Guyana Times - Friday, September 6, 2019

Guyana Embassy in US signs MoU with Diaspora body to enhance cooperation P7

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

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PPP calls for GECOM to begin preparations for elections …says "too much time has passed already" guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4038

friday, september 6, 2019

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Civil society continues protest for Govt to resign P9

Page 3

Patterson refuses to meet with BBCI over proposed buyout

— says priorities are different

PK man gets 23 years for raping 6-year-old boy P8

Page 7

Amazon Warriors fever hits Guyana

Vagrant dies after being run over by car P9 Mother, daughter P18 severely beaten during home invasion Non-functioning X-ray dept, mortuary P19 cripple Kumaka District Hospital ꟷelectrical problem, staff shortage affecting services

Ex-prisoner GPL suffers 23 executed, body MW shortfall dumped on dam Page 7

…renews commitment to buy power from Giftland Mall

Page 11

Fire destroys Angoy’s P18 Avenue house, arson suspected

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FRIDAY, september 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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FRIDAY, september 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, September 6 – 10:30h – 12:00h and Saturday, September 7 – 12:00h – 13:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, September 6 – 09:20h – 10:50h and Saturday, September 7 – 10:50h – 12:20h.

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

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Winds: North-Easterly to Southerly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 09:42h and 22:02h reaching maximum heights of 2.23 metres and 2.24 metres.

Low Tide: 03:09h and 15:31h reaching minimum heights of 0.84 metre and 1.05 metres.

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PPP calls for GECOM to begin preparations for elections

...says “too much time has passed already”

C

iting delay tactics, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Opposition has called for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to commence preparations for the hosting of General and Regional Elections, saying that too much time has passed already.

In a statement on Thursday, the PPP pointed out that since the appointment of Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh as Chair, GECOM has had over four meetings and yet it is nowhere closer to starting preparations for what was supposed to be early elections.

“Too much time has passed already. The party stresses the call for GECOM to begin preparations for elections now,” the missive stated.

According to the PPP, it seems as though the Constitution of Guyana and the rulings of the courts are secondary in the considerations of GECOM. It reminded that the Constitution remains the supreme law of the land and that GECOM has a responsibility to uphold it.

Moreover, the party drew attention to the fact that the country’s apex court – the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) – on July 12, 2019, made clear that elections should have been held since March 21, 2019, that is, three months after the successful December passage of the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) which toppled the coalition Government.

The CCJ made clear that “The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has the responsibility to conduct that election and GECOM too must abide by the provisions of the Constitution”.

This point, the PPP noted, was reiterated on August 14, 2019, by Chief Justice, Roxane George.

“The Guyanese people have a constitutional right that must be respected.

Our Constitution must be respected. Our democratic standing cannot be diminished. Elections preparations must commence now,” the Opposition stated.

According to the PPP, preparations for elections must commence with the production of a Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) from the National Register of Registrants (NRR).

However, the party said it recognises the delay tactics being directed by the APNU/AFC coalition Government.

It said that the Governmentnominated GECOM Commissioners continue to push for the merger of unverified – and probably padded – data garnered from the now-scrapped Houseto-House Registration, with the National Register of Registrants.

“They have a complicit partner at the Secretariat of GECOM, as is evidenced by the production of timelines for election activities that accord with the APNU/AFC coalition’s position on elec-

tions in 2020 – despite the fact that elections should have been held since March 21, 2019,” the PPP asserted.

The Opposition party went on to say that its position has been repeated ad nauseam, that is, the data garnered from the now-scrapped Houseto-House exercise must not be used to contaminate the National Register of Registrants. It insisted that the Preliminary List of Electors must be produced

by GECOM, and that the elections body must move to Claims and Objections (C&O), which is a time-tested method, to allow for persons who are first-time voters to be registered, among other transactions.

With regards to the production of re-designed national identification (ID) cards, the PPP contended that this is “wholly unnecessary” at this point in time and is just another tactic designed to delay the elections.

“The history of the matter is well known; a national identification card is not necessary to vote, since other means of identification can be used,” the party stated.

It reminded that the European Union (EU), in its 2001 Observer report, said:

“In 1998 Esther Pereira, a PNC supporter, petitioned the High Court to set aside the results of the 1997…

Justice Claudette Singh found that the requirement for voters to have a voter ID card in 1997 was ultra vires Articles 59 and 159 of the Constitution (despite a parliamentary agreement to use the cards). Consequently, the elections were therefore null and void.”

Furthermore, the Opposition turned its attention to the cross-matching of fingerprints of the 370,822 persons GECOM claims to have registered during the now-scrapped House-toHouse Registration, which was brought to a premature end by the Elections Commission.

According to the PPP, it stirs up more concerns.

“The purpose of this time-consuming and costly exercise is to try to identify the new registrants, which could easily be done otherwise. However, it will not identify where padding occurs. Cross-matching of fingerprints will only ascertain where there are cases of duplicates. And in any case, cross-matching of the fingerprints will have to be done upon the completion of the Claims and Objections period,” the Opposition party noted.

Nevertheless, GECOM will continue with another meeting today. After the last meeting on Tuesday, the PPP-nominated GECOM Commissioners said their time was being spent on further fruitless discussions, which is moving them further away from the hosting of elections.

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guyanatimesgy.com

friday, september 6, 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

CPL and its unifying power

N

ational pride and excitement ran high as thousands of Guyanese flocked the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara to be part of the exciting Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) home match on Thursday.

It must be stated from the outset that the Hero CPL managed to also unify a very much divided Guyana as persons from all sections of society regardless of their race, creed, sexual orientation and political persuasion rallied behind the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

So high was the amount of unity and cohesiveness in previous years that it is widely believed that the tournament stood out as one of the clear examples of social cohesion.

Hosting of the CPL games here is the kind of intervention that is needed to give a much needed boost to the country’s economy.

Guyana, through the CPL, has benefited significantly from hosting the event since the inception of the tournament in 2013.

Dubbed the ‘biggest party in sport’ as cricket is played louder, CPL epitomises the positive evolution of world cricket and further emphasises the vibrancy of the game which characterises the West Indian brand.

The natural enthusiasm through the vociferousness of fans in this part of the world evident over the decades, has in many ways influenced the atmosphere in other places, notably England. The game of cricket has been known for its more subdued but overwhelming attendance punctuated with a routine courteous appreciation of the art and showmanship of the game.

That has now changed as fans have fully gotten into the game, bringing liveliness through infectious music and innovative celebrations. This change has been directly credited to T20 cricket, which, again, the West Indians would have branded with their own flare of effervescence through a fusion of colour, music and rapturous involvement.

As interest in cricket would have waned in the past due to various factors, T20, through the CPL, has not only catapulted that interest, but transgressed the traditional fan base to overwhelmingly capture women and children.

Among the many successes of T20 cricket, the ability to continuously and increasingly bring out women and children to the games is one of the biggest achievements.

This is what was needed for the sport, especially here in the Caribbean as CPL has now become a much-anticipated family event. The names and prowess of the plethora of stars of the various teams easily roll off the tongues of women and children as interest and expectation grow rapidly. One of the many factors driving this within the CPL is the many fan-based promotions by the various sponsors.

This has ensured that fans are not only directly involved in the process of creating the pulsating environment for which the tournament has become known for, but allows them opportunities to be the recipient of something tangible aside from the abundance of paraphernalia. This is where CPL has to be commended for making fans a priority in the process of building and sustaining interest.

That interest cuts across societal divides as evident in the support for the Guyana Amazon Warriors. The Providence stadium, since the inception of the CPL, has become known as a place sanitised of partisanship as Guyanese rally around their stars.

The Providence stadium, which has proven its worth over the years, has once again burst into life as cricket superstars from across the globe battle for supremacy.

Guyana is once again in the international spotlight as millions join the global live broadcast from the East Bank corridor.

The benefits of such international exposure are priceless as are those that redound to the local economy from the hosting of CPL games.

Cricket has always been seen as a unifying force across the region. Here at home, CPL and the exciting exploits of the Guyana Amazon Warriors have created a formidable platform for the furtherance of that process.

US Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch took time out to enjoy a game of cricket at the Guyana National Stadium on Thursday evening. Also in photo are ExxonMobil Country Manager Ron Henson and Mrs Henson, Deputy Chief of Mission Mark Cullinane and AmCham President Zulfikar Ali

Amazon fires: Bolsonaro’s poll rating plummets as Brazil turns against far-right leader

B

razilians saying that President Jair Bolsonaro is doing a “bad or terrible” job rose to 38 per cent from 33 per cent previously, following global outcry over the

Government’s handling of record fires in the Amazon rainforest.

The Datafolha polling institute found that 29 per cent say that Bolsonaro is

doing a “great or good” job, down from 33 per cent in July, according to the poll published on Monday.

Brazilians who said Bolsonaro was doing a normal job fell to 30 per cent

from 31 per cent previously, within the margin of error.

Datafolha found that 51 per cent of Brazilians thought Bolsonaro had done a bad or terrible job respond-

ing to the Amazon fires.

Last month, Brazil’s space research agency INPE revealed that the highest number of forest fires were tearing through the Amazon rainforest since 2010, sparking international outcry demanding that the country do more to protect the world’s largest tropical rainforest.

Bolsonaro ultimately said that he would only accept an offer of $20 million (£16.6m) in aid if Macron withdrew “insults” against him.

Datafolha found that 66 per cent of Brazilians said that Brazil should be accepting international aid to combat Amazon deforestation.

Bolsonaro won the presi-

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro

dency last year with a commanding lead but has seen his support steadily erode since taking office on 1 January.

The Datafolha institute polled 2,878 people in 175 towns across Brazil on 29 and 30 August. The poll has a 2 per cent margin of error.

(UK Independent)

H&M halts leather purchases from Brazil because of Amazon wildfires

H

&M, the world’s second-biggest fashion retailer, said on Thursday it had stopped purchasing leather from Brazil for the time being as a result of environmental concerns highlighted by Amazon wildfires.

Sweden-based H&M follows VF Corp, owner of shoe and clothing brands including Timberland, Vans and North Face, which made a similar announcement last week in response to the fires.

Thousands of fires tearing through the Amazon have spawned an international crisis for Brazil, with

Sweden-based H&M halts leather purchases from Brazil

public protests and world leaders voicing concern that the Government of Jair Bolsonaro is doing too little

to protect the world’s largest tropical rainforest.

Fears have been growing in Brazil that companies

would step back from the country amid adverse publicity surrounding the burning forest and the prospect of international sanctions.

