Guyana Times - Monday, April 8, 2019

Jay & Sylvia Sobhraj Centre for Behavioural Sciences P14 and Research to open soon Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3888

THE BEACON OF TRUTH monday, april 8, 2019

Guyana perceived as corrupt – US State Dept Page 3

– crime, inadequate infrastructure remain barriers to investment – corruption discourages investments, undermines development Region 1 outbreak

GMI to remain closed until “certain requirements are met” – EPA ...miners to travel to China today

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

4 homeless P8 after Corentyne house goes up in flames

GPF making strides in recruitment process for Indigenous P8 people

Page 11

Over $163M drainage works Page commence in Georgetown 14

Investigations into death of twins at GPHC incomplete P9

New GPF P7 Strategic Plan to focus on human resource management As the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority announced a $163 million project to reduce flooding throughout the capital city of Georgetown, works have already commenced at the La Penitence drainage channel

Convicted Page 2 narcotics trafficker escapes from Lusignan Prison

Berbice miner shoots reputed wife during Page argument 2

Lindener gets 3 years for P8 armed robbery

2 NEWS

monday, april 8, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Convicted narcotics trafficker escapes from Lusignan Prison – manhunt launched by Police to recapture escapee

A

former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank, who was sentenced for narcotics possession, escaped from the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara (ECD), in the wee hours of Sunday.

The escapee has been identified as 24-year-old John Lambert of Lot 158 North Haslington, ECD, and had been serving a four-year sentence for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Reports are that the convict escaped at about 03:39h on Sunday morning by scal-

ing a fence on the south-eastern side of Holding Bay Three of the penitentiary.

The Guyana Prison Service is currently collaborating with the Guyana Police Force to recapture the prisoner.

However, acting Director of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), Kevin Pilgrim told this publication that during the process of Lambert’s escape, a rank at the Operational Post of the prison spotted the convict and verbally warned him to desist but eventually had to engage the young man in

Lusignan Prison escapee, ex-GDF rank, John Lambert

order to prevent him from getting away. However, the rank’s attempts proved futile.

“A rank would have engaged him and had to discharge several rounds in that direction which actually raised an initial alarm.

There is Police on standby right at Lusignan and you also have a Prison Task Force which complements that. When they would have heard the gunshot, they would have obviously responded not knowing exactly what they were responding to, all but they knew was that it was an emergency,” he explained.

Guyana Times was told that upon responding to the alarm that was raised, the teams automatically reverted to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for such cases.

“They managed to have picked up trails of the jersey, the general area that he was in but as you know, he is an ex-military person so he is more prone to have been tactical about his escape. It was not just wild and acted out of impulse, he would have been more precise based on what he is doing because that was exactly the case even for him escaping. It was very precise, he just used his train-

ing for not a good purpose today, but he will still make some mistakes too because once you take good training and try to put it to bad use you will make some mistakes”, Pilgrim added.

According to the Prison’s records, Lambert was incarcerated on Friday, April 5, 2019, following his appearance at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, West Coast Demerara (WCD), for the offence of trafficking in cannabis (1456 grams).

He was sentenced to pay a fine of $30,000 as well as serve four years’ imprisonment.

(Kristen Macklingam)

Berbice miner shoots reputed wife during argument

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businesswoman is now nursing a gunshot wound at the Bartica Hospital after she was shot by her reputed husband in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

The woman has been identified as 49-year-old Ava Abrams of Lot 77 Third Avenue, Bartica. She is said to be in a stable condition.

Guyana Times understands that at about 02:00h, the victim had just closed her business and was sitting in her vehicle at the Third Avenue Beach Front in Bartica when she was approached by her husband, a 52-year-old miner of Stanleytown, New

Injured: Ava Abrams

Amsterdam Berbice, and an argument ensued.

The argument continued for some time, until the miner, a licensed firearm holder, reportedly whipped out the pistol he was carrying and shot the woman once to her left hand.

A friend of the victim, who was returning from running an errand, reportedly found the injured woman and quickly rushed her to the hospital, where she underwent surgery and was admitted as a patient.

The perpetrator has since been detained as investigations continue. The firearm used in the shooting has also been lodged.

news

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monday, april 8, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Monday, April 8 – 05:00h-06:30h and Tuesday, April 9 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, April 8 – 05:45h-07:15h and Tuesday, April 9 – 06:15h-07:45h.

Guyana perceived as corrupt – US State Dept

– crime, inadequate infrastructure remain barriers to investment – corruption discourages investments, undermines development

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, followed by clear skies in the evening.

Overall temperatures will range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 06:13h and 18:39h reaching maximum heights of 2.76 metres and 2.67 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 12:11h reaching a minimum height of 0.42 metre.

saturday, april 6, 2019

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Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

T

he fact that corruption indices continue to rank Guyana with only minor improvements, crime and inadequate infrastructure has been cited by the US State Department’s 2018 investment climate statements as problems Guyana has to deal with.

According to the State Department in its assessment of the situation, allegations of corruption continue to trouble Guyana.

It cited the Transparency International’s 2017 Corruption Perception Index, which ranked Guyana at 91 out of 180 countries. To make matters worse, Guyana has since dropped to 93rd position in TI’s latest report.

There are widespread concerns about inefficiencies and corruption regarding the awarding of contracts, particularly with respect to concerns of collusion and non-transparency. In his annual report, the Auditor General had noted continuous disregard for the procedures, rules, and the laws that govern public procurement systems,” the State Department said.

“The World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 20152016 identified inefficient Government bureaucracy as the largest obstacle to doing business in Guyana, followed by corruption. Corruption discourages potential foreign direct investments and foreign investors, and it also undermines economic development and growth,” the analysis advised.

Corruption

According to the TI index, Guyana fell by one spot to the 93rd position out of 180 countries. The index placed Guyana’s corruption perception score at 37 to tie with Gambia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Mongolia and Panama.

The highest ranked Caribbean country was The Bahamas at 29th place and a score of 65. It is followed

by Barbados, which received a score of 68 for being anti-corruption. The next Caribbean country is St Vincent and the Grenadines, which was ranked at 41 with

The sole sourcing of the DHB contract is one of the few sole sourcing allegations that went through an investigation and even the findings of that is unclear

a score of 58.

The top ranked countries on the list were Denmark at number one, then New Zealand at number two. The United States of America was ranked at 71, with a score of 22.

Last year, Guyana scored 38 when it ranked 91 out of

all the countries reviewed.

The index came at a time when much was said about the Auditor General’s 2017 report and the sole sourcing of contracts.

Red flag

This includes the Public Procurement Commission investigating and red-flagging the sole sourcing of the Demerara River bridge

feasibility study. The contract in question was awarded to Dutch company, LievenseCSO, for a feasibility study into the new Demerara River bridge crossing.

The parliamentary Opposition had requested that the Public Procurement Commission investigate the award of the $148 million sole sourced contract.

In its report on the matter, the Commission flagged Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson for requesting from Cabinet that the contract be sole sourced, instead of being processed through the Procurement Board as the law says should be done.

After agitation from the parliamentary Opposition, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) had begun investigating the contract award. Right from the start, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had stressed the need for the Unit to avoid showing favouritism to Patterson, particularly at a time when Opposition politicians were being brought

into SOCU for questioning on other matters.

SOCU has since said it completed its investigation into the sole sourced feasibility study contract, with the unit’s head, Assistant Police Commissioner Sydney James confirming that the file has been in the hands of the Police Legal Adviser since last year.

Meanwhile, Patterson himself told Guyana Times recently that SOCU has concluded its investigations but he is uncertain of the findings. The Minister had added that the project for the new bridge is expected to come up at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) shortly.

According to him, “That is supposed to be a public-private partnership. It’s being piloted at the moment, reviewed by the public-private unit under the Ministry of Finance with the help from the [Caribbean Development Bank] CDB and obviously that will go to tender shortly.”

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, april 8, 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

Preventing Dutch Disease I

n Opposition, the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the Alliance For Change embraced the neoliberal paradigm and clamoured for a smaller, less intrusive government with businesses becoming the “engine of growth”. But in Government, they have failed to acknowledge the flip side of the argument. The Private Sector was supposed to fill the vacuum in investment occasioned by the withdrawal of the PNC-state from the “commanding heights of the economy”.

Government, in this model was supposed to be the “facilitator” of business: to create an environment that did not place too many constraints on business – especially in the financial and regulatory arenas. Over the previous two decades, under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) almost all of the reforms demanded under the rubric of liberalisation, stabilisation and privatisation were completed with several bottlenecks also removed.

A massively marked improvement in investment rates from what had prevailed previously, resulted not just by those reforms but by the pro-active stance of the PPP Government in inducing foreign direct investment into our economy. There has been recent criticism of the PPP in the bauxite sector, but it was the PNC that had brought the industry to its knees and could not reverse its decline. The PPP, let it be remembered, brought in Bosai and RUSAL; two of the largest companies in the international bauxite business.

While the Skeldon factory turned out to be an albatross, no one can fault the PPP Government for the fundamentally sound, World Bank approved strategic plan for sugar. The present PNC Government pretends to forget that it was the PNC that brought in Booker Tate, to manage the industry and they were in change of executing the plan. Gold and forestry also became high flyers under the PPP. The five per cent average growth rate achieved by the PPP in their last decade at the helm still has not been matched by the PNC after four years.

This PNC Government cannot escape the logic that more investment is needed, and the country cannot just depend on oil revenues which, every expert has warned, will guarantee a fatal case of “Dutch Disease”. But Guyana is a very small country and our markets are too small to justify significant investment just to satisfy our needs. A repeat of the “import substitution strategy” is not the way to go. We have to invest in products that can be exported and from the foreign currency earned use that to import other goods to satisfy a higher standard of living. Our investment, then, must be export oriented. To support this, we will have to broaden our export base by both product and market diversification.

But none of this is new. The million-dollar question is how do we achieve this investment and diversification in the face of the high-risk factor for businesses in Guyana? We return to the proposal floated in this space – public-private partnerships. Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea, etc, forged ahead of us even though we were on par back in the sixties because their governments were not mere bystanders like the PNC, but active participants. Their successes were built on the concrete support their governments provided to targeted export-oriented businesses.

They created a virtuous cycle: business risks were lessened, investment encouraged, exports increased, quality improved (because of world competition), employment created, Government collected more taxes and more companies could be supported. The specialty hospital identified by the PPP was a good example of diversifying exports: medical tourism brings in substantial foreign exchange. But Government hospitals have rarely provided the service demanded for success in this field: a public-private partnership would be best. The PNC killed this initiative.

Agro-processing in support of the Government’s “agriexpansion” campaign is another fertile area for the concept.

The abandoned Guyana Sugar Corporation land that is reverting to bush should be leased to ex-sugar workers and new crops introduced that have international markets in this age of food insecurity. The processing and marketing facilities that are needed cannot be left to the newly created farmers; the Government will have to be induced from abroad.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Sunday met with a number of young people from several villages along the East Bank of Demerara, during which a number of issues were raised including unemployment

Showdown of world powers in Venezuela enters dangerous, new phase

T

he first major showdown of our new era of great power competition, unfolding with accelerating speed over the past 10 weeks in Venezuela, has entered a dangerous new phase.

That is true, most of all, for the Venezuelan people, but also for Latin American democracies and for vital US interests in the Western Hemisphere.

How this drama turns out may mark the most significant test yet of the Trump Administration’s credibility, following a highest-level chorus this week of President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Advisor John Bolton, who all declared – in one way or another – that Russia had to get out of the country.

Vice President Mike Pence ratcheted up the pressure further on Friday, announcing at a speech in Houston with new sanctions on the State-owned oil company PDVSA as well as two additional companies that transport Venezuelan crude to Cuba. Pence, who will address the UN Security Council next week on Venezuela, also said the US would increase its pressure on Cuba.

What raised the stakes was Russia’s well-publicised and provocative move on March 23, 2019, to land two planes with some 100 soldiers in Caracas. The ostensible reason for their arrival was to service Venezuela’s Russianmade S-300 air defence systems, which are said to have been damaged in recent energy blackouts. Other Russian military contractors and mercenaries are already believed to be providing security support for the Maduro regime.

That was accompanied by this week’s decision of Maduro’s puppet National Constituent Assembly to strip interim President Juan Guaidó of his immunity. Guaidó assumed power under a constitutional provision which stipulates that

in the absence of a legitimately elected President, the President of the National Assembly takes up presidential powers on an interim basis. That raises the possibility, perhaps as early as this weekend, that the Maduro regime could arrest and imprison Guaidó – with widespread, anti-Maduro and pro-democracy protests expected for Saturday.

Putin’s big bet

What concerns US officials is that Vladimir Putin may be laying the ground for making Venezuela the defining foreign policy debacle for President Trump in the same way Syria became that for the Obama Administration. Indeed, this week the Maduro and Assad regimes showcased their solidarity in Damascus, where Maduro Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza met with the Syrian leader. “The two Syrian and Venezuelan peoples’ fight against U.S. conspiracies and imperialism and the two will emerge victorious,” Arreaza said.

Though there is a great deal that differentiates Venezuela and Syria, what connects them is considerable: a weakened dictator, who would be much more likely to fall without Moscow’s support, a US declared redline that the Kremlin finds unconvincing, and a chance for Putin to shore up his global reputation at the expense of Washington –this time in the Western Hemisphere.

White House National Security Adviser John Bolton laid down a tough line, with echoes of the 1823 Monroe Doctrine, with his warning to Moscow: “We strongly caution actors external to the Western Hemisphere against deploying military assets to Venezuela, or elsewhere in the Hemisphere, with the intent of establishing or expanding military operations. We will consider such provocative actions as a direct threat to international peace and security in the region.”

Exactly one month ago, I wrote in this space, “As the country with the world’s largest proven oil reserves and one of its greatest humanitarian disasters, Venezuela is a place whose destiny in any case would have had outsized consequences for Latin American and global energy markets.

Given the involvement of the US and its democratic allies on the one side and China, Russia and Cuba on the other, the stakes are even higher geopolitically.”

As is so often the case in the Trump administration, there is also a personal element for a president who has refrained from the tough language toward Putin and Russia employed by the top US officials around him. Writes David Sanger in the New York Times, “Would Venezuela be the place where Mr Trump, who has often seemed willing to tolerate Mr Putin’s most audacious provocations, finally draws his own red line? And if so, does he have a plan to enforce it?”

Putin is betting big that Trump has neither the will nor the plan.

NATO’s challenge

It was by coincidence that the situation around Venezuela was heating up even as the NATO alliance marked its 70th anniversary in Washington, DC, this week. Amid the celebration, however, experts raised new questions over whether the alliance was sufficiently equipped for the long period of strategic geopolitical competition that likely stands before us.

“NATO is the most successful Alliance in history because we have always been able to change as the world changes,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said before a Joint Session of Congress, the first time any leader of a multilateral organisation has been invited to give such an address.

Yet if the consensus is right

that the 21st century’s great challenge would be a competition between democratic and authoritarian countries and systems, and in particular China and Russia, then Russia is making the next play in our hemisphere, and NATO is already behind the curve. “…the United States should lead a more concerted effort to thicken the political bonds and operational ties between NATO and its global partners,” said the Atlantic Council’s Damon Wilson in testimony before a subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

“Specifically, the United States should consider formalizing the links among US treaty allies in Europe and those in Asia, namely Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

At the same time, we should begin fostering alliance-like links among our existing allies with strategic partners such as India and, in Latin America, Colombia, Brazil and Mexico.”

He sees all that as a possible precursor “to a more formal alliance among democracies who are committed to protecting their way of life and a democratic international order.”

There are plenty of reasons to think such ambitions are fanciful when President Trump remains ambivalent about the value of alliances, NATO’s European members are so divided on how to manage relations with China and when only a minority of Europe’s NATO members have risen to their promised defence spending obligations.

Yet NATO has learned over the years that the alternative to changing when the world changes is irrelevance – and a world whose guiding rules and principles would no longer be shaped by democracies. Venezuela may be the right place to catalyse deeper links among the United States, Canada, key European allies and leading democracies of Latin America. (Cnbc.com)

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, april 8, 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

Not too late to come clean Dear Editor, We the people, through our legitimate representative the PPP/C, are saying no to house-to-house “elections”, did I say house-to-house elections? Yes, I did and that was not a mistake, it was a deliberate statement. The details of what I said earlier will be explained later in my discourse. We vehemently reject any skulduggery whatsoever. Only a free and fair

process which rules out the house-to-house GECOM is promoting.

The house-to-house socalled registration is not to add those who have reached the age of 18 years and are now eligible to vote, far from it, this exercise is to verify an already padded voters’ list.

That list has the names of persons who are all non-nationals, but persons who are nonetheless in receipt of a

Guyana Identification card thus making them eligible to vote at the upcoming elections.

Information coming to hand is that there are a number of persons with fake ID’s who are to be placed on a voters’ list in preparation for Election Day. And here is how they plan to do it: Persons of the likes of Haitians and Venezuelans, even persons from faraway

places like Ghana, are in receipt of Guyana ID cards with Guyanese names. Some of these persons cannot speak a word of English, nor are they familiar with the geographical location of the place they were told that they were born.

Nevertheless, they are persons who have been afforded the title of having been domiciled here in Guyana and are eligible to vote.

So, the house-to-house

The APNU/AFC coalition Government destroyed Guyana in 4 years Dear Editor, Please allow me to clarify and compare several issues that were misrepresented by Freddie Kissoon in his article “APNU/AFC has done more in 4 years than the PPP in 15 years”. The PPP Government was able to demonstrate more social cohesiveness among Guyanese and ensure that the resources were spread equally among all Guyanese.

Many persons will ask for justification on that.

The most evident example is the numerous house lots that were distributed in the various housing schemes to persons despite their po-

litical affiliations or their racial background. The present Government, for the last four years, gave houses to a majority of their supporters. The records will unveil the evidence.

