbert extended to CEO Mrs. Nasir, Foster, at a simple presentaGeneral Manager Rajin RHTY&SC’s Surendra Kissoonlall receiving the sponsorship cheque from Bakewell’s General Ganga, and Secretary Ms. tion ceremony as Bakewell reManager Rajin Ganga. Assistant Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu and Mahendra Gopilall looking on Natasha Bhikhari for their conewed its sponsorship of the operation.

Club’s Under-17 and Second Sinclair, the teams have also reached players are Assad Fudadin, Royston Ganga, in brief remarks, stated Division Teams for the 20th succes- the Final of the New Building Society Crandon, Shemaine Campbelle, sive time.

40-Over Tournament which was Erva Giddings, Sheneta Grimmond, that Bake well was extremely proud Bakewell, in 2000, became an of- played throughout that county and Clinton Pestano, Shabika Gajnabi, to be associated with the Rose Hall ficial sponsor of the Rose Hall Town attracted over ninety teams. The Dominique Rikhi, Jonathan Town Youth & Sports Club, as the Under-17 and Second Division two teams have, since 2000, suc- Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, club has surpassed all of the compaTeams. The two teams have, over the cessfully completed over 1,000 per- Eon Hooper, Jeremy Sandia, ny’s expectations and has representyears, won over twenty-five major sonal development programmes un- Delbert Hicks, Khemraj Mahadeo, ed the Bakewell brand with passion, championships, including six in 2018. der a wide range of sub-headings, Shailendra Shameer, Askay Homraj pride and distinction.

The titles won were the Ramnaresh including sports, coaching, educa- and Murphy La Rose.

The company’s late founder and Sarwan Under-17, Rhonda Lewis tion, anti-drugs, anti-suicide, charThe two teams, namely the Under General Manager, Naeem Nasir, had Memorial 20/20, Roy Fredericks ity, community development, youth 17 and Second Division side, would full confidence in the Rose Hall Town Memorial Tournament, Magic development, publication and an- in 2019 be undertaking a combined Youth & Sports Club. Ganga congratMoments 20/20 Lower Corentyne, ti-crime.

100 person development programme, ulated the Rose Hall Town Youth & Raffik Construction 100 Balls, and Over the years, the two teams including providing monthly pen- Sports Club on its numerous successthe Nasir Memorial 5/5 tournaments. have produced dozens of players for sioners with breakfast at the Rose es, and pledged the company’s full Under the inspirational leader- Berbice, with some going on to play Hall Town Post Office, Feeding of support in the future. ship of Guyana’s Youth Player Kevin for the West Indies. Among those the Poor, Father of the Year Award,

Buttler, Stokes rested GBA extends condolences for Windies T20Is

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he 14-man squad to contest three T20I matches against Windies, starting in St Lucia on March 5, will not feature Jos Buttler or Ben Stokes, who will return home after the fifth and final match in the ongoing ODI series. Victory on Wednesday (February 21) in the first ODI sees England hold a 1-0 lead. Jason Roy, who set-up the chase of 361 with a magnificent 123 at the top of the order, will also miss the series to return home for the birth of his first child.

Kent's Sam Billings and Middlesex's Dawid Malan make their returns to the squad for the first time since last year's Trans-Tasman Tri-series between Australia and New Zealand. Malan was particularly unfortunate to have faced the axe in this format after scoring four half-centuries in his five matches to date. Not only does he average exactly 50 in the format, but his strike rate is an impressive 150.

With a huge nine months ahead for English cricket, and with six of the 14-man squad having been out here since the start of the year for the Test series, there will be a degree of rotation. But Joe Root will get the chance to

make a rare appearance in the format.

Since the end of the 2016 World T20, the Test captain has played just eight of a possible 18 matches and has lamented the lack of opportunity to use the shortest format to enhance his limited overs batting. The England management have regularly opted to rest him for these series which, like this one, come at the end of long tours.