“Due to the severe fires in the Brazilian part of the Amazon rainforest, and the connections to cattle production, we have decided to place a temporary ban on leather from Brazil,” H&M said in an emailed statement.

“The ban will be active until there are credible assurance systems in place to verify that the leather does not contribute to environmental harm in the Amazon,” it said. (Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, september 6, 2019

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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

Excellent job by the Opposition How will they spend

Dear Editor, I am observing with satisfaction the excellent work

by Mr Bharrat Jagdeo and PPP members. This country and all its citizens who stand for law and integrity are heartened by this party.

Day by day, this extremely corrupted Government is being exposed by the Opposition for the unbelievable and horrible crimes that they all are committing so “freely” it seems. It is truly frightening when your Government, which is supposed to protect you, can be your greatest enemy.

I was watching Mr Anil Nandlall’s programme “Issues in the news” and his latest report published on September 4 detailed how the downright false and extremely bloated registration list was obtained by GECOM. Just when you think it’s not possible to mislead the citizens again, this Government manages to do

just that and on a more dangerous level than before.

Government representatives at GECOM are hellbent on contaminating the list at all costs! I understand more clearly now after listening to Mr Nandlall why they are pushing so hard to merge the data. They cannot win this election if it is carried out freely and fairly - so the intention now is simply to corrupt the voters’ list and delay the election for as long as possible as Mr Joseph Hamilton hinted earlier on.

Ms Susan Rodrigues is sincere and eloquent as usual in her latest delivery published on September 3 too, listing many falsehoods by this Government. On her programme “Making the case” She calmly chooses her words carefully, states her position on issues and events and her perspective is always intelligent.

I have new and growing respect also for our

Presidential Candidate Mr Ifraan Ali. His interview published on September 1 was very good. He was fluent and confident in pushing the agenda of his party for the future development of our country. These people are experienced professionals as I have said before and their policies, innovations and ideas are brilliant, very practical and simple to follow. All law-abiding and ambitious Guyanese are supporting the PPP Administration in record numbers now.

The incumbent regime, on the other hand, which is definitely at the end of the road, is losing support on a daily basis. Only a few shameless “hard-line” core supporters are parading around beating their empty chests to save face - in spite of realistically and silently being aware of the shenanigans of this shameful Government. This is the beginning of the end of the era

of the PNC and its associates and they know it.

APNU/AFC had a fair and wonderful opportunity to do good for this country.

They were lucky to inherit a country with a bristling economy and opportunity for “a good life” for all of its citizens. They could have amply redeemed themselves from their shady and sordid past by protecting the citizens and working towards the development of the country.

Sadly, integrity and respect for the rule of law and the Constitution, especially in these last few months, have totally disappeared.

Had they been more caring, they probably would have served a second term and left a good healthy chapter in history. Instead, they opted to savagely plunder the country under the leadership of Mr Granger and leave it practically in ruins.

Dear Editor, Justice Claudette Singh Ret’d, the new Chairman of GECOM, who took over the reins of that troubled entity on July 29, 2019, is seemingly heading for dangerous waters. Facing the urgent task of executing General Elections in a tight timeframe, Justice Singh has been taking things nice and slow. In any other circumstance, I would be the first to say let’s give the new Chairman time to get her feet wet. However, with each passing day it means the Constitution is being violated further.

Recall that elections were constitutionally due in March 2019 following the successful passage of the NCM on December 21, 2018, by the Opposition.

Recall also that the Govt had brought spurious legal challenges grounded in nonsensical mathematics, compliments Nigel Hughes, and were seemingly aided by the Appeal Court and the CCJ, the latter which proved timid, to delay the constitutionally-bound elections.

Even an ordinary person would have grasped the dire situation at GECOM. With two Government Commissioners seeking to delay the elections and two Opposition-led Commissioners seeking to expedite the elections in accordance with the Constitution, even a less intelligent person would have known the situation requires swift and decisive action.

Instead, the new Chair

has been slothful and tentative and her protracted decision to use data from the obviously flawed HtH is one which actually creates more problems and one which will cause even more delays. Is it a mere coincidence that so far everything the Chairman has done is in sync with the Government’s efforts to delay and frustrate free and fair elections being held in Guyana?

Looking back, I think Jagdeo, Leader of the Opposition, was reasonable in his thinking to nominate Justice Singh, who has been historically rigid and upright in her application of the law, being dubbed “Iron Lady” and all, and expected not only the same attitude but swift and complete adherence to the rule of law

and Constitution. Moreover, he must have reasoned that a Judge of her calibre would understand the need within our crime ravaged society and one that has seen decades of rigged elections under the PNC to uphold the law and to be seen doing so.

Sadly, this has not been the case thus far and as it stands more than a month following her appointment, we are nowhere closer to knowing when elections will be held. The Iron Lady is dangerously on the brink of joining the dubious duo of Patterson and Bollers, ex-Judges who have violated the Constitution and rule of law in Guyana while at the helm of GECOM.

Sincerely, Shane Lindie

Iron Lady on the brink

The cry of a public servant under the David Granger Administration

Dear Editor, I have been pondering for quite a while now on whether I should publicly express my disdain for the blatant lack of empathy and discrimination bestowed upon me by my employer at a Government agency. I’ve recently completed my MSc and am now serving the Government.

Since my return, just under a year, I haven’t received an added cent in remuneration. On the contrary, my workload doubled and I still have the same job as I initially had before my departure to study. And to add insult to injury, my supervisor is a fresh graduate who has just completed his bachelor

from UG. And best of all, I had to train him.

I made several complaints to PSM about my mistreatment, but nothing was done. It’s as if you have no one to turn to but to endure. I must say, I’m quite disheartened and completely demotivated. My enthusiasm has now morphed into passive resistance. And I’m not the only one. I know of tens of other young professionals, both Indians and Afro-Guyanese, who are going through the same. There is no future under this Government for us. That is the sad reality.

Sincerely, Mr Engineer

Sincerely, Ravi Ram

our oil money?

Dear Editor, At long last, it appears that our political crisis is coming to a close. Only a few hurdles remain before we actually have clarity on our election timeline.

Guyanese rightfully despair the way our democracy was put to the test over the past several months by our leaders and politicians. But we must now quickly refocus and ask those same leaders what they plan for Guyana’s future.

While an election is approaching, we have seen no clear declarations of party platforms or visions. Proper lip service has and will continue to be paid to the usual areas of concern – “free education!”, “better jobs!” “more opportunity for all!” – yet we all note the lack of concrete plans with great concern. Having those plans is all the more important with first oil due in 2020.

It goes without saying that an unprecedented amount of capital will flow into our Government’s hands immediately following the results of the upcoming election. Nonetheless, as we go to the polls, it’s crucial that Guyanese elect the party that is best equipped and ready to guide Guyana to economic prosperity and well-being. It is clear to any observer that we are unprepared and making slow progress while the powers that be have been busy fighting amongst one another.

Guyanese are looking to our oil windfall as an asset

that could have a net-positive effect in the long run, not merely the short run.

But how to spend it? It seems apparent that strides in the Guyanese education system will make the greatest impact on generations to come. The labour market today is not what it will look like in two or five years.

We must provide Guyanese youth with the proper technical education, specifically in the field of engineering and the sciences, so that when oil companies are looking for labour they look to Guyanese first—instead of outside Guyana.

As the demand for highly skilled labour will only continue to expand with first oil, we are obliged to grow this type of technical skill-building across our educational institutions. The University of Guyana has already acted on this initiative—sending university professors to primary schools to teach Guyanese youth basic computer science skills.

The electorate has been treated to an entertaining soap opera for most of this year. But now it is time to make a decision which will fundamentally impact the direction of our future.

Reasoning from this fact, we must call upon the politicians of the APNU, PPP, and various political factions to put forth tangible plans for Guyanese welfare.

Regards, Donald Singh

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FRIDAY, september 6, 2019

Page

Foundation

7 best note-taking methods of excellent students

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s a student, you understand very well that it is crucial to organise your notes effectively in order to succeed in the upcoming exams. We have all been there when the teacher is talking quickly about the unknown subject and you are struggling to get a grip of the new information without even mentioning that you have to record all these details. In this situation, students note down separate words or phrases which do not link together and do not prove themselves useful at a later stage of revising. So in order to simplify your life and make sure you avoid having a mishmash of scribbles in the future, we decided to cover seven effective note-taking methods which should help you pass your exams well.

1. Decide on your symbol system

Professional note-takers have

learnt their lesson well, that there is never enough time to take notes. Therefore, in order to succeed, the best thing is to make quick and brief notes.

Coming up with a symbol system that you can reuse for every subject is a note-taking technique that works! You can come up with certain abbreviations, put a dash in front of any definitions for easier screening later. Also, you can use questions marks in places where you have some uncertainty as well as an asterisk for something which is particularly important (like questions which will come up in the exams).

This kind of system will save you time later with study revisions.

2. The Cornell Note Taking Method

Why are Cornell notes so effective? It is one of the most popular note-taking meth-

graph title) and then add smaller subheadings. Under them, with bullet points, you can add different learning objectives or important points that your professor has mentioned during the lesson.

labelling each chapter of your notes as well as jotting down page numbers on every page.

Moreover, you can scribble the textbook’s chapter reference to simplify the search for more information later.

6. App for taking notes

ods for college students since it stimulates remembering the information visually.

Moreover, its well-structured system lets you stay organised when revising before the exam.

So you need to split your page into three sections: Right: It is the largest section of the page. Usually, it takes about 2/3 of the upper part of the page. You should use it for noting down keywords, definitions, important dates, places, personalities, formulas and other brief comments when you are listening to the lecture.

Left: This part of the page is narrower and should be used for summary words to the notes you took on the right (like the main idea, for instance). You can use this section for writing any questions you might have about the material you have covered in the lecture.

Bottom: Here you summarise the overall lecture the

4. Experiment with mind-mapping

One of the professional note-taking methods should also include this popular today means of mind-mapping.

If you are a visual learner, it is harder to find something more useful for memorising new information and seeing a big picture than these kinds of diagrams! You start with a main problem or subject that you put in a large circle at the canter of your diagram. Gradually, as the lecture goes on, you start adding in smaller circles keywords, definitions and other information that pertains to the main subject. You have to link all these circles with lines and you can add some referencing on top of these connections for further clarification.

5. The use of labelling

way you understood it.