The APNU/AFC Government destroyed the trust of racial unity since a section of the Indian population trusted the coalition and voted in 2015 to bridge the gap of racial unity but unfortunately, Granger and his Government destroyed that trust which was given to the APNU/AFC coalition Government.

This four years of governance by the APNU/AFC co-

alition Government is the worst period ever in the history of Guyana. In every sector, there is a constant pattern of decline that is definitely impacting negatively on Guyanese eg corruption, crime, social cohesion, construction, communities, businesses, governance etc.

The corruption level has risen to uncontrolled heights.

Senior Government officials are now demanding kickbacks even before the contracts are even awarded to contractors, bids are being overpriced to accommodate these huge amounts of kickbacks and what is even more

disgusting is that from the top level to the bottom level, there is evidence of corruption.

The APNU/AFC coalition Government in four years, destroyed the lives of 30,000 workers who lost their jobs, these were the victims of the coalition governance who voted for a better future but only the Ministers are benefiting from the good life.

The destruction that is being done to Guyana by this Government will be a herculean task for the PPP/C to fix.

Regards, Zamal Hussain

The Government should have followed the right path and resigned Dear Editor, I have been following the latest political developments in Guyana, more so since the No-Confidence Motion was passed. I have watched the Government acquiesce then frantically backpedal on this issue, claiming that it was an illegal move by the Opposition.

Without trying to take sides, I would like to give my two cents to the various chips that have fallen since the fateful day of December 21, 2018.

Specifically, I would like to reflect on the No-Confidence Motion; the mathematics involved and whether this applies to our Constitution and the issue closest to my heart, whether dual citizens should be allowed in Parliament.

The No-Confidence Motion, in my opinion, and I daresay in the opinion of a majority of scholars, academics, the courts, and laypersons, was validly passed.

Parliamentary rules were all applied and followed. The Speaker brought this to the floor and the votes were done according to established procedures.

The fact is that the Speaker and the Government, initially, accepted this vote. It should not have been overturned based on flimsy reasoning. This blatantly allowed the Government to put itself ahead of the good of the country and its democratic principles.

The Government should have followed the right path and continued its resignation process and called for elections as is specified in the Constitution. By not doing so,

it has squandered many votes that could have gone their way.

And one of the flimsy reasons is that 34 votes are needed because of rounding off half of the members. I will not repeat the opinions of the majority of Guyanese but I will just ask the question: Where in the Constitution of Guyana does it say that we need an absolute majority to determine a vote of no confidence?

And where does it say that we have to use an outlandish formula to come up with this absolute majority, especially when another type of majority (2/3) is specified for/in other clauses? Answer this question and one will see that the Government is grabbing at straws just to stay alive. This is detrimental to our young country and to our still young institutions.

The Government, in desperately trying to come up with reasons to justify the reversal of the No-Confidence Motion, shot itself in the feet by declaring that MP Charrandas Persaud was not eligible to vote because he was a dual citizen.

This notion brings to the forefront the issue of dual citizens in our Parliament.

And so it is that the same Government has to abide by its own pleadings and allow its dual citizen MPs to resign, meaning that its Ministers have to as well. How ironic.

How shortsighted!

But for those who rather look at the brighter side of things, they will see that our institutions will come out of this stronger, and the issue of dual citizens has arrived

to face us all. This is where I declare: Guyana needs all its citizens to come together to partake in its development.

This dual citizens issue of declaring adherence to another State, and conflict of interest that can result from it, is not big enough to warrant throwing away the effective expertise, the huge pool of experienced and dedicated Guyanese residing abroad who want to return and give back to the country of their birth. If we include all our overseas brothers and sisters, Guyana has a pool of experts that is second to none in the Caribbean! It would be very shortsighted to refuse such talents and richness. It should be noted that it was the overseas Guyanese who braved illegality and snow and doggedness to come to the shores of other lands so they can work and send money and barrels back home for their family and neighbours.

It was the overseas Guyanese that kept the economy of Guyana afloat in many ways during the late 80s and even into the early 90s.

And they are still a force to be reckoned with when it comes to remittances. Just look at the IDB’s yearly reports on this. It is time we bring our overseas dual citizens into the fold so we can all come together and build this beautiful land. And I will argue that in this vein, we need to look at bringing back the overseas vote! Gone should be the days of election riggings and ghost registrations. This is, after all, the 21st century.

My final thought, in conclusion, is that I have seen

all the steps this current Government has taken with regards to elections, beginning with unilaterally appointing the Chairman of the Elections Commission; to defying the rulings of Parliament on the no-confidence votes; to questions on the Ministry of Citizenship and its registrations processes; and the list goes on.

When the coalition won the general elections in 2015, I saw the faces of relief, vindication and validation in my Afro-Guyanese brothers and sisters. No longer were they committed to the sidelines of running the country. And today, this hold they now have on power is one that is difficult to give up because of the zero-sum game of our politics.

I call on the PNC and the coalition to recognise that they won the 2015 elections freely. This progress indicates that no longer is race the major factor in ensuring that free elections are won.

Now there are other factors such as (perception of) corruption, unemployment, economic hardships or successes, etc. Parties should now focus on these issues as they campaign for elections this year.

And if all the rumblings are correct, the PNC does not have to worry if they lose the elections this year…..the key election year will be 2024 when the oil money begins to manifest in our Guyana!

Sincerely, Sharir Chan (dual citizen) Sacramento, California Mahaicony, Guyana

is a plan to re-register them in an area which is – as in the case of a Haitian I befriended – more “friendly” to their cause and in a place where their racial composition would not be called into question.

The house-to-house is to “perfect” or update the list, to match what would be declared on Election Day if a recount is so ordered. Seeing that the PNC is not too au fait with figures, they are trying their utmost to get the numbers to match.

This is a seemingly airtight plan of theirs but information that is in our possession makes us all the more knowledgeable and more resolute to disappoint them. We would be blocking this avenue ever manifesting itself in a botched election victory for the fraudsters.

Now, those in Government circles would want to dismiss this as another Opposition propaganda attempt to derail the houseto-house programme. But I ask them to take a walk around Georgetown and speak to persons at random, you would get the shocking reality as to what I am talking about.

In another instance, some of the foreigners are already boldly using their fake identification to transact business. Fantastic! Some of the foreigners are so clumsy that they are utilising their ID to gain employment in some of those security services who underpay their workers. I say no more.

The next election is earmarked for a massive fraud as one PNC supporter puts it.

The PPP/C is in for a “great surprise” next election. That surprise is a one seat election victory for his party. He further asserted, “Is you all who want election ... well is election you all gon get don’t be surprise”. So, there you have

it, they have let the cat out of the bag, they have given their party’s plan away.

In all of this, I think the Chief Elections Officer is aware of the plan, he cannot feign ignorance of the fact because much of what I said is taking place right under his nose in Georgetown. It is the most talked about topic in the city so how can he say that he is not knowledgeable of it?

In any case, if he so claims ignorance of the fact then from henceforth he is put on high alert of this well thought out scheme and should make every effort to rectify it before it is too late.

I still think Lowenfield is redeemable because he is not too comfortable with the plan, he sees jail time awaiting them if that scheme is not abandoned. But others of the conspiracy are adamant that the plan will work. After all, they must do something for “their boy,” come what may we must push for that one-seat majority win again.

I call on Lowenfield to come clean and adhere to the Opposition’s call for a no house-to-house registration and go along with a clean voters’ list. The people would not be kind to you if you deny them the right to choose who governs them, they would call for the severest of penalties for the lawbreakers.

The people of Guyana would be asking for the head of those who denied them the right to choose their own Government.

I call on Mr Lowenfield to rid himself of this fraudulent scheme because at the end of the day the buck falls on him. You would have to face the music as the one who supervised a fraud committed on the Guyanese people. It is not too late to come clean on these actions sir.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation (Continued from Sunday)

By Amanda L Chan

By Dr Deborah Gilboa

“B

ut I have so much to do!”

Deadlines, assignments, chores, commitments, family obligations – teens can end up on a merry-go-round of stress that spins out of control. Often, it’s parents that put the stress on kids. But sometimes, kids put the stress on themselves.

So how do you convince stressed tweens and teens who want to do well that maybe they should learn to relax a little? Take, for instance, an 11-yearold who comes to me, a family doctor, with complaints of a stomach ache, insomnia, and irritability. Usually, I wonder, “What have your parents done to you?” In this case, however, the child is the source of his own stress.

Driven to get all As; committed to showing up early for play practice, with all his lines memorised; focused on reaching Regionals for the Science Fair; determined to complete assignments the minute they’re assigned. He created all these pressures. How do I know? I’m the parent. If anything, we pressure this particular kiddo to do less.

We’ve always been surprised by my son’s internal motivation. To be honest, a middle school boy who doesn’t need a single reminder to do his homework is a huge relief. Our line about grades is: “If your teacher says you’re trying, we’re not looking at the grade.

You’re only in trouble if the comments note your lack of effort or learning.

Better a C that you work for than an A that you don’t.”

But we’ve watched him raise his own standards higher each year. This trend didn’t make much of an impression on me until Parent-Teacher Conferences this past fall.

“To be honest,” his social studies teacher said, “If he didn’t like school so much, I’d be really

worried about the pressure he puts on himself.”

The pressure. The insomnia, irritability, and self-directed frustration.

That’s just as potentially damaging as any lackadaisical attitude and poor work habits might be.

So how to address this? The first thing I’ve learned working with families is this: Never tell anyone how to feel. First of all, it’s useless (“Don’t worry Mom!”). Secondly, it’s disrespectful.

Telling someone that their feelings are ridiculous – no matter how you say it – never starts a productive conversation.

My son and I want the same thing: We both want him to achieve what he desires while feeling good about himself and the process. So our conversations focus around those goals. Here are some principles we’ve found useful for our stressed teen.

5 stress management tips for teens:

1. You can’t do everything Saying yes to something means saying no to something else. Agreeing to be in the school play, help with the after school chess club, and play on the soccer team means saying no to many other opportunities like playing Legos with your

brothers, catching a movie with mom, or lunch with Grandpa. If you’ve over-committed, speak up. And understand that since you’re only 11, we may say no to something for you.

2. Downtime matters Leaving time to play, laugh, relax, and exercise makes you better at everything you do. Like sleep, these activities will make you sharper for tests, keep you more connected on your team, and help you memorize your lines. Selfcare is a lifelong skill, and we’re going to insist you learn it.

3. Sleep helps Want to bring your A game? Doesn’t matter what you’re going to do—sleep helps. So nine hours of rack time are the rule, and you need special dispensation (rarely given) to decrease that number.

4.

Communication reduces stress Most teachers (and coaches and bosses) will be flexible when you’re respectful and transparent about what you have done, can do, and will do. Ask for an extension.

5. It’s okay to disappoint others at times You will have a few teachers that do not care what is going on in your middle-school-life. Their homework is sacrosanct. To them. It doesn’t always have to be so for you.

I work with college students all over the country. I have to tell you, these are life truths that many of them have never considered when they land in the pressure-cooker of higher education. So if you, like me, have a stressed teen who is creating the pressure-cooker, seize the moment. Get your teen practicing the skills to keep things in perspective and find joy in life. (yourteenmag.com)

6. Criticism is the worst It all goes back to the fear of failure – overachievers’ public enemy No. 1 is criticism, because it implies that they failed at something, Arkin says.

7. You’re very future-focused Because overachievers are constantly trying to avoid bad outcomes, they are heavily focused on the future – and as a result, often neglect the present.

8. You feel anxious a lot If there’s one mental trait that’s highly correlated with being an overachiever, it’s anxiety. It goes back to the future-focused mindset: Constantly worrying about what the future holds and achieving everything that needs to be achieved is a recipe for stress.

9. You just got promoted, but you’re already thinking about how you’ll achieve the next promotion Because it’s so hard for overachievers to just live in the present, the joy that comes from something like a job promotion can be cut short by thoughts about what’s next. “They’re never satisfied,” Eliot says.

In addition, overachievers are more likely to value being promoted regardless of how they got it, “even if it’s at the expense of a co-worker or if they didn’t really earn it,” Eliot says.

“Maybe they talked their way into it, or they took their boss out for dinner enough times.

People look at that and say, ‘You didn’t really earn that.’ But a classic overachiever doesn’t care – only achievement matters.”

10. You’re a perfectionist There’s a strong correlation between being a perfectionist and being an overachiever – and this doesn’t only apply to the workplace. Overachievers may also be concerned about being a perfect spouse or parent, or having a perfect home, Eliot says.

11. You’re the first one in the office, and the last one to leave Overachievers are more likely to work long hours – sometimes without people knowing about it – because they want to be perceived as capable of doing it all, Arkin says.

12. In high school, you were the one in 15 clubs Many overachievers share similar backgrounds: They had an A in every class, participated in every club and went to music lessons and sports practices – all in the name of a strong college application. “That’s a classic kid getting into an overachievement mindset,” Eliot says.

However, this isn’t necessarily the most healthy background. “When you look at the kids who are the most successful who did well in high school and college, the ones

with the thriving careers – they’re the ones who got good grades. Maybe not 4.0s, they didn’t belong to every club – maybe just one or two – but the ones that they did, they really made a difference with them,” Eliot says.

13. Being able to provide your child with all the opportunities in the world has more to do with your fear of being a bad parent, and less to do with helping your child realise his or her interests and passions All parents, to some extent, feel the need to “do it all” for their kids. But overachievers tend to do it big – attending every PTA meeting, making goodies for the bake sales, volunteering in class, constantly checking up with the child’s teacher – because they care so much about being the best parents. “It’s a sort of selfworth exercise for parents in being valued as good parents,” Eliot says. “There’s a feeling of, ‘I have to do all this stuff so I feel good about myself as a parent, so my self-esteem as a parent is high.’ But they don’t realise that when they care so much about wanting to be the best parents, they get into this frenzied state.”

14. You gravitate toward commission-based jobs This includes real-estate agents, stock-traders and salespeople. “It’s push, push, push sort of work,” Eliot says.

That’s not to say overachievers are exclusively in commissionbased jobs. In any field, an overachiever is the one taking on extra work as an indicator of productivity. If you’re a lawyer, for instance, this may translate to taking on a larger caseload than anyone else in the firm; an academic, whose productivity is measured in publications, may work longer or harder into the night to get more done, Arkin says.

15. You keep score in your relationship You may not be writing it down, but you’re probably keeping track of who’s doing what to contribute to a relationship, Eliot says.

16. Crunch-time is the worst time That’s because you as an overachiever are often your own worst enemy. When the stakes are high, “the overachiever tends to make mistakes in that situation, and are more out to choke because they’re so concerned with the outcome,” Eliot says.

17. You may be more likely to stay in an unhappy marriage Overachievers hate failure, and failure is failure, whether it’s work or a relationship. For that reason, overachievers are more likely to stay in a marriage they know is doomed because they’re concerned about how they’ll be perceived if their marriage were to fail, Eliot says. (www.huffpost.com)

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monday, april 8, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Mini hydro, road projects among proposals to IsDB – bank working with Guyana to set up development agenda

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o access funds from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Guyana has placed several proposals before the bank to consider, including the development of mini hydro stations and improvements to technical and vocational training programmes.

This position was articulated by Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who was addressing attendees at the 44th meeting of the Islamic Bank group, in Morocco, over the course of last week.

According to the Minister, the Government wants to use a portion of the money

to develop three mini hydro power stations.

“I am pleased to say that the IsDB has commenced working with Guyana to develop an appropriate development agenda as well as a plan of action and implementation,” Jordan said.

“To this end, Guyana has placed for consideration the following investment initiatives with the IsDB.” “The development and construction of three mini-hydropower systems and road links in our vast hinterland communities, the construction of several potable water and sanitation systems,” he out-

lined. “A reverse linkage programme in halal ecosystems and a reverse linkage programme in technical and vocational training with emphasis on addressing the critical needs of our emerging oil and gas sector.”

The Minister explained that Government has plans for highway construction projects that will improve access to thousands of hectares of agricultural land while linking communities and markets.

In addition, he mentioned plans for marine port development to improve shipping and competitiveness and opportunities for

New GPF Strategic Plan to focus on human resource management

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he new Guyana Police Force (GPF) Strategic Plan that was handed over to the Police Reform Change Board in February last will be focusing heavily on human resources and the strengthening of infrastructure for operations in the Force.

This is according to Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Williams, who has responsibility for administration in the GPF. In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times, he stated that this new Strategic Plan caters for a three-year period and has been built upon work that commenced under the previous Strategic Plan (2013-2017).

“That plan (2013 to 2017) would have commenced but then what happened, there might have been certain risk management or there might have been certain situations that which would have created some amount of changes in terms of having that five-year run fully completed. Now, through the Citizen Security Sector Reform Programme and also now where we have gone through the required

Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Williams, who bears responsibility for administration in the GPF

process through the UK, we recognise the importance in terms of having a new strategic plan. That new strategic plan is now built upon what we would have commenced before,” Williams added.

The Deputy Police Commissioner explained that Police Commissioner Leslie James, upon installation to that post, had mentioned that the GPF hierarchy would have been paying keen attention to the human resources

management, training, and infrastructure areas of the GPF. “Now those are things that would have already been mentioned before but now in this new Plan, the aspect in terms of human resources, that going to be a great, great focus and also in terms of strengthening the infrastructure for operations because now with the Sector Reform aspect, we are now looking in terms of boosting our maritime capability, our k-9, also in the other areas and also we are looking in terms of regionalisation of the police boundaries. Remember, we have seven police Divisions, now we are moving to 10 because the Divisions are going to come in line with the administrative regions.”

He also said that with all of this in mind, there is a requirement for new strategies and approaches.

“So with this new Plan, it is going to help us in terms of maximising and reaching those potentials. So we already embarked upon that plan,” Williams added.

