Guyana Times - Friday, January 11, 2019

Indian High Commission celebrates Pravasi Bharatiya Divas P13 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3801

guyanatimesgy.com

Friday, January 11, 2019

Govt, Opposition express willingness to meet again …as joint communiqué issued one day after high-level meeting

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

LGC to P deliberate on CoI findings today

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Page 3

Accelerate implementation of security reforms – Granger tells GPF

Driver gets $500,000 bail for P cyclist’s death

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Several stalls at Stabroek Market P12 without power since Wednesday

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy

Internal tensions could “weaken” Guyana on world stage – Greenidge Page 9

Police tight-lipped on Charrandas Persaud probe Page 7

Alleged Sindicato gang member killed during shootout at mining Page camp 14

“Smallie”, “Catty” finally stand trial P14 for 2007 ECD businessman’s murder

Ramkellawan wanted for unlawful trade in wildlife P12

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fridAY, January 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Vendor placed on $100,000 bail for phone theft

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44-year-old vendor appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday charged with

stealing a midwife’s phone at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Shawn Smith, of Dennis

Street, Kitty, Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus and pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

It was stated by Police Prosecutor, Adoni Innis that on January 7, 2019, Kathleen Bristol left the phone valued at $100,000 in her handbag.

Upon returning, she realised that the phone was missing. Security guards conducted a search of the defendant and the phone was found in his possession.

Smith did not have legal representation but told the court that on the said day, he was at the Hospital with his pregnant reputed wife and discovered the phone on a nearby bench.

According to the vendor, the phone was found in his possession just a few minutes after he found it.

The Prosecutor further indicated that the defendant was sentenced to one year in prison some time ago af-

Man implicated in Berbice double murder turns self in

Accused: Shawn Smith

ter he was convicted at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court of armed robbery.

However, the defendant told the Magistrate that this was his first arraignment.

Consequently, Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus told the Prosecutor to garner additional information before a sentence is determined.

Smith was released on $100,000 bail, and the matter was adjourned until January 15, 2019.

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Dead: Harricharran and Premcharran Samaroo

omeo Deonarine who is believed to have been wanted for questioning in relation to the recent double murder in Berbice turned up at the Whim Police Station with his attorney.

On Monday, Police issued wanted bulletins for 28-year-old Yougendra Jeenarine of Lot 439 Bush Lot, Corentyne, Berbice and his 32-yearold accomplice, Kelvin Shivgobin, of Belvedere, Corentyne, Berbice, in connection with the murder of Harricharran and Premcharran Samaroo, which occurred on December 31.

However, the men had already been taken into custody before the wanted bulletins were published and broadcast. In fact, the men were in custody for more than 72 hours.

Jeenarine was arrested on January 3 and was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital to see a doctor on Saturday after he had told his lawyer, Chandra Sohan that he was beaten by the Police. Shivgobin,

the second suspect, was arrested the following day.

Following the incident on December 31, Police were able to arrest one suspect who was able to provide limited information.

It was reported that on the night in question, the now dead brothers were imbibing with Deonarine along with a cousin who had arrived in Guyana from the US. Reports are that Deonarine left the house before the electricity went out. It is believed that he might have orchestrated the robbery-murder.

Investigators were able to identify Deonarine in a photo taken at the home hours prior to the incident.

The suspect, who is said to be from Bush Lot, Corentyne, has been implicated in several other robberies on the Corentyne.

He, along with others, was last month granted bail on an armed robbery charge.

Kitty woman wanted after forging passport declaration

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he Police on Thursday issued a wanted bulletin for 32-year-old Onika Ann Benjamin of Lot 126 Thomas Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

Benjamin is wanted by the Police for questioning in relation to a false declaration for the purpose of obtaining a Guyanese passport from the Guyana Police Force on January 18, 2018.

Police on Thursday said anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of this suspect is kindly asked to contact the nearest Police station on the following numbers: 333-3876, 333-2485, 333-5564, 911 or at the nearest Police station.

Wanted: Onika Ann Benjamin

All information will be treated with strict confidence, the Police have said.

news

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fridAY, January 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, January 11 – 05:00h-06:30h and Saturday, January 12 – 08:30h-10:00h.

– as joint communiqué issued 1 day after high-level meeting

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, January 11 – 07:05h-08:35h and Saturday, January 12 – 07:40h-09:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals are expected to prevail throughout the day, while clear skies can be expected in the evening, with overall temperatures ranging between 20 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 07:41h and 19:58h reaching maximum heights of 2.39 metres and 2.44 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 01:14h and 13:30h reaching minimum heights of 0.73 metre and 0.84 metre respectively.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2019

LOTTERY NUMBERS C

02 08 14

15 20 21

FREE TICKET

16 Bonus Ball

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019 DAILY MILLIONS

02 08 11 17 20 LUCKY 3

3

8

4

5

Afternoon Draw

8

4

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

03

11

13

14

PAY DAY

03 04 07 09 12

Govt, Opposition express willingness to meet again

16 18 20 SUPER PAY DAY

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

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oth Government and the Opposition have expressed willingness to meet again to ensure the management of various issues facing the nation.

This is according to the communiqué put together by both parties and issued to the press by way of email on Thursday, following a high-level meeting which took place on Wednesday.

Although late by one day, the statement is seen as a historic move on the way forward from President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

It said, “The parties met in an atmosphere of cordiality and iterated their emphatic commitment to work on all and any matters relating to the preservation and protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana; irrespective of any domestic political issues.”

According to the joint statement, the parties recognised the high importance of continuous engagements between the Government and Opposition, the importance they hold for the national interest and the elevated public expectation.

Further, it said Jagdeo reiterated his position that the “No-confidence Motion” was validly passed and therefore there must be compliance with Articles 106 (6) and (7) of the Constitution.

He further stated that the timeframes prescribed by the two provisions of the Constitution must be rigidly observed, notwithstanding the pendency of the legal proceedings.

The statement referred to Jagdeo statement in which he said that Parliament must be dissolved unless otherwise agreed upon in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the Constitution.

“Leader of the Opposition contended that while the Government remains in office in accordance with Articles 106 (7) of the Constitution, its functions must be confined to the provision of essential services of the State and to matters in relation to preparation for elections.”

In addition, the communiqué highlighted that Jagdeo

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

emphasised that the National Assembly should only meet to deal with issues connected with the provision of essential services by the State and all matters related to the preparation of General and Regional Elections.

Meanwhile, it said the President emphasised that Government is legal and that it must govern without any limitations on its au-

President David Granger

thority. Granger said too that there is no provision in the Constitution which imposes limitation on the Government to perform its lawful functions.

“The President indicated that the Government and the

Opposition, by agreement in the National Assembly, can enlarge the time beyond the 90 days contemplated by Article 106 (7) of the Constitution. The President further stated that it is lawful for the Government to engage the court, to bring clarity to the provisions of Article 106 (6) and 106 (7) of the Constitution. Pending the conclusion of the legal proceedings, Parliament remains functional,” it added.

In ending, it stated that both sides are committed to work towards the expeditious conclusion of the matters engaging the attention of the court. It also confirmed that the parties identified Ally and Teixeira to enquire into the readiness of the Guyana Elections Commission.

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guyanatimesgy.com

fridAY, January 11, 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

Proactively protecting our children

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ver the past week, Guyana Times has been writing on aspects of a recently complied report by ChildLink (Guyana) which highlights a worrying trend about the level of child abuse in Guyana. ChildLink Guyana is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which works towards the protection of children against abuse and exploitation.

As if the act of sexually abusing a child is not heinous enough, the report points to cases where several of these children have contracted sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) during the atrocious acts.

According to its most recent study, the NGO has found that a number of children became pregnant while others contracted HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Others, according to the report, suffered from ruptured uteruses.

UNICEF Regional Child Protection Adviser for Latin America and the Caribbean, Nadine Perrault, in speaking about the issue in the region said, “sexual abuse happens everywhere – at home, school, and in other institutions; and has a serious physical, psychological and social impact… it is one of the main factors that contribute to HIV infection, and that is why it is not surprising that this region (Caribbean) has one of the highest prevalence of HIV and AIDS worldwide.”

Numerous studies have shown that sexual violence can have serious short- and long-term physical, psychological and social consequences not only for girls or boys, but also for their families and communities. This includes psychological distress, stigma, discrimination and difficulties at school. Other consequences include an increased likelihood of future substance abuse, aggressive behaviours, high-risk health behaviours, criminal activity, depressive and affective disorders, personality disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, schizophrenia and abuse of their own children and spouses. The vicious cycle seems never-ending.

Over the past year, as this newspaper has highlighted on several occasions, if one were to look at the pattern of sentencing by the court when the perpetrators are found guilty after a lengthy trial, one would recognise that the courts have handed down sentences that are meant to serve as a deterrent and a strong signal to our society – that such acts of gross indecency which violate the very moral fabric of society and endanger our children – would not be tolerated or allowed to go unpunished.

Therefore, the Judiciary should be congratulated, and more resources should flow in its direction to ensure that the Court’s capacity is boosted to tackle all issues related to sexual offences committed particularly against minors. But the real issue of help for our children does not lie with the Judiciary but rather with our families, policies, programmes and agencies that are meant to protect our children. Clearly, the authorities, advocates and policymakers need to re-examine the approach to the issues.

Effective prevention strategies should focus on modifying policies, practices, and societal norms to create safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. Again, it would be beneficial to examine what has been done elsewhere. Importantly too is that all the necessary support systems must be put in place to ensure victims and their families are provided with the counselling, etc, to overcome the trauma of sexual violence.

The Social Protection Ministry through its Child Care Protection Agency (CCPA), the Guyana Police Force, religious organisations, NGOs, families and communities are also key partners in the fight against child sexual violence. The CCPA and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) must provide the necessary training to its officers to properly investigate sexual crimes against children.

Our children need to be assured that when violence against them is reported, the law will act quickly to persecute the perpetrators.

While Guyana Times on several occasions has commended the CCPA and the GPF for its work in these matters, these interventions are coming a little too late. Both entities, as previously stated, are still operating in reactive mode, and is too bogged down to embark on a robust campaign featuring the implementation of measures that could see many of these acts being prevented before it’s too late.

There is desperate need, therefore, for the Government of Guyana to redouble its efforts to respond to this assault and violation of the decency and human rights of our children. Again, the call is being reiterated for a unit to be immediately established to tackle child abuse in all of its forms, as this can aid the work being done by CCPA. We cannot continue to be complacent with the lives of our children.

One of the winners of the first round of Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz with India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam at the Indian Cultural Centre on Thursday during the hosting of World Hindi Day 2019

Amnesty calls for international probe into Khashoggi murder – rights group marks 100 days since Khashoggi's murder with demonstration at consulate, renews call for credible probe

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uman rights watchdog Amnesty International has reiterated its call for an international probe into the killing of Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

The rights monitor made the call outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday as it marked the 100th day since Khashoggi was killed there. “It is important for the Turkish authorities to keep up their calls for an independent UN investigation, but really the whole international community needs to commit to this so that justice is done,” Amnesty’s Andrew Gardner told Al Jazeera.

Activists held up a symbolic street sign bearing the name of Khashoggi, a journalist and critic of the Saudi government’s reform programme under the stewardship of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known by his initials MBS. “The murder of Khashoggi, which happened before the eyes of the whole world, should be the subject of an international investi-

The trial of those accused of murdering Khashoggi opened last week in Saudi Arabia

gation,” Goksu Ozahishali, the organisation’s campaign manager in Turkey, told reporters.

“With this symbolic activity, we are reiterating our demand of justice for Khashoggi,” she added.

Several questions remain unanswered including the whereabouts of Khashoggi’s remains more than three months after the murder on October 2, 2018.

Khashoggi had entered the consulate to obtain divorce papers, in order to marry his Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz. Saudi au-

thorities initially denied involvement in Khashoggi’s murder, insisting he had left the building after completing paperwork, but later admitted that a team of Saudi agents had killed him.

“After continually lying about what happened to the journalist, Saudi authorities eventually talked about Khashoggi’s fate,” Al Jazeera correspondent Jamal Elshayyal said.

“However, so far nobody has been punished for the crime. Turkish investigators identified 19 suspects

who entered the country as part of a hit squad,” he added.

Turkish and Western intelligence officials have either hinted at or directly blamed MBS for the murder but Saudi monarch King Salman left MBS’s portfolios unchanged in the latest reshuffle.

The trial of those accused of murdering Khashoggi opened last week in Saudi Arabia. The prosecutor has demanded the death penalty against five of the accused whose identities have not been revealed.

“We don’t believe that the Saudi authorities, who initiated a show investigation into the murder, will conduct a fair and reliable process,” Amnesty’s Ozahishali said.

The United Nations human rights office last week said it was unable to assess the fairness of the trial taking place, regretting that the information it had was “not sufficient” and adding that it was “against the imposition of the death penalty” on the five suspects. (Al

Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

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

The PNC-led coalition Region 2 farmers has dug its own grave affected by low rainfall

Dear Editor, The removal of the $10,000 per school-aged child grant and the closure of the sugar estates and the non-payment of their severance one year after, had disastrous effects in those communities, hurting Guyanese from all walks of life.

In either scenario, the Government was the digger of its own grave because you cannot deliberately hurt those two major groups and expect to remain in office. No, never!

Common sense dictates that this kind of behaviour would not have been tolerated for any length of time, and quite frankly, three and a half years is more than enough time for such foolishness to prevail.

This Government has left deep scars that cannot be healed in both communities. They promised a "good life" but have given pure hell these past years, with Guyanese suffering immensely. Where is the “good life” the people are asking? When would this good life shine on us?

Guyanese from all walks of life have watched their fortunes plummet while the ones they voted into office are just living it up with their ill-gotten wealth. This was too much to bear and most of us just want them out. So when Charrandas Persaud made that decision to switch allegiance and set his conscience free, he was just echoing the sentiments of most of his countrymen.

Guyanese single-parents who have to manage large households on a shoe-string budget would not be convinced by this Government's shenanigans of a “good life”. Many of these households presently living below the poverty line openly said that they could hardly wait to see the backs of these corrupt elements they placed in office.