He will hope to play all three fixtures to build up his stock ahead of the upcoming World T20 in Australia next year. A maiden stint in the recently completed Big Bash League did not go according to plan with Root avera g i n g 15.50 in seven innings with a top s c o r e of 26 and a strike rate of 114.81. If selected, it will be Root's first overseas T20I since India at Bengaluru in February 2017.

Another name worth noting for its absence is Jofra Archer. The delay in naming this squad was down to the England selectors work-

ing out who needed a break and thus what spots they needed to fill. But there was also an inkling that Archer, who qualifies for England in March, could sneak onto the trip if he had fulfilled the residency part of the qualification criteria in time.

However, the date in question, towards the end of the month, will come too late for this series.

Squad: Eoin Morgan (C), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe R o o t , David Willey, M a r k Wood (cricbuzz)

on Beckles’ passing T

he Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has expressed condolences to the family of former national welterweight champion Lennox Beckles, who died recently following a prolonged illness.

One of the finest pugilists from these shores, Beckles had stamped his authority as one of the best from the Caribbean.

Beckles battled the best of his time, including Jose Napoles, Brian Muller, Cesar Barrow and Johnny De Peiza, among an array of stellar boxers. Boxing and Guyana have lost a dear son. May his soul rest in peace.

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friday, february 22, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

2018-2019 CWI Regional 4-Day Tournament…

Frazer’s 4-for blows Jaguars away on opening day – Scorpions end on 108-6 after Pestano’s burst

By Brandon Corlette

D

ebutant Akim Frazer grabbed four wickets to dent the Jaguars’ batting on day one of the eighth round clash at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica.

After Jaguars were bowled out for 158, Clinton Pesatno’s 4-wicket haul in the afternoon left the Scorpions in a spot of bother.

Playing at Sabina Park in Kingston Jamaica, the hosts, Jamaica Scorpions, asked the Guyana Jaguars to bat first. On a pitch with grass covering, Jaguars

made one change to their starting XI, replacing Gudakesh Motie with Clinton Pestano.

Openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Chandrapaul Hemraj added 33 runs for the steady opening partnership.

Hemraj was the first dismissed, for 23 from 34 balls, hitting five boundaries in his fluent innings.

He attempted to cut a delivery, but found substitute fielder Alwade Williams, and was out caught at backward point off the bowling of debutant Akim Frazer.

Frazer lined up Hemraj, but

SCOREBOARD

Guyana Jaguars 1st Innings T Chanderpaul c Blackwood b Frazer 15 C Hemraj c sub b Frazer 23 S Rutherford st Thomas b Frazer 0 L Johnson lbw Green 24 V Singh c King b Leveridge 27 C Barnwell st Thomas b Frazer 0 R Reifer lbw Green 1 A Bramble c Thomas b Taylor 36 R Shepherd c Thomas b Taylor 16 C Pestano not out 13 V Permaul c Thomas b Taylor 0 Extras 3 Total (55.4 overs) 158 all out FOW 1 – 33 (Hemraj, 10.6 Ov), 2 – 35 (Rutherford, 12.4 Ov), 3 – 44 (Chanderpaul, 16.3 Ov), 4 – 89 (Singh, 33.5 Ov), 5 – 90 (Barnwell, 34.5 Ov), 6 – 92 (Johnson, 39.2 Ov), 7 – 99 (Reifer, 43.2 Ov), 8 – 141 (Shepherd, 53.3 Ov), 9 – 158 (Bramble, 55.3 Ov), 10 – 158 (Permaul, 55.4 Ov) Bowling J Taylor (6.4-2-24-3) D Green (10-3-31-2) R Leveridge (12-5-18-1) A Frazer (23-3-69-4)

J Blackwood (4-0-15-0)

Jamaica Scorpions 1st Innings (overnight) C Walton b Pestano 7 P Palmer c Johnson b Pestano 0 B King C Johnson b Shepherd 7 J Blackwood c Bramble b Pestano 13 A Fudadin not out 31 A Thomas c Bramble b Pestano 0 D Green c Rutherford b Permaul 40 K Williams not out 4 Extras 6 Total (26 overs) 108-6

he was dropped at first slip by Blackwood the first ball Frazer bowled in Regional cricket. Two runs later, Sherfane Rutherford, batting at number three, was out for a duck via the stump out route.

