Guyana Times 7th January 2019

CH&PA, IDB launch first P Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme

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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 3797

THE BEACON OF TRUTH Monday, January 7, 2019

AG abusing legal process, unlawfully using State resources – Nandlall guyanatimesgy.com

See stories on pages 3, 7 & 9

…Govt unlawfully holding onto office – Ramkarran

Police destroy over 1275kg ganja plants Page 2

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

PPP/C P hails Dr Ishmael’s legacy

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Decomposed body of man found in bus shed P2

2 nabbed with gun, ammo and P12 ganja

Man commits suicide after losing job P8 Ranks of E Division (Linden-Kwakwani) destroyed over 1275 cannabis plants at Mille Hide Out, Upper Demerara River on Saturday

"Sharky" nabbed after robbing wash bay operator President Skeletal remains of thanks media for missing man sensitive handling found at Kuru Kururu of his illness Page 12

Page 8

Page 12

Natural Resources Bill

P10 Fund manager bids will be thoroughly reviewed – Jordan

…Jagdeo says passage of bill illegal

2 news Police destroy over 1275kg ganja plants R mondAY, January 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

anks of E Division (Interior Locations) on Saturday destroyed over 2000 cannabis plants among other items at Mille Hide Out, Upper Demerara River.

Based on information received, the ranks, acting on intelligence, went to the location, where they discovered two acres of marijuana under cultivation – about 2000 cannabis plants measuring three to eight feet in height and estimated to weigh about 500 kilograms.

In addition, a nursery with about 200 plants along with two makeshift camps with four hammocks, two mattresses and a quantity of kitchen utensils were found.

The Police stated that about two miles away from the initial location, another three acres of marijuana cultivation with about 3500 cannabis plants measuring two to

six feet in height and weighing an estimated 775kg were found. A nursery with about 500 plants was also discovered.

There were also two makeshift camps with five hammocks, three mattresses, kitchen utensils, clothing, groceries, one red mountain bicycle, one water can and six cellular phones. The plants and the camp were destroyed, but no arrests were made.

PSC Chairman addresses promoted ranks of GPF

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olice Service Commission recently met and addressed the newly promoted Officers and Inspectors of the Guyana Police Force at the Officers’ Training Centre at Camp Road and Young Street Eve Leary, Georgetown.

Chairman of the PSC, Retired Assistant Commissioner Paul Slowe, DSM, elaborated on the process employed in the selection of those promoted.

Slowe highlighted that the personal file of each of the ranks recommended had

to be thoroughly perused in order to select the best. The Commission’s Chair further emphasised the need for ranks to pass the appropriate qualifying examinations as well as possess a “clean slate”.

Slowe, a former Assistant Commissioner of Police who is revered for his discipline and dedication in stamping out corruption, noted that going forward, the processes of selection will not be one which can be infiltrated by acts of bribery or any such act which in any way would suggest cor-

Newly promoted Officers and Inspectors of the Guyana Police Force along with senior ranks

ruption. He further made mention of Standing Order #22 which guides the pro-

motion process.

Standing Order #22, Paragraph 2 states “Preference of promotion will always be given to those who have the necessary personality, who possess the necessary qualities of leadership and who have manifested integrity, superior intelligence, zeal, loyalty and energy in the discharge of their duties”.

In his first official address for 2019, Commissioner of Police Leslie James, DSS DSM, extended congratulatory greetings to the newly promoted.

Accompanied by his Deputies, James highlighted the transformation process the Force has begun since the installation of the new Administration in respect to the implementation

Retired Assistant Commissioner Paul Slowe

of the recommendations by the UK Consultants.

Vesta Adams, Claire Jarvis and Clinton Conway, members of the Commission also shared brief remarks.

Police Commissioner Leslie James

The Guyana Police Force congratulates the newly promoted ranks and wishes them God’s richest blessings as they continue to climb the ladder of success.

Decomposed body of man found in bus shed

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he decomposed body of a male was on Sunday morning discovered in a bus shed at Kuru Kururu Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

The identity of the man has not been ascertained but according to reports received, he is suspected to be in his 20s or early 30s.

Based on reports received, the man’s face is swollen and his skin has blisters. Persons in the area told Guyana Times via telephone that the body was discovered at about 08:00h by persons traversing the area after they came

across to a strong stench.

As they looked around, they reportedly saw the man lying in the bus shed. Some believe the body might have been brought and dumped in the bus shed since the body is in an advanced stage of decomposition.

“If this body went here for a long time, the smell would have hit some body and they would check… up to yesterday, I passed there and ain’t see nobody in the bus shed”, a taxi driver told this publication.

In addition, the body,

they claimed, might be that of a man who suffered from a mental illness.

They stated that the man would normally roam the area. However, after the discovery, the Police were summoned and the area was cordoned off.

Up to press time, a release was not issued by the Police but the body was reportedly taken to the Lyken Funeral Home where it awaits identification and a post-mortem examination.

An investigation has been launched into the discovery.

news

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mondAY, January 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, January 7 – 05:00h-06:30h and Tuesday, January 8 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, January 7 – 05:00h-06:30h and Tuesday, January 8 – 05:30h-07:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers can be expected throughout the morning, followed by light cloudy skies in the afternoon. Light to partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening, with overall temperatures ranging between 22 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 05:09h and 17:19h reaching maximum heights of 2.47 metres and 2.61 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:54h and 23:20h reaching minimum heights of 0.74 metre and 0.62 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 2019

LOTTERY NUMBERS C

04 15 16

17 21 25

FREE TICKET

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

AG abusing legal process, unlawfully using State resources – Nandlall

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ttorney General Basil Williams is abusing the legal system while at the same time “unlawfully” using State funds and resources in relation to the recent court action filed challenging the validity of former Member of Parliament (MP) Charrandas Persaud’s vote on the no-confidence resolution since he has dual citizenship as well as an impending challenge on the 33 votes that were used to pass the motion tabled by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

This is according to former Attorney General Anil Nandlall. In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Sunday evening, Nandlall made reference to an article published in a local newspaper on Sunday.

According to Nandlall, the article quotes the Attorney General as disclosing that the court challenge to the no-confidence motion is fixed for January 15, for hearing. He said that Williams is further quoted as saying that “the Government’s case would be two-fold – Persaud’s alleged disqualification from voting given his Canadian citizenship and that 34, rather than 33 votes, constitutes the majority required for the no-confidence motion to pass”.

In the article, Nandlall said, Williams further explained that the staff of the Attorney General Chambers were involved in Senior Counsel Rex McKay’s preparations of the dual citizenship aspect of the case. He added that with regard to whether 34 or 33 votes constitutes a majority, Williams is quoted as saying “Obviously, we are gonna file in relation to that.

Whether I file as Attorney General or a citizen files or the AFC files or the PNC files, we’ll see.” He further noted that the article goes on to say that, “He insisted that it doesn’t matter who files the case…”

Against this backdrop, the former Attorney General pointed out that it was common knowledge that the case filed questioning Persaud’s qualification to sit in the National Assembly was filed by a private citizen, Compton Herbert Reid. Nandlall outlined that Reid was not part of the Government of Guyana and has sued the Speaker of the National Assembly, Charrandas Persaud and the Attorney General.

“So, the Attorney General [Basil Williams] has disclosed to all the world that the Attorney General/ Government is the driving force behind the case filed by Compton Reid (who is, merely, a nominal Applicant);

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

that the Attorney General/ Government has used Public Officers and State resources in assisting in the preparation of this case; and I have no doubt that the Attorney General/Government is using public funds to retain the lawyers, who have filed the case,” Nandlall asserted.

He further contended that the Attorney General is using public funds and Officers from the Attorney General Chambers to prepare and file a case against himself. However, according to the former AG, it does not end there, since Williams has signalled his intention to repeat this in a second case to be filed soon.

Nandlall said that this time, AG Williams plans to do even worse since he mentioned that it does not matter who files the case,

whether it is the Alliance For Change (AFC), the minority party in the coalition Government; the People’s National Congress (PNC), the leading party in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU); the Attorney General, or a private citizen.

“Presumably, again, he will use public funds, public resources and Public Officers to fund and prepare a case, which will be filed by his political party or its coalition partner or by a private citizen against himself!

One will note that it is clear that the Attorney General is blissfully unaware of the several transgressions to which he has confessed, including the most vulgar misuse of public funds, public resources and Public Officers. He recognises no distinction between political party and Government.

He ignores, completely, the abuse to which he is subjecting the legal process,” Nandlall posited.

He went on to say that there is no doubt that the Attorney General either planned to consent to judgement or not defend these “incestuous litigations” funded by taxpayers’ dollars. In fact, the former Attorney General questioned how his successor could defend these cases “conscientiously” since, after all by his own admission, he

Attorney General Basil Williams

has caused them to be filed and contributed to their preparation.

“Not only is this an unlawful use of public funds and public resources, but this strikes at the heart of every ethical principle known to the legal profession and it reduces our legal system and indeed, our constitutional democracy, to nothing but an abysmal circus,” Nandlall declared.

According to the former AG, the country has finally descended to its lowest and must be the undisputed laughing stock of the Commonwealth.

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guyanatimesgy.com

mondAY, January 7, 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

Ignoring the Constitution

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ack in the 1960s when the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and People’s National Congress (PNC) were manoeuvring with the British to gain Independence, the PPP spent a great deal of time discussing the type of constitution the country would need. In fact, their Attorney General, Dr Fenton Ramsahoye actually crafted such a constitution, sui generis. Forbes Burnham, the PNC leader, (in)famously remarked that he did not care what type of Constitution he got if he were to be leader of British Guiana; once the British had departed, he would be able to introduce the type of Constitution he actually wanted.

True to his word, he led Guyana to Independence after collaborating with the British and Americans and received what has been called the generic Lancaster House, pulled from a drawer, in 1966. By 1980, he introduced his own constitution through a series of stratagems, which included the massively-rigged 1978 Referendum.

The Referendum was to have citizens bypass the need for a constitutionally-demanded referendum to approve the soon-to-be introduced Constitution. The new Constitution ironically reintroduced the stipulation that to alter the fundamental tenets of the Constitution, a referendum was needed.

From that time, PNC leaders have never given more than lip service to the Constitution, which they loudly proclaim is the “supreme law of the land” and their own creation.

At the most fundamental level, this was exemplified in their rigging of elections in 1968, 1973, 1980 and 1985, since while conducting the rigging they had to violate their own constitutional requisites that governed a host of institutions – the Elections Commission, the Registration of citizens, the Disciplined Forces, all the Constitutional Commissions and even the productive sector which they nationalised.

After free and fair elections in 1992, the PPP/Civic Government started the process of reforming the Constitution in 1994 to better reflect the needs of Guyana and simultaneously to abort subverting the institutions of governance through political diktat. But the entire process was derailed when the PNC protested the results of the 1997 elections, even though they were certified by a number of international observers. The constitutional change regime was intensified after PNC riots and by 2000, extensive changes were made to satisfy the PNC demands for “inclusivity”.

Sadly, even these changes did not satisfy the PNC, which appeared impelled to demand that power of the State must always reside exclusively in their hands, even if the Constitution had to be violated with impunity. After armed attacks on the State were repelled by 2008, the PNC defined the democratically-elected PPP Government as an “elected dictatorship”. Ironically, by 2011, they – as APNU – were able to capture a majority in the National Assembly with 26 seats aligned with the Alliance For Change’s 7 to give them a 33-seat majority over the PPP’s 32. The PPP retained the presidency because they collected a plurality of the popular vote.

With the PNC/APNU and AFC coalescing in 2015, they captured the presidency and the majority of 33 in Parliament and with that the old PNC perspective on constitutions resurfaced – to be used opportunistically to secure their hold on power. This was pellucid on, for instance, their subversion of the Police Service Commission, the Public Service Commission, the selection of the GECOM Chairman, and their refusal to engage in meaningful consultations with the Opposition Leader.

Their latest Constitution violation is the most serious: their refusal to comply with the pellucid language of Article 106 (6) which commands that the President and Cabinet “shall” resign if a no-confidence motion was carried. Even if they have taken the matter to the courts, this does not vitiate the order of the Constitution. The President and Cabinet’s resignation, however, must be seen in tandem with Article 106 (7), which specifies that the GOVERNMENT continues until the elections held, as per Article 106 (6) in three months, creates a new government.

From the experience of Great Britain, this means that in the interregunum, the country must be governed by both the rump government and the Opposition.

An aerial shot of Lake Mainstay Resort, Essequibo Coast (Deopaul Somwaru photo)

Saudi women to get divorce notice by text

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new regulation in Saudi Arabia is set to stop Saudi women from not knowing about their own divorce. Starting from Sunday, courts will be required to notify women by text on rulings confirming their divorces.

Local female lawyers suggest the measure will end what are known as secret divorces – cases where men end a marriage without telling their wives.

The directive would ensure women are fully aware of their marital status and can protect rights such as alimony. Last year, a decades-old driving ban on women was lifted in Saudi Arabia.

However, women still remain subject to male guardianship laws. “The new measure ensures women get their [alimony] rights when they’re divorced,” Saudi lawyer Nisreen al-Ghamdi told Bloomberg. “It also ensures that any powers of attorney

Saudi women are subject to male guardianship laws

issued before the divorce are not misused.”

Many women have filed appeals to courts over being divorced without their knowledge, lawyer Samia al-Hindi told local newspaper Okaz.

The new step is said to be part of economic and social reforms pushed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, such as allow-

ing women to attend football matches and work in jobs traditionally reserved for men.

What can Saudi women still not do?

There are many things that Saudi women are unable to do without permission from a male guardian, usually a husband, father,

brother or son. These things include, but are not limited to: applying for passports, travelling abroad, getting married, opening a bank account, starting certain businesses, getting elective surgery and leaving prison.

The guardianship system has helped create one of the most gender unequal countries in the Middle East. (MSN)

Former Venezuela Supreme Court Judge flees to US, denounces Maduro

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ormer Venezuelan Supreme Court Justice Christian Zerpa has fled to the United States to protest President Nicolás Maduro’s second term that will begin with his inauguration this week, the onetime Maduro backer told a Miami broadcaster on Sunday.

The latest defection from the crisis-stricken OPEC nation’s government comes amid growing international pressure on Maduro over his new term, which resulted from a broadly boycotted 2018 vote dismissed by countries around the world as a sham.

“I’ve decided to leave Venezuela to disavow the gov-

ernment of Nicolás Maduro,” Zerpa said in an interview with EVTV, which is broadcast over cable and the Internet.

“I believe (Maduro) does not deserve a second chance because the election he supposedly won was not free and competitive.”

The Supreme Court confirmed in a statement that he had fled, referring to him as a former magistrate and adding it opened an investigation of him in November over accusations of sexual harassment by women in his office.

The court’s leadership recommended that he be dismissed over the allegations, it said,

without providing details.

Zerpa was for years a crucial ally of Maduro on the Supreme Court, which has backed the ruling Socialist Party in every major legal dispute since Maduro’s 2013 election.

He wrote a 2016 ruling that provided the legal justification for Maduro’s government to strip congress of most of its powers after the Socialist Party lost control of the body to the opposition in a landslide election.

Zerpa in the interview described the Supreme Court as “an appendage of the executive branch,” and said that justices were at times summoned

to the presidential palace to receive instructions on how to rule on certain sensitive cases.