I know of one such family living in the squatting area in Berbice, who react-

ed immediately upon the announcement of the withdrawal of that subsidy/income. His precarious position is the harsh reality of a father with nine children to care for.

The $90,000 he got from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government has gone. What could he do?

Well, picture his reaction to such inhumane treatment from a Government he supported over the years, with no bars holding back, he blurted out "aah leh dem guh... we punish too lang under dem."

These and other similar sentiments echoed and reechoed all across Guyana.

So, as much as the tyrannical People’s National Congress (PNC)-led coalition was stunned by that successful no-confidence vote, it came as no surprise to (I can safely say for all of us) who saw this as a welcome relief from the burdens of dictators. It was as if a great burden was lifted off of us.

For the unilateral, politically appointed puppet Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for office and President Granger must, I repeat, must adhere to the Constitution which stipulates that he chooses one from the list of 18 persons furnished by the Leader of the Opposition.

And with good reason, Justice James Patterson cannot and again I repeat, cannot be a competent or ‘fit and proper’ person to hold such a hard and demanding position as an Elections Commission Chairman, he is just the wrong person.

Even of greater importance is the fact that for anyone to hold such a fractious and volatile position takes more than a degree in the legal profession, it takes grit, determination and an impartial understanding of our political climate; something this ailing octogenarian greatly lacks.

This handpicked political appointee who was placed

there to carry out the nefarious rigging orders of his party, cannot be trusted to be at the helm of our electoral machinery.

Further to our discourse is the behind the scenes actions of the PNC-led coalition, they are not going to go in a fair and peaceful manner. First-hand information coming to us is that massive money transfers are being undertaken at the Finance Ministry, while at the same time volumes of documents are being shredded so as to leave no paper trail when they demit office.

So, as much as Charrandas Persaud has left us, the road to a peaceful and progressive life ahead, that objective would not be achieved unless that road is paved with all the trappings of fairness and transparency in the next general election. I say this with deep commitment for and love for my country.

The fact is that the legacy left by Persaud would all be in vain if we allow the PNC to "control" the next election. For our country to breathe again and for us to be rid of the PNC, we have to take the struggle to another level; that is, the appointment of a fair and impartial GECOM Chairman.

I rest my case.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Dear Editor, I want to comment on the article in your column dated January 4, 2019, concerning rainfall and irrigation for Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) farmers.

The article reported that despite the pumps of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority working beyond the scheduled operating hours, the level of irrigation water in the main canal continued to be insufficient to adequately service all the rice fields in both the front and backland areas.

I was an Overseer with the Hydraulics Division in Region Two before I resigned in December 1981, with responsibility for the Dawa pump station and the Main Canal. When there was little or no rainfall, the four pumps at Dawa worked 24/7. Yes, fuel was a big issue, and when funds were unavailable, Kayman Sankar paid for the fuel.

The engineer reported that the pumps were working beyond the scheduled operating hours and these hours were extended.

He added that should the need arise; the hours will be further extended. This is a clear indication that the pumps are NOT working 24/7. If there are constraints to operate the four pumps 24/7, then do not put blame on the weather.

The article reported that the front lands were mainly affected. From my experience, irrigating the front lands was never a problem. These are the lowest lands and with the Tail Wall closed, the leakage from the main canal regulators alone was almost adequate. The third depth rice fields are the highest and are usually a problem with irrigation if the Main Canal is not at a certain level.

The Tapakuma Irrigation Project was inaugurated in the early 1960s, almost six decades ago, and included the Dawa Pump Station, the Main Canal and the regulators.

When I left, the pump station was falling apart due to a lack of funds.

Vandalism was rampant and many of the gates for

the regulators had disappeared or were totally damaged.

The Main canal embankment was porous and a large amount of valuable water was seeping out at many places. Silt had begun to build up in the Main Canal.

I know that rehabilitation work was eventually done to the Dawa Pump Station, but, I'm not sure if desilting of the Main Canal was ever done.

The system, as was intended, will definitely boost rice cultivation in the region, only when it is properly maintained and skillfully supervised by experienced personnel.

Sincerely, Mohamed Majeed Former D&I Overseer

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fridAY, january 11, 2019

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here's a lot of talk these days about fit kids. People who care (parents, doctors, teachers, and others) want to know how to help kids be more fit.

Being fit is a way of saying a person eats well, gets a lot of physical activity (exercise), and has a healthy weight. If you're fit, your body works well, feels good, and can do all the things you want to do, like run around with your friends.

Some parts of this are up to parents – such as serving healthy meals or deciding to take the family on a nature hike. But kids can take charge too when it comes to their health.

Here are five rules to live by, if you're a kid who wants to be fit. The trick is to follow these rules most of the time, knowing that some days (like your birthday) might call for cake and ice cream.

Eat a variety of foods

Foundation

water is the best thirst-quencher.

Kids need calcium to build strong bones, and milk is a great source of this mineral. How much do kids need? If you are four to eight years old, drink 2½ cups of milk a day, or its equivalent. If you're nine or older, aim for three cups of milk per day, or its equivalent. You can mix it up by having milk and some other calcium-rich dairy foods. Here's one combination: 2 cups (about half a litre) of lowfat or nonfat milk 1 slice cheddar cheese ½ cup (small container) of yogurt If you want something other than milk or water once in a while, it's OK to have 100 per cent juice.

But try to limit juice to no more than one serving (six to eight ounces) a day. Avoid sugary drinks, like sodas, juice cocktails, and fruit punches. They contain a lot of added sugar. Sugar just adds calories, not important nutrients.

You may have a favourite food, but the best choice is to eat a variety. If you eat different foods, you're more likely to get the nutrients your body needs. Taste new foods and old ones you haven't tried for a while.

Some foods, such as green veggies, may taste better the older you get.

Shoot for at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day – two fruits and three vegetables.

What does it feel like to be full?

When you're eating, notice how your body feels and when your stomach feels comfortably full. Sometimes, people eat too much because they don't notice when they need to stop eating. Eating too much can make you feel uncomfortable and can lead to unhealthy weight gain.

Drink water & milk

Limit screen time

When you're really thirsty, cold

Listen to your body

What's screen time? It's the

amount of time you spend watching TV or DVDs, playing video games (console systems or handheld games), and using a smart phone, tablet, or computer. The more time you spend on these sitting-down activities, the less time you have for active stuff, like basketball, bike riding, and swimming. Try to spend no more than two hours a day on screen time, not counting computer use related to school and educational activities.

Be active

One job you have as a kid – and it's a fun one – is that you get to figure out which activities you like best. Not everyone loves basketball or soccer. Maybe your passion is karate, or kickball, or dancing. Ask your parents to help you do your favourite activities regularly. Find ways to be active every day. You might even write down a list of fun stuff to do, so you can use it when your mom or dad says it's time to stop watching TV or playing computer games!

Speaking of parents, they can be a big help if you want to be a fit kid. For instance, they can stock the house with healthy foods and plan physical activities for the family.

Tell your parents about these five steps you want to take and maybe you can teach them a thing or two.

If you're a fit kid, why shouldn't you have a fit mom and a fit dad? (kidshealth.org)

W

hy play sports? You might say "to get exercise" and you'd be right. To have fun? That's true, too. But there's more.

In fact, there are at least five more reasons. According to the Women's Sports Foundation, girls who play sports get a lot more than just fit.

search shows that girls who play sports do better in school than those who don't.

Exercise improves learning, memory, and concentration, which can give active girls an advantage in the classroom.

Girls who play sports do better in school

Sport teaches valuable life skills. When you working with coaches, trainers, and teammates to win games and achieve goals, you're learning how to be successful. Those skills will serve you well at work and in family life.

You might think that athletics will take up all your study time. But re-

Girls who play sports learn teamwork and goal-setting skills

Sports are good for a girl's health

In addition to being fit and maintaining a healthy weight, girls who play sports are also less likely to smoke.

And later in life, girls who exercise are less likely to get breast cancer or osteoporosis.

Playing sports boosts self-confidence. Girls who play sports feel better about themselves. Why? It builds confidence when you know you can practice, improve, and achieve your goals.

Sports are also a feel-good activity because they help girls get in shape, maintain a healthy weight, and make new friends.

Exercise cuts the pressure

Playing sports can lessen stress and help you feel a little happier. How? The brain chemicals released during exercise improve a person's mood. Friends are another mood-lifter. And being on a team creates tight bonds between friends. It's good to know your teammates will support you — both on and off the field! (kidshealth.org)

7 Police tight-lipped on Charrandas Persaud probe D news

fridAY, January 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

ays after Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan indicated that an investigation was launched into Charrandas Persaud, the Guyana Police Force is yet to disclose the grounds under which the investigation is being conducted.

This was further cemented after Top Cop Leslie James told media operatives on Thursday that he will not divulge any information with respect to the investigation other than it is one of “national security”.

“The investigation is ongoing and as I said prior, it’s a matter of national security… Is a matter where a former Member of Parliament is reported to have been involved allegedly, in some matter, and that is what we are dealing with,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Force’s Annual Officers’ Conference.

The Police Commissioner further withheld information on how the Force came about to launch the probe or whether anyone made a formal complaint.

The Top Cop posited that, “Well whatever is established will be determined; we do not determine what is established. What we do is investigate matters and submit for legal advice.”

Moreover, when asked about the credibility of the evidence being gathered, James asserted that he cannot speak to that.

“We are at this point in time collecting evidence… [on] a matter that was reported to us of national security importance… As I said it’s a sensitive matter please give due regard to that,” the Top Cop said, while assuring that a press conference will be called in the future to update the public on this matter.

N e v e r t h e l e s s , Commissioner James disclosed that so far, no contact has been made with the former Member of

PPP Member Peter Ramsaroop

Top Cop Leslie James

Parliament but noted that if this becomes necessary then it will be done.

Since the historic December 21, 2018, 3332 passage of the no-confidence resolution – a move which has toppled the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition after the AFC MP broke rank with Government and voted in favour of the Opposition’s no-confidence resolution, there have been much speculations surrounding the action of the former MP, who said he took a “conscience vote”.

In fact, there are allegations floating around after Charrandas was seen leaving the National Assembly escorted by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) member, Peter Ramsaroop.

However, on Wednesday, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo dismissed these mischievous claims, saying that the businessman is free to befriend whomever he wants to, even if it’s persons from the opposite side of the house.

“Peter is free to be friends with Charrandas, and also a member of the PPP. Charrandas has lots of friends on our side and we have lots of friends on APNU’s side so there are

lots of people who have friendships across the political spectrum… I’m not going to distance the party from people because they have friends among other races and among other parties. That’s what we’re trying to encourage, better relationships across politics,” the Opposition Leader asserted during a press briefing on Wednesday following the highly anticipated meeting with President David Granger on the way forward after the passage of the no-confidence resolution.

Furthermore, Jagdeo once again took time out to categorically set the record straight that there was no inducements from the Opposition to sway the former Government MP’s vote.

He also rubbished allegations by Attorney General Basil Williams that the PPP has compromised five more parliamentarians on the coalition’s side.

Meanwhile, Ramsaroop has also denied any wrongdoing, telling reporters on Wednesday that Charrandas had requested his help – something which he would have done for any of his friends. “…I mean Charrandas is my friend [but] I didn’t even know if he was going

Former AFC MP Charrandas Persaud

to vote yes or not. He just said to me, “If I decide to vote yes… would you help me with security,” and I said “absolutely, yes”,” the businessman told reporters.

However, Ramsaroop’s support for Charrandas has caused the Ogle Airport Inc to suspend protocol pass over an alleged security breach. This order came from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) although the airport insisted it did not breach any protocols.

According to reports, a Canadian diplomat, along with Ramsaroop, had obtained protocol passes to see Charrandas off at the Eugiene F Correia Airport, hours after the

December 21 sitting of the National Assembly. It is being alleged that the security protocol was breached when Ramsaroop accompanied the diplomat and Charrandas onto the tarmac of the East Coast Demerara airport since such passes are valid for civilians.

It was against this backdrop that Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee was called for a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge on Wednesday.

The Canadian envoy confirmed that the meeting took place but opted not to divulge any further details when questioned by the media on the matter at an event on Thursday.

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fridAY, January 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Cuban remanded for forging visa after being turned down

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Cuban citizen on Thursday appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts slapped with three counts of fraud.

Lazaro Pereira Alanzo denied the charges when they were read to him by Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs– Marcus, through an interpreter.

The first charge against the 52-year-old man stated that on December 17, 2018, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he uttered to Ayana Harris, a General Clerk at the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Citizenship

one visa appointment confirmation letter, dated January 11, 2019, in favour of himself, purporting to show that same was issued by the Mexican Embassy.

The second charge read that between September 29, 2018 and December 17, 2018, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he forged one visa appointment letter dated January 11, 2019, in favour of himself purporting to show that same was issued by the Mexican Embassy.

The Police further stated that between January 1, 2019 and January 8, 2019, at

Georgetown, he failed to comply with conditions subject to a permit via which he was granted permission to stay from the period September 29, 2018 and September 31, 2018, but overstayed.

In his defence, Alanzo told the court: “I am not guilty of the offences and I was tricked by the person who filled out the form for me and that bail should be granted to me.”

However, Police Prosecutor Adoni Innis objected to bail being granted to the foreigner, citing the prevalence of the offence and the fact he had no ties to Guyana.

The Prosecutor further stated that while the defendant was in Guyana, he applied for a visa at the Mexican Embassy, but his request was turned down.

The discovery of the forgery was made days later when he went to the Ministry.

It was reported that the confirmation letter issued to the Ministry did not originate from the Mexican Embassy in Guyana.

The Police Prosecutor’s submission was upheld by the Magistrate, who remanded Alanzo to prison until January 14, 2019.

Driver gets $500,000 bail for cyclist death

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n East Canje resident was on Wednesday placed on $500,000 bail by Magistrate Renita Singh when he appeared at the Reliance Magistrate Court to answer to a causing death by dangerous driving charge.

Mohandas Meekum, also called "Marvin" is accused of driving motor lorry BWW 1831 in a dangerous manner on September 21, 2018 at Adelphi thus causing the death of Rajendranauth Harold-Singh.