(Kristen Macklingam)

investment programmes to support elder care initiatives.

Updates

Calling the IsDB’s support for Guyana unique in the way programmes are formulated an projects approved, Minister Jordan also provided updates on what has been coming out of this partnership.

“In 2018, three operations were approved, enabling Guyana to benefit from a grant of ID200,000 for the upgrade and modernisation of a geriatric facility; a US$20 million instalment sale operation to expand and upgrade the electricity transmission and distribution system.”

According to Jordan, this led to the improvement in the quality and reliability of the energy supply received by customers. He also spoke of the reverse linkage programme which was funded from contributions from Malaysia (US$0.3 million), the IsDB (US$0.28 million) and Guyana (a matching amount). This money was to make the rice industry more resilient, productive

Finance Minister Winston Jordan (third from left), with several attendees at the meeting

and competitive.

“Additionally, in 2018, we received a programming mission to begin preparation for several new projects. These operations are an appropriate response to the current challenges faced

by Guyana, which are rooted in insufficient national resources and a diminishing pool of multilateral and bilateral support to provide

the social and economic infrastructure necessary for giving ‘the good life’ to all Guyanese,” Jordan said.

Last year, Government had drawn down US$20 million from the sum allotted to them by the IsDB from its US$900 million resource envelope which it was allowed access to on the condition that projects are proposed.

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4 homeless after Corentyne house goes up in flames

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fire, suspected to be electrical in origin, has completely gutted a dwelling house at Number 57 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, on Sunday. The house was occupied by four persons including two minors.

Based on reports received, the fire started in the upper flat of the two storey wooden and concrete building at about 11:00h. At the time, Marcia Courtland and her daughter were at home.

They were reportedly attending to a GWI meter reader in the yard when the woman saw thick black smoke emanating from the back of the top flat of the property.

She immediately raised

The aftermath of the fire on Sunday (Royan Abrams photo)

an alert and called the fire service, however, by the time they arrived some 45 minutes later, the house was completely gutted.

All of her possessions

were destroyed in the fire.

“We try to go back in to save but couldn’t, the smoke was too much. TV, fridge, documents, everything gone,” Courtland said.

She said all she was able to save were a few pieces of clothing that were outside on a line at the time. Her son and husband were at work at the time of the fire.

The distraught Courtland said she is now left contemplating her next move. “I ain’t know what to do. I don’t know as yet what we will do. Right now I have to go and ask someone to spend the night until I figure something out,” she said.

This publication understands that the house has been experiencing some issues with the electricity connection. With the help of public-spirited citizens, she was able to salvage some household items.

GPF making strides in recruitment process for Indigenous people

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n order to overcome the language barrier that affects police officers when dealing with hinterland issues, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has commenced dialogue with Toshaos to have them assist in finding more Indigenous recruits.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Paul Williams, who is responsible for the Force’s administration which encompasses recruitment, the talks are proving to be fruitful.

In an interview with Guyana Times on Saturday, he stated that the initiation of a process of having Toshaos from various hinterland communities help identify appropriate Indigenous folks who can help the GPF ranks carry out their duties effectively and efficiently in the hinterland and riverine communities has already begun.

“Indeed, we have made

Deputy Police Commissioner with responsibility for the GPF’s administration, Paul Williams

the call and there are positive responses and even last week myself, the Police Commissioner and the senior administrative team had an engagement with the Toshaos because they were out here. I think they came out for a meeting or a conference. We spoke to

them about the same aspect in terms of having the Indigenous languages being imparted to the police.”

But Williams also pointed out that it is more than just having Indigenous people help the police ranks to understand and learn the various Indigenous languages.

He explained that the Force is in need of more Indigenous men and women and this was communicated to all Toshaos across the country.

“And then also we asked them, [Toshaos] in terms of their assistance, in locating persons within the communities who are of good character, in good standing, who we can employ into the GPF as rural constables. People who can assist the police when they go in those engagement to deal with reports and who are very versed in the languages. This is so they can help us to communicate with the community.”

The Deputy Police Commissioner had previously stated in 2018 that in the expansion drive of the Force as it relates to numbers, heavy emphasis is placed on capacity-building and cultural diversity, given the new frontiers of law enforcement and the many different areas of housing development and communities which are opening where the police will have to be present in the execution of their duties of ensuring law and order.

He told this publication that in this regard, the GPF is progressing.

“So we are making strides on that. And also we are looking now, the Toshaos, they have made the pledge or the commitment where they are going to assist in terms of having our ranks being trained in that aspect,” Williams added. (Kristen Macklingam)

Lindener sentenced to 3 years in prison for armed robbery

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man, who hails from Block 22, Wismar, Linden, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment by Magistrate Wanda Fortune after he was found guilty of armed robbery.

The sentence was handed down to twenty-sixyear-old Devon Campbell also called “Ratty”, a pork-knocker of Lot 245 Block 22 when he made his final appearance at the Linden Magistrate’s Court

Convicted: Devon Campbell

last week.

The court heard that while being armed with a gun on Thursday, October 18, 2018, he robbed the Virtual Complainant, Lenoid Nedd, of a Toshiba tablet valued $17,000, a Samsung charger valued $1500, a Samsung earphone valued $2500 and a silver ring valued $7000.

The incident occurred at Half Mile, Wismar, Linden.

During the trial, the prosecution maintained that

Nedd was positively identified by the victim as one of the persons who carried out the robbery on the day in question.

However, the defendant, during his sworn statement in court, maintained that he was not in Linden at the time. According to the prosecution, the defendant had remained silent when the charge was read to him during his arrest by Police last November.

WCB miner jailed for 8 years for stealing motorcycles in Linden

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wenty-nine-year-old Christopher Punch was sentenced to a total of eight years in prison by Magistrate Wanda Fortune after he was found guilty of four counts of simple larceny.

The sentence was handed down when he made his final appearance at the Linden Magistrate’s Court last week.

Punch, a miner, was sen-

tenced to two years on each count and the charges will run consecutively.

The court heard that between Thursday, February 28, and Friday, March 1, 2019, at Industrial Area, Mackenzie, Linden, while being in the company of several others, he stole a Honda XR motorcycle valued $430,000; property of Cecil Jones.

The court also heard that on Saturday, February 16, 2019, while in the company of others, he stole an XR 150 motorcycle, valued $400,000; property of Stephon Warner.

Additionally, the court heard that between Saturday, January 26, and Sunday, January 27, 2019, while in the company of others at Republic Avenue, Mackenzie, Linden, he stole

an XR 150 motorcycle valued $435,000; property of Vacasey Franklyn.

The court further heard that on Thursday, March 7, 2019, at Greenheart Street, Mackenzie, Linden, while in the company of others, he stole yet another XR motorcycle valued $450,000; property of Anthony Roberts.

He was arrested and charges were instituted.

Touchy…

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…AG ou’d think Attorney General Basil Williams would’ve been kissing Nigel Hughes’ ring every chance he gets after the latter saved his blushes in the wake of the NCM. After all, if Hughes hadn’t gratuitously tossed his “half-man” straw into the roiling waters, Williams and his PNC crew would’ve been yesterday’s news by now. He, his President, Prime Minister, party leader and the entire PNC Administration had stoically accepted their fate – which was dashed by their backbencher Charrandas Persaud.

They all then grasped at Hughes’ straw that claimed an “absolute” majority of 34 was necessary and headed to the courts. Where they’ve been given a reprieve till May 10 to get their rigging plans in place. So why would Williams now viciously lash out at Hughes who merely suggested that with the Administration banking on oil after 2010, the legislation regulating the sector wasn’t up to snuff and the AG has some responsibility for that?

Williams incredibly insisted that “the Government” was responsible for legislation and he, as Minister of Legal Affairs, was only responsible for “drafting” legislation proposed by the Government. Really?? So the legislation would drop from the skies into the “Government’s” lap?? Isn’t the Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General part of the Government – more specifically, that part responsible for the legal aspects of its business? Especially when his Legal Ministry’s website declares – “Our Mission: To ensure that proper legal services are provided to the Government”??

If we’re entering the most transformative phase of our nation’s history with oil, wasn’t it the responsibility of Williams to ensure that the Government be provided with “proper legal services”? Hughes wasn’t saying that the experts in oil legislation should’ve sprouted by magic in the AG’s office, but couldn’t he have requested the hiring of such experts from outside, until we cultivate some home grown ones?? Isn’t this what he’s been doing in most of his new cases with all those high-priced QC’s after his losing streak became worse than the West Indies against England in the last T20 series?

But all Williams could come up with was to snidely snipe that the Constitutional Reform Commission Bill drafted by Hughes’ Steering Committee was so badly drafted it had to be “salvaged”. Imagine that!! Williams didn’t even realise he was indicting his Government for falling down on their constitutional change promise!! Hughes shot back that maybe the President and PM would’ve been “salvaged” if Williams had been on his toes for the NCM. But Hughes probably forgot that after the NCM, Williams insisted he knew 34 votes were needed and just didn’t tell anyone.

He didn’t want the PPP to know how many they needed to switch!! …Housing Minister This PNC Government – let’s call a spade a spade, shall we? – has committed more corrupt acts per annum that even its first iteration, much less than the PPP. And it isn’t just a matter of the intensity but the perversity about the mindset of the PNC when they commit fraud and corruption in the identical areas they’d accused the PPP. Don’t they think that once forewarned, the populace would be forearmed?

So here we have it, the PNC started ripping into Irfaan Ali, the moment he was elected as the PPP’s Presidential Candidate, by alleging “corruption” when he was Minister of Housing. Then, lo and behold, the CH&PA admitting that when the HUSBAND of the PNC Housing Minister Yearwood is executing housing contracts under her watch there has to be a CONFLICT OF INTEREST! And this didn’t occur to the Minister when she asked her husband, “How did your day go, dear?” Even after said husband’s unpaid sub-contractor wrote letters to her and the President?

But then Trotman never enacted that Ministerial Code of Conduct, did he? …Prime Minister PM Nagamootoo’s one bitter sore loser. Eight years after Ramotar pipped him in his bid to be the presidential candidate for the PPP, he’s still maligning the man!

But then he’ll never be President, will he?

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

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monday, april 8, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Investigations into death of twins at GPHC incomplete

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t has been close to one month since a young mother laid her twin babies to rest, following alleged negligence on the part of workers at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, however, the institution is yet to provide the family with an explanation on what exactly took place on that fateful day.

On Sunday, sister of Bhanwattie Budram of Hope West, Enmore, East Coast Demerara, who is still trying to come to grips with what happened, told Guyana Times that the family is still in shock and contemplating their next move.

A senior source at the hospital reported that the investigation has not yet been completed and findings will be shared with the public when it becomes available.

Back on March 14, the twins were delivered at the Georgetown Public Hospital and were listed as stillborn

One of the twins who was listed as stillborn despite being alive

by medical professionals who failed to recognise that one of the babies was alive.

Both children were wrapped to be taken to the mortuary when the shuddering discovery was made by their grandmother that one of them was alive.

The grandmother, Chandrouti Etwaroo, had told Guyana Times that she waited for almost four hours after the delivery to enter the room and found out that one of the girls was breathing. According to the woman, her daughter was six months two weeks pregnant at the time of the delivery.

She claimed that the nurses walked away when she informed them that one of the babies was alive.

Etwaroo said she pleaded with the nurses to equip the infant with an oxygen supply and place her in an incubator. She said that the child was left there until the nurses changed shifts. It was the nurses from the oth-

er shift that took heed to the woman’s pleas and placed the baby in an incubator.

This publication was told by the family that documents provided by the hospital stated that both babies were stillborn.

The medical facility then provided subsequent documents for the second death while requesting that the first set of documents be returned to the hospital.

They are contending that the medical staffers showed negligence with the delivery of the children and failed to perform their duties. Adding to that, if the child was placed in an incubator soon after birth, she might have survived.

This incident comes on the heels of GPHC being under scrutiny after three children died at the facility while undergoing chemotherapy treatment earlier this year.

The first child who died was 7-year-old Curwayne

Edwards on January 14, followed by three-year-old Roshini Seegobin of Enmore, ECD, on January 18.

The third child, six-yearold Sharezer Mendonca of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, died on January 24.

Mendonca’s family was sent into further despair after her body was given to the wrong family for burial in what was alleged to have been an attempt to cover up her true cause of death.

After investigations were completed, GPHC stated that instead of intrathecal administration of the drug vincristine, doctors administered it intravenously. It was this that led to the adverse reactions of those three children and ultimately their deaths.

Meanwhile, CEO of the GPHC, Brigadier George Lewis has noted that the medical staff involved in these incidents were sent on administrative leave on January 29, 2019.

Essequibians concerned about high presence of Venezuelans in region – region’s Chamber of Commerce says business folk also worried about health risks

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ue to the great influx of Venezuelans entering the country through the Charity Port, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), Essequibians are highly concerned about not only their security but also the safety of their health.

Reports are that scores of citizens from the Spanishspeaking nation are usually “lined up” at the Charity village port of entry and many of them usually take up residences in Region Two. President of the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI), Suean Seewnarayan stated that the concern about health risks to locals with the immigration of those Venezuelans was brought up at a meeting recently between the ECCI and the Police Commander of that Division, Khali Pareshram.

She explained that a businessman from Charity, who also sits on the Board of the ECCI, pointed out that in light of the recent Leptospirosis outbreak in the country, as well as the fact that the Venezuelans

entering Guyana’s borders are only given certain vaccinations, if any upon arrival, many concerns have been raised about threats to the health of Essequibians.

However, Seewnarayan pointed out that the issue is not that Venezuelans should not be allowed to seek refuge here or that they should be quarantined; residents including the business community in Region Two want to know the precautionary measures that are being taken or put in place to safeguard the health of Guyanese, especially those living in that region.

“They are people; we cannot put them out. We have to understand the state that they are coming from and so we have to be hospitable towards them. Persons are just concerned about health risks and precautionary measures as well as in the area of security since these are people we do not know or know the backgrounds of,” she emphasised.

Although there are steps that have to be taken when any Venezuelan enters Guyana, such as he/she is required to visit the police

President of the Essequibo Chambers of Commerce and Industry Suean Seewnarayan

station where they can be “registered” and given certain vaccinations, residents in Essequibo feel the need that more should be done in order to protect their health while helping the foreigners.

“From what I understand, what came out of that same meeting with Commander and with the Chamber of Commerce is that there are days when you have hundreds of persons there lining up coming into Charity and they are at the station(s). I think there is some regulation that was put in place with the police and a Government Ministry

but I think that once they come in, they have to register at a station…but to my understanding it is not like one or two but they come in by hundreds, big groups, so that is where the concerns started”, she added.

Late January of this year, Regional Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region One, Brentnol Ashley declared that the most critical issue affecting residents in Region One relates to migrants from Venezuela.

He had stressed that his region severely lacks human resources adding that there

continues to be a shortage of drugs and medical supplies as a result of the increased number of Venezuelans seeking medical and other attention.

The Regional Chairman at that time had said that taking into account the increased challenges and difficulties that officials within his region are forced to confront, the support being offered by Region Four’s health sector is greatly appreciated.

The Region One RDC

Chair also appealed to the Government to step up their security patrolling and presence at the borders, stating that of recent there has been an increased number of threats.

“We have heard that there is a plan to hijack the ferry and this resulted in the ferry having to be escorted into here a few weeks ago because there were reports that the Sindicatos were planning an attack,” Ashley had also stressed. (Kristen Macklingam)

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monday, april 8, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

More resources pumped into Sherriff St expansion project – site visit to CJIA conducted to determine readiness

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ublic Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has again expressed dissatisfaction with the slothful pace at which the Sherriff Street/ Mandela Avenue Project is being executed. He said the contractors have been urged to accelerate the works.

The works are pegged at a value of US$31.03 million, and the contract, spearheaded by Sinohydro Corporation Limited, was awarded since November, 2017.

Patterson has said his worry is in relation to the impending May-June seasonal rainfall, which might have some negative impact on the works, if not completed by then.

“The progress has been slow and somewhat disappointing. Last week, my ministry wrote to the principals of the company and asked them to send a se-

An artist’s impression of the CJIA, once completed

nior representative to us to explain the slothful progress, because I’m very mindful of the May-June rains,” Patterson iterated.

He said that a senior official of the company has met with officials of his ministry and other stakeholders, and these matters were raised.

In response, the company has pledged to inject more resources towards a timely completion of the project.

“We had frank discussions, and they have committed to present us with a revised programme of how they intend to up additional resources to ensure that they could speed up the work.

We’ve committed to review that and, in three days, respond to them. Sinohydro has committed towards putting additional resources, crew and money to boost the

work as fast as possible”, the minister explained.

The two-year project, which will cover approximately seven kilometres of road, is being funded by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and involves the relocation of utilities; the installation of lane and shoulder improvements; placement of sidewalks and paved shoulders; traffic signals, traffic signs, streetlights, drainage; a pedestrian overhead walkway; culverts, bridges, and a roundabout.

CJIA

Meanwhile, in relation to the Cheddi Jagan International (CJIA) Airport Expansion Project, a visit to the facility was scheduled for last week, to conduct inspections to determine the readiness of the facility. So far, all indications are that

Housing compound dwellers call for regularisation of Guyhoc lands

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ome 15 households located at the Guyhoc Park housing compound are calling for regularisation of the lands they have been occupying for years.

When Junior Communities Minister Valerie Adams-Yearwood, who has responsibility for Housing, visited the area recently with officials of the Central Housing and Planning Authority

(CHPA), the residents noted that some 70 persons are living in the complex.

Some of them had been assisted by the previous administration, who provided the space as a temporary setup because of social issues at that time. However, the numbers multiplied, and persons have been living at the site for many years.

One of the dwelling areas at the Guyhoc housing compound

Turn to page 13

The Sheriff Street-Mandela Avenue project

the works have been completed, and now only final rectifications are to be made.