The Information Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Zerpa said he did not criticise Maduro’s May 2018 election to make sure he could pave the way for a safe exit from the country in the company of his family.

Opposition leaders have urged foreign governments not to recognise Maduro after his inauguration on Thursday, and a group of Latin American nations on Friday called on Maduro not to take office.

(Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

mondAY, January 7, 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

President David Granger must honour, uphold and preserve the Constitution Dear Editor, The Constitution is the supreme law of Guyana, it clearly outlines the branches of powers of the Government, and most importantly it defines time for elections.

Whenever elections are being defined by the Constitution, it becomes unconstitutional for anyone including the President not to adhere to the Constitutional law. In a democracy, the legislature law enacts, the Judiciary laws interprets, and the ultimate power of

enforcement of laws lies in the hands of the executives, so the arbitrary use of power by the executive may be tantamount to challenging the concept of the rule of law.

President David Granger, on the assumption of office, swore that he “will honour, uphold and preserve the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana".

President David Granger in the capacity as the leader of the APNU/AFC coalition Government must answer

to the people why the constitution of Guyana is not honoured upheld and preserved?

The President has managed Guyana in a manner that has seen a rapid erosion of democratic and good governance standards that are enshrined in the Constitution and the rights, liberties and democratic interests of citizens are trampled upon using methods that are reminiscent of a full blown dictatorship.

A democratic president does not have the option to

ignore, defy or subvert the constitutional laws of this country. In the NCM scenario the President David Granger has two constitutional options that should be a priority to ensure that his sworn allegiance to the people of Guyana is being preserved.

First, after the successful passage of the Noconfidence motion he should have resigned and remained in office in compliance with the constitution.

Secondly, he should have sought alternative clarifi-

cation and confirmation of the Constitution by the judicial courts to regain control of his executive power if the possibility exists.

It must be noted that the Constitution states that the constitutional court makes the final decisions constitutionally and must confirm any order of invalidity by the supreme court of appeal before the president can regain his executive power.

Independence of the judiciary is mandatory; that is the principle in that the judiciary should be politically

insulated from the legislative and the executive power. The courts should not be subject to improper influence from the other branches of Government, or from private or partisan interests, to act freely and impartially.

The President, David Granger, has a perfect opportunity to show the world that he respects the Constitution and is not above the law.

Regards, Zamal Hussain

APNU/AFC Government must resign now Dear Editor, As Guyana heralds 2019, the cries of citizens through the passage of the Opposition Leader’s NoConfidence Motion and the ‘Charrandas Persaud effect’ in the National Assembly, has finally gotten the attention of the haughty ‘bring it on’ Ministers in this failed and fallen President Granger-led coalition Government.

The reverberating effects of the carried motion, has, and is now further woefully exposing the high level of unpreparedness and lack of intent of the APNU/AFC regime to operate in a manner that would truly improve the lives of our citizens. Evidence to the foregoing is the coalition Government’s subversion attempts since 2016 of Councils in Local Authority Areas (LAAs) won by the PPP/C which has been widely publicised through various media.

Importantly, the Communities Ministry notified, based on the results of the November 12, 2018 elections that the life of new Councils would become effective January 01, 2019.

Accordingly, the overseers of Neighboring Democratic Councils (NDCs) the Ministry’s Administrative Officer is expected to facilitate and ensure the proper arrangements including handover and takeover of all resources and responsibilities. This would give the authority to Councillors filling seats on the Councils and allow a smooth and effec-

tive roll off. Unfortunately, this did not happen in many instances.

Information received from the elected representatives in many of the PPP/C won LAA’s, indicates that the start-off was characteristically unimaginative.

On Wednesday January 02, 2019, the chaotic and very disrespectful disposition certainly continued as a bad omen, as sworn Councillors who were asked to report to the NDC Offices for a meeting at 8am, were told on arrival that the overseers are not ready and they should return at 3.30 pm.

The situation obviously agitated scars and wounds inflicted by the callous attitude of the Communities Ministry representatives, over the past Local Government term. It leads one to contemplate whether the recent related ‘no more good guy threats’ signaled by a prominent Minister in the highest echelons of the coalition, is being advanced from the very first day.

The proper establishment of the new Councils must not be frustrated nor stymied, as the required and improved service to the residents is most critical.

Obviously, the Councillors should hold their first meeting as early as possible since they have to align responsibilities to the members of Finance, Works and other Committees; identify their signatories to their Bank Accounts, and also fix their date, and time for statutory meetings. In other words, they must hit the

road running without these internally imposed obstacles.

The elected Councillors must approach their work with passion, to exercise achieving the essentials of the clearer vision regarding what needs to be done in their respective communities. The Chairpersons must be able to get the unflinching support of the elected Councillors and have regular discussions with the residents of the communities. There must be full accountability and development works must be carried out in an acceptable manner so that the entire Local Authority Area benefits.

It is imperative that the leadership of the Councils in the LAAs level be vigilant, inclusive and effective.

Today, the challenges facing our people are getting more unbearable. Cost of living is going sky-high and there is no work for thousands of our people, particularly our youths. Significantly, increased crime is now the order of the day and the Government is doing very little to address the causes and arrest the trend. The NDCs must also support the development and maintenance of playgrounds, while advancing effective cooperation programs that would help to engage our youths constructively.

It is quite significant but not without notice, that the fallen APNU/AFC coalition Government is now grasping at straws. The now undemocratic efforts, new sinister and delaying guise of

this fraudulent regime, is about holding on to power at any cost. The extreme self-enriching maladministration and unsympathetic disposition, which characterises this Government, has brought them to a self-instituted crossroad that comes full circle with their 2015 No-Confidence Motion.

The difference, however, is that while in Opposition, the APNU/ AFC took actions to derail the PPP/C Government, and they did so in such a wicked vindictive manner, that their Administration and Ministers had no idea how to recover when in Government. It is constitutionally instructive for the resignation of President Granger and his Cabinet, and for the holding of National and Regional Elections within 90 day from December 21, 2018.

There is no denial that Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland has taken a stand in upholding his Constitutional mandate as the world watched. He must be applauded by all and sundry. This column also agrees with the decision of the Opposition not to attend the Parliamentary Session of January 03, 2019, which was in clear violation of the Constitution, in the absence of the required resignations.

Given its failure as a Government, the coalition’s signal of going to Courts creates a looming crisis through it now pub-

Solicit assistance to maintain peace and stability in Region Dear Editor, While Guyanese are focused on our domestic political situation, events on our western border should be cause for much concern.

The recent visit to Venezuela by two Russian nuclear-capable supersonic bombers and the announcement of plans to build a Russian military base on a Venezuelan island does not

bode well for peace in the Caribbean region.

In addition, the recent announcement that Iran will be sending two warships to Venezuela further aggravates an already volatile situation.

There must be increased diplomatic efforts by all leaders of the Caribbean region, including Guyana, to ease the tensions especially

in light of the declining political situation in Venezuela where the Maduro regime may seek to increase opportunistic military actions into disputed territory including Guyana.

With Guyana's current uneasy political climate and oil production expected to commence later this year, it is vitally important that we solicit the assistance of

the international community and friendly countries to maintain peace and stability in the region.

The Caribbean region must not be used as a proxy for conflicts existing elsewhere or to extend the influence of other countries through military means.

Thank you, Bishram Kuppen

lic intent to abuse the judicial system. Such decision in an evaluation whether 33 votes is more than 32, will quickly evolve into a crisis that parallels the Venezuelan threat. It is volatile, flammable, lacks basis, and serves to erode the foundations of cohesion required for future national development. It also establishes the reasons why the orchestrators of this incompetent regime should not be trusted. The APNU/AFC cabal must do the right thing by resigning in keeping with the Constitution and face our citizens.

It is significant that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has indicated its readiness to proceed with the required General and Regional Elections.

Importantly, GECOM can proceed with the List of Electors used at the November 12,

2018 Local Government Elections, since it is Valid until the end of April 2019.

Guyanese at home and in the diaspora are watching, while the International Community is witnessing the exercise of a flagrant violation of our Constitution and our people have definitively made it clear regarding the lost trust in this farcical and now illegal regime.

This column therefore affirms the call for the immediate resignation of on the APNU/AFC Government.

Notably, the PNCR cabal of the APNU/AFC regime through an Aubrey Norton-led press conference, has made it clear that they are willing to face the people of Guyana at any time in General Election.

To the PNCR we say why the delay? Bring it on!

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

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More than one kind of intelligence ou may have heard people mention "IQ" when talking about intellect and how smart someone is.

(For example, "My brother doesn't need to study as much as I do because he has a really high IQ.") IQ stands for "intellectual quotient". It can help predict how well someone may do academically.

IQ is just one measure of our abilities, though. There are many other kinds of intelligence in addition to intellect. For example, spatial intelligence is the ability to think in 3D. Musical intelligence is the ability to recognise rhythm, cadence, and tone. Athletic, artistic, and mechanical abilities are other types of intelligence.

One important type of intelligence is emotional intelligence.

good decisions, and deal with difficult situations.

One way to think about EQ is that it's part of being people-smart. Understanding and getting along with people helps us be successful in almost any area of life. In fact, some studies show that EQ is more important than IQ when it comes to doing well in school or being successful at work.

Some people have naturally good EQ skills. Others need to work on them. The good news is that everyone can get better. Unlike IQ, people can actually improve their emotional intelligence – if they know what to do.

Improving your EQ Emotional intelligence is a combination of several different skills:

What is emotional intelligence?

S

eeing friends you haven't seen in a while can make the first day a good one. It can make you feel good to be prepared and have all the supplies you need.

A bad start?

What if you hate school by the end of day one?

Teachers recommend giving things some time to sort themselves out — once you know your way around the building and get adjusted to the new routine, you'll probably feel better. If those feel-

Here are a few final tips for a fantastic school year: Get enough sleep.

Eat a healthy breakfast Try your best ings don't fade, talk to your mom, dad, teacher, or school counsellor.

Use good work habits, like writing down your assignments and turning in your homework on time.

Take your time with school work. If you don't understand something, ask the teacher.

Keep a sense of humour.

One teacher we know shows his new students a picture of himself graduating high school — a grinning ape in a red graduation cap and gown.

This usually makes the kids laugh, and it's a good way to remind them that school is fun! (kidshealth.org)

Emotional intelligence i s the ability to understand, use, and manage our emotions.

Emotional intelligence is sometimes called EQ (or EI) for short.

Just as a high IQ can predict top test scores, a high EQ can predict success in social and emotional situations. EQ helps us build strong relationships, make

Being aware of your emotions Most people feel many different emotions throughout the day. Some feelings (like surprise) last just a few seconds. Others may stay longer, creating a mood like happiness or sadness. Being able to notice and accurately label these everyday feelings is the most basic of all the EQ skills.

Being aware of emotions – simply noticing them as we feel them – helps us manage our own emotions. It also helps us understand how other people feel. But some people might go through the entire day without really noticing their emotions. Practise recognising emotions as you feel them. Label them in your mind (for example, by saying to yourself "I feel grateful", "I feel frustrated", etc). Make it a daily habit to be aware of your emotions.

Understanding how others feel and why People are naturally designed to try to understand others. Part of EQ is being able to imagine how other people might feel in certain situations. It is also about understanding why they feel the way they do.

Being able to imagine what emotions a person is likely to be feeling (even when you don't actually know) is called empathy. Empathy helps us

care about others and build good friendships and relationships. It guides us on what to say and how to behave around someone who is feeling strong emotions.

Managing emotional reactions We all get angry. We all have disappointments. Often it's important to express how you feel. But managing your reaction means knowing when, where, and how to express yourself.

When you understand your emotions and know how to manage them, you can use self-control to hold a reaction if now is not the right time or place to express it. Someone who has good EQ knows it can damage relationships to react to emotions in a way that's disrespectful, too intense, too impulsive, or harmful.

Choosing your mood Part of managing emotions is choosing our moods. Moods are emotional states that last a bit.

We have the power to decide what mood is right for a situation, and then to get into that mood.

Choosing the right mood can help someone get motivated, concentrate on a task, or try again instead of giving up.

People with good EQ know that moods aren't just things that happen to us. We can control them by knowing which mood is best for a particular situation and how to get into that mood.

EQ: Under Construction Emotional intelligence is something that develops as we get older. If it didn't, all adults would act like little kids, expressing their emotions physically through stomping, crying, hitting, yelling, and losing control!

Some of the skills that make up emotional intelligence develop earlier. They may seem easier: For example, recognising emotions seems easy once we know what to pay attention to. But the EQ skill of managing emotional reactions and choosing a mood might seem harder to master. That's because the part of the brain that's responsible for self-management continues to mature beyond our teen years. But practice helps those brain pathways develop.

We can all work to build even stronger emotional intelligence skills just by recognising what we feel, understanding how we got there, understanding how others feel and why, and putting our emotions into heartfelt words when we need to. (kidshealth.org)

news

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mondAY, January 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

No-confidence resolution

Charrandas urges AFC to do the “honourable thing” and resign

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ormer Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament (MP) Charrandas Persaud has joined many legal minds, political analysts and others in confirming that Government’s tight grip on power is a major violation of Guyana’s supreme law, the Constitution.

In an eight-minute video posted on social media on Sunday, the former MP said that he has taken some time to look at the actions of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and AFC since the December 21 no-confidence vote was passed in the National Assembly.

Weighing in on the current debate, Persaud said that while repeated reference is made to Article 106 (6) of the Constitution, the interpretation seems far from the truth, particularly as it relates to the comments and arguments being advanced by the Government.

“The gist of it is if the no-confidence motion is carried, the President and Cabinet must resign. And the question is when they should resign. What they are missing or not paying attention to, is Article 106 (7) [that] says that the same Government with the same President will continue to run the affairs of the country until an election is held and a new president is sworn in,” he explained.

Persaud stated that the reigning Government would not be giving up total power.

Rather, they will be restricted to carry out all their normal functions, describing it as an interim Government.

In an attempt to simplify the matter by likening it to a court case, Persaud, who is also an attorney, said that the adjudicator in the National Assembly is none other than the Speaker. “He is like the Judge in a High Court. If a judge makes a ruling, it is binding.”

Former AFC MP Charrandas Persaud

For example, he said if a man is charged with rape, the matter goes to court. If the Judge finds him guilty and he is hypothetically sentenced to 15 years, his jail sentence starts from the very day that the judge makes his ruling. Persaud explains that he may appeal the case, which is another option available, but says he is to be imprisoned since that moment he is sentenced.

“The appeal will be heard in a day or two down the road, but until the appeal is heard, ventilated, and a determination is made, wheth-

er the Court of Appeal finds this man innocent or continues to find him guilty, that man is still, as far as that High Court is concerned, is guilty of rape.”

The former MP, therefore, said the coalition was trying to do the same, referring to its efforts to have the matter go to court. However, he believes that in the meantime, the Constitution must be followed. “Article 106 (6) must be abided by.

They must resign and they can continue running the affairs of the country, but they must resign. The legality or illegality of the vote of no-confidence motion will be determined in the court,” the Attorney further cemented.

Persaud noted by doing the opposite, the Government is breaching the Constitution and embarrassing Guyanese, describing the Administration as “power-hungry people”.