At the time of the accident Harold-Singh, 52, of Lot 28 Reliance Abundant East Canje, was riding motorcycle with plates CF 1615 which is owned by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

Meekum, 36, had just come out of his Betsy Ground East Canje yard when the accident occurred.

An autopsy performed on the body gave the cause of death as multiple injuries consistence with a vehicular accident.

It was reported that that Haroldsingh was on his way home from work when he collided with the canter driven by Meehum which was reversing out of a yard.

The now dead man was reportedly flung into the air and landed on the roadway. He received injuries and was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he died while receiving medical attention. Meanwhile, Meekum is expected to return to court on January 23.

Mohandas Meekum, also called "Marvin"

Now what's next…

N

… with elections?

ow that the big meeting’s over and we can begin to reflect on what issued forth, what can we agree about what really occurred? Well, in the estimation of your Eyewitness, since the promised “joint communique” that was being crafted right after the meeting never “issued forth”, we know for a fact the two sides can’t even agree on what they agreed on!! And that’s not good news!

More wars have started from misunderstandings arising from “talks” than anything else in history – from the premises of the Spartans and Athenians in the Peloponnesian Wars to Hitler and Chamberlain at Munich before WWII. It’s always been a case of “mismatched expectations” not being vented freely and then the two sides arriving at a common position. Each side blithely goes along with what they THOUGHT was the agreement and when they act on that understanding, the other side concludes that they’re showing bad faith!

Take the Opposition Leader’s conviction, expressed forcefully, at his post-meeting press conference that the PNC leader, David Granger has agreed to elections by MidApril at the latest. But even before Jagdeo had opened his presser, the President had broadcast a message in which he announced: “As you know the Government has had legal recourse to the courts in order to determine the validity of the vote in the National Assembly on the 21st of December.” Now this was only ONE of the ways that shows Granger’s understanding of the election date is not the same as the Opposition leaders.

Even though both the Government and the Opposition can petition the courts – High Court, Appellate and CCJ, the PNC’s gonna go all the way to place the matter at the top of the agenda – they can’t tell the courts how fast they can arrive at a decision! After all, in their pleading to rush the case, both sides would’ve already stressed how monumental they were. You don’t rush “monumental” decisions that will be looked at by every jurisdiction in the Commonwealth as precedent!!

The question is will there be “war break” when the PNC, for sure, ensures there are no elections before April?

…with Cabinet

Then there was the demand by the Opposition on a “caretaker Government”. Obviously, the state had to be managed by a “Government” – even if there weren’t the Venezuelan Navy intercepting our oil exploration vessels!

There’s the humdrum everyday minutiae of governance that must be taken care of. Like, for instance, whether PM Nagamootoo should have six or eight outriders when he tools around town in his black SUV! The question raised by the Opposition was “What sort of Government?” was quite apropos.

So your Eyewitness expected (and had written) that there was the precedent set by our model of governance, Britain, where the Labour government had been voted out by the Tories in 1979. Before you could say, Jack Sprat, Labour resigned and elections were held. Now we mightn’t be able to turn on a dime, elections wise, like the Brits (being “natives” and all that), but surely, like Thatcher demanded then, the Government couldn’t just traipse down the governmental primrose path as if nothing had happened!

So the question for us would be who’d constitute that government in the interregnum between the no-confidence vote and the elections! The Opposition demanded a “caretaker government and, not unreasonably, your Eyewitness expected some governance changes. For instance, the Opposition could’ve extracted a quid pro quo from the Government for them to go along with the Cabinet not resigning. Like having their shadow ministers be present at Cabinet meetings until the elections.

In this way, Government could go on, but the Opposition could toss in their perspectival two cents!

But with the PNC continuing will there be war break?

…on GECOM

After the successful No-confidence Motion, GECOM’s Deputy CEO asserted they could carry out a March election, after the LGE, which was like a test run.

Will there be war break if they now backtrack?

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

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fridAY, January 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy

Internal tensions could “weaken” Guyana on world stage – Greenidge

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oreign Minister Carl Greenidge said on Thursday that the domestic issues facing Guyana could have a negative impact on the country’s image internationally as the border controversy matter with Venezuela continues before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

He made this comment during a symposium hosted by the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) where he called for a united front between Government and the Opposition on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy even as the outcome of court rulings over the December 21, 2018 no-confidence resolution loomed.

“I myself don’t think that it was a coincidence.

The Venezuelans were notified on December 6 and 7 and they said nothing; the works started and they did nothing, but when they did move, it was immediately after this internal problem,” the Foreign Affairs Minister opined.

He further said that settling the issue would address Venezuela’s recent maritime transgressions, which, among other things, were aimed at the country gaining access to the Atlantic through the Essequibo region. It was one day after the 33-32 passage of the Opposition filed motion that Venezuelan Navy operatives temporarily intercepted an ExxonMobilcontracted oil exploration vessel offshore the Stabroek Block in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The ExxonMobil ves-

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

sels under contract by the company and its partners, CNOOC of China and NEX of the USA, were performing exploratory seismic work when they were intercepted about 10:30h on December 22, 2018.

Greenidge posited that our internal divisions “could weaken” the country on the international stage. “They weaken us in the eyes of our enemies.

They believe that when we are divided, we don’t have as much of a voice internationally,” he stressed.

At the same time, the senior Cabinet member explained that the maritime issue could not be sorted out unless the land controversy was finally put to rest since a country would needed a coastline to stake a claim to maritime space.

The Minister also outlined that the sections of the Stabroek Block where the vessel was intercepted was far removed from the area, where Guyana’s western neighbour claimed there were Orinoco River delta

deposits.

“The Orinoco delta is roughly 120 kilometres from the boundary that constitutes Guyana’s EEZ ... it’s not nearby, you can’t just wish that you were a couple of miles different,” he noted.

Greenidge further said that Venezuela’s 2015 decree affected the maritime boundaries of 14 Caribbean countries. He has made it clear that the marine space, including all minerals, under sea and in the air, belonged to Guyana.

Despite Guyana moving to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to clear up the controversy, Bloomberg News has reported on Venezuela’ controversial plans to remap its Caribbean off shore oil in the next few months which could further add to tensions with Guyana.

Officials at the stateowned Petroleos de Venezuela were tightlipped on the matter, but, according to reports, the new survey will also include areas bordering the Caricom nations of Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Last year, the Guyana Government filed documents at the ICJ outlining the challenges created

by Venezuela and outlined why it believes that the Court has a right to hear its case to settle the border controversy over the 1899 Arbitral Tribunal Award.

Greenidge recently met with the US National Security Council’s Western Hemisphere Affairs Director Mauricio ClaverCarone in Brazil over the

matter.

Carone urged Venezuela to respect international law and the rights of its neighbours. Further, the US State Department reiterated in a statement

that “Guyana has the sovereign right to explore and exploit resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone”.

During Wednesday’s symposium, retired Major

General Joe Singh gave a presentation outlining the historical background to the 1899 Arbitral Tribunal Award that later became a matter of contention.

Alleged Sindicato gang member killed during standoff at mining camp

The guns and ammunition that were found in the bandit’s possession

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fficers attached to a private security firm on Wednesday night shot and killed a suspected member of the notorious Sindicato gang during an almost two-hour standoff.

The incident occurred sometime around 22:00h when a group of the alleged gang members attacked SSS Mining Camp at Blackwater, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

The security firm, Sheriff Security Services, in a post on its Facebook page disclosed that the guards stationed at the mining camp came under heavy fire but were able to defend themselves, returning shots at their attackers, who they claim are members of the notorious Venezuela-based gang.

During the shootout, one

Members of the security force that killed the alleged Sindicato gang member

of the suspected gang members was fatally shot. The security firm also revealed that two illegal handguns along with matching ammunition and a loaded AK 47 magazine were recovered close to the body.

Divisional Commander Kevin Adonis told reporters that the alleged robbery was reported via Whatsapp messenger sometime around 05:00h on Thursday morn-

ing and that a team was dispatched to the area.

“From my information, the water is very low in the Cuyuni River. To go into that creek, it takes about four hours and basically, we’re looking at seven hours for the ranks to reach in there. They had left about 05:30h after receiving the report, they gathered and went in,” Adonis related. turn to page 1

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fridAY, January 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

LGC to deliberate on ERC to launch harmony CoI findings today campaign, unity play

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A

fter instantaneously postponing meetings on Wednesday in which officers of City Hall were supposed to present their cases to the Local Government Commission (LGC), the committee has agreed to convene talks on the implementation of recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry (CoI).

This was announced by sources, who explained that Commissioners were summoned to the LGC headquarters for talks on the way forward. However, no mention was made about Commissioner Carol Sooba’s removal from hearing these discussions.

“We were told that we have a meeting on Friday.

We don’t know if they will cancel it again, but officers from City Hall were supposed to show up on Wednesday. They might be called tomorrow (Friday), but again, we cannot make a pronouncement, because everything has been without approval from all of the

Commissioners,” the sources explained on Thursday.

In recent times, the LGC has been in the limelight and media reports for actions taken unilaterally to debar Commissioner Sooba from partaking in the discussions. On Wednesday, some Commissioners, along with Sooba, were planning to raise the matter during the meeting, but it was later learnt that this meeting was postponed. Guyana Times was told that the committee members were unavailable for the meeting.

“They called the meeting off and rescheduled it for Friday and it was said that the Commissioners would not be available, because of the issue that they had during the last meeting,” a source explained.

It was mentioned in previous reports that LGC Vic -President Andrew Garnett was once President of the Guyana Local Government Officers Union which led to speculation as to whether these officers would be

assessed and penalised for their offences.

Sooba was reportedly asked to recuse herself from attending meetings where her benefits would be discussed, but was told afterwards that she could not sit on the meeting to discuss other matters. This was decided by the Chairman, Mortimer Mingo and the Vice Chairman.

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall gave some legal insight into the matter, by saying that the Commission could not prevent a constitutionally-elected commissioner from performing their respective duties.

Some of the officers who were requested by the LGC to present their argument to the Commission are Town Clerk Royston King, acting Town Clerk Sharon Harry Munroe, Internal Auditor Omadeily Newton; City Constable Andrew Foo, Human Resources Manager Paula Braithwaite and City Engineer Colvern Venture.

he Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) is set to launch the first part of its 2019 harmony campaign on Friday at the Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown in its bid to foster cohesion in society.

The activities are scheduled to commence from 18:00h with a national unity song performed by prominent Guyanese artistes Mark Ferdinand and Tshanna Cort. Adding to the excitement, there will be five harmony-themed public service announcements, four posters, a harmony “passport”, and designs for two billboards and the Commission’s new website, which will also be presented as the night unfolds.

Meanwhile, a stage play, “I AM US”, which speaks to “unity and which examines some societal factors that impact on social cohesion”, will also be presented to the public for the first time.

The theatrical presenta-

tion will feature prominent Guyanese actors and actresses, and will be staged on March 2 after the gala opening ceremony and on March 3, at the National Cultural Centre. Both performances are slated to begin at 19:00h and admission is free of cost.

According to the Commission, this campaign seeks to promote its constitutional mandate of establishing good relations and a sense of togetherness among the people of Guyana.

“The Commission firm-

ly believes this campaign, which is in keeping with its constitutional mandate to promote harmony and good relations, is vital in helping to enhance the environment to foster unity among all Guyanese. It remains optimistic that Guyanese will find useful the materials which will be made available and will be conduits to aid distribution countrywide.”

All are requested to attend and the invitation is extended to all stakeholders.

Hire car driver fined for being untidy

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hire car driver of Christianburg, Wismar, Linden, was on Monday fined $7500 by Magistrate Wanda Fortune for the offence of being untidy when he appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

The defendant, Peter Matthews of Lot 6 Section C, Christianburg, was also charged for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), but that charge was dismissed owing to insufficient evidence from the prosecution.

The court heard that on Friday, October

26, 2018, Matthews drove motor car HC 5594 along Burnham Drive, Wismar and failed to be clean and properly dressed.

The defendant told the court that he was off duty on the day in question when he received a call from a relative asking to be picked up. He said he decided to do so while clad in a pair of three-quarter pants.

The facts of the case indicated that the defendant was stopped by Police who observed his car had a single headlight.

S RAIGHT Jobs for the PNC CATS at GuySuCo By: SASE Singh; MSc – Finance, ACCA

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he stakeholders in the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) need some reassuring economic news, but what I have discovered is what they ought not to be hearing.

As I highlighted last week, revenues have imploded and losses before taxes have multiplied. While gross revenue declined by 63.9 per cent because of a corresponding decrease in cost of sales over the period 2015-2018, the gross loss also declined correspondingly by 63.8 per cent.

However, the state of the losses before tax increased by 375.5 per cent which is quite unacceptable. When one dives into the weeds, immediately one realises that GuySuCo is being used as a milking pot for the People’s National Congress (PNC) ‘FAT CATS’, even though the entire industry is on its knees. Over 6000 ordinary citizens were transferred to a state of impoverishment by this Granger regime, but yet an army of PNC "friends and families" were parachuted into senior management positions only to see the administrative cost grow disproportionately, burning valuable cash for services not rendered.

When one drills down into other income, administrative and other expenses, one can find all the answers to this conundrum.

Under the Granger regime, other income was literally wiped out. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had taken a policy decision to divest those lands that were deemed as not available for cane cultivation at profit. In 2015, the company benefited from more than GY$8 billion in land sales deriving a profit on those sales of some GY$5.2 billion.

The Granger Administration came in and turned the entire apple cart over and that stream of cash literally dried up. There was all sorts of allegations made by one presidential advisor about massive corruption, yet after three and a half years, not one soul is in jail to support these invented stories and figments of his imagination, although he leads one of the nation’s best funded investigative agencies.

