Guyana Times - Monday, January 14, 2019

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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 3804

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Monday, January 14, 2019

Govt using delaying tactics on elections – political commentator Charrandas puts bribery claims …willing to take lie detector test to rest …says bank account checked out guyanatimesgy.com

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Molotov cocktails hurled at surveyor’s home P12

ECD P2 woman nabbed with ganja

VYC, ExxonMobil host STEM Conference Page 13

PI into P12 pensioner’s rolling pin murder continues next month

This composite photo shows participants and some of the Executives of ExxonMobil during the hosting of the STEM Robotic Conference held at the Princess Ramada Hotel on Saturday

Carpenter dies after crashing into utility pole Page 2

Rape matters constitute 61% of cases to be heard at Demerara Assizes Page 10

Decomposed body of missing ex-Policeman pulled from canal P2

Black market fuel shipments

P7 Trade with Sindicatos prevalent in Cuyuni area – border controversy symposium hears

2 News

MONdAY, January 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Decomposed body of Carpenter dies after crashing into utility pole missing ex-Policeman

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Dead: Colin Troy Thomas

he life of a motorcyclist was snuffed out in the wee hours of Sunday after he lost control of his motorcycle and slammed into a utility pole in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Dead is Colin Troy Thomas, 21, Lot 51 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Based on reports reaching Guyana Times, about

The motorcycle Thomas was riding at the time of the accident

03:30h, Thomas was heading to Angoy’s Avenue when he reportedly lost control of the motorcycle

bearing registration number CJ 6063.

He was reportedly going at a fast rate when the

accident occurred. Persons at the scene stated that the young man might have been under the influence of alcohol and more so, he was not wearing a safety helmet at the time.

However, he sustained injuries and was picked up and rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital in an unconscious state where he was pronounced dead on arrival. At the house of the dead man on Sunday, his mother was too distraught to speak.

One relative told this newspaper that Thomas would sleep at a family house in Angoy’s Avenue along with an older brother and it is believed that he was heading there when the accident occurred.

Thomas leaves to mourn his parents and eight siblings.

An investigation was launched into the fatal accident.

pulled from canal

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The canal from which Persaud’s body was pulled

he decomposed body of a former member of the Guyana Police Force was on Sunday morning retrieved from the Lama Canal, D’Urban Backlands, Georgetown.

The body has since been identified as that of Cyril Persaud, who went missing on Friday last.

Guyana Times understands that after the body was pulled out, it was taken to the Lyken Funeral Home, where it was subsequently identified by the now dead man’s brother, Peter Brahamdow.

Ever since Persaud’s disappearance, his children who reside overseas have been trying to locate him through family members in Guyana.

Upon the discovery, Police could not say if there were any marks of

Dead: Cyril Persaud

violence on the body.

A post-mortem is expected to be performed today. An investigation has been launched into the discovery.

Persaud was reportedly attached to the Mounted Branch.

ECD woman nabbed with ganja

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24-year-old woman was taken into Police custody and was expected to be charged shortly after a quantity of cannabis was found in her possession on Saturday afternoon.

The suspect of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was apprehended at her home around 15:00h.

Guyana Times understands that ranks of C Division (East Coast Demerara) acted on information and swooped down at the woman’s home where they found 234 grams of cannabis along with an undisclosed sum of money and other items. Investigations are in progress.

news

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MONdAY, January 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, January 14 – 10:30h-12:00h and Tuesday, January 15– 11:30h-13:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, January 14 – 09:20h-10:50h and Tuesday, January 15– 10:30h-12:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals followed by light rain showers are expected throughout the day, with partly cloudy skies in the evening. Overall temperatures will range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 10:13h and 22:45h reaching maximum heights of 2.28 metres and 2.26 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 16:13h reaching a minimum height of 0.94 metre.

saturDAY, JANUARY 12, 2019

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DAILY MILLIONS

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

Govt using delaying tactics on elections – political commentator

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utspoken political commentator and economist Ramon Gaskin has voiced concern over the current political situation in the country, accusing the Government of trying to delay the holding of General and Regional Elections in Guyana within the stipulated 90-day period.

Gaskin said that the Government was making strategic moves all aimed towards delaying the democratic process from taking place. He said the first move was to challenge the no-confidence resolution that was passed in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018.

“Everything that the Government is doing, including going to court, is a delay tactic … it is aimed at delaying the holding of elections. And this meeting between the Chief Whips and the GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission) is just another set of delay,” he asserted.

Gaskin also questioned the reason for giving Chief Whips Gail Teixeira and Amna Ally the responsibility of inquiring from GECOM its readiness for elections.

He argued that Government and the Opposition have three representatives each on the Commission.

“The whole question of these two Chief Whips to find out whether GECOM is ready is extremely unusual, and each of these parties has three Commissioners there,” he pointed out.

The Government is represented by Vincent Alexander, Desmond Trotman and Charles Corbin while the Opposition representatives are Bibi Shadick, Robeson Benn and Sase Gunraj.

Gaskin, a former advisor to late President, Dr Cheddi Jagan, told <<<Guyana Times>>> on Sunday that these individuals would have a more intimate understanding of the Commission’s work.

Further, he believes that their constitutional posts give them an advantage to gather that information.

“So, I don’t see a need to send them [the Chief Whips] in. And the Constitution is clear on having these members. It’s all nonsense, unnecessary and it might even be trespassing on the work of the Commission,” he said.

Gaskin also made reference to the health of the GECOM Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson, who recently requested an extension of his medical leave. He was hospitalised last month, and was expected to return to GECOM last week to host a statutory meeting.

“The man is not well and

Political commentator and economist Ramon Gaskin

that by itself lends to a delay. I don’t doubt that they will also appeal the court decision, if it is not in its (Government’s) favour. They may take that matter to the Supreme Court and all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ),” he added.

Not ready

Government wants the court to rule on whether the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland’s decision on the December 21, 2018 motion was indeed carried by a majority of all elected members and whether or not the 33 to 32 breakdown meant it was validly passed.

Meanwhile, a private citizen named Compton Reid filed a petition in the court challenging the validity of the vote of former Member of Parliament Charrandas Persaud, who helped pass the motion, stating that he had falsely declared that he

was a Guyanese citizen.

The political commentator also pointed to recent comments made by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo where he stated that elections should be held before April, especially since the list of electors would expire during that month and would therefore prompt new registration.

“I am certain once they continue to delay this process, and it extends to that time, they will also start talking about reregistration.

With how things are going, I don’t see elections being held anytime soon. Not in the next 90 days and who knows, not even this year,” he concluded.

Gaskin claimed that the reason for all these delays was not only to hold on to power, but he believes that the major party within the coalition, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), “which, in a nutshell, is basi-

cally PNC (People’s National Congress)” was not ready.

He told Guyana Times, “The PPP (People’s Progressive Party) is ready, because they have been campaigning all along, ever since 2015 and they haven’t stopped, but the PNC is not ready especially with the poor showing at local elections for the AFC (Alliance For Change).”

GECOM Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield has already declined to meet with the Chief Whips. A decision was made during a meeting between Jagdeo and President David Granger for the two individuals to find out the readiness of GECOM for an election.

However, Teixeira said Saturday that Lowenfield deferred the meeting to the GECOM Chairman, who is himself on extended medical leave. Teixeira said a meeting with Lowenfield would probably have been better, since a number of technical matters would have been dealt with.

Meanwhile, Ally, in an interview with the State media, stated that Lowenfield did not have a difficulty in meeting with them. But, nevertheless, he still requested that they seek out Patterson.

It was announced recently that Patterson had his medical leave extended, even as the threemonth deadline mandated by the Constitution for elections after a successful no-confidence vote approaches and preparations are at a standstill. (Samuel Sukhnandan)

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONdAY, January 14, 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

“Flawed” tending to “authoritarian” democracy

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he Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), part of the respected British “Economist” magazine, issues annual reports on the state of democracy across the world.

These are eagerly awaited because they offer an impartial assessment of countries’ efforts to practise democracy under different conditions. Because the same criteria are used, corrective measures can be taken by responsible leaders in the areas where their country may be lagging.

Depending on their composite scores, countries can range from being “full democracies” to “authoritarian regimes”, through intermediate “flawed” and “hybrid” democracies.

In the EIU’s 2018 Report, they rated Guyana as a “flawed democracy”. To appreciate the import of the rating, one will have to unpack the 60 indicators, which are grouped into five categories – a) electoral process and pluralism; b) civil liberties; c) functioning of Government; d) political participation; and e) political culture.

With each category scored from a high of 10 to a low of 0, the average of the five scores becomes the final score. A breakdown of the 2018 overall index shows Guyana receiving a 9.17 point average for electoral process and pluralism; Government functioning 5.71; political participation 6.11; political culture 5.00; and civil liberties 7.35. Very clearly, we receive very high marks for our electoral process.

But we know that this aspect is under strain right now, because of the People’s National Congress’s actions in the appointment of the Chair of GECOM and in the ominous stalling by the organisation in delivering a definitive pronouncement on its state of readiness to conduct General and Regional elections in three months as demanded by Article 106 (7) after the successful no-confidence motion. The representatives of the Opposition and the Government were told that such an answer cannot be given unless the Chair of GECOM is present, even though the electoral mechanism is the responsibility of the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) and the Chair has been ill for over a month. It is hoped that further foot-dragging will not be forthcoming.

The EIU noted the no-confidence vote, but sadly was unable to incorporate the tendentious rear-guard actions taken by the PNC Government to vitiate the democratic outcome. It is certain that if the specious “33 is no greater than 32” argument were known to have been taken to the courts to delay the holding of elections, our score on this most crucial metric would have been much lower than the 9.17 awarded.

The lowest score given was on our “political culture” and this should be of no surprise to anyone. A country’s political culture can be looked at by looking at both the political elites and the people. In Guyana, the PNC regime between 1968 and 1985 was distinctly authoritarian in its culture and publicly declared the “paramountcy of the party over the state”. The Disciplined Forces were increased exponentially and used to suppress the populace while subverting the electoral process through blatant rigging.

The Government saw it as its duty to “mould” the destiny of the people and with its authoritarian measures sought to impose a culture of passivity and apathy in the people to make them docile and obedient – the very antithesis of what a democratic culture demands. Since 1992, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) worked assiduously to reverse these developments though the Opposition PNC fought this tooth and nail, using the unfortunate ethnic divisions in the country to play off one section against the other.

With the return of the PNC to power in 2015, ominous authoritarian developments have been noted since President Granger promised to “fulfil the legacy of Forbes Burnham”, the authoritarian “founder leader” of the PNC. The Army and Police are being enlarged as in the past and the top leadership of the latter has been shaken up. The People’s Militia has been reintroduced and the Cadet Corps soon will follow.

Ex-Army and Police Officers have been placed in almost all Government departments like the communist “political commissars” of yore.

The other scores show the same downward spiral and if continued will definitely plunge us into the “hybrid” democracy/authoritarian category.

Boerasirie-Bonasika Canal is a drainage canal located in Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Guyana. The estimated terrain elevation above sea level is one metre (Kevin Somwaru photo)

Saudi Arabia must hold Khashoggi killers “accountable” – US Secretary of State

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S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday he would ask Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to ensure the killers of Journalist Jamal Khashoggi are held accountable for their crime.

The top US diplomat, on an extensive Middle East tour, spoke ahead of a politically sensitive visit to Saudi Arabia, which has faced intense international scrutiny over Khashoggi's murder inside its Istanbul consulate.

"We will continue to have a conversation with the Crown Prince and the Saudis about ensuring the accountability is full and complete with respect to the unacceptable murder of Jamal Khashoggi," Pompeo told a news conference in Qatar.

"So, we'll continue to talk about that and make sure we have all the facts so that they are held accountable, certainly by the Saudis but by the United States as well."

Pompeo was due to travel to Saudi Arabia later on Sunday as part of an eight-day trip to Amman, Cairo, Manama, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Muscat, and finally Kuwait City.

He was speaking in Doha after meeting his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.

He will meet the Qatari emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, before heading to Saudi Arabia.

Khashoggi was killed on October 2 in a case which stunned the world and threatened a serious rift between Riyadh and Washington.

The Journalist was murdered and his corpse dismembered inside the Kingdom's Istanbul Consulate.

Evidence subsequently emerged that the killing was done by a team of Saudis sent from Riyadh and closely linked to the Crown Prince.

Washington subsequently demanded a transparent investigation.

Riyadh Prosecutors have announced indictments against 11 people, and are seeking the death penalty against five of them.

Pompeo later admitted in a Q&A session with US Embassy staff in Doha that no progress was made on resolving the issue. "(It's) not at all clear that the rift is any closer to being resolved today than it was yesterday," he said. "And I regret that."

For Washington, turning the page on the crisis is essential for the successful launch of the Strategic Alliance of the Middle East (MESA), which is a NATO-style security pact that includes Gulf countries as well as Egypt and Jordan.

Saudi Prince al-Faisal warns against US Syria pullout

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

But Crown Prince Mohammed, whose right-hand aides were allegedly involved in the murder, was exonerated by Prosecutors despite US intelligence reportedly having evidence he was behind it.

On a previous visit to Riyadh at the height of the Khashoggi affair, Pompeo's broad smiles with the Crown Prince outraged some Americans.

However, US President Donald President Trump has said Washington wants to preserve the alliance with the Kingdom, although the US Senate has clearly blamed Crown Prince Mohammed for the murder.

Washington is eager for regional unity to gain widespread support its fight against Iran.

Pompeo refused on Sunday to comment on reports Washington had recently considered military action against Tehran.

Gulf crisis

He also called on Qatar and other Gulf countries to end the worst political rift in the region for years, which has seen Doha diplomatically and economically isolated by neighbouring former allies for the past 19 months.

Meanwhile, a senior member of the Saudi royal family has warned against a US troop withdrawal from Syria.

Prince Turki al-Faisal told the BBC the action would have a negative impact, further entrenching Iran, Russia and the rule of President Bashar al-Assad.

US President Trump announced in December that it was time to bring US troops home from Syria.

Prince Turki was speaking just before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo began a visit to Riyadh.

He said that the world community was guilty of neglecting the Syrian people and the US troop withdrawal would make things worse.

"The US actions from my perspective is that it is going to further complicate, rather find any solutions to it and further entrench not only the Iranians, but also the Russians and Bashar al Assad, so from the perspective it is a very negative development," he said.

The Prince added that the departure of Defence Secretary James Mattis in December was unlikely to help matters either.

"Obviously he disagreed with the administration on Syria policy so in that context his remaining would have been a more positive sign of commitment to that policy," he said. (AFP and BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONdAY, January 14, 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

There must be no unnecessary delays in hosting of elections Dear Editor, The Constitution is the fundamental law of a state that sets up the structure of Government, usually what citizenship is, and what rights they have. Its role in a free country is to provide scope for good Government, while at the same time placing limitations on the powers or excesses of the governors. The Constitution is supreme of all legislation and is, therefore, instructive of changes or adjustment to all other laws to meet its intent with fluidity.

In context, there are many obvious implications for our citizens and the country at large. This is in light of the numerous early signals of intent by the Government, to violate enshrined provisions and instructive rulings of our Constitution following the recently debated and passed No-Confidence Motion.

Prior to and during the debate, we witnessed arguments by Government Parliamentarians in favor of the 33 votes as a majority and their subsequent complete U-turn when they were defeated by the same amount. The positions pronounced on and accepted in our Parliament by the Prime Minister in the

National Assembly suddenly changed. The emergence of complicit shallow reversals, therefore, is actually calculated to stifle our democracy.