“They don’t wanna to give it ((power) up. But still they won’t be giving it up (if they resign), but their powers will be restricted….And why if they are so powerful, why they don’t go back to the people? An election will determine that,” he added.

The former AFC mem-

ber also drew the attention of his followers to the fact that he has taken time to look at the legislation that governs the Parliament and has concluded that it is the Constitution. “And by breaching the Constitution, you are showing blatant disregard for the laws that control our lives in the country,” he noted in his social media post.

He said too that the lawyers representing the Government and those particularly from the AFC know this. “This Government headed by David Granger, a very honourable man, PM Nagamootoo a rubber stamp, must resign. The adjudicator is the Speaker and he has ruled that the vote is correct, and if you want to appeal it, fit it in line, then that goes to court as they are trying.”

Persaud said he would

hope that his former AFC colleagues (all attorneys) Raphael Trotman, Khemraj Ramjattan, and Nagamootoo “would do the honourable thing” and resign. He premised his recommendation on the fact that the “AFC is a dead party”, which may secure fewer seats in the next general and regional elections, but stated that the proper thing to do now was to resign.

Addressing others matters, such as one article that sought to tarnish his reputation stating that he was a gambler at a casino, Persaud said that does not in any way or form interfere with his vote in Parliament which saw the collapse of the coalition Government.

While the Government has been putting forward legal arguments that the vote taken on the no-confidence motion is null and void giv-

en the fact that Persaud holds citizenship for Guyana and Canada, he said he was not bothered by these attacks, admitting that he indeed returned to Guyana and attended the University of Guyana, where he studied for his law degree.

“I attended UG, as a Guyanese student, studied law in Trinidad as a Guyanese student. I also practised law, paid NIS and re-established myself as a Guyanese. My position in Parliament was ratified, so too are the position of all the others with dual citizenship. What they are doing? They don’t want to give up. They are trying to get over the shock of Charrandas saying yes, I had to say yes. I wonder how they will feel now that they will be unemployed like the sugar workers.”

8 news President thanks media for sensitive handling of his illness mondAY, January 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

– commits to providing continued support to local press corps

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hile pledging his continued support to the media fraternity in Guyana, President David Granger also thanked the press corps for the handling of information of his illness.

In addressing the annual media brunch hosted at the Baridi Benab at State House on Sunday, the Guyanese head of state said he was heartened by the “tenderness and sensitive handling.”

It was his first interaction with the media since being diagnosed with NonHodgkin’s Lymphoma. The President was first diagnosed with the disease in mid-November 2018.

“Thanks to the entire press corps, particularly for their sensitive handling of my disease, over the past few months. It could have led to speculation, but I was very heartened by the tenderness or sensitive handling of the way in which it was handled,” he told the gathering.

Granger recalled making a promise to the Guyana Press Association (GPA) to provide assistance to its members and said finances from Government is now available.

He said that will go towards assisting the Association with hosting training workshops, forums and other activities to enhance the skills and professionalism of the local media corps.

The President also committed to providing support to the GPA for the publishing of its history. The GPA will celebrate its 75th year in 2020, having first established in the year 1945. The press association is said to

President David Granger addressing the annual media brunch held at the Baridi Benab, State House on Sunday

“The challenges we face in the Caribbean and particularly Guyana is no different from what our colleagues around the world face. However, our freedom to express ourselves and the right to work and practice our craft is guaranteed and ought to be respected by everyone,” she said.

Raghubir reminded, however, that with freedom comes responsibilities, saying that the GPA remains committed to ensuring that its members and media workers are equipped with

Media operatives at the media brunch on Sunday

be one of the oldest, alongside the Press Association of Jamaica.

Meanwhile, the President also reminded members of the press, particularly managers and editors, of the social responsibility to the people of Guyana. He reiterated the importance of fact-checking and ensuring that sound and accurate information is published or broadcasted.

He called on the GPA to play a more active role in ensuring that practitioners conform to the generally accepted values and principles of journalism.

The President also cautioned media workers to be cognisant of the fact that Guyana’s ethnic relations could be volatile sometimes.

He reminded that news entities carry an element of public trust, and said when someone reads something it has to be accurate.

Meanwhile, President of the GPA Nazima Raghubir in her remarks said 2018 has been a challenging year for Guyanese journalists in the region and further afield, making reference to the fact that the President only held one engagement with the media for the year.

the necessary tools to practice professional, ethical and responsible journalism “In these rather eventful times, we have to ensure that we remain independent, factual and that our work cements social cohesion rather than fracture it. More than ever, our work is being relied upon, she stated, making reference to Guyana repositioning for new economic power. She said the GPA looks forward to mutually beneficial relations with all stakeholders interested in a stronger more professional media corps in Guyana.

Man allegedly commits suicide after losing job

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n unemployed A l b e r t t o w n , Georgetown man on Sunday allegedly committed suicide by ingesting a carbon tablet.

The dead man has been identified as 35-year-old Selwyn Bobb, of Lot 122 Fourth Street, Alberttown.

The incident occurred between 04:30h and 10:30h.

Based on information

reaching Guyana Times, Bobb, who recently lost his job, was at home with his 23-year-old fiancée when sometime around 04:30h on Sunday, she observed that he was vomiting.

The young woman told investigators that she enquired from him about his health, but all he told her was to summon the ambulance service, which she

did.

The man was then rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was examined and admitted a patient in the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Ward. It was reported that while being treated, Bobb told the doctor that he had ingested a carbon tablet.

He succumbed about

10:30h. According to the Police, the now dead man’s body was examined and no marks of violence were seen.

His remains are presently at the Sandy's Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Meanwhile, checks were also made at Bobb’s home, but nothing of evidential value was found.

Black Bush Polder trio slapped with armed robbery charge

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hree Black Bush Polder, Berbice men were on Friday remanded to prison after they were slapped with an armed robbery charge.

Floyd La Rose, 35, a labourer of Lot 38 Mibicuri South, Black Bush Polder; Martin Kite, 46, a drainage and irrigation worker of Lot 140 Johanna North; and Dinesh Ramphal, 19, a labourer of Johanna North, appeared at the Number

51 Magistrate’s Court and were refused bail.

It is alleged that on Christmas Day, the men robbed Claudette Duncan of $300,000 in local currency, US$80, three gold rings valued $200,000, one gold chain valued $50,000, one cricket gold band, a quantity of Digicel and GT&T phone cards valued at $12,000 and one BLU cellular phone. The trio were not required to plead to the

indictable charge.

Police Prosecutor Corporal Lennox Poliah objected to bail on the basis that a gun was used in the execution of the robbery.

He also said that the defendants were positively identified by the victim.

However, Attorney Sandra Sohan argued that the victims had stated that the bandits were masked and they could not at the time identify the perpetra-

tors. The men will have to return to court today for a Police progress report. The matter was transferred to the Whim Magistrate’s Court.

It was reported that the bandits attacked and robbed Duncan as she and her husband, Marvin, were about to close their shop at Zambia Village. Both of them were allegedly beaten and had to receive medical attention.

Constitutional…

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…desuetude

our Eyewitness was intrigued by the tail end of yesterday’s editorial in this newspaper, which dealt with the Government’s claim that Charandass Persaud’s no-confidence vote was invalid because of his dual citizenship with Canada, as per Art 155 (1). “… under the doctrine of “desuetude”, which deals with laws that have not been enforced for long periods, the Court should not compel enforcement of Art 155 (1) in this case.”

Desuetude? How the heck do you even pronounce the word? (“Des-wi-tude” said the dictionary!). But the esoteric word brought home the point that’s been niggling your Eyewitness for the past five years. That the PNC-led coalition’s been so aggressive in pushing its authoritarian agenda, the Opposition has had to take recourse to the Courts time and again to protest the PNC playing fast and loose with the constitutional provisions governing our democracy. Meanwhile, the Guyanese public – including yours truly – has been forced to know more about constitutional law than they ever wanted to know!

For months we were enlightened on the word “or” as used in Art 161 (2) as to who could be appointed GECOM Chair: “… a judge or any other fit and proper person”. The President insisted that the “disjunctive” “or” actually meant that followed it didn’t mean anything different from what preceded. So we now have Art 161 (1) saying the fella had to be “a judge or a judge”!! Hence, Judge James Patterson.

Then we had another few months of edification on another part of Art 161 (2) which states (very clearly, your Eyewitness thought) that the individual would be “appointed by the President from a list of six persons, not unacceptable to the President” provided by the Opp Leader. And only if there were NO list provided, could the President appoint someone on his lonesome. Silly me!! According to the Courts, it seems the OL has to be clairvoyant and not submit a SINGLE name that’s unacceptable to the President!! Bucket to fetch water?

And we return to the doctrine of desuetude with some disquiet to consider how the Court may parse Art 155 (1): “No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who – (a) is by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state…” was introduced with the brand new Constitution Burnham enacted in 1980. Since then there’s never been a SINGLE INVOCATION of it to disqualify an MP – even though there were HUNDREDS who fit the profile.

Doesn’t this STRONGLY suggest that Art 155 (1) has lapsed through deliberate non-use – desuetude?

Or will the Court support its opportunistic Lazarustic rise from the dead?

…right vs privilege

From what’s been floating around, there’s a lot of confusion about the RIGHT of Charandass to vote his conscience. A “right” is inherent in you and can’t be taken away by any other person or entity. It’s not a “privilege”, which is something that’s granted to you from a source outside of you and, therefore, can be taken away by that same source.

Not because Charandass is a member of a party he has to stifle his conscience and always vote the party line. That’s what all political parties DESIRE and even DEMAND…but they can’t compel their MPs’ vote. They may RECALL the MP for such behaviour – which the AFC did. But in Guyana the PNC and now the AFC see a conscience as a BETRAYAL, evidently for which there can be “condign” action taken.

The day after the vote, PNC Minister Simona “I is” Broomes, calling Charandass Persaud a “Judas” boomed out to her “fans” on Facebook: “We allowed the gentleman to leave the parliament!”

Imagine that…”allowed”!

…usurpation

What’s this noise about the Canadian Embassy providing safe passage for Charandass Persaud to Ogle Airport??

Didn’t Public Security Minister Ramjattan assure us his government ensured Persaud left the country safely – even to the point of “using the authority of the Commissioner of Police”?

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

9 Govt unlawfully holding onto office – Ramkarran N news

mondAY, January 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

ot yet having acted in compliance with Article 106 (6) of the Guyana Constitution by resigning, the Cabinet, including the President, is unlawfully holding onto office, former Speaker of the National Assembly and prominent Attorney, Ralph Ramkarran has said.

In his weekly column Conversation Tree, Ramkarran stated that a court would be approving this illegality if it allowed even a temporary break from compliance with Article 106 (6), especially given the fact that it is not the end of the life of the Government.

“Under Article 106 (7), the Government, which includes the Cabinet and President, remain in office until new elections. This obviously means that the resignation is stayed until the next elected President is sworn in,” Ramkarran stated in his column.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr

Barton Scotland, having declined to reverse the declaration on December 21, 2018, that the no-confidence motion against the Government had been carried on a vote of 33-32 in favour, has shifted the arena of contest to the courts.

Ramkarran, however, made reference to comments made by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who is reported to have said that there has not been a resignation of the President or Government nor will there be such a resignation, arguing that the country cannot be left without a government.

Ramjattan had further argued that Government retained its full panoply of legal powers and was with jurisdiction to exercise its legal authority. But the former Speaker said the Minister missed the fact that Article 106 (7) specifically provides that there shall not be a “governance vacuum”.

In fact, it emphasises

Traffic Chief urges motorists to be cautious on the roadways as school reopens – Education Minister says all is set for opening

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Traffic Chief Linden Isles

s school reopens today, Traffic Chief Linden Isles is urging motorists to be cautious on the roadways as traffic is expected to be congested.

The Traffic Chief has assured that the traffic department has already put plans in place to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. On this note he added that traffic ranks will be stationed at all of the “congestion points”.

There will be a two-

Education Minister Nicolette Henry

way lane of traffic on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) Embankment into Georgetown. Additionally, traffic control units will be stationed at all schools countrywide.

Nevertheless, he is advising motorists to reduce their speed and to continue to be vigilant for school children as they will be again utilising the roadways. turn to page 13

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland has declined to reverse the declaration on the December 21, 2018 noconfidence vote

that the Government will only resign after a President is elected by the people in an election to be held. Also, Ramkarran said it was not known if Ramjattan was aware of the “Caretaker Conventions” which apply when a government is facing elections.

According to him, the “Caretaker Conventions” apply during the period from the dissolution of the Parliament to the election of the new Government, be-

cause there is no oversight.

In summary, the conventions are that no major policy decisions are taken to commit an incoming Government or limit its freedom to act, no major contracts or agreements are entered into, and the use of Government resources in a manner to advantage a particular party is avoided.

In a local context, the former House Speaker said the “Caretaker Conventions” should be applied from the moment the no-confidence

motion was passed because Article 106 (6) dictates the resignation of the Cabinet, which suggests a caretaker role for the Government thereafter.

“The passage of the natural resources legislation and Minister Ramjattan’s remarks signify quite clearly that the Cabinet, including the President, have no intention of resigning and of observing any caretaker conventions,” he further observed in his column.

Meanwhile a court case has been filed by Compton Herbert Reid against the Speaker, Charrandas Persaud and the Attorney General seeking to set aside the no-confidence vote of December 21, 2018. The ground is that the vote of Persaud was invalid because he holds a Canadian passport.

“An order to stay the no-confidence resolution is also being sought. The reports make no mention of the motion required 34 votes to be passed. No doubt Article 165 (2) of the Constitution

will arise for consideration,” he observed.

Ramkarran noted too that consideration would no doubt also be given to the right or power of a court to interrupt a constitutional process set in train by a parliamentary motion, on which a vote was taken and deemed to have been carried.

He said, “If the power exists, should it be exercised, ad interim, upon an allegation that is prima facie answerable by Article 165 (2) and in circumstances where the notional applicant, the Cabinet, is committing a continuing wrong by not resigning? The question will no doubt be: How can a court allow a Cabinet to stay in office when the Constitution, a superior instrument to the court, by which the court is bound, says that it should resign?”

President David Granger is expected to meet with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday to discuss a number of issues, but topping that list is the no-confidence resolution.

10 news

mondAY, January 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Natural Resources Bill

Fund manager bids will be thoroughly reviewed – Jordan

…Jagdeo says passage of bill illegal

T

he Natural Resources Fund Bill, one of several pieces of legislation passed in the National Assembly on Thursday last, will have to be implemented soon, with little over a year before first oil. There is much, however, that remains to be done.

In a recent interview with Guyana Times, Finance Minister Winston Jordan spoke of the challenges that will have to be surmounted to make the Fund a reality. A crucial one will be appointing a firm to manage the Fund.

“We are already putting in place the programme’s activities, leading up to the Fund’s readiness. We have a number of things we have to do, like appointing the investment manager, drafting the investment contract, sending out requests for proposals to manage the Fund, the various institutions and the 22-man committee has to have its own secretariat.”

“We have to work through those things. So we have quite a bit, an extensive programme mapped out,” he said, adding that this will be released to the public. “The clock starts ticking when the Bill is assented into law.”

Jordan noted that besides the technical assistance Government receives from its bilateral partners; he is in talks with persons possessing the requisite experience to provide advice on setting up the Fund.

