Guyana Times November 22, 2018

President Granger thanks wellwishers P9

…after returning home from Cuba Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3754

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, November 22, 2018

PRICE

No-confidence motion

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Hearing date determined

by Govt not Speaker – National Assembly Clerk

Procurement officers undergo P9 tender evaluation training

Page 3

...“no chance before Budgetˮ – Govt

Woman miner crushed to death after pit collapses Page 2

$80 vat included

NA businessman remanded on P15 cocaine charge

Not even Govt can access credit scores

Page 10

– Credit Info assures

Aviation conference opens in Guyana

Page 10

Family still seeking P12 compensation from GPL …for fallen pole damage

Bank teller robbed in P2 minibus Hold your bags tightly during Christmas P11 shopping – Crime Chief Seventh Day Adventist Pathfinders perform Parade of Nations during the opening ceremony as Guyana hosts the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) 2018 Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre

Salary increases

GTUC Head slams Govt for “imposed” 0.5-7% increase for public servants

…says APNU/AFC failed to keep manifesto promises

Page 7

Teen remanded for Whim P14 murder

2 news

thursdAY, November 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Woman miner crushed to death after pit collapses

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woman miner was on Tuesday killed after a mining pit caved in on her while punting for gold at Arakaka Backdam, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini) Dead is 44-year-old Eleen Figuera of Two Miles Arakaka.

Based on information received, the now dead woman and others were working in the pit when the mud walls suddenly caved in and covered her. The others managed to escape with minor bruises.

Figuera was subsequently pulled from the pit and taken to the Pakera District Hospital, NWD, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Her body is at the Pakera District Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem. An investigation was launched

A mining pit in Guyana’s interior

into the incident.

In October, Lennox Douglas, 33, of Canvas City, Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) died at Issano Backdam, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) after the mining pit in which he was working collapsed.

It was reported that the now dead man was working when “very hard mud” fell

on him, pinning him to the ground. He was taken for medical attention, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

In September, Deon Sproston, called “Jersey Joe”, 36, of Lot 133 Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and a miner only known as “Shawn” lost their lives in similar fashion at Mowasi Backdam, Konawaruk, Potaro, Region Eight (Potaro-

Siparuni).

It was reported that the two men and other persons were working the walls of the pit with metal detectors searching for gold while it was raining heavily. While working, a large portion of the pit wall suddenly broke off and fell on both men, burying them alive.

In January, 23-yearold Handel Payne, also called “Daggie” of Kaneville Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD) died after the mining pit in which he was working at 35 Miles, Konawaruk Backdam, collapsed.

Information reaching Guyana Times revealed that Payne and others were working in the mining pit when a piece of the mud wall collapsed behind them and subsequently struck Payne in the mid-section. He reported-

ly fell unconscious by which time the water began to rise rapidly. He was submerged and subsequently drowned.

He was later pulled out, and rushed to the Mahdia Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

In April, a miner named Kevin Adams, 25, of Linden, died at Chinese Creek Backdam, Mazaruni River, Region Seven after a pit caved in and buried him alive.

One month later, in May, Ken Ranny, 20, a resident of Kamarang, Upper Mazaruni River, died after he was covered by mud after the wall of a mining pit in which he was working collapsed at Pepper Camp Backdam, Upper Mazaruni River.

Then, one month later, in June, miner Elmo Adams died after he too was buried alive after the walls of a

pit in which he was working caved at Imbaimadai, Upper Mazaruni.

Back in 2015, 10 persons died in a mining pit in the Konawaruk area after it collapsed. The incident saw 17 miners being buried under a pile of dirt and rubble, but seven managed to escape alive with various injuries.

The others remained trapped under the dirt where they perished. The 10 miners were Leyland Jones, Jason Trotman, Vick Bernard, Frank Bernard, Desmond Martins, Raymond August, Brian Bank, Trevon Phillips, Nanmore Kurt and another man identified only as “Michael”.

The deaths were blamed on heavy rains in the area, improper mine design, and poor safety practices at the mining camp.

Teen charged Bank teller robbed in minibus A for robbery

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ineteen-year-old A n t h o n y Bartholomew appeared on Wednesday before Magistrate Fabayo Azore after he was charged for robbery.

The charge stated that Bartholomew on November 16, 2018 at Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, robbed Annalisa Kumar of one Samsung J8 cellphone valued $68,000 while using personal violence against her.

The teenager denied the charge made out against him.

Police Prosecutor Warren Thornhill objected to bail being granted, noting that the teen was previously charged for a similar offence.

However, the unrepresented teen, in a bail application on his own behalf, told Magistrate Azore that he did not steal the phone.

He was released on $50,000 bail. The case will continue on November 23, 2018.

teller of a city bank has been left traumatised after she was attacked and robbed in a minibus by a lone bandit at Agricola, Greater Georgetown.

The 20-year-old woman, of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was relieved of her mobile phone about 13:45h on Monday. Guyana Times was told that the woman boarded the bus at the Route 32 minibus park. She then took out her cellular phone and was texting someone.

A male passenger who was seated in the back seat of the minibus and holding a bird cage then requested a stop at Agricola.

As he exited the minibus, he grabbed the woman’s phone – an iPhone 7 – valued over $100,000.

Speaking with this publication, the young woman relayed that in an attempt to save her phone, she held onto the perpetrator’s hand and even bit him in the process.

“It was so unexpected that he was able to grab the phone from my hand, but I tried to hold onto it, he was stron-

ger though, so I bit him, but he still pulled away and ran out of the bus,” she related.

She said that she was even more distressed, since no other passenger in the minibus attempted to assist her, even as she pleaded with the driver of the minibus to drive behind the suspect. “He ran out and I started to yell, but nobody tried to help … a man was riding on a bicycle, so I screamed and told the man to stop him, but the man ignored me … I then asked the bus driver to drive behind him, but he refused,” the woman related.

She said that she went to the Providence Police Station where she attempted to file a report, but was sent to the Ruimveldt Police Station. Police are investigating.

news

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thursdAY, November 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, November 22 – a night retraction from 04:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Friday, November 23 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, November 22 – 15:25h-16:55h and Friday, November 23 – 16:00h-17:30h9

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals are expected throughout the day, with clear skies in the evening. Temperatures will range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: easterly to East North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 03:39h and 15:53h reaching maximum heights of 2.68 metres and 2.80 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 09:28h and 21:53h reaching minimum heights of 0.54 metre and 0.38 metre respectively.

WEDNESDAY, novemBER 21, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS K

05 06 11

21 25 28

FREE TICKET

03 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

05 06 13 16 22 LUCKY 3

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

No-confidence motion

Hearing date determined by Govt, not Speaker – National Assembly Clerk ...“no chance before Budget” – Govt

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espite calls by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) for its NoConfidence Motion to be treated with urgency in the National Assembly before the presentation of the 2019 Budget, Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs on Wednesday said the Standing Orders of Guyana’s Parliament are “silent on the requirements of a no-confidence motion”.

He nevertheless informed that he conducted extensive research on the matter, referencing Standing Order No 113 of Guyana’s Parliament which notes that matters which are not provided for can rely to practice of the Commons Assembly of the Parliament of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – which form part of the United Kingdom (UK) – which ruled Guyana as the colonial power up to May 1966.

It was outlined that practices in Britain and Ireland’s Parliaments may be applicable to Guyana’s Assembly once these are not inconsistent with Guyana’s Standing Orders or practices in the National Assembly.

Isaacs cited a section of the Parliamentary Practice in the Commons Assembly of Great Britain and Northern Ireland by writer Thomas Erskine May. It was noted, among other things, that “By established convention, the Government always accedes to the demand of the Leader of the Opposition to allot a day for the discussion of a motion tabled by the official Opposition which in the Government’s view would have the effect of testing the confidence in the House.”

More than that, it was outlined that “Government it entitled to have regard to exigencies of its own business”.

The Clerk recalled that when a no-confidence motion was brought against the former Government in 2014, it was published on Notice Paper and dealt with as other Private Members’ motions “that requires notice.”

He added that it was placed on the Order Paper 12 days from when it was published in the Notice Paper.

“In my view, the day for the hearing of a no-confidence motion is determined by the Government of Guyana and not by the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Parliament of Guyana,” Isaacs observed.

While Isaacs clarified Speaker’s role in the hearing of the motion, the Opposition contended its fear that Government could per-

Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs

haps have the Speaker, Dr Scotland schedule the motion to be heard some time after the budget.

No chance

When approached for comment on Wednesday evening, Vice President Carl Greenidge who is as senior Minister within Cabinet, made it clear that the motion which was submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, will not be heard before the next scheduled sitting of the National Assembly.

“Will it be heard before Monday? Of course not; the Government’s business takes priority over an issue like that because we’ve started on the budget process and therefore it will have to wait,” the Foreign Affairs Minister declared.

There was some degree of speculation that one or two members could deflect when-

ever the matter will be voted upon but Minister Greenidge expressed full confidence that the Government will solidly defeat the Opposition’s motion.

“The Opposition thinks they’ve done well in Local Government Elections to try and change the story; it has nothing to do with realistic opportunities. It has no merit whatsoever and it has no chance of doing anything,” Greenidge said.

Government is unmoved by the request which was confirmed by Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge on Wednesday.

At the same time, Clerk of National Assembly Sherlock Issacs disclosed that the mo-

tion’s hearing has to be determined by Government, as opposed to House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland. This suggested that it is the coalition Government that will decide when the members of the House will debate and vote on the motion against its Administration.

The Government’s posture on the matter comes in great disparity to the PPP/ C’s position that the matter should be heard before Monday’s sitting. Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira speaking recently to Guyana Times was adamant that hearing the No-Confidence Motion before the Budget presentation was a matter of ethics. turn to page 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursdAY, November 22, 2018

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

Safety at minibus parks

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ot too long ago the Georgetown Mayor and City Council displaced the East Bank Demerara minibus and car parks in preparation for the relocation of vendors who are to be removed from the Stabroek Market wharf to facilitate much needed repairs there. The park is now in an area just South of where it originally was.