Numerous publicly recognised and high credential civil institutions have vociferously rejected the diabolical notion now being advanced by the APNU/ AFC. Most citizens are obviously strongly committed to disallowing this abusive disposition, and are calling, along with the International Community, for the Government to do the right thing and resign.

Guyana must not become a Police State!

The APNU/AFC Government’s initial hesitancy and unwillingness of resignation, touts a flagrant violation of Section 106 of the Guyana Constitution.

This behavior and the recent Government’s intimated move to ask the Courts to extend the constitutionally instructive 90-day period for mandatory elections is outright illegal and abusive.

Obviously, it begs explanations as to how a court can legitimately allow a Cabinet to stay in Office when the Constitution, a superior instrument to all other laws by which the Courts

are bound, says that there shall be a resignation. There is acknowledgement, however, that the implied nature of resignation within the constitutional text is futuristic regarding the Cabinet and the President. The former with appropriate speed and the latter on the swearing in of the President following new elections.

While it is not expected that the state will be without governance during the incumbent period, it implies other than National Security and maintaining Law and Order, no major decisions that would bind a future government must be undertaken. Although not specifically pronounced on in the Constitution, such circumstance rationally indicates a caretaker mode for which there is numerous strong precedence. In the least, the APNU/AFC’s clear commitment to abide with these provisions should have been frontal.

The fact that the Attorney General (AG) indicated his intent to file a request for an extension of the constitutional period of resignation in the Courts, signals anything but compliance. The AG ought to have been aware that such a request of the Courts is

outside its jurisdiction, since the period stipulated by Section 106 cannot be changed by this method.

In fact, the Constitution itself sets out the conditions for its own altering and activation following assent by the President. Section 164 (1) Informs of changes to the possible No-Confidence provisions instructed by Section 106. It states: “Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3), a Bill for an Act of Parliament to alter this Constitution shall not be passed by the National Assembly unless it is supported at the final voting in the Assembly by the votes of a majority of all the elected members of the Assembly.”

Today, no amount of procrastination can save the fallen coalition Government from facing the nation at an election following the historic debate and the Speaker’s ruling on the NoConfidence motion in the National Assembly. The Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and President David Granger accepted that their Government had fallen following the ruling; and National and Regional Elections are due in ninety days from December 21, 2018, unless another peri-

od is agreed upon with the Opposition leader.

The Opposition Leader, in a very suave and tactically diplomatic approach had opened the doors for appropriate discussions with the Government in national interest. There was perhaps, too long a delay for the engagement as the APNU/AFC seemed to be weighing options they did not have, given the conflicting negative releases in the public media and from the Office of the AG. Notably, the recent meeting between President Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, was addressed with a manner of maturity and exemplifies a positive approach of dealing with the broad national concern. Although there appears to be a partially variant view of some issues, it concluded a definitive position with regards to General and Regional Elections which must be held at the earliest; subject to the readiness of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The news emerging from GECOM is significantly worrisome and sad; indicating that the aged pensioner and ailing Chairman, Justice Ret’d James Patterson has been unwell for some time. No meetings of the

Commission were convened during the period of his reported illness, which is now approaching five weeks and is a matter of concern given the appropriate speed that the matter should be dealt with constitutionally.

Notwithstanding, GECOM had announced after December 21, 2018, that the organisation was ready to conduct the General and Regional Elections if called upon. It is also notable that the current List of Electors is valid until April 2019 which means that we must get ready for General and Regional Elections in March or early April this year.

There must be no unnecessary delays. It was reported that the Chairman was at the Office on Monday, and he was advised by persons from the PNC to stay home and draw-down his millions.

Suddenly we are told that he is not well and he is on two weeks leave. This hypocrisy and delaying tactic cannot work. We look forward in observation of the steps that will be taken to remedy this looming tactical misnomer, and urge the observation of the international community and all citizens.

Yours truly, Neil Kumar

Oil and Gas Forum What new ideas or projects have come for youths was forth from the Granger govt? a poorly-staged propaganda exercise Dear Editor, I would like to express my disappointment with the manner in which young people were treated at the Oil and Gas Forum conducted by the Department of Youth at the Umana Yana on January 12. I am all for educating Guyanese of the opportunities and possibilities that come with our addition of oil production to our economic sector. What we were treated to was an exercise in poorly staged propaganda - an attempt to show new found love for youth by the APNU/AFC. The presentations young Guyanese were treated to were replete with vague language, hyper-inflated figures and esoteric details, “this industry is capital intensive”, “Prosperous people profit from problems”, “Do not chase after the dollar, chase after your dreams”, “USD$680 million spent in 2018 by the oil companies”, “too much oil refineries in the world”. The question on almost every participant’s lip was job related, what jobs were available now? Who would the oil companies have to hire based on local content requirements?

Jobs? Jobs? Jobs?

The answers were not helpful - with no plan to build a refinery, means very few jobs, I would have liked an in-depth analysis of this position, telling us that Trinidad just closed their 40 year old

refinery is not pertinent information; for 40 years Trinidad & Tobago’s refinery was a driving force in a vibrant booming economy, indeed, reports I have read state that it was making profit up to its closure. This was typical of the answers provided, short, uncertain and often vague speculation.

There will be another of these thinly disguised APNU/ AFC campaign events on the January 19 at the sports hall, and many more young people seeking answers about opportunities in the oil and gas sector will be treated to this song and dance routine.

Editor, young people like music, Yes we sing ‘strangle me and tie me up’ but this is not what we mean, more hope was found under the tents of the Movie Towne job fair, a project enabled by the PPP/C for which Winston Brassington has been charged for selling land at $18 million an acre, in part of an area that the PNC tried to sell at $25 thousand per acre, than here at the impressive sounding Oil and Gas forum. This is a Government bereft of vision or knowledge; they cannot shed light on which they themselves do not understand.

Yours truly, Vickram Bharrat PPP/C Member of Parliament

Dear Editor, In reading Bishop Edghill’s letter pertaining to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion project I was struck by the sentence “This interconnected group of projects was totally misunderstood and incompetently handled by the APNU/AFC Administration when they came to office in May 2015.”

It sums up the 3.6 years of poor governance by the APNU+AFC Administration.

While Edghill asks the question of completion dates, I beg to ask of APNU+AFC’s conception dates, that is to say, what new ideas or projects have come forth from the Granger Cabinet that demonstrates vision for our nation? Editor, the bastardised version of the Low Carbon Development Strategy relabeled as the “Green State Development Strategy” lacks the innovation of LCDS and is about as practical as the coats of green paint applied to Government buildings en masse. All of the current projects except the plethora of speed bumps, being undertaken, were conceptualised and started under the PPP/C Administration. The Public Infrastructure Minister likes to point out the “little things” that his Ministry accomplishes; he should be reminded that his little fixes come with a hefty price tag and are works that should be carried out by competent city and village councils. Street lights and potholes are not the purview of a Minister of

State, it is the work of a city Councillor.

Editor, Guyana was moved from a heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPIC) to Upper Middle Income under successive PPP/C Administrations, this was done without the much hyped “Oil money” that has become the focus of this vacuous APNU+AFC Administration. Neglect of the pillars of our economy Mining and Agriculture - by APNU+AFC is mind boggling, coupled with a belief that Guyanese can be taxed to pay for their excesses of expenditure on the frivolous, non-productive and mismanaged little things with massive price tags led a most expensive and disastrous period in our nation’s economic history. The APNU+AFC have emptied the coffers of the USD$900 million reserves and are driving us further into debt daily.

Editor, the APNU+AFC boasts of the largest budgets in our nation’s history, would that they could boast of a completed project that they conceived and executed successfully. Along with this massive increase in expenditure came the curse of unaccountability. The Auditor General’s reports read like a hatchet job of Government politicians, listing unaccounted billions, lack of concern for procurement safe-guards, basics such as receipts and ledgers are a problem in every item of expenditure in every single Ministry. The level of incompetence caused by “the

twin sins of ignorance and arrogance” as described by Edghill in an earlier missive is stunning.

2019 elections are upon us and Guyanese must face the questions of vision for our nation and ability to deliver good governance. My advice to all is to disregard those who see “oil money” as a pan-

acea, look to those who understand that Guyana has to now rebuild and strengthen her other pillars of economy, engage in a massive education renaissance and restore governance for the benefit of the people and not the few.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

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mondAY, january 14, 2019

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Foundation

Talking to your parents - or other adults them. If you lie, they'll find it hard to trust you.

Try to understand their point of view. If you have a disagreement, can you see your parents' side? If you can, say so. Telling parents you understand their views and feelings helps them be willing to see yours, too.

Try not to argue or whine

Y

ou probably talk to friends way more than you talk to your parents. That's natural. Even if you and your parents have a great relationship, you want to find your own path and make your own choices.

Still, most of us want a parent's help, advice, and support at times.

But talking to the adults in your life can seem difficult or intimidating – especially when it comes to certain subjects. Here are some tips to make it easier.

Talk about everyday stuff – and do it every day

The more you do something, the easier it gets. Talking to the adults in your life about everyday stuff builds a bond that can smooth the way for when you need to discuss something more serious.

Find something trivial to chat about each day. Talk about how your team did at the track meet. Share something one of your teachers said. Even small talk about what's for dinner can keep your relationship strong and comfortable.

It's never too late to start. If you feel your relationship with your parents is strained, try easing into conversations.

Mention that cute thing the dog did.

Talk about how well your little sister is doing in math. Chatting with parents every day not only keeps an existing relationship strong, it also can help a frayed relationship get stronger.

When parents feel connected to your daily life, they can be there for you if something really important comes up.

Using a tone that's friendly and respectful makes it more likely parents will listen and take what you say seriously. It also makes it more likely that they'll talk to you in the same way. Of course, this is hard for any of us (adults included) when we're feeling heated about something. If you think your emotions might get the better of you, do something to blow off steam before talking: Go for a run. Cry. Hit your pillow. Do whatever it takes to sound calm when you need to.

How to talk so parents will listen

What if talking to parents doesn't work?

As most of us know, talking and listening don't go smoothly every time.

Emotions and past experiences can get in the way.

Will parents take you seriously, believe what you say, listen to and respect your opinions, and hear you out without interrupting? A lot depends on your parent. Some parents are easy to talk to, some are great listeners, and some are harder to approach.

But some of what happens depends on you, too. Since communication is a two-way street, the way you talk can influence how well a parent listens and understands you.

So here are some guidelines to consider when talking to parents:

Be clear and direct

Be as clear as you can about what you think, feel, and want. Give details that can help parents understand your situation. They can listen better or be more helpful if they understand what you mean and what's really going on.

Be honest

If you're always honest, a parent will be likely to believe what you say.

If you sometimes hide the truth or add too much drama, parents will have a harder time believing what you tell

Your parents won't always see things your way and they won't always say yes to what you ask. They might listen respectfully, understand your point of view, and do everything you need except say yes. It can be hard to take no for an answer. But gracefully accepting a no can help you get more yeses in the future.

What if it's more than just saying no to something, though? What if you really need your parents to be there for you but they can't? Some parents have troubles of their own. Others just can't be available in the ways their kids need and deserve. Others have a hard time being flexible.

If you can't talk to your parent, seek out other adults you can trust. Find a relative, a teacher, or a counsellor who will listen, understand, encourage, believe in you, and care. Then follow all the tips above to get the most from your conversation with that person.

Acting respectfully demonstrates maturity. Parents are more likely to think of their children as grown up (and, as a result, capable of making more important decisions) when they see them acting maturely. Give these tips a try and you'll come across that way — maybe even more mature than your parents! (kidshealth.org)

Raising difficult topics

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aybe you need to break bad news to a parent, like failing an exam. Perhaps you're feeling scared or stressed about something. Or maybe you just really, really want to tell your parents about your new boyfriend or girlfriend, but you don't know how they'll react, how it will feel to tell them, or how to find the words.

Here are three steps to help you prepare for that talk.

Step 1: Know what you want from the conversation

It takes maturity to figure out what you want to get out of a conversation. (Most adults aren't so good at this!)

What you hope to achieve can vary. Most often you'll probably want the adults in your life to do one or more of these things: simply listen and understand what you're going through without offering advice or commentary give permission or support for something offer you advice or help guide you back on track if you're in trouble – in a way that's fair and without harsh criticism or put-downs Why think about this before you begin talking? So you can say why you want to talk in a way that communicates what you need. For example: "Mom, I need to tell you about a problem I'm having, but I need you to just listen, OK? Don't give me advice – I just want you to know what's bothering me."

"Dad, I need to get your permission to go on a class trip next week. Can I tell you about it?"

"Grandad, I need your advice about something. Can we talk?"

Step 2: Identify your feelings

Things like personal feelings or sex are awkward to discuss with anyone, let alone a parent. It's natural to be nervous when talking about sensitive topics.

Recognise how you're feeling — for example, maybe you're worried that telling parents about a problem will make them disappointed or upset. But instead of letting those feelings stop you from talking, put them into words as part of the conversation. For example: "Mom, I need to talk to you – but I'm afraid I'll disappoint you."

"Dad, I need to talk to you about something – but it's kind of embarrassing."

What if you think a parent may be unsupportive, harsh, or critical? It can help to defuse things by beginning with a statement like, "Mom, I have something to tell you. I'm not proud of what I've done, and you might be mad. But I know I need to tell you. Can you hear me out?"

Step 3: Pick a good time to talk

Approach your parent when he or she isn't busy with something else. Ask, "Can we talk? Is now a good time?"

Driving in the car or going for a walk can be great opportunities to talk. If it's hard to find a good time, say, "I need to talk to you. When is a good time?"

Difficult conversations benefit from good planning.

Think ahead about what you want to say or ask. Write down the most important ideas if you need to. (kidshealth.org)

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7

MONdAY, January 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Black market fuel shipments

Trade with Sindicatos prevalent in Cuyuni area – border controversy symposium hears

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he icy relations between Guyana and its western neighbour, Venezuela spurred by its “acts of aggression” in addition to its unstable economic situation have allowed the proliferation of an unregulated fuel trade with operatives in the Spanishspeaking country.

However, it was during a recent symposium on the Guyana/Venezuela controversy that it was disclosed that the black market trade with notorious criminal gang ‘Sindicatos’ in frontline communities is prevalent.

At last week’s symposium organised mainly for union representatives, it was revealed that miners and other business operators are being forced to trade on the black market due to convenience and distance from the capital city, Georgetown.

One of the areas principally infiltrated with the practice is the CuyuniMazruni (Region 7) area.

“Our people are importing fuel dealing with Sindicatos...its black market; Essequibo can buy cheaper fuel...Sindicatos are controlling the border,” one of the stakeholders explained. This disclosure comes as revelations are being unearthed over the millions of dollars that Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has been losing due to reported tax dodging measures.

Regarding what occurs in interior locations, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Major General (retired) Joseph Singh explained that customs’ authorities are aware of the practice but regulation is particularly elusive with the unstable situation in the Bolivarian Republic.

He further added that persons are more inclined to collect fuel much cheaper “even if they have to pay a

Seven residents are being affected by pollution of the upper Cuyuni River which leads to downstream impacts on communities and aquatic life.

“The environmental impact of mining in the State of Bolivar from the upper Cuyuni River and downstream impacts on communities and aquatic life; security implications of Sindicatos and other transnational criminal organisations operating within the State of Bolivar; the raiding of mining camps on Guyana’s territory; the migration of disaffected / impoverished Venezuelans into

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

bribe.”

“If you’re a miner operating from middle Cuyuni or Waiamu River, it’s hardly likely that you’re going to move fuel from Georgetown to that area when you can get the fuel from Venezuela.

Customs authorities have been recognising that something needs to be done but unwilling to do what is necessary because they have no one to speak with in the Venezuelan side; it can’t be an arbitrary decision on our part, it has to be a bilateral decision,” the former army general pointed out.