Jordan acknowledged that there are pitfalls in establishing a fund that Government will seek to avoid. One way they will do this, he said, is making sure bid proposals from potential fund managers are examined thoroughly.

“So we have to look for a coordinator who has wide experience in these areas,” he said, adding that to send out requests for proposals Government must determine

“We have to learn to sift them through, look at their CVs, their track records, who delivers the greatest returns; if we’re looking for fund managers, who delivers the greatest returns on funds managed over a long historical period, who has pretty safe investments.”

“All those things have to be (factored in). Right now, you’re going to have every-

one under the sun coming here to try to be the fund managers,” Jagdeo, a former President and Finance Minister explained.

Jagdeo had recommended that prospective fund managers be prequalified, after being screened and background checked. He suggested that once this is done, Government make its sale pitch to each of these compa-

nies, hear their feedback and decide which will be more beneficial to the country.

“So assuming someone says I want one per cent as a fund manager, and another person equally qualified and great track record says they’ll take 0.5 per cent.

Then you take that (person).

Government has to lead the process, but it must be transparent,” he had said.

PPP/C hails Dr Ishmael’s legacy

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

“what (the proposal) entails, what it is we have to have, what we are looking for.”

“When we go through all the tenders that come through, what kind of qualifications do we have to look for. So it’s quite a bit of work in an area where we virtually have (little experience).

So we have our work cut out for us over the next couple months.”

All of this will represent a monetary windfall for Guyana, which will be saved and invested through a Natural Resources Fund. A green paper on the Fund was recently laid in the National Assembly, but the Fund itself is still in its planning stages.

Government had released the draft Natural Resources Fund Bill of 2018, which had proposed among other things a 22-member Public Accountability and Oversight Committee that would oversee the management of the Fund and provide checks and balances.

Then there is the issue of the fund managers. United States-based Investment firm Merrill Lynch has for some time expressed an interest in being involved in managing Guyana’s oil finances. In fact, representatives from the firm had reportedly met with Central Bank Governor, Dr Gobind

Ganga.

Following the passage of the controversial Natural Resources Fund Bill on Thursday last in the National Assembly, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has contended that it was illegal as a result of the motion of no confidence that was passed last month.

He also noted that the Bill was flawed. At the time the Bill was passed, the parliamentary Opposition refused to be part of the National Assembly claiming that it was unconstitutional in light of the passage of the no-confidence motion.

He added that the Party has made it clear that the Government should not pass any bills during this period when the President and his Cabinet should be tendering their resignations.

Earlier, the Opposition has urged that the vetting process for the fund manager be a rigorous one. Jagdeo spoke on the matter during a press conference late last year. At the time, he was asked to comment on the possibility of Merrill Lynch coming to Guyana. While he did not reference that firm, Jagdeo had issued a general warning of the need to beware of opportunistic companies looking to make a profit at Guyana’s expense.

A

s tributes continue to pore in following the death of Dr Mohammed Ali Odeen Ishmael on Saturday, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has hailed the legacy left behind by the former Ambassador.

Dr Ishmael passed away at his home in Ocala, Florida.

In a statement on Sunday, the PPP/C said it mourns the loss of Dr Ishmael, who served as a diplomat under the party’s Administration.

The party reflected that he was a Central Committee member of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) from 1972 to 1982. He was also a Central Committee member of the PPP from 1980 to 1988.

Dr Ishmael was also a well-known educator and his qualifications included a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography, Post-graduate Diploma in Education and a PhD in Education. He started his teaching career as a primary school teacher in 1964, becoming a secondary school teacher in 1971 and remained in the education field in Guyana until 1985 when he migrated.

In The Bahamas, he taught from 1986 until 1993.

After the return of democracy to Guyana on October 5, 1992, President Cheddi Jagan appointed Dr Ishmael as Ambassador Extraordinary

Dr Mohammed Ali Odeen Ishmael

and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America and concurrently Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States(1993 to2003).

He served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Guyana to Venezuela (2003-2011).

From 2011 to 2014 he became Guyana’s first ambassador to the State of Kuwait and Non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Guyana to the State of Qatar from April 2013 to June 2014.

He served Guyana with distinction and was highly respected by his peers in the diplomatic field. In 2003 the United States Congress, in a joint resolution, also paid a special tribute to him.

He had a passion for history and writing. His schol-

arly works covered a diverse range of topics including Amerindian stories, diplomacy, politics and history.

He has made an immense intellectual contribution to our country.

Comrade Odeen was held in high esteem throughout his career, he received the Gandhi Centenary Gold Medal (1974), the Cacique’s Crown of Honour (1997) and the Martin Luther King Legacy Award.

The PPP/C extend its deepest condolences to Dr Ishmael’s wife, Evangeline Ishmael; his son, Safraz Waseem Ishmael, and his daughter Nadeeza Ishmael.

At this time of sadness and mourning, the party said the Ishmael family should be consoled by the fact that Dr Odeen touched the lives of many Guyanese.

Auditor General collaborating with GRA for cost oil claims audit – Jordan

...says Govt looking towards external assistance

W

hile the Government of Guyana will place much reliance on the help it gets from its external partners to audit ExxonMobil’s cost oil claims, Finance Minister Winston Jordan has said the Audit Office does have an input in these activities.

In an interview with Guyana Times on the sidelines of an event on Sunday, Minister Jordan was asked for an update on Government’s audit of the US$460 million pre-contract costs claimed by Exxon in its contract with the Guyana Government.

“We are trying to get some help out of the Department of Energy. They are supposed to be help-

The Audit Office of Guyana (left) has pitched in with the Guyana Revenue Authority when it comes to facilitating the cost oil audits

ing [the Guyana Revenue Authority] GRA and the Auditor General’s Office to source input for these (initiatives), bearing in mind we don’t have any expertise in these areas.”

“Also, expertise doesn’t come cheap,” he added.

“Therefore, we’re looking forward to financial assistance from the World Bank and the IDB to help us establish these agreements, in terms of getting people and (other requirements) and so on.”

After its 10th discov-

ery of oil in the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil has estimated the recoverable resource in the block to be five billion oil equivalent barrels. At US$50 a barrel, that equates to well over US$200 billion. In addition, an independent assessment, or com-

petent persons report, had found that 2.9 billion barrels of oil existed in the Orinduik Block.

Exxon is expected to use revenue from its production in order to recoup its capital investment. Whatever remains of this is the ‘profit

oil’ Guyana will have to split with the oil company and its associates.

According to Annex C of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), Guyana signed with Exxon, pre-contract costs “shall include four hundred and sixty million, two hundred and thirty seven hundred thousand and nine hundred and eighteen United States Dollars (US$460,237,918) in respect of all such costs incurred under the 1999 Petroleum Agreement prior to the year ended 2015.”

Exxon is expected to use revenue from its production in order to recoup its capital investment. Whatever remains of this is the ‘profit oil’ Guyana will have to split with the oil company and its associates. turn to page 12

news

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mondAY, January 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

No-confidence resolution

Opposition to engage int’l community – Jagdeo T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is expected to engage the international community following last month’s passage of the no-confidence vote and the Party’s expectations on the way forward.

This is according to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who told reporters last week that in addition to a recent meeting he had with the diplomats from the ABC countries – United States of America (USA); United Kingdom (UK), and Canada as well as the European Union (EU) – the

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

tions were not held within the timeframe stipulated by the Constitution, the Government would be considered an illegitimate and unconstitutional one.

“We in the parliamentary Opposition will treat the Government if elections are not held by that date as illegitimate and that no act that they engage in internationally or locally would be recognised. This will have major implications for Guyana, for investors and for all concerned. I have also urged the diplomatic community to be involved in the process of free and fair elections,”

Diplomats leaving the Opposition Leader's office

Party has also reached out to a number of international organisations.

“We are setting up these meetings, but the letters … [were sent] to several of these organisations, almost all the international groups, outlining the situation in Guyana.

We have gotten a couple of calls from the technical staff to the heads of these organisations, but I don’t want to reveal who they are, because

they are doing research and they wanted to clarify a few things from us. So, clearly people know about it already and there is great interest in it internationally,” the Opposition Leader stated.

Just over a week ago, Jagdeo met with the Western diplomats at his Church Street, Queenstown office and during the onehour meeting, he indicated to the diplomats that if elec-

Jagdeo had stated following the meeting.

According to the Opposition Leader, one of the things the Party wants is observer teams from several international organisations and the customary countries to ensure the vote is free from fraud.

“I expressed the desire of the People’s Progressive Party to see a massive observer group from all

the agencies – Caricom (Caribbean Community); the European Union; OAS (Organisation of American States); UNASUR (Union of South American Nations); Carter Centre, Commonwealth, etc. Then, I also made it clear to them that we are very concerned about the shenanigans that seem to be brewing behind this Government’s statement that they are exploring legal and other options,” the former President added.

Furthermore, Jagdeo had slammed the Government for breaking the trust and goodwill he had hoped would be built up ahead of his meeting with the President, which has been finally set for this Wednesday. In fact, he noted that instead of using the time to calm the country following the vote, Government is causing more tension by challenging the no-confidence resolution.

After losing its bid to get the Speaker of the National Assembly to reverse his decision on the passage of the no-confidence resolution last week, an application was filed by a private citizen, Compton Reid, in the High Court on Friday to have the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government remain in office “until the hearing and determination” of the case. A move which the PPP has since condemned, calling it frivolous while adding that it was a deliberate ploy aimed at “unlawfully and unconstitutionally” keeping the cur-

rent Administration in office.

On December 21, 2018, the no-confidence motion brought by the parliamentary Opposition – the PPP/C – against the Government succeeded when former AFC Member of Parliament Charrandas Persaud broke ranks and made a conscience vote in favour of the motion.

With the Government’s defeat, the next steps are spelt out in the Constitution of Guyana. Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by

the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

Meanwhile, clause 7 goes on to state that “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period, as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

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mondAY, January 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

“Sharky” nabbed 2 nabbed with gun, ammo and ganja after robbing wash A bay operator

Venezuelan national and another man were arrested on Sunday following the discovery of a firearm, matching ammunition and a quantity of ganja at Waiamu Landing, Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

According to information received, Police ranks on duty at the location observed two males under a shop acting in a suspicious manner.

One of the men, an 18-year-old Venezuelan national was reportedly seen handing over a multi-coloured bag to an operator.

However, the duo was confronted by the ranks who requested to carry out a search on the bag. During the search in the presence of the two men, a .45 calibre Taurus pistol and five matching rounds of ammunition as well as a quantity of cannabis were unearthed. The men were questioned and The gun, ammunition and cannabis found during subsequently taken into custody as investi- the search gations continue.

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olice in A Division ( G e o r g e t o w n and East Bank Demerara) have arrested an East Bank Demerara (EBD) resident moments after he, along with another person, robbed a wash bay operator on Sunday.

The incident occurred around 13:20h at the business located at Lot 1 Conciliation Drive, Georgetown.

According to reports, the two suspects robbed the victim of his jewellery and a sum of cash at gunpoint. After committing the act, the perpetrators attempted to escape on a motorcycle, but were pursued by the victim.

However, during the chase, one of the suspects opened fire on the victim, discharging several rounds at the vehicle.

One of the bullets struck the vehicle’s windshield.

Nevertheless, the armed suspect was eventually nabbed, while his accomplice made good his escape.

An unlicensed pistol, along with a spent shell, was recovered at the scene. Additionally, the motorcycle that was used to escape after the commission of the crime was impounded.

The Police said efforts were currently being made to capture the oth-

The windshield of the victim’s vehicle was hit by a bullet during the chase

Skeletal remains of missing man found at Kuru Kururu

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he skeletal remains of a missing man were found on Sunday along a pathway leading to the Kuru Kururu Backlands, Linden- Soesdyke Highway.

A pair of multi-coloured trousers, green jersey, dark coloured tope, a pair of brown and cream slippers and a cutlass were found

The illegal gun that was recovered on the suspect

er suspect who fled the scene.

The detained suspect resides in Grove, EBD, and goes by the alias “Sharky”.

The Police said that the suspect was wanted for questioning in connection with several offences, including murder.

next to the remains.

The remains, along with the clothing and slippers, were taken to the Lyken Funeral Home while the cutlass was lodged at the Timehri Police Station to be analysed.

The clothing and slippers were subsequently identified as that of 45-year-old

Trevor Chung, a farmer of Lot 5 Coverden, East Bank Demerara (EBD), who went missing mid-December.

The items were identified by a brother of the deceased man.

A statement was taken from Chung’s brother as Police continue their investigations.

Region 6 RDC calls on Government to increase stipend for Councillors

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he Region Six Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has called for the Communities Minister to immediately review the stipend that is being offered to Regional Councillors.

The call was made on Thursday by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Councillor Sam Fraser who noted that Councillors in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) are no different to those in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) whom he claimed requested an increase in their stipend.

Currently, Regional Councillors are given a stipend of $10,000 on a monthly basis. The Region Ten RDC is seeking to have the stipend increased by 150 per cent.

Councillor Charles Sampson, in a motion, proposed the $25,000 stipend. Sampson argued that Municipal Councillors of Linden are given a stipend of $15,000.

While the Municipal Councillors only have the

RDC Councillor Sam Fraser

Municipality of Linden to oversee, the Regional Councillors of that Region have to oversee the entire region including the town.

However, Fraser attempted to move a motion but it was not constituted and as such it was disallowed. Regional Chairman David Armogan took his submission as a recommendation to the RDC. According to Fraser, the Councillors are expected to attend several meetings and represent the residents of the region and are not compen-

sated for it. “We have to travel to see the work and projects in the region and to meet with residents…”

The request was supported by the RDC. Armogan noted that the call to the Minister is, by extension, also being made to the Cabinet. “We are calling on the Government to immediately look at the question of increasing the stipend for Councillors within the RDC of Region Six,” Armogan added.

Auditor General collaborating...

Preparation A burning question had been what preparations Government would make for oil and gas and auditing these costs, in the recently presented 2019 Budget. It turns out that a total of $333.2 million in capital funds was allocated by the Government for Petroleum and Energy Management.

The estimates also detail that current expenditure, which among other things will go towards em-

ployment and other recurrent costs, was $90.9 million.

Specifically, wages and salaries are expected to cost the Treasury $20.5 million.

According to the budget estimates, however, only three positions are currently filled in the Department of Energy. In addition, the estimates show that all these employees are employed on a contractual basis. $43.3 million is earmarked for ‘other goods and services purchased’. Under

from page 10

this heading, $30.3 million will be spent on security services, while $5 million will be spent on training that includes scholarships. Under a heading named ‘other’, a sum of $12 million is earmarked.

Meanwhile, $100 million is earmarked for building expenses; $200 million for institutional support for the oil and gas sector; $28 million for purchasing vehicles and the remainder for the purchase of furniture and equipment.

news

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mondAY, January 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Amazonia Mall coming to Providence in 2020

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he East Bank of Demerara landscape is set to undergo a major transformation with the establishment of the United States (US) based Amazonia Mall, a state-of-the-art facility that will offer new experiences to locals and visitors.

The project is currently under construction at Providence, EBD; a stone’s throw from the National Stadium. It is being spearheaded by one of Guyana’s most successful sportsmen, Ramnaresh Sarwan, and is expected to be completed in 2020.