With respect to other expenses, there was a temporary increase and this was understandable recognising that most of it was temporary severance costs, which was all funded by Central Government. I was advised by a senior person in the system that buried in that other expenses is the cost of services for the upkeep of the now-shuttered factories. GuySuCo is owed some GY$1.5 billion for these support services since 2017. So I would not worry too much on the other expenses since National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited NICIL/Central Government is expected to refund most of those costs to GuySuCo. However, my biggest concern is the state of the administrative expenses, which is mainly head-office-related costs. In an environment when revenue dropped by 63.9 per cent and other income by 94.4 per cent, GuySuCo was only able to cut administrative expenses by 16.6 per cent between 2015-2018. But the real financial elephant in the room remains the manner in how the army of persons closely associated with the last PNC Government from 1986-1992, have invaded the top echelons of GuySuCo for their last personal financial “hurrah” and plunder. If you review the state of affairs at GuySuCo, they all are in receipt of “FAT CAT” salary packages, for services not rendered which in normal societies is tantamount to fraud. The cost for upkeeping the office of the CEO alone cost GuySuCo some GY$380 million in 2018.

The evidence clearly points to my heading – jobs for the PNC FAT CATS who have not delivered value for money services. While the administrative cost on the estates have declined because there are now fewer estates in the pool, we find that the head office expenses have increased.

What is happening at GuySuCo is wanton political interference by this Granger regime as they tinker with the problems but are more focused on the jobs for their friends and families. The real problems in GuySuCo are threefold – high cost linked to low administrative productivity, too many people in administrative services; an inefficient cane to sugar operations system compounded by that albatross at Skeldon; and lastly very low prices for the flagship product, raw sugar – and I have seen no serious measures in the last three years to move up the value chain to value-added sugar-related products.

I would like to see GuySuCo achieve that vision of being a worldclass sugar industry producing high-quality value-added sugar-related products as it continues to contribute to the economic development of Guyana.

Please share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

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fridAY, January 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Accelerate implementation of security reforms – Granger to GPF

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ommander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President David Granger, on Thursday underscored the need for the Guyana Police Force to accelerate the implementation of security sector reforms, which he said, will among other things, restore public trust in the Force as well as correct any mismanagement of the country’s premiere law enforcement agency.

The Head of State was at the time delivering the feature address at the opening of the Force’s Annual Officers’ Conference at State House.

This year’s conference is being held under the theme: ‘Security Sector Reform Implementation – Enhancing Capacity Through Training, Infrastructure and Human Resource Management.”

After months of ground work, British Security expert Russell Combe compiled and handed over a report to the Guyana Government in January 2018, detailing critical measures to be undertaken to strength the Police Force.

According to President Granger, these transformations under the Security Sector Reform Programme (SSRP) will provide a rounded enhancement of the Police Force to better serve citizens through improved crime-fighting and law enforcement capabilities.

“Security Sector Reforms is aimed at improving public trust and confidence, developing stronger organisation, boosting the Force’s intelligence, responsive and investigative capabilities and producing a more versatile Police Officer. Security sector reforms, therefore, must be accelerated to strengthen this vital institution in 2019,” he asserted.

The Head of State posited that that these reforms will also revise the Force’s institutional framework; something which is already evident with the installation of the new leadership which saw reintroduction of Deputy Commissioners.

Furthermore, he outlined that the reforms will allow the law enforcement body to address issues such as chronic-underfunding, the lack of adequate funding and low standards as identified the in SSR report.

“Reforms will reverse the Force’s record of low maintenance and the abuse of movable and immovable assets.

It will pay greater attention to the selection and training of its Constables and Cadets to enhance the welfare of its Constables and sub-ordinate officers by improving the conditions under which some of them are obliged to live and work, particularly West of the Essequibo. And to ensure promotions are based on hard work, integrity and merit,” the President detailed.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Leslie James in brief remarks recognised

President David Granger inspecting the guard of honour ahead of the opening ceremony of the Guyana Police Force’s Annual Officers' Conference

Heads of the various Joint Services agencies at the opening of Police Force's Annual Officers' Conference held at State House on Wednesday

that the implementation of these reforms is an important undertaking for the Force.

“We have engaged with our counterparts in the United Kingdom (UK) and to this end, three main pillars have already begun implementation, that is, training, human resources management and infrastructure,” the Top Cop posited.

The US$4.7 million Security Sector Reform Programme was initially launched in 2007 but was scrapped two years later after major disagreements between the then Administration and the UK Government over some of the conditions of the plan.

However during a meeting with former British Prime Minister David Cameron back in 2016, President Granger had requested that the multimil-

lion-dollar security sector pact be revived.

As such, Colonel Combe was brought in to conduct an assessment on the state of the local security sector and come up with steps to be taken to improve services.

While the report focuses primarily on reforms within the Guyana Police Force, there are also measures included to address issues plaguing the prison and the fire services as well as the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF’s) Coast Guard.

Colonel Combe is expected to oversee the implementation of his recommendations until March 2019 when his tenure would come to an end. The UK expert had previously stated that his government does not want to see the report sitting on the shelf, gathering dust. In fact, he noted that the report was compiled in such

a way that it can be broken up and separated into parts to be dealt with by different groupings.

Since the handing over of the report almost one year ago, it is yet to be released.

However, President Granger on Thursday assured that the ‘dynamic’ report will be made public when it is laid in the National Assembly.

“It’s not a secret; if it was a secret we would have kept it to ourselves but we’ve sent a copy to the Leader of the Opposition and it is meant to be laid in the National Assembly. It is a public document [and] public security is a public responsibility,” the Head of State asserted.

The Police Officers’ Annual Conference, which will conclude on Saturday, will see presentations made on various aspects of law enforcement by security experts.

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fridAY, January 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Several stalls at Stabroek Market without power since Wednesday

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he electricity supply of several vendors at Stabroek Market was disrupted since Wednesday and despite several calls to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), the situation remains the same.

Further, on Thursday, confusion broke out after a small transformer in the Market caught fire thus injuring a few persons who were present in the area.

Guyana Times understands that the merchants turned up to work on Wednesday and later recognised that over 15 stalls were not receiving electricity. As such, the power company was contacted and the officials promised to look into the matter.

However, it was only on Thursday, a small crew of technicians arrived at the location, but they could not make a pronouncement on the power outage situation beyond stating that there was a ‘fault’ in the transformer.

The stallholders were

The transformer which caught fire

later informed that they should hire a private technician to address the issue.

Speaking with this publication, one of the concerned stall owners, Travez Piaralall explained: “Yesterday when we came to work, some of the shops inside the Stabroek Market don’t have power. We usually get power supply from GPL. We have made multiple reports during the course of yesterday about the situation and that some

of the shops are not having power.”

He added, “This morning (Thursday), they send some technicians over and found a fault and the box started to spark. They’re not taking any blame for it. The office called us back at the Market and said that we need to find an electrician to fix the problem. They said they can’t do anything about the issue and behaved very rude.”

He explained that many stalls were without pow-

er and complete negligence was shown on the part of GPL for not addressing the issue.

“We cannot do that because we don’t have power in the first place. Secondly, GPL has to give permission before someone can interfere with the set-up. There are many shops that are not getting electricity in the market. We don’t have power to do anything, so how can we fix our problem?”

It was indicated that vendors and shop owners are paying a monthly fee for power and should be able to receive quality service.

“Every month we’re paying a bill and as soon as you miss a deadline, they come into the Market and cut off the power. This has nothing to do with anybody cutting the power. We simply haven’t been receiving electricity from GPL.”

The Stabroek Market

This publication visited the Market and was informed that some persons were injured when the transformer box “sparked”.

Additionally, it created a small fire, which caused persons to run for their lives.

The flames were later doused and no major damage was recorded.

A vegetable vendor,

Sahadeo Ramgopaul, whose stall is mere inches from the transformer, related that he received injuries to his back when the incident occurred.

Nevertheless, the situation remains dangerous, since the transformer can cause an uncontrollable fire when persons are not monitoring the area. Moreover, many fear that their customers can be injured.

Ramkellawan wanted for unlawful trade in wildlife

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he Police have issued a wanted bulletin for 40-year-old Gregory Narendra Ramkellawan for questioning in relation to the unlawful trade of wildlife (birds) committed on December 8, 2018 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Ramkellawan’s last known address was given as Lot 48 Good Hope, East Coast Demerara.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Ramkellawan are asked to contacted the Police on telephone numbers 225-3650, 226-1929, 226-1389, 911 or at the nearest Police station.

All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Wanted: Gregory Narendra Ramkellawan

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fridAY, January 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Indian High Commission celebrates Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

A group of young dancers performing a piece at the ceremony

T

he Indian High Commission on Thursday celebrated Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2019, which was also held in commemoration with World Hindi Day at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Bel Air, New Haven, Georgetown.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is usually celebrated on January 9 each year in recognition of the contribu-

tion of the overseas Indian community in the development of their country.

The simple ceremony was held in the company of the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam; guest speaker, Pandit Rabindranauth Persaud; Haji Roshan Khan; students of the High Commission and other stakeholders.

While sharing his opening remarks, the High Commissioner stated, “We have chosen what binds Guyana and India so that we can focus on that more and also, the image of modern India amongst Guyanese so that we know how Guyanese look at India.”

After cultural performances by students of the Centre, Pandit Persaud

Plans underway to host Linden Town Week 2019

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lans for the hosting of this year's Linden Town Week have already begun with the Linden Mayor and Town Council maintaining its hold on the event's franchise for the second consecutive year.

Linden Mayor Waneka Arrindell said hosting the event would not be a challenge for the municipality and, as such, noted that mechanisms are being put in place to facilitate a smooth run-off.

The Mayor added that she was optimistic this year's event would be a true expression of the town. The municipality came in for harsh criticism last year following its decision to organise the event, which had taken on the form of a franchise over the years; however, the Mayor noted that the founder of the event will play an integral role this year.

"2019 Town Week is go-

ing to be amazing. I do not see it as a challenge. The first year we did have some amazing people working with us.

We do have onboard with us Norville Fredricks, who was instrumental in the creation of the Linden Town Day," she said.

Promoters are being invited to submit event proposals for various activities while the municipality is expected to focus on educational and cultural events.

A committee, headed by the Deputy Mayor, is being established to ensure all sections of the public are catered for.

"They are going to start pulling together that team needed to manage the Town Week headed by the Deputy Mayor and the people they select from within the community, of course, that are going to work together to make the Town Week as successful as it can be. Keep in mind that the reason for the

Town Week is to develop our culture, our economic status and to showcase those to the world. I am sure we are going to have a successful Town Week," Arrindell said.

The pageant, which was absent from last year's event following a sexual scandal involving delegates, is expected to be back on the calendar this year.

"There has been no discussion as it relates to the pageant, but I am almost certain if it is an event that is worth getting into, it will be something that we do. It may not be the Council doing it, but, of course, if there is any person out there who has the expertise to manage a pageant, we welcome their support and we will work along with them," the Mayor indicated.

She further stated that the involvement of the community and stakeholders was pivotal for the successful hosting of the annual event.

elaborated on the focal points which link Guyana to India, while highlighting their contributions in the various sectors.

“The East Indian’s contributions are visible in every aspect of nation-building. For instance, agriculture continues to head the list while other fields such as business, education and medicine, engineering, culture, sport and politics continue to enhance growth in various regards.”

Calls were made for the relationship between the two countries to be further strengthened which will lead to both nations learning more about each other.

At present, youth are provided with the opportunity to learn more about India and its culture by visiting for some time.

“These experiences fuse the relationship with their ancestral land and the people of India and other parts of the world. What is more enlightening is visiting the place of birth of

From left: Haji Roshan Khan with Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam and Pandit Rabindranauth Persaud

our fore-parents. India and Guyana continue to strengthen their relationship in the interest of humanity,” said the Pandit.

Meanwhile, Haji Khan spoke on the image that is created in the minds of young Guyanese about the modernisation of India, which has been unfolding for some years.

“India’s diversity and culture, land of numerous groups, the global giant, the international educator and human inspiration. I

stand in awe that our motherland has 15 official languages, over 300 minor languages and 3000 dialects,” Khan stated.

He added, “As Guyanese, we see India that is aggressively working towards further establishing itself as a leader in industrialisation and technological development.”

Winners of the Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz were awarded as well as the winner of the essay writing competition.

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fridAY, January 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

“Smallie”, “Catty” finally stand trial for 2007 ECD businessman’s murder

Deceased: Kumar Singh, called “Mango Man” Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie” and Sherwin Nero, also known as “Catty”, have denied the capital offence

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fter nearly 11 years of being behind bars, death row inmate Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie”, along with Sherwin Nero, also known as “Catty”, appeared again at the High Court on Thursday when a jury was finally empanelled to hear the murder case of businessman Kumar Singh, called “Mango Man”.

Reports were that on the fateful night of August 30, 2007, four gunmen invaded Singh’s Cove and John, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home during which the businessman was shot dead. It was in July 2008 that the two suspects were initially charged for the capital offence, and heavy security was once again at court during this

week’s preliminary hearings where legal submissions were made prior to the jury’s empanelment.

The duo denied being guilty of the businessman’s unlawful killing before presiding Judge, Justice James Bovell-Drakes. State Attorneys Tamica Clarke and Tiffini Lyken are prosecuting the case while de-

fence counsels Nigel Hughes and Ashley Henry are representing Williams and Nero.

Williams had escaped prison in July 2017 after being sentenced to death in February of that year for the 2008 Bartica Massacre.

The first of several witnesses testified on Thursday in what is expected to be a lengthy trial. The matter is set to continue at the High Court next Monday.

Alleged Sindicato gang...

Farfan & Mendes Ltd Senior Store Manager Melissa GoungaKhan presented a cheque of $200,000 to Mohamed Wasim Chan of Eccles, East Bank Demerara, winner of the Chromagen "Win Cash" Promotion, which ended on December 31, 2018

While he could not say definitively whether the attackers were from the Sindicato gang, the Commander did note, however, that from initial reports the perpetrators spoke Spanish.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of the security firm, Amir Ahmad confirmed that the dead man appeared to be of Spanish descent. He added too that only the Sindicato gang has access to such high-profile weapons.

Ahmad told Guyana Times on Thursday that the ordeal lasted for about one hour and 45 minutes. He said six armed guards were at the camp when they came under fire and without hesitation, they returned fire.