Major General Singh further outlined that if there is no basis for bilateral discussion, the convention of the black market trade “will take precedence”.

“At an official level, those things you mentioned about the trade and fuel, etc, have to be negotiated on a bilateral basis but until such time until there is some kind of

stability in Venezuela, the irregularities will continue,” Singh added.

Over the last several months, reports have surfaced detailing the terrorisation Guyanese are encountering with the notorious Sindicato gang. In fact, the dwelling places of regular inhabitants as well as mining camps are being raided. It all came to head on last Wednesday night when one suspected gang member was shot and killed by the Sheriff Security Services firm during an almost twohour standoff at SSS Mining Camp at Blackwater, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Meanwhile, as the gang situation remains prevalent, tensions over Venezuela’s imminent remapping of its coastal areas abound and in Major Singh’s “Acts of aggression by Venezuela in pursuit of its spurious claim” presentation, it was highlighted that Region

Retired GDF Major General Joe Singh

Guyana’s border regions (close to 9000 Venezuelans in Guyana) health concerns, transmission of disease like

malaria,” Singh said, highlighting some of the issues arising out of the Venezuela/ Guyana border controversy.

8 news Youths urged to be more involved in oil and gas development Y MONdAY, January 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

oung people were today engaged in talks concerning Guyana’s developing oil and gas sector and how they can be more informed and involved. The session attracted hundreds of youths, over-spilling the Umana Yana where it was held.

They were able to ask questions and make suggestions to various Heads from the Departments of Energy, Environment and Youth.

Calls for more training opportunities, awareness campaigns, job creation, creation of strong policies and the implementation of stringent laws followed.

Youths also questioned how they will be able to benefit from the sector when production starts next year and how the profits from the oil and gas industry will be invested to improve the country’s lot.

Director of the Energy Department, Dr Mark

New…

O

A section of the youths at the symposium on Saturday

Bynoe, in his address to the young people, encouraged them to plan for careers not only in oil and gas, but rather for the transformation of the economy.

“You do not have to change your career path to benefit. What you have to do is, in whatever you are doing, ensure you are the best at it. You do not have to be a petroleum engineer to benefit from oil and gas.

What you have to do is en-

sure that you are certifiable Guyanese that you can be employed” Dr Bynoe underscored.

Youth Director Melissa Carmichael-Haynes encouraged the young people to take advantage of every training opportunity available and programmes being offered by the department geared at empowering young people. The Director highlighted that there are many programmes through

which young people can apply for grants to kick-start innovative business and community ideas offered by the department.

Overall, the young people were not shy in letting their voices be heard and were very vocal, calling to be more involved and not side-lined.

Nevertheless, they were pleased by the initiative taken and expressed their thirst for more. turn to page 10

…parties in Guyana ne of the founders of ANUG – A New and United Guyana – (to be launched this week) commented in his blog which is reprinted by the Stabber News and then regularly reprinted as a news item (talk about publicity!!): “Political parties are mushrooming, as is the custom when elections are close.” Since we’ve tried and failed to grow “real mushrooms”, maybe it might be more appropriate to say, “political parties are sprouting like ‘jumbie umbrellas’”!!

Our colloquial reference would convey not only the accelerated growth cycle of the fungal life form, but the reason for the phenomenon – it grows on dung!! This, of course, makes it a perfect analogy since there’s nothing that resembles dung more than Guyanese politics!! So, while the statement’s true in general, it’s accentuated when the politics gets dirtier – like now, when the PNC’s back to its old tricks!!

Presently, there are supposed to only be two parties in the National Assembly – APNU/AFC coalition and the PPP. But like one of those Russian Babushka dolls, as you open APNU, you see the PNC staring at you and four other parties supposedly in a “union” with it. But those latter parties, along with the AFC, have lost any sign of individuality, and are an object lesson for “Jumbie Umbrella Parties” (JUPs). They pretty much melt away in the bright light of electoral politics, to become “one-man shows”.

Case in point being the two-man (in its heyday!)

National Front Alliance (NFA) with Keith Scott now as the only survivor); the Guyana Action Party (GAP) (with Sydney Allicock) and Justice For All Party (JFAP) with CN Sharma’s son standing in for him. The WPA’s the most long-living, but withered inexorably away with Walter Rodney’s assassination and is having a tough time surviving even in Granger’s “country for old men”! The AFC was “dead meat” on arrival!

So, we look at the new JUPs. Recycled from the “old days”, the United Republican Party (URP) took part in the LGE, but was not even able to garner a single Councillor seat, only its cow-symbol might survive! For the real newbies, first one off the block was the Democratic National Congress (DNC), who took the concept of “one man party” to its literal apotheosis! Manning the head table by his lonesome at the launch, the leader alternatingly asked and then answered his own questions!

Last weekend, over in Berbice, three local (meaning Berbice) lawyers launched the “Federal United Party” (FED-UP), whose manifesto appears to be summed up in its name and acronym! ANUG, composed of some wellmeaning middle-class Georgetowners, will launch this weekend, but has already suffered its first defection.

Jumbie umbrellas do tend to be fragile!! …disrespect to Canada Oldsters would remember the American comedian Rodney Dangerfield, whose main schtick was to riff on his doleful expression, “I just can’t get no respect!” It does seem that Canada’s the Rodney Dangerfield of international politics! Long seen as a pale imitation of the US – especially by the US which started the “disrespect” – it’s come to a point when even “s*ithole” countries “follow pattern”.

Take the sabre rattling by the PNC Government at the Canadian Government for giving one of its citizens – Charrandas Persaud – protection to fly out of the country – after he was most publicly threatened with death by several MPs of the PNC and AFC IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY!! (“Charrandas you gun dead tonight”!!!)

That Charrandas was also a citizen of Guyana is of no consequence to Canada, which accepts MPs and Ministers who are even TRIPLE citizens!!

Just because Guyana doesn’t give a hoot about its citizens abroad, doesn’t mean Canada has to do the same!

Canada has to stop being “Mr Nice Guy”! …Venezuelan aggression The PNC should stop fooling around and making our democratic credentials plummet. It’s also encouraging Venezuela to step up its aggression. This time with a “remapping” of their waters in the Atlantic.

The world will back democracies against dictatorial aggression!

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

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9

MONdAY, January 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Charrandas puts bribery claims to rest …willing to take lie detector test …says bank account checked out

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aking it clear that he has nothing to hide, former Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament Charrandas Persaud has revealed that persons have been investigating him, even checking on his bank account at Scotiabank.

Persaud was at the time appearing on a broadcast panel discussion organised by a local firm, Globespan Technology, on Saturday.

According to Persaud, whose support of the no-confidence motion that toppled the Government made him a household name, these inquiries failed to unearth ‘dirty money’.

“The only reason they’ve given up on (accusations of me) accepting bribes is because they checked through Scotiabank, my account there and they found no money… as a matter of fact they found that I owe on the same Prado... So they’ve given up (on proving I took a bribe).”

“They have nothing and will continue to find nothing. They’ve also given up on me buying $1 million in gold,” Persaud said, adding that the very man he was accused of negotiating the gold purchase with is affiliated with the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry.”

Persaud went on to throw down the gauntlet, saying that he was willing to take a lie detector test to prove he did not accept a bribe.

“Yes, I will submit to it.

And I’ll tell you that they cannot, no matter what

Former AFC MP Charrandas Persaud as he left the National Assembly after his conscience vote

they do with it, find that I accepted bribe, because nobody offered me any money to say I’m bribing you to vote. I voted because of my conscience.”

The former MP also responded to Police Commissioner Leslie James, who was recently asked about reports that the Guyana Police Force was investigating Persaud.

James had noted that such an investigation pertained to national security.

“The Commissioner of Police was grilled by reporters who asked a simple question: ‘James, you are investigating Charrandas Persaud for what criminal activity’. (He said) that is confidential. Why is he a threat to national security? That is confidential. The man had no answer for anything.

“So what they want the world to believe is that

Charrandas is involved in something criminal, so that when he shows up at the borders they can arrest him and keep him locked up until he hangs himself in prison. They expect that I am going to be locked up. But they have nothing on me,” Persaud informed the panel.

Security escort

In addition, Persaud addressed reports about the security escort that accompanied him to the Eugene F Correia airport on December 21, when he left the country after his conscience vote.

“The (State media) published that the persons who were with me were known criminals and former members of the death squad.

Those are all (lies) that they are coming up with,” Persaud said.

According to the show’s presenters, Public

Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and People’s National Congress (PNC) politician Aubrey Norton were also originally expected to join the discussion.

On December 21, the no-confidence motion brought by the parliamentary Opposition – the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) – against the Government succeeded when Persaud, at the time an AFC Member of Parliament, broke ranks and made a conscience vote in favour of the motion.

Outside the chambers, Persaud had had some harsh words for the Government while defending his vote. According to the MP, he had voted that

way because of the AFC’s subordinate role to the majority A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

Persaud cited examples like Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence’s recent controversial statement about hiring party stalwarts, and pointed out that the AFC leadership did not condemn but rather condoned the statement.

At the time, the former MP had noted that his actions may have put his life in jeopardy. In fact, Persaud had mentioned specific threats to his life that he received only minutes after the vote.

Persaud had left the country that very night on a flight bound for Canada, where he has citizenship.

Since then, there have been allegations floating around that Charrandas was seen leaving the National Assembly escorted by PPP member Peter Ramsaroop.

However, on Wednesday, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo dismissed these claims as mischievous, saying that the businessman was free to befriend whomever he wants to, even if it’s

persons from the opposite side of the House.

Meanwhile, Ramsaroop has also denied any wrongdoing, telling reporters on Wednesday that Persaud had requested his help – something which he would have done for any of his friends.

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

According to reports, a Canadian diplomat, along with Ramsaroop, had obtained protocol passes to see Persaud off at the Eugene F Correia Airport, hours after the December 21 sitting of the National Assembly.

It is being alleged that the security protocol was breached when Ramsaroop accompanied the diplomat and Persaud onto the tarmac of the East Coast Demerara airport since such passes are not valid for civilians.

10 news

MONdAY, January 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Rape matters constitute 61% of cases to be heard at Demerara Assizes ...Muslim scholar listed for trial

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ollowing the usual pomp and ceremony that permeated last week’s commencement of the first criminal session for the year; telling numbers were seen from statistics drawn from the three lists of cases, as nearly 61 per cent of matters were sexual offences with the majority being child victims.

At present, three Judges are on rotation at the Demerara Assizes, with Justices Navindra Singh and James Bovell-Drakes dealing with murder cases and Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Sexual Offences Court.

On the three lists, there are 253 cases and the current complement of Judges will not be able to hear all of the matters over the next three months. One hundred and fifty four cases are sex-

Accused Muslim scholar Nezaam Ali

ual offences while the remainder ranges from murder, attempted murder to manslaughter and the like.

During the last criminal session in the Demerara county, which ran from

October to December, only seven per cent of cases were disposed – reflecting the need for an increased contingent of Judges to hear matters.

One of the listed cases slated for hearing is that of Muslim scholar Nezaam Ali, who has been accused of sexually abusing nine boys.

Currently out on bail, he is facing multiple indictments for crimes allegedly committed between 2011 and 2012, including sexual activity with a child under 16 years and sexual activity with a child by abusing a position of trust.

Ali was first charged in 2013, but was only committed to stand trial before the High Court after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack was called upon to reopen the matter. In February

2017, Ali-Hack remitted the matter to Magistrate Alex Moore to re-open the paper committals.

Before the DPP remitted the matter; the defendant’s lawyer, Nigel Hughes, had filed in the High Court an action to have the committal overturned. This had been considered by the court, and it was ruled that the committal would remain. The mother of three of the boys was recently quoted in another section of the media calling for the matter to be heard as it has been almost nine years since the time of the initial allegations.

The need for more counselling to be done in sexual abuse cases was recently highlighted in a report from Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) ChildLink about child sexual abuse in Guyana. It was suggested that such services have been improved to help affected children recover.

The report reflected that in 2014, 3883 cases of child abuse were reported to the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) of which 628 (or 16 per cent) were child sexual abuse cases. In 2017, the CC&PA saw a total of 4179 cases of abuse reported, with 841 (20 per cent) of these being child sexual abuse. It was also found that in a period of three years (2014- 017) there was an increase of five per cent in reported cases of child sexual abuse.

ChildLink had further explained that in 2015 and 2016, the CC&PA received 676 and 734 reports of sexual violence, respectively constituting 15 per cent of the reported cases of abuse against children.

Child sexual abuse is when an adult or older child coerces, forces, or persuades a child into sexual activities, according to ChildLink, which describes the act as alarming and distressing since it causes trauma among other issues for a

child. The report suggested that with more counselling, child victims are being enabled and empowered to recount what happened to them. It was also noted that there was some improvement in the delivery of services to children who have been sexually abused.

It has been report-

ed that since the launch of the Sexual Offences Court in November 2017 by the acting Chancellor and the Judiciary, there has been a successful prosecution rate of approximately 80 per cent in child sexual abuse cases that have made it to the specialised court at the High Court in Georgetown.

Youths urged to be... from page 8

Department of Energy Director, Dr Mark Bynoe

Martin Massiah, one of the participants, said that he was happy to see young people being involved in the process, especially with the opportunities that will come with the industry. “I am looking forward to the Department of Youth and the GEA and all the oth-

er organisations associated with the emerging oil industry in Guyana engaging the youth. Not only in sessions like this but in more practical sessions where you can see them actually interacting and exchanging more ideas with the young people of Guyana” Massiah stated.

Sasha King described the session as a very informative one, but also called for more to be held. King said “the young people of Guyana, we have a lot, we know a lot, but we still need to know more of what is going on. This session did that to an extent, but we still need to have more of this forum in place.”

Due to the massive turnout to the event, it has been decided to hold a similar event next Saturday, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall to facilitate those who did not get to fully participate because of the large audience. Similar sessions are also slated to be undertaken throughout the country so that everyone can join the conversation.

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Timehri roundabout 80% complete – WSG Head

11

MONdAY, January 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Alleged Sindicato gang member's body still unidentified

...says work on access road should commence shortly

The Timehri roundabout during its early stages

T

he Timehri roundabout project, which has been featured prominently in the media last year after being flagged by the Audit Office of Guyana for construction delays, is nearing completion.

This is according to Work Services Group (WSG) head Geoffrey Vaughn, who informed this publication in a recent interview that the project is not only nearing completion but work should also commence shortly on the access road component.

“That is about 80 per cent completed,” Vaughn revealed when asked for an update on the project, adding that the contractor has been able to resolve the issues he encountered with utility infrastructure.

“The access road, (the

contract) should be awarded shortly. Work should commence either early in February or later down (in the year),” the Public Infrastructure Ministry Official added.

In Auditor General Deodat Sharma’s 2017 report, it had been reported that the contractor was given advance payments totalling $30.8 million, with $628,568 being paid to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) as withholding tax.

The contractor, who was awarded the contract out of 11 bidders, was supposed to construct a single lane rural roundabout and bypass road.

The AG had revealed that he examined payment vouchers, contract documents and even paid the site a physical visit a

few months ago. Among his findings were that the works were incomplete and behind schedule.

He had also found that while Gaico had mobilised on site, at the time only excavation and general earth work had started. And this was limited to two small sections of the existing roadway. The works were expected to be done at the existing two lane road coming from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the four lane highway.

The AG had also revealed that the advance payment bond, meant to be a security in case the contractor defaulted after being paid up front, expired since December 4, 2017. As of August 2018, only 19.5 per cent of the advance payment had been recovered.