The 38-year-old former Guyana and West Indies cricketer turned entrepre-

neur said this is phase two of a project he started several years ago. Phase one included Massy Store, New Thriving Restaurant and Fitness53 Gym housed in one building.

“Construction (of phase two) started a few months ago, and we’re at the stage where we’ve completed the foundation and the flooring.

In another four weeks or so, we will start seeing the erection of steel and so on.

This has been long in planning, and I’m really happy that it is coming to fruition,” Sarwan explained.

Caribbean Cinemas, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King, Pizza Hut and

Optique Vision Care are the businesses already aligned to the project. According to Sarwan, a sports bar and lounge and a massive parking lot will also form part of phase two, which is expected to be completed by June 2020.

The aim, the former Guyana and West Indies captain pointed out, is to provide a modern-day experience to Guyanese and tourists alike.

“That was one of the main reasons we started the project and hopefully the way Guyana is going it will be able to modernise the country, and at least when people come to Guyana they

Traffic Chief urges motorists to be...

Education Minister Nicolette Henry in an effort of ensuring that proper measures are in place for the new school term visited several schools in order to get a glimpse of the readiness of the institutions.

The Minister’s visit, according to her, was meant to inspect the environs of the schools before the country’s young minds return for the new academic term.

“There will be maintenance work to be done from time to time and schools are no exception. What I am looking at here is preparation for the opening. It’s is not the maintenance schedule for 2019,” Henry said.

She further explained that the maintenance schedule for 2019 is very long with provisions to execute several works drafted by the Ministry of Education.

Further, the Minister also acknowledged the importance of teachers and urged that they keep up the good work.

Henry expressed that it is important that students be focused and work hard to achieve their goals. She added that this is necessary as they seek to keep climbing the ladder of success in their effort to contribute greatly to the country’s human resource pool.

Government plans to

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invest a further $52.2 billion in the education sector, in 2019, a 15.6 per cent increase over the 2018 allocation.

The sum will address disparities in the Education Sector. These include bridging the gap between coastal and hinterland education delivery; eliminating the shortage of books in the classroom for effective learning and monitoring sector achievements.

In 2019, $5.4 billion is allocated for the construction, rehabilitation, extension and maintenance of educational facilities across the country.

An artist's impression of the Amazonia Mall in Guyana

would have good places to go and speak really good things about our country,” Sarwan stated.

“Obviously, you want to offer the best service and ensure that people are very comfortable when they come to the facility. I think, most importantly, you want people to experience the kind of shopping stuff they experience abroad and we’re going to try our best to bring that to everyone.”

Persons wanting further information on investment opportunities at the new fa-

cility can call 265-7271, visit the website www.amazonia-

mallgy.com or email info@ amazoniamallgy.com.

Construction works ongoing at Amazonia Mall in Providence

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mondAY, January 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Gordon’s Foundation donates CH&PA, IDB launch 1st Adequate Housing and Urban to 700 children Accessibility Programme

Sophia residents gathered at the launching

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he first Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme which provides an opportunity for Guyanese citizens to improve their standard of living, was launched on Friday at C Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

The project became a reality due to the collaboration between the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB).

Present at the launch was CH&PA Senior Community Development Officer, Antonette Bennet, who stated that application submissions for the programme commenced on November 1, 2018, and

will conclude on February 1, 2019.

Bennet also went indepth to explain that applicants can be registered and interviewed on-thespot, which will be followed by a verification visit by field officers when the applicants become eligible.

An article by the Department of Public information (DPI) revealed that the programme was started last year and provides two housing projects mainly; the Core Home Support and Home Improvement Subsidy.

The first housing project comprises of a four hundred square feet flat concrete building at a cost of $4M, but requires approved applicants to

make a down payment of $100,000 towards the construction. Meanwhile the Home Improving Subsidy provides a grant of $500,000 in materials.

Additionally, persons who apply for the Core Home Support must be living in a regularised squatting area or a CH&PAallocated Housing Scheme and walk with the necessary documents.

The project will be in four districts; areas in Georgetown; Industry to La Bonne Intention on the East Coast Demerara (ECD), Eccles to Diamond/ Grove on the East Bank Demerara (EBD) and La Parfaite Harmonie in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

E Division Commander now Senior Superintendent – Fernandes is Division's 1st female ASP

E

Division (LindenK w a k w a n i ) Commander Linden Lord is now the Division's Senior Superintendent of Police, while Telisa Peters-Fernandes became its first female Assistant Superintendent of Police, following recent senior promotions announced by the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

The two are amongst eleven additional senior ranks to be promoted in the Division, on the heels of the promotion of 32 junior ranks.

The other nine ranks promoted to Inspectors include Sherwin Henry and Harry Sutherland, Women Corporals Gullaune and Layne, Corporal Ramsey and Women Special Corporals Barkoye, Welch, Morris and Sears.

Lord has headed the Division in the capacity of Superintendent of Police since October of last year, with his first role as Divisional Commander.

He has been a member of the GPF since 1985, and was attached mainly as

Some of the children who benefited from the school hampers

The volunteers of Gordon’s Foundation

W

ith the new school term set to begin tomorrow, over 700 children on the West Coast and West Bank of Demerara received school supplies; complements of Gordon’s Foundation on Thursday at Plantain Walk, WBD. The children, between the ages 1 and 15, were recipients of toys, goodies and school bags containing books, pencils, rulers, eras-

ers and sharpeners. Another 50 would have also received electronic tablets.

Founder of the Foundation, Pamela Daniels noted that a special effort is being made to serve the children on the West Side - a number that has significantly increased from the time the initiative commenced 13 years ago.

“There is an increasing amount of children attend-

ing the event on a yearly basis… this year we are making a special effort to serve 500 of them…this would not have been possible without the support of all active participants” she said expressing her gratitude.

The foundation aims to provide for the less fortunate in what they call “Children’s Day Celebration”.

PAHO urges eligible C’bean nationals to apply for "Leaders in International Health" programme

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Telisa Peters-Fernandes and Linden Lord

an Investigator of serious crimes in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and has over 28 years of experience in criminal investigative services.

Lord has also worked at several branches

and Divisions including Narcotics, Presidential Guard and CID Headquarters. He was also involved in many high profile crimes across the country including the Bartica and Lusignan massacres.

he Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) is urging eligible Caribbean professionals in public health, international relations and related fields to apply to the 2019 session of its “Leaders in International Health.”

According to PAHO, applications must be received

by February 15.

“The programme, which is cost-free for accepted applicants, seeks to develop professionals from the region’s countries who can understand, act on and advocate effectively for global health issues in a complex international context, characterised by challenges that require action across sectors and borders,” PAHO said.

Those accepted will participate in virtual learning activities in coordination with PAHO’s local office in

their countries of origin, where they are expected to continue working in their respective institutions.

Participants will also pursue an individual project related to a priority area of public health work in their country, sub-region or region, working in coordination with PAHO, country officials and other agencies, the statement said.

At the end of the programme, the health organisation says “participants

will have strengthened their capacities for situation analysis, policy development and decision-making, negotiation and advocacy, project management, knowledge generation and exchange, and communication.”

Since its creation in 1985, PAHO said its “Leaders in International Health” programme has trained over 630 professionals from 40 countries.

(Jamaica Observer)

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What the people say VOX POPULI I SAY...

It was recently revealed that two children in Guyana are abused every hour. What do you think can be done to curb this?

Andrew Khan “Recognising the signs is the first step in helping to prevent domestic violence. To be sure, it may be difficult to recognise when a child is being abused, as the signs are not always visible to the eye. Indeed, domestic violence is not always physical. Other forms of domestic abuse include verbal abuse, emotional abuse, and economic abuse. Along with this, it is likely that the children suffering will not speak up on their behalf, as so many children suffer in silence.

Also, providing resources could help. Whether it is providing support classes for parents, teaching them childcare and parenting strategies, or helping with economic support and stability during times of difficulty, struggling parents and families need help and support.

Violence against children can be reduced when parents and families are equipped with strategies, support, and skills when caring for children.

Often times, children are great imitators. They frequently model what they learn and experience from the adults in their lives. Time and time again a child’s greatest role model is often the parent.

For those children who have watched a parent inflict violence and abuse upon another, these children are more apt to repeat this later on in their adult life with their spouses or partners. Drugs and alcohol abuse later in their lives is also a likely path. In order to break this future cycle of abuse, we need to offer therapy, counselling, support, and services to these children.”

Samantha Deodat “As I would say "Take a time-out". Stop if you begin to act out frustration or other emotions physically. Find someone to talk with or watch your kids while you walk.

It's okay also to call the Child Abuse Prevention hotline if you're worried that you may hit your child. Get control of yourself before disciplining a child. Watch your words, as they can leave emotional scars for lifetime.

Make your home a violence-free zone.”

Shaunell Wilson “Most awareness needs to be spread in schools to keep these children alert to the dangers of predators out there.”

Frederick Minty “Abuse, I think this word which is honestly used loosely at times; sometimes a parent is scolding a child for something he/she has done wrong and because someone else might not believe in scolding they call it abuse. So first a clear and distinct line must be drawn to what is abuse (specifically in the context

Javon Richardson “Get help with alcohol or drugs problems. Keep children away from anyone who abuse those substances.”

of physical abuse). The abuse of a child is never positive for anyone and often it is family members who commit these acts so family counselling is the first step in alleviating the problem. Each family should have counselling. Secondly we as Guyanese need to take a step back to having a community raise a child.

That way people will look out for our children and not just their own and those who see a child being abused should from the onset speak out, get to the authorities and be willing to face the situation which will show the child that there are people who care.

Additionally the abusers/ perpetrators should be given punishment which will foster a difference in that abusive behaviour.

Not just jail but some form of service that will help foster a positive change.”

Quake hits western Iran, about 75 injured Dan Rahim “First of all, lack of parental guidance then the second thing is welfare, is not welfare some people take sides and welfare end up splitting the family and third, all men must take up their responsibility and look after their kids, is only Jesus was born without a father and mothers need to respect the father’s rule.”

A

n earthquake hit an area in western Iran near the Iraqi border on Sunday, injuring 75 people, most of them lightly, the head of the country’s emergency medical services said.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) initially put the magnitude of the quake at 5.9 but revised this later to 5.5.

Pirhossein Koulivand said all but one of the 75 injured had been released after treatment following the earthquake in Gilan Gharb

in Kermanshah province, according to the emergency services’ website.

In November, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook western Iran, injuring more than 700 people, with most suffering minor wounds.

Iran sits astride major fault lines and is prone to frequent tremors. In 2003, a 6.6 magnitude quake in southeastern Kerman province killed 31,000 people and flattened the historic city of Bam. (Reuters)

Warm welcome for Ross University in Barbados – potential spin-off benefits for nurses highlighted

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he operation of Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) on the island is expected to give a boost of between Bds$55 to $60 million to the Barbados economy annually. To date, the medical university has provided work for over 1 000 Barbadians on the construction projects on the academic and living facilities.

However, there are other benefits which were highlighted yesterday during the official opening ceremony of the University at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, which would be welcomed news for local and regional nurses.

It was revealed that From right: Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley cuts the ribbon with Minister of Education, Santia Bradshaw; Chamberlain University Group President Medical and Healthcare at Adtalem, Kathy Boden Holland and President and CEO of Adtalem, Lisa Wardell at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre to officially declare the Ross University School of Medicine open

which, like Ross University is also a subsidiary of Adtalem Global Education, now has a presence in Barbados. It is comprised of a College of Nursing.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, while stressing the importance of the partnership between Barbados and Ross University, which began one week after the Barbados Labour Party took Office back in June, highlighted the opportunities that can arise for nurses given the global shortage.

According to Mottley, “In our manifesto we committed to the establishment of a School of Nursing. Little did the Minister of Health and Minister of Education know that we would have the opportunity to make good on that promise within months, by looking to see how we could partner between the Barbados Community College and the Chamberlain School of Medicine. (Excerpt from Barbados Advocate)

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mondAY, January 7, 2019

Regional

Foreign diplomats urge Venezuela's Maduro to hand over power

A

dozen Latin American Governments and Canada delivered a blistering rebuke to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday, questioning the legitimacy of his soon-to-begin second term and urging him to hand over power as the only path to restoring democracy in his crisis-wracked South American country.

The sharp criticism came at a meeting in Peru’s capital of Foreign Ministers from countries including Argentina, Brazil and Colombia, all of which have been weighing how to confront the increasingly authoritarian Maduro while absorbing a growing exodus of Venezuelans fleeing economic chaos.

In a statement, the Lima Group urged Maduro to refrain from taking the presidential oath next Thursday and instead cede power to the opposition-controlled congress until new, fairer elections can be held.

“Only through the full restoration, as soon as possible, of democracy and a respect for human rights is it possible to resolve the country’s political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis,” the diplomats said.

Even before announcing the resolu-

Foreign Ministers of the Lima Group gather for a meeting concerning Venezuela, in Lima, Peru, Friday, January 4, 2019

tion, the group’s meeting with the participation of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo drew a sharp response from Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza. He accused the coalition of taking orders directly from President Donald Trump, who Caracas frequently accuses of spearheading an economic war against the country.

A once-wealthy oil nation, Venezuela is in the throes of crisis after two decades of socialist rule, marked by hyperinflation that makes it difficult for people to afford scarce food and medicine. An estimated 2.3 million Venezuelans have migrated from the country since 2015, according to the United Nations. (Excerpt

from Jamaica Observer)

Jamaican PM says plan to secure island is in full effect

P

rime Minister Andrew Holness is reassuring the Jamaican public that Plan Secure Jamaica is in full effect. He declared that the plans to reclaim control of Jamaica’s security and safety followed a series of intense consultations with security experts and stakeholders.

Holness underscored that two critical issues – ‘Plan Secure Jamaica’ and the continuation of security arrangements – were addressed during the two days of consultations with security chiefs.

Plan Secure Jamaica is a whole Government plan which focuses effort on 10 strategic subject areas. It was tabled in Parliament

by Prime Minister Andrew Holness in late 2016 and it was outlined in his budget presentation in 2017/2018.

Noting his understanding of public concern about the modus operandi follow-

ing the expiration of the various States of Emergency (SOEs), the Prime Minister reiterated his hope that the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) would reconsider its position not to support extending the security measure.

Last December, the PNP voted against extending the SOEs in several areas, even as Prime Minister Holness reporting that there had been a 20 per cent reduction in murders across the island since the measures had gone into effect.

Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips had disagreed that the SOEs were vital and suggested that they could actually be unconstitutional.

He noted that only four per cent of the nearly 4000 people detained by the security forces had been charged with any serious crimes. (Excerpt from

Caribbean360)

Mexico launches plan to stimulate Guatemalan farms shift to palm US border economy oil, fuelling family migration

Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

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resident Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador launched an ambitious plan Saturday to stimulate economic activity on the Mexican side of the US-Mexico border, reinforcing his country’s commitment to manufacturing and trade despite recent US threats to close the border entirely.

Mexico will slash income

and corporate taxes to 20 per cent from 30 per cent for 43 municipalities in six states just south of the US, while halving to eight per cent the value-added tax in the region. Business leaders and union representatives have also agreed to double the minimum wage along the border, to 176.2 pesos a day, the equivalent of US$9.07 at current exchange rates.