“From what I understand, the entire place is opened up. We’re in the snag list period, and it is whereby any defects (and) rectifications are highlighted to the contractor, and he has to fix it at his own cost,” Patterson explained.

Patterson mentioned that while the contract is valid for twelve months, modifications can be made to extend the contract for a maximum of two more years, should the work remain incomplete in that timeframe.

“That’s a year, but the contract allows us to extend that for two further years, should it not be completed within that year,” he explained.

Guyana, under the PPP Administration in 2012, had secured a US$138 million loan from the China Exim (Export-Import) Bank to fund the expansion and modernisation project, into which the Guyana Government has injected some US$12 million.

However, when the coalition Government came in to power in 2015, the project was put on hold.

Following discussions between the Public Infrastructure Ministry and the contracting company, China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC), it was announced that the project would be continued, but with a reduction in its design and capacity.

The new arrivals terminal, which became operational in September 2018, has already been commended by passengers. The outstanding work includes placement of hoardings (billboards) and striping of the runway (to reduce the risk of aircraft over-shooting the runway, or over-flying during take-off).

Upon completion, the airport is expected to have four air passenger boarding bridges for arrivals and departures; a 450-seat Departure area, escalators and elevators in addition to an extended runway catering for larger categories of aircraft.

NEWS

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monday, april 8, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 1 outbreak

GMI to remain closed until “certain requirements are met” – EPA – miners to travel to China today

R

egional Health Officials on Saturday held a public meeting with residents of Matthews Ridge, North West District (NWD), to update them on the current health crisis facing the Guyana Manganese Inc (GMI) workers who fell ill while working in a tunnel in the area.

Present at the meeting were the region’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Karen Boyle, Regional

Health Officer Dr Cerdel Mc Watt and representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

It was reported that the patients are being treated and are responding to antibiotic and anti-fungal medicines and results from samples that were sent overseas for further evaluation are scheduled to be returned today.

Meanwhile, officials are making it clear that

only Chinese workers that worked in the tunnel are affected by this illness and no other residents of that or neighbouring villages have been infected. Further, GMI mining operations will remain closed until certain requirements are met and the company is given the green light by the EPA to resume operations.

Another meeting is scheduled for today in the region and the Chief

No adverse effects from mining operations on biodiversity – Guyana Goldfields ...says strict no hunting policies may be providing refuge for species

The quarantined area at the GPHC where the sick miners are being treated

Sustainability Manager Jermaine Critchlow

By Jarryl Bryan

G

uyana Goldfields maintains that not only does it practice land reclamation, but it’s strictly enforced no hunting zones may have unwittingly created safe zones for wildlife.

During a recent tour of the Aurora Gold Mines facilitated by the Canadian owned company, Sustainability Manager Jermaine Critchlow explained that they have a biodiversity monitoring programme as well as research into what effect they are actually having on the environment.

Critchlow explained that the company sets up cameras around the mining operation, which are specifically placed for capturing video and images of the different wildlife ranging from birds and ant eaters to snakes and big cats, as they interact in their natural habitat.

“The idea here is to monitor the activities of animals.

Ensure we don’t affect them, they’re not moving away.

And so far, our research shows that since 2016 we have not had a negative impact on the biodiversity in the area. They’re there and some of these pictures will show it,” Critchlow said, displaying images of several animals captured by biodiversity cameras.

“But we also need to compare it to an area that we’re not mining and we’re not active. So far, the results have shown promising. The min-

The Sipo snake, an image of which was captured as part of the monitoring programme at the location

ing is not affecting the biodiversity in the area. We also do bird surveys, to ensure we don’t affect the avian species in and around the area.”

Refugium

Critchlow also explained the concept of refugium, a natural phenomenon in which a once widespread animal population flourishes in a particular habitat with qualities that support their presence. At this point, Critchlow showed a video of several wild Otters swimming in water not far away from the mining operation.

“Refugia, basically means (on) our concession, we enforce strict no hunting, no fishing policies. Would that encourage biodiversity to increase in the area? We still have to do studies to prove this,” Critchlow said.

“That’s a giant otter. In 2009, we did a study. And we had none of these species occurring in the area from our studies. But now they are in the area. We don’t know if they’re just passing through or if they want to make it home. But this just shows that biodiversity is coming in. And because our environmental footprint is small, we’re not negatively affecting the environment.”

It was also revealed that a group of Capybaras, the world’s largest living rodent, has actually made waterways within the mining range their home. Critchlow also noted the importance of

land reclamation, which is replanting vegetation and rehabilitating mined out areas.

“Monitoring is very key.

Because we’re a 24 /7 operation, we have to keep monitoring. We need to take cognizance of the area that we’re in and respect our bio diversity and ensure we don’t negatively impact our biodiversity in this area.”

“Water quality is very key to us. We need to manage our waste properly and ensure we do land reclamation,” Critchlow said. “By doing all of this, we tie into the green state development strategy of the country.”

According to the company, it has so far reclaimed and re-vegetated 85 hectares of land. In addition, it is understood that it is developing potential green renewable energy options such as solar.

The company says it is also investigating waste disposal options with an eye to the future. Already, it employs an integrated approach of reduce, reuse and recycle, to waste disposal. It is also subject to compliance inspections, while it does its own monitoring.

At present, the company is looking to go into new territory in the form of underground mining. It has already secured clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency. Final clearance has to come from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.

Medical Officer and two Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) representatives are expected to be in attendance.

Reports are that Chinese miners presently being treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) are expected to leave for China today.

A well-placed source at the GPHC told this newspaper that doctors are of the view that the miners are not infected with Leptospirosis and their symptoms are similar to those of H1N1, however, efforts to obtain a con-

firmation from the Chief Medical Officer on Sunday were unsuccessful.

Residents of Matthews Ridge on Friday had expressed concerns over the health risks involved and are furious that health officials are not disclosing information as to the seriousness of the situation.

“Every time I see them nurse and ask about it, they keep telling me we can’t talk we ain’t want get in trouble,” one resident told this newspaper on Friday.

Several residents who reached out to this newspa-

per on Friday said that it is time that the health authorities speak to persons living in the area since they are very worried about the situation.

Another Chinese miner died on Wednesday at the Georgetown Public Hospital while several others who were brought out from the mining camp remain patients.

Chief Medical Officer of the GPHC, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, when contacted by this newspaper on Friday, said tests are still being conducted even as they await results from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) about a possible diagnosis for the patients who did not test positive for Leptospirosis. “When the results come back, whatever they are, we will disclose,” he said. He could not say when the results will return.

Meanwhile, the Ministry’s statement on Thursday confirmed that the miners died from complications associated with Leptospirosis while undergoing treatment at the GPHC. It also said that two of those patients have since been discharged after successful treatment.

Dr Shamdeo Persaud has iterated that all precautionary measures are still in place at the Matthews Ridge tunnel site and its immediate surroundings, adding that essential medical supplies are in stock to treat employees of the mining firm and residents of the area.

12 NEWS

monday, april 8, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Digicel donates to Al Madinah Islamic Academy D

uring the hosting of its 4th Annual Triple Treat event in Essequibo, Digicel Guyana visited the Al Madinah Islamic Academy where a donation of a quantity of backpacks was made.

Receiving the items was

Principal of the academy Thakechand Ramnauth, who noted that the school provides for one hundred and sixty-three students from nursery to secondary levels.

While the school is privately run and requires a fee, there are quite a num-

ber of students that come from conditions that are less than favourable. Ramnauth noted that it is possible for these students to attend school because of donors and sponsorship.

The students are spread across the Coast from

Communications Manager Vidya Sanichara hands over the donation to Principal of the academy, Thakechand Ramnauth

Charity to Supenaam.

Digicel was pleased to have had the opportunity to contribute to the educational well-being of these students. “We always welcome the opportunity to give back in whatever way we can.

The fact that we can have an impact on the lives of youth and children in communities we have a strong presence is

always heartening to us”, Communications Manager, Vidya Sanichara noted.

The Principal also stated that the donation will go a far way for some of the students that come from challenging circumstances, as this will help the school meet the needs of those students.

“We would like to thank

Digicel for thinking of us, I know it will be good for the children and I am certain that this will make them smile and help them in a large way. We are very grateful”, he added.

The backpacks will be distributed throughout the thirteen classes from nursery to secondary to those students that are in need.

13 GA-FDD conducts survey on Chinese restaurants I News

monday, april 8, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

n the past, Chinese businesses, especially restaurants have come under scrutiny for the quality of foods they prepare and sell to locals. In this regard, the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GAFDD) has conducted a survey to see how safe and clean those foods are for human consumption.

Director of the Department, Marlon Cole told Guyana Times that such

a survey had become important, especially since a Chinese restaurant is located at the corner of almost every street, not only in the capital city but in outlying areas.

Although the survey was conducted on restaurants only in Georgetown, he assured that annual inspections will be conducted on all restaurants across the country by the GA-FDD’s health officers in all 10

Administrative Regions.

Moreover, those officers will also begin investigating if a complaint is made against a food establishment.

“The public health officers in the regions would do the inspections at the Chinese restaurants and I believe it’s annual inspections and for the city it would be done by the City Public Health Department…if there is a complaint, an investigation can be launched,” Cole stated.

Housing compound dwellers...

Now the residents are calling for electricity and water to be supplied to each household, along with regularisation of the land to ascertain ownership. Many explained that they did not develop the area because their occupying the land was just a temporary solution, until another location was identified.

When Adams-Yearwood offered to move these persons to the East Coast of Demerara, only a few agreed with that suggestion. She explained that for the lands to be regularised, an assessment is needed to ensure that the area is healthy, since a sewage operation exists in close proximity.

According to her, some persons would eventually have to

move, because the area can facilitate only a limited number of households.

“There are a number of things we have to take into consideration; and moreso, you’re next to the sewage. If we’re going to regularise you, we have to take health [and] environmental situations into consideration,” Minister Adams-Yearwood told the residents.

“Some of you would have to move… The only place I can think of right now that’s available is on the East Coast…

So we have two options: those who can remain and those who would have to be moved,” she added.

At present, the houses are supplied with electricity and

from page 10

water from three utility pipes in the yard. Most of the roofs have been replaced with plastic, which require constant changing.

A few elderly persons who resided within the compound were given house lots, to which they have since relocated. The present residents have formed a committee which will work with the CH&PA in determining the next steps to improve their living conditions.

It was previously mentioned that the two main areas for land distribution are Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and on the East Coast in areas such as Mon Repos, Good Hope, Annandale, Cummings Lodge and Foulis.

The dining area of a Chinese restaurant

The findings coming out from the survey, the Director informed, should be presented and handed over soon before it gets into the public domain.

According to him, the study focused on the environmental conditions of the restaurant inclusive of the air and water quality, the sanitation of the restaurants’ surfaces and utensils and more importantly, sanitation of the hands of the workers.

Only recently, the poor

state of sanitation at some Chinese restaurants along the Corentyne Coast was discussed at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Head of the Regional Health Committee, Zamal Hussain, has said health is of paramount importance to the residents of Region Six. Guyana Times had visited restaurants along the Corentyne and found what appeared to be bat dung

swept up and left in a corner at some restaurants. The operator of that restaurant told this publication that he had been told to clean the inside and surroundings of the restaurant, and he did just that before reopening.

In another restaurant, a drum with water which had turned green was situated in front of the restaurant and there was an open urinal a few feet away.

That restaurant owner said the water was not for washing hands. According to the woman, the water in the drum is used to clean the urinal. The woman acknowledged that it was weeks since it had rained, and as such, the water had become discoloured.

At the same restaurant, the operator showed this publication a standpipe which she said was to facilitate persons with water to wash their hands.

She then turned on the tap to prove that there was running water but below the tap was a drain which was infested with maggots.

14 NEWS

monDAY, april 8, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Over $163M drainage works to commence in Georgetown

T

Drainage works being done on the La Penitence drainage channel

he National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) recently announced that a series of manual and mechanical drainage works within the capital city are expected to commence within the next few weeks.

The project is expected to cost $163 million and will increase drainage capaci-

ty and significantly reduce flooding throughout the capital city of Georgetown.

Three high capacity mobile drainage pumps will also be installed at Church Street, Sussex Street, and Ruimveldt to assist in reducing the occurrence of flooding.

The NDIA officials have stated that the contracts

have been approved for the cleaning of the city’s drainage channels, with manual cleaning operations totalling $71.9 million and mechanical cleaning operations totalling $91.6 million.

These works will be executed on the primary drainage systems in Georgetown during this year.

The NDIA will be collaborating with the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to carry out the rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of the city’s primary drainage system as this was quoted by the Agriculture Minister.

“In 2019, NDIA will be responsible for 93,421 metres of main drainage canals in Georgetown, includ-

GNBS promotes increased use of metric system in Guyana

A stretch of the channel which has been excavated up-to-date

ing the Downer/Liliendaal Pump Station Drain, South Road, and Ruimveldt North and South among others.

An allocation of GY$274 million will be spent on Georgetown drainage for 2019,” Agriculture Minister Noel Holder said.

NDIA’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Dave Hicks, said the Authority will also be involved in rehabilitating drainage channels in Georgetown. Hicks further noted that even as major works are expected to commence shortly, squatting activities continue to

obstruct works of that nature in areas such as La Penitence.

“We will also be using our equipment to rehabilitate the La Penitence South channel which is 5600 metres long. These works will be broken up into eight sections since the pontoon has to be demobilised and relaunched around bridges, main access roads and intersections… The NDIA was able to fabricate a mud bin on the pontoon and mount an excavator to carry out excavation works on the La Penitence South drainage

channel,” Hicks said.

Maintenance works will be carried out on other pumps in the capital city, which includes the seven mobile pumps and two fixed drainage pumps at Kitty and Liliendaal.

The decision to have NDIA commence drainage works in Georgetown followed the recommendations of a Cabinet Sub-committee meeting which was chaired by the Agriculture Minister and also included Ministers of Public Infrastructure and Communities respectively.

Solid Waste Director lobbies for M&CC to rename city streets

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Dr George Norton flanked by members of the GNBS, along with the Assistant Director of Sport Melissa Dow-Richardson (extreme right)

D

uring a recent meeting with Social Cohesion Minister Dr George Norton, members of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) iterated their support for the greater usage of the international system of units commonly known as the metric system.

As part of a campaign to promote the system’s usage, the meeting sought to engage Minister Norton to ensure that the metric system is more well-known within the areas of sports and journalism. This initiative seeks to encourage sports reporters to utilise the metric system when writing or broadcasting their news stories.

Minister Norton noted that while most of the sports disciplines utilise the met-

ric system, there is need for all Guyanese to familiarise themselves with the concept and adopt its usage.

“We’ve now adopted a method where all of our community engagements are attended by members of each department – Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport. That way, we are able to comprehensively address the challenges faced by each of the communities we visit. I believe that this would be an excellent forum for you to bring awareness to your campaign,” Minister Norton said.

The Minister also encouraged GNBS to seek collaboration with the Ministry of Education, since disseminating education on, and promoting, the use of the metric system by the young-

er generation would be tremendously impactful.

During the meeting, held at the Minister’s Main Street office, the GNBS team was given opportunity to be part of the Ministry’s various community outreach programmes, including its Social Cohesion Sensitisation sessions and its Diversity Education and Inclusion training.

The team included Chairperson of the National Standards Council, Ms. Carole Fletcher; Deputy Director/ Acting Executive Director of GNBS, Ms. Ramrattie Karan; Head of Marketing and Communication, Mr. Syeid Ibrahim; Executive Assistant, Ms. Shaneika Haynes; and Public Relations Officer Mr. Lloyd David.

he Solid Waste M a n a g e m e n t Director, Walter Narine, has lobbied for the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to consider renaming the city streets in honour of past Mayors in time for Independence celebrations in May. Speaking with Guyana Times, the Director made reference to the importance of having the streets renamed to keep the legacy of those leaders alive but more so, to honour their respective contribution to the Georgetown municipality.

In fact, he even said, “I’m sure if I ask you to name five past Mayors in Georgetown you wouldn’t be able to tell me that without doing research so it’s just something to preserve our history and give our city its own identity”.

Narine further explained that many city streets, such as America Street, is just one example of a coincidental name without any meaning and thought that naming such streets after past Mayors will have more significance.

He hopes to take this idea to the Social Development

Solid Waste Management Director Walter Narine

Committee soon as a proposal to be vetted and hopefully implemented.

Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan had also announced that he has plans to rename the 10 Administrative Regions of Guyana.

Last year, Bulkan told Guyana Times that he has been in contact with regional officials, whom he has been urging to carry out consultations. He noted that the sooner those consultations are carried out, the better would be the prospects of Government determining its next move in re-

gard to the idea.

“Those consultations are actually the principal responsibility of the respective regional officers. I am continuously in contact with those RDCs, urging them to complete the consultations within their regions, [in order] to be able to make a determination [in regard to] whether those regions want to retain the names they currently have, or if those regions would like to have a different name. For instance, the Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo region is commonly referred to as the Rupununi,” he explained.

“So the opportunity is being offered to residents all around Guyana to make a determination — out of a consultative process — if they want to keep their existing names or [adopt] a name they have ownership of. We would like to see the exercise completed sooner rather than later but we are committed to allowing the democratic process to prevail. So all I can do is urge the respective RDCs to seek to conclude this process, so the Administration can take it from there,” Minister Bulkan detailed.

Jay & Sylvia Sobhraj Centre for Behavioural Sciences and Research to open soon

T

he much-anticipated opening of the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Centre of Behavioural Sciences and Research at the University of Guyana Campus, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, is soon to be officially opened.

The construction of the centre was completed a few weeks ago by Buddy’s Construction, a local general construction company, but the next step will be the furnishing of the building.