The first challenge is the obvious smaller area which cannot accommodate the volume of vehicles. The unavoidable searching and jostling for parking spots create congestion, leading to traffic buildups in an already overly congested area. In addition, the area is poorly lit at nights and with the menace of ever-present rampant gangs, many commuters have been robbed.

This seeming norm in criminal activities in that environ creates high risks for all who depend on public transportation, especially women, with reports of some being groped. Children are also exposed to these dangers. With no alternative, commuters have to take those risks every day with fear lingering in their minds at a place that is literally a stone’s throw away from the country’s Parliament Building.

Many questions abound. Despite national cognisance of the space constraint in the City, more specifically that area, the question of why would the Council remove that main public transportation park to accommodate vendors is still unavoidable. This does not take away from the fact that the vendors needed to be relocated.

The Council, in its defence, would cite lack of space. While that’s a good argument, probingly, it must be asked if the related deliberations were thorough and inclusive of all Councillors. On the surface, it appears that safety and other concerns of commuters were and probably still not given the necessary consideration as thousands are being affected every day.

The Council cannot be oblivious of the security concerns at all transportation parks within the City for incidents of robberies continue to be highlighted in the media. It did make effort towards some lighting and, with the Guyana Police Force, to have some level of security presence. However, it is not adequate and from reports, the security presence is not sustained especially in the evenings and late into the nights.

Even if the necessary security measures are implemented at the parks, it is not a guarantee that crime will disappear. However, it will offer a much needed and effective deterrent allowing for almost immediate response and very importantly, comfort the troubling mindsets.

Adequate and necessary security measures, including effective lighting, should have been in place immediately upon the relocation of the park. It therefore becomes mindboggling as why such necessary things were not implemented and sustained even months after. All of the bus and car parks within the City are security risks and all are poorly lit, including some main roads that lead to them.

That, and the criminal activities it encourage, continues to compromise that aspect of public safety. This is a continuous cycle and with every passing day frustration and fear among commuters increase. One can argue that if the City Council is really concern about commuters’ safety, it would be making more noise increased Police presence, even if it’s just to appease.

The knowledge and presence of security measures have positive psychological effects. Its absence, or being grossly inadequate, causes one to wonder if the leadership and the rest of Council really understand the magnitude of what transpires at those parks especially in the evenings and nights and particularly at the East Bank one in question.

There is great difficulty in accepting the Council being unaware which brings to the fore the frightening scenario of the current inadequacies probably being accepted as adequate with believably scant regard for commuters’ safety.

It must be noted that for every sitting of Parliament, traffic within the immediate area is restricted. This further compound the congestion at the East Bank park and further increases the risks for criminal activities. Importantly, Police ranks are deployed to enforce the traffic restrictions for the duration of a parliamentary sitting which sometimes go beyond midnight.

While that is deemed necessary to ensure the safety and easy access for parliamentarians, it demonstrates that ranks could be made available to be stationed at the parks during the entirety of what is considered as the high-risk hours. This is what City Hall should be advocating for given that its own resources may be limited.

The Police implements generally effective and pleasing security mechanisms for the Christmas period, with temporary outposts at various points. The positive effect of that is known. The obvious question is why it cannot be sustained to some extent with emphasis on the parks throughout the year.

While the Force has its own constraints over resources, collaboration with the Council and strategic planning can result in an acceptable and adequate mechanism that could mitigate the current situation. From the Council’s standpoint, even if it is not responsible for the security at the parks, it can demonstrate its genuine concern for commuters’ safety by being proactive. All it takes is will.

The Potaro River winds through the Kaieteur Gorge in a less familiar view of our most well-known tourist hotspot (popularplaces.com)

US politicians accuse Trump of putting “Saudi Arabia first” …Democrats and Republicans vow to put “serious sanctions” on Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince over Jamal Khashoggi’s murder

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nited States Senators have accused President Donald Trump of putting “Saudi Arabia first” with his decision to not take punitive measures against the Kingdom or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the murder of Journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Trump’s decision is “yet another fawning prostration to a foreign authoritarian”, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine tweeted on Tuesday.

“It’s only a matter of time until actions like this one by the President directly threaten our security,” he added.

In a statement issued by the White House, Trump said the US intended to remain a “steadfast partner” of Saudi Arabia – even though “it could very well be” that Prince Mohammed had knowledge of Khashoggi’s killing.

“We may never know all of the facts surrounding the murder of Mr Jamal Khashoggi.

In any case, our relationship is with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Trump said.

He added he did not intend to cancel military deals with the Kingdom, saying “if we foolishly cancel these contracts, Russia and China would be the enormous beneficiaries”.

Trump’s comments came despite pressure from US politicians who have called on the Administration to do more to hold Saudi Arabia accountable. That pressure mounted following US media reports on Friday that said the CIA concluded Prince Mohammed, also known as MbS, ordered Khashoggi’s murder.

Senators Bob Corker and Bob Menendez called on Trump, in a letter sent on Tuesday, to investigate the part MbS played in Khashoggi’s death after the CIA reportedly determined the killing was ordered by the

Saudi Crown Prince.

“In light of recent developments, including the Saudi Government’s acknowledgement that Saudi officials killed Mr Khashoggi in its Istanbul Consulate, we request that your determination specifically address whether [MbS] is responsible for Mr Khashoggi’s murder”, Republican Corker and Democrat Menendez wrote.

The Senators invoked the Magnitsky Act, which allows the US Government to sanction individuals who are found to have committed “gross” human rights violations.

In his statement, Trump said it “could be very well that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event – maybe he did and maybe he didn’t!”

Later on Tuesday, the President added the CIA assessment of the intelligence surrounding the murder was not “definitive”.

Khashoggi, a contributing columnist for the Washington Post, was killed at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on October 2 when he went there to pick up documents needed for his planned marriage.

A critic of the Saudi Government, Khashoggi had resisted pressure from Riyadh for him to return home.

Saudi Arabia initially rejected the allegation its nationals were behind the killing, but as Turkish authorities continued to leak evidence of high-level involvement, Riyadh eventually admitted its agents carried out the killing with a series of contradictory explanations.

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Public Prosecutor has said he was seeking the death penalty for five suspects charged in Khashoggi’s killing. He told reporters Prince Mohammed knew nothing of the operation, in which Khashoggi’s

body was dismembered and removed from the Consulate.

The corpse has yet to be recovered.

“Serious sanctions”

Several Senators vowed to put “serious sanctions” on Saudi Arabia, including on the “appropriate members of the royal family”.

“We should, at the very least, NOT reward Saudi Arabia with our sophisticated armaments that they in turn use to bomb civilians,” tweeted Republican Senator Rand Paul. “I’m pretty sure this statement is Saudi Arabia first, not American First,” he added.

Trump ally and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said “it is not in our national security interest to look the other way” when it comes to Khashoggi’s killing.

“I firmly believe there will be strong bipartisan support for serious sanctions against Saudi Arabia, including appropriate members of the royal family, for this barbaric act which defied all civilised norms,” Graham said.

“While Saudi Arabia is a strategic ally, the behaviour of the Crown Prince – in multiple ways – has shown disrespect for the relationship and made him, in my view, beyond toxic.”

Last week, a bipartisan group of US Senators introduced legislation seeking to punish Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi’s killing, and for its role in the devastating war in Yemen.

The move came not long after the US imposed economic sanctions on 17 Saudis allegedly involved in the Journalist’s murder. Many senators expressed disappointment that those sanctions did not include MbS himself, and called on the US to take tougher action.

The proposed legislation seeks to suspend weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and prohibit the refuelling of Saudi coalition aircraft conducting air raids in Yemen by the US. It would also impose sanctions on anyone blocking humanitarian access in Yemen and anyone supporting the Houthi rebels.

Senator Bernie Sanders said a vote on the Senate legislation could come as early as next week.

Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein said she planned to vote against any future arms sales and appropriation to Saudi Arabia.

“Human rights is more than just a phrase, it has to mean something. And that means standing up and condemning a brazen murder by a foreign government,” she said.

In his statement on Tuesday, Trump said he was aware that some members of Congress “would like to go in a different direction” and they are “free to do so”.

“I will consider whatever ideas are presented to me, but only if they are consistent with the absolute security and safety of America,” he added.

“Determine MbS’ role”

Also on Tuesday, Republican Corker and Democrat Menendez, chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, demanded the administration make a determination on whether Prince Mohammed is responsible for the murder of Khashoggi.

The pair led the effort in triggering the Global Magnitsky Act on October 10, which required the President to investigate within 120 days and determine if a foreign person is responsible for a gross human rights violation. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

thursdAY, November 22, 2018

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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

Mr Scotland’s tenure as Speaker has been less than stellar Dear Editor, November 19, 2018 must be recorded as a day of national shame; as the Speaker of the National Assembly aided and abetted by his staff, circumvented the laws of Guyana; specifically Article 80B(1) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act which directs the House to deliver unaltered copies of constitutional agencies budget submissions to all Members of Parliament.

Despite two weeks of preparation time available, the submissions were not available to MPs and indeed were not even in the process of being prepared; instead MPs were provided with a ‘summary’ that emanated from the Finance Ministry, this, Editor, suggests collusion to circumvent the law in no uncertain manner.

Editor, this unlawful action was further compounded by the Speaker’s collusion with the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) MPs to reduce the time allocated for examination of these submissions from five hours to two hours. Scotland’s tenure as Speaker has been less than stellar so far, but he is now entering a new phase of behaviour that is far removed from normal, his partisanship is now causing

him to act unlawfully to the detriment of the taxpaying citizen and must be curbed.

Allow me to elaborate; the Speaker’s time-cut gave the Opposition MPs two hours to examine the budget submissions of 16 agencies, at 10 minutes per agency; a total of $11.446 billion with no direct submissions available to inform them properly, he allowed the Finance Minister to provide ‘block’ budgets (no line items) which are of little value. Minister Jordan then presented arbitrary cuts of those ‘block’ budgets in varying degrees of percentage points, no reasons were offered and no MP any the wiser as to what programmes or activity were affected. These arbitrary cuts by Minister Jordan effectively circumvent the laws granting autonomy to these constructional agencies, again aided by the Speaker; it was the Speaker again who failed the citizens when Minister Jordan refused to give answers to People’s Progressive Party (PPP) MPs, effectively rendering their fiduciary duty to examine submissions to a charade. Shame!