3. Use outlines

Your note-taking skills can benefit from making use of outlines! In fact, everyone might have heard of this outline method of note-taking and even used it, but it is worth mentioning it one more time here. It is extremely convenient to write down the main subject (like a chapter or para-

Another useful note-taking example is to label each page of your notes with a date as well as subject and chapter names.

Imagine trying to organise your notes before the exam, when you do not even have a clue where to look. If you want to be always certain about it, then make sure you get used to

Nowadays note-taking skills have diversified significantly and can include knowledge of one of those helpful resources that simplify your student life and make it more efficient.

Here, we would like to mention such a useful app as Evernote.

It is very convenient because you can type your notes directly in the app, you can scan your handwritten notes or attach photos of your professors’ sketches, upload PDFs or even videos, as well as mind-maps!

Moreover, it is really handy that you can access these notes on your phone, tablet or computer since all these notes are synced and stored in the cloud service.

W

e love salt dough and use it often for capturing baby handprints and child footprints for display on the wall! It is ridiculously cheap and easy to make, is extremely versatile and, if

We rolled small amounts into balls, then flattened them with the palm of the hand. Then we pushed shells with patterned ridges into the top of the discs and

done right, can last years on display!

To make these we made a batch of salt dough using this simple recipe: 1 cup plain (all purpose)

carefully pulled them out to reveal the imprint left in the dough. So pretty and delicate!

Put them on baking parchment and on a baking

flour (NOT self-raising!)

1 cup salt 1/2 to 3/4 cup warm water Stir the flour and salt together then mix in the water gradually until it forms a slightly sticky dough. Knead it until the stickiness disappears and then it’s ready to model with! If it remains too sticky add some more flour, if too dry add a few drops of water at a time. It can take a little bit of experimentation but is really very simple.

tray in the oven for 3 hours at 100 degrees C (approx 200 degrees F). In the oven they are hardening rather than cooking, so they may need to be turned over once during that period, or even go back in for another hour or two if still doughy after the time is up.

We decided not to paint or varnish these this time as they look so beautiful in their natural state, but salt dough does take paint and gloss very well!

Shell imprint fossils

7. Less is more

Your note-taking strategy for college should not be about trying to write down every single word. On the contrary, you should aim to get the main idea and put it in your words in your notebook. The main difference between these two methods is that when you are concentrated on catching every word separately, it is difficult to understand the common thread in these words and you do not get what your professor is trying to say. When you listen to his idea in the first place, then you have the time to digest his words and it is the beginning of a learning process in this case. Then it becomes reflected in an effective note-taking process! Therefore, do not get bogged down by little details, you can easily fill them in with the help of a textbook or even the Internet. (booksrun.com)

news

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FRIDAY, september 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Patterson refuses to meet with BBCI over proposed buyout – says priorities are different

T

he Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) has expressed its disappointment with Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson’s refusal to meet over a potential buyout of the bridge.

to make representation” in court.

A move, which the BBCI says, is in incomprehensible.

“The Berbice Bridge Company Inc, quite frankly, finds the Government’s approach to dealing with a Public Private Partnership

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

During an interview on the State-owned NCN last month, Minister Patterson had disclosed that his government has offered to purchase the ownership of the bridge from the BBCI. Days later, the Bridge Company denied that such a proposal was made but subsequently wrote the Minister for a meeting to discussion Government’s buyout offer.

However, the Public Infrastructure Minister has since rejected the BBCI’s request to meet, opting instead to go ahead with ongoing court proceedings.

In his response, Patterson said while Government “stands ready and willing to seek a resolution regarding matters of national importance”, including the issue of the Berbice River Bridge, Government “shall continue

incomprehensible, since, rather than exercise the much more preferable option of meeting and exploring a resolution of the issue, the Government has chosen to proceed in Court,” the Company said in a statement on Thursday.

The BBCI went on to highlight that since the assumption of the coalition Government into office, it has consistently sought, though without success, to meet with the Public Infrastructure Minister to discuss a revision of its Concession Agreement.

It is because of the Government’s persistent refusal to respect its contractual obligations under the Concession Agreement to come to the table and address the annual adjustments to the bridge toll that

the BBCI said it was forced to resort to the Court.

Last October, the BBCI had disclosed that the Company is facing bankruptcy and as such proposed to increase its tolls, as much 300 per cent in some cases, to keep the Berbice Bridge afloat.

However, this was strongly opposed by Government, which called the toll hikes burdensome and draconian, and eventually, on November 5, 2018 took over operations of the facility to stop the BBCI’s increase from taking effect on November 12 of that year.

The Berbice Bridge Company has since challenged this move by Government and the Court has ordered Minister Patterson to give reasons for the decision to take over operations of the bridge. The matter is scheduled to be heard again on October 18, 2019.

Nevertheless, the BBCI said in its missive on Thursday that it is in the public interest and best business practice for parties delivering a public service, who are in dispute, to sit down together to seek an amicable resolution to their differences rather than proceed to litigation, where there can only be one winner and one loser.

“The Berbice Bridge Company Inc is extremely disappointed in the Government’s refusal to now meet and present a fair and reasonable offer to purchase the ownership of the Bridge given the Minister’s previous public statement on the matter,” Thursday’s statement detailed.

In a previous missive last month, the BBCI said it welcomed any “fair and reasonable” offer from Government

Berbice River Bridge

to buy over the Berbice River Bridge.

But in a post on his Facebook page on Thursday, Minister Patterson admitted that he declined to meet with the Company to possible sale, saying “our priorities are very different”.

In fact, he contended that he is “willing to meet at any time to further discuss the maintenance and repairs of this bridge ONLY…” The issue of the buyout of the Berbice Bridge was raised last year, when outspoken political activist and former Presidential Advisor, Ramon Gaskin, suggested a total buyout of the Bridge Company by Government so as to resolve the issue of raising tolls.

At the time, Guyana Times had reported that the BBCI, in which the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) has majority voting rights on the Board of Directors, was forced to push for the increase in tolls in order to protect its investment.

To this end, Gaskin had suggested that an alternative can be for Government and the NIS to solely-own the bridge company, thus buying the shares from all the other shareholders.

Guyana Embassy in US signs MoU with Diaspora body to enhance cooperation

O

n August 29, 2019, Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr Riyad Insanally and President of the United Guyanese Diaspora Global Network, Corp (UGDGN), Wayne Forde, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Embassy of Guyana in Washington, DC. According to a release from the Embassy, the primary aim of this MoU is to enhance cooperation between the Embassy and UGDGN – an umbrella body for Guyanese Diaspora organisations in the USA, aimed at strengthening engagement between the Government of Guyana and the Guyanese Diaspora.

In his remarks, Ambassador Insanally expressed delight at signing the MOU, almost exactly a year after initial discus-

sions between the two sides began, noting that it was a necessary step in establishing more structured and systematic engagement between the Government and the Diaspora.

Forde, in his remarks, thanked Ambassador for facilitating the signing of the MoU and stated that UGDGN was looking forward to working closely with

the Embassy, particularly in providing much-needed assistance to school children in Guyana, among other areas, as part of its efforts towards “Building Bridges to a Brighter Future for Guyana”.

Forde also highlighted the fact that earlier in 2019, UGDGN had signed a MoU with the International Organisation for Migration

(IOM) to collaborate on projects that would produce a positive impact for Guyana.

In addition, UGDGN is planning the first Guyanese Diaspora Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Conference for 2020.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by several members of UGDGN and Staff of the Embassy.

Ex-prisoner executed, body dumped on dam

The dam where the man’s body was found

Dead: Suraj Sookdeo

T

he body of an ex-prisoner was on Thursday morning found with a single gunshot wound to the head on a dam at Naarstigheid, West Coast Berbice.

The dead man has been identified as 45-year-old Suraj Sookdeo also called “Terry” of Lot 9B Woodley Park, WCB. Based on preliminary investigations, the now dead man was last seen at about 19:30h on Wednesday evening. He was subsequently found lying motionless with a gunshot wound to his body.

He was taken to Fort Wellington Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, the police stated.

Police are working with the theory that the man might have been killed execution-style and his body dumped at the location.

Bebi Bacchus, the man’s sister-in-law, related that Sookdeo was last seen by the family at about 19:00h on Wednesday and the police visited their home at about 7:00h on Thursday morn-

ing making inquiries. It was then that they were given the devastating news.

Family members rushed to the scene only to find him lying face down.

Bacchus added that Sookdeo was found lying with one hand under his body and the other outstretched. She believes that her brother-in-law was shot elsewhere and dumped at the scene.

“They had no blood at the scene. When the police turn him over there was no blood,” she told Guyana Times.

Meanwhile, residents of Number 12 Village reportedly heard a single gunshot between 23:00h and 23:30h.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that Sookdeo was seen in a meat bird pen belonging to a licensed firearm holder.

“If he was seen in a fowl pen, they didn’t have to shoot him. They could have handed him over to the police and let him pay for his crime.

Yes, sometimes you would do wrong things,” she said.

Bacchus stated that her brother-in-law was in the habit of using illegal drugs while adding that he was released from prison two months ago.

“Sometimes he would work with people and people say that he’s a good person, and other person sometime would say that he would trouble their things.

But he is always good to me. Anytime I ask him to do something he would do it. I never had any problem with him, he’s a very respectable person,” the woman explained.

The body is at Anthony Funeral Home awaiting post-mortem as investigators continue to look for clues.

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FRIDAY, september 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

Guyanese charged with murdering elderly roommate in fatal Queens fire

Dead: Bibi Jasmin

A

man has been charged with murder and arson in connection with a Queens, New York fire that killed a woman in a wheelchair late Tuesday

night, according to New York City Fire Department (FDNY) officials.

Rampersaud Persaud, a 49-year-old man and tenant at the house, is charged with two counts of murder and one count of arson.

Police say there was some kind of argument between Persaud and the victim, 63-year-old Bibi Jasmin Shaw. It is unknown what it was about. Persaud was a co-tenant with the victim.

The FDNY tweeted out earlier today that they believe the fire was “incendiary”.

An FDNY spokesperson told PIX11 that they are questioning someone, calling the fire “suspicious”. The spokesperson could not confirm whether or not the person arrested was a tenant of

Rampersaud Persaud

the house.

The FDNY said the call came in just after 23:00h for a fire on the first floor of a private residence at 88-20

219th St, just past Hillside Avenue in Queens Village.

After extinguishing the fire around midnight, fire fighters discovered a woman unconscious and unresponsive on the first floor of the home, the FDNY said. EMS responded to the home and pronounced her dead at the scene, officials said.