Lopez Obrador, who took office on December 1, said the idea is to stoke wage and job growth via fiscal incentives and productivity gains. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly complained that low wages in Mexico lure jobs from the US Mexico committed to boost wages during last year’s negotiations to retool its free trade agreement with the US and Canada.

Speaking from Ciudad Juarez, a manufacturing hub south of El Paso, Texas, Lopez Obrador said Saturday he agrees with Trump that Mexican wages “should improve.” He decried, for instance, that Mexican auto workers earn a fraction of what their US counterparts take home, topping out at just US$3 an hour versus a typical wage of US$23 an hour in the US. Yet the economic plan comes at a delicate moment for the border region. (Excerpt

from Jamaica Observer)

St Kitts-Nevis Opposition reaffirms pledge to review and revoke economic citizenships granted illegally

F

ollowing a statement last month by the leader of the opposition, former prime minister Dr Denzil Douglas, to the effect that he will revoke the citizenship of any applicant who is found to been illegally granted St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment (CBI), a spokesperson for the opposition St KittsNevis Labour Party confirmed to Caribbean News Now on Friday that this was indeed its policy position if and when it is returned to government.

Multiple allegations of systemic fraud in the St Kitts and

Nevis CBI programme have surfaced recently, involving forged letters of approval, unauthorised switching from the donation option to the real estate investment option, and illegally financed unsanctioned discounts.

The situation becomes even murkier when, according to copies of invoices in the possession of Caribbean News Now, in some cases successful citizenship applicants have been instructed to transfer the investment contributions into the personal bank accounts of the principals of at least one

development company instead of to the St Kitts and Nevis government.

Douglas has made it clear that, upon return to office, a new Labour Government will examine all previously approved citizenship applications and any applicant who is found to have breached CBI requirements will have his or her citizenship revoked and referred to local law enforcement, including agents and developers found to have participated in the fraudulent schemes. (Excerpt from Caribbean News

Now)

I

n the poor, hot region of Guatemala that was home to a seven-year-old migrant girl before she died in US border custody last month, palm oil cultivation is taking over from subsistence farming, adding to pressure on people to leave.

Many villagers around the municipality of Raxruha have sold land to palm oil producers, residents and local officials say, helping to make Guatemala one of the world’s biggest exporters of the versatile product in the space of just a few years Supporters of the industry say it has created jobs and investment in an area where poverty and violence have long been the main drivers of migration.

But critics say farmers have given up land that long fed them, with many then entering a state of co-dependency with palm oil companies that have become major em-

Palm oil fruits are pictured at a plantation in Chisec, Guatemala December 19, 2018

ployers, but do not pay well enough to stop people migrating.

Cesar Castro, Raxruha’s Mayor, said money raised from land sales had been used to pay people smugglers, a major factor in a surge in families leaving Guatemala.

More than 50,000 Guatemalans were apprehended in family groups at the US-Mexico border in the 2018 fiscal year, more than

double the year before, US Government data shows.

Most get deported.

Jakelin Caal, who died in US custody after succumbing to a fever, left Raxruha with her father because he was struggling to earn enough to support his family as a corn farmer, relatives said.

Smugglers tell families that having children with them can make it easier to enter the United States. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

LPM says “gravy train” ruling party MPs will continue to support PM

T

he leader of the Lucian Peoples Movement (LPM), has declared that ruling party parliamentarians who continue to benefit from being in Government will maintain their support Prime Minister, Allen Chastanet.

Therold Prudent made the remarks against the backdrop of the move by the opposition Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP), to have a motion of no confidence against Chastanet debated in parliament. No date has been announced for the debate.

But Prudent disclosed that he supports the Opposition motion. The ruling party currently has 11 seats in parliament to the SLP’s 6. Prudent told St Lucia Times he does not see any of the government MPs as wanting to support a no-confidence vote in the Prime Minister.

Reflecting on the situation in Guyana where Charrandas Persaud joined the opposition in supporting a no-confidence vote against the coalition government of which he was a part, Therold Prudent said there

were lessons for Saint Lucia.

“You cannot continue to have a lack of transparency in the way you administer government, whereas you have so many Saint Lucians clamouring for a better life; for health care; for jobs,” the LPM leader told St Lucia Times.

He said he hopes that ruling party members understand that Prime Minister Chastanet is on a destructive path and his actions do not benefit Saint Lucians but foreign entities, corporations and individuals. (Excerpt from St Lucia Times)

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guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

US budget shutdown: I won't compromise on wall, says Trump

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resident Donald Trump has refused to compromise on his demand for a wall to be built on the Mexican border, the cause of a partial Government shutdown. He said he did not think he would have to reduce the US$5.6 billion (£4.4 billion) in funds he was demanding and repeated a threat to declare a national emergency.

His new chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said earlier he expected the shutdown to "drag on a lot longer".

Democrats refuse to back the funding, calling the wall "immoral".

Talks to end the partial shutdown will resume later on Sunday, with the stalemate now in its third week, affecting some 800,000 federal workers.

The wall was one of Trump's key campaign pledges and he had said Mexico would pay for it, something Mexico has never agreed to.

He was speaking as he left the White House for Camp David, where he will discuss policy issues with aides. "We have to build the wall," he

President Donald Trump said the wall could be made of steel, rather than concrete

said. "It's about safety, it's about security for our country... We have no choice... it's a very important battle to win."

Trump said he thought the Democrats "want a deal", adding:

"The shutdown could end tomorrow or go on a long time. It really depends on the Democrats." But he also repeated an earlier threat to declare a national emergency "depending on what happens in the next few days". (Excerpt from BBC News)

Afghanistan gold mine collapse in Badakhshan kills 30

A

t least 30 people have been killed in the collapse of a gold mine in north-eastern Afghanistan, officials say. The collapse occurred in the Kohistan district of Badakhshan province.

Villagers had reportedly dug a 60 metres (220 feet) deep but makeshift shaft in a river bed to hunt for gold and were caught in its collapse. Afghanistan has vast resources of minerals but many of the mines are old and poorly maintained, creating severe safety issues.

Villagers were reportedly using an excavator at the site when the mine collapsed.

At least seven other people were injured, officials say. Kohistan district chief Rostam Raghi told

the BBC's Afghan service: "Locals rushed to the scene and managed to rescue only 13 workers. Dozens of others, including some children, died."

Nik Mohammad Nazari, spokesman for the provincial governor, told Agence France-Presse: "The villagers have been involved in this business for decades with no government control over them.

"We have sent a rescue team to the area, but villagers have already started removing bodies from the site." A spokesman for the National Disaster Management Authority told AFP the families of the dead would receive 50,000 Afghanis (US$660; £520).

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Sultan Muhammad V steps China's population 'to peak' in 2029 at 1.44B down as Malaysia's King

The 15th king of Malaysia, Sultan Muhammad V, is rumoured to have married a former Russian beauty queen

M

alaysia’s king has abdicated, royal officials have said, ending weeks of speculation about his future. The announcement on Sunday follows a leave of absence by the head of state and rumours he had married a former Russian beauty queen.

Sultan Muhammad V’s decision marks the first

time a king has abdicated in the Muslim-majority country since Malaysia gained independence from Britain in 1957.

“The National Palace informs that his majesty has resigned as the 15th king effective January 6,” a statement from the palace said on Sunday.

The palace did not give any reason for the 49-year-

old royal’s move.

There had been a question mark over the reign of the king, who ascended to the throne in December 2016, since he took a leave of absence for medical treatment in November.

Reports then circulated online that the king had married a former Miss Moscow in Russia, although royal officials in Malaysia have so far not commented on the rumours.

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, with a unique arrangement where the throne changes hands every five years between the rulers of the nine Malaysian states headed by centuries-old Islamic royalty.

Speculation had intensified about Sultan Muhammad V’s future this week when the country’s other royals reportedly held a special meeting.

(Excerpt from The Guardian)

C

hina's population will peak in 2029 at 1.44 billion before beginning a period of "unstoppable" decline, a government report says. The China Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) study says the country must implement policies to handle a smaller workforce and an older population.

Both changes combined could cause "very unfavourable social and economic consequences", the report says. Latest UN estimates say China has a population of 1.41 billion.

In 2015 the world's most populous country ended its one-child policy in a bid to tackle the problems. The study appears in CASS's Green Book of Population and Labour.

Working population numbers were now stagnating, it said, with a low fertility rate set to cause fur-

China relaxed its one-child policy in 2015 to combat an ageing population

ther issues. By the middle of the century, China's population is expected to drop to 1.36 billion – a fall in the labour force of close to 200 million.

If fertility rates stay low, the population could drop as low as 1.17 billion by 2065.

The study also predicted a rise in the dependency rate, meaning the proportion of non-working people

like the elderly and children.

While relaxing the onechild policy will help longterm, in the short term it will create more dependents, according to the report. Previous forecasts reportedly suggest China's elderly population could hit 400 million by 2035, up from 240 million in 2017.

(BBC News)

Brexit: May says vote on deal will go DRC election results postponed ahead as speculation mounts of delay as officials say "remain patient"

T

heresa May has insisted she will go ahead with a crucial vote on her Brexit deal amid growing speculation that it could be delayed.

The Prime Minister said she was seeking further clarification from the EU to address the concerns of MPs, as well as specific measures relating to the backstop on Northern Ireland before the vote in the week beginning January 14.

She also said she would look at giving parliament a greater say in how the UK’s future relationship would be negotiated, but refused to say exactly what

that might be.

Asked on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday if the vote – which was postponed last month – would go ahead, she replied: “Yes we are going to hold the vote. The debate will start next week and it will carry on until the following week, but we will be holding the vote.”

Asked if there had been any changes she could offer to backbenchers who are expected to vote down her deal, she said: “What we will be setting out over the next few days are assurances in three areas: first are measures specific to Northern Ireland; the

second is a greater role for parliament as we take these negotiations forward into the next stage for our future relationship; and third, and we are still working on this, is further assurances from the European Union to address the issues that have been raised.”

May said a second referendum would be “disrespecting” people who voted for Brexit and warned it could not be held before March 29, the date of Britain’s departure from the EU. On her own future, she refused to put a timescale on her departure. (Excerpt from

The Guardian)

E

lection results in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been postponed again and officials said they did not know when they would be ready.

The country’s electoral commission (Ceni) said on Sunday that tally sheets were trickling in slowly and so it would not be possible to release the results as scheduled. Corneille Nangaa, the head of Ceni, said: “We ask the nation to remain patient for the time it will take to consolidate all our data.”

Opposition members and observers had said that releasing the results late could be part of a scheme by the

Congolese government to rig the election. Although President Joseph Kabila could not stand again, having already served his constitutionally mandated two terms and been in power since 2001, his handpicked successor, Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, is widely seen as a puppet, there to hold the reins until 2023 when Kabila may run again.

On Friday, Donald Trump said 80 US military personnel had been deployed to Gabon “in response to the possibility that violent demonstrations may occur in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in reaction to the 30 December 2018 elec-

tions there”.

In a letter to congressional leaders the US President said the personnel were there to protect US citizens and the embassy, but also “in furtherance of United States national security and foreign policy interests”, adding that they would be there until the DRC’s security situation looked stable enough that they were not needed – and that more could be deployed if necessary. On Thursday the US threatened sanctions against those who tried to undermine democracy or threatened peace and stability. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

mondAY, January 7, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Channel your energy wisely and avoid getting into an argument. Volunteer to help someone who has aided you in the past. Be smart with your money and invest in your future.

Look for an outlet that will take your mind off annoying situations. Don't share personal secrets.

Concentrate on physical improvements that will build your confidence.

Look at the possibilities and learn all you can to ensure that you have everything you need to make positive changes in your life. Aim high.

Don't let an outsider meddle in your personal affairs. If you must socialize with colleagues or peers, be a good listener. Build relationships and gain allies.

Don't leave your responsibilities for someone else. You'll be disappointed in the results, and it will make you look bad in the eyes of superiors. A romantic encounter will improve your life.

Stick to what and who you know. Don't let anyone limit your dreams or interfere in your plans to get ahead. Use your charm, experience and knowledge to wow someone you are trying to impress.

Get along with everyone, LIBRA (Sept. 23- regardless of what others do Oct. 23) or say. It's in your best interest to stay calm and avoid controversy. If you make special plans with a loved one, your day will improve.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD — OUTCASTS (OUTCASTS: OUT-kasts: Those removed from society; pariahs.)

You'll feel the need to CAPRICORN make adjustments. Start (Dec. 22- within and work your way Jan. 19) out. Purge what is no longer important to you. Free your life of unnecessary clutter.

SATURDAY’S WORD — LAPSED

plead pled sale seal slap sled spade sped dale deal

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

You can take a unique approach to life, as long as you aren't extravagant or unreasonable. Discussions will get heated if you share too much information.

Take care of domestic SAGITTARIUS matters. Make changes at (Nov. 23- home that will add to your Dec. 21) convenience and comfort.

Physical fitness will help alleviate anxiety. Romance is encouraged.

Average mark 15 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 21 or more words in OUTCASTS? The list will be published tomorrow.

lade lase lead leap aped apse pale peal pedal plea

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

solution for LAST PUBLISHED puzzle Personal improvements AQUARIUS will pay off, but don't be (Jan. 20- too quick to overspend on a Feb. 19) product that promises the impossible. Put your money into fitness, a proper diet or a trendy new look.

If you connect with somePISCES (Feb. 20- one who has helped you or March 20) collaborated with you in the past, good things will transpire. Walk away from indulgent people trying to tempt you to excess.

mondAY, January 7, 2019

19

Amla injured, but Elgar seals South Africa's 4th-morning victory H

ashim Amla was forced to retire hurt with a bruised bicep as South Africa battled through the vagaries of an increasingly uneven surface on the fourth morning at Newlands, and ticked off the 41 runs required for a victory that sealed the series against Pakistan.

Their mainstay in 9.5 overs of action was Dean Elgar - no stranger to putting his body on the line in awkward conditions.

He did take the precaution of pinching Amla's armguard as his team-mate left the field, but stood firm thereafter, sealing the win with back-toback boundaries off the part-time seam of Azhar Ali. Azhar's introduction to the attack with six runs to win was an admission from Pakistan that the game was up, as they instead

turned their sights to next week's

Faf Du Plessis

Johannesburg Test.

But up until that point, Mohammads Abbas and Amir had launched a full-blooded defence of their meager total.

The man who had most to gain - and to lose in this

mini-passage of play was Theunis de Bruyn, who was p r o m o t ed to open i n the place of Aiden Markram, who bruised his thigh in the field, and had an opportunity for a morale-boosting red-inker after an under-productive series.

Instead he was caught behind off an Abbas bouncer for 4, having clipped one sweet boundary off his toes. His place for the Johannesburg Test may depend on Markram's fitness, and indeed that of Amla, who appeared to be left with a dead arm after Amir thudded a vicious lifter into the underside of his bicep as he looked to shoul-

der arms. Ottis Gibson, South Africa's coach confirmed after the match that he had suffered bruising but played down any longterm concerns.

Amir's pace and intensity wasn't entirely beneficial to Pakistan's cause, as he served up a quarter of the target in the space of three erratic deliveries, a wild leg-side wide that eluded Sarfraz to fizz to the boundary, and a sizzling bouncer that also flew from a good length, and was called noball due to the number of short balls he'd already bowled in the over.