Editor, Opposition MPs endured a five-hour recess and were faced with a choice of abandoning examination of these submissions altogether or accept hastily

printed copies from which to ask pertinent questions.

The logical course of action should have been provision of the copies with a minimum 24-hour period for preparation of questions, at which time the House could have been reassembled, given that the next meeting is Monday, November 26, there was ample time to make this feasible. It is my understanding that the PPP MPs suggested a rescheduling for Thursday, November 22, but this suggestion was ignored by the Speaker.

Editor, taxpayers do expect work for our hard-earned dollars and examination of expenditure is very important to us.

Editor, the Speaker is paid to represent the interests of Guyana’s citizens in the National Assembly, a fact that seems to be lost on Dr Scotland in his dealings with the current executive arm of Government; Dr Scotland’s handling of the No-Confidence Motion filed by the Leader of the Opposition contrasts sharply with that of his immediate predecessor Raphael Trotman, who despite coming to the Office of Speaker directly from the benches of the Opposition, endeavoured to perform his duties in an unbiased fashion. Speaker Trotman received a no-confi-

dence motion, acknowledged same and proceeded to set a date for hearing, at no time was he accused by the then executive of behaving in a partisan manner by so doing, despite acknowledgement of receipt of the aforementioned motion, there has been no course of action set

by Speaker Scotland. Worse yet is the allegation that the APNU leadership at a meeting with its MPs decided that it wants the motion debated on December 21 (strategically, this is to allow them to pass a “good” budget so as to get public sympathy) and indicated that it has directed the Speaker to name that date for its consideration, should this information prove to be accurate, this would be the worst form of collusion from a supposedly independent head of the Legislative branch of Government in our nation’s history. I can only hope Dr Scotland is not influenced by the possible threat to his job/ position should the motion succeed; the calibre of person we select as Speaker is usually above such consideration; in Dr Scotland’s case, I await confirmation by action; the integrity of the Speaker’s office demands a demonstration of same.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

More needs to be done

Dear Editor, About three weeks ago, I wrote about a leaking Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) water main in Northeastern Georgetown. The problem has since been rectified.

As a citizen of this country, I challenge others to make their contribution, however fractional, to its development and progress in word or deed. Most persons do not go beyond word, which is for the most part complaining. I believe that even after complaining, one

should be prepared to propose feasible solutions. I also believe that we must be honest when there is meaningful change or resolutions and the appropriate credit or praise be given. It is in this good spirit that I must publicly recognise the remedial action of GWI by ending the leak and loss of hundreds of gallons of water.

GWI, under the good stewardship of a former Health Minister, Dr Richard Van West-Charles, has made several interventions since 2015 to improve wa-

ter distribution nationally.

However, the quality of potable water to households appears to be an ongoing challenge for that entity.

There is just too much discolouration, high iron and sedimentation content in the water entering most of our homes.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency considers iron in well water as a secondary contaminant. There are no proven results of its direct impact to health based on the secondary maxi-

mum contaminant level set at 0.3 milligrams per litre.

Nevertheless, the high iron content is known to cause other forms of damage.

Some of the most notable effects are stains, clogs, odors and unpleasant taste.

GWI’s management team is encouraged to further address the concerns of its water quality, and in so doing fulfill the CEO’s commitment when he was appointed in October 2015.

Yours faithfully, Orette Cutting

LGE results a foretaste of what is to come in 2020 Dear Editor, Somewhere in one of the dailies the question was asked, are we getting a new or a renovated airport? The article went on to explain why Guyana was about to get a spruced up or renovated old airport, reasons being, it bears no resemblance to that ultra-modern facility inked by the former Administration. That airport most certainly, would have been completed within 32 months had the People’s Progressive Party/Civic been in office. However, what we see is a coalition Government that cannot get anything right – they are into a fourth year of their governance. To top it off, more money had been expended, and may-

be millions more, yet that "brand new second hand" airport cannot meet a completion date, unbelievable!

Is this a Government that anyone can place their trust in? I would hastily respond with a resounding no!

Now, I would bring into focus the East Bank Demerara highway that goes along with this airport modernisation. This too cannot get off the ground, so to speak, with the latest report of the simple construction of a roundabout at the Timehri Junction becoming a stumbling block to further progress there. These and other lame excuses, too numerous to mention, are the order of the day when you analyse the performance of this

People’s National Congressled coalition Government.

Other major projects like the East Coast Highway, which should have been completed up to its proposed location at Belfield, is also another eyesore backwardness that will never see completion. So, the question comes back again – what has this coalition Government achieved by way of major projects?

And the answer comes back very little if anything at all.

We are talking about millions of dollars in spending and millions more to be spent, can this Government get it right? Seems not! In 2015, I am sure Guyanese were looking forward to an Administration that in all fairness said it was going

into office to make that all important change; however, what change was actually effected? The change we have witnessed so far is a Government that has enriched itself two months into existence and is right now showing its gross incompetence in getting the people's business right. No wonder the last Local Government Election gave them the shocking reminder that we are not going to put up with this nonsense any longer.

So, come 2020 or before, the people of this country will continue that pattern of rebuke when an outright rejection would be in place.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Public authorities undermining collective bargaining in Guyana Dear Editor, The principles and practice of collective bargaining are being ignored, undermined, or sabotaged by public authorities in the public service and the University of Guyana, contrary to established and agreed procedures between the trade unions and the organisations. In short, the procedures in sequential stages require direct negotiations, conciliation/mediation, and finally arbitration.

Ignoring or violating these procedures is contrary to the spirit and intent of the labour laws, and International Labour Convention Treaties ratified by the Republic of Guyana and notified to the international community of the United Nations and the International Labour Organisation.

Accordingly, reference is made to general principles to our national Constitution, and in particular, some relevant International Labour Convention Treaties, and labour laws on the fundamental principles and rights at work including: • Convention No 87: Freedom of association and protection of the right to organise; • Convention No 98: the right to organise and collective bargaining, and which obligates the State, public and private authorities to provide adequate protection of trade unions exercising their right to organise and collective bargaining to regulate the terms and conditions of employment; • Convention No 151: Labour relations (Public Service) provides the same rights and protection accorded under Convention No 98 for

the Private Sector employees, through negotiations, conciliation/mediation, and arbitration; • the Labour Act – Chapter 98:01 on the settlement of industrial disputes; and • the Trade Union Recognition Act – No 33 of 1997 obligating the employer and the recognised trade union to confer and bargain in good faith in the collective bargaining process.

This law is clear – failure or refusal on the part of either the employer or trade union constitute an offence and liable on summary convection to payment of fines.

Any aggrieved trade union should challenge the management in the Private or Public Sector – in count, for failure or refusal to bargain in good faith, or indulging in subterfuge or bad faith in negotiations in collective bargain.

The University of Guyana and the public service unions, or the Department of Labour should resort to the courts, as may be necessary, to ensure that there is full observance of the principles, legal, and treaty obligations to bargain in good faith.

Wake up trade unions at the University of Guyana, and the public service and promote and protect the interests of your members through collective bargaining. Members of unions should take the leadership of unions to court for failure or refusal to bargain in good faith on their behalf in keeping with the agreed or established representation procedure in the collective bargaining process.

Yours sincerely, Joshua Singh

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thursdAY, november 22, 2018

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W

hen a child – even a small child – melts down and becomes aggressive, he can pose a serious risk to himself and others, including parents and siblings.

It’s not uncommon for children who have trouble handling their emotions to lose control and direct their distress at a caregiver, screaming and cursing, throwing dangerous objects, or hitting and biting. It can be a scary, stressful experience for you and your child, too.

Children often feel sorry after they’ve worn themselves out and calmed down.

So what are you to do?

It’s helpful to first understand that behaviour is communication. A child who is so overwhelmed that he is lashing out is a distressed child. He doesn’t have the skill to manage his feelings and express them in a more mature way. He may lack language, or impulse control, or problem-solving abilities.

Sometimes parents see this kind of explosive behaviour as manipulative.

But kids who lash out are usually unable to handle frustration or anger in a more effective way –say, by talking and figuring out how to achieve what they want.

Nonetheless, how you react when a child lashes out has an effect on whether he will continue to respond to distress in the same way, or learn better ways to handle feelings so they don’t become overwhelming. Some pointers: Stay calm. Faced with a raging child, it’s easy to feel out of control and find yourself yelling at him. But when you shout, you have less chance of reaching him. Instead, you will only be making him more aggressive and defiant. As hard as it may be, if you can stay calm and in control of your own emotions, you can be a model for your child and teach him to do the same thing.

Foundation

Don’t give in. Don’t encourage him to continue this behaviour by agreeing to what he wants in order to make it stop.

Praise appropriate behaviour.

When he has calmed down, praise him for pulling himself together. And when he does try to express his feelings verbally, calmly, or try to find a compromise on an area of disagreement, praise him for those efforts.

Help him practise problem-solving skills. When your child is not upset is the time to help him try out communicating his feelings and coming up with solutions to conflicts before they escalate into aggressive outbursts.

You can ask him how he feels, and how he thinks y o u might solve a problem.

Time-outs and reward systems.

Time-outs for nonviolent misbehaviour can work well with children younger than seven or eight years old. If a child is too old for time-outs, you want to move to a system of positive reinforcement for appropriate behaviour – points or tokens toward something he wants.

Avoid triggers. Dr Vasco Lopes, a clinical psychologist, says most children who have frequent meltdowns do it at very predictable times, like homework time, bedtime, or when it’s time to stop playing, whether it’s Legos or the Xbox. The trigger is usually being asked to do something they don’t like, or to stop doing something they do like. Time warnings (“we’re going in 10 minutes”), breaking tasks down into one-step directions (“first, put on your shoes”), and preparing y o u r child for situations (“please ask to be excused before you leave Grandma’s table”) can all help avoid meltdowns.

What kind of tantrum is it?