Police later identified the victim as Bibi Jasmin.

“I’m so shocked to see that this happened to her,” an emotional relative of Shaw said. “Very nice woman. My aunt was a beautiful woman,” Jennifer Bisram, a niece had stated.

Authorities said the medical examiner will determine the exact cause of death. The FDNY investigation is ongoing. (PIX 11 NEWS)

PK man gets 23 years for raping 6-year-old boy

A

45-year-old man, who was in July found guilty by a 12-member jury for sodomising a six-year-old boy, was sentenced to 23 years imprisonment on Thursday.

Leonard Albert, a cook of Port Kaituma, North West District, Region 1 (BarimaWaini), was given the sentence by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall following a probation report.

The father of five was presented by Attorney-atLaw Maxwell McKay. The charge had stated that on June 09, 2012, Albert engaged in sexual penetration with the 6-year-old victim.

The probation report stated that victim felt

Leonard Albert

ashamed and betrayed and is angry at himself for allow-

ing Albert to touch him. He further stated that he wants Albert to be jailed.

State Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy during her address to the court asked for the sentence to be imposed considering the circumstances of the case.

“Children are vulnerable in society and should be protected,” Prosecutor Hardy told the court.

Probation Officer Collis Jacob, who is attached to the Port Kaituma Welfare Office, told the court that Albert was described as a humble person in his village. Jacob further indicated that a recent report was made against Albert by a woman who alleged that he

had molested her son.

He noted that the matter is currently under investigation.

The Probation Officer further explained that Albert strongly denies committing the act, but stated that God is on his side and he is only worried about the $12M loan he has to repay for his home.

The Judge started her sentencing at a base of 25 years and subtracted two years based on the plea of mitigation. He will be eligible for parole after serving 20 years.

The Judge also ordered that Albert is exposed to educational classes while being incarcerated.

Fraudster slapped with 3-year jail sentence

T

wenty-six-year-old Kevin Campbell was on Thursday sentenced to five years imprisonment when he appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He pleaded guilty to three fraud charges.

The Police stated on March 7 and 8, 2019 at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Camp Street, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he obtained the sum of $150,000 from Jiram Rampersaud and $300,000 from Malinie Rampersaud by pretending that he was employed at GRA and was

Kevin Campbell

in a position to sell them one Toyota Primo Car, knowing same to be false.

The last charge stated that on July 3, 2019 at Robb and King Street, Georgetown, while being in lawful custody, he escaped from the said custody.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that in January 2019, the couple made contact with Campbell, who told them that he was employed at Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and was in a position to sell two vehicles which were seized.

In March, the victims handed over the monies to the defendant but after sometime, he failed to deliver the vehicle. The matters

were reported, an investigation was launched, which led to his arrest.

The court further heard that on July 3, 2019, while being in custody, he jumped out of Police vehicle in the vicinity of Robb and King Street, Georgetown. He was later apprehended.

The Magistrate, after listening to the facts, sentenced Campbell to two years each on the two charges of obtaining monies by false pretense and one-year imprisonment for escaping lawful custody; however the sentences will run concurrently, which will see Campbell spending only two years.

How quickly…

“I

…the WPA forgot t’s a shad, shad situation”, as the leader of one of the smaller parties – like the WPA in coalition with the PNC – used to say. In this case, it’s very, very sad that the WPA isn’t commemorating its culminating achievement in its struggle to remove the PNC from its illegal occupancy of power – the Civil Rebellion of 1979.

Ah…how the times have changed!!

When your Eyewitness was reminded about that momentous year in a letter to the press, he was chagrined to note it wasn’t by one of those who are trumpeting the name of the WPA and Walter Rodney today. He brushed up on the facts, however, with a Google search – since memory can play tricks on one’s remembrance of things past. He chanced upon an account by David Hinds, who’s very much in the thick of things nowadays.

He reminds us of Rodney remaining in Guyana after the PNC rescinded his job offer to teach at UG and then used his time to open the eyes of the masses to the depravities of the PNC. He reminds us of Rodney, Roopnarine and Omawale being charged with arson after the PNC Headquarters, which had been merged with the Ministry of National Mobilisation, was burned down. He reminds us of the WPA becoming a political movement on July 27, 1979 and pulling massive crowds across the country. The unions called coordinated strikes.

He reminds us of the PNC counterattacks – the killing of WPA members Koama and Dublin; the harassment and firing of anyone suspected of being WPA – imagine that!!

(History does repeat itself but as farce!) He didn’t mention Burnham warning the WPA to “make their wills” because his “steel was sharper”. But he does remind us about Rodney’s assassination by an army officer, “hired by the PNC”.

The zeitgeist was best described by Charles Dickens in his book, “A tale of two cities” in which he described the events leading to the French Revolution.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only”.

But today the (WPA’s) mouth is muzzled… …the darkness returns When this fella David Granger promised to “fulfil the legacy of Forbes Burnham”, he wasn’t kidding around. No figurative language for this stolid historian!! But really…did he have to fulfil the “legacy” in other areas than politics?

With the latter, he’s already shown he hasn’t the slightest regard, much less respect, for the Opposition, the Judiciary and the institutions of civil society (such as it is). He’s outBurnhamed Burnham politically!!

But as we turn the bend to approach Christmas, we’ve just been told by GPL that blackouts will once again become a feature of Guyanese life (such as it is). Blackouts, of course, are the most enduring legacy of the Burnhamite regime to the ordinary citizen who were unlucky enough to’ve been around in that era. Are we supposed to consider “scheduled” blackouts an improvement continuous Darkness??

Naaah! In each case, we know the torture and indignity that lay ahead and things go bump in the night!

But darkness will help the rigging! …the court becomes a weapon Burnham (in)famously taught Guyanese the difference between “persecution” and “prosecution” in matters political, with the Arnold Rampersaud case.

Granger is outdoing his master with the slew of cases from GRDB to Pradoville11.

But like Rampersaud, they’ll all be dismissed!!

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

9 Civil society continues protest for Govt to resign M news

FRIDAY, september 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

embers of the civil society group, Mass Action Peoples Movement (MAPM), gathered in front of the Ministry of the Presidency again, calling on the APNU/AFC coalition Government to respect the Constitution of Guyana, resign, and set a date for elections.

The civil society group slammed the Government for what it believes is a violation of the Constitution and the rule of law of Guyana.

Don Singh, member of the MAPM, said that

The protestors standing in front of the Ministry of the Presidency

the group is ready to keep up the protests until the

Government resigns.

“Our Constitution is be-

ing disrespected, whether we like it or not, wheth-

Vagrant dies after being run over by car

A

vagrant was on Wednesday evening killed after a car allegedly ran over him along Main Street, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Up to press time, his identity has not been confirmed, but persons in the area would refer to him as “Nagamootoo” and “Santa Clause” since he sported thick white beard.

Based on reports received, the man was lying in the middle of the roadway when he was run over

by a car.

According to the Police, motor hire car HC 6742 was being driven by a 25-yearold man of Tucber Park, New Amsterdam when the incident occurred.

The Police said the car was proceeding north along the western drive lane at a normal speed when the driver alleged that he ran over “something”. As such, he stopped his motorcar and upon inspecting, he saw the man lying on the road with injuries to his head.

The driver reportedly

took the man who was in an unconscious state to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver was taken into custody. A breathalyser test was administered on him but there was no alcohol was found in his system.

He remains in custody while the vehicle involved

in the accident was given back to the owner as investigation continues.

Eyewitnesses say that “Nagamootoo” had just come out of St John Street, New Amsterdam and took residency in the middle of the road.

There are reports that the now dead man was once an inmate of the National Psychiatric Hospital.

er we think Charrandass is a treacherous or a hero; that does not matter, all the judicial processes were followed and here we are. It is the President’s mandate to dissolve Parliament and to call elections…we just want adherence to our Constitution.

I mean, we have so many things that are awaiting, like Local Content Policy, we hearing all the time, we can have that, but until we have legislation enacted to give teeth to that, then it’s all for naught. We have the new oil companies at our gates and if we keep fighting among ourselves and not do what the rule of law of our country says then we are lost,” Singh lamented.

Johnathan Yearwood, another protester who joined the call for the first time, opined that Government is presently setting a bad example for the Guyanese people.

“They need to resign, they must abide by the Constitution. If our Government does not honour and obey the supreme

law of Guyana, what example are they setting for our children? What example is being set for the school children in Guyana?

They will now look at it and say that they don’t have to abide by the laws. When the President doesn’t abide by the law, when the Police stop somebody on the road they can drive away and say ‘who are you to stop me?’” the protestor opined.

Maria Nadir, wife of former Minister Manzoor Nadir, described the situation as unfortunate and also made a resounding call for the Government to respect Guyana and to do what is lawfully mandated.

The Constitution says that following the passage of the No-Confidence Motion, the President and Cabinet must resign and elections held within three months.

That deadline elapsed since March 21, 2019, with Government having spent much of this time in court seeking to overturn the motion, rather than ensuring elections were held.

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FRIDAY, september 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Duo charged for forging documents

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duo, who was on Thursday charged for supplying and uttering forged identification documents, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Twenty-eight-year-old Benvolio Valenski, also known, as Roy Anthony Sewnarine of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara and 38-year-old Ganesh Singh of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The first charge stated that

between February 1, 2019 and September 2, 2019, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, Singh conspired with Valenski to forge one Republic of Guyana Driver’s Licence in favour of Roy Anthony, purporting to show that same was issued by the Guyana Revenue Authority.

The second charge stated that between February 1, 2019 and September 2, 2019, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, Singh conspired with Valenski to forge one Guyana National Identification

Card in favour of Roy Anthony Sewnarine, purporting to show that same was issued by the Guyana Elections Commission.

It was further alleged that on September 2, 2019, at Central Immigration and Passport Office, Camp Street, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, Valenski uttered to an Immigration Officer one forged Guyana national identification card #101263701 in favour of himself, purporting to show that same was issued by the Guyana Election Commission, knowing

same to be false.

The last charge stated that on September 2, 2019, at Central Immigration and Passport Office, Georgetown, for the purpose of procuring a new passport, Valenski made a false statement, that is to say, he signed a written declaration that he was Roy Anthony, knowing same to be false.

They were both represented by Attorney-at-law Adrian Thompson who asked that his clients be released on reasonable bail. According to information, the

men are known to each other.