The Foundation, after spending millions of dollars in the Information Technology sector, working with Government insti-

The Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Centre of Behavioural Sciences and Research

tutions such as the Guyana Police Force and NGOs to provide free computer training to the public while simultaneously working in New York with the public schools

by enhancing their existing computer centers, has embarked in assisting the mental health sector in Guyana.

During construction, Dr Jay

Sobhraj increased the donation to ensure that the quality of the construction is not compromised.

Many who witnessed the construction, including the university staff, had an opportunity to see the inside of the building after completion and were impressed with the design and quality of the construction, while students cannot wait to start using the facility.

The newly-designed Centre will accommodate a psychology department, lecture halls, a clinical psychology clinic, a student medical centre, a student gym, a bookstore, students’ religious offices, and a

food court. The building was designated for use by the Psychology majors and will also be used for other majors such as Engineering, Science and Liberal Arts.

In March 2018, Founder of the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation, a US-based Guyanese entrepreneur, Dr Jay Sobhraj, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Guyana worth approximately $80 million to renovate an existing building known on the University campus as the “Spicy Dish” building.

15

news

monday, april 8, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say

I SAY...

Should causing death by dangerous driving while under the influence of alcohol become a non-bailable offence?

Jeanelle Fredericks “It should be a non-bailable offence because persons are constantly dying because of drunk drivers. A lot of people misuse their driving privilege and others are injured because of their inability to control the vehicles without a sober mind.”

Ignatius Hernãndez “This particular charge involves the life of someone and for me, I think persons who face this type of charge shouldn’t be granted bail because of recklessness. They have caused someone to lose their life...and if the person who commits the act, by getting bail there is no guarantee the dead person can get justice and it also, in a sense, can make others out there think that it isn’t a big deal to knock someone down and get off by bail. Too much people are dying in this horrific way and it must be stopped by making this offence one that is not bailable.”

Jared Dickinson “Alcohol does a lot of damage to the nervous system and other integral organs.

Drivers know this and yet they drive under the influence of alcohol. Because of this, they should be held completely responsible for any accidents.”

Emily Hendricks “Whether driving under the influence of alcohol or not, someone should not be bypassed for killing someone as a result of their negligence, therefore, I believe that causing death by dangerous driving should not be a bailable offence because there is someone who lost their father, mother or child and needs justice for them. Persons who face this offence should face the consequences for the act.”

Tanisha Petty “Yes, it should because killing someone on the roadway while intoxicated is just as good as murder and should be treated as such.”

Athisha Doobay “Yes, it should. No one should be driving under the influence of alcohol, it’s dangerous and stupid. They may not be able to see what’s on the road, it could be anyone and to think about that makes people don’t want to go out because they are scared of what might happen and kids shouldn’t be in fear of walking to school or going to the shop for their mom, they should be able to feel safe and that drivers respect pedestrians, it’s important that drivers do that. So drunk driving is unacceptable.”

Anthony Medas “People who drink and drive know that they are putting their life and that of others in danger and they still do it, so yes, they should suffer the consequences and be remanded.”

Mohammed Deen “Of course, it should never be bailable. Such a charge should be indictable.

You should be charged right away. No remand and trial and wasting of the court’s time.”

Dhanpaul Gangadin “No. Its two different charges, they have a family and it can take a toll on the individual. If you try to do that, you’re removing grace. What would we be without grace?”

Local NGO hosts spring fashion show, empowerment conference

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A few of the presenters at the conference

newly-formed organisation, Empowering to Lead with Confidence (ELC), on Sunday hosted the first of its kind runway show that saw the participation of both local and international speakers.

The presentations focused on empowering individuals to live a life of purpose in order to build a generation of men and women who understand their worth and who are unwilling to compromise their character and uniqueness for the appeasement of oth-

ers.

The event was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, where one of the International spokespersons, Sebrena Sumarah Kelly, who is a global ambassador, speaker, TV and radio host, explained that her words are used to guide and more so, on how to implement her teachings in their lives.

She highlighted that in the USA, she was brought up in a business environment and was never afraid of competition.

“I am in competition

with myself”, therefore, information that was given to the audience was from her “life experience”. “We must always remember to [do] three things; to embrace yourself, embracing your all, and embracing your authentic view,” Kelly said.

Meanwhile, Krystal Tomlinson, an author, empowerment speaker and TV host, who also spoke at the conference, explained her theme “unleashing the power of you,” which she interpreted to mean “getting into beast mode” whereby “people need to move in a direc-

A section of the participants at the conference on Sunday evening

tion to transform their lives by providing actionable steps”.

Tomlinson further stated that “we need to get up, get moving and kill fear” adding key points on how to succeed in life “choice, focus, no and La Grenouille” she said. In closing, she revealed that a high perform-

er is not afraid to be wrong and urged persons to carry that perspective through life.

After the conference, there was the unleashing of a spring fashion show, followed by a few performances and networking cocktail.

Further, part of the proceeds of this event will help

to provide art and music supplies to underprivileged children and schools.

The event is the first of its kind to be hosted and, therefore, it is expected to be an annual event which features local and international stylists, makeup artists along with other sponsors and stakeholders.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, APRIL 8, 2019

Regional

Brazil bridge collapses in Pará Thousands rally in state after ferryboat crash Brazil to protest Lula’s first year in prison A ferryboat has collided with a bridge in Brazil’s northern state of Pará, plunging a 200 metres (657 feet) section into the Moju River.

Witnesses said two small cars fell into the water after the ship crashed into one of the pillars.

It is unclear, however, how many people have been hurt and scuba divers are searching the river. Five crew members on the ship are said to have survived.

Pará governor Helder Barbalho signed a state of emergency after the accident.

“Our priority is searching for victims and giving complete support to their families”, he told state media.

Barbalho posted footage of the 860 metre-long collapsed bridge on Twitter.

The bridge in the country’s Amazon region leads to one of Brazil’s busiest ports, Belém. Authorities are working to clear debris from the river and have set up a number of barges to ferry residents across the water until it can be fixed, while placing warning signs on pillars of other bridges nearby.

S

Aerial footage showed the aftermath of the collapse

Local media reported that an inspection of the bridge earlier this year revealed corrosion on the pillars. While the Government requested emergency funds to fix the problem, it reportedly did not consider the issue serious enough to close the route.

Police are investigating whether

the ship was officially registered, the Associated Press says. Authorities told Reuters news agency the collapse could affect shipments of produce through northern ports. In 2014, a vessel collided with the pillar of another bridge nearby, causing about 50m of it to collapse into the water. (BBC News)

"Air Cocaine" pilots sentenced to 6 years in drug smuggling trial

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wo former air force pilots have been sentenced to six years in prison by a French court after 26 suitcases stashed with cocaine were found on board their plane in The Dominican Republic.

The Frenchmen, Pascal Fauret and Bruno Odos, fled the country following the raid and were rearrested in France. A further five people have also been handed sentences for their involvement. Ringleader Ali Bouchareb was given 18 years in prison. His accomplice Frank Colin was handed a 12-year sentence. Two others were acquitted after the seven-week trial.

The case, dubbed “Air Cocaine” was reported in March 2013 when police in the Dominican beach resort

From left: Pascal Fauret (right) and Bruno Odos (centre) fled the Dominican Republic after narcotics were found on their plane. The cocaine was found in neat packages inside suitcases on board the aircraft

of Punta Cana opened suitcases on board a Falcon jet to find them stuffed with 680kg of cocaine.

The plane was grounded as it was about to leave for Saint-Tropez in the south of France, and the two pilots and two passengers were arrested. But while on bail, Fauret and Odos fled the country. They were rearrest-

ed in November 2015 upon their return to the French mainland.

All four denied knowing that the suitcases were filled with narcotics. However a judge in The Dominican Republic ruled that they were responsible for what was on board their plane and sentenced them in absentia to 20 years in jail.

C

At the time of the arrest in France, the pilots’ lawyer said they had returned to France “not to flee justice but to seek justice”. Five French magistrates deliberated the case for 11 hours before handing down their verdict on Friday.

Relatives of Fauret could be heard shouting “we will not leave you there Pascal”, Le Monde reported. (BBC News)

Carolina Vera, 13, rides on a boat through a flooded street in the Villa Colorada neighbourhood, in Asuncion, Paraguay, Friday, April 5, 2019. More than 20,000 people in Paraguay have been evacuated after torrential rains caused extensive flooding

state, meteorologists say 6.4 inches (162.3 millimetres) of rain fell on the city of Granja so far in April.

That’s flooded the Coreau River. Meteorologists say rains are expected to continue through Friday.

In Paraguay, emergency officials say about 20,000 people have been forced to evacuate homes in recent days due to rising waters of the Paraguay River, which originates in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul.

(MSN)

Air Canada makes emergency landing in Barbados after passenger dies

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ens of his most fervent supporters have carried on a vigil since the day of his arrest. They sing to him every morning at nine o’clock, and wish him a “Buenos noches” every evening at 19:00h.

Organisers said the event Sunday drew 10,000 people, though the military Police put the total at 3000 to 5000.

Similar rallies in other cities, including Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte, as well as in some other countries, were called to protest the continuing imprisonment of Lula, the popular patriarch of the Brazilian left, who is serving a 12-year sentence – and potentially faces 12 more years if additional charges are confirmed.

The former President (2003-2010) was convicted of corruption and money laundering for his role in the Petrobras scandal involving massive pilfering from the state oil company. (Yahoo! News)

UNC leader calls for domestic violence fund

Storms kill 3 in Brazil; 20,000 evacuated in Paraguay ivil defence officials say heavy rains in North-eastern Brazil have killed at least three people and displaced 3600, while apparently unrelated flooding far to the south in Paraguay has forced some 20,000 people from their homes.

About three inches (77 millimetres) of rain fell overnight in the Piaui state capital of Teresina, flooding a neighbourhood and killing three.

In neighbouring Ceara

everal thousand supporters of former Brazilian President Lula Inacio da Silva rallied on Sunday outside the prison where he has now been held for a year, as they demanded his release and chanted slogans against current leader Jair Bolsonaro.

In a letter read by Workers’ Party President Gleisi Hoffmann, Lula, who is 73, insisted that his conviction on corruption charges was “unjust,” designed expressly to prevent him from returning to the presidency.

Lula’s supporters had gathered early Sunday at a bus station two kilometers (1.2 miles) away before marching to the headquarters of the Federal Police, which also houses Lula’s prison.

They mixed chants of “Free Lula!” with shouts denouncing the extreme rightwing Bolsonaro. Just a few meters from Lula’s cell, doz-

n Air Canada flight was forced to make an emergency landing at the Grantley Adams International Airport on Saturday, following a medical emergency in which 94-year-old German man died on board.

The authorities report that flight AC 1724 from Montréal-Trudeau International to Barbados was met by emergency services. It’s reported that the man – Heinrch Hamelbeck was seated next to his 84-year-old wife Edith, when he moved to use the bath-

room.

After he was gone for a while, his wife went to check on him and found him unresponsive in the bathroom.

Police said that Hamelbeck died aboard the flight 1725 – as a result, its departure was cancelled. (Jamaica Observer)

T&T Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar

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rinidad and Tobago’s (T&T) Opposition Leader Kamla PersadBissessar is proposing the establishment of a domestic violence fund and a special police unit to help victims of abuse.

Speaking at the Spiritual Baptist Community South East’s Liberation Day celebrations in Princes Town, she said they were among measures that would be undertaken by PersadBissessar-led government will initiate.

Speaking on the theme ‘Abuse me with love! Domestic violence is wrong’, the United National Congress (UNC) political leader said T&T’s domestic violence statistics are alarming, as between 2008 and 2019, 165 women had been killed.

“These statistics are cause for deep concern.

Women no longer feel safe in their homes, on the streets, at their jobs or while doing everyday activities,” she said.

Persad-Bissessar cit-

ed a 2017 Inter-American Development Bank survey on women’s health in T&T which stated that one in three women have experienced violence by an intimate partner.

According to the reports, many women remained quiet and did not seek or receive assistance and the existing infrastructure for women who want to leave abusive relationships is inadequate and does not provide the level of solace and safety.

The Opposition Leader appealed to citizens to stand in support of survivors and referred to the case of Penal resident Leisha Ramnath, 39, who was strangled and beaten to death by a close relative.

“That story broke my heart,” she said, adding that survivors need social protection and financial support, a safe place to live, among other services.

PersadBissessar also highlighted the need for safe houses, intervention centres, free legal counselling and greater awareness of the issue. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, APRIL 8, 2019

17

Around the World

Pakistan says it has intelligence Libya crisis: Fighting near of new Indian attack this month Tripoli leaves 21 dead

P

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi

akistan has “reliable intelligence” that India will attack again this month, its Foreign Minister said, drawing condemnation from New Delhi which described the claim as irresponsible.

He said on Sunday that an attack could take place between April 16 and 20, adding that Pakistan had told the five permanent members of the UN Security

Council of its concerns.

Earlier on Sunday, Pakistan summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner to protest against any “misadventure”, Pakistani Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said in a tweet.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi did not elaborate on what evidence Pakistan had or how he could be so specific with the timing, but he said

Prime Minister Imran Khan had agreed to share the information with the country.

Khan blamed India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for “whipping up war hysteria” over claims that India shot down a Pakistani plane during the February standoff.

The standoff led Pakistan to close its airspace but most commercial air traffic has since resumed and major airports have opened.

As strains between the two neighbours apparently eased, Pakistan said on Friday it would release 360 Indian prisoners this month.

The first hundred were released on Sunday.

Because relations are so rocky, prisoners who have completed jail terms, many of them fishermen convicted of straying into each other’s territory, often languish in prison for months, if not years, afterwards. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Forces from Misrata arrived in Tripoli to defend it from rebel troops

L

ibya’s UN-backed Government said 21 people have been killed and 27 wounded in fighting near the capital, Tripoli.

Earlier, the UN appealed for a two-hour truce so casualties and civilians could be evacuated, but fighting continued.

Rebel forces under General Khalifa Haftar have advanced from the east with the aim of taking Tripoli.

Prime Minister Fayez

al-Serraj has accused him of attempting a coup and said rebels will be met with force.

General Haftar’s forces said they had lost 14 fighters.

International powers have begun evacuating personnel from Libya amid the worsening security situation.

Libya has been torn by violence and political instability since long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed in 2011.

General Haftar’s Libyan

National Army (LNA) forces have been carrying out a multi-pronged attack from the south and west of the city since Thursday.

The UN said its call for a humanitarian truce had been ignored and emergency services said they had not been able to enter the areas where fighting was taking place.

On Sunday the LNA said it had carried out its first air strike, a day after the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) hit them with air strikes on Saturday.

Fighting has continued around the disused international airport south of the capital that General Haftar earlier said his forces had seized.

Forces loyal to the GNA have slowed the advance and on Sunday a GNA spokesman told Al-Jazeera TV that the GNA now intended to “cleanse” the whole of the country. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Iran rebukes US over rumoured Thousands of Sudanese protesters hold second IRGC “terrorist” designation day of sit-in outside Bashir’s compound

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I

ranian officials have cautioned the United States against pushing ahead with a rumoured move to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a “terrorist” group, warning it could destabilise the region and draw a tit-for-tat response.

Seen as part of a broader effort to make good on US President Donald Trump’s vow to take a tougher line against Iran, the proposal would - if implemented mark an unprecedented step against an entire institution of a foreign Government.

On Sunday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said such a measure was “another US disaster” in the making, and warned of the consequences it could have.

Separately, the IRGC’s Commander, Mohammad Ali Jafari said US troops stationed in the Middle East would “lose their current status of ease and serenity” should Washington go ahead with “such foolishness” and warned of a “re-

The IRGC is estimated to have 125,000 personnel, comprised of army, navy and air units [File: AFP]

ciprocal move” from Tehran.

Jafari’s remarks coincided with a statement issued by a majority of Iranian legislators confirming that the country’s Parliament would respond-in-kind to any shift

by Washington, according to a report by Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.

Iran’s most powerful security organisation, the IRGC was set up to protect the country’s Shia clerical ruling system after its 1979

Islamic Revolution, which toppled the Western-allied secular monarch Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and led to the formation of the Islamic Republic.

The force is in charge of Iran’s ballistic missiles and nuclear programmes, and answers directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It is estimated to have 125,000 personnel, comprised of army, navy and air units. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Jewish Labour Movement passes motion of no-confidence in Corbyn

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he Jewish Labour Movement, which is affiliated to Britain’s main opposition Labour Party, passed a motion of no-confidence in party leader Jeremy Corbyn on Sunday over his handling of anti-Semitism complaints, Sky News reported.

Corbyn, a veteran campaigner for Palestinian rights and a critic of the

Israeli Government, has long been accused of failing to tackle anti-Semitism in the Labour Party.

Several lawmakers quit the party this year in protest against what they said was rising anti-Semitism within it and because they oppose Labour’s position on Brexit.

Corbyn has promised to drive anti-Semitism out of Labour, and earli-

er on Sunday, the Party’s Legal Policy Chief Shami Chakrabarti urged the Jewish Labour Movement to “stay in Labour and to tackle racism together”.

“My plea to the Jewish Labour Movement is ... not to personalise it and make it about Jeremy Corbyn because he is one person and he won’t be leader forever,” she told Sky. (Excerpt from Reuters)

housands of protesters held a sit-in outside Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir’s residence in central Khartoum on Sunday, and crowds chanting anti-Government slogans filled several main streets, witnesses said.

Sudan has seen sustained protests against Bashir and his National Congress Party since December 19. Security forces have fired tear gas, stun grenades and live bullets to disperse protesters and dozens have been killed during demonstrations.

Bashir has refused to step down, saying that his opponents need to seek power through the ballot box.

On Sunday evening, dozens of demonstrations took place in the Sudanese capital, eyewitnesses said. Protesters marched in several streets of central Khartoum, setting fire to car tyres and blocking a main road, a Reuters witness said. Demonstrators also blocked a bridge that connects Khartoum and Khartoum North. No police officers or other security forces personnel could be seen, eyewitnesses said.