In its response, the Public Infrastructure Ministry had explained that complications from removing utility connections in the area resulted in the delays on the project. The removal of these utilities, the Ministry had said, had cost over $8 million.

Since that publication, Gaico Construction and General Services had come out to say that far from being responsible for delays to the Timehri roundabout project, the utility infrastructure impeded the project. However, the company is aiming to complete the project by this year end.

During an interview with Guyana Times, Gaico’s Chief Executive Officer Komal Singh had noted that the state auditors did not take into account work done on the site in order to prepare for the project.

According to the CEO, his company delivered approximately 2000 tons of crusher run within a week of the contract at a cost of almost $20 million.

In addition, Singh said that Gaico demolished and rebuilt a fence; all part of preparatory work he said exceeded the mobilisation advances they received.

He then alluded to the sub terrain lines and pipes the company encountered from utility companies like the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT).

Three unlicensed pistols and an assortment of live and spent shells recovered after the foiled robbery

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he alleged Sindicato gang member, who was shot dead on Thursday last after he and others attempted to invade a mining camp at Black Water, Cuyuni River, is yet to be identified.

However, a post-mortem conducted on Saturday by pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh gave the cause of death as perforation to the liver due to gunshot injury.

The dead man of mixed race was reportedly clad in a brown T-shirt, long blue jeans and long boots with his face covered in white paint.

Guyana Times previously reported that the now dead

man, along with approximately five others, surrounded the Kevin Singh mining camp with the intention of carrying out a robbery.

However, a security officer attached to the Sheriff Security Service opened fire, killing the suspect and scaring off the other perpetrators.

In their bid to escape, the perpetrators left behind three unlicensed pistols and an assortment of live and spent shells. These items were found in close proximity to the body of the dead alleged gang member.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

12 news

MONdAY, January 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Former AFC Exec warns Govt not to stall for time – says GECOM must provide timely election preparedness update – urges coalition to put its fate in the hands of the electorate

A

former Alliance For Change (AFC) executive has called out the authorities for seemingly stalling for time, noting that at a time when everything should be in elections mode, the Administration has fallen into a ‘go slow’ mode.

According to economist Sasenarine Singh, at the time appearing on a broadcast ‘town hall’ panel discussion, there is a real risk that Government’s stalling tactics could see them slipping into illegitimacy after March 2019 – that is, if there are no elections and an agreement to extend the deadline is not reached by the National Assembly.

As per an agreement reached by President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo during a recent meeting, their respective Chief Whips – the

Government’s Amna Ally and the Opposition’s Gail Teixeira, were supposed to meet Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) officials last week to enquire into their preparations for elections.

“The Chief Elections Officer (Keith Lowenfield) has told them (Chief Whips) I would like to meet you, but I can’t meet you unless my boss authorises me to meet you guys.

So where is the boss? The boss is the Chairman of GECOM and he’s missing in action too. He’s on extended sick leave,” Singh said.

“So it seems as though the whole Administration is on a go slow. And this is the challenge. The Government’s role is to move things forward. In this case, what we are seeing is the Government opposing itself and real-

ly stalling on itself. And it’s making the whole national conversation into a joke. It is critical that the Government stop behaving immature.”

Singh also reminded that as an entity that receives billions in taxpayers’ money, it is accountable to the people. As such, Singh noted the importance of GECOM’s accountability with less than 90 days left before elections are constitutionally due.

“The reality is a decision was made by the majority. Accept your fate, put yourself in the hands of the electorate, because they are the ones who put you in authority. Let the people decide what they want. It’s their country.

We have to work together … GECOM will need a framework to deliver on these elections.”

“Fortunately, for

GECOM, they’ve just come out of local Government Elections, which meant the machinery has proven it works. So it just needs tinkering and some level of expansion and it will be ready. So they don’t need a long time. But GECOM is so anaemic in its communication, they have not even prescribed to the nation what their roadmap is.”

While Lowenfield diverted the two Chief Whips to his ailing boss, Teixeira in an interview with Guyana Times had said that a meeting with Lowenfield would probably have been better, since a number of technical matters would have been dealt with.

“Lowenfield thought it appropriate we write the Chairman first and get a meeting set up. That’s what (Chief Whip Amna

Ally) did as a result. We haven’t gotten a response yet. My view was that this is a technical issue and (we should) get the technical areas from Lowenfield and his secretariat and the operational preparedness,” Teixeira had said.

Meanwhile, Ally, in an interview with the State media, stated that Lowenfield did not have a difficulty in meeting with them. But, nevertheless, he still requested that they seek out Patterson.

“This, I did, speedily yesterday (Thursday) afternoon and the letter has been dispatched to the Chairman of the Elections Commission as well as the Chief Elections Officer, requesting a meeting to have us briefed on the matter of GECOM’s preparedness for elections,” Ally was quoted as saying.

GECOM Chairman,

Former AFC Executive Sase Singh

retired Justice James Patterson was recovering after being hospitalised last month and was expected to return to GECOM last Tuesday to host a statutory meeting. That very day, however, the Commission revealed that Patterson did not return as scheduled and in fact, had received an extension of his medical leave.

Molotov cocktails hurled PI into pensioner’s rolling pin at surveyor’s home murder continues next month T A t least three Molotov cocktails were on Saturday evening hurled at a surveyor’s house in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

The ‘bottle bombs’, as they are commonly called, made of gasoline, were thrown at the house situated at Lot 51 Stanleytown and Republic Road shortly after 23:00h.

The surveyor, Vincent Barker, told Guyana Times that after the explosions, he looked through his bedroom window and saw a bright light behind his car.

“I realised that it was fire so I came outside and rushed downstairs.” He explained that when he got to his car, he saw one of the ‘bottle bombs’ behind his car.

Barker related that one of the bombs hit his car and landed in the yard, but did not go off. Another landed under the house and a third hit his bedroom window, but ricocheted.

The man’s wife, Judy Barker said she had just finished reading her Bible when the two explosions were heard.

“One was in front and one was at the back,” she recalled while noting that she immediately woke her husband.

The woman stated that as the Police arrived and commenced their investigation, there was evidence that one of the bottles was thrown under the house.

She noted that fragments

The house and car that were targeted

he Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the death of 72-year-old Jerry Rambeer, who was said to have been murdered with a rolling pin between July 1 and 3 last year, is set to continue at the Wales Magistrate’s Court in February.

Twenty-four-year-old Joseph Rameshwar, of Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara (WBD), who had reportedly confessed to beating the elderly man, stands accused of the capital offence.

Guyana Times had reported that Rambeer, of Lot 18 Sisters Village, WBD, was found lying in an unconscious state on July 1, 2018, at Back Street, Good Intent, WBD. The man took his last breath on July 3 when he

Deceased: Jerry Rambeer

was receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

It was two days after the beating that Rameshwar was arrested and reportedly confessed to hitting

Rambeer to the head with the rolling pin during an argument. Reports were that on July 1, 2018, the pensioner attended a wedding at La Retraite, WBD, with several of his friends. Sometime later that night, the man was reportedly found lying in a pool of blood in “Gaza Street”.

The now deceased father of three reportedly suffered severe internal injuries, a punctured intestine, and broken ribs.

Aggrieved family members had been holding out that both Rameshwar and his father committed the act, but the Police only instituted charges against the son based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Town Council promises to rid Anna Regina of stray animals

F One of the ‘bottle bombs’ found at the scene

were seen on the car, on the window and in the yard.

“There was even one that the Police found on the road that was not used a yet,” she added.

Surveillance footage has captured two persons leaving the scene hurriedly moments after the explosions were heard. The Police are investigating.

ollowing a meeting with drivers of public transportation on Wednesday at the Anna Regina Car Park, Mayor Rajendra Prabhulall has promised to remove all stray animals that are roaming the streets.

The Mayor said that the Council has given the owners of the stray animals two weeks to comply with the laws or face the necessary consequences.

Residents were warned not to tie their animals on the road shoulders with-

Mayor Rajendra Prabhulall

in the township since such could result in accidents.

Drivers have been claiming that the animals are roaming the streets, especially at nights, and causing them to spend unnecessary monies on repairs. “When you get into an accident you can’t report it, because no one is claiming the animals,” one man stated.

The Mayor warned that the Municipal Pound was back in operation, and residents were asked to desist from allowing their animals to roam the roadways.

news

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MONdAY, January 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

VYC, ExxonMobil host STEM Conference

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olunteer Youth Corps (VYC) Inc, in collaboration with ExxonMobil Guyana, on Saturday hosted the sixth annual STEM Conference at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The event saw more than 400 students from various high schools across the country in attendance.

Activities included a short robotics programming course, demonstration and competition; inter-

Executives of ExxonMobil and Volunteer Youth Corps on Saturday at the Princess Ramada Hotel

nity and economic growth, and STEM skills, in particular, are critical to ensuring today’s students are

prepared for the jobs of the 21st Century.”

“We are proud to support programmes that help

educators enhance their teaching skills and motivate students to pursue careers in Math and Science.”

Since 2012, the VYC has been partnering with ExxonMobil Guyana to implement STEM education in schools. One of the initiatives implemented engages third and fourth form students in a variety of STEM after-school learning programmes in Georgetown.

The programmes include practical lessons in Physics, Chemistry, Integrated Science and Information Technology, as well as a three-day science camp at a local environmental facility.

Stabroek Wharf relocation

Vendors further delayed to operate stalls in newly-constructed arcade

A group of young people at the Conference on Saturday

active science experiment coaching and demonstrations; and career guidance.

Presentations were done

by ExxonMobil Guyana Geoscience Manager Doug McGehee; Assistant to Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency, Dr Astell Collins; Assistant Chief Education Officer (Technical) Ministry of Education, Patrick

Chinedu Onwuzirike; and other professionals within the oil and gas, technology, business and engineering sectors.

“It is our hope to have all students across the various high schools understand the importance of Math and Technology in efforts to gear up for future opportunities in Guyana,” said VYC CEO Goldie Scott.

“We consider it extreme-

ly important to motivate students to follow career paths in Technology, Math and Engineering. Activities like this are impactful in our efforts to promote students’ interest in these fields.”

ExxonMobil Guyana Public and Government Affairs Manager Deedra Moe stated: “Education is the fundamental building block of individual opportu-

Incomplete stalls

Potholes in city cause I major concern

A

pothole in one of the capital city’s busiest streets has, over the past few months, grown to become a major bugbear, affecting not only minibus and car operators, but pedestrians who traverse the roadway on a regular basis.

The pothole in question is the one along the Avenue of the Republic and is quite a visible hazard. A number of road users would have made several reports to the relevant authorities, but nothing has been done.

This eyesore would normally have motorists travelling in the southern direction swerving away so as to not cause any damage to their vehicles, but despite these personal efforts, it is still feared that accidents could happen especially in cases where heavy-duty vehicles would not be able to avoid such potholes.

A concerned motorist who asked to remain anonymous told Guyana Times that the rapidly-deteriorating hole should be fixed ur-

The rapidly-expanding pothole along the Avenue of the Republic in Georgetown

gently, citing the numerous road accidents involving both pedestrians and vehicles.

“The people who are in charge of our roads should take road safety much more seriously as well as these small things which cause major accidents…because in the long run, many persons die or get injured only because potholes— especially ones like this – are lying around and not being fixed nor given much attention.”

Additionally, based on concerns raised, manholes are also considered to be public hazards owing to recent incidents of persons falling into them and being injured. As such, persons are appealing to the relevant authorities to look into these matters.

When contacted, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Mayor and City Council, Debra Lewis was unable to give a comment on fixing the potholes along the roadways.

n their bid to resume operations, at the newly-established arcade at the Route 42 minibus park, several vendors have purchased goods, but they were stopped by authorities from doing so until all the stalls are completed.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Saturday, Muneshwar Samad explained that he has bought in excess of $45,000 in goods to commence operations, but was told that all the stalls should be completed first.

He is among the many stallholders who were unable to receive word from City Hall about the status of their new stalls, since the Town Clerk and Mayor were unavailable on several occasions.

One day after buying their goods, the vendors found the entrances to the newly-constructed arcade closed off and were informed that everyone must comply with the requirements before they could vend.

“Some of us who were finished went over [to City Hall], nobody could speak to us if we can start selling, so we get some goods the day before yesterday. All of a sudden, they block off

the entrance so people can’t come in and buy if they want and then they tell us that we have to wait now until the area [is] stable.”

Samad explained that some vendors were dragging their feet on the pace of construction which is affecting others. As such, some of them are of the view that they should be able to access the area and utilise the stalls.

“This is close to four month now since we don’t have a livelihood. Some people don’t have money to buy materials for the stand. We don’t know when they finishing so they should consider all of that.”

Meanwhile, Yvonne (only name given) explained that her stall was on the outskirts of the demarcated area and was flanked by unregistered persons plying their trade.

“Persons with umbrellas and tables by the fence selling whole day … So even if we open, I don’t know how I could sell if people can’t come in here,” the disheartened woman stated.

She added, “The Council got to take some action against people that selling for free and disturbing we, because we paying them.

They leaving their garbage all around and it’s really affecting everybody. They need to send people here to see what we have to deal with.”

Two weeks ago, Samad told this publication that many concerns were raised about the number of vagrants in the area and some who were taking the liberty of spending their nights in the structures which were yet to be completed.

“We never had this problem at first … Now, every day somebody is coming and they sleeping in the stalls… some bringing garbage and all kinda thing.”

When the vendors resume operations, City Hall will be paid $3400 for the smaller stalls, measuring five feet by eight feet with a height of 13 feet. The standard size, measuring 10 feet by eight feet and 13 feet high, would cost vendors $6800 in rent per month.

As a result of the collapse of a section of the Stabroek Wharf which resulted in the relocation, City Hall had informed that it was awaiting a response from Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, as it relates to the next steps for the rehabilitation.

14 NEWS

MONdAY, January 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

New Amsterdam Town Council rakes in 78% of revenue

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he municipality of New Amsterdam has been able to collect 78 per cent of its budgeted taxes for the year 2018 which represents the highest percentage collected in recent times.

For the first time, the municipality has been able to surpass the $50 million mark with $54.3 million in property taxes collected. More significant is the $18 million in interest on outstanding arrears.

The Town’s Treasurer, Kerriann Edwards, related that emphasis was placed on visiting homes to get persons to pay their arrears during the course of last year.

However, she noted that on many occasions, they found that no one was occupying the property, and as such,

Officer in Charge of the Town Constabulary, Charles Roberts

the premises were taken over by thick vegetation. Many of these property owners are currently overseas.

The house visits was an initiative aimed at bringing in finances so as to help to return the town to its former state. However, the necessary cooperation from some residents leaves much to be desired, the Council added.

But residents have been accusing

P

resident David Granger, two Sundays ago presented the Guyana Press Association (GPA) with commemorative coins and lapel pins in the run-up to the Association’s 75th anniversary.

Next year, the Press Association will be celebrating its 75th

The New Amsterdam municipality will get tough on persons littering Constable

the municipality of not doing enough, after raising property tax by 100 per cent as from January 1, 2018.

The Council, in a desperate move to increase its revenue collection, will be publicising the names of those with significant arrears.

According to Officer in Charge of the Town Constabulary, Charles Roberts, the Council will be visiting those persons and having photos taken of their properties published.

“I implore upon you to visit the Treasurer’s Department urgently to avoid the inconvenience as it relates to those persons who would have been delinquent as it relates to paying their rates and taxes that is owed to the Council.”

The municipality is also taking strong action against persons who park their vehicles in streets blocking the entrances of private property. On that note, Roberts stated that the Council has been receiving numerous complaints and would be acting on those complaints.