How you respond to a tantrum also depends on its severity. The first rule in handling nonviolent tantrums is to ignore them as often as possible, since even negative attention, like telling the child to stop, can be encouraging.

But when a child is getting physical, ignoring is not recommended since it can result in harm to others as well as your child. In this situation, Dr Lopes advises putting the child in a safe environment that does not give her access to you or any other potential rewards.

If the child is young (usually seven or younger), try placing her in a timeout chair. If she won’t stay in the chair, take her to a backup area where she can calm down on her own without anyone else in the room. Again, for this approach to work there shouldn’t

be any toys or games in the area that might make it rewarding.

Your daughter should stay in that room for one minute, and must be calm before she is allowed out.

Then she should come back to the chair for time out.

“What this does is gives your child an immediate and consistent consequence for her aggression and it removes

all access to reinforcing things in her environment,” explains Dr Lopes.

If you have an older child who is being aggressive and you aren’t able to carry her into an isolated area to calm down, Dr Lopes advises removing yourself from her vicinity. This ensures that she is not getting any attention or reinforcement from you and keeps you safe. (childmind.org)

Is it a problem that I am closer to my aunt than my parents?

Is it a problem that I am closer to my aunt than my parents? I can tell her everything, but I find myself not being able to tell my parents anything. I can really trust her and I see that she has my back. – Angel*

E

veryone needs an adult in their life they can trust and confide in. Sometimes it's a parent – but it doesn't always have to be. Even people who are close to their parents benefit from having other caring adults in their lives. Lucky you to have an aunt who is always there for you!

It can be a natural part of growing up to confide in parents less than you once did. Or maybe you never had that type of relationship with your parents.

Feeling more comfortable talking to your aunt might be a matter of personality. Or maybe the fact that she isn't your parent makes it easier to talk to her. But whatever the reason, it's perfectly OK – in fact, it's a positive thing – to have an adult you are close to.

Try not to leave your parents out altogether. Share what you can with them about your life and your feelings. There may come a time you will feel closer to your parents. For now, if there are things that you need and want to talk to your parents about, ask your aunt for help or suggestions about how to approach them.

Keep your relationship with your aunt strong by staying in touch, even when there's nothing special you need to talk over with her. Do things together. Have fun. Talk. Find ways to let her know you value having her in your life. She's probably happy to have you in her life, too! (kidshealth.org)

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thursdAY, November 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Salary increases

GTUC Head slams Govt for “imposed” 0.5-7% increase for public servants …says APNU/AFC failed to keep manifesto promises

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eteran trade unionist and Head of the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) Lincoln Lewis has criticised the coalition Government’s move for “imposing” a salary increases on public servants.

Lewis told Guyana Times that while he does not want to comment yet on the scale of the increases, he had a huge problem with the principle behind which these increases were given.

He reminded that a wage and salary increase, where there is a relationship between a union and an employer, is set through a process of collective bargaining.

“It is something that the current Government when in Opposition claimed that they would have respected the whole process of collective bargaining,” he observed.

The trade unionist said it is clear that they have moved away from that process and have now arbitrarily imposed increases without consultation with respective trade unions.

“And that is my concern.

So long there is an impo-

GTUC executive Lincoln Lewis

sition it leads to endless problems in the relationship with trade unions and that is what this imposition can lead to.”

Lewis described it as blatant disrespect. Not only to trade unions but the coalition Government’s own commitment to the promises made to public servants countrywide.

“What they are doing, is throwing their own commitment outside, not respecting their manifesto promises to this nation.

This is the most disrespectful act ever,” he said.

The GTUC leader feels the move taken by

the David Granger-led Administration is one that is seeking to weaken trade unions representing public servants and the movement as a whole.

“That is the prime objective of the Government to say we (Government) are giving you and the trade unions have not done anything for you,” Lewis told this newspaper.

Meanwhile, following reports of the increases, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) on Wednesday stated its rejection, also arguing that it was an imposition.

The GPSU said the basis for its rejection of the salary increase is that the Union was never contacted to have negotiations based on the collective bargaining agreement.

Only recently, GPSU President Patrick Yarde had expressed great disgust over the current salaries and benefits public servants are receiving.

His comments were backed

by Lewis, who criticised Government also for low wages paid to public servants.

According to a circular dated November 19, 2018,

Hearing date determined...

from page 3

The Opposition Leader, in whose name the motion was filed, had also made it clear that the Party wants its motion debated before November 26 Budget reading. He said that was already scheduled to be private members day, where their matters take precedence. However, the reading of the National Budget has taken over that day; with the result that another private member’s day must be scheduled.

He had outlined that the convention is that once a no-confidence motion is filed, it takes precedence over other issues. Apart from the UK example, the Clerk cited, Jagdeo pointed to standard practice in democracies where no-confidence motions are given priority as in the case of Sri Lanka, where multiple no confidence votes have been held against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

When Jagdeo had first announced the no-confidence motion he observed

the “devastating losses” in the local Government Elections (LGE) for the coalition Government. In a surprise move, the next day, the scheduled sitting of the National Assembly was cancelled at Government’s request and the Opposition turned up to an empty chamber.

Among the grounds the former President outlined for his motion included the thousands of jobs that have been lost as a result of the closure of Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) estates. He also identified various scandals that have erupted under the Administration including the single sourcing of the feasibility contract for the new Demerara River crossing, the single sourcing of a drugs bond and the single sourcing of drug procurement contracts.

The Party noted the numerous breaches of fiscal laws flagged by the Audit Office of Guyana in its reports, as well as the lack of accountability in the

D’Urban Park project; something even the Auditor General had to launch a special probe into. The PPP also cited that tax collection has increased dramatically.

Guyana Timeshad reported findings from the recently released 2017 Auditor General report, which had showed that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) collected more taxes than was anticipated.

In the End of Year Budget and Reconciliation Report, it noted that the projected revenue for 2017 was $186 billion. Instead, Government actually collected $195 billion in current revenue. This includes duties, levy, personal income and withholding taxes.

Since taking office, Government has opted to enter into out-of-court settlements. These settlements included sums to the tune of US$5.7 million; $226 million and $3.8 billion. The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change entered office in May 2015.

that was sent out by the Finance Ministry to the heads of all budget agencies and seen by Guyana Times, Government approved salary increases across a number of pay ranges for public servants; inclusive of retroactive payments from January 2018.

According to the document, persons earning less than $100,000 a month will receive a seven per cent increase. Those earning between $100,000 and $299,999 will get an increase of 6.5 per cent, while those in the $300,000 to $499,999 range will get a five per cent increase.

Those with a pay check of between $500,000 and $699,999 a month will have their salaries increased by 3 per cent. Meanwhile, those in the $700,000 to $799,999 range will be eli-

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

gible for an increase of two per cent, while those earning $800,000 to $999,999 will get one per cent in increases and those with a $1 million salary and above will get a 0.5 per cent increase.

The circular makes it clear that these increases do not apply for teachers, University of Guyana employees, Government Ministers and Members of Parliament. It does, however, apply to the Disciplined Services, including the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force.

The Ministry indicated that teachers received a separate circular regarding their increases.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan said public servants will benefit from salary increases over the next three years. Minister Jordan stated that the increases will be presented to the National Assembly during the latter part of this month during the Budget 2019 presentation.

(Samuel Sukhnandan)

8 news

thursdAY, November 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Poultry farm employee’s murder trial underway

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ix years after an Edun Poultry Farms & Hatchery employee met his demise during an alleged robbery, the accused, Mahindra Bishundial, called “Tyrone”, of Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), is standing trial for the capital offence.

A 12-member mixed jury has been empaneled to hear the case after the accused denied the indictment, which stated that he murdered Aga Khan, 57, on November 6, 2012 at Busby Dam, Craig, EBD during the

Deceased: Aga Khan

course of a robbery.

This current trial at the October Demerara Assizes is being heard by Justice Sandil Kissoon while Attorney Nigel Hughes is appearing for the man accused of murder. State Attorneys Orinthia Schmidt and Lisa Cave are prosecuting the case. A voir dire trial (trial within a trial) was heard at the High Court on Wednesday.

Reports had stated that Khan had been confronted by several robbers and he handed over a bag. It was

also reported that he was subsequently shot, and was rushed to the Diamond hospital, where he had been pronounced dead on arrival.

It had also been reported that a porter was shot during the ordeal over five years ago. Police had said that Khan was driving motor lorry GJJ 2806, which was owned by his employer. It was observed that the men walked into the vehicle’s path and approached the now deceased man, ordering that he hand over cash.

4 charged after North Sophia 'buse out'

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our persons – two males and two females – were on Wednesday hauled before the court on cross charges of threatening and abusive language.

Seopersaud Kailas, 40; Surajuni Ram, 22; Kavita Rajaram, 32, and Carlos Duncan all appeared before Magistrate Fabayo

Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the offences.

Kailas denied the charges, which stated that on November 11, 2018 at North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, he made use of threatening language as well as abusive language towards Rajaram.

It was alleged that Ram

on November 11, 2018 at North Sophia, made use of abusive language towards Rajaram. Ram denied the charge.

It was further alleged that Duncan, also on November 11 at the same location, made use of threatening language as well as abusive language towards Rajaram. He denied the al-

legation.

Rajaram, on the other hand, was charged for using abusive language towards Ram, on the same date and location. She also denied this charge.

As a result, both Kailas and Duncan were granted $20,000 bail while Ram and Rajaram were released on $10,000 bail.

Changes…

Y

…in mimicry?

our Eyewitness has been around the block...and then some, but he’s still startled by our insistence in the Caribbean – Guyana in particular – on being “mimic-men” – a term coined by Naipaul since the sixties!

We were mimicking – the Europeans called it “aping” – everything the latter did, save their ability to produce!

At Christmas time, we insisted on importing “ice apple” and grapes while our “golden apples” withered on the vine!!

We created “snow” with cotton to grace our “Christmas Trees” that imitated Northern firs, and waited for Santa Claus from the North Pole to bring us gifts on his sleigh drawn by reindeer! And so on and so forth!! At that time we were being granted independence – never you mind all that talk about “fighting” for independence – and you’d think by now we’d have decolonised our behaviour, wouldn’t you? After all, if we weren’t such avid readers, Marley had broken it down in song and asked us to “free our minds from mental slavery”.