Sudan earlier suffered a total power blackout, the Water Resources, Irrigation and Electricity Ministry said without explaining the cause of the outage.

Electricity was later re-

stored in some areas.

Since the sit-in began outside of the presidential residence on Saturday, security forces had fired tear gas several times in an attempt to clear the protesters, but thousands remained on Sunday.

The protesters urged the military to side with them once more in their bid to push Bashir out of power.

The sit-in outside the compound appeared to mirror 2011 Arab Spring protests, in which demonstrators in Cairo and other Arab capitals camped out in public squares for days to demand a change in rule. (Excerpt from Reuters)

‘Never again’: 25 years on, Rwanda commemorates genocide victims

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wanda has begun 100 days of mourning to commemorate the 25th anniversary of a genocide that tore the small country apart and left close to a million people dead.

President Paul Kagame and several other Heads of State on Sunday laid wreaths and attended the lighting of the flame of remembrance at the Kigali Genocide Memorial to signal the start of the mourning period, which coincides with the duration of the brutal campaign of killings in 1994.

The memorial in the capital houses the remains of more than a quarter of a million people who lost their lives in the slaughter.

“Fear and anger have been replaced by the energy and

Rwanda’s flame of remembrance will burn for 100 days, the time it took in 1994 for 800,000 Rwandans to be massacred [Baz Ratner/Reuters]

purpose that drives us forward - young and old,” Kagame said during the commemoration ceremony in Kigali, adding that his country will never repeat past mistakes that led to the genocide.

On April 6, 1994, a plane carrying then-Rwan-

dan President Juvenal Habyarimana was shot down as it prepared to land in Kigali.

Everyone on board, including Cyprien Ntaryamira, the President of neighbouring Burundi, were killed. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, APRIL 8, 2019

ARCHIE

You’ll make the best impression by avoiding gossip, (March 21- indulgent behavior and overreApril 19) action. Fitness, hands-on help and a positive attitude will be what attract the people you want to associate with.

ARIES

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Don’t be too quick to make someone a promise. Find out exactly what’s expected before you commit to something that may infringe on your time or privacy, or deplete your bank account.

CANCER

You know what’s best for yourself, so don’t let someone take charge or pressure you to do something you don’t want to do. Nurture relationships that are positive and prosperous.

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

(TROCHES: TRO-kees: Small medicinal lozenges.)

Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 44 or more words in TROCHES? The list will be published tomorrow.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

YESTERDAY’S WORD — BINAURAL

ulna urban urinal rail rain rani ruin lain

Choose your battles carefully. Concentrate on getting along with others and getting things done, not on wasting time arguing. Concentrate on personal improvement, keeping the peace and enjoying life.

Expand your mind, improve your friendships and take better care of your emotional and physical well-being. Don’t neglect your responsibilities or take on more than you can handle.

Surround yourself with people you connect with personally, physically and emotionally. The changes you bring about in collaboration with people who share your vision will encourage you to be more active and get more done.

trying to manipulate you. Truth matters, so recognize when you are being misled.

Average mark 33 words

bruin burial burl burn nail aria aura aural

Uncertainty will surface if drama or an emotional situation arises. Refuse to give in to someone prompting you to make a snap decision that could be risky or costly.

Execute your plans passionSAGITTARIUS ately and trust in your talent (Nov. 23- and abilities. Walk away from Dec. 21) anyone playing mind games or

TODAY’S WORD — TROCHES

bail banal barn blain blur brail brain bran

If you follow your heart, you will find your way to victory. Only express your thoughts and feelings to those you know you can trust. Moderation should be adopted.

lair lanai liar lira lunar

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Change your lifestyle to suit your needs in order to feel happy about your future. The past will reveal exactly what you need to know to make the best choice.

Put your heart and soul into doing things that will make your home more inviting and convenient. Selfimprovement, fitness and proper eating habits are favored.

Use your imagination to help you become more efficient, well-rounded and on top of your game. A positive change shouldn’t cost a lot or cause stress. Do what you feel works best for you.

monday, APRIL 8, 2019

19

VIVO IPL Edition 12…

Iyer’s 67 consigns RCB to sixth straight defeat

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oyal Challengers Bangalore slumped to their sixth straight loss in IPL 2019.

They first struggled to 149, and then saw Shreyas Iyer wallop 67 after a costly let-off on a twopaced pitch. This knock helped Delhi Capitals overcome a late wobble to secure a four-wicket win. It was their third win in six games this season.

Virat Kohli managed to face just 33 balls for his 41 despite staying at the crease until the 18th over, before falling to Kagiso Rabada to start a triplewicket over. This ensured Royal Challengers didn’t get a finishing kick.

Tim Southee struck three balls into the chase to give Royal Challengers a spark with the ball. They should have had Iyer off the last ball of his first, but for a costly fumble by Parthiv Patel, who reacted late.

Prithvi Shaw took the attack to him in the next over by hitting him for four successive fours and Iyer went on to hit his first half-century of the season to take Capitals to within striking distance. They lost two more wickets to induce some nerves, but Axar Patel finished off the chase by hitting a boundary with seven balls to spare.

3

SCOREBOARD

RCB recorded their 6th consecutive loss

became Rabada’s first victim of the day on the last ball of the Powerplay. He miscued a slower delivery to Colin Ingram, who pouched a catch running back from mid-on.

Marcus Stoinis, promoted to No. 4, tried to flat bat Axar Patel over long-on but couldn’t Sherays Iyer

Ice Kohl’d Kohli was nearly out to the first ball he faced when Chris Morris got one to rise off a length. The thick edge flew wide of Shikhar Dhawan at slip, but he couldn’t capitalise on the let off and was pinned off strike for much of the next 90 minutes as batsmen came and went. He faced just 33 of 103 RCB’s deliveries during his time at the crease.

Parthiv slashed Morris to third man, where Sandeep Lamichhane took a sharp catch running forward to end the second over. AB de Villiers then

clear Rahul Tewatia in the 11th.

Moeen Ali showed a bit of intent against Lamichhane, charging him for one of three sixes in his 32 off 18 but was then stumped failing to read a googly.

Kohli’s strike rate remained under 100 at the start of Lamichhane’s final over in the 17th as he struggled to generate any rhythm from the lack of strike. He swatted Lamichhane twice over the leg side for six, but was out soon after to Rabada as Royal Challengers tumbled.

Rabada on a roll De Villiers wasn’t his only scalp. Rabada, who was later named Player of the Match, returned to start a devastating 18th over. Kohli skied a drive to Iyer at long-on. Two balls later, he had Akshdeep Nath caught behind after he tried to steer a length ball past the wicketkeeper. Only a ball earlier, he managed to dab it wide of the wicketkeeper for a boundary. The over ended with Pawan Negi failing in an attempt to ramp a short ball over Rishabh Pant. This left Royal Challengers on 138 for 7.

Rabada couldn’t seal the deal on what would have been

Royal Challengers Bangalore Innings (20 overs maximum) PA Patel † c Lamichhane b Morris 9 V Kohli (c) c Iyer b Rabada 41 AB de Villiers c Ingram b Rabada 17 MP Stoinis c Tewatia b Patel 15 MM Ali st †Pant b Lamichhane 32 AD Nath c †Pant b Rabada 19 P Negi c †Pant b Rabada 0 TG Southee not out 9 Mohammed Siraj lbw b Morris 1 YS Chahal not out 1 Extras (lb 1, nb 1, w 3) 5 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 7.45) 149-8 Did not bat: NA Saini Fall of wickets: 1-16 (PA Patel, 1.6 ov), 2-40 (AB de Villiers, 5.6 ov), 3-66 (MP Stoinis, 10.4 ov), 4-103 (MM Ali, 14.3 ov), 5-133 (V Kohli, 17.1 ov), 6-137 (AD Nath, 17.3 ov), 7-138 (P Negi, 17.6 ov), 8-142 (Mohammed Siraj, 18.6 ov) BOWLING I Sharma (4-0-31-0) CH Morris (4-0-28-2) K Rabada (4-0-21-4) AR Patel (4-0-22-1)

his maiden T20 five-for in the 20th over, but he still only managed to concede just seven runs to complete a sterling spell and ensure the first innings total was well under par.

Aye aye Iyer Royal Challengers fluffed four chances in a wretched display against Rajasthan Royals. While the quantity of let-offs was far fewer here, the quality of the batsman they let off here didn’t help them. Iyer added 63 after being dropped on four as he got a thick edge to Parthiv.

Iyer was squared up as he nicked but Parthiv was flat-

S Lamichhane (4-0-46-1) Delhi Capitals Innings (target: 150 runs from 20 overs) PP Shaw c Nath b Negi 28 S Dhawan c Saini b Southee 0 SS Iyer (c) c Chahal b Saini 67 CA Ingram lbw b Ali 22 RR Pant † c Southee b Siraj 18 CH Morris c de Villiers b Saini 0 AR Patel not out 4 R Tewatia not out 1 Extras (lb 5, nb 1, w 6) 12 TOTAL (18.5 Overs, RR: 8.07) 152-6 Yet to bat: K Rabada, I Sharma, S Lamichhane Fall of wickets: 1-1 (S Dhawan, 0.3 ov), 2-69 (PP Shaw, 8.2 ov), 3-108 (CA Ingram, 13.1 ov), 4-145 (SS Iyer, 17.3 ov), 5-145 (CH Morris, 17.6 ov), 6-147 (RR Pant, 18.2 ov) BOWLING TG Southee (2-0-24-1) NA Saini (4-0-24-2) YS Chahal (4-0-36-0) P Negi (3-0-27-1) M Siraj (1.5-0-14-1) MM Ali (4-0-22-1)

footed behind the stumps.

Despite covering the necessary ground diving right he shelled a one-handed chance.

It was the only life Iyer needed as he went on to compile a 37-ball half-century, including 68 for the second wicket with Prithvi Shaw. By the 15th over, the target was under a run a ball and despite the trio of wickets that fell in a flurry sparked by Shreyas’ dismissal in the 18th, Capitals won convincingly.

Most drops, most no-balls: RCB top the wrong tables Let’s be blunt here. Royal Challengers have been most

disappointing this season when it comes to getting the basics right.

Two parameters on which that statement is based: drops and no-balls. Kohli’s team tops both lists. Including the drop of Delhi Capitals’ captain Iyer in the first over on Sunday, Royal Challengers have dropped a total of 14 catches, the most by any team. Before Sunday, despite being in pole position against Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers dropped four chances before Andre Russell hurt them at the death.

A few of those dropped catches have been difficult opportunities, but not the catch of Iyer. Tim Southee had been blasted by Andre Russell two evenings back, but started well by having Shikhar Dhawan caught straightaway. Southee might have had two wickets in the same over, but keeper Parthiv Patel, having moved to the wrong side initially, failed to latch on to the thick outside edge against an away swinger.

Iyer was on 4 then, and went on to make a match-winning 67.

Also, Royal Challengers’ ground-fielding has been a massive pain point: they’ve had as many as 17 misfields and overthrows so far, joint-most alongside Delhi Capitals.

Now on to the no-balls, another basic. No-balls can hurt as they result in free hits, which give sleepless nights to bowlers.

Overall, Royal Challengers have bowled 6 no-balls, the most in this IPL, resulting in 24 free runs. Analysing the Knight Riders’ defeat, AB de Villiers noted this in his newspaper column on Sunday: “We should not be bowling three no-balls and eight wides in an innings.

We should not be dropping catches. We should not be faltering under pressure.” (ESPN Cricinfo)

Deulofeu double takes Watford into FA Cup final

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or Watford, all had seemed lost. Two-nil down and seemingly out of ideas, the dream of only a second FA Cup final appearance in their 121year history was not so much as on the rocks as being dashed against them. Their fans cherish the memory of when Graham Taylor took them to the Wembley showpiece in 1984, even if they lost to Everton. It looked as though there would be no repeat.

Yet Javi Gracia and his players simply refused to lose, to buy into the script that had Wolves continuing their fairytale season with a march into the final against Manchester City. It took a moment of magic to revive them and one of the highest drama to force extra-time. And, with the tide of a tumultuous semi-final turned, there was a degree of inevitability about the winning goal, which was scored by Gerard Deulofeu.

The Spaniard was the Watford hero. On as a 66th-minute substitute as his team trailed to goals from Matt Doherty and Raúl Jiménez, he summoned a superlative chip from the left-hand side of the area into the far, top corner – a celebration of the technique that once marked him as a Barcelona wonderkid – to give his team hope. It was a goal that looked better with each replay. Deulofeu’s calculations were perfect, down to the degree of spin that he put on the ball.

It was the prelude to a last-gasp equaliser from the penalty spot – converted by Troy Deeney – which so deflated Wolves. The award was correct because Leander Dendoncker did catch Deeney but it still had to be ratified by VAR after a hearts-in-mouths delay.

Deulofeu had brought the fantasy. In extra-time he delivered the ruthlessness, playing a one-two with Andre Gray, racing away from Conor Coady and angling a cool, low finish into the far corner. The joy of the Watford support knew no bounds.

The misery belonged to Wolves. They had been able almost to touch a first FA Cup final appearance since they won the trophy for the fourth time in 1960 and the brutal turnaround was almost impossible to digest. In the coming days they will try to remember how their first season back in the Premier League under Nuno Espírito Santo has been a triumph. But that did

Raul Jimenez scores Wolves’ second goal against Watford with a fine volley

not dull the pain here.

Raul Jimenez scores Wolves’ second goal against Watford with a fine volley. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA At full-time players from both sides sank to their knees, overwhelmed by the emotion and for Gracia, the calm and understated Watford manager, it added up to the first final of his career. City will start as the strong favourites but, after this, who could truly bet against Watford winning a first major trophy?

The atmosphere pulsed throughout, although initially it was tight, with no hint of the craziness to come. The fans had to wait until the 32nd minute for the first big chance and it was an agonising moment for Gray and the Watford support when he lifted it over the crossbar from close range. The delivery from Deeney was lovely and the Wolves defensive inquest was about to start because Gray had found yards of space and was confronted by only John Ruddy. He got the volley all wrong. Might the header have been a better option?

Wolves had flickered at the outset but they imposed themselves after the Gray miss. Dendoncker let fly from 25 yards and when the shot deflected off Craig Cathcart, Heurelho Gomes had to make an acrobatic save. From

the ensuing corner Wolves went ahead. João Moutinho worked it short for Diogo Jota and when he crossed Doherty darted inside from the far post and Abdoulaye Doucouré did not go with him. Doherty’s seventh goal of a magnificent season was the simplest of headers.

Jota was a menace to Watford and he almost extended the lead on 39 minutes only to curl the ball beyond the far post. Watford, though, fashioned the chance to equalise in first-half stoppage time after Deeney nodded down for Gray. He worked the shot goalwards this time yet Coady threw himself into a vital block.

Gracia sprang a surprise with his tactics. He asked Roberto Pereyra to occupy the spaces behind Deeney and Gray, who was chosen ahead of Deulofeu. Gracia’s usual 4-4-2 became a 4-3-1-2. He wanted Pereyra to create but, equally, to harass Ruben Neves when the Wolves midfielder sought to get his team playing. When Gracia swapped Will Hughes for Deulofeu, he did not change his system.

It is usually intriguing when two counter-attacking teams meet and this was no exception. Who would take the initiative? It was Watford who pressed on to the front foot, it was they that hogged possession yet Wolves were dangerous on the break, particularly after Doherty’s goal.

Nuno stuck with the 3-5-2 system that has powered his team in recent months; Wolves did what they have come to know best and they took control in the early part of the second half. Jiménez had a couple of sightings, Neves curled a free-kick just wide and first Craig Cathcart and then José Holebas were booked for fouls on Jota, whose pace and directness were too much, at times, for the Watford defence.

The tie seemed over when Jiménez took a touch on his chest under pressure before pivoting to crash a volley into the bottom corner. The chance had been created when Moutinho played a free-kick square for Doherty to change the angle of attack and the full-back dropped his cross into the danger zone. VAR replays showed that Jiménez was level with Kiko Femenía. The story from the Watford point of view, however, was just about to begin. (The Guardian)

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MONday, APRIL 8, 2019

Jagielka strikes early to secure victory against Arsenal

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ust when it seemed Arsenal had discovered the resolve and momentum to propel themselves into next season’s Champions League they reverted to being, well, Arsenal. The old flaws of recent years, particularly weakness in character and defence, resurfaced at Goodison Park to ruin Unai Emery’s hopes of leaving with his team’s grip tightened on third place.

Everton were far more comfortable victors than the scoreline suggests. Phil Jagielka, a late inclusion in Marco Silva’s starting lineup, pounced early to give the home side a third consecutive win and a second in succession at home against a member of the so?called big six. Silva’s side were dynamic, industrious and resilient in every department as they kept a fifth clean sheet in six outings. Arsenal were found wanting on every count.

With one away win in the Premier League since November and only two of their remaining six matches at the Emirates Stadium, the greatest obstacle to their chances of rejoining the European elite is abundantly clear. Yet Emery’s latest attempt to remedy the fault was as ineffectual as his team.

Everton controlled proceedings, with Bernard and André Gomes injecting elegance and class into

Arsenal defenders appeal in vain for offside as Everton’s Phil Jagielka pounces from close range to score what proved to be the only goal of the game in the home side’s win at Goodison Park

an industrious afternoon. “I am delighted with everything we did from the first minute,” Silva said.

“The desire, the fantastic spirit, and we deserved the three points.

We were the best team on the pitch and with more goals it would have been fair. We showed the solid team that I like.”

Jagielka was called into the side moments before kickoff after Michael Keane fell ill during the warmup. The 36-year-old has endured a frustrating campaign, suspension, injury and heightened competition restricting him to three league starts, but that was forgotten as he swept Everton into a lead their display richly deserved. The breakthrough reflected much of the opening exchanges

– direct and effective by the home side, weak and careless from the visitors.