"Definitely, not enough runs in the first innings," said Pakistan's captain, Sarfraz Ahmed, during the post-match presentations.

"Maybe closer to 250-300 would have been good. The way our batsmen batted in the second innings showed

our courage."

"Our bowlers always enjoy coming here," said Faf du Plessis, South Africa's captain. "And there are runs to be had if you bat properly."

Du Plessis admitted South Africa would have preferred to wrap the match up on the third evening, when Vernon Philander's no-ball prevented them

from ending Pakistan's innings with enough time to hunt down the runs.

"We wanted to finish last night, but unfortunately that no-ball happened," he said. Instead it took less than an hour on the fourth day, as South Africa took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three match series, extending their unbeaten run at home. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Pakistan 177 & 297 South Africa 1st innings 431 South Africa 2nd Innings (target: 41 runs) D Elgar not out 24 TB de Bruyn c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Abbas 4 HM Amla retired hurt 2 F du Plessis (c) not out 3 Extras 10 (b 4, nb 1, w 5)

TOTAL 43/1 (9.5 Overs, RR: 4.37) Yet to bat: AK Markram, T Bavuma, Q de Kock †, VD Philander, DW Steyn, K Rabada, D Olivier Fall of wickets: 1-4 (TB de Bruyn, 3.4 ov), 1-23* (HM Amla, retired not out) BOWLING: M Amir (5-217-0), M Abbas (4-0-141), A Ali (0.5-0-8-0)

Real Madrid shocked by Real Sociedad at Bernabeau

Injured Pogba to join Man Utd late on Dubai trip

P

aul Pogba will link up late with his teammates for a mid-season training camp in Dubai, Manchester United has confirmed.

Pogba did not travel with the rest of the squad on Sunday after missing United's FA Cup third round win at home to Reading a day earlier.

United said in a statement that the France international is still being treated for a "knock" suffered in Wednesday's win at Newcastle United.

"Paul Pogba has not completely recovered from the knock he sustained against Newcastle and stayed

back for treatment," the statement said.

"But he will join his Manchester United

team-mates in Dubai soon in preparation for the Tottenham game."

Pogba was on the end of a heavy challenge from Jonjo Shelvey as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side ran out 2-0 winners at St James' Park.

United, who have won all five games since Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho; travel to Wembley to face Spurs on Sunday.

Pogba has been in fine form since Mourinho's departure, winning United's Player of the Month award for December.

(SPORTSMAX)

Paul Pogba

Willian Jose opened the scoring for Real Sociedad in the third minute

T

en-man Real Madrid suffered a surprise defeat by Real Sociedad as the visitors earned their first victory at the Bernabeu in La Liga for 15 years.

Willian Jose fired Sociedad in front from the penalty spot in the third minute after Mikel Merino was fouled by Real Madrid's Casemiro.

Things then got more difficult for Real Madrid when Lucas Vazquez was sent off with half an hour remaining.

Sociedad made the extra man count when Ruben Pardo headed in a late second.

The defeat leaves Real Madrid one point and one place outside the Champions League qualification spots in fifth, while Sociedad move up to 11th after ending a four-

match losing streak in the league.

Willian Jose got the visitors off to a perfect start when he hammered his penalty high down the middle and it was from the former Real Madrid striker's cross that Pardo nodded past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with seven minutes to go.

Vazquez, who collected a second booking for a trip on Merino, went closest for the European champions as he hit the post from a cross before the break.

The hosts handed a first start in La Liga to Brazilian Vinicius Junior, with the 18-year-old becoming the first player to start for Real Madrid in the competition born in 2000 or later.

The lively forward curled

narrowly wide after a clever run across the top of the box, and was then denied a penalty despite appearing to be fouled by Real Sociedad goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli - the video assistant referee opted not to intervene.

Rulli also kept out Raphael Varane's close-range shot before denying Sergio Ramos twice in quick succession and palming away Vinicius' side-footed volley.

Real Madrid were without Wales forward Gareth Bale because of a calf injury, while Spain midfielder Isco started among the substitutes.

Santiago Solari's side have now failed to win in both their league matches since returning from their Club World Cup success in December. (BBC Sport)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

mondAY, January 7, 2019

Rain, bad light delay India's quest for victory A

fter rain took away three hours, India nipped out three lower order wickets when play resumed on the fourth day in Sydney. Then, the last-wicket pair of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood held on for an hour before wristspinner - Kuldeep Yadav - playing his first Test of the tour, and only his sixth overall, picked his second five-for by removing a stodgy Hazlewood, who could have been out much earlier had Hanuma Vihari held a top-edged slog sweep at midwicket. India quickly enforced the follow-on, Australia's first at home in 31 years after securing a 322-run lead.

Suddenly, the time lost to rain seemed irrelevant.

Then, with four minutes before the scheduled tea interval, Jasprit Bumrah bowled a lifter that rapped Marcus Harris on the glove, with all eight light towers at the SCG burning.

The blow was partly because Harris misjudged the length and looked to duck away by taking his eyes off the ball.

A strong Sunday crowd that had paid good money expected a proper contest were left annoyed, much like Virat Kohli, when they saw the umpires converge to pull out the light meter and the players walked off.

Sadly - or much to the relief of the Australian team they did not return, leaving everyone debating the whys and wherefores of the crick-

on his spinners, a move to keep his fast bowlers fresh for when he would eventually enforce the follow on. Kuldeep had a fourth when Lyon was out sweeping to a full toss that drifted away and struck him on the boot, possibly outside the line. Australia had two full reviews, but Lyon saw Starc non-committal in asking him to refer. Lyon obediently walked off. In the commentary box, Ricky Ponting was furious, terming Australia's move 'slack and not desperate enough.'

The last-wicket pair then had some fun, making India chase deliveries to the boundary through slogs - some well-timed, others

et's playing conditions.

The big picture, however, was the situation left Australia only slightly better than the position they had been in at the start of the day.

India's first-ever series win in Australia is all but sealed. Kohli can lay his hands on the BorderGavaskar Trophy, but he will be aching for a 3-1 scoreline. For that, India would need 10 wickets on the final day, but with a forecast similar to Saturday's and the rule book that calls for play to stop at the slightest hint of rain or play to hinge on a light reading - despite having quality, state-of-the-art

floodlights - it seems possible the Sydney Test could end in a draw.

The delay at the start of play may have made Kohli's decision to enforce the follow-on straightforward. With time running out and 14 wickets still to take, he threw the ball to Mohammed Shami and he struck off the third delivery. Pat Cummins, who had shown admirable fight both against pace and spin, got a grubber that beat the bottom to crash into the stumps.

Peter Handscomb saw this as an opportunity to score runs and showed authority against Kuldeep, first by sweeping him off a

Ribery fined by Bayern Munich after social media storm

B

Frank Ribery

ayern Munich has fined Franck Ribery for his outburst following criticism of a social media post in which he posed with a gold-coated steak.

Ribery uploaded a video to his Instagram page this week when he visited celebrity chef N u s r e t Gokce, an internet sensation nicknamed Salt Bae, at his Dubai restaurant.

The winger was criticised by some followers for what was perceived as a brazen display of wealth, with the dish said to cost €1,200, but he responded in foul-mouthed fashion.

"For 2019, let's dot the 'i's and cross the’t’s," he wrote.

"Let's start with the jealous, the haters, those clearly born from a condom with a hole in: **** your mothers, your grandmothers and even your family tree.

"I owe you nothing. My success is above all thanks to God, thanks to my-

length and then playing a finely-timed short arm jab to the midwicket boundary.

At the other end, Shami was properly banging the ball into the pitch and getting it to respond. Handscomb was jumping back into his crease, expecting balls to rear up, only for it to sneak low. This is how he would fall eventually, but to Jasprit Bumrah, who used the age-old tactic of shortshort and slightly-full to get his man. Handscomb, playing back to a length ball, only managed to chop on, the ball keeping a touch low again. The lower order was exposed to India's pace pack under cloudy skies.

Kohli quickly brought

self and thanks to my loved ones, who believed in me.

The others are nothing more than pebbles in my socks."

Ribery also hit out at journalists for reporting the story, but his reaction has been met with condemnation from Bayern.

"He has used words that we as Bayern Munich cannot accept and that Franck can never use as a role model, as a player of Bayern," said sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic via the club's website.

"Yesterday [Saturday], I talked to Franck for a long time and told him that he would get a heavy fine. He accepted this punishment."

The incident is the latest in what has been a difficult season for Ribery, who is expected to leave to leave Bayern at the end of the season when his contract expires.

The former France international, who has managed only nine Bundesliga starts this term, apologized to a journalist after an altercation following Bayern's dramatic 3-2 defeat to league leaders Borussia Dortmund in November. (SPORTSMAX)

miscued - on a slow outfield, where the ball often pulled up short of the boundaries.

They batted out 14 overs for 42 before Kuldeep came on to get Hazlewood with a wrong'un.

Australia's openers then had to bat out a mere four overs in the second innings before they went off and spent a better part of a farcical day in the change room even as a frustrated Sunday crowd disapproved of ICC's rigidity with the rules by switching on the backlights of their mobile phones, as if to say 'you want more light? Here, take this. Unfortunately, they know it would've only fallen on deaf ears. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD India 1st Innings - 622 Australia 1st Innings MS Harris b Jadeja 79 UT Khawaja c Pujara b Kuldeep Yadav 27 M Labuschagne c Rahane b Mohammed Shami 38 SE Marsh c Rahane b Jadeja 8 TM Head c & b Kuldeep Yadav 20 PSP Handscomb b Bumrah 37 TD Paine (c) † b Kuldeep Yadav 5 PJ Cummins b Mohammed Shami 25 MA Starc not out 29 NM Lyon lbw b Kuldeep Yadav 0 JR Hazlewood lbw b Kuldeep Yadav 21 Extras 11 (b 4, lb 2, w 5) TOTAL 300 all out (104.5 Overs, RR: 2.86) Fall of wickets: 1-72 (UT Khawaja, 21.6 ov), 2-128 (MS Harris, 42.6 ov), 3-144 (SE Marsh, 48.1 ov),

4-152 (M Labuschagne, 51.4 ov), 5-192 (TM Head, 66.2 ov), 6-198 (TD Paine, 68.6 ov), 7-236 (PJ Cummins, 84.3 ov), 8-257 (PSP Handscomb, 89.4 ov), 9-258 (NM Lyon, 90.5 ov), 10300 (JR Hazlewood, 104.5 ov) BOWLING M Shami (19-2-58-2), JJ Bumrah (21-5-62-1), RA Jadeja (32-11-73-2), K Yadav (31.5-699-5), GH Vihari (1-0-2-0) Australia 2nd Innings (following on) UT Khawaja not out 4 MS Harris not out 2 Extras 0 TOTAL 6/0 (f/o) (4 Overs, RR: 1.5) Yet to bat: M Labuschagne, SE Marsh, TM Head, PSP Handscomb, TD Paine (c) †, PJ Cummins, MA Starc, NM Lyon, JR Hazlewood BOWLING: M Shami (2-1-40), JJ Bumrah (2-1-2-0)

Faf du Plessis suspended for 1 Test due to 2nd over-rate offence S outh Africa will be without captain Faf du Plessis for the third Test at the Wanderers after he was suspended for one Test and fined 20 percent of his match fee for maintaining a slow overrate during South Africa's nine-wicket win over Pakistan at Newlands.

Du Plessis' teammates were also fined 10 percent of their match fees.

An extra half hour was added to all of the first three days of play at Newlands, while South

Africa's use of an all pace attack contributed to the time taken to get through allocated overs during days on which they bowled.

South Africa's seamers bowled almost 122 overs across two innings in the match.

In the absence of du Plessis, South Africa may call on the captaincy experience of Hashim Amla or Aiden Markram, both of whom sat out the latter stages of a bruising effort in the second Test against Pakistan, but are expected to be fit to play at the Wanderers.

Aside from those two, Dean Elgar has captaincy experience both as an Under-19 cricketer, and at Test level when he stood Hashim Amla in for du

Plessis against England in 2017, following the birth of du Plessis' first child.

The charge against du Plessis was laid by on-field umpires Bruce Oxenford and Joel Wilson, and third umpire S Ravi. Match referee David Boon imposed the suspension on du Plessis after South Africa were ruled to be one over short after time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.22.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Players Support Personnel, which relates to minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 percent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

As du Plessis had previously been found guilty of a minor over-rate offence during the Centurion Test against India in January, this offence constituted his second minor over-rate offence within a 12-month period. The suspension means du Plessis will miss the third Test against Pakistan, which starts in Johannesburg January 11.

(ESPNcricinfo)

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sports

21

Police arrest GT Beer title in Berbice P

olice FC retained their title when they put handcuffs on the Candy Boss/Antics GT Beer 8-a-side knockout tournament on Saturday night at the All Saints Ground in New Amsterdam.

Led by doubles form Deon Rodney and Mark Roach, Police FC registered a 4-3 win over Paradise FC in a final that had the spectators off their seats for most of the second half.

Despite having more than 60 per cent of ball possession in the opening stages of the game, Paradise were unable to find the back of the nets as goalkeeper Roney Cayleb proved why he was the lawmen’s choice between the uprights.

In the 21st minute Police were able to put the Paradise defence under pressure and Rodney took advantage to put his team ahead.

One minute later, he found himself with the ball and all of the defenders behind him. Goalkeeper Esric McKenzie was well in place expecting a powerful shot, but Rodney used the back of his boot to send the ball rolling into the goal and Police supporters jumping for joy.

Four minutes into the second half, Peter Wilson gave Paradise fans some hope when he

Mark Roach

The winning Police team

scored, but four minutes later, Roach scored to keep Police well ahead. That goal was answered two minutes later by Jamal Cambridge.

It was not over. The fans were excited anew as Paradise continued causing the lawmen trouble, as they were not able to provide adequate security in their half.

When Referee Micha Erskine blew for a foul inside the 18-yard box in the 51st minute against Police, the field was swarmed by joyful Paradise supporters.

The penalty was taken by Francis Denvon.

The ball was sent to the right of the goalkeep-

er, but he moved to his left in anticipation. Three-all and game on with the clock winding down and Police showing signs of tiredness.

The issue was sealed in the 60th minute when Roach scored again to give Police FC their second lien on the title and $600,000 to go with the bragging rights.

Paradise for their efforts will be receiving $300,000.

The official presentation is expected to take place at Banks DIH Shareholders Meeting in New Amsterdam next month.

The best goalkeeper, most valuable player and the players with the most goals are expected to receive monetary rewards.

Rodney with seven goals has the same number of goals as Olvis Mitchell of Paradise.

Third place was awarded to Golden Star FC af-

ter Monedderlust opted out of the tournament following the awarding of their semi-final match with Police to the latter after Monedderlust had scored the game’s lone goal.

However, Police had filed an official protest stating that one of the players Monedderlust had fielded was in fact a registered player for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). The appeal was upheld and the game was awarded to Police.

Monedderlust opted not to contest for third place saying that Police FC had also violated the rules of the competition and had fielded players that were not registered in the competition.

Organisers arranged to

have Rosignol United play against Golden Star FC in place of the third-place play-off. Golden Star prevailed 2-nil.