The Jaguars were now at 35-2 in 12.4 overs, and the Scorpions were picking up wickets at regular intervals.

Chanderpaul was out for 15, caught at slips by Blackwood when he became Frazer’s third victim.

Jaguars reached the lunch interval on 74-3 in 26 overs; Vishaul Singh was on 18 while Leon Johnson was on 15.

After Singh and Johnson had added 45 runs together, Singh was dismissed by the pacey Reynard Leveridge for 27 from 57 balls. The off-spinner Frazer then removed Christopher Barnwell for a duck when he was out stumped.

Wickets tumbled in the afternoon session, after Barnwell was out at 90-5 the final five Jaguars batsmen were out for 68 runs combined.

After Jaguars reached tea on 141-8, the poor batting display by the Jaguars concluded when they were bowled out for 158 in 55.4 overs. Anthony Bramble top scored with 36 from 49 balls, hitting six boundaries. Vishaul Singh

Leon Johnson and Chandrapaul Hemraj got starts when they were dismissed in the 20s.

Bowling for Scorpions, Akim Frazer had 4-69 in 23 overs; Jerome Taylor 3-24 and Derval Green had 2-31 in a complete bowling performance. Jaguars got off to the perfect start, removing Scorpions captain Paul Palmer for a duck, out caught at slips by Johnson off the bowling of Pestano.

The Rose Hall Town player Pestano was bowling in the right areas in overcast conditions. He bowled Walton for seven with the score on 7-2.

It was a full ball that Walton played back and missed completely. Pestano was on sound bowling in the right areas.

He removed Blackwood for 13.

Blackwood was out caught behind

by Bramble at 22-3.

Brandon King became Shepherd’s first wicket; he was out caught in the slips by Johnson at 29-4. Pestano then struck for the fourth time in his return match, after sitting out in round 7, he removed Aldaine Thomas for a duck.

Derval Green, who struck a blazing half-century in round seven, counterattacked with 40

Assad Fudadin

from 38 balls. He was out caught at long-on off Permaul after hitting seven boundaries. Assad Fudadin remained unbeaten on 31 from 53, hitting six fours. Scorpions ended with 108-6 in 26 overs.

FOW 1 – 6 (Palmer, 1.6 Ov), 2 – 7 (Walton, 3.2 Ov), 3 – 22 (Blackwood, 7.6 Ov), 4 – 29 (King, 10.4 Ov), 5 – 30 (Thomas, 11.1 Ov), 6 – 98 (Green, 22.5 Ov)

Clinton Pestano ended day one with 4-16 in six overs. Shepherd and Permaul had one wicket each as Jaguars fought back. Day two will bowl off from 9:30h Jamaica time, 10:30 local time.

Jerome Taylor

Akim Frazer

Bowling R Shepherd (7-2-20-1) C Pestano (6-0-16-4) R Reifer (4-1-36-0) S Rutherford (3-0-15-0) V Permaul (3-0-9-1) C Barnwell (3-0-11-0)

GFF successfully concludes FIFA-facilitated medicine workshop

O

n Tuesday last, February 19, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) successfully wrapped up a two-day FIFA-facilitated medicine workshop held for physiotherapists and doctors attached to the nine regional member associations. It was the first to be held for medical professionals in Guyana following a 23-year lapse.

Held at the Guyana Olympic Association’s (GOA’s) Conference facility, the workshop was attended by 27 participants who engaged in both theoretical and practical exercises under the leadership of Head of the FIFA Medical and AntiDoping Department, Alexis Weber, with FIFA Medical Instructors Dr Andre Pedrinelli and Dr. Jairo Cortes Rojas, along with the Group Leader of FIFA Medical Office, Anja König.

“We have a mandate as a fraternity to take care of our players, fans, officials and all other stakeholders who serve

the game,” GFF President Wayne Forde said in closing remarks at the event. He added that building capacity to deliver quality care is among the mandate of the GFF’s Executive Committee.