According to the CEO, the workers at the camp had wash down over 300 pounds of raw gold two days prior and as such, they believe the

from page 9

attack might have been an attempted robbery. However, he said that the perpetrators, who were approximately 100 to 150 feet away from the camp, were taken off guard as they did not expect the security guards to return fire.

He explained that there is a tower at the camp and this helped the guards to locate where the shots were being fired from and focused their attack in that area. The counter-attack by the guards prevented the perpetrators from closing in on the camp and as such nothing was stolen and fortunately, no one in the camp was hurt.

Ahmad noted that these guards are ex-military and Policemen as such they are well-trained for such situations. He added that about three hours after the shooting, the guards went to investigate and found the body of the dead gang member with the weapons nearby.

With the worsening economic conditions in neighbouring Venezuela, communities and mining camps along the border have been under constant threat from members of the Sindicato Gang. Local authorities have since beefed up security at these areas.

GTUC welcomes meeting between Govt and Opposition – calls for broadening of national conversation with civil society

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GTUC’s General Secretary Lincoln Lewis

he Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) said it welcomed the meeting between the Government and Opposition which was held on Wednesday.

The major trade union body said the meeting shows a commitment from both parties to work together, to keep the Executive and Parliament functioning. The Union described it as a good sign which must be maintained and carried through.

“It was a good and necessary sign of the times to see the coalition united in its approach to meet with the Opposition. It is encouraging that they are engaging even as they await the court’s deliberation on matters brought before it on the no-confidence vote,” the GTUC said in a statement on Thursday.

The Union recognised that Opposition and Government have a responsibility to ensure the day-to-day administration of the State where peace and order prevail and the governmental functions are executed.

“The GTUC is reassured

by President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo’s agreement that the Executive and Parliament will continue to function, the Judiciary will be allowed to adjudicate the matter, they will ask their supporters to tone down the rhetoric, continue to work together and engage [the Guyana Elections Commission] GECOM,” it added.

Moreover, the Union said Wednesday’s meeting was a step in the right direction, which has opened the door for continued dialogue. It also presented an opportunity to demonstrate political maturity and willingness to settle political dispute over the drawing table in a sensi-

ble manner.

Both sides of the fence, it said, have an opportunity to break out of the path of pursuit of conflict instead of working for the common good. The GTUC also feels that they have an opportunity to go down in history to a peaceful process and resolution of our difference, down to the interpretation of the confidence vote.

“They have the opportunity to demonstrate to their supporters, the people of Guyana, and the world that we can change the course of history of unnecessary confrontation and conflict; that we recognise that power also lies in the arms of the Judiciary in whom we must place our trust at this time to adjudicate on matters pertaining to the confidence vote.”

The GTUC therefore called on society to give the Government a chance to do what is right even as the Opposition is encouraged to remain vigilant, which is what they are elected to do.

The GTUC said it looks forward for broadening of the national conversation with the involvement of civil society. It said it is time to meet with civil society, the representatives of the people whose lives are to be directly affected by what is happening, underscoring that they have concerns too.

“As we call for the respect for the Constitution and its various articles, can we also call for and respect the importance of Article 13 which outlines the Principal Political Objective of the State that mandates an inclusionary democracy where citizens and their organisations will be involved in the management and decision-making processes of the State that directly impact their well-being.”

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fridAY, January 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

2 lucky Wowetta students Major developments for Amerindians in 2019 – Allicock benefit from bicycles

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ndigenous people in the 215 villages countrywide are set to benefit from major development to their communities during this year. Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock said recently that the Ministry is fully prepared to execute works valued at more than $700 million for the further development of the hinterland districts.

The Minister made the disclosure during his address to the various heads of departments under the purview of the Ministry, on the way forward.

He told the heads at the meeting held at the Resource

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock

Presidential Grant Project.

In this regard, he noted that every department represent-

problem,” Minister GarridoLowe stated.

According to Permanent Secretary to the Ministry, Alfred King, in 2018 the Ministry completed 92 per cent of its work, which is commendable. However, he urged more inter-department and inter-agency collaboration to better serve Indigenous people.

This, he said, will maximise the resources available. King reminded that the Ministry has the mandate to provide support to the Indigenous people and it is something that should not be taken for granted.

Heads of departments during the meeting for discussions on the way forward

Centre on Woolford Avenue, in Georgetown, that despite the political atmosphere, the Government remains in office and advised that everyone proceed with their duties as per normal. Minister Allicock also reminded the heads that the Ministry’s projects are fully budgeted for in this year’s Budget.

“Our projects are key to village economic development and we all remain committed to supporting these projects, which are of great importance to communities, including the anticipated coffee project in Santa Rosa. We will see the realisation of initiatives focusing on agro-processing, food processing, fruit farms and eco-tourism among many others. So, we have our work lined up for us,” Minister Allicock underscored.

Additionally, more than $235 million, the Minister said, will be invested in 215 Indigenous villages under the

ed “has a key role to play in executing our work plan and bringing us one step closer to realising our mission”.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe reminded the department heads that Indigenous people are very dependent on the work they do daily. She also outlined some of the projects spearheaded by the Ministry.

Among them were the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS), providing aid during natural disasters and the establishment of a fish and crab processing facility which is in an advanced state process of construction, among others.

“This Ministry is close to the hearts and minds of the Indigenous people. This is their Ministry, that is why they turn so readily as soon as something happens to let this Ministry know and they expect that we would do something to help solve that

From left: Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton receiving the bicycles from Chairman of the Muslim Core Group, Roshan Khan along with staff

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wo lucky students living in Wowetta Village, North Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) will soon benefit from the donation of bicycles undertaken by the Muslim Core Group.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), Rhiley Andries and Sean Moses are currently attending Wowetta Primary School and are also members of student government council. They were selected to be the recipients of one bicycle each to ease the burden of getting to school daily.

The handing over ceremony for the bicycles was held at the Social Protection

Ministry’s on Thursday.

It is intended that the bicycles will be used by the boys as a means of getting to school as opposed to walking four hours daily, to pursue an education.

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton said this simple, yet life-changing act is one that highlights appreciation by the Muslim community of the challenges faced by hinterland students and the Ministry’s commitment to providing equal opportunities to all.

“Not only are we bridging the gap physically in the sense for these two boys to go school, but I think mentally and spiritually as pointed out by our mission state-

ment, especially those living in a different geological location, culture, ethnic and economic background,” he said.

The Minister noted that the core group’s donation is a demonstration of tolerance for humanity and what they plan to do in the future for those in need. It also helps to strengthen their partnership moving forward.

Chairman of the Muslim Core Group, Roshan Khan said this donation will, “make their lives simple and better in order to educate themselves to assist their families and their society as well as it is the hope of the group to continue in such a manner, helping others as it grows.”

Culture Department to spice up Mash celebrations – Director

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ashramani, one of Guyana’s most anticipated celebrations, is on the calendar for next month. In preparation for the celebration, the Department of Culture is already taking steps to give Guyanese that “Mash” feeling before February 23, 2019.

In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Director of Culture Tamika Boatswain, said the Department is ready to host the celebrations through planned activities countrywide. In order to facilitate this, close to $100 million will be utilised for the 49th Republic anniversary, the Director noted.

A new feature of the observance will be the evening of folk, designed to ‘flair things up’. This event will have several activities including storytelling, folk dances, singing, and everything folk-related to the different ethnicities.

To spice things up, Boatswain said there have already been some pop-

Director of Culture, Tamika Boatswain

up activities geared at creating the Mashramani environment. This is expected to intensify, as time draws near to the big celebration on Saturday, February 23.

The first official activity, an AllStars concert, will be held in Region

One (Barima-Waini) on January 12, to kick-off the celebrations. This will be followed by a steel band concert the following day in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice).

Aside from the new features, the young and not so young folks can expect the good ‘ole’ Guyanese soca, calypso and chutney music from local artistes.

The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Celebrate Mash 2019; With Victory in Mind – Rediscovering El Dorado’.

Boatswain said based on the theme, she is anticipating some creative costumes to wow the minds of Guyanese from the designers.

“Mashramani is ours and it is our time to have fun and celebrate and to recognise our achievements as a Republic,” Boatswain said, as she encourages all to support the upcoming events and to keep abreast with dates and times for the events. The schedule of events can be found on the ‘Guyana Mashramani’ Facebook Page.

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fridAY, January 11, 2019

Regional

Venezuela: Maduro begins 2nd Trump stands by term amid increasing isolation claim that Mexico V will pay for wall

enezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a new six-year term on Thursday as the country’s economy continues to deteriorate and its diplomatic isolation increases.

The inauguration follows Maduro’s controversial win last year in an election that was largely boycotted by the Opposition and criticised by the United States, European Union and others as a “sham”.

The 56-year-old socialist leader was sworn in at the Supreme Court before an audience of hundreds, rather than the sidelined, Opposition-controlled National Assembly, before heading to a ceremony at Venezuela’s military academy.

“I swear on behalf of the people of Venezuela ... I swear on my life,” Maduro said as he took the oath of office. After being presented with the presidential sash,

The US and OAS announced on Thursday that they would not recognise Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s Government

[Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters]

Maduro turned to salute the crowd.

Maduro’s new mandate will keep him at the helm of the oil-rich, cash-strapped

country until at least 2025.

The Opposition called for protests during the ceremony, while thousands of pro-Maduro citizens flooded the streets.

“There were thousands and thousands of people that came here to show their support for President Nicolás Maduro, saying that they support Hugo Chávez’s socialist revolution. They’re also saying that any changes that happen in this country need to happen with the revolution and with the current Administration,” said Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo, reporting from Caracas.

Several countries have said they will not recognise Maduro’s new mandate.

With the exception of Mexico, the Lima Group – made up of 14 Latin American countries and Canada –has urged Maduro to cede power to the National Assembly until new elections can be held. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

DR Congo presidential election: Church questions results

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he influential Catholic Church has questioned the official results of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s controversial presidential election.

Opposition candidate Felix Tshisekedi was named the winner on Thursday.

However, the Church, which posted 40,000 election observers, says the result does not match its findings.

The runner-up, Opposition candidate Martin Fayulu, has told the BBC he will mount a legal challenge against the official vote count.

“The result is a coup and not the truth from the ballot,”

There have been jubilant celebrations from Felix Tshisekedi’s supporters

he said on Thursday. “The Congolese want change.”

He accused Tshisekedi of reaching a power-sharing

deal with the ruling party, a claim the veteran figure has denied.

There are fears the result could trigger unrest, with at least two people killed in the western city of Kikwit on Thursday.

Two Police Officers were also killed, and 10 people were wounded, AFP news agency reports.

However, most parts of the country appear to be calm.

If confirmed, Tshisekedi will be the first Opposition challenger to win since the DR Congo gained independence in 1960. (Excerpt from BBC News)

U

S President Donald Trump has insisted that Mexico will still pay for the border wall, claiming he never meant it would make a one-time payment.

“Obviously I never meant Mexico would write a cheque,” Trump said before travelling to McAllen, Texas.

He says Mexico would “indirectly” fund the wall through a revamped trade deal, but a campaign memo shows he planned to compel the country to pay for the wall.

A political row over Trump’s demand has triggered a US Government shutdown.

President Trump says he refuses to sign legislation to fund and reopen the Government if it did not include US$5.7 billion for a physical barrier along the

US-Mexico border.

But budget talks have come to a standstill as Democrats – who control the House of Representatives – refuse to give him the money. Republican leaders insist the party stands behind the President.

The funding lapse has dragged into the 20th day, with some 800,000 federal workers expected to miss their first pay cheque on Friday since the partial shutdown began.

Hundreds of federal workers, contractors and supporters rallied outside the White House on Thursday in protest against the shutdown.

“During the campaign, I said Mexico would pay for it,” Trump told reporters on Thursday before travelling to a border patrol station in McAllen, in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

Brexit: Japan's PM says “wish of whole world” to avoid no-deal

India's CBI chief fired 48 hours after being reinstated by court

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ndia’s federal investigation police chief has been removed from his post by a committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi just 48 hours after he was reinstated by the country’s top court.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief Alok Verma was first suspended in October along with his deputy Rakesh Asthana after they accused each other of corrup-

tion and interference in investigations.

The high-powered committee, which also included Supreme Court Judge AK Sikri and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lower House of Parliament, Mallikarjun Kharge, met on Thursday to examine the corruption charges against Verma.

The decision to remove him was backed by Prime

Minister Modi and Justice Sikri, but opposed by Kharge.

Critics accuse the Government of undermining the autonomy of the country’s premier investigating agency ahead of the general elections slated to be held by May this year.

Opposition members, including the President of the Congress party Rahul Gandhi, have alleged that Government action against

Verma is aimed at preventing an investigation into a multibillion-dollar defence deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation.

The government has denied any wrongdoing. The CBI is armed with a mandate to investigate corruption and all major crimes in the country and fulfils a similar role to the FBI in the US. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

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Mr Abe was speaking during a visit to London

he “whole world” wants the UK to avoid a no-deal Brexit, Japan’s PM has claimed, after talks with Theresa May. Shinzo Abe pledged “total support” for the withdrawal agreement she has negotiated with the European Union, which faces a crunch vote in the Commons on Tuesday.

May has been speaking to

3 deaths from swine flu PNP attempting to exploit dengue fever – T&T health officials challenge facing Jamaica, says JLP

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Health Ministry official in Trinidad has confirmed that three people have died of the Swine Flu virus.

On Wednesday, Guardian Media revealed that a 47-year-old Tabaquite woman died from the H1N1 virus.

On Thursday, Director of Women's Health Dr Adesh Sirjusingh said there was no need for public alarm.

He said that at this time of year, the seasonal influenza is circulating.

He added that the flu was like the common cold but a

more severe form of illness and in worst-case scenarios, can result in death.

But Dr Sirjusingh explains that the latest flu vaccine helps reduce chances of contracting H1N1 virus.

He told Guardian Media that the Health Ministry has launched a programme aimed at high-risk groups, which include pregnant women.

The doctor assures that all vaccines are safe and can be accessed at any health centre or public hospital.