Valenski, who resides in the United States of America, returned to Guyana in January 2019 and made contact with Singh and allegedly told him that he needed a birth certificate, identification card and a driver’s licence.

The duo made arrangements where Valenski paid Singh a large sum of money to provide the documents, which resulted with Singh handing over the forged documents to Valenski a few days later.

Turn to page 19

news

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GPL suffers 23 MW shortfall …renews commitment to buy power from Giftland Mall …thousands to be affected by constant blackouts again

W

ith a current shortfall of approximately 23 megawatts of power, the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) has renewed its commitment to buy electricity from the Giftland Mall.

This announcement by the utility company comes after Giftland Mall’s Chairman, Roy Beepat, slammed GPL for pussyfooting on finalising the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). “…the Board authorised GPL to move forward efforts to finalise a PPA Agreement with MCG Investments Inc that met the needs and interests of the company,” GPL revealed in a statement to the media Thursday.

“The Board also instructed GPL Inc to ensure all of the legal and regulatory modalities were satisfied,” GPL said.

In June, Government’s Department of Public Information (DPI) had reported that GPL and Giftland Mall concluded an agreement for the supply of electricity and all that was needed was the ratification by the new GPL Board.

This development came after thousands of households

readily available power supply to make up the deficiency are not sufficient reasons.”

Load shedding

23 MW deficit

Giftland Chairman Roy Beepat

and businesses were widely affected by constant service disruptions, owing to two damaged submarine cables – which resulted in a power deficit of more than 14 megawatts.

However, since that situation was addressed, there was no further progress on the PPA between Giftland Mall and GPL. Giftland’s Chairman had explained that “The last information reaching us was that GPL require justification as to why they should buy from us, apparently cheaper cost, no liability or commitment and

GPL announced on Thursday that it has suffered a deficit of 23 megawatts of power, due to a number of reasons.

As such, thousands of residents and businesses in the Demerara and Berbice region will experience another round of periodic power outage.

The company cited a series of “unforeseen occurrences and generation/operational issues” that are preventing the supply of adequate electricity for “peak demand”.

Among the reasons is the uprooting of a pole with two transformers in the vicinity of the Rubis Gas Station on Mandela Avenue while a contractor was carrying out works on the Sheriff/Mandela street expansion project on September 3.

In Berbice, GPL explained that it is unable to export 6.9 megawatts of power to the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) due to a defective transform-

GPL CEO Albert Gordon

er at its Onverwagt, Berbice Substation.

Additionally, a 5.5-megawatt generator at the Canefield Power Plant is unavailable because of scheduled maintenance.

At the Kingston Power Plant, a 6.9-megawatt unit is unavailable due to a defective alternator, which had to be sourced overseas.

GPL said the new alternator has arrived and repairs are expected to be completed by the end of the week.

Thereafter, the unit will return to operation by Monday,

Father of 2 left crippled after robbery 3 months ago

Amina Singh assisting her injured husband

A

n Enmore, Hope West, East Coast Demerara (ECD) father of two is now crippled after he was beaten and robbed by three armed men almost three months ago.

Thirty-seven-year-old Somdat Singh was attacked at around 21:00h on the night of June 20, 2019.

According to the man’s wife, Amina Singh, she was at home when she heard her husband calling at the gate.

When she looked outside, she saw him lying by the gate.

Singh told Guyana Times that she rushed to him and realised that he was unable to walk. At that time, she was told that he was on his way home from work when he was attacked, beaten and robbed by three men who were consuming alcohol at a shop.

“He tell me that one of

he told me that three guys lash he on his head back” Singh explained.

At that time, they realised that he was robbed of $20,000 which was in his pocket.

However, as a result of the beating, the victim sustained six broken bones in his neck and damages to his spinal cord.

“Now [he] cannot walk for two years, He had cast on his body from his navel up to his head for seven weeks” Singh revealed.

The woman said that her husband was the breadwinner of the family.

“My husband cannot work and we need a lot of help because my husband cannot work for two years. We are a very poor family, we live in an old house and my husband is the only breadwinner for the house.”

The woman is calling for justice for her husband because, according to her,

them know he and called for him and said Ravi come leh we tek a drink and he tell dem he going home but he said that the boy curse him and he curse him back and continued walking” the woman relayed.

The grieving wife noted that her husband further relayed that he felt one blow to his neck after which he went blank.

“He said after that he felt a lash to his neck The injured Somdat Singh and he didn’t know anything more. When he since the incident, she is becatch himself, he creep and ing told by CID ranks at the come home because when my Cove and John Police Station, husband come home, he was East Coast Demerara (ECD), on the ground trying to get that the case file is still with the gate open and I run out, the Department of Public when I reach him, I asked him Prosecutions (DPP). what was wrong and he said “Every time I go, they say that he can’t stand up. Then that the paper is not coming

September 9, 2019.

At the Garden of Eden power station, a 4-megawatt unit is also unavailable. GPL said it is awaiting the arrival of replacement parts for the defective components.

back, I don’t know why it taking so long. We need justice” Singh decried.

Just a few months ago, thousands of persons were majorly inconvenienced by the constant power outages and load shedding after two submarine cables were damaged within the space of five days.

This issue resulted in GPL publishing daily load shedding schedules, which saw several areas across the DemeraraBerbice Interconnected System experiencing complete power outages for long hours.

This will likely be the system again until the power company can restore its electricity shortfall. GPL normally posts its load shedding schedules on its Facebook page.

Independent Power Producer

Since 2016, Giftland Mall had offered to sell Government its excess electricity but this was rejected. At a press conference in June, GPL CEO Albert Gordon had explained that buying power from an Independent Power Producer (IPP) is a complicated issue which includes negotiating pricing and legal matters.

To this end, he noted that GPL had enlisted the help of the Public Infrastructure Ministry to iron out these issues.

Besides Giftland, there were also some talks with

Banks DIH to purchase power.

GPL announced on Thursday that the Board also authorised the utility company to commence inviting Expressions of Interest (EoI) from other potential power providers with immediately available generation capacity who may be interested in supplying electricity to the national grid.

While GPL is looking to increase the capacity on the interconnected grid with the purchase of fuel oil power from private firms, the company is also catering to have natural gas integrated into its system to produce electricity.

In fact, Gordon had mentioned that they were seeking an agreement for the purchase of power from the Hope Wind Farm project, which is expected to come on stream by next year, generating between 10 to 16 megawatts of power.

The parliamentary Opposition and other energy experts have argued that all these energy woes could have been avoided had the Amaila Falls Hydro Project (AFHP) that was initiated under the previous Administration been pursued by the new Government.

The AFHP would have assisted GPL in getting adequate electricity supply. In fact, the Norway-funded project, when completed, would have provided 165 megawatts to the national grid, thus providing cheaper and more reliable power to citizens and businesses.

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(Photo by Dexter Ceres)

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Woman robbed at Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling

Mother, daughter severely beaten during home invasion D

uring the bustle at the Vreed-enHoop Stelling on Tuesday morning to board a speedboat owing to the Demerara Harbour Bridge shutdown, one woman was robbed of her handbag.

Guyana Times was informed that the woman, Jelisha (only name given), had just entered the stelling at about 07:10h.

As a result of the long lines, she was clustered between a group of people and at that instance, a man snatched her handbag and faded away in the crowd.

“I was standing right by the gate because we had to wait to go up. And I just feel someone tugging at

A

Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD) businesswoman and her daughter were severely beaten by gunmen who invaded their property on Tuesday.

Based on reports received, Indranie Sugrim called “Molly” was at home at about 14:30h when a man approached her pretending to be a customer who wanted to purchase a bag of coal.

The man reportedly gave the woman a $5000 bill and as she entered her house to make change, she was attacked.

“As soon as I turn me back, he just grabbed me… if you see how nice he dress…he seh is a robbery!

Is a robbery! And then he start to lick me down and he tie me up and then he seh who more in the house” the distraught woman told Guyana Times.

This publication understands that after learning that Sugrim’s daughter was also at home, the perpetrator entered the bedroom where the woman was asleep at the time.

“By that time, I see two other men come out of the bedroom with my daughter, one of them knock she and pull she up and one of them tie she up” the woman stated.

Sugrim explained that the perpetrators then proceeded to ransack the house for valuables. However, after being unable to find any, one of the bandits once again attacked her.

“He cuff me up and he said where is the money?

Where is the money? So I seh look, I got the money here and he seh get up and

One of the ransacked bedrooms

I seh how I could get up and I tie up. He pull me up and dragged me to get the money.”

According to the traumatised woman, she was robbed of a large quantity of cash along with a quantity of jewellery.

“They take me diamond ring, a chain, a band. They just rip off everything, rip off my daughter one too…I don’t want the amount of money to go in the papers… but they took the jewellery and whatever they find and I had to lose the cash.”

However, after collecting the cash and jewellery, the gunmen were not satisfied and began asking for electronics.

“He ask me for the other DVR that he said I have and after I tell her that I don’t have another one, he put a pillow to my daughter

head and he tell me okay you ain’t got no more but you gon find it just now.”

The family was, however, saved when one of the gunmen received a telephone call on his mobile.

“The one that was outside in a white car call and tell them that a van drive in the yard, because I does do business with the people so before they leave, one tell another one to kick me. Anyhow, he had to drop some other things to carry the bag with the DVR… they jump in the car and went away.”

Sugrim told this publication that she has been receiving medical treatment since the incident. The woman, however, admitted that she did not report the matter to the police since she is afraid that the men might return.

Fire destroys Angoy’s Avenue house, arson suspected

A

fire of unknown origin on Thursday evening destroyed a two-storey house at Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, leaving a family of seven homeless.

The fire was first seen sometime after 23:00h on Wednesday. At the time of the fire, the house did not have any electricity and the occupants were not at the house. They had reportedly left the home about a week ago.

A relative, Clebert Benjamin, told Guyana Times that he was awakened and given the news of the fire. As he rushed to the scene, he saw a unit from the Guyana Fire Service in New Amsterdam putting out the blaze.

He explained that the firefighters initially had difficulty accessing water from a dried-out trench and had to resort to a canal one street away.

However, he noted that by the time they were able

The aftermath of the fire

to access water, the building was already flattened.

“They come without water so by the time they get water it was too late,” he said. Some reports suggested that a window was seen

open at the side of the building and it is believed that the fire might have been deliberately set.

An investigation has been launched into the origin of the fire.

the bag and thought it was because there was a lot of people around me…Like a couple seconds after, I realised that I wasn’t holding the bag anymore and realised that somebody take it. When I look at the side, it was a guy and he was running,” she told Guyana Times.