“It is the mandate of the GFF Executive Committee; but beyond the mandate, it is a moral responsibility of ours to ensure that those of you who are charged with the responsibility to ensure that we can respond appropriately to anyone who is injured or seems to be experiencing difficulty with their physiology during the conduct of the game or any other is treated with the best and highest level of care we can deliver,” he said.

The workshop addressed areas such as the role of the team doctor, medical bag, sideline gears, the role of the physiotherapist, minimum stadium requirements, injury prevention, pre-game medical assessment, head injuries such as concussions, anti-doping regulations, and

Participants at GFF’s FIFA facilitated medicine workshop during a photo op

emergency medicine in football. It also offered an overview of the FIFA Football Medicine Diploma, for which participants were invited to enroll, and a briefing about FIFA and its development programmes.

Quacy Paddy, Physiotherapist attached to the Upper Demerara Football Association

(UDFA), was high in praise of the workshop: “I found this workshop very, very interesting. It opened my eyes to a lot of issues that are lacking in our football fraternity in Linden, and areas that we need to strengthen and improve in. I also had a refresher on some conditions that would require medical attention both on and off the

pitch. It also opened my horizon to the treatment protocol for concussion and sudden cardiac arrest. I learned about transporting patients on and off the field and how critical it is, and the importance of time on these cases,” he confessed.

Essequibo-Pomeroon Football Association’s (EFA) Jason Boyce said learning

the importance of prevention rather than treatment stood out for him. “This programme was very beneficial to me as a physiotherapist, as I’ve never really viewed the content as presented by the facilitators. One of the most outstanding areas was the emphasis on prevention of injuries rather than treatment. They have given us advice on how to prepare for injuries, as well as content on how we can prevent injuries. I plan to return to my Association, share the knowledge as well as mobilise players to develop themselves to prevent injuries from happening on and off the field.

In terms of difference of approach following the workshop, I would be more careful before the matches, rather than waiting to see what will happen in the match; that is, examine the players and see whether they are healthy enough to play the match in the first place, as an example,” he explained.

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, february 22, 2019

23

World boxing champion honoured by Georgetown Mayor and City Council G

uyanese Lennox Allen, who made history over the weekend by becoming Guyana’s fifth World Boxing Champion, was on February 21 given a hero’s welcome into Guyana and the capital city.

A motorcade from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri to City Hall in Georgetown is truly a welcome fit for a king, and that was the reception bestowed on recently crowned World Boxing Champion Lennox Allen.

Allen, who defeated American Derrick “Take it to the Bank” Webster in a welterweight match last weekend, was showered with praise by top ranked boxing officials on Thursday afternoon. The first of those was Peter Abdool, who explained that Allen has now joined a short list of Guyanese boxing champions.

From left: Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore ; Boxing Champion Lennox Allen; Mayor Ubraj Narine; and Director of Sport, Christopher Jones

“We’ve had seven world champions, and when you consider the whole population size, that is an amazing thing. At one point, when ‘Six Head’ and ‘Big Truck’ were here, we were carrying

the most amount of champions per capita in the world.

For a small nation, that is absolutely fantastic.

“And Lennox Allen, from day one, from the time he walked into the ring as an

amateur, demonstrated that kind of talent,” Abdool shared. Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, noted that Allen has done well for himself and community, and has set a remark-

able example for the youths of today.

“Your achievement has reinvigorated that beacon light of hope for those young people. That is why, as a Government, we will continue to lend support in whatever way possible to ensure our young people in every sport discipline have the opportunity to further their talent,” the Director of Sport said.

A beaming Ubraj Narine, Mayor of Georgetown, showered the boxing champion with praise, declaring that the entire country is proud of his achievement.

“You’ve made us all proud, and it’s time to celebrate. And something came to mind when sitting there: it is victory all the way, for you, the council and beyond; and that is what we want to see for young people, taking the step to make this country proud. And we’re very proud of you,” the Mayor of

Georgetown stated.