(Trinidad Guardian)

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he governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has rejected as misleading and untrue claims

by Opposition Spokesman on Health, Dr Dayton Campbell that Health Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, “failed to heed early warnings in 2018, that the country was likely to be facing an outbreak of dengue fever and as a result, no mitigating action was activated”.

Dr Campbell's posture is an irresponsible attempt by the People's National Party

(PNP) to exploit the current health challenge being faced by the country for vulgar political gain, the JLP said in a statement yesterday.

“Campbell, though a trained physician, his comments represent cheap petty politics designed to displace the incompetence and inaction of the former PNP Administration, which led to an escalation of the Chik-V crisis,” the statement over the signature of JLP General Secretary Dr Horace Chang, said. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Dr Horace Chang

Labour MPs and union leaders in a bid to try to get her deal through the Commons, where scores of her own MPs oppose it.

It comes as Honda UK announced a six-day post Brexit shutdown.

The Japanese-owned car giant said the move was to ensure it could adjust to “all possible outcomes caused by logistics and border issues”.

May said leaving the EU provided “an unprecedented opportunity” for the countries to strengthen relations.

She and Abe pledged to build on the trade agreement between Japan and the EU to secure an “ambitious bilateral arrangement” between Japan and the UK after Brexit.

Abe said: “It is the strong will of Japan to further develop this strong partnership with the UK, to invest more into your country and to enjoy further economic growth with the UK. “That is why we truly hope that a no-deal Brexit will be avoided, and in fact that is the whole wish of the whole world. (Excerpt from BBC News)

friDAY, january 11, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

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nglish singer, songwriter and actress Joscelyn Eve Stoker, popularly known as Joss Stone, will be performing in Guyana on January 28 at the Theatre Guild.

The Grammy-Award winner rose to fame in late 2003 with her multi-platinum debut album “The Soul Sessions”, which made the 2004 Mercury Prize shortlist.

Her second album, the similarly multi-platinum “Mind, Body & Soul” topped the UK Albums Chart for one week and spawned the top ten hit "You Had Me" – Stone's most successful single on the UK Singles Chart to date.

Both the album and single received one nomination at the 2005 Grammy Awards, while Stone herself was nominated for Best New Artiste, and in an annual BBC poll of music critics, Sound of 2004, was ranked fifth as a d breakthrough act of 2004.

She became the youngest British female singer to top the UK Albums Chart.

Stone's third album, “Introducing Joss Stone”, released in March 2007, achieved gold record status by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and yielded the second highest-ever debut for a British female solo artiste on the Billboard 200, and became Stone's first top five album in the US. Stone has earned numerous accolades, including two Brit Awards and one Grammy Award out of five nominations. And, Guyanese will have a chance to see and hear the renowned actress and singer in real life.

Tickets for the event cost $3000 and $6000, and will be available at the Theatre Guild and PACE University of Guyana. All proceeds from the concert will be dispatched to identified charities.

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uyanese Chutney singer Steven Ramphal will be releasing his new single titled “Soca In Meh Vein” on Saturday, January 12, in time for the Mashramani season. Ramphal has several Soca hits under his belt and is hoping to have more in the coming months.

Known as a Chutney Monarch contender, Ramphal is eyeing a shot at the Carib Soca Monarch Competition, which is expected to get underway in early February. The song was written by the Guyanese artiste and was produced

by Avinash Roopchand out of Shakti Strings Orchestra.

“Soca In Meh Vein”, the artiste explained, will create some vibes throughout and beyond the Mashramani season. Ramphal told <<<Guyana Times Entertainment>>> that although there are quite a few top guns vying for the title of Carib Soca Monarch, he just wanted to have fun on stage. He thinks that his song will make it to the finals.

The song, he added, is based on his love of music as a Guyanese during Mashramani. “I wrote the song based on the vibes I experience during the celebrations on the road, and more so witnessing Guyanese and others from other countries coming together as one… in addition, I keep my patriotism to my country as well,” he added.

The song will be released on several radio stations on Saturday.

“Soca in Meh Vein” was sponsored by R&R Entertainment and Harry Bissoon of Guyana Day USA Inc.

s Mash 2019 fast approaches, Guyanese Soca artistes are making sure that their tracks are ready to hit the airwaves in advance to give their fans a preview of their music.

After a few years’ hiatus, Jumo “Rubber Waist” Primo is back with the passion to reclaim the Carib Soca Monarch title that is being owned by Lindener Brandon Harding.

Primo, who is no stranger to the Carib Soca Monarch Competition, has participated in the contest five times and won three titles. Earlier in the month, Primo launched his newest sing called “Tribute”. The song was written by the soca sensation, produced by Timon Fraser, and recorded in the 592 Studio.

T h e video for the song was shot in the band room of t h e Heatwaves Band and produced by Taariq Clarke. The song, according to Primo, is about paying tribute to

the musical instruments and more importantly, fuses the old-fashioned way of creating music with the most modern techniques.

He added that persons must get an appreciation for the various drums, the bass, the brass, keyboard and others. The fusion, he stated, will create a new breed of music – one with a Guyanese ‘flava’.

The semi-finals of the Carib Soca Monarch Competition are expected to be held on February 9 and the finals on February 16.

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friday, january 11, 2019

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he Mabaruma Settlement Ground will come alive on Saturday evening as the Social Cohesion Ministry hosts a “Mashramani All Stars Concert”. As Guyana prepares to host Mashramani 2019, there will be several such concerts in various parts of the country.

The concert on Saturday evening will feature Michelle “Big Red” King; Jumo “Rubber Waist” Primo; Young Bill Rogers; Brandon Harding and former Calypso Monarch, King Perai. The artistes are known for their energetic performances and will undoubtedly entertain their fans.

Jumo as well as Harding are expected to perform their Soca Monarch contest entries at the event. Admission is absolutely free. Residents in Mabaruma and surrounding villages are urged to come out and have a grand evening.

E

ighteen-yearold Kelvin Umroa is an all-round cricketer who plays for the Albion Cricket Club.

He was born at the New Amsterdam Hospital to Tajkumar Umroa and Seerojine Persaud –the second of three siblings.

He spent his early childhood at Reliance Settlement, East Canje, Berbice, but at the age of nine, he took up residency at Albion Front, Corentyne, Berbice with his parents. His childhood days were centred on going to school, hanging out with his friends, and watching television.

He attended the Cropper Primary School where he wrote the National Grade Six Assessment and was awarded a place at JC Chandisingh Secondary School where he completed his secondary

education.

There, he wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams and obtained five subjects –English, Principles of Business, Integrated Science, Social Studies and Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM).

AS he did not perform well in Mathematics, he intends to take another shot at it soon. This talented cricketer draws his inspiration from his brother, Retash Umroa, who he would watch playing cricket at an early age.

Most times, Kelvin followed his older brother to his practice sessions and his games, and eventually, he was drawn into the game. At the age of 12, he played his first match against Demerara Cricket Club.

In that game, he did not bowl, but batted and scored four not out. He used that game as a stepping stone and with

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is first birth night bashment was sold out, and the second is expected to be no different. This time, the birthday party is held under the theme, “Tell Me If You Like It” and it will be held on February 2 at A1 Night Club, Soesdyke Back Road, East Bank Demerara.

It will be a night of entertainment and absolute fun. Patrons can party the night away with the best music and mixes from some of the most talented DJs and selectors.

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

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

hard work and determination; he was selected to represent Guyana at the Under-15, -17 and -19 levels.

Although, he has achieved so much in a short space of time, his challenge has been balancing school and playing cricket, but with the support of his parents, managers and team-mates, he has a goal which is clear in his sight.

Presently, he is playing at the Under-19 and -21 Levels as well as First and Second Division for Albion Sport Club. In 2018, he represented Guyana at the Under-19 level and was also selected for a West Indies Under-19 training camp that was held in Antigua.

He thinks that was one of the highlights of his cricketing career.

His role model, he told <<<Guyana Times Entertainment>> is Guyanese cricketer Veerasammy Permaul, who also hails from the Ancient County.

Nevertheless, in the next few years, he is hoping to become part of the Guyana Jaguars.

He however, noted that to become a successful cricketer, one must be disciplined, determined and dedicated. In addition, he believes one has to be patient. He is urging all the young guys who want to get involved in the game to follow their dreams and more importantly, make them a reality.

On a lighter note, the young Berbician likes fried rice and loves the colour red. One of his hobbies is to listen to music. On weekends, he finds some spare time to play cricket with his cousins and would visit his grandparents at Betsy Ground, Canje, Berbice.

fridAY, January 11, 2019

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Edwards will stick to just red ball cricket on Hampshire return Spain arrests 15 people in tennis match-fixing investigation W L Fidel Edwards

est Indies fast bowler Fidel Edwards will limit himself to the just red ball cricket next season, having rejoined Hampshire for the County Championship season.

The 36-year-old fast bowler, who signed a new one-year contract with the club, previously appeared in all three formats last season. In first-class matches, Edwards took 54 wickets in 14 appearances at an average of 26.72 and claimed 4 wickets in just two matches at an average of 31 in One Day Cup bowling.

In the Vitality T20 tournament, Edwards had 3 wickets in 3 matches with an average of 41 and an economy rate of 10.25. The player will be entering his fifth season with the club where he signed as a non-overseas player and played under the Kolpak ruli n g since 2015.

Director of cricket Giles White welcomed the player, who he has labeled as a versatile option, back to the team.

"His pace adds variety and offers something different to our attack," White said. (SPORTSMAX)

Las Vegas Police request DNA sample following Ronaldo rape allegations

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olice in Las Vegas have issued a warrant for a DNA sample from Cristiano Ronaldo as part of their investigation into the rape allegations made against the Juventus forward.

The 33-year-old's lawyer, Peter S Christiansen, told BBC Sport it was a "very standard request".

The Wall Street Journal says the warrant was recently sent to the court system in Italy.

Ronaldo denies assaulting Kathryn Mayorga at a Las Vegas hotel in 2009.

"Mr Ronaldo has always maintained, as he does today, that what occurred in Las Vegas in 2009 was consensual in nature, so it is not surprising that DNA

Cristiano Ronaldo

would be present, nor that the Police would make this very standard request as part of their investigation," said Christiansen's statement.

German weekly news magazine Der Spiegel, which first published the story about the allegation in October, said Mayorga filed a report with Las Vegas Police shortly after the alleged incident.

Der Spiegel said that in 2010, she reportedly reached an out-of-court settlement with Ronaldo involving a US$375,000 payment for agreeing never to go public with the allegations.

Her lawyers are now seeking to declare the non-disclosure agreement void.

Ronaldo's lawyer has previously said his client did not deny entering an agreement, but that "the reasons that led him to do so are at least to be distorted".

He added: "This agreement is by no means a confession of guilt."

Mayorga was inspired to speak out by the #MeToo movement, her lawyer has said, and is suing Ronaldo in a lawsuit in the United States.

Ronaldo moved to Juventus from Real Madrid for £99.2 million in July. He has won the Ballon d'Or – awarded to the world's best footballer – in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017. The Portuguese international has previously dismissed the allegation as "fake news" and earlier in October issued a statement through his Twitter account in which he "firmly" denied the accusation. His lawyers claim documents used in Der Spiegel's investigation have been "completely fabricated", but the publication says it has "no reason" to doubt the authenticity of key documents used in its story. (BBC Sport)

aw enforcement officials in Spain have arrested 15 people in an investigation into tennis match-fixing by an Armenian criminal gang.

Spain's Civil Guard said 83 people were implicated, among them 28 players from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Futures and Challenger tours.

One of those arrested is Spanish tennis player Marc Fornell-Mestres, 36.

He was ranked 1007th in singles at the end of 2018 and was suspended by the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) last month as part of an anti-corruption probe.

The Civil Guard also said one of the players implicated in the investigation competed at last year's US Open.

European Union Police agency Europol said 11 house searches had been carried out in Spain in which 167,000 euros (£151,000) in cash were seized, along with a shotgun.

It added that more than 50 electronic devices, credit cards, five luxury vehicles, and documentation related to the case were also seized.

Forty-two bank accounts have also been frozen.

Europol earlier said on Thursday that 83 people had been arrested by the Civil Guard, but the Spanish authorities later clarified the situation.

"The suspects bribed professional players to guarantee predetermined results and used the identities of thousands of citizens to bet on the pre-arranged games," Europol said in a statement.

"A criminal group of Armenian individuals used a professional tennis player, who acted as the link between the gang and the rest of the criminal group.

The Civil Guard added that "once they got the bribe, the Armenian members went to the places where the matches were being played to make sure the player went through with what they had agreed, making the most of their imposing size".

"Fifteen people have been detained, among them the leaders of the organisation, and 68 others have been investigated."

None of those investigat-

ed has been named.

The Civil Guard said the organisation had been operating since at least February 2017, while Europol said at least 97 ITF Futures and Challenger matches had been fixed.

The investigation started in 2017 after the TIU grew concerned about "irregular activities" relating to pre-arranged matches in the tournaments, Europol added.

A joint BBC and BuzzFeed News investigation uncovered suspected illegal betting on tennis matches in January 2016.

Last month, a final report into corruption in tennis by the Independent Review Panel said there should be no live streaming, or scoring data provided, at the lowest tier of professional tennis.

The ITF Futures and Challenger tournaments are below the top-tier ATP and WTA Tours.

The ITF estimates there are 14,000 players trying to make a living from the sport, half of whom do not make any money at all. (BBC

Sports)

Lakers star LeBron James remains out indefinitely

L

eBron James remains sidelined with a groin injury and will be re-evaluated on Friday, said Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach Luke Walton.

James will miss the Lakers' next two NBA games against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday and the Utah Jazz two days later. The 34-year-old superstar has not played since straining his groin against the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day. James, who did some shooting during a Lakers practice session last week, originally suffered the injury midway through the third quarter of the team's win on December 25.

The three-time NBA champion met with trainers on the court, appeared to tell them he "felt it pop"

and then headed to the locker room without assistance.

James underwent an MRI the following day and said on Twitter he "dodged a bullet".

But, he has missed the Lakers' last seven games.