Here in Guyana, Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan donned “Shirt Jacks” to remind us that the “suit and tie” might have been de rigueur for “mad dogs and Englishmen” – but was rather silly (not to mention stifling) for us natives! But today, not only are Burnham’s disciples competing to outdo each other in the bespoke suit department – and deportment! – but from a glance in the newspapers, we’ve now added “Thanksgiving” to the list of our mimicry of things “foreign”.

Yes…Thanksgiving from the US of A, complete with Roast Turkey, Pumpkin Pie and Cranberry Sauce!!

Now we’ve been imitating the Yanks ever since they descended to save the world for democracy in WWII – and bequeathed us with “Rum and Coke” rather than tossing down our grog neat! But this Thanksgiving thing really shook up your Eyewitness! After all, did we ask what was it the Americans were giving “Thanks” for – and how this related to our circumstances??

The Americans are giving thanks for landing in “the New World” and then spreading over North America because of their “Manifest Destiny”! In doing so, like Columbus, it never struck them that the Indigenous peoples’ claim over that land, due to their occupancy for thousands of years, had any merit. They were, after all, “savages” who dared to resist when the aforesaid lands were being snatched away!! So the Europeans gave thanks, using the bounty of their “new home”!

And here it is, in Guyana, where at least our Indigenous peoples weren’t wiped out in genocides and forced expulsions, we’ve now decided to adopt the American Thanksgiving!!

At a time, when those who seized the land from the Native Americans, are expelling ILLEGAL immigrants!!

…Govt’s food policy?

Your Eyewitness was bemused by the big hoopla the Agriculture Minister gave to launching “apiculture” in our dear land of Guyana! And what is “apiculture”, you ask, dear reader? Beekeeping. Now there’s nothing wrong with beekeeping, and in fact there’s everything right! With all those bees perishing in America we might just be able to carve out a market niche, if we stick to it.

So why the bemusement? Well, simply that when the same Minister shut down Wales estate and threw 1700 into the “roti-lines” he didn’t even show his face for a year, even though he’d promised those poor workers to “diversify” the lands to give them new employment.

Aquaculture, agriculture, horticulture, silviculture and such like terms, were tossed around. Even some rice was grown.

But those Wales lands have quickly reverted to “bush” – even the rice cultivation – while the Minister is promoting “apiculture”. What happened to the 6 Ps of plantain, pepper, papaya, pumpkin, passion fruit and pineapples? Goat bite them?

Or did it bite the people of Wales?

…in no-confidence motions

National assemblies in parliamentary democracies like Guyana confirm the legitimacy of the Government in office. This legitimacy can be challenged by a motion of no confidence.

And such motions are always given priority over any other business!

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

News

9

thursdAY, November 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

President Granger thanks well-wishers …after returning home from Cuba

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ne day after President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger returned to Guyana, the Head of State on Wednesday expressed gratitude to all his well-wishers and those who have lent support while he was away in Cuba, where he was diagnosed with NonHodgkin Lymphoma and was receiving treatment.

It was a somber atmosphere at State House when Cabinet Ministers visited President Granger.

During the welcome home and prayer ceremony on Wednesday morning, the President expressed profound gratitude to his Cabinet members, staff and the rest of the nation for their support, prayers and well wishes for his complete recovery.

“Thank you for your expressions of concern over the last three weeks…

Throughout that time, I received greetings from you all and from other well-wishers and, more than the greetings, prayers and I am truly grateful,” the Head of State said.

Accompanied by his wife, the Head of State travelled to the Republic of Cuba on October 30, to undergo a medical investigation. However, while there the President was diagnosed with NonHodgkin Lymphoma after an intensive series of tests by specialist doctors at the Centro de Investigaciones Medico Quirugicas (CIMEQ) in Havana.

The President’s medical team performed a number of medical interventions, including the first round of chemotherapy treatment last week.

According to the Ministry of the Presidency, the Guyanese leader has responded well to the treatment and was given approval to return to Guyana. As such, President Granger and his wife returned home late

Tuesday night, minutes before midnight.

In a statement from Guyana’s Embassy in Cuba earlier this week, it was noted that the Head of State would continue his daily routine of work, treatment, and rest under the supervision of his medical team while back home.

The Embassy also noted that the President may be required to return to Havana at a time prescribed by his medical team in order to evaluate the progress of his recovery and to extend his schedule of treatment.

Guyana Times understands that the President may be travelling back and forth between Guyana and Cuba until May next year.

Since the announcement of his diagnosis, well-wishes for the President’s full and complete recovery have been pouring in. President Granger, in a statement on Monday, assured all citizens that he was receiving the best possible medical advice and attention.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma is a cancer that starts in your body’s lymph system.

Lymphoma occurs when the

lymph node cells or the lymphocytes begin to multiply uncontrollably, producing cancerous cells that have the abnormal capacity to invade other tissue throughout the body.

The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin Lymphoma and NonHodgkin Lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma is further classified into a variety of subtypes based on the cell of origin (B-cell or T-cell), and the cell characteristics. The subtype of NonHodgkin Lymphoma predicts the necessity of early treatment, the response to treatment, the type of treatment

President David Granger at State House the morning after returning home

required, and the prognosis.

The risk of developing NonHodgkin Lymphoma increases with age.

In May of this year, the Guyanese leader and his wife had travelled to Trinidad and Tobago to undergo what was referred to as their annual medical check-up. At the time, and in response to reports in the press, the Government had revealed that the couple did their examinations under a Caribbean medical insurance scheme at the Good Health Medical Centre.

Those results, Government had said, indicated a clean bill of health.

Procurement officers undergo tender evaluation training

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iven the importance of continuous evaluator training, the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) was solicited to facilitate a two-day training session that will equip local procurement officers with the necessary best practice skills and knowledge of tender evaluation.

This workshop, which commenced on Wednesday, will complement ongoing training sessions done annually by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

According to Chairman of NPTAB, Berkley Wickham, evaluators find themselves in the spotlight of scrutiny over their recommendations now more than ever, especially with the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) which allows contractors to protest bids coupled by public audit.

To this end, Wickham told the evaluators that such training will prepare them for what is to come as Guyana moves towards attaining 21st Century Public Financial Management, of which Public Procurement is a principal business area. “… The Procurement

International Procurement Consultant, Dr Julian Laski

Act and its regulations in Guyana will soon be changed.

In fact, the recommendations for change is already with us; and among other areas, there will be new methods of procurement. An evaluation criteria will become more specific and perhaps little more complicated… [This] is not intended to scare you but in the real world of Guyana, you will find that while in the past the evaluation process may not have been challenged, you should never confuse poor but untested past practice with proper practice,” the NPTAB Chairman posited.

Meanwhile, IDB Procurement Specialist, Ivan Gaviria, emphasised the need for increased training for local evaluators ahead of the impending changes to economic conditions.

“With everything that is upcoming in the country – big changes, looking towards the future and also just ensuring that public procurement and the processes therein, evaluations etc, are maintained with the principles of fairness, impartiality and transparency, I think the workshop is going to be very beneficial,” Gaviria asserted.

The two-day workshop, which is being held at the Marriott Hotel, is being facilitated by International Procurement Consultant, Dr Julian Laski, who will be looking into various best practices in tender evaluation to improve the participants’ capabilities.

He emphasised that the training session will serve as a learning environment where the participants will get to see mistakes so as to not repeat them in executing their duties.

While there has been much controversies over years surrounding the lo-

cal procurement process, these were heightened in recent time following the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission.

According to the Procurement Act, among the key functions of the Commission are to monitor and review the functioning of all procurement systems to ensure that they are in ac-

the PPC found that Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson breached procurement laws with the award of a consultancy contract to Dutch firm LievenseCSO for the feasibility study and design of the new Demerara River crossing.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) recently submit-

A section of the participants at the IDB Tenders Evaluation Workshop at the Marriott Hotel on Wednesday

cordance with the law, and monitor the performance of procurement bodies with respect to adherence to regulations and efficiency in procuring goods and services and execution of works.

Back in August, based on a report filed by Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira,

ted the findings of the PPC to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) for criminal investigations to be carried out.

It was reported that Minister Patterson was questioned on the matter during a visit to SOCU’s Headquarters on Monday.

10 news

thursdAY, November 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Aviation conference opens in Guyana …Guyana 64% compliant with ICAO

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Delegates and representatives at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre

n up thrust in Guyana’s aviation sector is imminent as the country is expecting to achieve a projected 80 per cent reward for its compliance to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo made this announcement on Wednesday during opening of the Air Transport Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Center.

He explained that Guyana made a 20 per cent improvement and currently stands at 64 per cent and this is evidence that the aviation sector is moving in the right direction.

“Our aviation sector is moving in the right direction. We are grateful for the

commendation of ICAO and it is growing. Our compliance with ICAO standards and recommended practices increased from 44 per cent to 64 percent with projection to reach at least 80 per cent by the end of this year,” said Nagamootoo.

The prime minister asserted that the sector has connected local communities and evidently, in the international arena.

“Aviation is the primary channel to connect internationally but…aviation is vital to connect our coastland with riverine and hinterland communities.”

Themed “Promoting Connectivity for Sustainable Air Transport Development”, President of ICOA, Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, also emphasised the

importance of achieving ICAO standards. According to him, countries will be able to obtain credibility and trust from their clients.

“Aviation represents an essential lifeline for regional and global trade. States must not only continue to improve compliance with ICAO’s global standards but also foster and operate in an environment which the industry can enjoy dependable and sustainable profitability,” Aliu said.

He added, “such efforts should include the liberalization and modernization of the regulatory framework for the international air transport…Policy should be designed to accommodate modernization, harmonization and possibility of convergence of regulatory ap-

proaches and regimes of states.”

Meanwhile, DirectorGeneral of the GCAA, Egbert Field made his remarks as he stated that aviation is linked to tourism. In most countries within the Caribbean region, tourism is the key source that sustains economies.