Very humble in his stature, Lennox Allen urged Guyanese to look out for him, as he plans to pursue more accolades.

“I appreciate everybody who came out today; and trust me: look forward for the next couple of months, it’s gonna get better, and hopefully I bring home the WBA, IBF and the WBC (titles),” Allen declared.

Allen’s encounter did not go without its fair share of hiccups, as detailed by former Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland. He shared that Allen was made aware that he was expected to appear in the ring just minutes before the event. But the Guyanese hailing from West Ruimveldt kept calm, and was further motivated by a solidarity message from President David Granger.

Allen was presented with a token on behalf of the City of Georgetown.

England’s Tour of the West Indies 2019…

Hosts seeking to make ground in 2nd ODI taken 84 more wickets. With those sort of figures, it is little wonder Jason Holder’s men have won just 11 matches in those two years.

Solving the problem won’t be easy. Kemar Roach is injured and Shannon Gabriel is banned and while Devendra Bishoo may be the best wrist-spinner in the Caribbean, his recent record in ODI cricket is awful.

At the very least, they could throw in Sheldon Cottrell’s left-arm option to add some variety and the fielders could help their bowlers out by improving on an awful fielding display which CricViz suggested cost Windies 50 runs in the first match. Even then, it’s doubtful England’s

I

t’s hardly surprising that after a match where 724 runs were scored in a little under 100 overs, the bowling line-ups of both Windies and England will be scrutinised for their effectiveness. For a modern-day ODI bowler that is an occupational hazard but the first game of the five-match series in Barbados on Wednesday (February 20) was a largely chastening affair for the bowlers on both sides.

And things are not about to get any easier during the second game on Friday, also at Kensington Oval, when a similarly good pitch for bat-

batsmen will be kept up at night worrying about this Windies bowling attack.

England’s bowlers won’t be sleeping so soundly, though after receiving their own hammering in the first match, particularly Liam Plunkett who conceded 54 runs from his six overs. For all their batting brilliance, England’s bowling attack can still have the odd off day and Chris Gayle and co put them to the sword at times in the first game, hitting 23 sixes in all, 12 from the bat of Gayle. Some of that may be down to rustiness – Plunkett and Chris Woakes have not played much of late – but the batsmen won’t always be able to bail the

bowlers out by chasing such large scores. An improvement from the bowling attack on Friday would be very welcome indeed.

Windies (From): Chris Gayle, John Campbell, Shai Hope(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Darren Bravo, Jason Holder(c), Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Devendra Bishoo, Oshane Thomas, Sheldon Cottrell, Fabian Allen England (From): Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan(c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(w), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett, Mark Wood, Alex Hales, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, David Willey

Shai Hope looked good for his 64

ting is expected and a downturn of batting aggression unlikely.

England’s victory in the first match was achieved with such ease, chasing down 360 to win without breaking a sweat, that it is the West Indian bowlers who will be feeling the heat more than anyone in the lead-up.

On Wednesday, their attack looked one-dimensional, one-paced and without much of a discernible cutting edge at all. Even Oshane Thomas, the Jamaican quick, was made to look pedestrian. And Windies need to find a cutting edge be-

cause containment simply does not work against this England team. Wickets are the only way to stop them.

But where are Windies going to find those wickets from?

Their toothlessness with the ball in the first match was not a one-off. Over the past two years, Windies have taken their wickets at a greater average than any other ODI team, conceded the third-most runs per over and have the worst strike rate, 49.1, too. In the same period, England have played 42 ODIs to Windies’ 41, yet Eoin Morgan’s men have

Ben Stokes helps Joe Root celebrate after his century

friday, february 22, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

World Boxing Champion honoured

by Georgetown Mayor Frazer’s 4-fer blow and City Council Jaguars away on opening day 2018-2019 Regional 4-Day Tournament…

Page 23

Super Middleweight World Boxing Champion Lennox Allen

Page 22

– Scorpions ended on 108-6 after Pestano’s burst

England’s Tour of the West Indies 2019…

Hosts seeking to make ground in 2nd ODI Page 23

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