Los Angeles (2219) have tallied a 2-5 win-loss record in James' absence. Los Angeles signed James

LeBron James

to a four-year, US$153.3 million contract in July. He is averaging 27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 34.6 minutes per game this season. (Sportsmax)

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fridAY, January 11, 2019

Hiding behind the lights: Christopher Barnwell

By Brandon Corlette

T

he Guyana Jaguars number five batsman, who is also one of the many all-rounders in the strong Jaguars team, has been among the inconsistent performers.

In a team that have been successful, Barnwell has not delivered the goods required of him in recent times. Barnwell, who played the first three rounds of the 2018-2019 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional 4-Day Tournament, has found himself out of the starting XI in the fourth-round match versus Volcanoes at Providence.

In the first three rounds this season, Barnwell has 136 runs with one half-century to his name. Batting at number five in a team with a great bench, the experienced Barnwell has not lived up to his expectations. With

Anthony Bramble batting below Barnwell in the earlier rounds, the Berbician, who has two centuries in four rounds this season ,may make the number five position his own.

Barnwell has 48 FirstClass matches beneath his belt with one century to his name and nine half-centuries, averaging 23.68.

He has only one century in any format playing for Guyana at the Regional level and his bowling record is not a breathtaking one. In Barnwell’s 48 First-Class matches, he has been called to bowl, and he has produced important breakthroughs for his captain.

However, his overall bowling record speaks otherwise. He has 72 wickets in the 80 innings he has bowled and he averages 34.16 with a strike rate of 59.

The 32-year-old who cele-

Christopher Barnwell

brated his birthday four days ago may be running out of time, but it’s not too late for

him to be a consistent performer for the Jaguars. With the likes of Clinton Pestano,

Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Keemo Paul, and Raymon Reifer

being seen as all-rounders, Barnwell may have to work hard to earn his position in the starting XI when all these players are available.

Barnwell, who made his First-Class debut in 2009, has been in and out of the First-Class team. In the 2016-2017 Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional 4-Day Tournament, he played four matches.

He scored one half-century but averaged 18.16 with the bat, striking at 43.16.

If Barnwell is a number five batsman who is an all-rounder in a strong Jaguars team with such an inconsistent record, he will be required to impact the game with bat and ball. His teammates Pestano, Reifer and Shepherd have impacted the game significantly and played a role in the Jaguars winning matches.

P&P throws support World Anti-Doping Agency gains access to Moscow lab behind steel shooting challenge S

port shooters will get their calendar of events started early for the 2019 year, as the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) gears up for the P&P Insurance steel shooting challenge. In the coming weeks, Guyana’s shooters will gather at the firing line, showcasing their expertise for a chance at the spoils.

P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Ltd has been onboard this tournament and many others, in collaboration with the sport shooting fraternity for quite some years. Now, the Insurance brokers have stated that they are elated to be a part of the action and will continue to do so in

coming years.

“We have again dedicated our sponsorship and support to the shooting tournament of the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation,” P&P Executive Director Vikash Panday stated.

Panday went on to declare his confidence in the sport shooting federation, noting that he expected a well-organised competition.

“We have been doing this for quite a number of years.

I know the Foundation well and we are happy to pledge our support to make this event a success and we hope that this event is carried out well, which I am sure it will,” Panday stated.

Panday not only pledged his continued support to

GSSF Secretary Andy Phang receives the sponsorship cheque from a P&P Insurance representative

the sport shooting fraternity, but also to other sports around the country.

On Thursday afternoon, the P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Ltd had the pleasure of handing over their sponsorship cheque to the GSSF and it was happily received by Secretary Andy Phang.

“The Guyana Sport Shooting Federation and I, we’re happy to be here.

On behalf of the directors, we’d like to thank the P&P Insurance Brokers for supporting us in 2019 yet again, like they did in 2018 and years before then.

Thank you very much,” Phang stated on the GSSF’s behalf.

A

Leading athletes have opposed the lifting of Russia's suspension

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) team has gained access to the Russian Anti-Doping Agency's laboratory in Moscow, 10 days after an initial deadline.

Wada's inspection team had been denied full access to data after Rusada was set a December 31 deadline to comply.

The visit was a condition of WADA's controversial reinstatement of Rusada in September 2018.

A WADA spokesperson told BBC Sport the three-person team had reported "no issues" with their work so far.

Speaking to Russian media, the country's sports minister, Pavel Kolobkov, said the work should be completed within the next three days.

"Today, the joint expert group got down to work. Work on setting up the equipment has begun, including on copying the databases," he said.

Russia's failure to provide full access to the laboratory and data before the December deadline led to 16 national anti-doping bodies (Nados) and WADA's athlete committee calling for the country to be suspended.

The issue will be debated when WADA's compliance review committee (CRC), an independent body, meets on January 14, after which it

will make a recommendation to WADA's executive committee (ExCo).

US Anti-Doping Agency head Travis Tygart said: "If accurate, it is a good thing that the signals emerging from WADA are that its group has been allowed into the Moscow laboratory.

"We remain vigilant to ensure a full public disclosure that the evidence obtained on the approximately 9000 presumptive positive drug tests which exist in the laboratory is authentic. It is in the clear public interest that WADA does this openly and transparently.

"Until that is done, WADA should declare the Russians non-compliant and to be reinstated they should be at a minimum required to cooperate with the dozens of international sport federations which have the responsibility to prosecute the thousands of individual cases."

A report from Professor Richard McLaren in July 2016 found Russia operated a State-sponsored doping programme for four years across the "vast majority" of Olympic sports.

A subsequent report stated more than 1000 Russian athletes benefited from doping and Russia was later banned from competing at the

2018 Winter Olympics.

WADA had insisted Russia meet two criteria before Rusada could be reinstated to competition, accept the findings of the McLaren report, and grant access to Moscow's anti-doping laboratory.

Mims Davies, minister for sport, said she would watch WADA's work "with significant interest" over the coming week.

"It is of the utmost importance that we protect the integrity of sport," she said. "I, therefore, watch with significant interest any key outcomes of WADA's vital return trip to Moscow this week.

"UK Sport, who I visited yesterday, are working hard to support our brilliant, dedicated athletes in their preparations for Tokyo 2020. We simply must ensure that they are able to compete on a level playing field.

"WADA's role is crucial in this, as an authority and advocate for fair and clean sport.

It is essential they create and foster confidence in their work.

"I will look to them to act quickly and decisively in any area needed following their visit to Russia and the forthcoming Compliance Review Committee meeting next week." (BBC Sport)

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T

he horse-racing season for 2019 has already kicked off in emphatic fashion, and the much-anticipated Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) Phagwah Day Horse Race Meet will be held on Sunday, March 24 at the Club’s facility at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice.

The card for the day will feature six races as jockeys compete for over $3 million in cash and prizes and other incentives up for grabs.

The affair will have as its feature event an over 7-furlong race for horses classified G1 and Lower. The race will carry a first prize of $300,000 while the three-year-old Guyana bred horses will see the winner taking home $240,000 and a trophy in the six-furlong race. The JK Class will carry a race which is over seven furlongs and will see the first-place winner bagging $100,000 and a trophy. Over five furlongs, the race classified for L Class open animals will carry a winning purse of $140,000 while the race for the L Class non-winners will see the winner claiming $120,000 and a trophy; this race will be over five furlongs. There is also a race for L Class non-earners which is over five furlongs as well, and will see animals racing for a top purse of $100,000 and a trophy.

The Champion jockey and runner-up jockeys, trainer and stables will all receive accolades, compliments of Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall and the organisers.

These races will be conducted under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority, and interested owners/trainers and handlers can call the following persons for more information: Niketa Ross 662-4668, Justice Kennard 623-7609 or any member of the KMTC Executive for more information.

Azeez hoping to better his performance in 2019 …aiming to catch the eyes of the selectors

A

zim Azeez classified himself as a player who could do a bit of batting and a bit of bowling; however, in 2018 he recorded some of his best batting and bowling figures representing the Transport Cricket Club and is eagerly awaiting the opening of the cricket season tomorrow and what 2019 holds for him.

Emulating Shahid Afridi’s aggressive style of batting and attacking bowling, the 29-year-old off-spinner said one of the things he enjoyed doing was attacking the ball when at the crease.

In a recent interview with Guyana Times, Azeez said, “Well, in 2018, there wasn't much competition due to the inclement weather conditions; however, I played four 40-overs matches and obtained 15 wickets, one game against Sophia, 4-3; against Third Class,

2-21; against GDF, 5-30 and 3 -23 in another. I noticed my bowling form was more rewarding in 2018. I had some spectacular sixes and fours, 30s and 50s, but like I said, hopefully, this year I cop bigger scores like my many previous years and be consistent in my batting.”

According to Azeez, it is tough for him to attend practice because of his job, but at the end of the day, he is still proud of his performance, because he knows when he hits the field he gives his all.

While reaping the successes of his bowling, he still wants to up the ante on his scoring and become one of Guyana’s top all-rounders.

Azeez went on to state that in order for him to do such, he knows he will have to make the necessary sacrifices and he is willing to put his best foot forward in achieving his goals. With

the Transport Club currently in second position on 65 points, they need only 11 more points to surpass Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) in the 2018/2019 edition of the New Building Society Second-Division (40Over) Cricket Competition a feat than can easily be achieved if Azeez continues to play his natural game.

In closing, Azeez said, “For the new year, I would like Transport Club to win the Second-Division tournaments and for my personal achievements, I would like to be consistent with my scoring and set a new ground-breaking record in the tournaments this season and with high hopes maintain my good bowling form.

It would also be a great pleasure to represent my country one day, hoping one day to capture the selectors' eyes, Insha-Allah.”

Azim Azeez

GAPLF to host AGM on January 19

T

he Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) will host its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, January 19, 2019 with the aim of electing new office bearers.

The meeting will be held at the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue, and will commence at 09:00h.

On the agenda is the review of the 2017 AGM Minutes, President’s Report for 2018, General Secretary’s Report for 2018 and Treasurer’s Report for 2018 in addition to the election of the 2019 Office Bearers and any other business believed necessary.

Public Relations Officer

Some of the Guyanese lifters who competed in the 16th Annual IPF/NAPF in Mexico: Erwyn Smith, Frank Tucker, Nairanjan Singh and Carlos Petterson Grifith

(PRO) Runita White, who is one of Guyana’s most upcoming and decorated female pow-

er lifters, said anyone who is willing to vote for the 2019 office bearers will have to pay an

annual federation subscription of $5000, adding that all members should fully participate in the meeting by attending.

She also went on to state that as a competitor while juggling the role of PRO, the year 2018 has been a good year for amateur powerlifting even though the allocation of funds to send athletes overseas has been a very technical issue. The major highlight for the year was Team Guyana carting off six gold medals and three bronze at the 16th Annual IPF/NAPF North American Regional Powerlifting Championship in Mexico City in August 2018.

Some of the players included Frank Tucker, Nairanjan

Singh, Nadina Taharally, Paul Adams and one of Guyana’s top power lifters, Carlos Petterson Grifith who took the top podium spot in the Men’s Raw Open 93kg category.

While nominations can be made on the day of the elections, thus far no individual has officially indicated they would be interested in contesting for the position. The present officer bearers are President Ed Caesar; Vice President Nadina Taharally, General Secretary Andrea Smith, Treasurer Colin Andrews, PRO/Organisation Secretary Runita White and Committee Members David Gomes, Erwyn Smith and Martin Webster.

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

fridAY, January 11, 2019

2019 England tour of West Indies

CWI President’s XI vs England tour matches Jaguars’ trio could muscle way into Test team

By Clifton Ross

T

he recently drafted trio of Raymon Reifer, Vishaul Singh and Chandrapaul Hemraj could easily bully their way into the Windies Test team for the upcoming England series should they capitalise on their Cricket West Indies (CWI) President’s XI selection.

England will arrive in the Caribbean in about a week’s time as they prepare to lock horns with the Windies in the biggest home series featuring ODIs, T20Is, and Tests in more than a decade.

With the three-match Test series starting from January 23, the regional players are all gunning to impress the selectors ahead of the tour as they seek to cement spots in an ever-changing Windies Test team.

Reifer has been on the Windies radar for a long time, having played for the A team as well as one solitary Test match versus New

Chandrapaul Hemraj

Zealand back in 2017. The left-hander snapped up two wickets in the game and scored 29, but has not yet been featured in the Windies colours despite being selected for other tours.

With a strong Regional Super50 showing back in October of 2015 with six fifties and wickets under his belt, the left-arm seamer im-

mediately showed his hunger for an international recall after hitting a solid 75 upon his return to national duty in the third round versus his Barbadian countrymen. His drafting to the President’s XI team now offers up a fresh start for the all-rounder, who could easily slot into the side should he take wickets or score

runs – preferably both.

Singh’s re-entry into the Test team could be a little easier after playing three Tests also back in 2017 and scoring just 63 runs. Singh, a regular in the Windies A team over the years, has been a top-performer for Guyana with his 14 fifties and eight hundreds which depict a lot for physically the

Raymon Reifer

smallest man in the Jags 4-Day team.

“Cheesy”, as he’s normally called, ended the second round of the 4-Day as the leading run-scorer for Guyana with knocks of 75 and 90, which apparently turned the selectors’ heads.

Singh could use his chance in the tour game to get a big score or a few big scores and walk back into the Windies middle order where he could possibly remain should runs continue to flow.

With a majestic 144 just a few days ago after being called back to the Jaguars team for the third round against the Barbados Pride, Hemraj is the front-runner of the three who could feature in the Test side. The left-hander has played six ODIs for the West Indies, looking strong and capable of performing at the international circuit, but has not carried his phenomenal

form regionally onto the big stage.

However, the opener signalled his intentions to possibly replace a straggling Kraigg Brathwaite in the Test team by smashing a ton on the first day which set a foundation for the Jaguars, who continued their unbeaten run this season.

In all, all three players will have two games – four innings to prove to selectors that they are indeed the man or men who could help the Windies team topple a strong Joe Root-led England side to glory on home soil, come the next few weeks when the battle commences.