“This ICAO meeting is truly a historic period for this country. The theme: Promoting Connectivity for Sustainable Air Transport Development couldn’t have come at a better time particularly when small developing countries in the Caribbean which depend a lot on tourism is experiencing is experiencing a decline in ridership of passengers.

This ICAO conference is hosted at a time when airlift in and out of Guyana is on the rise.”

Fields referred to the blooming oil sector and posited that actions will continue to ensure that air transport improves in Guyana.

“This expanded aviation sector will see an increase in airlift in and out of Guyana with the entrance of new operators and carriers in this market even as we produce first oil in early 2020,” said Fields.

“It is therefore imperative that for us as a region to remove ourselves from the rigid regulatory impediments that hinder our development as a region and foster ideas towards harmonizing our regulations, putting together developments for our aviation sector…

Guyana is on the rise,” he further said.

It was only on Monday, that the Opposition’s – Peoples Progressive Party-

efforts to have the Civil Aviation Bill 2017 resent to a select committee were defeated by the Government in the National Assembly. The Bill was passed with amendments.

PPP’s Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, pointed out that said that based on her research, the bill is deficient.

She added that the bill is not on par with what may be expected by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

According to Teixeira, the Bill was being rushed because of the Air Transport Conference Guyana is hosting.

This Air Transport Meeting would also address issues such as harmonising the regional air transport regulatory framework as well as the liberalisation of air cargo through regional and global approaches.

Not even Govt can access credit scores – Creditinfo assures

A

Creditinfo CEO Judy Semple-Joseph

lthough a person’s personal credit information is available to all subscribers of Creditinfo Guyana, the credit bureau has assured that provisions are in place to protect a borrower’s rights.

This is according to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Judy Semple-Joseph, who gave a lecture on the bureau’s operation on Wednesday, facil-

itated by the Guyana Press Association (GPA).

In emphasising the safety of the information recorded, she noted that provisions were in place to prevent even investigators and Police Officers from accessing a person’s credit details, as only a court can order a person’s credit information be released.

Semple-Joseph stated that, “The legislation requires

of us under no circumstances can we share information with anybody, not even Government, but, of course, in the extreme case it has to be on judgment or some kind of sanction by the court and it has to go through a series of loops to get to that stage.

So we can’t be written by the Police Commissioner to send this thing. No, it can’t happen.” continued on page 13

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thursdAY, November 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Hold your bags tightly during Christmas shopping – Crime Chief

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head of a hectic Christmas season, the Guyana Police Force (GPF), through its Crime Chief Lyndon Alves, has sent a resounding message to shoppers in Georgetown to hold onto their bags tightly.

The Crime Chief issued his advisory at the GPF’s annual Police Presentation held earlier this week.

According to him, women who will be shopping in Georgetown for Christmas should not carry a bag that makes them a target.

A bag that dangles from the shoulder can be easily yanked off a person’s shoulder, he said. He advised that bags be carried close to the body and well tucked in.

The already prepped Police Force listed a number of other safety tips to be taken into consideration during the festive season for extra protection, although the Force has planned rigorous patrols and other methods to reduce crime in Georgetown.

Alves said the use of liq-

Crime Chief Lyndon Alves

uid cash should be minimised while credit cards should be used more frequently.

“Large sums of cash should be moved under security escort,” he noted, as many a times persons would complain of being robbed while moving huge amounts of money.

For persons in the business realm, the Force has called for checks to be made

to Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems to ensure they are properly working.

In fact, the Force is encouraging that Digital Video Recorder (DVRs) be properly secured to preserve valuable information.

Advice was also issued for the visiting population, while in the capital city. “The advice from the Guyana Police Force to visitors are carry your wallet in an inside jacket or inside trousers pocket. Avoid rear pockets. Keep purses on your lap when dining out.

Not dangling over the back of a chair,” he pointed out.

At the same event, the GPF announced plans to heighten security for Christmas.

A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) Commander Marlon Chapman noted, “We want to ensure that the citizens and other persons who will be in the Division for the season be as safe as possible in doing transactions even (if it’s) just a visit or whatever.”

According to Chapman, Police patrols and outposts around the city will be boosted in a bid to ensure a secure shopping environment.

He revealed that part of the efforts to ensure in-

creased safety is the splitting of Georgetown into seven sub-sections as compared to six last year.

These sub-sections run from Agricola, Greater Georgetown to Georgetown.

The areas will be equipped with mobile outposts and frequent patrols will occur, with senior members of the GPF in charge of each sub-sector.

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thursdAY, November 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana Airways Corporation protests at ICAO conference this publication that they were awaiting confirmation from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) as it relates to the acquisition of its licence, which would give the final confirmation on its operation plans.

“We’d hopefully like

to commence operations during October after cruiser training in Miami and we’re shooting for October.

That is part of the AOC [Air Operator's Certificate] licensing process. We have to fly trips and they observe that our trips are flown within the realms of our op-

erating procedures that we wrote in our manuals,” he said.

The aircraft to be used are not owned by the company, but would be dryleased. Additionally, some 80 flight attendants were hired to provide the designated services.

Family still seeking compensation from GPL

Guyana Airways representatives protesting the revocation of the company’s registration on Wednesday at the opening of the ICAO’s Air Transport Conference

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ssociates and employees of the newly-established carrier Guyana Airways, whose registration to operate was revoked, picketed the Arthur Chung Conference Centre ahead of the Air Transport Conference organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on Wednesday.

Guyana Airways flight attendant Shellyann Lalchand told media operatives that the company was registered in 2016 after it was found that the name was legal. With no objections within the stipulated time period, the company went ahead with the registration.

“Guyana Airways Corporation was legally registered as company

in 2016. We did all the research when we did the registration and the name Guyana Airways was available at that time. The registrar did their research and it was available. However, all authorities had six months within that time to object and no one did, so we went ahead with our registration and the progress of our company,” said Lalchand.

After complaints were raised that a previous company operated under that name, the licence was revoked.

“However, in July 2018, the Government and the registrar unregistered our company without prior notice, which is totally illogical to me because it’s two years. We feel that we’re in

our legal rights.”

Lalchand is contending that the name was legal since no company is presently operating under the said title.

“The Government presently have us in court.

When Guyana Airways did the research, the old Guyana Airways was default which means it was not in operation anymore, so Guyana Airways was available … They’re claiming that this name was not available.”

The company was planning to commence operations in Guyana last October, providing daily flights to a number of Caribbean destinations.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Colin Abrams stated during an interview with

…for fallen pole damage

F

our weeks after a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) utility post crashed into an Industrial Site, Ruimveldt apartment, the occupants are still waiting on compensation for the

damage that was sustained.

Chevon Harry recalled that she was at home on October 18, 2018 when the pole came crashing down on her home. She noted that she was in the yard when the unstable pole, along with a transformer, fell into her home, damaging a section of her roof, appliances, and furniture. After the incident, workers erected a new utility pole in

the same spot and restored the power, but no compensation was given to her to repair the damage. Harry noted that GPL requested a quotation for the damage assessment, but there has been no positive feedback. Her losses amounted to some $300,000.

“I ain’t getting no positive answer. They remove the post and put back a post in the same place where the post fall out from. The electricity is not the problem, but the damage. When I go and get the quotation, is about $300,000,” said Harry.

Images that were provided indicated that the house suffered substantial damage, and two televisions fell to the floor. Apart from the losses, the lives of Harry’s family members were put at risk.

“I had to go and carry the TV to the technician and was two that break. Then I had to pay for the people do a quotation and nothing I’m not hearing from these people,” said the distraught woman.

She indicated that last Thursday was the last time she tried contacting the utility company to get an update on her compensation. “I ain’t get no answer like today or tomorrow. Nothing.”

When Guyana Times contacted GPL for a comment on the matter, all calls went unanswered. Harry, who has two children, said that she was still hoping that the power company would do the right thing and compensate her.

Kitty woman charged for assault

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David Street, Kitty, Georgetown woman found herself on Wednesday before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for assaulting a male.

Samantha Davis stood before Magistrate Azore and denied that on October 28, 2018, at David Street, Kitty, she unlawfully assaulted Keith Joseph.

Police Prosecutor Warren Thornhill made

no objections to bail being granted.

Davis, of Lot 81 David Street, was released on $10,000 bail. The case will continue on November 23, 2018.

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thursdAY, November 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

More allegations levelled against Provide space for youths to voice cops at 51 Police Station their opinions – UNICEF’s rep

I

Seventy-four-year-old Lucille Oudkerk

n the wake of reports that a Corentyne, Berbice housewife was beaten with a baton and her teen son slapped by a Policeman at the Number 51 Police Station, more accusations are being made against what was described as the “unprofessional attitude” of officers at that station.

On Wednesday, a 74-woman reported that an officer at the Number 51 Police Station refused to take a report from her and also verbally abused her.

The woman, Lucille Oudkerk, is also claiming that her house was stoned by the persons whom she went to the station to make a report against. The woman is contending that ranks from the station reportedly called the family and informed the family that she was there to make a report against them.

“I don’t think they will do anything. The last time I went to them they did not even want to take a statement from me,” the pensioner told Guyana Times.

Oudkerk took her concerns to Freedom House in New Amsterdam hoping that officials there might be able to assist in getting her

justice.

According to Oudkerk, on October 28, 2018, she reported that a family member of hers was ripping down her fence. She reported that by damaging the fence, her sheep would be able to leave the yard. She claims that the officer that she made the report to told the relative what she was alleging.

“They come and they cuss me out and say why I go to the Police,” the elderly woman said. She is also claiming that she went to the Number 51 Police Station on November 11, 2018, to make a report and met the same officer.

According to her, the officer refused to take a statement from her.

“He was very abusive to me… he had me waiting from 9 o’clock till after 2:00pm. People come in after me and he take statements from them. When I talk, he tell another Police to come to me and he take out a small book and write down something and say I could go…” the woman stated.

Oudkerk, who lives at Kilturn Village, Corentyne, Berbice, also claims that she was reluctant to report the Tuesday evening incident to

the Police.

Meanwhile, the woman, who was allegedly beaten

by Police at the Number 51 Police Station last week, and was told to go to the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) on Tuesday which was a holiday, is now losing confidence in that office.