Meanwhile, the municipality will be adapting a zero-tolerance attitude

to illegal vending and littering in the town.

“Skid bins have been placed in strategic locations for domestic waste only yet commercial waste is being seen in those bins. We are appealing to those errant business persons to desist and to be warned, since a new initiative is in place.”

That initiative, Roberts explained, will see persons being placed before the courts.

The Council is encouraging persons to take pictures or video of persons found littering and will reward the photographer.

“You can use your phones and take photographs. Those persons ought to be visible in the photograph or a vehicle number visible so that we can police that aspect of it and have those persons arrested. They will be fined and fifty per cent of that fine will be given to the person [who] bring the photograph to the Council,” Roberts explained.

The fine for individuals found guilty of littering is $10,000, while businesses will have to pay $100,000.

Sanitary facility at Anna Regina Bus Park to be renovated Regional Executive Officer (REO), Dennis Jaikarran, as it seeks support to complete the project.

Jaikarran said that he is happy to meet with the team and will fully support the project and called for a closer working relationship with the regional administration and the municipality.

He welcomed the Mayor and team to his temporary office located in the finance department of the region and said that his door will always be opened to them.

The new Mayor and team also planned to meet members of the busi-

T

he sanitary facility at the Anna Regina minibus park is expected to be renovated and back in operations for the public’s use shortly.

This was according to Mayor of Anna Regina, Rajendra Prabhulall, who along with Deputy Mayor, Town Clerk, Superintendent of Works and Councillors visited the area based on the request of the operators who are mostly affected.

During the visit an assessment was done for the complete renovation and other developmental works. According to the newly elected Mayor, the sanitary facility was out of order for a very long time and is now an eyesore to the public and as such, immediate attention will be given to fix it.

The sanitary Block is located inside the area where food and beverages are sold and is now a health hazard to the

President distributes commemorative coins to mark GPA 75th anniversary

public.

The team also met with the Regional Chairman, Davanand Ramdatt, who committed his full support to the new executive body.

The officials then met with the new

ness community within the township in order to build a closer working relationship.

Drivers and stall holders were extremely happy that the sanitary block will be back in operation soon.

anniversary and this is the first time the Association has been honoured with commemorative coins.

The Guyana Press Association was founded in 1945.

The coins were presented to the Executive of the GPA and members of the media at the President’s annual Media Brunch held at the Baridi Benab, State House, Georgetown on Sunday, January 6.

“You have received [lapel] pins of the Guyana Press Association (GPA) and coins and I would like to feel that this starts a year of preparation, a year of celebration for your 75th anniversary,” President Granger said.

The Head of State also pledged Government’s sup-

port to publish some form of history relative to the association so that young entrants in the profession could appreciate the evolution of the press over the last 75 years.

“I had promised to provide money for the training of the Press Association.

I’m committed to providing assistance to help you to publish your history of the Press Association and I’m also committed to assisting in strengthening one of the four pillars of journalism and the first is schooling,” he said.

T h e President has always insisted that journalists must receive education in journalism and noted that money has been made available to the GPA to facilitate training, seminars, symposia and workshops in journalism.

“…education is important and I would like to feel that everyone entering the profession of journalism is given some training, education some schooling in the principles of journalism,” he said.

Miss Universe Jamaica 2014 finalist Zandrea Bailey is dead

Miss Universe Jamaica 2014 finalist Zandrea Bailey

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iss Universe Jamaica 2014 finalist Zandrea Bailey

has died after a long battle with lupus according to the Jamaica Gleaner.

Bailey, 29, died Sunday morning in a New York hospital where she had been admitted for the past several weeks.

She was diagnosed with lupus in 2012. In a 2017 interview with the Flair Magazine, she recounted how her father helped her through the illness.

“He would sleep on my bed at nights to help me go to the bathroom,” she recounted. In 2014, Bailey lost her mother to lupus and that same year, she emerged as a finalist in the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant.

15

MONdAY, January 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say

I SAY...

What are your thoughts on the code of conduct being applied to all motorists?

Mikayla Prince “Some motorists have little or no respect for the other motorists on the road, and/

or passengers they might be carrying, especially bus drivers.

I’ve been in minibuses where passengers asked the drivers to stop speeding or turn the music down and those very passengers were put out of the bus. That’s utter disrespect and nonsense! I’m afraid the same thing happens to me when I travel in a mini bus, so I try my best not to travel in them often. But really, the taxis aren’t that different.

A lot of the times motorists get away with their offenses because they’re either friends with the police officers who catch them in the act, or they just “pass ah fine change”. Some major changes need to be made and they need to start now!”

Kester Whyte “It’s about time we had this code of conduct and as to why it took so long to get off the ground I don’t know. Anyways, the appalling attitudes, inappropriate music & language, borderline thuggish behaviour, reckless driving and poor customer service needs a serious overhaul and improvement since for decades the public has been inconvenienced by one of our primary modes of transport.

Granted some of the changes will take a lot of getting used to and some people will fight up; however, at the end of the day it will be for the better and it can’t be stressed how much we need this change.”

Caesar McAlmont “I think a code of conduct for all motorists is a step in the right direction. As long as all parties agree and adhere to it.

Too much lawlessness occurs on a daily basis with motorists so a code of conduct I think is something that is needed.”

Devar Samaroo “Didn’t follow it up or read what it is about but I guess it’s to be implemented upon drivers and conductors…so some random thoughts...what will they do about touts on the park dragging and “assaulting” passengers especially ladies, school children/school girls and elderly...Also the “music” which has a tremendous effect on people’s behaviour....

Lewd loud music in the buses, Cramming with more passengers than what’s stipulate etc. If these base issues aren’t addressed first... code of conduct for operators would mean nothing...Giving someone a uniform or badge would not change the situation automatically.”

Sosheana Bhagwandin “Codes of conduct should be applied and obeyed, especially to bus drivers and taxi drivers in Guyana. All motorist should be aware of their surroundings, watch out for pedestrians, take extra precautions around nearby schools, cut out distractions, obey speed limits; maintain a considerable distance from other vehicles. Having these and more applied should also come with penalties attached when they are breached.”

Vickanand Deokie “It is a good initiative to implement the code of conduct but there is need for increased monitoring. We find that bus drivers especially are known for exploiting customers in the evening, playing loud music etc. They drive on the roadway without caution almost every day.

My concern is how are they going to ensure that all these things are prohibited? What mechanisms have been put in place before implementing this conduct?”

Vishal Sew “I think the code of conduct will allow peace and order to prevail at the various minibus parks… in the past or even present, you could hear the driver and conductors shouting on top of their voices soliciting passengers… People pay their hard earned money and as such expect a comfortable ride - this is one issue that should be looked into… in addition, the driver and conductors will no longer be allowed to wear their skinny jeans below their “buttocks” cheeks. They will be expected to dress in a professional manner…”

Emily Hendricks “In my view, the code of conduct that will be applied to minibus operators must also be applied to others and I think the move to have a code of conduct for motorists is a very significant one since it demonstrates an amount of fairness in the rules that should be followed in our country.”

Dan Rahim “My code of conduct is to observe the five “Cs” of the roadway. I also always try to remember at every pedestrian crossing to be vigilant because someone might not see you coming and an accident could occur. It is also very important to be very pleasant and everyone that uses the roadways must remember that it is not you alone. So I would agree with code of conducts for motorists.”

Chandranie Persaud “Training is the most important element in implementing the code of conduct for minibus operators.

A representative or trainer - could work through the

code of conduct and other requirements and expectations with existing operators.

Understanding the code is necessary, ie, get feedback from the drivers and conductors to ensure that they understand the code of conduct and what is expected of them. If they don’t fully understand some areas, provide appropriate training.

Accepting the code would be my final step in the implementation process for minibus operators. Ask them to sign a document to say that they agree to abide by the code of conduct. This can minimise conflict if a driver or conductor violates the code and you need to take disciplinary action.”

Jerome Da Silva “Code of conduct is great.

Keep it professional, neat and tidy…”

Sheik Asweem “I believe there should be a code of conduct for all motorists…one that enforces the “C’s”…or mandatory refresher course “theory” a small fee can also be added for it.”

Denisia Chapman “I don’t think it is a bad idea. Once it is implemented and we see positive change coming from it.”

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guyanatimesgy.com

mondAY, January 14, 2019

Regional

Venezuelan Opposition Leader briefly detained Bolivia extradites

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enezuelan intelligence agents have released Opposition Leader and Congress Chief Juan Guaido after briefly detaining him on the way to a political rally, a congressional official has said.

A video posted on social media appears to show the moment Guaido was pulled from a car on a highway by the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Sebin) on Sunday as he was travelling out of the capital, Caracas.

While it was not possible to identify the individual in the video, his wife and Opposition legislators said that he had been detained.

He was released about an hour later, they added.

At a rally shortly afterwards, Guaido told Opposition supporters “the

Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaido has said he is ready to assume the nation’s presidency on an interim basis [Fernando Llano/

AP Photo]

game has changed”, the Reuters news agency reported.

“Here we are! We are not afraid!” Guaido said.

Information Minister

Jorge Rodriguez told State television the detention was an “irregular procedure” by rogue agents who wanted to help the Opposition create a “media show”, adding that

the agents would face disciplinary action, Reuters reported.

The Lima Group – made up of a bloc of countries from the Americas including Brazil, Canada and Mexico –- issued a statement condemning the “arbitrary detention”.

The leader of Venezuela’s National Assembly, Guaido said at an anti-government rally in Caracas on Friday that he was willing to assume the Latin American country’s presidency after the Opposition declared President Nicolás Maduro’s second term to be illegitimate.

The Assembly was rendered powerless by Venezuela’s Supreme Court after Maduro’s ruling Socialist Party lost control of it in 2016. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

US legislators call for more int’l aid for Haiti

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aribbean American legislators have called for international support for Haiti, as the country observes the ninth anniversary of the devastating earthquake.

New York State Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, and New York City Councilman Jumaane Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants, told the Caribbean Media Corporation on Saturday that 2.5 million people in Haiti are still in dire need of aid.

“Haiti still needs our help,” said Bichotte, who represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn, stating that the 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12, 2010 claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions.”

Since the massive earthquake, Bichotte said Haiti has been “battling the subsequent cholera epidemic and the multitude of natural disasters”.

But, in the midst of the struggle to rebuild, the Assemblywoman laments that US President Donald Trump has decided to end Temporary Protection Status (TPS) for over 50,000 Haitian immigrants.

She noted that the decision comes

A

n Italian former communist militant captured in Bolivia is on a plane back to Rome, officials have confirmed.

Cesare Battisti, 64, is wanted for four murders in Italy during the 1970s, which he denies committing.

He was extradited after being found in Santa Cruz de La Sierra in an international police operation.

After escaping from prison in Italy, Battisti lived for years in Brazil, but vanished after an arrest warrant was issued last month.

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini confirmed that Battisti had been handed over to Italian authorities and a chartered plane had departed from Bolivia.

“The plane carrying Cesare Battisti has just taken off headed for Italy. I am proud and moved,” he tweeted.

Battisti is expected to arrive in Rome this afternoon.

In a message on Facebook

ahead of Battisti’s extradition, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said: “We are satisfied with this result that our country has been awaiting for too many years.”

He thanked the Bolivian authorities and singled out Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for his “effective cooperation” that led to Battisti’s capture.

The far-right Brazilian leader, who took office on January 1, had pledged to extradite Battisti.

Battisti was arrested by a special Interpol team on Saturday around 17:00 (21:00 GMT) on a street of the central Bolivian city of Santa Cruz.

He was alone, wearing sunglasses and a fake beard, according to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

He did not resist or try to escape. Bolivian Interior Minister Carlos Romero said Battisti had entered Bolivia illegally. (Excerpt from BBC News)

NY Times: Teen from TT captured in Syria

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Since the massive earthquake, Haiti has been “battling the subsequent cholera epidemic and the multitude of natural disasters”

“after a slew of bigoted comments made by President Trump, disrespecting Haiti and its people”.

“I am deeply offended by these words and actions,” she said. “The White House’s decision adds insult to injury with the mounting catastrophes and distress.

“I will continue to speak out against the rescission of TPS for Haitians and for the preservation of basic human

rights for Haitians and all Americans,” Bichotte added.

“Let’s take a moment of silence for Haiti and the people of Haiti.”

As a representative of the largest Haitian community in the United States outside of Florida, Williams said he takes “very seriously the responsibility of contributing to the ongoing mission of remembrance, recovery and rebuilding”. (Excerpt from CMC)

Swine flu crisis in south Trinidad – Health Minister

H

ealth Minister Terrence Deyalsingh says there is a crisis in the outbreak of H1N1, or swine flu, in Trinidad especially in the southern part of the country where there have been three reported deaths.

Deyalsingh made this disclosure to the media after the official opening of the Sangre Grande Enhanced Health Centre at Ojoe Road, Sangre Grande Saturday.

The Minister confirmed that three deaths have been recorded as a result of H1N1 and noted there are many more lab-confirmed cases.

He advised the population of Trinidad and Tobago to get the influenza vaccine as it is being offered at the nation’s health institutions free of charge.

He said some people were lackadaisical as they never seem to seek the interest of their own health.

Italian ex-militant

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh, assisted by MP Toco/Sangre Grande Glenda Jennings-Smith, cuts the ribbon to officially open the Sangre Grande Enhanced Health Centre on Saturday

Deyalsingh made an appeal to all present to encourage members of their family and community to take the flu shot before it was too late. He said in 24 hours someone with the virus could die.

The Minister of Health has been appealing to the population to get the vaccine, but he says his pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

He recalled the Minister of Works urging motorists to have their vehicles inspected before the end of the five-month moratorium, but they did not adhere to his call and this resulted in a last-minute rush and chaos at the inspection centres over the last few weeks.

He says it is the same with H1N1 vaccine with three reported deaths, people are now flooding the health institutions to get the vaccine. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

n Friday, the New York Times reported that 16-yearold Su-lay Su from TT was one of the eight terrorists captured during the operations carried out by Syrian Democratic Forces’ Special Operations Team on January 6 and 7.

Su was initially misidentified as Soulay Noah Su aka Abu Souleiman al-Amriki from America when he was apprehended on the battlefield in Syria with fighters for the Islamic State.

It was later learnt that Su was taken to Syria by his mother, Gailon Su, when he was 12 years old. Gailon converted to Islam after becoming romantically involved with Trinidadian Anthony Hamlet.

Su’s sister, Sarah Lee Su, 23, told the Times, “Once they got to Syria they told me that this guy took their documents and destroyed them, and said, ‘You are now

going to stay here and die.’”

The Times further stated, “According to a database maintained by Simon Cottee, a University of Kent criminologist, the mother and son were part of a group of ten people taken to Syria by Anthony Hamlet; also included were Mr Hamlet’s second wife, two of his daughters and three other boys.”

Commenting on the situation, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said Government paid attention to media coverage but took reports “with a pound of salt” as reporters may not have all the facts.

He said, in that case, as with the case of brothers Mahmud and Ayyub Ferreira, 11 and nine respectively, who were said to be stranded in a camp in Syria, Government would take a “measured investigative approach” with local and international law enforcement partners. (Excerpt from

Newsday)

Magnitude 3.4 earthquake felt in several C’bean islands

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everal countries in the region were rocked by a magnitude 3.4 earthquake early Sunday.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reports that at 07:29h (local time) the tremor affected the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, St Martin, Sint Maarten, Guadeloupe, Montserrat,

Puerto Rico, St Kitts Nevis, US Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla and St Barthelemy.