Among the valuables in the brown handbag were

$21,000 along with US$50, one iPhone, one charger, a pair of earrings and identification documents.

On Monday, persons were left with no choice but to use the water taxi service after a barge and tug slammed into the Bridge, leaving it inoperable. It was finally opened on Tuesday evening to light traffic.

Montrose Temple hosts first Gita recitation

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he Montrose Bhakti Bhavan Mandir held its first Gita recitation competition earlier this week, which saw participation from a number of children.

One of the organisers, Pandit Mahadeo Brijmohan, told Guyana Times that the competition was based on verses of the Bhagavad Gita. Emphasis was placed on Chapter 12; Bhakti Yogah which translates to the Path of Devotion.

The four categories of the competition were the first five verses for the pre-primary level, first ten

Participants in the recitation competition

verses for the primary level and all 20 verses for the secondary level. Adults also participated in the initiative, which was described as fruitful.

Brijmohan said that they are hoping to make this an annual event where all other temples on the East Coast of Demerara will be invited.

Police hunting suspect who set couple on fire — victims continue to battle for lives at GPHC

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he suspect who doused a man and his reputed wife with gasoline before setting them on fire is still on the run, but the Police are combing the backdam areas in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) to locate him.

However, the 35-year-old burn victim, Lyndon Joseph, along with his 30-year-old spouse, Maria Da Silva, are still battling for their lives at the Burn Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

They are each in a critical but stable condition.

On Thursday last, the couple were asleep in their mining camp at Toroparo Landing, Region Seven, when the suspect committed the act.

Reports are that Joseph and Da Silva had attended a birthday celebration in the area on Wednesday evening and while they were there, the couple received information that the suspect was in their mining camp.

The businessman and his wife left the party in haste and upon arriving at the

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

mining camp, they saw the suspect. Joseph reportedly picked up a cutlass and dealt the man several lashes to his body.

The suspect left the camp but according to reports, returned at approximately 04:00h on Thursday and proceeded to dowse gasoline on the couple and set them alight. He quickly escaped the scene, leaving the camp to burn, with Joseph and Da

Silva trapped inside.

However, public-spirited persons managed to rescue the businessman and his wife and rushed them to the Bartica Regional Hospital where they were treated and medevaced to the GPHC. Both Joseph and his wife would have sustained about 80 per cent burns about their body. The businessman is formerly of Jango Town, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.

19 Roger Khan has always been friend of Police – lawyer news

FRIday, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

– expected to arrive in Guyana shortly

I

n anticipating of the deportation of Shaheed “Roger” Khan, his attorney, Glen Hanoman, said that Khan has always been a “friend” of the Police and is optimistic that he will be given the full cooperation upon his arrival.

Khan was released from prison on July 8, 2019 and was placed in the custody of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while awaiting his deportation to Guyana.

According to the ICE website, Khan is in custo-

dy at the Krome Detention Facility in Miami, Florida.

Attorney Hanoman told Guyana Times on Thursday that his client is expected to arrive in Guyana “any day now”.

Guyana Times understands that the Police are looking to question Khan upon his arrival on a number of things, including his public declaration that he offered assistance to the Police force in fighting crime.

However, his lawyer told this newspaper that he is

uncertain at this point in time about the intention of the Police.

“I’ve written to the Police, officially asking [the nature of their questioning] and they have not given me courtesy of a reply. But there is so much rumour mongering and gossiping going on so we are expected some questioning,” Hanoman related.

He added that, “My client has always been an ally of the Police. Surely those people in force, who’ve been there for a long time, know he’s always been a friend,”

Non-functioning X-ray dept, mortuary cripple Kumaka District Hospital – electrical problem, staff shortage affecting services

The medical worker, Nurse La Rose, highlighting the woes plaguing the Kumaka District Hospital, Region One

M

edical services at the Kumaka District Hospital, Region One (Barima-Waini), are in jeopardy with several issues affecting the performance of staff there and the quality of treatment and testing that patients can access.

Presently, the hospital’s mortuary is in dire need of a working refrigerator since the present one has malfunctioned.

In addition to this, since 2015, the X-ray department has not been able to cater to the needs of persons seeking such services and this has caused heavy financial burdens on patients who have to travel to the hospital in Suddie, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) to conduct X-rays and ultrasounds.

These issues were pointed out to health officials earlier this week by one of the hospital’s staff, Nurse La Rose, who spent 10 years working in Region One. She pleaded with Health Minister Volda Lawrence to rectify these shortcomings as soon as possible.

“It’s hard for us.

Nevertheless, we are trying. The X-ray department there, since 2015 because of some fault with the contract...he started the project, he never responded, after a certain time, the contract was terminated. We have a new brand X-ray machine in there, never used, but because according to the engineer it is the fault with the leading of the room. Also, we have an electrical problem in the hospital.”

La Rose pointed out that Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson had been in that area and she had explained the electrical issues to him.

Although he had a technician assess the situation, to date, nothing has been done to rectify it, she noted.

“We are asking if our X-ray department can be up and running. We have a technician here, we had several of them trained.

However, we still have one here and we just use him all around because the department is not running…It is very expensive for patients to go to Suddie for an ultrasound…boat fare, transportation and probably over-

Duo charged for...

On September 2, 2019, Valenski went to the Central Immigration Office where he used the forged documents to apply for a passport; however, the documents were examined by Immigration Officers and were found to be forged. He was subsequently taken into Police custody.

night, high-risk clinic is very large and very costly for patients to go there to access ultrasound, X-ray and so on.”

She elaborated that more services need to be provided for females, especially pregnant females, and that the absence of a gynaecologist in-house is a major disadvantage for the community.

“I am asking if we could have a gynaecologist at least once a month…most of our patients are high risk and they have to go to Suddie… on a monthly basis, a gynaecologist right here would be better for our patients and as a result we would save on our resources too…because we use our health boat to transport back and forth or maybe one side of travelling.”

Additionally, La Rose lamented the fact that the Kumaka District Hospital is grossly understaffed, and that although health workers stationed at the facility struggle to execute their duties on a daily basis, authorities should work on deploying more human resources at that health facility to ease the burdens. “…the employment rate has been slow. We have no statistical clerk, we have no receptionist, we have one ward maid at the moment, one cook, our ancillary staff is struggling. Everyone here pitches in from time to time to keep the hospital clean because it is overwhelming on one person. Even more so, for the nursing staff, we are short, because people train, they come back, when their contract is finished, they go and leave that space, most of the persons have done so,” she added.

From page 10

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield had no objections to bail being granted to the defendants but he asked that conditions be applied.

The Magistrate, after listening to the facts, released both men on $300,000 bail each and instructed both men to lodge their passports with the court and report

every Friday at Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters.

The construction workers are slated to make their next court appearance on September 11, when they will appear before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for reassignment.

Shaheed “Roger” Khan

the attorney noted.

Khan will be escorted to Guyana by members of ICE and upon his arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, he will be handed over to local law enforcement authorities.

A senior Police rank attached to the Criminal Investigation Department

(CID) had previously told Guyana Times that upon arrival in Guyana, Khan would be taken to the CID headquarters where he would be processed for reintegration into society.

Furthermore, the rank had noted at the time, that there was no clear indication to suggest that Khan would be arrested and grilled on

crimes he allegedly committed while in Guyana.

Acting Crime Chief Michael Kingston back in July had stated that Khan would be treated like any other deportee who has been sent back to Guyana.

“Whatever matters, allegations have been made against him, those will be investigated. He will [be] treated like every other deportee that is being deported from the States. All deportees coming in normally are escorted to CID headquarters,” the Crime Chief (ag) added.

Khan was sentenced in 2009 after he pleaded guilty to arms trafficking, drug trafficking, conspiracy and witness tampering. He was nabbed in neighbouring Suriname back in June 2006 after fleeing Guyana.

Guyana Times has learnt that a close relative of Khan who resides in the US is in Guyana making arrangements for his arrival.

Geographical indicators

Guyanese urged to make reputable products for international trade

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takeholders from the private and public sector were on Thursday involved in a geographical indication workshop, aimed at creating unique Guyanese products that are recognised on the world stage.

Through collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank, this workshop came on the brink of increased economic growth from the oil industry. Geographical indicators are described as a brand which identifies a product coming from a specific location, which can account for its quality.

IDB Consultant, Bernard O’Connor insisted that there are many latent potentials to create products that are of reputable standards. Presently, Demerara is well established around the world for its sugar, molasses and rum.

He said to the stakeholders, “There are potential to have many geographical indications because it is you, and all of us together, which determine what a geographical indication is.

It’s because we as customers understands that a particular product, coming from a particular place has certain characteristics, which we as consumers recognise”.

Country Economist, Victor Gauto insisted that for this to materialise, there must be a strong Private Sector to ensure a competitive business environment.

This is measured by the ability to withstand production or export challenges.

“A strong Private Sector is key for greater competitiveness and economic diver-

IDB Economist Victor Gauto

sification, which are essential for building a resilient economy, capable of resisting external influences such as changing export crises or weather-related production challenges,” Gauto indicated.

He specifically mentioned the creation of new markets in light of oil production, which is expected to commence early next year.

While these prospects are promising, they are coupled with economic constraints and setbacks.

“The development of new markets and greater competitiveness gain even greater significance in Guyana’s context of impending oil production. A healthy business environment with a developed Private Sector can contribute to strengthening investment, employment and family incomes.”

Director of Business, Dominic Gaskin acknowledged that Guyana cannot compete with prices on international markets, but will have to find some distinct feature which appeals

to consumers. According to him, the country has not utilised geographical indication, but has rather used testing mechanisms for quality assurance as the main commercial drive.

Gaskin echoed, “We are unlikely to achieve the economies of scale that are necessary for us to compete with global producers on price but if we can carve out a little niche with which we can market our products and services on the basis of some special feature or benefit that is unique to our country or to a part of our country, then I believe we stand a fighting chance in the global marketplace.”

Business Minister, Haimraj Rajkumar called on entrepreneurs and producers to collaborate when there is an opening for goods on the international stage if one person or agency cannot sustain the market.

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, september 6, 2019

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s the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) continues its jubilee celebrations, 15 ladies from various departments will be competing the inaugural title of Miss NIS when the pageant is hosted on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at the National Cultural

Centre.