Takurdai Jugnanand’s concerns were raised on Wednesday when she visited the office for a second day.

She told Guyana Times that female officers in the office at the time were mocking her as she related her story.

She also noted that even though it has been reported that her 15-year-old son claims that he was slapped by one of the officers at the Number 51 Police Station, they did not invite the boy to the OPR office.

She told this publication that during the meeting, three officers who were at the Police Station were present.

“They did not bring the one that beat me and say that he gone on some course.

And one of them who was sitting there when he was lashing me with the baton tell them that he was not there, that he walk out the office.”

Meanwhile, in an invited comment, Divisional Commander Paul Langevine toldGuyana Times that if members of the public are not satisfied with the treatment they receive at Police Stations, they should ask to speak with a senior officer or Sub-Divisional Officer.

Langevine said he is also available at the Central Police Station and is assuring that he will work towards giving persons satisfaction.

(Andrew Carmichael)

Not even Govt can...

Credit Info Guyana has been operating in the country for about five years now.

It functions in accordance with the law, to store and provide credit details of borrowers and users of utility services and others, such as the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and Guyana Water Inc (GWI).

The credit information is usually stored and becomes particularly useful for persons seeking to borrow a loan or acquire an item through hire purchase.

Questions were however raised at Moray House, Camp Street, Georgetown, during the lecture on how protected a person’s credit information is, which was addressed by the business’ CEO. She explained that, “Under the Credit Reporting Amendment Act number two of 2016, which says that all lenders are mandated to share credit information with Credit Info, with the credit bureau…all these subscribers that have credit data must share that data

with us under a subscription agreement that they have so they send us the database”.

Those lenders would include businesses such as Courts, all banking and micro-financing entities, utility companies, credit unions and even student loan agencies. Although those lenders have access to a person’s personal credit history, they will be unable to view it without consent from the individual.

“What your right is (is) that you don’t have to give

from page 10

anyone permission to access it (credit information),” she informed.

Credit Info (Guyana) Inc is the second regional presence of an Icelandic conglomerate [now headquartered in Barcelona, Spain].

Operating under the Credit Report Act of 2010 and Credit Reporting [Amendment] Act of 2016, the company was established in 2013 to provide credit reporting services through Guyana's first credit bureau.

T

he United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Country Representative to Guyana and Suriname, Sylvie Fouet, has called for more provision to be made to allow young people the opportunity to voice their opinions on matters that affect them.

“We are here to hear your voices and what you hope to convey about your hopes….

We celebrate young people and their lives and we stand for their rights,” Fouet said on Tuesday evening, during

UNICEF’s Country Representative to Guyana and Suriname, Sylvie Fouet

Scenes from the World Children’s Day event

an observation of World Children’s Day, held at Duke Lodge in Georgetown.

Commending the Government for its emphasis on the development of youths, the UN representative noted that events such as these allow young people to hold those accountable for promises made regarding their development.

Chairperson of the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) Aleema Nasir, said the organisation, in partner-

ship with UNICEF, has provided youths with opportunities that form a critical part of their education and shaping their ability to champion and advocate for human rights in Guyana. She noted that while it is good to reflect on the organisation’s progressive programmes for young people, there is more to be done for the provision of equal opportunities.

“The RCC over the years enjoyed a fruitful partnership with UNICEF promoting and advancing the rights

and interest of children in Guyana. We do look forward similarly to a healthy and vibrant future of partnership intended to activate and actualise the ambitious declarations of the United Nations Convention on the rights of the child,” Nasir is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

In her address to the gathering, youth ambassador, Esther Marslowe remarked, “UNICEF is important as it helps to give children that are vulnerable, a platform to be strong; for those without a voice – a voice, and for those living in despair – hope.”

Launched in 1954, the annual observation of World Children’s Day aims to improve child welfare worldwide, promote and celebrate children’s rights and promote togetherness and awareness amongst all children. It also coincides with UN General Assembly adopting the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

14 news

thursdAY, November 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Teen remanded for Whim murder CAL to add 12 new planes in 2019

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15-year-old boy was on Wednesday remanded to the Juvenile Holding Centre when he appeared at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court on a murder charge.

It is alleged that the teenager murdered Desmond Sewdath, 29, of Six Street, Whim Village, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) on November 17, 2018.

The unrepresented teen appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh. He was handed over to the Police by his mother following the incident.

The case has been transferred to the Whim Magistrate’s Court for the Preliminary Inquiry.

Reports are teen and Sewdath were imbibing and had an argument over clothing shortly before the stabbing incident took place.

Reports are the teen stabbed the 29-year-old man who collapsed on the road at Auchlyne Village – Sideline Dam and First Street. The media also reported the teen claimed that Sewdath was carrying a knife and attacked him with it but subsequently fell and was later seen bleeding.

He was picked up and rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital but succumbed to his injuries while enroute.

Dead: Desmond Sewdat

The dead man’s sister, Nafeeza, had told Guyana Times that she received a report that her brother was injured and was lying on the roadway.

At the time, she was at the Community Centre and she left about five minutes after. When she arrived at the scene, Police were already there and from all indications, her brother was already dead.

“The Police tell me that he already died… he had one bore on his chest.”

The grieving sister related that the suspect was not at the scene when she arrived.

Another sibling, Shameza, explained that her now dead brother visited her prior to his demise.

According to her, Sewdat was under the influence of alcohol when he visit-

ed, and he asked for a telephone call to his godfather.

He then asked his father for a shirt and left.

Eyewitnesses stated that the now dead man, who was imbibing with friends, was being ‘tantalised’ about a dirty shirt that he was wearing. He left and returned with the clean shirt, but his friends continued to tease him.

The sister noted that her brother and the suspect were friends. “I always see him talking to this boy and one, one time I does see he and dis boy riding on the road, but I don’t know if they have a close relationship because he don’t live here with me and only when he drink, he does come…” she explained.

The teen’s mother related that her son has been involved in several incidents and was arrested by the Police. “He went to the Juvenile Centre. Only the other day he come from Juvenile Centre and a month before he come from Juvenile Centre. I can’t say what he went there for, because the Police did not tell me anything as a parent, they just pick him up and carry him,” she related.

Police are still investigating the incident.

The case will continue on December 3.

Moroccan woman in UAE 'killed lover and cooked him'

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Moroccan woman has been accused of killing her lover and serving up his remains to Pakistani workers in the United Arab Emirates, Prosecutors say.

The woman killed her boyfriend three months ago,

they say, but the crime was only recently discovered when a human tooth was found inside her blender.

She confessed to Police, calling it a moment of "insanity", State-owned newspaper The National reports.

The woman, who is in her

30s, will go on trial pending an investigation.

She had been in a relationship with the victim for seven years. According to The National, she killed him after he told her he was planning to marry someone else from Morocco. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

T

rinidad State carrier Caribbean Airlines Ltd will soon add 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircrafts to its fleet, starting in the fourth quarter of 2019.

This was announced on Wednesday by Chairman Shameer Ronnie Mohammed at a customer appreciation event at the Hyatt Regency Port of Spain.

CEO Garvin Madera also announced that in the first quarter of 2019 the company will launch the first phase of a new mobile app.

This past year has been transformative for the airline, adding a new route to Havana, Cuba, as well as signing an agreement with

Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines that will allow trips between China and CAL destinations in the Caribbean to be bought on a single ticket.

The airline also announced earlier this month that for the first nine months of 2018 the company turned a $96 million profit.

(T&T Newsday)

AG leads delegation to CFATF meetings in Barbados

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ttorney General Basil Williams who is the Chairman of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) is leading a nine-member delegation to the CFATF-GAFIC 48th Plenary and Working Group Meetings.

These meetings are being held in Barbados between November 19 and 23, 2018.

Guyana’s delegation comprises members of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing Committee and representatives of those members.

These persons are Dr Gobind Ganga, Governor of the Bank of Guyana; Ramnarine Lal, Director of Banking Supervision at the Bank of Guyana; Matthew Langevine, Director of the

Financial Intelligence Unit; Alicia Williams, Senior Compliance and Outreach Officer; Eondrene Thompson, General Manager of the Guyana Gold Board; Shaun Allicock, Legal Adviser for Guyana Securities Council; Natasha Backer of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Joann Bond and Diane Woolford, both of the Attorney General’s Chambers.

The Plenary will be chaired by Guyana’s Attorney General.

The Working Group Meetings include the 29th Forum for Heads of FIU, CFATF Risks, Trends and Methods Working Group (CRTMG), Steering Group Meetings, CFATF Working Group on FATF Issues (WGFI) and Accreditation Council Meeting.

Guyana’s representatives also chair the Heads of FIU and the CRTMG Meetings.

At the Plenary, the Mutual Evaluation Report of the Cayman Islands will be discussed with a view of having it adopted by the Plenary.

Guyana’s presence at this week’s meetings and plenary provides an opportunity for the various Supervisory Authorities to liaise with their international counterparts and exchange ideas on how to improve compliance with the FATF 40 Recommendations and Methodology which are the global standard for AML/CFT compliance.

Additionally, it is an opportunity for Guyana to observe the CFATF’s 4th Round Mutual Evaluation process as Guyana will be evaluated in 2022.

Senate passes Petrotrin Bill

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divided Senate on Tuesday night passed the bill to vest Petrotrin’s assets into its successor companies, the Miscellaneous Provisions (Heritage Petroleum, Paria Fuel Trading and Guaracara Refining Vesting) Bill 2018.

All six Independent Senators present abstained, including three sworn in just hours before. The Bill was passed as 15 Government Senators voted “for”, while six Opposition Senators voted “against”, with six abstentions.

Previously on November 14, the House of Representatives had also been divided on the Bill which was passed by 21 Government votes “for”, with 12 Opposition votes “against.”

The Senate next sits on Tuesday, to debate an Opposition private motion to condemn the Government’s closure of the Petrotrin refinery.