The USGS reports that the earthquake was located 78 kilometres north north-east of Road Town in British Virgin Islands, with a depth of 88.0 kilometres.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. (CMC)

17

mondAY, January 14, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Urging Gulf States to heal rift, Polish Mayor stabbed at charity event US’s Pompeo lands in Riyadh T he Mayor of the Polish city of Gdansk has been seriously hurt after being stabbed on stage at the country’s biggest charity event, officials say.

Pawel Adamowicz, 53, had to be resuscitated after the attack and is in critical condition in hospital.

The 27-year-old suspect, who has a criminal record, has been detained.

He reportedly shouted that he had been wrongfully imprisoned under the previous Government, led by the Mayor’s former party.

U

S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday that a rift between Qatar and its Gulf Arab neighbours had gone on for too long and was threatening regional unity needed to counter Iran.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and non-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member Egypt cut diplomatic, transport and trade ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism and their regional foe Shi’ite Muslim Iran – something Doha denies.

The United States, an ally of the six-nation Sunni Muslim GCC, sees the rift as a threat to efforts to contain Iran and has pushed for a united Gulf front.

“When we have a common challenge, disputes between countries with shared objectives are never helpful,” Pompeo, who is on a tour of the Middle East, told a news conference in the Qatari capital, Doha.

“They never permit you to have as robust a response to common adversaries or common challenges as you

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is greeted by Saudi’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia January 13, 2019

might,” he added.

Gas-rich Qatar says the boycott is aimed at undermining its sovereignty and it has started charting a course away from its Gulf neighbours, including forging new trade partnerships, strengthening ties with Turkey and quitting the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Those moves have

deepened expectations that the dispute will not be resolved quickly.

“We’re hoping that the unity of GCC will increase in the days and weeks and months ahead,” Pompeo said, adding that Gulf unity was essential for a planned Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA) that would also include Jordan and Egypt. (Excerpt from Reuters)

James Watson: Scientist loses titles after claims over race

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obel Prize-winning American scientist James Watson has been stripped of his honorary titles after repeating comments about race and intelligence.

In a TV programme, the pioneer in DNA studies made a reference to a view that genes cause a difference on average between blacks and whites on IQ tests.

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory said the 90-yearold scientist’s remarks were “unsubstantiated and reckless”.

Dr Watson had made similar claims in 2007 and subsequently apologised.

He shared the Nobel in 1962 with Maurice Wilkins and Francis Crick for their 1953 discovery of the DNA’s

double helix structure.

Dr Watson sold his gold medal in 2014, saying he had been ostracised by the scientific community after his remarks about race.

He is currently in a nursing home recovering from a car accident and is said to have “very minimal” awareness of his surroundings.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

India security forces open fire at Kashmir funeral, 11 injured

The incident took place at the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity event, which was attended by hundreds of people.

The suspect, who was released from prison recently, had access to the scene using a media badge, Polish media say.

The stabbing, during an event that raises money for children’s hospitals, has shocked Poland, the BBC’s Adam Easton in Warsaw reports.

Adamowicz is a wellknown political figure who

has been Mayor of Gdansk, a Baltic port city, for 20 years, our correspondent adds.

Interior Minister Joachim Brudzinski said the attack was “an act of inexplicable barbarism”.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Twitter: “The attack on life and health of Paul Adamowicz is worthy of the highest condemnation.”

Also on Twitter, President Andrzej Duda said: “I pray for his return to health and full strength.”

(BBC News)

DR Congo election: Sadc proposes unity Government

T

he southern African regional body Sadc has called for a unity government in the Democratic Republic of Congo, following the disputed presidential election.

All political leaders should agree a negotiated settlement, it said.

Opposition candidate Felix Tshisekedi was declared winner, but another opponent of the current Administration, Martin Fayulu, insists he won.

He alleges Tshisekedi made a deal with outgoing President Joseph Kabila.

Kabila has been in office for 18 years and the result, if confirmed, would create the first orderly transfer of power since independence from Belgium in 1960.

Martin Fayulu insists that he won the December 30 election

The declaration of Tshisekedi as winner has also been disputed by the influential Catholic Church which says it deployed 40,000 election monitors across the country.

On Saturday, Fayulu filed an appeal in the Constitutional Court de-

manding a manual recount of votes cast in the December 30 election.

This call was supported

by Sadc in its statement issued by Zambian President Edgar Lungu, who chairs Sadc’s Politics, Defence and Security department. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Chinese coal mine roof collapse in Shaanxi kills 21

A

t least 21 miners died when a roof collapsed in a coal mine in northern China, officials say.

Sixty-six miners were rescued after the accident on Saturday at the Lijiagou mine near the city of Shenmu in Shaanxi province.

The cause of the collapse is under investigation, the official Xinhua news agency

reported.

Mining accidents in China are quite common despite efforts to improve safety.

The Lijiagou mine is operated by the Baiji Mining Company, Xinhua said. No further details of the incident were available.

Last October, 21 coal miners were killed when an underground rock fall blocked a shaft in eastern

Shandong province.

According to the latest figures from China’s National Coal Mine Safety Administration, there were 375 deaths in coal mines in 2017, a fall of about 28 per cent on the previous year.

In a statement last January, the bureau said the “situation of coal mine safety production is still grim” despite improvements. (BBC

News)

Israeli Minister visits Egypt following invitation from Cairo Rebels in Indian-administered Kashmir have been fighting against Indian rule since 1989. Most Kashmiris support the rebel cause that the territory stays united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country

A

t least 11 people have been injured after Indian security forces opened fire on mourners, who were attending the funeral of two rebels in Indianadministered Kashmir.

Zeenat ul-Islam was killed along with his associate on Saturday in a gun battle with Indian troops.

Thousands of people on Sunday marched to-

wards his village, Sugan in Shopian district, to offer funeral prayers despite the barricades and deployment of troops along the way.

To stop people from joining the funeral prayers, Government forces fired bullets, shotgun pellets and tear gas to stop the mourners, leading to street clashes as groups of youths pelted stones at the troops, police

and residents said.

According to Anadolu Agency, six injured were brought to the district hospital in Pulwama.

One of the injured is in critical condition, according to local media reports.

Both India and Pakistan claim the territory of Kashmir in its entirety but they control parts of the Himalayan region. (Excerpt from

Al Jazeera)

Ties between Egypt and Israel have gotten closer in recent years, with Cairo reaching deals with Israel over the purchase of natural gas [Alex Wong/AFP]

A

senior Israeli Minister has arrived in Cairo to attend an energy conference after receiving an invitation from the Egyptian Government, Israel’s Energy Ministry has said.

Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz arrived

in Cairo late on Sunday to attend a regional forum on natural gas, which has become a major economic and strategic issue in the eastern Mediterranean.

The “development of gas fields has geopolitical and geostrategic value,” Steinitz told Israeli army radio ahead of the trip.

“Here you have for the first time real economic cooperation between the axis-of-peace states Israel, Egypt and Jordan, along with European countries.”

In recent years, ties between Egypt and Israel have gotten closer, with Cairo reaching deals with Israel over the purchase of natural gas.

Last year, Egyptian company Dolphinus inked a deal to buy US$15 billion worth of natural gas from the Israeli company Delek Drilling and its US partner Noble. (Excerpt from

Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MondAY, January 14, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

WORD GAME

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Take care of personal business and look for opportunities that will open your mind to alternative ideas. How you process and express what you experience will encourage interesting changes.

If you speak from the heart, you will gain respect and grab the attention of someone who can make a difference in your life. A chance to do something to help others could prove rewarding.

When opportunity knocks, open the door. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of a chance to do something new or meet someone special. Embrace the future and do your best to make things happen.

A unique approach to how you do your job and handle associates will make a difference. Trust in your ability to persuade others to do things your way.

Put greater emphasis on being your best. Live a healthy lifestyle, get fit and eat nutritiously. A change for the better will lead to success and a better future.

Pay attention to others, listen carefully and respond with interest. How you react to people will pave the way for new opportunities. Don’t let a personal matter hold you back.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

You may crave change, but someone is likely to stifle your pursuits. Question the motive behind someone’s actions, and proceed with the changes that will make you happy.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

If you share your thoughts, you’ll get the feedback you need to confirm that you are making the right choices. Don’t let someone from your past disrupt your life.

SUDOKU

Take action and make SAGITTARIUS changes at home that will (Nov. 23- ease your stress and add Dec. 21) to your comfort. An alteration will give you the courage to try something new.

Romance is highlighted.

Address issues that have

CAPRICORN been plaguing your relation(Dec. 22- ship with a loved one or close Jan. 19) friend. Share your thoughts

and feelings openly, and find out where you stand. If change is required, make it happen.

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Problems will arise if you haven’t stuck to the rules or neglected to file something before the end of the year.

Don’t wait; address what’s gone wrong and move forward.

Be a leader, not a follower. Don’t let uncertainty lead to a mistake. Trust your judgement and choose your associates based on their integrity and compassion.

MONdAY, January 14, 2019

19

Champions Wozniacki, Federer on different ends of spectrum C

aroline Wozniacki is entering new territory at the Australian Open as a defending champion for the first time at a major. For Roger Federer, it’s a well-worn experience.

A women’s final last year featuring two players aiming for their first Grand Slam title finished with Wozniacki holding off top-ranked Simona Halep for the championship.

Federer beat Marin Cilic to win the Australian Open for the sixth time—claiming his 20th major crown— and successfully defend the title he won the previous year in a career comeback of sorts.

At 37, he’s still targeting records at his record- equaling 20th Australian Open: to be the first man to win seven Australian Open titles, the first man to win at least seven singles titles at two Grand Slam tournaments (he has eight Wimbledon titles), and the first man to win five major titles after turning 30.

Of course, he’s got strong competition from Novak Djokovic, who has won the last two majors and is also aiming for a seventh Australian title. Then there’s a resurgent Rafael Nadal, the likes of Cilic and Sasha Zverev. But there’s unlikely to be another run to the final for Andy Murray, who wants to start the tournament where he

Roger Federer and Caroline Wozniacki

has reached the final five times but is unsure how much longer he can play because of the pain in his surgically repaired right hip. He’s targeting retirement at Wimbledon, if he can go that far.

Federer, the sport’s senior statesman, was asked on Sunday how he retained such a high level

of health despite being about five years older than Nadal, Djokovic and Murray—the other members of the so-called Big Four. He said he understood his body and had a great team around him.

“Maybe also the way I play tennis, maybe it’s smoother than the other guys,”said Federer, who is

renowned for a style that appears almost effortless, and his stunning, single-handed backhand. “It just maybe looks that way. I work extremely hard in the matches as well—it just maybe doesn’t come across so much.

“I don’t know if that’s also something that maybe is part of

the equation.”

He said he was shocked at Murray’s announcement, at 31, of his pending retirement.

“It hits us top guys hard because we know Andy very well. We like him. He’s a good guy, Hall of Famer, legend,”Federer said. “It’s a tough one, but one down the road he can look back on and be incredibly proud of everything he has achieved.”

Federer, aiming for his 100th career title, will open against No. 99-ranked Denis Istomin on Rod Laver Arena on Monday night, likely after Murray has taken on No. 22-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut on Melbourne Arena— the third of the three show courts at Melbourne Park.

Istomin had a shocking second-round win over Djokovic here in 2017 on his way to the fourth round, and Federer is wary of the Uzbek veteran after also meeting him in the first round here in 2006.

“I know what Denis did to Novak. I watched basically the entire game a couple years ago,” Federer said. “I’ve had some tough ones against him in the past. He can play well in fast courts.

“Look, I’m playing good tennis.

I’m confident that I think it needs a good performance by my opponent probably to beat me. That’s always a good thought.” (Business Mirror)

Zidane wanted to keep Ronaldo, IPL calendar puts Zimbabwe’s India tour in doubt claims former Madrid President

Z

inedine Zidane left Real Madrid after losing a power struggle with Florentino Perez over transfers, according to former club president Ramon Calderon.

Zidane quit Madrid in the off-season, on the back of winning a third successive Champions League as Los Blancos boss.

He was soon followed out of the Santiago Bernabeu exit door by Cristiano Ronaldo, who brought his nine-year stint at Madrid

to an end in order to join Juventus.

And Calderon has claimed that Zidane wanted Ronaldo to stay and instead sell Gareth Bale, adding that the reason the Frenchman left Madrid was down to current president Perez overseeing the club’s transfer activity.

“Zidane insisted on keeping Cristiano and selling Bale,” Calderon told Spanish publication AS. “Perez did the opposite to what Zidane had asked.

“[Zidane wanted] to have decision-making power when it came to signing some players and selling others, but his demands were not met, and so he decided to leave.

And he was right,” The departures of Zidane and Ronaldo have contributed to a turbulent season for Madrid, who sacked Julen Lopetegui just four months into his tenure, and sit fifth in LaLiga under current boss Santiago Solari, 10 points adrift of leaders Barcelona. (Sportsmax)

T

he announcement of the dates for this year’s IPL has put Zimbabwe’s tour of India in March in doubt, and the visit may be restructured, postponed or even cancelled entirely. While no dates had been settled upon for Zimbabwe’s visit, the tour was scheduled to take place at some point in March, and include a Test and three one-day internationals.

However, India’s tour of Australia and New Zealand

concludes on 10 February, after which Australia’s trip to India for two T20Is and five ODIs runs from 24 February to 13 March. With this year’s IPL due to start on March 23, that leaves only 10 days to squeeze Zimbabwe in.

ESPNcricinfo understands that Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Givemore Makoni will meet with his counterparts at the BCCI this week to discuss the tour, with the possibil-

ity that it could be restructured to include only ODIs and T20Is, or to agree on a possible postponement.

The ODIs against Zimbabwe had been tabled as part of India’s preparation for the World Cup in England. Zimbabwe visited India for the World T20 in 2016, the World Cup in 2011 and the Champions Trophy in 2006, but their trip penciled in for March would have been their first for a bilateral series since 2002.

(ESPNcricinfo)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

MONdAY, January 14, 2019

Pakistan fight in pursuit of 381 after Quinton de Kock century

S

outh Africa moved ever closer to a 3-0 clean sweep on the third day at Johannesburg, as Dale Steyn and Duanne Olivier bent their backs in the face of some stiff resistance to leave Pakistan’s second innings in the balance at 153 for 3, and ensure that Quinton de Kock’s superb fourth Test century is unlikely to go to waste.

Despite a doughty first-wicket stand of 67 between Shan Masood and Imam-ul-Haq, and another pair of combative knocks from Babar Azam and, especially, Asad Shafiq, Pakistan were firmly up against it at the close.

The loss of both openers in the space of three Steyn overs set the scene for another critical failure for Azhar Ali, their under-performing senior batsman, who completed a dismal series haul of 59 runs at 9.83 when he was bounced out for the fourth time in six innings

by Olivier.

It was Olivier’s 22nd wicket of the series, more than even Steyn has ever managed for South Africa in a three-match series, and it had to be hard-earned on a surface that appeared to lack the demons that had been in evidence while de Kock and Hashim Amla, in particular, were eking out their team’s lead in the early part of the day.

In the absence once again of a frontline spinner to mix up South Africa’s options, it took invention and nous to force their openings in the evening session - not least from Steyn, who had left the field clutching his shoulder in the first innings, but shook off any lingering doubts about his fitness with another bravura performance.

After failing to cause many problems to Pakistan’s lefthanders in a three-over foray before tea, Steyn returned from round the wicket to test their mettle with a wide line angled into the stumps. Imam, on 35, was first to blink, drawn into playing the original line and nicking off as Steyn straightened one off the pitch. And 14 Steyn deliveries later, Masood departed in fury to a

Quinton de Kock and Kagiso Rabada pump their fists after de Kock gets his hundred

similar ball, seemingly oblivious to the feathered inside-edge onto thigh-pad that condemned him on review.