Lucas Digne launched a long throw into the Arsenal penalty area that Jagielka won comfortably. Dominic Calvert-Lewin won the second ball with a diving header that deflected back to the veteran defender and, onside and unmarked, he beat Bernd Leno with a close-range finish. The setback preserved Arsenal’s record of conceding in every league game on the road this season, the only club in England’s top four divisions to do so.

Everton remained comfortable against a lightweight Arsenal midfield of Mohamed Elneny and Matteo Guendouzi. The home

side’s work-rate has improved immeasurably, along with their form, and their growing confidence was typified by a lovely back-heel from Bernard that released Gomes and Kurt Zouma performing stepovers during one determined run. Gomes was immaculate in central midfield. Calvert-Lewin is developing as a young centre-forward of promise by the game. Only Richarlison struggled and several inviting situations for a second goal went astray down his right flank.

Silva’s team were given licence to dictate by Emery’s 5-3-2 formation and decision to omit Aaron Ramsey and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the starting lineup. The introduction of both at the start of the second half, and a switch to 4?2?3?1, was the manager’s admission of his own mistakes. The brittle defending and lack of movement was entirely the responsibility of his players.

Arsenal improved as an attacking unit after the interval, and Ramsey could have levelled when Jordan Pickford’s weak punch dropped into his path inside the area. The midfielder’s volley sailed harmlessly over and the chance to wrestle back the initiative went with it. Emery’s side had the occasional moment, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan shooting inches wide

of Pickford’s far post, but Everton were the brighter, stronger and more dangerous unit throughout.

Only their failure to land a second blow on Arsenal’s glass jaw kept the contest alive.

Bernard was presented with a clear run at Leno’s goal when Ainsley Maitland-Niles miscued a header. The angle and the bouncing ball were awkward for the Brazilian, and the Arsenal keeper saved comfortably at close range. Gylfi Sigurdsson, tireless alongside Bernard and Gomes, had several opportunities to convert from well-timed runs into the area. One volley was driven over, a shot from Richarlison’s cutback was straight at Leno and a third effort was blocked by Sokratis Papastathopoulos. The rebound on that occasion dropped kindly for Richarlison only for the £40m Brazilian to slice wide.

A cynical foul by Shkodran Mustafi on Calvert-Lewin prompted an angry exchange between Silva and Emery on the sidelines.

Mesut Özil, substituted by this stage, threw his jacket in the direction of the Everton manager and his staff. It was a rare – and pointless – show of aggression from Arsenal’s captain on the day and befitting of the team’s performance. (The Guardian)

Williamson wins Naismith Choupo-Moting cost PSG early title Player-of-year honour

D

uke forward Zion Williamson continued his collection of accolades on Sunday when he won the 2019 Citizen Naismith Trophy as the top college basketball in the country, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced during a press conference in Minneapolis.

Williamson is the third freshman to win the honor, joining Kevin Durant of Texas in 2007 and Anthony Davis of Kentucky in 2012.

The other three finalists were Gonzaga junior forward Rui Hachimura, Tennessee junior forward Grant Williams and Murray State sophomore point guard Ja Morant.

Williamson won the Oscar Robertson Trophy and Associated Press Player of the Year honors on Friday. He also was the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year. Williamson averaged

22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 blocks per game.

Williamson is the eighth Duke player to win the prestigious award.

“I want to thank the Citizen Naismith Trophy committee for selecting me as the Player of the Year. It is truly an honor to receive this and join such an elite list of former Blue Devils to have also won the award,” Williamson said in a statement. “There were so many great players who could have won this award this year. I can’t thank my teammates, coaches and family enough for helping me.

This is a team award, and it’s an honor for me to accept this on behalf of my brothers.”

Williamson led Duke to a 32-6 record. The Blue Devils advanced to the Elite Eight, where they lost to Michigan State.

“Zion is absolutely de-

serving of this year’s Citizen Naismith Trophy. He handled himself with such class and humility this season, especially given what he accomplished, both individually and with his team,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a statement. “Zion is a great representative of the game and is a pleasure to coach.

“Duke has a long history of Naismith winners, and Zion certainly belongs in that elite company.”

Duke’s most recent Naismith winner was JJ Redick in 2006. The other Blue Devils to earn the honor are Jason Williams (2002), Shane Battier (2001), Elton Brand (1999), Christian Laettner (1992), Danny Ferry (1989) and Johnny Dawkins (1986).

Williamson is expected to declare for the NBA draft and is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick. (Reuters)

E

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting somehow turned his team-mate’s goal-bound shot against the post

ric Maxim ChoupoMoting was guilty of arguably the worst miss in the history of football as Paris St-Germain squandered the chance to wrap up the Ligue 1 title against Strasbourg.

Christopher Nkunku’s shot was going in until former Stoke forward

Choupo-Moting needlessly got a touch on the line and stabbed it onto the post.

PSG led through Choupo-Moting but Nuno da Costa levelled and Anthony Goncalves put the visitors ahead from 20 yards.

Presnel Kimpembe equalised for PSG. But the capital side

needed to beat Strasbourg to wrap up the title with eight games to go. They can seal it if they draw at second-placed Lille next Sunday.

Choupo-Moting had started ahead of 27-goal Ligue 1 top scorer Kylian Mbappe, who was rested but came on in the second half.

Thomas Tuchel’s side, who were knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16 by Manchester United, have the chance to win the double when they face Rennes in the Coupe de France final on Saturday, 27 April.

They have won the cup four seasons in a row.

PSG, who have won five of the past six Ligue 1 titles, had won all previous 15 league home matches this season. (BBC Sport)

Skerritt win could mean kaput for Pybus experiment

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est Indies head coach Richard Pybus during a net session at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on January 29, 2019 in Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda.

West Indies head coach Richard Pybus during a net session at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on January 29, 2019 in Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda.

Despite early successes at the helm of the Windies, interim head coach Richard Pybus, could face one of the falling axes from a new administration, led by president of Cricket West Indies (CWI), Ricky Skerritt.

Pybus oversaw a rare Test series win for the Windies over England in the Caribbean just three months ago and drew a One Day International

West Indies head coach Richard Pybus during a net session at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on January 29, 2019 in Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda

Series with the world’s best to boot.

However, Skerritt, in an interview with ESPNcricinfo, said there would be a cricket review that will include issues surrounding Pybus.

Pybus’ appointment, Skerrit said, was a ‘vexatious’ issue because the former director of cricket for the CWI, was not from the region.

“I have to tell you that we believe

very strongly in localising the expertise that we put behind our teams and we believe only in bringing in non-Caribbean expertise only where it is not available across the region,” said the new president.

“We want to be sure that the team does well at all times with the possible resources but we also have to make sure that they have a Caribbean support team around them,” he said.

The idea of ensuring regional people are behind the Windies, could also mean curtains for assistant coach, former Pakistani spin-bowling whiz Mushtaq Ahmed, though there has been no mention of him, in particular.

But Pybus’ appointment as Windies coach, though on an interim basis, had other controversies

aligned with it. As director of cricket from 2013-2016, Pybus was responsible for policy that made participation in West Indies domestic cricket mandatory for international selection.

The decision sparked an exodus of much of the talent in the West Indies with players like Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, and Dwayne Bravo, being left out of the Test and ODI teams in particular because they chose to play in T20 leagues around the world that took place in conflict with the timing of the regional 4-day and one day competitions.

“A cricket review is underway, Skerritt had said.

“Announcements will be made following our board meeting on Tuesday,” he added. (Sportsmax)

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, APRIL 8, 2019

21

Lynn and Narine blow away sluggish Rajasthan Royals

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ajasthan Royals paid the price for a turgid innings, on what Kolkata Knight Riders proved was a very good batting track. Despite losing only three wickets, and having had a second-wicket partnership worth 72, Royals mustered only 139 for 3 in their 20 overs. No team in IPL history has made a poorer score for the loss of three wickets or less.

Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes just could not get going in this match. They faced 34 and 14 balls respectively, but neither could strike at more than 110. Only Steven Smith managed a half-decent ouput, scoring 73 not out off 59 deliveries. Even that is not exactly a stellar innings, though.

In response, Knight Riders were brutal. Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn blazed through the opening overs, hitting 65 off the Powerplay for no loss.

Narine had 47 off 25 balls when he was dismissed, but with the score at 91 in the ninth over, the

result was almost a foregone conclusion. Lynn hit 50 off 32, and was the other batsman to be dismissed in Knight Riders’ chase. Robin Uthappa eased the team to victory with a 26 not out off 16 balls. They had a whopping 37 balls remaining when a wide from Stokes sealed the result.

Knight Riders’ misers

A third of he deliveries Sunil Narine delivered were dot balls. Piyush Chawla was even better - 13 of his 24 balls were dots. It is not as if Royals d i d n o t venture big shots o f f Sthem. unil Narine These

bowlers were just too good, beating the Royals top order in the air as well as off the pitch. Harry Gurney was outstanding in his first IPL match this season as well, conceding only three from the 16th over, and only eight from the 20th, despite giving away a four to Steven Smith.

Smith’s slow start

Although Smith would eventually muster 73 off 59, his batting in the early overs was perhaps more suited to ODIs than T20s. He was on 39 off 40 at one stage, for example, despite never appearing to be in any particular discomfort at the crease. Smith was a little more adventurous in the last six overs of the innings.

But more risks earlier on from a set batsman might have set Royals on track to a competitive score.

Royals’ modest finish

Smith made 34 off the

last 19 balls, but despite the fact that Royals had lost only two wickets going into the death, there was a woeful lack of intent at the other end. Looking back on that finish, it seems likely that Royals misread the pitch, and believed a low score to be defendable.

3

Ben Stokes, for example, took a few deliveries to play himself in, rather than attempting boundaries from the outset. When he did later try to go big, the Knight Riders bowlers outwitted him, restricting him to a sorry 7 off 14 balls. Rahul Tripathi fared little better.

SCOREBOARD

Rajasthan Royals Innings (20 overs maximum) AM Rahane (c) lbw b Prasidh Krishna 5 JC Buttler † c Shubman Gill b Gurney 37 SPD Smith not out 73 RA Tripathi c Chawla b Gurney 6 BA Stokes not out 7 Extras (lb 5, nb 2, w 4) 11 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 6.95) 139-3 Did not bat: P Chopra, K Gowtham, JC Archer, S Gopal, S Midhun, DS Kulkarni Fall of wickets: 1-5 (AM Rahane, 1.1 ov), 2-77 (JC Buttler, 11.5 ov), 3-105 (RA Tripathi, 15.4 ov) BOWLING PP Chawla (4-0-19-0) M Krishna (4-0-35-1) SP Narine (4-0-22-0) Kuldeep Yadav (4-0-33-0) HF Gurney (4-0-25-2)

Kolkata Knight Riders Innings (target: 140 runs from 20 overs) SP Narine c Smith b Gopal 47 RV Uthappa not out 26 Shubman Gill not out 6 Extras (lb 8, w 3) 11 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 6.95) 139-3 Did not bat: N Rana, KD Karthik (c) †, AD Russell, PP Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, HF Gurney, M Prasidh Krishna Fall of wickets: 1-91 (SP Narine, 8.3 ov), 2-114 (CA Lynn, 10.5 ov) BOWLING DS Kulkarni (3-0-31-0) K Gowtham (1-0-22-0) JC Archer (3-0-14-0) S Gopal (4-0-35-2) S Midhun (2-0-27-0) BA Stokes (0.5-0-3-0)

His 6 came off 8 balls, before Gurney had him caught.

The rocking Knight Riders’ stand

Tripathi had one more regretful moment in the game - when he dropped Sunil Narine for 23 in the fourth over, allowing the Knight Riders opener to continue lavishly swinging his bat.

Next ball, Dhawal Kulkarni grazed Chris Lynn’s leg stump, but although the bails lit up, they did not dislodge, and the batsman was free to continue.

The Knight Riders openers rode those gigantic slices of luck to a match-winning opening stand. Narine was the more aggressive of the two, hitting 47 off 25 at a strike rate of 188, hitting three sixes. Lynn was hot on his heels, making 50 off 32 in the end, launching three sixes himself. When Narine was eventually caught at slip off the bowling of Shreyas Gopal in the ninth over, Knight Riders only needed 49 off 69 balls to win. In the end it was a cakewalk. (Cricinfo)

I don’t really celebrate wickets, I celebrate wins: Alzarri Joseph

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PL debutant Alzarri Joseph, who recorded the best bowling figures in the tournament’s 12-year history with his 6 for 12 in Mumbai Indians’ 40-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, said he could not have asked for a better start to his career in the league.

Joseph, 22, became only the second bowler in IPL history to claim a fifer on debut, after Andrew Tye. He not only went on to register the best bowling figures for three-time champions Mumbai, but also re-wrote the record for the tournament’s best figures - surpassing Sohail Tanveer’s 6 for 14 in the inaugural edition to create history. All of that in his maiden game in the competition.

“It’s unbelievable. It’s a dream start. I don’t think it could get any better,” Joseph told his captain Rohit Sharma in an interview for iplt20.com after helping Mumbai take down a second pre-tournament favourite in as many games.

After a lukewarm start to the 12th edition of the league, Mumbai recorded their third win by successfully defending 136 against the inform Sunrisers batting line-up on

Alzarri Joseph on his IPL debut

a sticky wicket in Hyderabad on Saturday (April 6).

Joseph said, the moment he found out he will be making his debut, he just wanted it to give his all to the team. “I just wanted to go out and put all my effort into this team,” the Caribbean pacer who replaced veteran Lasith Malinga in the playing eleven, told media after the victory. “It was my first game, I just wanted to get out there on the park and get bowling and get the wickets.”

The IPL really could not have begun in a better fashion for the 22-year-old who bowled David Warner off an inside edge with his very first delivery in the league.

Barring obliging to the customary high-fives from his teammates, Joseph just stayed there, stone-faced, for a debutant who’d just claimed the wicket of the edition’s current Orange Cap holder.

Joseph said he trusted his preparation while running in to bowl to the Sunrisers skipper, and saved his cel-

Lin Dan wins Malaysia Open to end title drought

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hinese badminton ace Lin Dan clinched the Malaysia Open Sunday after an electric performance against countryman Chen Long to claim his first major title in two years.

The win comes after the fivetime world champion made several early round exits since January, including at the Indonesia Masters, German Open and the All-England.

But in a nail-biting 78-minute match, the world number 16 smashed his way back to victory with a final score that tallied 9-21, 21-7, 21-11.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Lin said his game against two-time world champion Chen was a sign that his spate of bad luck was finally over.

“My performance last year was not ideal, and I was under a lot of pressure and even doubted myself,” he said.

“But here in Malaysia, I was determined to play well and was hungry for victory ... I think the bad times are over.”

It was a game that saw Lin up against an in-form Chen, who got breezed through the Open impressively in a series of straight matches.

But the 35-year-old Lin, five years Chen’s senior, dictated the pace by working his opponent with deft netplay and his trademark ferocious front court smash.

The title is Lin’s first win this year, and also his first major success since taking the Malaysia Open in 2017.

The two-time Olympic gold medallist received a $49,000 cash prize presented by his long-time Malaysian rival Lee Chong Wei, who sat out the Open over his cancer recovery.

Lin said he hoped to meet Lee

on court again, as both men prepare for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Lee has been on the sidelines since July last year, when he was diagnosed with early-stage nose cancer, and is seeking to make a full recovery.

The women’s singles saw Taiwanese top seed Tai Tzuying clinch her third consecutive Malaysia Open title after a dominant 21-16, 21-19 triumph over Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi.

China dominated all the other events, winning the mixed doubles, women’s doubles and the men’s doubles.

Chinese duo Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen beat Japanese pair Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda 21-12, 21-17 to win the men’s doubles.

Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong and Chen Qingchen-Jia Yifan also clinched the mixed doubles and women’s doubles respectively.

ebrations for until after he’d helped his team win the game.

“I don’t really celebrate wickets, I celebrate wins. My aim isn’t just to get wickets, but to win the game for my team,” Joseph said.

He went on to claim the wicket of Vijay Shankar in his following over, the seventh of SRH’s innings, and then returned in the death overs to add four more to his tally to make it a record-shattering debut. Despite hogging all limelight, the Antiguan said he’s focussed on doing well for the team rather than revel in personal glory.

“It’s not something I really play for. I only play for wins, not the limelight. It’s a good feeling but I want to win this tournament [for Mumbai Indians].”

Prior to boarding the flight to Mumbai, Joseph admittedly didn’t seek advice from any of the large plethora of Caribbean stars, many of them now veterans in the league already. However, he does have a plan for the man he’ll be up against next, and who is regarded amongst IPL’s GOATs, Chris Gayle. “Just bowl fast.” (cricbuzz)

Malaysian golfer dies aged 28 in China

Irawan won two events on the Asian Development Tour in 2015

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alaysian golfer Arie Irawan has died aged 28 in his hotel room during the Sanya Championship on the Chinese resort island of Hainan.

A PGA Tour statement said Irawan’s death was because of “apparent natural causes” but a coroner’s report had not been completed.

Irawan, who turned professional in 2013, had missed

the cut at the PGA Tour China Series tournament.

Organisers cancelled the final round out of respect for Irawan’s family.

Irawan, who was ranked 1,366th in the world, won two events on the Asian Development Tour in 2015.

“The PGA Tour and the China Golf Association grieve at this loss of one of our members and share sincere condolences with Arie’s wife, Marina, and his parents, Ahmad and Jeny,” said a PGA Tour statement.

“When something of this magnitude occurs in the golf world, we all grieve at the same time.”