The 15 delegates will be competing in the business/ corporate attire, evening gown and intelligence segments. It will be a night of grace, poise and elegance as the young ladies showcase their beauty. The pageant will be unique,

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with at least five of the delegates are older than 30 years old. The eldest in the pageant is 54.

Tickets for the event cost $2000 for auditorium and $1500 for balcony and will be available at the National Cultural Centre Box Office.

Delegate #1 Name: Shevon Thomas Age: 36 Designation: Inspector Location: NIS Head Office

Delegate #5 Name: Telesha Peters Age: 31 Designation: Pensions Supervisor Location: NIS Head Office

Delegate #2 Name: Sussan Simon Age: 30 Designation: Clerical Officer 11 Location: NIS G/town Local Office

Delegate #3 Name: Wendy Blackman Age: 25 Designation: Statistical Clerk Location: NIS G/town Local Office

Delegate #4 Name: Kamilah Lambert Age: 18 Designation: Data Entry Location: NIS G/town Local Office

Delegate #6 Name: Shennae DeAbreu Age: 22 Designation: Clerical Officer 1 Location: NIS New Amsterdam Office

Delegate #7 Name: Dennissa James Age: 27 Designation: Sick Visitor/Nurse Location: NIS Head Office

Delegate #8 Name: Yasha Fraser Age: 40 Designation: Auxiliary staff Location: NIS Essequibo Local Office

Delegate #9 Name: Ashakie Niles Age: 18 Designation: Clerical Officer 1 Location: NIS Head Office

Delegate #10 Name: Shanyce McAlmont Age: 22 Designation: Clerical Officer 1 Location: NIS G/town Local Office

Delegate #11 Name: Ashley Griffith Age: 23 Designation: Clerical Officer 11 Location: NIS Head Office

Delegate #12 Name: Toshia Longhorn Age: 26 Designation: Clerical Officer 1 Location: NIS Port Mourant Office

Delegate #13 Name: Melessa Seupaul Age: 37 Designation: Stenogragher Location: NIS Head Office

Delegate #14 Name: Barbara Marshall Age: 54 Designation: Head Clerk Location: NIS Head Office

Delegate #15 Name: Zenia Cromwell Age: 26 Designation: Inspector Location: NIS Fort Wellington Office

guyanatimesgy.com

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Next Gen Global Marketing, HJ Entertainment launch “Not in My House” ꟷ boxing event set for September 28

By Timothy Jaikarran

I

t all goes down on Saturday September 28 at the Durban Park in Georgetown, when Next Gen Global Marketing and Hits & Jams Entertainment present “Not In My House” – an event featuring more than 50 rounds of top quality boxing, which is scheduled to commence at 18:30 hrs.

When this event was launched, Promoter Aleem Hussain said, “The Guyana Boxing Board of Control and the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) have sanctioned this event.

Some of the participants alongside GBBC President Peter Abdool, Promoter Aleem Hussain, and members of the Caribbean Knockout Programme

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Dexter Marques will be in the main event of the night

The GABA has stated that all the fighters that are on the Gold Medal Team… will be participating on the amateur level, and we are bringing in a special contes-

tant to compete with Keevin Allicock, because we feel it is time for him to move up to the next level.”

President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), Peter Abdool, who

also made remarks, said the greatest difficulty in Guyana is the lack of promotion in boxing. He noted that what Nex Gen has brought to the table is an entirely new concept by which boxing can be

DCC to face Transport in U-15 affair today

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223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

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specially arranged under-15 30/30 friendly cricket match between the powerhouse Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and the Transport Sports Club (TSC) will today be held at the DCC ground, commencing at 17:00 hrs and concluding under lights.

Several national players will be on show.

Players such as Jaydon Campbell, Jonathan Van Lange and Romeo Deonarain will turn up for the hosts, while TSC will be represented by Alvin Mohabir and Latiff.

The game will coincide with the DCC’s “Club Night” in which chicken and pork meals, along with a wide assortment of beverages, will be on sale.

The DCC squad would comprise the following players: Jadan Dowlin, Kareem Caesar, Jayden Campbell, Jonathan Van Lange, Romeo Deonarain, Shaquan Walters, Jeremiah Hohenkirk, Wavell Allen, Mahai Khan, Myhiem Hopkinson, Gabriel Rookhun, Mohan Ragnauth, Keshawn Silas, Mark Seecharan and Romel Singh. Gavin Nedd is team coach, and former West Indies opener Travis Dowlin is its manager.

The Transport team will comprise: Alvin Mohabir, Ryan Latif, Dave Mohabir, Riyad Latif, Arun Gainda, Nabeel Ali, Reyaz Latif, Zaheer Singh, Stephon Sankar, Omarion Benjamin, Amir Persaud, Daniel Goolab,

Shafiek Kissoon and Quacy Scott. Team coach is Shawn Massiah.

The trophies for this event are sponsored by Ariel Enterprise, located on Regent Street Georgetown.

Alvin Mohabir

marketed on a larger scale, as the GBBC does not have that marketing ability. “…essentially, the event will be held at the Durban Park, which is a large place.

The place will be opened free of cost to the public, which will draw a large crowd on the night of the event. The Boxing Board is excited that this concept is going to embrace this idea. We want to have a decent card for the first event. People like Dexter Marques haven’t had a fight in a long time, so we are trying our best to correct this. With this particular format, I can’t see people not coming to this event.

“It will be a wonderful event, inclusive of the after-party. If this concept is pulled off, we will have more fights, as our amateur boys will be able to pick up more experience along the way and become better prepared,” Abdool noted.

The main event of the night will see Dexter Marques battling Jose Antonio Jimenez from

GBBC President Peter Abdool

Colombia, who has been undefeated in 21 fights.

Marques has said he is grateful for the opportunity to showcase his talent, and will be aiming to redeem himself on ‘judgment day’.

He said he lost in a fight with a Colombian a few years ago, but things will be different this time around, because his aim is to “demolish Jimenez”.

There will also be an afterparty powered by 94.1FM and HJ Entertainment Guyana Carnival.

Club Fiesta, Jagdeo Racing Stables et al to host 3 sporting events

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hree big sporting events will be run off at the ‘Area H’ Ground in Rose Hall Town, Corentyne Berbice on Saturday September 7 and Sunday September 8.

Club Fiesta, Jagdeo Racing Stables, DJ Dauren and Jagernaut Entertainment are collaborating to present these events to the public.

Admission to these events are free.

On Saturday September 7, the opening day’s event will be a volleyball competition, which will commence at 16:00 hours and involve six teams battling for supremacy. The entrance fee for participants is $2000 per team, and winners will take home $30,000 plus a trophy and prizes.

Following the volleyball competition, basketballers will take the hard court from 20:00 hours in an eight-a-side knockout bas-

ketball competition wherein four teams will battle for supremacy. The entrance fee for participants is $5000, and the winner will take home $30,000 plus a trophy.

On the second day, Sunday September 8, a four-team cricket competition will be held from 9:00 hours. While the public’s admission to the venue will again be without charge, teams desirous of participating would be required to pay a fee of $5000. This competition will be a 10/10 overs’ affair in its preliminary rounds, but the top two teams will advance to the final and play a 20/20 overs’ fixture. There will be $40,000 plus trophy and cash prizes up for grabs.

A well-stocked bar will be in attendance, and top DJs Dauren, Dellon and ‘5 Star’ will entertain patrons.

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friday, september 6, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Hero CPL: Terrifying Tallawahs to tackle Knight Riders today T

rinbago Knight Riders won the first game versus St Kitts and Nevis Patriots by 11 runs at Queen’s Park Oval.

Kieron Pollard’s men will next face the Jamaica Tallawahs at the very venue. Overall, the Tallawahs have dominated the Knights.

Out of seven games in Port of Spain, Jamaica have beaten TKR four times. The Knights won’t forget what Andre Russell did to them last time in Trinidad.

Dre-Russ got a hat-trick and decimated the hosts with a 49ball 121 in a run-chase of 224. In their last three meetings in Trinidad, the Tallawahs chased down targets.

This time, they also have Chris Gayle in their ranks and the batting-unit looks a scary prospect for the opponents.

However, TKR will be looking to park aside the past miseries against Jamaica and take the field with a positive mindset.

The home team is likely to go in with an unchanged lineup.

The Knights batting faltered at the top last time around. All of Lendl Simmons, Sunil Narine and Tion Webster got out cheaply and the trio will be looking for a better show.

Dinesh Ramdin showed maturity and held the innings together for nearly 15 overs. James Neesham couldn’t get fluency in his knock, though the southpaw got 33 runs.

Kieron Pollard looked in good touch and that’s a positive sign for the Knights. But the team didn’t get many runs in the last three overs, something it needs to work on. In the bowling department, Hasnain and Neesham got three wickets.

Neesham made amends after conceding 15 runs in his first over. Khary Pierre was wily and he nipped out Evin Lewis. Sunil Narine was also tough to get away.

It will be interesting to see who opens the batting alongside

Young Warriors CC receives financial boost to purchase covers T he Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC), of Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice, is in the process of rebuilding, after some years of being dormant.

The club’s recently elected executive members, planning to return the club to its former glory, made request for assistance to former Rose Hall Estate Community Centre first division player Chin Singh, who responded by raising funds with assistance from the USA-based Pakistani Ifran Malik.

Thus the club received a financial boost of $210,000 to assist in purchasing covers for its pitch.

In handing over the cash, Singh revealed that he always has the East Canje area close to his heart, and will always try his best to assist. He has assisted the club over the years, and has promised to continue so doing.

Donations to this recent cause were made by: Chin Singh, Ramo Singh, Pampo Karran, Chris Ganesh, Paul, Brodo Kunjal, Outram Ranglall, Sasenarine Singh, Latchman Harripersaud, Goordial Matai, and Baij and Ish Ramsoondar.

Singh also used this op-

portunity to congratulate young Shimron Hetmyer, a member of this club, on his exploits thus far.

Responding to Singh’s gesture and remarks, newly elected assistant secretary/treasurer of the club, Linden Austin, thanked Singh and the other donors for their assistance offered, and promised that the club would make them and others proud.

The Young Warriors

Cricket Club has recently been re-admitted ‘into the fold’ by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), after inadvertently being left out of the Cricket Administration Bill.

In an invited comment from Newly elected YWCC President Imran Saccoor, it has been revealed that now that the covers have been acquired, the club’s executives would raise funds to buy a self-driven tractor, construct an all-weather prac-

tice facility, and construct a billboard at the head of the street that leads to the club, to honour the West Indies’ latest batting sensation, Shimron Hetmyer.