RHTY&SC lauds Crandon WMCF gears up to host on Windies appointment 1st tournament of 2019 T J ust before 2018 ended, it was disclosed that Guyanese Esuan Crandon was pipped for the Assistant Coach position of the West Indies senior men’s team.

The Guyana Jaguars Head Coach, although surprised at his appointment, was poised for the position, having reaped many successes with the local team.

As such, he will now look to do the same for the West Indies side under the stewardship of new Head Coach Richard Pybus.

Two weeks later, the Patron, President and management of Crandon’s club in Berbice, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC), MS, has expressed their congratulations to

Esuan Crandon

Crandon on his selection as the Assistant Cricket Coach of the West Indies team.

“Esuan is another outstanding product of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation personal development programme, which seeks to make sure that outstanding youths fulfil their potential leadership skills,” a statement from the club said.

Crandon joined the Sports Club in 1998 and was quickly identified as a leader of the future.

His leadership of their Under-19, Second-Division and First-Division teams were done in a calm, dedicated and professional matter which resulted in numerous accomplishments on the cricket field. The success story of the Club is due to the foundation that Crandon and players like his brother Royston, Assad Fudadin, Renwick Batson, Khemraj Mahadeo, Delbert Hicks, Andre Percival laid for the younger generation to build on. At the tender age of 20, Crandon was engaging with youths at the Club’s Cricket Academy, conducting practice sessions and serving as a positive role model and mentor.

The management of the Club is confident that Crandon’s

calm influence and outstanding coaching skills will serve as one of the main reasons for the restoration of West Indies cricket. “All of us at the Club wish him well and we recommit ourselves to making sure that more outstanding leaders emerge from our membership. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club strongly believes in allowing youths to excel once they show potential matched by dedication, honesty and hard work,” the Club’s statement said.

Looking to their future, the RHTY&SC noted that their 19-year-old Assistant Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu is a perfect example, as he has taken over the daily operations of the organisation while the Secretary fulfils his duties as President of the Berbice Cricket Board.

Young leaders like Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Shivnarine Ramnarine and Jeremy Sandia were also singled out for playing prominent roles in the administration of the Club.

Aside from this, the RHTY&SC sought to congratulate their members Assad Fudadin and Clinton Pestano on their performances so far in the CWI Four-Day First-Class Tournament and wished them even more successes for the remainder of the tournament.

he Wendell Meusa Chess Foundation (WMCF) will be starting its 2019 year the only way it knows how – by testing the skills of the nation’s players as early as possible.

The Foundation will host its first tournament of the year this weekend at the National Sports Resource Centre, Conference Room, Woolford Avenue. The tournament will act as a great warm-up for players who may want to get in the competitive mode early, given that the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) will soon be ready to host the national championships within the first quarter of the year.

The chess action will commence tomorrow, January 12 at 09:00h and will run until Sunday, January 13.

The event will take on a Swiss format, which depends on the total number of players. There will be seven rounds of play in the event with a time control o f 30 mins

per player. The competition will be an open event for players of all ages and ratings. As such, the WMCF is urging players of all levels to get a taste of the competition.

Meanwhile, the Foundation will be multitasking on Saturday as it seeks to gather and share a detailed plan of its 2019 tournament participation.

The Foundation will be hosting a PTA- like event for the parents of those players who benefit from the Foundation’s teachings.

On the tournament agenda for 2019, aside from the National Junior Championship and the smaller competitions that will be hosted by the Foundation, it will be focusing on the Central

American and Caribbean Games (CAC) Chess Championships and the eighth CARIFTA Junior Chess Championships, which students have attended in the past year and have emerged successful.

The Foundation will also be looking to discuss the 2019 National Training Programme and the implementation of new chess clubs, policies and rules. With these and more events in mind, the WMCF is looking forward t o a hectic and successful 2019.

Wendell Meusa

guyanatimesgy.com

fridAY, January 11, 2019

23

Bramble’s brilliant 168 gives Jaguars honours on opening day – Volcanoes strike with 3 late wickets, Jaguars 307-6 at stumps

By Brandon Corlette

T

he opening day of the fourth-round clash at Providence between Guyana Jaguars and Windward Island Volcanoes belonged to Anthony Bramble who notched up an impressive 168. Bramble’s innings included 17 fours and six sixes in 189 minutes. Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who faced the first and final ball of the day, remained unbeaten on 71 off 298 balls with Romario Shepherd on five off 21 balls.

Under clear skies at the National Stadium Providence, Guyana, the Guyana Jaguars Captain, Leon Johnson won the toss and opted to bat first.

Chanderpaul and Trevon Griffith trotted out

to b a t o n home turf in their second match this season against the Windward Islands Volcanoes. Windies Test fast bowler Shermon Lewis, who played one Test against India and Bangladesh in 2018, opened the bowling for the Windward Islands Volcanoes.

Guyana Jaguars o p e n e d their scoring account when the elegant Griffith stroked a boundary off the rightarm fast bowl-

er. It was a cautious start for the Jaguars scoring 14 runs from the first six overs. The Volcanoes bowlers were disciplined, but not bowling too much waste deliveries; they were rewarded in the eighth over when a lively Josh Thomas playing in his third First-Class match removed Griffith. He was out caught by wicketkeeper Dennis Smith scoring 14 from 19 balls, inclusive of three boundaries.

With the score on 22-1, Johnson walked in at number three to bat and his stay at the crease was a short one.

The Jaguars Captain continued to fail; after hitting a timely four, he was removed

by Lewis out, caught in the gully for five. After facing six balls, Johnson played a false shot and threw his wicket away, at 27-2 after 8.4 overs.

S h i m r o n Hetmyer then partnered Chanderpaul as the pair l o o k e d to bat through Bramble the raise first his sbat e safter sion, a milestone w i t h (Brandon out any Corlette photo) further damage done to t h e batting lineup. The pair safely negotiated until lunch with the score on 68-2 in 26 overs. Hetmyer was on sound timing with the ball that went sweetly around the Providence Stadium.

Two balls after the lunch interval, Hetmyer was brilliantly caught in the slip

cordons by Devon Smith off a rebound, from the Volcanoes wicketkeeper. Hetmyer, who lost concentration, played away from his body and was out for a 48-ball 26 that included three fours.

After a 44-run partnership between Hetmyer and Chanderpaul, third-round centurion Bramble, gaining promotion to batting at number five, partnered Chanderpaul at 71-3 in the 27th over. The Berbician went to the batting crease with intent, and he batted around Chanderpaul. Bramble, who is in a rich vein of form, played some textbook shots that entertained the handful of spectators at Providence.

Playing with a solid technique, he outscored Chanderpaul and converted his half-century into his second consecutive century in this Regional 4-Day tournament. At 13:55h, Bramble brought up his century from 84 balls off the bowling of Alick Athanaze in the 53rd over of the day. The strong Berbician reached the milestone after dumping the off-spinner Athanaze for two consecutive sixes and then a single to bring up his counter-attacking century.

The second session of day one belonged to the Jaguars even though they lost Hetmyer the second ball of the session; Bramble and Chanderpaul were unbeaten at tea, with the score on 212-3 in 59 overs. Bramble made the session his own remaining on 113 from 98 balls at the tea interval while Chanderpaul continued his struggles ending the second session on 43 off 193 balls.

In the third and final session of the day, the Volcanoes bowlers continued to toil, bowling on a flat pitch at Providence.

Bramble continued to score runs at ease bringing up another milestone – crossing the 150 barrier. He brought up this milestone in the 71.2 over of the day stroking a Larry Edward ball for a single. Chanderpaul then brought off his pains-

taking half-century.

The left-handed batsman faced 203 dots at that stage in his innings. Chanderpaul hit two fours when he brought up his half-century with a leg glance, which was a two-shot off Josh Thomas.

Bramble continued to punish the Volcanoes bowlers, hitting Kaveem Hodge off the attack, thumping the Volcanoes left-arm spinner for consecutive sixes. The rotation of the strike continued and then the 200-run partnership between Bramble and Chanderpaul came up as the Jaguars continued to frustrate the Volcanoes bowlers.

Josh Thomas, who bowled a wide delivery, found the outside edge of Bramble who was out caught at first slip by the veteran Devon Smith.

Bramble departed for a wellplayed 168 from 151 balls that lasted 189 minutes. His innings included 17 fours and six sixes in his third FirstClass century. The 209-run partnership between Bramble and Chanderpaul ended with the score on 280-4.

Sherfane Rutherford came and went, falling two balls later in the same Josh Thomas over. The left handed Rutherford edged one and was caught behind by the wicket-keeper for a duck.

One brings two, the familiar phrase in cricket, was shown in the afternoon session of play between Jaguars and Volcanoes. In the 82nd over of the day, tens runs later, a miscommunication between Chanderpaul and Keemo Paul saw a run-out. The Jaguars, playing in their fourth round, saw run-outs in each round.

Paul, who is making his return to the Jaguars team, was run out by Dennis Smith for three after facing only eight balls.

The Jaguars slumped to 290-6 from 279-3, with Romario Shepherd partnering Chanderpaul in the 82nd over of the day. Windward Islands Volcanoes found themselves back in the game, picking up three wick-

Bramble and Tagenarine featured in a 209-run partnership (Brandon Corlette photo)

ets for 10 runs. The Guyana Jaguars pair Chanderpaul and Shepherd safely negotiated after the mini collapse late in the day, ending the opening day in a strong position on 307-6 in 90 overs.

On a day where the bow-

ers toiled, fast-bowler Thomas was the pick of the bowlers with 3-62 in 17 overs while Sherman Lewis and Ray Jordan had one wicket each.

The second day’s play will continue today at Providence from 09:30h.

SCOREBOARD Guyana Jaguars 1st Innings 307-6 T Chanderpaul not out 71 T Griffith c Dennis Smith b J Thomas 14 L Johnson c Hodge b S Lewis 5 S Hetmyer c Devon Smith b Jordan 26 A Bramble c Devon Smith b J Thomas 168 S Rutherford c Dennis Smith b J Thomas 0 K Paul run out (Dennis Smith) 3 R Shepherd not out 5 Extras Total Fall Of Wickets

1 - 22(Trevon Griffith, 7.4 Ov) , 2 - 27(Leon Johnson, 8.4 Ov) , 3 - 71(Shimron Hetmyer, 26.3 Ov) , 4 - 280(Anthony Bramble, 78.1 Ov) , 5 - 280(Sherfane Rutherford, 78.3 Ov) , 6 - 290(Keemo Paul, 81.3 Ov) Bowling S Lewis 16-4-57-1 J Thomas 17-2-62-3 R Jordan 14-2-42-1 L Edward 25-7-59-0 K Hodge 15-2-64-0 A Athanaze 3-0-21-0

Increased fitness a good move for workhorse players

By Clifton Ross

C

ricket West Indies (CWI) recently made a good step towards ensuring that players reach their optimal fitness level by enforcing stiffer assessments and more rigorous training sessions which will be used as the criteria for international selection.

Recently, CWI Head of Sports Medicine & Science, Dr Oba Gulston confirmed that statics showed the level of fitness around the Region increased significantly by 30 per cent. The increase seems to be a result of the increased amount of training sessions and physical assessments that players are forced to undergo both on and off-season.

With the proverbial benchmark seemingly increasing every year, players will now be tasked with

besting the dreaded Yo-Yo Endurance Test, following a strong recommendation from the CWI Medicine and Science team. Similar to a Beep Test, a Yo-Yo endurance tests players’ stamina and endurance as they run back and forth from specific checkpoints as the Yo-Yo test counts on; leaving the fittest players standing after minutes or hours if possible of running.

The test consists of a commonly used durability metric method developed in Denmark by soccer physiologist Dr Jens Bangsbo.

Overall, the objective of the Yo-Yo is to evaluate athletes’ aerobic endurance fitness levels collectively or individually.

The local team Guyana Jaguars have been known to have a number of Beep and Yo-yo exams within a year; a

true testament to their success as they have since managed to win the Regional 4-Day titles four years on the trod. Also, local players have gotten stronger and more durable as injuries rarely yet never occur and if they do, players are not sidelined for indefinite periods.

Another key reason behind the possible pluses of the increased fitness programme is that it will benefit the large number of players from the Caribbean who have careers as T20 Guns for hire within the franchise cricket world. Guyana recently saw three of their brightest prospects within the Jaguars and West Indies Senior team: Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford and Shimron Hetmyer bagging lucrative IPL contracts for the 2019 season.

Apart from the trio, a

large number of players the likes of seniors Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Darren Bravo are established T20 franchise players while new-comers like Nicholas Pooran, Rutherford, Oshane Thomas and the many more are still young and will need the additional gym time and training sessions to help buff their physiology while keeping their bodies strong enough to withstand the immense yearly schedules that players usually are given these days.

Also, the main prize in the eyes of the CWI is the 50-Overs World Cup trophy, a piece of silverware that has eluded them for decades ever since their domination in the ‘West Indies glory days’.

While the Caribbean side is lowly ranked in ODI cricket, their passion and desire to prove to the world they are

still capable of being a force in ODI cricket was exhibited last year during the WC qualifiers where they lost to Bangladesh in the finals.

The premier tourney w i l l be staged i n the tough English conditions and CWI has begun its road to ensuring that those on the frontline and those on the radar are kept in the best of condition ahead of

Windies Skipper Jason Holder during a training session

the Cup. Notwithstanding the busy schedule of Caribbean players who are the foremost sought-after franchise players in contemporary times, the new system is likely to unearth a whole new level of fitness going forward; further strengthening the Caribbean’s reputation in the world of cricket.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Bramble’s brilliant 168 gives Jaguars honours on opening day

Anthony Bramble flick one off the hips during his century at Providence (Brandon Corlette photo)

Tagenarine Chanderpaul faced 298 balls for 71 runs (Brandon Corlette photo)

Page 23

– Volcanoes strike with 3 late wickets, Jaguars 307-6 at stumps

P&P throws support behind steel shooting challenge

Hiding behind the lights: Christopher Barnwell

GSSF Secretary Andy Phang receives the sponsorship cheque from a P&P Insurance representative

Page 22

Page 22

Christopher Barnwell

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