For the second match running, however, Pakistan’s batsmen had saved their best for last, and as Babar and Shafiq reprised the watchful shot selection that had given their hosts plenty to ponder in Cape Town, it was South Africa who were the most grateful to take refuge in the dressing room. A night’s sleep, however, will remind both teams of the distance this chase still has to run. A fourth-day target of 228 remains more than Pakistan have managed in four of their five completed innings on this tour.

All of which made de Kock’s earlier efforts with the bat all the more crucial. By the time South Africa’s final wicket fell, 13 balls after de Kock had launched Shadab Khan once too often into the leg side to fall for an equal Test-best 129, their batsmen had completed a fine recovery from a wobbly 93 for 5 to a hefty total of 303 all out.

It is an indication of de Kock’s

supreme talent that, despite rattling along at a typically brisk strike-rate, this was one of the more circumspect performances of his burgeoning Test career. He had resumed his innings on 34 not out overnight, having barrelled along at a run a ball on the second evening, but slipped back into a more measured pace in the first session to combat a Pakistan attack that never lost heart despite their mounting challenge, but struggled to force the breakthroughs.

They managed two in the morning session: Amla, who had pressed along to 71 - five shy of Jacques Kallis’ long-term record for most runs at the Wanderers - before Hasan Ali got one to pop into his gloves from a good length to end a sixth-wicket stand of 102; and Vernon Philander, who picked off three sweet boundaries in a well-compiled 14, before Mohammad Amir pinned him on the shin with a perfectly directed yorker.

De Kock stood firm throughout, picking off four boundaries before the break before stepping up an extra gear in the hour after lunch to

Kyrie Irving: Young Celtics have "a lot of learning to do"

T

he Boston Celtics have “a lot of learning to do” and lack the experience required to contend for NBA championships, according to Kyrie Irving.

The Celtics are 25-17 this season - having been 3210 at the same stage in the previous campaign - after losing 105-103 to the Orlando Magic on Saturday.

Irving is not happy about where the team is and knows how they can get better.

Asked about why the Celtics are experiencing such ups and downs this term, Irving told reporters: “Experience. It’s the best thing I can say is experience. We’re lacking it and, because of that, we have a lot of learning to do.

“So we have a lot of ground

to make up in that aspect. It gets tough. When it gets hard you’ve got to think. You’ve got to do the right things.

You can’t gamble and think that it’s going to be the winning play.

“You’ve got to be able to play the full 48 minutes, no matter what’s going on, and hold your head

high when you make mistakes.

When your job is called upon, you’ve got to do it to the best of your ability. You’ve got to come in and make an impact for the minutes that you’re playing out there.

“You’ve got to appreciate being out there and just competing. It doesn’t matter who you’re going against. It matters the type of preparation you have, what you’re going out and trying to accomplish.

“What’s the big picture?

What are we doing here? These are things I don’t think some of my team-mates have faced just every single day. It’s not easy to be great.

“So the things you’re doing, that you’ve done your entire career, of being able to coast by in certain situations, and you’ve gotten away with your youth and stuff like that.

Being on a championship-ball club, you can’t get away with that.” (Sportsmax)

move to the brink of his hundred.

But then he endured a disarmingly jittery spell - he had fallen twice in the 90s in consecutive Tests against New Zealand in March 2017 and not come so close to a hundred since. And so when, on 99, a clobbered straight drive off Faheem Ashraf deflected off Kagiso Rabada’s boot at the non-striker’s end and straight to the man at mid-on, de Kock had

reason to fear his luck might not be in.

Another nervy declined single and a fierce smack to short cover ramped up the angst even more, but de Kock kept flinging the bat, and eventually connected with a cathartic drill through long-off to cue a release of pent-up emotion.

Sarfraz Ahmed, who would finish with a Pakistan-record ten dismissals for the match, missed a sharp fizzing edge soon afterwards, high to his left off the persevering Hasan, whereupon de Kock launched into a predictable fusillade of strokeplay.

He scorched his very next ball wide of mid-off before clearing his front leg in Hasan’s next over and belting a lofted flog straight back over his head for another four. That massive six off Shadab then followed, before de Kock chanced his arm against the legspinner once too often. He picked out Hasan just inside the rope to depart to a deserved standing ovation.

The end of the innings followed quickly. Rabada had been a willing accomplice in a 79-run stand for the eighth wicket, but soon spliced a Faheem Ashraf bouncer to cover as he sought to up the ante.

Duanne Olivier then nicked off to give Shadab his third wicket in an under-used role, and set the stage for Pakistan’s response. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD South Africa – 262 & 303 Pakistan 1st Innings – 185 Pakistan 2nd Innings (target: 381 runs) Imam-ul-Haq c †de Kock b Steyn Shan Masood c †de Kock b Steyn Azhar Ali c †de Kock b Olivier Asad Shafiq not out Babar Azam not out Extras 1 (lb 1) TOTAL 153/3 (40

35 37 15 48 17

Overs, RR: 3.82) Yet to bat: Sarfraz Ahmed (c) †, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas Fall of wickets: 1-67 (Imamul-Haq, 19.4 ov), 2-74 (Shan Masood, 23.6 ov), 3-104 (Azhar Ali, 30.5 ov) BOWLING: DW Steyn (12-1-37-2) VD Philander (10-3-28-0) D Olivier (8-2-41-1) K Rabada (10-1-46-0)

Argentina great Maradona thankful following successful surgery D

iego Maradona has thanked hospital staff after undergoing successful surgery.

Maradona’s lawyer confirmed on Sunday that the 58-year-old, who is currently coach of MX Clausura side Dorados, had had surgery in Buenos Aires, having been hospitalised after suffering a stomach bleed.

“Diego Maradona’s surgery has finished. Thank God everything went perfectly,” Matias Morla wrote on Twitter.

“A thank you to the medical department of Clinica Olivos for your professionalism and humanity.

“Now we’re waiting for the recovery so Diego can return to work as soon as possible.”

And, in a post on his official Instagram account, Maradona also thanked staff at Swiss Medical and Clinica Olivos for his care.

Maradona posted: “I want to thank Swiss Medical and Clínica Olivos for the excellent care, and my doctors Leopoldo

Luciano Luque, Ariel Sainz, and the team that accompanied them: Walter Godoy, Carlos Becerra, Sebastian Nani and Pablo Dimitroff.

Thank you all!!!”

(Sportsmax)

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21

2019 BCB/Ramnaresh Sarwan Under-17 tournament bowls off in fine fashion T

he 2019 Ramnaresh Sarwan/Fitness 53 Gym Under-17 tournament continued in Berbice over the last two weeks with several outstanding performances as players strove to impress the Berbice selectors.

The pro-active Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) started the tournament on December 2018 as part of its early preparation for the Guyana Cricket Board Under-17 Inter-county tournament.

At Mount Sinai, left-arm spinner Bhaskar Dhanai took 9 for 20 as Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club beat Mt Sinai Cricket Club by 70 runs. Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club were 118 all out in 46 overs. Romario Ramdihol 30, Isaiah Thorne 21. T. Sinclair 2 for 26, R Williams 2 for 18, K Budhu 2 for 29.

Mt. Sinai Cricket Club 48 all out in 15 overs. Bhaskar Dhanai 9 for 20.

At Canje, Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club defeated Edinburgh Cricket Club by 156 runs. Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club 246 for 5 from 50 overs. Aviskhar Persaud 50, Dimitri Cameron 40, Sanjay Algoo 31. I Kendall 2 for 69, J Hercules 2 for 47. Edinburgh Cricket Club 90 all out in 23.1 overs.

J Hercules 25, Romario Ramdihal 5 for 6, Bhaskar Dhanai 4 for 23.

At Mt Sinai, Tucber Park Cricket Club defeated Mt Sinai Cricket Club by a massive 330 runs.

Tucber Park Cricket Club 273 all out in 50 overs. T. Caesar 83, Zeymul Ramsammy 41, K Budhoo 2 for 49, R Thakoor 2 for 50.

Mt Sinai Cricket Club 43 all out. N Samuels 2 for 08, Abdul Ramsammy 5 for 06.

Mt Sinai playing their first-ever Under-17 Tournament defeated Kendall’s Union by 74 runs.

Mt. Sinai 234 for 8 in 40 overs. T. Sinclair 93, K Budhoo 76. E Harris 2 for 38, S Mohamed 2 for 27.

Kendall’s Union Cricket Club 169 all out in 28 Overs.

E Hitnarine 57, C Neville 30, R Thakoor 3 for 20, K Jaundoo 3 for 21.

At Edinburgh, Mt Sinai Cricket Club defeated Edinburgh Cricket Club by 10 wickets. Edinburgh Cricket Club 88 all out in 20 overs. D Wharton 15. Mt Sinai Cricket Club 96 without loss in 12-Overs. Kevin Budhoo 60 not out.

At Port Mourant, Port Mourant Cricket Club defeated No 73 Cricket Club by 53 runs. Port Mourant Cricket Club 123 all out in 40-overs. F Khan 30, N Singh 3 for 34, N Tahal 3 for 22, R Jabar 3 for 12. No. 73 Cricket Club 70 all out, B Nandalall 15, Salim Khan 4 for 22, Mark Ramalho 3 for 7.

At Bush Lot, Achievers Cricket Club defeated

Paradise Cricket Club by 119 runs.

Farouk Subhan scored 247

Achievers Cricket Club 193 all out in 26.3 Overs. Collis Noble 53, Victor Fraser 60, William Semple 4 for 53.

Paradise Cricket Club 74 all out. William Semple 30, Collis Noble 3 for 20.

Budhram Lakeram 2 for 8.

At Kendall’s Union, Tucber Park Cricket Club defeated Kendall’s Union Cricket Club by 7 wickets.

Kendall’s Union Cricket Club 87 all out in 12 overs. G. Hitnarine 31, R Goberdhan 15. R La Fleur 3 for 17, Zeymul Ramsammy 5 for 13.

Tucber Park Cricket Club 90 for 3 in 14.4 overs. R Sobhai 20, Abdul Ramsammy 21. R Goberdhan 3 for 16.

At Albion, Albion Community Centre ‘A’ defeated Albion Community Centre ‘B’ by 375 runs.

Albion Com Centre ‘A’ 399 for 5 in 45 overs.

Riad Karim 126, Sarwan Chaitnarine 111, I Shazam 63. Albion Com Centre ‘B’ 24 all out in 9.5 overs.

Leon Cecil 5 for 11, Sarwan Chaitnarine 5 for 12.

At Port Mourant, Albion

Community Centre ‘A’ defeated Port Mourant Cricket Club by 9 wickets.

Port Mourant Cricket Club 122 all out in 39 overs.

Rampersaud Ramnauth 65. Leon Cecil 3 for 17.

Gourav Ramesh 2 for 13, Inzam Shazam 2 for 23. Albion Community Centre ‘A’ 123 for 1 in 17.4 overs.

Raid Karim 51 not out, Sarwan Chaitnarine 40 not out.

At Albion, Albion Com Centre ‘A’ defeated No 73 Cricket Club by 9 wickets.

No 73 Cricket Club, 67 all out in 32.5 o v e r s .

Akshar N a h a r 15.

Sarwan Chaitnarine 2 for 10, Gourav Ramesh 3 for 13.

Ravendra Ganesh 2 for 2.

Albion Com Centre ‘A’ 68 for 1 in 8 overs. Riad Karim 32 not out, Sarwan Chaitnarine 24 not out.

At Hampshire, Rose Hall Town Bakewell ‘A’ defeated Albion Com Centre ‘B’ by 209 runs.

Rose Hall Town ‘A’ 267 all out in 46 overs. Vikash Subramanie 36, Jai Tika 117, Jeremy Sandia 52, S Harripersaud 4 for 30, A Budhu 2 for 22. Albion Com Centre ‘B’ 58 all out in 15 overs. Damien Cecil

15, G Samaroo 10, Matthew Pottaya 4 for 6, Jeremy Sandia 3 for 11.

At Albion, Rose Hall Town Bakewell ‘B’ defeated Albion Com Centre ‘B’ by 56 runs.

Rose Hall Town Bakewell ‘B’ 150 all out in 37 overs.

Christopher Deroop 24, Jeremiah Felix 72, Damien Cecil 3 for 28, Tameshwar 3 for 22. Albion Com Centre ‘B’ 85 all out in 20.3 overs. Reeaz Mohabir 15, G Samaroo 16, Angelino Ramdihal 5 for 14, Shamar Scott 2 for 20.

At Port Mourant, Port Mourant Cricket Club beat Rose Hall Town Bakewell ‘B’ by 112 runs.

Port Mourant Cricket Club 189 for 9 in 40 overs.

Rampertab Ramnauth 74, Fardeen Khan 40.

Christopher Deroop 2 for 21, Shazam Khan 2 for 30, Angelino Ramdihal 2 for 19.

Rose Hall Town Bakewell ‘B’ 77 all out in 31 Overs.

Davendra Balkarran 16, Fardeen Khan 3 for 22, Salim Khan 2 for 15.

At Hampshire, Rose Hall Town Bakewell ‘A’ defeated Port Mourant Cricket Club by 229 runs.

Rose Hall Town Bakewell ‘A’ 306 for 8 from 50 overs.

Vikash Subramanie 46, Jonathan Rampersaud 46.

Mahendra Gopilall 58, Lucas Arthur 61. Mark Ramalho 3 for 63.

Port Mourant Cricket Club 77 all out in 39.5 overs.

Rampertab Ramnauth 27, R Persaud 22. Jonathan Rampersaud 3 for 10, Jeremy Sandia 3 for 11.

At Hampshire, Rose Hall Town ‘A’ was beaten by Albion Com Centre ‘A’ by one wicket.

Rose Hall Town Bakewell ‘A’ 121 all out in 30 overs.

Ricardo Ramdehol 20, Mahendra Gopilall 29.

Gourav Ramesh 6 for 22.

Albion Com Centre ‘A’ 122 for 9 in 32 overs. Reyaz Karim 34, Mahendra Gurdyal 22, Tameshwar Mahadeo 22 not out. J Rampersaud 4 for 30.

Mahendra Gopilall 2 for 19.

At Hampshire, Rose Hall Town Bakewell ‘A’ defeated their ‘B’ counterpart by six wickets.

Rose Hall Town Bakewell ‘B’ 90 all out in 32 overs.

Christopher Deroop 21, Reyad Rahaman 18 not out.

Jonathan Rampersaud 3 for 31. Matthew Pottaya 3 for 11, Mahendra Gopilall 3 for 10.

Rose Hall Town Bakewell ‘A’ 95 for 4 in 7.5 overs.

Lucas Arthur 45 not out, J Rampersaud 32. Shazam Khan 2 for 15.

At D’Edward, Blairmont Com Centre ‘A’ defeated Blairmont Com Centre ‘B’ by a large 343 runs margin. Blairmont Com Centre ‘A’ 377 all out in 45 overs.

Farouk Subhan 247 (20 x 4, 17 x 6), Marvin Prashad 104. I White 3 for 40, Rawl Dindial 3 for 37. Blairmont Com Centre ‘B’ 34 all out in 17.2 overs. Nick Nowrang 5 for 3, Rayan France 2 for 2.

At D’Edward, Blairmont Com Centre ‘A’ defeated D’Edward Cricket Club by 170 runs.

Blairmont Com Centre ‘A’ 266 for 9 in 40 overs.

Marvin Prashad 101, Farouk Subhan 34. A Milne 3 for 36, T Salan 3 for 35. D’Edward Cricket Club 96 all out in 19 overs. H. Herilall 38, A Sukra 3 for 22, Shahid Baksh 3 for 10.