Saccoor said the club is in process of planning a series of fundraisers, but also would welcome any assistance coming from former players, friends of the club, private individuals, or corporate Guyana.

Vishal Mohabir, Ramo Singh, Chin Singh and Linden Austin

the hulk-like Gayle. The batting unit looks a power-packed one. Glenn Phillips and Chadwick Walton can hit the ball a fair distance.

George Worker is no mug with the bat in hand either. Not to undermine the burly Kennar Lewis, who was impressive for the Tallawahs last season. It goes without saying that a lot depends on Russell.

The Jamaican was lethal in all departments in the previous season and his team will be looking for something similar from him. Oshane Thomas’ career leapfrogged after last year’s CPL after he racked up 18 wickets from 10 matches.

The youngster’s role will be critical both at the start and death. Springer and Taylor are likely to be the other seamers.

Khan and WorkeRare the spin bowlers.

The track in the first match was a fairly batting-friendly one. But the spinners also extracted a fair bit of turn from the strip.

A significant amount of dew was there in the first match and it won’t be much different even next time. Hence, fielding first seems to be a sensible option for the time being. There will be chance of rain from morning 9 AM to 6 PM and there could be a delayed start.

TKR Probable XI: Lendl Simmons, Sunil Narine, Tion Webster, Denesh Ramdin (wk), James Neesham, Kieron Pollard (C), Javon Searles, Seekkuge Prasanna, Khary Pierre, Anderson Phillip, Mohammad Hasnain JT Probable XI: Chris Gayle, Glenn Phillips (wk), George Worker, Chadwick Walton, Kennar Lewis, Andre Russell (C), Rovman Powell, Imran Khan, Jerome Taylor, Oshane Thomas, Shamar Springer (Crictracker)

Ali Khan had a marvellous 2018 CPL season

Limacol Football Tournament…

Buxton Stars, GFC, Fruta Conquerors, Northern Rangers vie for points S

cintillating action spawned of keen rivalry will again feature at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown when the Limacol Football Tournament continues this evening with a double-header.

Four teams, namely Buxton Stars, Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Fruta Conquerors Under-20, and Northern Rangers, will be looking to secure their first set of points in this fourth edition of the New GPC-sponsored tournament.

With each team heading into its first game of the 2019 tournament, winning will be a priority in order to set the tempo for the remainder of the round-robin segment.

Action will begin at 19hrs, when Buxton Stars come up against Georgetown Football Club (GFC). This East Coast/ Georgetown clash is expected to be witnessed by lots of spectators and generate much excitement, given the expertise either side possesses.

Having both reached the quarterfinal stage last year before being knocked out, each team will have a point to prove, and this will make for an exhilarating encounter.

Fruta Conquerors Under-20 will go toe-to-toe with Northern Rangers at 21:00hrs in a match that pits a young side against a vastly experienced side, given Northern Rangers’ age component.

Fruta Conquerors are currently on a good run, having finished third in the KFC Under-20 tournament played earlier this year; while the Northern Rangers will be looking to present themselves as the underdogs, having missed out on last year’s quarterfinals because of a few near misses.

With two exciting games on the cards, spectators are urged to be present at the Ministry of Education Ground this evening in order to experience first-hand the vicissitudes of the game of football This tournament is sponsored by the New GPC under their Limacol brand, and is supported by W.J Enterprise.

The champions of this tournament will walk away with $400,000, while second place contenders will have to settle for $200,000. Third and fourth place contenders will receive $100,000 and $50,000 respectively.

A glimpse of the action in this tournament, which began on Saturday last

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, september 6, 2019

23

Hero CPL: Warriors snatch 13-run win over Zouks in opener

By Brandon Corlette

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he first match in the 2019 edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League to be played at the National Stadium at Providence – between the St Lucia Zouks and the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) – almost ended in a tense finish, had a player-of-the-match performance by Chris Green and some brilliance by Keemo Paul, Shadab Khan and Romario Shepherd not led the GAW to a 13-run win.

After St Lucia Zouks’ skipper Darren Sammy had won the toss and elected to field, “the party” began with GAW opener Brandon King throwing his bat to the very first delivery, the ball racing away to the fence.

His partner Chandrapaul Hemraj replayed the same shot when Kesrick Williams offered width; but Williams took out his dancing shoes and removed King for seven, tagging the score

when an Obed McCoy delivery found the toe end of his bat and flew to Barnwell.

The eventful 12th over continued with the left-arm McCoy finding himself on the verge of a hat trick, having sent Nicholas Pooran back to the hut for a golden duck. Two of the danger men in the GAW unit were removed in successive deliveries, but the exiting Sherfane Rutherford saw the hat-trick ball off. The Enmore lad joined his skipper Malik and got his innings up and running with two consecutive boundaries off Williams.

Then Australia’s Pakistanborn leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed came with a special over, a wicket maiden in the 14th.

Rutherford was out stumped for 10 in a close call, some marvellous glove work being effected by Andre Fletcher.

Keemo Paul came to the crease, and the first five balls he faced were dots, as Ahmed,

SCOREBOARD

Captain Shoaib Malik (L) and Shimron Hetmyer salvaged the innings after a shaky start

leading wicket-taker for Trinbago Knight Riders in 2018, completed a rare wicket maiden. In Ahmed’s final over, Paul greeted him with a belligerent six over long-on,

Romario Shepherd (R) is congratulated for taking another wicket (Photos by Getty Images)

at 14-1 in three overs.

When Hemraj caressed one over the cover boundary for the first maximum of the innings, it brought the Providence crowd to their feet; but the experienced Krishmar Santokie deceived Hemraj with a slower one, and the GAW slumped to 25-2 in four overs.

At the end of the power play, GAW were 31-2, and Shoaib Malik and Shimron Hetmyer were rebuilding the innings with a 48-run partnership. After Malik hit Rahkeem Cornwall down town with a straight six, improving the GAW tally to 59-2 in 10 overs, the Zouks introduced local boy Christopher Barnwell in the 11th over.

That over was an eventful one, and it saw Hetmyer strike a delivery that caught Malik on the forearm at the non-striker’s end. But after facing 26 balls and hitting a consolation boundary, Hetmyer was dismissed for 24

but Malik was dismissed for 28 from 29 balls after registering one six and one four.

Paul and Green to the rescue At 99-6 in 16 overs, the ‘Keemo Paul-Chris Green Show’ began. Green displayed the art of taking quick runs between the wickets, while Paul showed his six-hitting abilities. The duo began their 24-ball, 48run partnership with a liking for McCoy in the 18th over, plundering 18 runs that included two huge sixes. Paul smacked the fourth ball over mid-wicket, while Green took advantage of the free hit and flogged McCoy for a mid-wicket maximum.

In the penultimate over, another 18 runs were leaked by the St Lucia Zouks, this time

by Santokie. Entertaining the indulgent crowd, which included his father -- the elder Paul -- and several Essequibian supporters, the Saxacally lad surpassed his highest T20 score after being dropped at the end of the 19th over.

Another 13 runs were harvested from the final over to enable the GAW to wrap up their innings on 155-9. McCoy took two wickets in the final over, and a run-out came off the final ball; thus the left-arm

Chris Green and Shadab Khan shared five wickets with tidy economic figures

Guyana Amazon Warriors Innings (20 overs maximum) BA King c †Fletcher b Williams 7 C Hemraj c Perera b Santokie 14 SO Hetmyer c Barnwell b McCoy 24 S Malik (c) st †Fletcher b Fawad Ahmed 28 N Pooran † b McCoy 0 SE Rutherford st †Fletcher b Fawad Ahmed 10 KMA Paul c Fawad Ahmed b McCoy 38 CJ Green run out (†Fletcher) 28 S Khan c Perera b McCoy 0 R Shepherd not out 0 Extras (lb 2, nb 2, w 2) 6 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 7.75) 155-9

Yet to bat: B Laughlin Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Brandon King, 2.5 ov), 2-25 (Chandrapaul Hemraj, 3.5 ov), 3-73 (Shimron Hetmyer, 11.4 ov), 4-73 (Nicholas Pooran, 11.5 ov), 5-85 (Sherfane Rutherford, 13.1 ov), 6-98 (Shoaib Malik, 15.5 ov), 7-146 (Keemo Paul, 19.2 ov), 8-146 (Shadab Khan, 19.3 ov), 9-155 (Chris Green, 19.6 ov) BOWLING NLTC Perera (1-0-5-0) K Santokie (4-0-36-1) KOK Williams (4-0-26-1) OC McCoy (4-0-41-4) RRS Cornwall (2-0-12-0) Fawad Ahmed (4-1-25-2) CD Barnwell (1-0-8-0)

Obed McKoy’s (R) efficient spell got him 4 GAW wickets

quickie ended with 4-41, while Ahmed had 2-25.

Rahkeem’s rocket start

The GAW having taken 49 runs off the last three overs they faced, the Zouks -- Rahkeem Cornwall in particular, and Andre Fletcher -– began their innings as though on a mission. Paul got a taste of his own medicine while this Zouks’ duo took 15 off the opening overs. Zouks’ faster bowlers had leaked 116 runs, but they had only six overs of spin, which cost 37 runs.

The GAW were, however, equipped with spin options.

Shadab Khan, bowling his first ball, removed Fletcher for eight as he destroyed his furniture.

Cornwall carried on his merry way, but the Zouks lost three wickets for 53 runs in the power play. When he came up against the magic of the wily Green, the stocky Cornwall was eventually removed for a blazing 36 scored off 14 balls, which included seven fours and one six. The spinners had kept GAW in the game, while the Zouks were on 84-4 at the halfway stage.

Khan makes the ball talk

With pacers Keemo Paul and Ben Laughlin yielding runs, the spinners continued to chip away at the Zouks foundation.

Khan, in particular, bowled with control, while Green contained the batsmen. Khan removed Barnwell for seven, and the mercurial Sammy as his third victim. Thus Khan finished with the impressive figures of 3-16 in four overs.

After the Afghan Najibullah Zadran had fallen for 23, the Zouks innings’ collapsed like a pack of cards. As though he has to attend to unfinished business, Santokie set about scoring an unbeaten 15 from nine, but it was insufficient to represent the Zouks’ cause. Shepherd produced some brilliant death bowling with his 2-18 in four overs.

The GAW will meet St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in their second game of the season.

The action is slated for the Providence stadium tomorrow, Saturday September 7, from 20:00 hours.

friday, september 6, 2019

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

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