(Andrew Carmichael)

Deon Rodney

Wayne Rooney arrested, fined in US last month for public intoxication and swearing

T

he former England and Manchester United captain, who now plays for Major League Soccer's DC United, was arrested on 16 December in Virginia.

A spokesman for Loudoun County Sheriff's Office con-

firmed Rooney was taken into custody "on a charge of public intoxication stemming from an arrest by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police".

The spokesman added: "He was later released on a personal recognizance bond."

According to reports, Rooney was arrested at Dulles International Airport, which is located in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, after a returning from a trip to Saudi Arabia where he attended the opening race of the Formula E season near Riyadh.

Court documents from Loudoun General District Court show that Rooney, 33, paid a $25 fine and $91 costs on 4 January.

He was a charged with a 'Class 4' misdemeanour, which carries a maximum fine of $250.

Rooney was banned from driving for two years in September 2017 after he was found to be almost three times over the legal limit when he was stopped by police in Cheshire.

The forward moved to the US in June 2018 after signing a three-and-ahalf-year contract with DC United.

Rooney led the club to the play-offs in his first season before they suffered a first-round loss, with the former Everton player missing a penalty in a shootout against Columbus Crew.

A statement from DC United said: "We are aware of news reports indicating that Wayne Rooney was arrested in December.

"We understand the media's interest in this matter but we believe this is a private matter for Wayne that DC United will handle internally. We have no further comment on this situation." (BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

mondAY, January 7, 2019

Massapequa Dr wins feature event in Sky Plus Mega Sprint Classic – Mahaica Star wins 3-year-old race

I

t was a packed house at the Number 36 Village, Corentyne, Berbice when the seventh Sky Plus Mega Sprint Classic horse race meet took place.

On Sunday, January 6, the horse racing enthusiasts made their way to witness top-notch sprints under cool weather in the Ancient County.

Massapequa Dr emerged as champion of

the J & Lower feature event, capturing a firstplace prize of $180,000.

The Selso Crawford-owned horse was fast as lightning reaching the finish line before the likes of Plane Land and Red Region.

The seven-race event that included a “cow-horse race” saw in the intense feature event, Plane Land finishing second receiving $90,000 in cash while

the buzzing favourite Red Region finished third and received $45,000 in cash.

Earlier, in race one, Mahaica Star set the tone on the straight track at the Number 36 Village, winning the $200,000 cash prize. The Nand Persaudowned Awesome Banner, the big horse in the race, emerged in second position. Caribbean Boy and Humming Bird were the

other notable outstanding horses in the 3-year old, 4-fur race.

The second race of the day saw Plane Land outsprinting Uprisng (second) and Touch Down (third) in the L Class Colts and Geldings affair. Plane Land captured $100,000 in cash while Uprising won $50,000 in cash.

In the L Mares & Fillies, Touch the Cash out ran her counterparts, Gold Again (second) and Perfect Return (third). The firstplace prize of $100,000 was presented to Touch of Cash’s handlers. The fourth race saw a bit of conflict between the jockeys and owners, but the fifth race was another mouth-watering event.

The supporters came in as the day got late to witness this race where Uprising ran past Miss Anjale in the pacey showdown. In the K Class and Lower, the three-

year-horse Uprising won $140,000 in cash, while Miss Anjale shifted gear in the heated contest, receiving $70,000 in cash.

ANSA McAL Group of Companies, Trophy Stall, Prem’s Electrical, NTN, 4R Bearings and Belts, Mikey’s Trucking, Exotic Styles Trucking Services, Flexotech Inc and the Rupert Family of Black Bush Polder were among the numerous sponsors at the auspicious horse race

meet. (Brandon Corlette)

Jaguars’ bowling attack equipped for disaster situation mug with the bat, hitting a composed 69 in the opening round versus the Windward

By Clifton Ross

G

uyana Jaguars cranked up the heat in the batting department upon the resumption of the Four-Day Championships, but it’s safe to say their wide-array of bowlers should act as a failsafe switch should their batting crumble.

The potency of the champs’ batting has been demonstrated on a number of occasions.

Thanks to their wealth of experience in former and current Windies players, it would seem that the batsmen have become the marquee leaders of the team.

With Chandrapaul Hemraj and Anthony Bramble slamming first-innings tons against Barbados in the ongoing third-round

Clinton Pestano

Romario Shepherd

Chris Barnwell

match, support came from Raymon Reifer and Sherfane Rutherford who hit contrast-

ing fifties to further highlight the depth of the Jaguars’ batting.

But on the flipside, it’s the Jaguars’ bowlers who are tasked with carrying the heaviest of burdens, based on their past performance which reflects that the operators of the ball, most notably the spinners, have been the match-winners in the end.

Slightly altered from the previous seasons with no Raun Johnson, Ronsford Beaton or as of late the appearances made by Keon Joseph, Guyana’s bowling has primarily relied on a newer, younger lot of bowlers over the past few seasons.

This season, the responsibility will rest on the shoulders of veterans Chris Barnwell and Reifer, both of whom have been a part of the championships team since their first win back in the 2013-14 season. Barnwell has been one of Guyana’s usual suspects around regional time, and his vast experience and knack for taking wickets have assured him a spot

on the team as well as a place as a go-to bowler for Captain Leon Johnson.

Reifer, on the other hand, has been a revelation for Guyana, winning matches and keeping the Jags’ prestigious record in Four-Day cricket alive with his left-arm swing bowling and his batting ,which has been coming together nicely since his international exposure.

The left-hand/right-hand combo provided by Reifer and Barnwell further complements the Jaguars’ other bowlers. Newcomers Rutherford, Romario Shepherd and Clinton Pestano have been a dream trio for Guyana given their overwhelming success in such a short space of time.

Pestano seems to be fitting right into the Four-Day set-up after emerging as one of the best pacers and the most successful for the Jaguars during the 2018 Regional Super50 , ending with 15 wickets, including a hat-trick against the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.

Pestano has also been no

Volcanoes and currently sits o n eight wickets, making him one of the X-factors for the Jags going forward.

Rutherford, more in the side for his power-hitting abilities, is also a good seam-bowling option for Guyana and with 23 wickets from 10 First-Class games including a best of 6-23, his presence in the team as a right-arm fast bowler could see him sneaking in more overs than before, given his international status these days.

Shepherd has also been a key player in the team; the strapping Berbician is a renowned pinch-hitter in limited-overs cricket, but it’s his bustling run-up and ability to derive bounce and pace which make him a lethal weapon.

The 24-year-old has been rampant since the start of this season with stats of 2-30, 1-44, 1-23 and 4-36 from the two completed rounds, signalling his intentions to mark his spot as one of the fu-

ture leaders of the Jaguars’ bowling unit.

Veerasammy Permaul, the Jaguars’ most experienced bowler and leading wicket-taker overall in the team, continues to be the big fish and the clear threat against the opposition come regional season. Quickly approaching 500 First-Class victims, the left-arm spinner has already again demonstrated his wizardry, bagging 12 wickets from just four innings w i t h hauls of 3-56, 3-13, 1-41 and 5-57 – his 26th 5-fer at this level.

Permaul continues to baffle the opposition while the faster men provide the fire and s c o r c h needed to soften batsmen in a Test match.

With Guyana’s evenly-balanced side, it’s clear that should they falter while posting a total or chasing one, their class lot of bowlers seems to be well-equipped and capable of defending a low score or bailing

their team out of a catastrophic situation should one arise within the next few rounds.

guyanatimesgy.com

mondAY, January 7, 2019

23

Permaul, Bishoo named skipper and deputy for Albion Club in 2019 T

he Guyana Jaguars/ Windies spin twins Veerasammy Permaul and Devendra Bishoo were named the skipper and vice skipper of the Albion Cricket Club respectively following their recent election.

The newly-elected executive of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club, under the presidency of Vemen Walter, met recently and made various appointments within the Club's SubCommittees.

The executive also designated Captains and Vice Captains of the Club's respective teams among other positions for the year 2019.

A l b i o n Club's Selection Committee will be chaired by Walter, and will include former Guyana Under-19 a n d

Berbice Senior Inter-County off-spinner Orvin Mangru and Omarnauth Outar, along with the Captain of the team in question.

Vice President Imtiaz Bacchus will head the Disciplinary Committee with Pooran Mangal and David Brijmokhan being the other members. Pawan Baldeo will chair the Cricket Development Committee while Brijmokhan and Guyana Jaguars’ leftarm-spinner Gudakesh Motie suffice for the other committee members.

Treasurer Mangal was named as the Chairman of the Fund-Raising Committee, which also comprises Bacchus and

Veerasammy Permaul

Brijmokhan.

Meanwhile, the left-arm spinner Permaul was re-appointed as Captain of the Club's First-Division team with Bishoo as his deputy.

Executives also confirmed that in the event both Permaul and Bishoo were unavailable, Motie or Jaguars 50-Over Vice Captain

Devendra Bishoo

Anthony Bramble will lead the team.

Joshua Harichand will captain the Club's SecondDivision team with Devendra Latchman as his deputy.

Former Guyana Under-19 batsmen Adrian Sukhwa will be the man captaining the Club's Under -21 team with West Indies Under-19 selectee Kelvin Umroa as his deputy.

Umroa and Rayaad Karim are the Captain and

Vice Captain respectively of the Under-19 team while Karim will captain the Under-17 team, with Gouraf Ramesh as the Vice Captain.

Tameshwar Mahadeo is the Club's Under-15 Captain with Damien Cecil as the Vice Captain while Tameshwar Mangal and Afraz Budhoo are the Captain and Vice Captain respectively of the Club’s Under- 13 team.

The Club's various teams will be managed by Outar with Brijmohkan and Walter providing assistance.

Walter and Bacchus will be representing the Club at the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) level with Brijmokhan and Outar being the Club's two representatives on the Albion Community Centre Council.

Brijmokhan was also appointed as the Club’s Public Relations Officer (PRO).

Gudakesh Motie

Dowrich, Carter register half-centuries after Permaul’s marathon spell – Pride bowled out for 360 at stumps

By Brandon Corlette

V

eerasammy Permaul produced a four-wicket haul to restrict Barbados Pride to 360 all out in 105 overs.

The jaded Pride team are trailing by 188 runs failing to avoid the likely follow-on that may be enforced on the final day, today.

The Barbados Pride batsmen battled on the penultimate day with West Indies wicketkeeperbatsman Shane Dowrich scored a classy 81 while left-handed Jonathan Carter stroked 68.

Resuming the day on 33-1, the

3

Barbados Pride opener Kraigg Brathwaite and Captain Shamarh Brooks were the batsmen who looked to press on. The Test specialist, Brathwaite showed an array of textbook shots while Brooks was equally up to the task. Guyana Jaguars bowlers were disciplined, but they reaped their first success 19 overs before lunch. Brooks was out caught by Leon Johnson off the bowling of veteran spinner Permaul. Brooks, who scored 34 from 52 balls, stroked seven boundaries, after he departed with the score on 106-2 in 30.4

Shane Moseley avoids a bouncer

SCOREBOARD

Guyana Jaguars 1st Innings 548 all out Barbados Pride 33-1 overnight (360 all out) K Brathwaite lbw Pestano 43 S Mosely c Hemraj b Reifer 15 S Brooks c Johnson b Permaul 34 J Carter b Permaul 68 R Chase c Johnson b Permaul 1 S Dowrich c Permaul b Rutherford 81 J Holder c Johnson b Reifer 44 A Nurse lbw Permaul 19 K Roach c Barnwell b Pestano 2 J Warrican not out 23 M Cummings c Bramble b Shepherd 3 Extras 27 Total 360-10 (105 ov) FALL OF WICKETS 1 - 33(SHAYNE MOSELEY, 14.1 ov) , 2 - 106(SHAMARH BROOKS, 30.4 ov) ,

3 - 118(KRAIGG BRATHWAITE, 35.1 ov) , 4 - 123(ROSTON CHASE, 40.5 ov) , 5 - 264(SHANE DOWRICH, 74.1 ov) , 6 - 273(JONATHAN CARTER, 76.5 ov) , 7 - 315(ASHLEY NURSE, 86.2 ov) , 8 - 328(KEMAR ROACH, 95.4 ov) , 9 - 355(JASON HOLDER, 104.2 ov) , 10 - 360(MIGUEL CUMMINS, 105.2 ov) Bowling C Pestano 19-5-53-2 R Shepherd 18.2-3-51-1 R Reifer 13-3-36-2 V Permaul 35-8-124-4 C Barnwell 3-0-19-0 S Rutherford 6-1-13-1 L Johnson 7-0-33-0 C Hemraj 4-11-0-0

overs.

After a 73-run partnership between Brathwaite and Brooks, another followed soon after.

The composed Brathwaite was dismissed by the lively Clinton Pestano when he was adjudged leg before, in his innings that included seven fours.

Barbados Pride were further reduced to 123-4 when two new batsmen were at the crease.

Roston Chase, the middle-order Windies batsman who scored the most runs in the India Test series, was removed by Permaul.

Left-arm spinner Permaul got little purchase from the pitch, but maintained a troubling line, removing Chase for one in the 41st over.

The Barbadian team headed into lunch on 164-4 with senior batsmen Carter and Dowrich essaying a rebuilding process.

Dowrich was on 23 off 30 while Carter had 27 off 49 balls. In

the afternoon session, the runs continued as Dowrich’s and Carter’s partnership flourished.

A huge amount of patience was required from the Jaguars bowlers who broke the 123-run fifth-wicket partnership in the 75th over.

Dowrich missed out on a well-deserved century when the brisk Sherfane Rutherford removed him for 81 off 113 balls. Dowrich’s innings included 11 fours and two sixes when he was out caught by Permaul.

With the score on 2645, nine runs later, Permaul shattered the stumps of the lefthanded Carter for a composed 68 from 127 deliveries. Carter’s innings included nine fours, but, like his team-mates, he wasted a good start. Windies Captain Jason Holder entered on 273-6 and he was partnered by Ashley Nurse. Holder, who is one of the top ranked all-rounders in

the Test arena, exhibited some positive shots as the 300- mark barrier was crossed by the Pride.

Nurse lost his concentration and was Permaul’s fourth victim when he was trapped in front for 19 from 26 balls.

Holder may have been running out of batting partners as he had to bat with the tail. Kemar Roach became Pestano’s second victim when he was out for two after surviving 28 balls of fierce bowling.

Pride crept to 328-8 and the hopes of batting to save the enforcement of a likely follow-on was shattered when Holder was caught in the slip cordon by Leon Johnson off the bowling of Reifer.

Holder’s 44 came off 87 balls inclusive of six fours.

Cummings (03) came and went being the final wicket to fall concluding the day dominated by the Jaguars. Jomel Warrican was left stranded on 23 as he watched his team fall, ending their first innings on 360 all out.

Permaul was the pick of the bowlers with 4-124 in 35 overs while Raymond Reifer grabbed 2-36 in 13 overs. Pestano had 2-53 while Rutherford and Romario Shepherd had one wicket each. The final day of play at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados will bowl off at 09:55h Eastern Caribbean time.

Jonathan Carter

MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Dowrich, Carter register half-centuries after Permaul’s marathon spell Page 23

– Pride bowled out for 360 at stumps

Page 22

Massapequa Dr wins feature event in Sky Plus Mega Sprint Classic – Mahaica Star wins 3-year-old race

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