American Trevor Sluman was declared the winner after the tournament was reduced to a 54-hole event. (BBC Sport)

22

Monday, APRIL 8, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” East Coast Demerara edition…

Plaisance, Victoria in winners’ row

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ictoria, Beterverwagting ‘B’ (BVB), Plaisance ‘B’ and Guyana Water Incorporated [GWI] are among the teams to punch their ticket to the main draw in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets, East Coast Demerara edition, following playoff wins on Saturday.

Witnessed by a sizable crowd at the Haslington Market Tarmac, newcomer Victoria secured two hard-fought victories to earn their place in the prestigious competition. The youthful Victoria unit first defeated the experienced Vryheid Lust’s outfit 2-0 on penalty kicks after regulation time ended scoreless, then needled Paradise ‘B’ 1-0 in their second matchup.

Former champion BVB downed Belfield Stars 2-0, while Plaisance ‘B’ overcame United Ballers 2-0 on penalty kicks following a scoreless regulation time interval.

However, GWI provided the unlikely result of the match-day, dis-

mantling Nabaclis by an impressive 5-0 scoreline.

In other results, newcomers Non-Pareil squeaked past Plaisance ‘A’ 2-1 on penalty kicks

after a scoreless regulation time interval failed to decide the outcome.

Former winners Melanie ‘A’ defeated Police ‘A’ via walkover, and

Beacons surge to top of BFA Senior League standings

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gatash United FC, as newcomers to the Bartica Football Association (BFA), squandered their chances to make their mark on the points table when they went down 2 -1 to powerhouse Beacons FC on Friday last, as the BFA Senior League continued at the Bartica Secondary School Ground.

For Beacons, it was never going to be an easy task, despite being the in-form team and having only one loss to their name.

The potential underdogs Agatash have caused carnage in each of their matchups, defeating many of the top teams in the competition. But Agatash United’s loss was just enough for Beacons to launch themselves to the top of the league with 12 points from five games, their only blemish being a loss to Potaro Strikers in their opening game.

But on a hot afternoon, facing a young and promising

debutants Liliendaal Hustlers defeating Police ‘B’ in the identical manner.

Following conclusion of the playoff round, the 16 teams that will contest the three-day tournament are defending champions Uprising, Paradise ‘A’, BVA, Melanie ‘B’, Buxton Diamond, Mahaica Determinators, Victoria Church Yard, Belfield Warriors, Haslington Hypers, Melanie ‘A’, BVB, Liliendaal Hustlers, Plaisance ‘B’, GWI East Coast, Victoria, and Non-Pareil.

The championships will officially commence on Friday April 12th at the same venue, with the final two nights slated for April 13th and 22nd respectively. Fixtures for the opening night will be distributed shortly.

Complete results

Game 1 BVB - 2 vs Belfield Stars -0

Imam Bacchus Sports Club dominate Reliance in T20 matchup Mohindra Balbadar topscored with 60

Beacons’ goalscorers, Whitney Welcome and Shameer Mentore

Agatash United, Beacons overcame several scares to lift maximum points by way of goals off the boots of Whitney Welcome and Shameer Mentore.

Play for the first few minutes was back and forth, until Mentore opened the scoring for Beacons in the 21st minute. A few minutes later, Cleveland Collison responded at the other end of the field to level the score

Game 2 Melanie ‘A’ vs Police ‘A’ Melanie ‘A’ won via walkover Game 3 United Ballers -0 vs Plaisance ‘B’-0 Plaisance ‘B’ won 1-0 on penalty kicks Game 4 Victoria -0 vs Vryheid’s Lust -0 Victoria won 2-0 on penalty kicks Game 5 Non-Pareil -0 vs Plaisance ‘A’ -0 Non-Pareil won 2-1 on penalty kicks Game 6 Liliendaal Hustlers -0 vs Police -0 Liliendaal Hustlers won via walkover Game 7 Nabaclis -0 vs GWI -5 Game 8 Paradise ‘B’ -0 vs Victoria -1

for Agatash United. A hardfought battle ensued to the end, but Beacons’ experienced striker Welcome struck it home for his team in the 60th minute.

Play in the league will continue today, April 8, with River’s View FC (positioned at second place) coming up against Wolves United FC; and on Tuesday, April 9, Lazio FC takes on Agatash United FC.

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he Imam Bacchus Sports Club (IBSC) of Affiance village, Essequibo Coast, Region Two overcame the Reliance Sports Club (RSC) in their highly anticipated T20 match-up played over the weekend at the IBSC ground.

Batting first, IBSC batsmen slowly picked away at the Reliance attack in the opening overs of ‘power play’, and accelerated thereafter to score at a steady run rate of 8.75 runs per over despite losing five wickets in the death, to end on 175-4.

Leading the way in scoring the runs, Mohindra Balbodar compiled a patient 60 and

Parmesh Parsotam a quickfire 55. Prem Persaud was the only Reliance bowler to take a wicket.

Needing 176 runs for victory, Reliance started their chase by losing key wickets in the ‘power play’.

Realising they were staring down the barrel of defeat, Reliance attempted to bat through the innings; but pressure and tight bowling by IBSC restricted them to 92-6, and loss of the match by 84 runs. The only Reliance batsman to put up any resistance was T. Arnold, who top-scored with a patient 33 not out.

Bowling for IBSC, Navendra Persaud bagged 2-5 and Rodwin Gordon bagged 2-11.

BCB/GNNL/RHTYSC 100 Balls Cricket Tournament

No 73, No 72 Cut and Load and No 70 Spartans victorious

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he Berbice 2019 Cricket Season continued at a rapid rate over the weekend with commencement of play in the BCB/GNNL/RHTYSC 100 Balls Tournament at several venues across Berbice.

One of over thirty competitions to be organised by the vibrant BCB in 2019, the tournament is being contested by twenty-four teams stretching from No. 43 Village in Upper Central Corentyne to Moleson Creek in the Upper reaches of the Corentyne Coast, including in the deeply reclusive community of Black Bush Polder. It is being sponsored by the Guyana National Newspapers Limited with support from the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club.

Scores from the first round of matches are as follows: At No. 73 Ground: No. 73 Young Warriors defeated Scottsburg United by 7 wickets.

Scottsburg United made 97 for 8 from 100 balls. Sahad Rasheed made 29, and Nicholas Ceres 17.

Lateram Latchman took 4 for 25, and Rajesh Bishnauth took 4 for

19.

No. 73 Young Warriors responded with 101 for 3 in 14.4 overs (88 balls). Lakeram Latchman scored 37 not out, and Odraj Singh made 32 not out.

At No. 69 Ground: No. 72 Cut and Load got past No. 69 Vikings by 10 wickets.

No. 69 Vikings scored 49 all out in 14.2 overs (86 balls), with V. Lallbeharry making 12, and Davenanand Chatterpaul taking 3 for 6. Rishi Persaud took 2 for 8; A. Persaud took 2 for 10, and Victor Pedro took 2 for 11.

No. 72 Cut and Load made 50 without loss in 4 overs (24 balls).

Rishi Persaud made 28 not out.

At Crabwood Creek Ground: Crabwood Creek Sports Club defeated Rama Krishna Academy by 9 wickets. Rama Krishna made 76 all out in 15.1 overs (91 balls).

Chandprad Laljit scored 15, while Javid Singh took 3 for 17, and Darshand Chalitar took 3 for 14.

Crabwood Creek Sports Club made 77 for 1 in 6 overs (36 balls). Naresh Deo scored 36 not out, and Bisram Sukhram made 34.

At No. 64 Ground: No. 46 Fighting Marines defeated No. 68 Darkenders by four wickets.

No. 68 Darkenders recorded 111 all out in 16.4 overs (100 balls), with Bhojnarine Sookdeo scoring 22 not out. Shiraq Khan took 4 for 20, and Vadanand Sugrim took 3 for 12.

No. 64 Fighting Marines made 114 for 6 in 14.2 overs (86 balls). Rumeez Narine scored 44, and Jason Itwaru scored 18 not out. A. Jones took 2 for 16.

At No. 70 Ground: No. 70 Spartans defeated No. 71 Sports Club by 126 runs. No. 70 Spartans made 208 for 3 in 100 balls. Rayan Yacoob made 82, and Omesh Mathura made 75 not out. L. Parasar took 2 for 50.

No 71 Sports Club made 82 all out in 16 overs (96 balls). D. Tilack scored 28, and R Khemarj made 15, as N. Yacoob took 3 for 12, and M. Deochan took 2 for 08.

At No. 69 Ground: No. 69 Red Rose defeated No 70 Young Blood by 28 runs.

No. 69 Red Rose made 137 for 6 off 100 balls. Parshuram

Chaitram scored 77, and D. Rampersaud took 2 for 25. J. Francis, also, took 2 for 31.

No. 70 Young Blood scored 110 for 8 off 100 balls. R. Ally made 36; F. Alli made 22; Parshuram Chaitram took 4 for 03; Deodat Seeram took 2 for 11, and Imran took 2 for 23.

At No. 68 Ground: No. 68 Turn Team defeated No. 66 Giants by 137 runs.

No. 68 Turn Team scored 194 from 16.4 overs (100 balls).

Anthony Dursubhan made 114 not out, including ten fours and four sixes. Tharudeo Persaud scored 46.

No. 66 Giants made 57 all out in 16.2 overs (98 balls).

Jason Boodhan made 16, and Dhanesdar Ghanie took 3 for 12.

T Persaud took 3 for 19.

At No. 70 Ground: Dukestown Warriors defeated No. 70 MYO by 10 wickets.

No. 70 MYO scored 133 for 6 from 16.4 overs (100 balls).

Toren Shiwamber made 62, and Errol Byass took 3 for 26 even as Jermain Reid took 3 for 9.

Dukestown Warriors made

134 without loss in 7.2 overs (44 balls). Clavern Beresford scored 68, and A. Bowling scored 56.

GCB/Rubis Under-17 Inter-County bowls off today

T

he first round of matches in the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) InterCounty Under-17 tournament are scheduled to bowl off today at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground at Bourda in Georgetown and at the Enmore Community Centre ground on the Demerara East Coast.

At GCC, Demerara will do battle against Berbice, while at Enmore, Essequibo will oppose the Select Under-15 XI. Both matches are scheduled to commence from 09:30 hours.

According to a release from the GCB, the competition will be played under the Rubis Bel Air brand and managed through Cricket Guy Inc., as the staff of the GCB is not authorised to sign cheques or

engage in any spending on behalf of the GCB. Through the personal contributions of Lalta Gainda, Nazimul Drepaul, Anand Sanasie, Rahaman “Buddy” Khan and Richard Johad, the games will go on.

The GCB vows to keep the public appraised on the recent development in the court regarding numerous matters filed against the Executives of the GCB by the Berbice Cricket Board through Rabindranauth Sawack and the Georgetown Cricket Association through Roger Harper.

The Board also pledges to continue on its path of youth development and success despite the difficult times.

23 Christianburg-Wismar, Lodge to clash in Milo final guyanatimesgy.com

monday, APRIL 8, 2019

Annandale fought hard, but could not find the back of the net

President’s College defence could not hold off Lodge Secondary (Jemima Holmes photos)

By Jemima Holmes

I

t was as if two finals were being played on Sunday afternoon at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue, as fans got a precursor of what will definitely be a clash between the best of the best football teams at the secondary school level.

Blistering sunshine made for good playing conditions as four teams sought to bag a spot in next week’s final of the seventh edition of the Milo Schools Football tournament. Before the teams could settle their differences on the football pitch, they all agreed on the need to stamp out all kinds of violence as a part of the Ministry of Public Health’s collaboration with

the tournament under that Ministry’s campaign against domestic violence.

What was expected to be the more exciting of the two matches was contested first, as ChristianburgWismar Secondary School took on their longtime rivals, Annandale Secondary.

The two teams have had a long history of rivalry, with their most recent meeting being at the Guyoil/ Tradewind Tankers and KFC Goodwill tournament in late 2018. On both occasions, Christianburg- Wismar emerged as the better team, the first by a 5-1 win and the latter by a 5-3 margin at penalties.

Having fallen short to the Lindeners in the past,

Annandale were determined to turn their fortunes around, but could not seem to sink a goal throughout the 90 minutes of play.

Christianburg-Wismar began their hunt early, and were richly rewarded with a free kick from several yards outside the box in the 7th minute. Taken by captain Andre Mayers, the shot soared out of the reach of the Annandale goalkeeper for Christianburg’s first goal.

Now on the offensive, Annandale did well to hunt the goal and restrict Christianburg’s usually fast scoring. However, decisions to make a soft pass rather than take a shot at the goal proved detrimental to the East Coast team, as the inability to find

the back of the net built up their frustration.

The second half of the encounter went no differently from the latter half of the first, with Christainburg’s goalkeeper scooping up each attempt, to keep his team on track to the final.

When regulation time was called, Christianburg were the ones celebrating their lone goal, whilst Annandale exited with slumped shoulders, having to contest in the third place playoff for the second year straight.

The second semifinal was more entertaining, with a hail of goals coming in a one-sided affair. President’s College and Lodge Secondary had met before in the group stage, where Lodge took the win 2-0.

This time around, President’s College looked as though they

had a point to prove.

Attacking from the sound of the first whistle, President’s College had two early chances but could not complete them, owing to one forward going up against a four-man defense. Nevertheless, the East Coast team continued pressing, until the first goal from Rasheed Roberts put a damper on their spirits.

Minutes later, front runner Dorwin George converted a free kick for his team’s second goal. PC could only put the brakes on Lodge temporarily, before Turston Gordon sank another goal one minute before the half.

Coming back from three down is not entirely impossible, but it seemed as though the PC boys had already given up with 45 more minute to go, which made room for

Lodge to punish them.

Almost every Lodge player had a piece of the pie, as Nicholas Trotman (70), Dorwin George (76), Leroy Sealey (84), and Marcus Bamfield (90), hammered four more goals into their opponents’ net to seal their place in next Sunday’s final with a 7-0 victory.

The final of the Petraorganised Milo Schools Football tournament will be contested next Sunday, April 14, at the same venue.

The third place playoff will see Annandale facing off with President’s College at 15:00hrs, while the monumental clash between Christianburg-Wismar and Lodge Secondary goes down later at 17:00hrs. The final teams are competing for a grand prize of $500,000.

GCA Noble House U-19, 50-over Tournament…

Nedd’s 5-for guides DCC to title Ashmead Nedd

DCC celebrating their tournament triumph

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he finale of the Georgetown Cricket Association’s Noble House Seafoods Next Generation Under-19 tournament saw the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) defeating the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) by 22 runs to claim the title after a riveting showdown.

With a hard pitch and complementary sunny conditions, DCC elected to bat

with the aim of maximising opportunities afforded by the given conditions. The opening pair of Tameshwar Permaul and Garick Persaud looked comfortable for the first nine runs scored, until Shadrack Bacon struck to remove Permaul for 3.

Persaud was unable to stick around, and fell 25 runs later to Aryan Persaud, to leave DCC at 34-2.

In came Sachin Singh and Alphius Bookie, who produced a 15-run partner-

ship. But to DCC’s dismay, Persaud removed Bookie for 7, then Singh followed three runs later to Darrious Andrews for 18.

Already in trouble at 52-4, the DCC score then moved to 62-5, the decision to bat looking to be the worst mistake DCC ever made.

To compound their misery, Nkosi Beaton was removed

by Andrews for a paltry 4 runs.

Needing a partnership to rebuild their innings, DCC’s

Ashmead Nedd and Daniel Mootoo combined to add 21 runs to the score, despite Nedd falling to Yohance Angoy for 12. Mootoo and Qumar Torrington then added 24 as the DCC score

entered triple figures, but wickets continued falling.

Mootoo was dismissed

by Thaddeus Lovell for 14, to take the score to 107-7.

However, Torrington rallied on to take the score to 1239, despite Osafo Green and Maneiram Singh falling.

Torrington then produced a 24-run partnership with tail-ender Dequan Bamfield to give DCC a total of 147 all out.

GCC’s Persaud had figures of 2 for 23, while a wicket each was taken by Bacon, Andrews, Dindyal, Angoy, Jodah and Lovell.

Needing a simple target of 148 off 50 overs, openers Lovell and Anasuegga Rodrigues played a smart innings to take GCC past the 50-run mark. However, Rodrigues fell for 16 off the bowling of Singh, as the score read 60-1. From there, Lovell and Dindyal took over.

Eventually, a ball clipped the neck of the bat to remove Lovell for a patient 27 off the bowling of Mootoo.

Throughout the game, Nedd tormented the GCC batsmen, and struck twice in the same over to remove Rivaldo Phillips (7) and Zachary Jodah (0), to take the score to 88-4.

It was now up to Dindyal and Persaud to take GCC over the line with 23 overs left to score only 59 runs for victory; but Nedd struck again in his 9th over, bowling Persaud off the last ball to take the tally to 88-5 and leave the GCC dressing room on the edge of their seats.

A dramatic turn in the match saw Mootoo removing Dindyal for 21, to take the GCC score to 92-6. DCC were now potentially on the verge of one of the greatest comebacks in local cricketing history. After Mootoo bagged a wicket in the previous over, Nedd returned in his final over to claim a fivewicket haul as he removed Rahul Singh and Yohance Angoy.

GCC were now slumped to 92-8, and struggled to chase the remaining 49 runs with 16 overs remaining.

They managed to take the total to 115 before Bacon fell for 6.

Andrews and Pollard were now left with the momentous task of scoring 32 from 8 overs.

GCC eventually ended on 126 all out. Nedd finished with 5 for 13, while Mootoo and Sachin Singh both grabbed two wickets each.

MONday, APRIL 8, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Christianburg-Wismar, Lodge to clash in Milo final

The Christianburg-Wismar Team (Jemima Holmes photo)

VIVO IPL Edition 12…

Match #22 Time: 10:30h

DCC are champions of the Georgetown Cricket Association Noble House Seafood’s Next Generation Under-19 Tournament

Page 23

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