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

mondAY, January 14, 2019

Root’s Test record against Windies remarkable – England Captain averages 70+ vs Windies

By Clifton Ross

E

ngland skipper Joe Root will be gearing up for the challenges which lie ahead when his team battle the West Indies in their backyard and the batsman’s outrageous record against the Caribbean side could play a key role in the direction of the Test series.

Root, much like most of the players in the side except veterans like James Anderson and Stuart Broad, has not played that many games against the Windies, but the few times the right-hander has faced the Caribbean side in Tests, he has compiled a solid string of scores which could see the batsman looking to exploit his opponents.

This trip to the Caribbean will be Root’s first since 2015, but the remnants of his last visit could leave the Windies in a bad

mental place should they allow him to tap into his form in the Caribbean. In the three games played in 2015, Root stroked 83, 59, 182* and 33 at a scary average of 89 plus.

Ironically, his top scores came at Barbados, Antigua and Grenada, which will be the same venues of this year’s series.

Outside of the Caribbean, the Yorkshire batsman maintains a brutal record against the hosts as he averages a healthy 78 with scores of 136, 59 and 72 coming in English conditions.

In 2018, Root was among those who racked up close to 1000 Test runs in a calendar year and currently enters the Windies series with a staggering overall average

ence-maker should he continue his outrageous batting form from last year.

England recently disposed of Sri Lanka in a white-

of 50.44 with 41 fifties and 15 tons with 5 of them being 150-plus scores and a solitary career-best of 254.

The home team will be keen on identifying players who could single-handedly change the complexion of a match and Root, if there is no other in the team, is capable of being the differ-

wash 3-0 fashion and despite a classy 124 in the second Test, Root’s recent series was a bit mixed. Apart from his century, the 28-year-old had scores of 46, 7, 14 and 35; poor Joe Root

returns by his world-class standards. Playing in the West Indies and at venues where he had overwhelming success in the past could invoke Root’s love for batting in the Caribbean.

Meanwhile, Root and his team will arrive in the Caribbean soon as they prepare for the 2-match tour series from January 17 before fine-tuning for the January 23 start of the Test series at the Kensington Oval, Barbados.

Solomon bags 1st title Test series ticket sales of 2019 at President’s bowl off in Barbados Cup Golf Open 2019 England Tour of West Indies…

A

head of the highly-anticipated EnglandWest Indies series in the Caribbean, ticket sales for the first Test, which bowls off from January 23 in Barbados, went on sale this past Friday.

On hand to meet and greet fans was West Indies Test Captain Jason Holder, who was at the Kensington Oval as Cricket West Indies (CWI) officially began their over-the-counter tickets sales ahead of the tussle for the coveted Wisden Trophy.

While Barbados commenced their ticket sales this past weekend, tickets for the other venues – the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua and the Darren Sammy National Cricket Ground in St Lucia are expected to go on sale from January 21 and January 28 respectively

The Windies Test skipper, who will be looking to continue his ascension up the Test all-rounder ladder when the series commences, said: “I just felt the need to come and meet the fans and spend some time with them. We’re nothing if we don’t have the support of our fans. We play for them and we value their support; so I made the effort to come this morning and speak to some of them.”

CWI Commercial Director Dominic Warne regarding the series pointed out that, “ T e s t cricket between these two

great teams has great appeal and a very rich history, and we anticipate record crowds for these matches here in the Caribbean. We look forward to welcoming lots of visiting England fans, and we are providing promotions to our own West Indies fans to give them the opportunity to access seats at affordable prices.”

He continued: “West Indies fans create an atmosphere that visiting teams don’t experience anywhere else in the world and we want them to come out in force to get behind the team.

We have given some great incentives to the loyal, local fans as well as ensuring that senior citizens and children under 12 have the opportunity and we know they will take this opportunity to be part of what will be another great Test Series.”

Meanwhile, incentive packages for local patrons include: fans with local identification can buy two tickets at half price while a limited amount of tickets will also be available for fans over age 60. Ground tickets at US$15 per person (BDS$30) will be on sale from Tuesday, January 15.

West Indies Captain Jason Holder sports one of the tickets for the first Test match in Barbados

M

In the picture below, from left to right: Mike Mangal, Maurice Solomon, Guillermo Escarraga and Mahindranauth Tiwari

aurice Solomon continued to outfox the much younger competitors on the golf course as he opened 2019 with a bang by capturing the President’s Cup title, following some stiff competition.

One of the country’s veteran accountants, Solomon beat off a star-studded bevy of golfers as he hit 70/25 to win the Best Net, but was challenged strongly by MACORP CEO Guillermo Escarraga, who he edged to win after ‘Back 9 countback’. Second-place winner Escarraga also had a good outing on the greens, recording a Net 70/22 but fell honourably to the veteran Solomon.

The stars didn’t disappoint as a number of high-profile players copped several top awards with:

Longest Drive Award being given to ANSA McAL executive Troy Cadogan with Best Gross and 3rd Best Net being achieved by the diminutive ‘big man’ Mike Mangal 73/9), who continues his form with the Club from 2018.

Nearest The Pin and 4th Best Net went to former Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) Captain and one of Guyana’s most experienced golfers in Patrick Prashad (74/10). A number of other players, including Robert Hanoman (75/28); Kalyan Tewari (76/14) and Joaan Deo (77/14) were among the top contenders this past Saturday.

New LGC member Mahindranauth Tiwari achieved a near impossible hole-in-one off of Hole Number 1 with a Gross 86

in his first official game.

Saturday’s tournament kicked off 2019 as a large turnout was recorded in the medal play format tournament.

Local pros battled for top prizes ranging from Best Gross, 1st to 4th Best Net, Nearest to The Pin and Longest Drive. Tournament results showed that golfers put up very competitive performances with the first 10 places often having no more than a one-stroke difference and in fact for 1st and 2nd places there was a tie (Solomon and Escarraga), decided by a count back of the last 9 holes, the better score receiving the benefit.

Meanwhile, the next assignment for golfers will be the ANSA McAL / Suzuki Open scheduled for January 20.

guyanatimesgy.com

MONdAY, January 14, 2019

2018-2019 CWI Regional 4-Day Tournament…

23

Triumphant Jaguars clinch 4th consecutive victory – Paul’s 10-fer, Hetmyer’s blitz overshadowed Edwards’ ton

By Brandon Corlette

I

t was another episode of total dominance at the National Stadium, Providence, when Guyana Jaguars defeated Windward Islands Volcanoes, by eight wickets on day four. Jaguars recorded their fourth victory in as many rounds, with Keemo Paul starring with the ball, ending with career-best match figures: 10 wickets, 129 runs after bowling 35 overs in both innings.

With a small target of 117 required for victory, the big Berbician, Shimron Hetmyer thrilled the supporters at Providence playing flourishing shots during his volatile 61 from 28 balls, including five maximums.

Hetmyer hit sixes into the media centre, into the grass mound, the red stand and the cheerful green stand.

Earlier in the day, Volcanoes Captain Kirk Edwards reached his 10th First-Class century to lead the visitors’ fightback at Providence. Edwards’ 139 took his team to 361 all out with wicketkeeper Denis Smith playing a fighting knock of 67, which ensured Volcanoes a lead of 116.

The final-day proceedings of the fourth round between Guyana Jaguars and Windward Islands Volcanoes began with Paul bowling to Edwards. Volcanoes resumed the day on 167-3, under perfect weather, at the National Stadium. Edwards scored the first run of the day when he worked a Paul delivery into the leg side, at mid-on, where Veerasammy Permaul gave a sharp return.

Kaveem Hodge watched his captain, Edwards show the bowler the maker’s name, hitting the first boundary of the morning when he stroked Paul down the ground for four. Volcanoes had the intention of erasing the 78-run deficit; Edwards reached his half-century in the process as the 200-run came up when Edwards stroked Permaul for fours in the 68th over. Jaguars spinners remained patient, and Gudakesh Motie got the first wicket of the morning, removing a struggling Hodge, who faced 77 balls for his 12 runs. He was out caught by Bramble, who got his fourth catch in the second innings.

Volcanoes were 202-4 as Edwards dominated the 64-run partnership, that Hodge featured in. The leftarm spinner, Motie, who hails from Albion, bowled in the right areas and six runs later, he was rewarded with another wicket – Alick Athanaze’s. Motie

trapped Athanaze in front as the Dominican went without scoring.

At 208-5, Denis Smith partnered Edwards and the pair continued to rebuild the Volcanoes innings.

Edwards, who looked solid in his stroke-play brought up his century in fine fashion, hitting Motie for a huge six down the ground to reach his 10th First-Class century.

Edwards removed his helmet and soaked in his teammate’s applause, reaching the milestone in 156 minutes from 162 balls, hitting twelve fours and two sixes.

The Volcanoes accumulated a lead, but in the process they lost a few wickets in the morning session.

Edwards continued to dominate the partnership; at one stage hitting a hat trick of boundaries off Shepherd.

Paul struck once more, removing Edwards at 291-6, after 90.2 overs. Edwards was trapped in front by a lively delivery after scoring a well-played 139 from 187 balls, finishing with 20 fours and two sixes.

Jaguars were in for a good lunch, having removed Edwards before the interval, with Volcanoes leading by 54 runs with some 41 overs remaining in two sessions. At lunch, Volcanoes were 2996 with Denis Smith on 24 while Sherman Lewis was yet to score.

Paul resumed the afternoon session for the Jaguars from the southern end, with Lewis and Denis Smith were in search of quick runs. In the 93rd over of Volcanoes’ second Innings, the 300th run came up; at this stage, every run was vital.

Paul got his third victim in L e w i s who was bowled all ends up with the score on 314-7. Six runs later, Paul captured his maiden 10-wicket match haul, removing Ray Jordan, who was brilliantly caught at first-slip by Griffith, f o r

three.

Wicketkeeper-batsman, Denis Smith watched his partners fall from the non-strikers end; at 3219, Josh Thomas became Permaul’s first second innings victim, when he was trapped in front without scoring. With the final Volcanoes batsman in Larry Edwards entering the batting crease, Smith upped his scoring rate, reaching his half-century. The nephew of Devon Smith, Denis Smith, hit Paul for three consecutive boundaries. The lead piled up, Paul was taken off the attack and the final-wicket partnership frustrated the Jaguars.

Captain Leon Johnson made several bowling changes, since batting had become easy for Volcanoes’ final batting pair. They went past the 100-run lead, but Motie’s brilliance at midoff saw Smith run out for a well-played 67 from 96 balls, including eight fours. The innings came to an end with Volcanoes 361 all out, accumulating a lead of 116 runs.

Paul ended with 4-72 from 18 overs in the second innings with four testing maidens. Motie had two wickets while Permaul, Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd had one wicket each.

Jaguars were once more edging closer to another victory, requiring 117 runs to win with 38 overs

Kirk Edwards cuts during his century at Providence

Player of the match Anthony Bramble celebrates one of his six dismissals (Brandon Corlette photos)

minimum.

Openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Trevon Griffith made their way to bat under brilliant sunshine, with Lewis and Thomas starting proceedings for the Volcanoes.

Two slips and a gully, Lewis bowled to Griffith and the Jaguars scoring account opened with a leg bye.

Griffith, who is known for his aggressive stroke play, chipped down the track to Lewis and hit him over midon for four, to open his scoring account. Chanderpaul played a late cut between second slip, to score a streaky boundary. Runs continued to flow for the Jaguars, but after 7.3 overs, Griffith went leg-side on a straight ball and was bowled behind his back for a run-a-ball 12 that included two fours.

At tea, Jaguars were 35-1 with Chanderpaul on 16 and Hetmyer on 02, after eight overs.

Chanderpaul continued his solid defence while Hetmyer came in and lit up Providence with some scintillating strokes.

Jaguars were scoring at a brisk rate, with the explosive Hetmyer at the batting crease, Volcanoes bowlers leaked runs.

Hetmyer hit sixes at will, hitting Josh off the bowling in the

14th over. That over was a runs-fest with 25 runs conceded, with three no-balls bowled, Thomas was penalised, and taken off the bowling. Hetmyer reached his 11th First-Class half century from 25 balls with a sweet cut shot.

Three balls later, after reaching his milestone, he played one shot too many, hitting Hodge to long-on who was brilliantly taken by a running Lewis, and was dismissed for a well-played 61 from 28 balls that included five fours and five sixes.

But the damage was already done, with the HetmyerChanderpaul partnership worth 79 runs, with the score on 111-2 after 16.1 overs.

Johnson partnered Chanderpaul, and after the Jaguars Captain mis-

3

timed a few balls, he sealed the match with a six, into the lively green stands off a Hodge delivery. Jaguars clinched the match by eight wickets chasing 117 in 18.3 overs. Chanderpaul was left unbeaten in both innings, scoring 24 from 66 balls with three fours to his name.

Thomas and Hodge were the Volcanoes wicket-takers in the second innings with one wicket each. Anthony Bramble, who scored a magnificent century in the first innings and effected six dismissals, was awarded player of the match. Guyana Jaguars will play Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the fifth round that will commence from Thursday January 13-Sunday January 20, 2019.

SCOREBOARD

Guyana Jaguars 1st Innings 454-9 (148 ov) Windwards Islands Volcanoes 209 (64.0 ov) all out Windwards Islands Volcanoes 2nd Innings 361 all out T Gabriel c Bramble b Rutherford 16 Devon Smith c Bramble b Shepherd 65 R Cato c Bramble b Paul 36 K Edwards lbw Paul 139 K Hodge c Bramble b Motie 12 A Athanaze lbw Motie 0 Denis Smith run out (Motie) 67 S Lewis b Paul 5 R Jordan c Griffith b Paul 3 J Thomas lbw Permaul 0 L Edwards not out 7 Extras: 11 Total :361-10 (107.3ov) FOW: 1 - 34(Taryck Gabriel, 11.5 Ov), 2 - 110(Roland Cato, 34.4 Ov), 3 - 138(Devon Smith, 43.6 Ov) , 4 - 202(Kavem Hodge, 68.6

Ov) , 5 - 208(Alick Athanaze, 70.3 Ov) , 6 - 291(Kirk Edwards, 90.2 Ov) , 7 - 314(Sherman Lewis, 94.1 Ov) , 8 - 320(Ray Jordan, 96.6 Ov) , 9 - 321(Josh Thomas, 97.3 Ov) , 10 - 361(Dennis Smith, 107.3 Ov) Bowling: K Paul 18-4-72-4, R Shepherd 13-2-44-1, C Pestano 11-1-42-0, S Rutherford 10-3-211, G Motie 20-3-62-2, V Permaul 34.3-4-109-1, L Johnson 1-0-4-0 Guyana Jaguars 2nd Innings (Target 117) T Griffith b Thomas T Chanderpaul not out S Hetmyer c Lewis b Hodge L Johnson not out Extras: Total: 121-2 (18.3 ov) FOW 1-32 (T Griffith 7.3ov) 2-111 (Hetmyer 16.1ov) Bowling: S Lewis 7-1-28-0, J Thomas 6.4-0-60-1, R Cato 0.2-0-1-0, K Hodge 2.3-121-1, L Edwards 2-0-8-0

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MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

2018-2019 CWI Regional 4-Day Tournament…

Triumphant Jaguars clinch 4th consecutive victory Page 23

Shimron Hetmyer

Keemo Paul

– Paul’s 10-fer, Hetmyer’s blitz overshadowed Edwards’ ton lt was smiles for the dominant Jaguars (Brandon Corlette photos)

Page 21

Page 22

Solomon bags 1st title of 2019 at President’s Cup Golf Open

2019 BCB/ Ramnaresh Sarwan Under-17 tournament bowls off in fine fashion

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