Meanwhile the House sits Friday to debate the Planning and Facilitation of Development (Amendment) Bill 2018 which amends the Environment Management Authority Act. (Trinidad Newsday)

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thursdAY, November 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

NA businessman remanded ERC donates to Shaheed’s Orphanage on cocaine charge

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New Amsterdam, Berbice, poultry farmer was on Wednesday remanded to prison after he

fused bail after the prosecution’s submission cited Loo as a flight risk, as well as the seriousness of the offence given

Y

ERC Commissioners along with officials from the orphanage The drugs that were allegedly found in the car

appeared before a Berbice Magistrate for possession of cocaine at Molson Creek.

Trevor Loo denied that he had 5.631kg of cocaine in his possession on November 16 at Molson Creek, Berbice.

M a g i s t r a t e Rabindranauth Singh re-

the quantity of the drug involved.

Reports are that Loo of Smithfield, New Amsterdam, was arrested at the Molson Creek Ferry Stelling.

The poultry farmer was en route to Suriname when ranks in Berbice, based on in-

Trevor Loo

formation, intercepted him.

Loo, 50, was at the time driving a motor car bearing registration plates PJJ 5889.

The vehicle was searched and 5.631kg (12.4 pounds) of the illegal drug was found in several packets stashed under the real seat of the car.

He will return to court on November 23.

ouman Nabi celebrations on Monday last, did indeed bring a lot of cheer and happiness, especially to the children at the Shaheed’s Boys and Girls Orphanage, as they received a contribution from the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC).

The ERC in observance of the Muslim festival of Youman Nabi chose to give

back to the orphanages with the aim of assisting the needy. The donation included personal supplies, clothing among other items.

The ERC made the presentation at the Orphanage’s Alexander Street, Kitty location, since one of the main principles of Islam is the need to help others, and this seeks to further promote harmony and good relations

in celebration of the country’s religious diversity.

Administrator and CEO of the orphanage, Raheema Rahaman, related that about 30 children are accommodated there. A young resident also expressed gratitude to the ERC and to the Seven ERC Commissioners who were present for the valuable contribution on behalf of the orphanage.

230 skeletons found in Sri Chief Justice rebukes Trump’s ‘Obama judge’ taunt Lanka mass grave site U S

ri Lankan experts say a mass grave found earlier this year in the north-western town of Mannar has turned out to be the country’s biggest such site.

More than 230 skeletons have now been found at the grave in the former war zone, up from about 90 in August.

Human rights groups say at least 20,000 people disappeared during Sri Lanka’s long civil war which ended in 2009.

The 26-year war between troops and separatist Tamil rebels left at least 100,000 people dead.

A court ordered detailed excavations at the site - a former co-operative depot near the main bus terminus - after human remains were found by workers digging foundations for a new building earlier this year.

It is still not clear who the victims were or how they died.

“We have excavated more than 230 skeletons so far,” said Professor Raj Somadeva, a forensic archaeologist from the University of Kelaniya near Colombo who leads the team at the site. “According to my experience this is the largest mass grave ever excavated.”

He said that apart from the human remains, the archaeologists had also found porcelain, ceramic and metal objects, in addition to some jewellery worn by the victims.

The mass grave found in Sri Lanka

“The bones are scattered and [it’s] very difficult to trace the stature of the bodies,” Prof Somadeva told the BBC. “And some bones were missing…it’s chaotic.”

The town of Mannar is dominated by ethnic minority Tamils and community leaders says hundreds of people from the region went missing during the decades-long conflict between Sri Lankan security forces and Tamil Tiger rebels.

While Mannar town remained mostly under army control during the civil war, Tamil Tiger rebels dominated its surrounding areas and many other parts of the district. The military captured the entire district after ferocious battles which ended almost 10 years ago.

After the remains are uncovered, they are transferred to the custody of the court in Mannar, which will decide what should happen next once the excavation is complete.

A number of mass graves have been unearthed in Sri

Lanka’s former war zone since the conflict ended.

The remains of 96 people were discovered in 2014 at a site in another part of Mannar - adjacent to Thiruketheeswaram, a prominent Hindu temple.

But four years on there’s still no clarity in that case either, about who was killed and by whom. and the defeated Tamil Tigers inflicted widespread civilian casualties.

But the government has always denied its forces had anything to do with civilian deaths or disappearances, and the army dismisses any suggestion that soldiers are connected with the bodies found in the mass graves in Mannar.

After years of international pressure, the government earlier this year set up an independent body, the Office of the Missing Persons (OMP), to investigate the disappearances. The OMP has provided partial funding for the excavation in Mannar. (BBC)

S Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has taken the extraordinary step of rebuking President Donald Trump’s criticism of a federal judge.

Trump on Tuesday called a jurist who ruled against his asylum policy an “Obama judge”.

The president’s gibe provoked a stern statement from the head of America’s highest court. Trump has defended his comments, saying Chief Justice Roberts is wrong. It is the first time the chief justice has spoken against Trump.

“We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges,” Chief Justice Roberts told the Associated Press.

“What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them.”

Speaking on the eve of America’s Thanksgiving holiday, he said an “independent judiciary is something we should all be thankful for”.

Trump responded on Twitter on Wednesday, saying the top justice was wrong and that “Obama judges... have a much different point of view than the people who are charged with the safety of our country”. He suggested that the 9th Circuit Court, where a federal judge blocked his recent immigration proclamation, opposed his his policies on border and safety. It is extremely rare for a senior member of the judiciary to clash with a US president.

Chief Justice Roberts’

Justice John Roberts

Supreme Court colleague Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been a far more outspoken critic of Trump.

In 2016, the liberal judge apologised for calling Trump a “faker” in an interview after coming under fire for commenting on a candidate

as a jurist.

Trump has previously lambasted federal judges for ruling against his policies.

In 2017, he called a federal jurist who reversed his controversial travel ban a “socalled judge” with a “ridiculous” opinion.

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursdAY, november 22, 2018

Regional

Haiti gripped by tension as Barbados announces tax President stays out of sight breaks for businesses

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general strike shut down most of Haiti Wednesday as tension and uncertainty gripped the country following deadly protests over the weekend and the President’s unexplained absence from public view.

Schools, shops and private businesses were closed in the Caribbean country’s main cities, heeding the Opposition call for a general strike.

As Police patrolled otherwise empty main avenues in normally chaotic Port-auPrince, burning barricades went up in some neighbourhoods and sporadic gunshots set residents on edge.

At least three people were killed by gunfire during mass protests over the weekend demanding President Jovenel Moise’s resignation, the national Police said. The Opposition

Haitian Police patrol the streets of Port-au-Prince, on November 21, 2018, during the third day of strikes. Three people were killed by gunfire in Haiti during weekend mass protests in several cities calling for the resignation of President Jovenel Moise, Police said Monday, but the Opposition put the death toll at 11

said 11 people were killed.

Moise has said nothing since Sunday’s protests.

He was supposed to speak to the nation Tuesday in a televised address, but it was dropped several hours

after being announced, with no explanation given.

“We had technical failures,” Emmanuel JeanFrancois, an advisor to the President, said Wednesday after being reached by tele-

phone.

“We are taking all measures to broadcast it this morning,” he added, declining to give a time or say what it would be about.

National Police spokesman Gary Desrosiers said the Force was braced for the aftermath of the protests.

“We remain on the ground to assure everyone’s protection,” he told AFP. In the upscale Petionville neighbourhood, the only two gas stations opened were besieged by taxi-moto drivers desperate to refuel.

The breakdown in presidential communications was widely criticised on social media, with many refusing to believe the delay was caused by technical problems, and others criticising the incompetence of the presidential services. (Excerpt

from AFP)

T

he Barbados Government on Wednesday announced plans to provide a hefty reduction in corporation taxes for businesses and urged them to share the benefits with citizens.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley told Parliament that her seven-month-old administration would reduce the corporation taxes from 25 to as low as between one and 5.5 per cent.

She said the development means that local businesses would now be operating here on a level playing field with their international counterparts following Government’s decision to overhaul its tax regime to be compliant with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Mottley said that in keeping with a commitment made earlier this year by the former Government to remove tax in-

centives to the international business sector, her administration had decided that the domestic corporate tax rate would be reduced by as much as 20 per cent while ensuring the country is still globally competitive.

She said the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting initiative means “it is no longer possible for us to have a preferential regime without incurring severe sanctions.

“Simply put, it is no longer possible to do what we have been doing for 40 years; that is, making a distinction between the taxation of companies operating internationally and those acting locally without there being severe sanctions that will affect our capacity to grow at this challenging time,” said Mottley, adding that while the commitment was ill-timed, it was necessary to follow through for the sake of the country’s reputation. (Excerpt from Reuters)

boy pleads US weighs sanctions on Cuban officials 12-year-old guilty to threatening life of over role in Venezuelan crackdown T&T Police Commissioner

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he Trump Administration is considering imposing sanctions on Cuban military and intelligence officials who it says are helping Venezuela’s socialist Government crack down on dissent, according to a source with knowledge of the deliberations.

Such sanctions would be the first time Washington has targeted a bloc of foreign officials allied with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Venezuela is in the grips of a pro-

longed recession, its economy dogged by hyperinflation and food shortages.

President Donald Trump’s Republican Administration has already imposed sanctions on dozens of Venezuelan officials, and has sought to disrupt the country’s growing gold exports and access to external financing as part of a pressure campaign against Maduro.

The potential human rights-related sanctions would target Cuban officials, possibly including Generals,

who Washington accuses of advising Venezuela’s Government on how to monitor opponents and put down street protests, the source said.

The number and identities of the potential targets was unclear. No final decision has yet been made on whether and when to impose the sanctions.

The measures would cast a further chill on US-Cuba relations, where Trump has rolled back some of former President Barack Obama’s moves aimed at forging

closer ties, and also fuel Maduro’s assertion that Washington is bent on undermining his government for ideological reasons.

Cuba and Venezuela became close allies under the rule of late Presidents Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez.

Since a series of bilateral agreements in 2000, the communist island’s economy depends heavily on Venezuelan crude oil, which Havana compensates for by providing Venezuela with Cuban doctors and other services. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Mexican tetra fish may offer heart repair clues

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fish that can repair its heart may hold clues for future treatments in people, according to a study.

Scientists studying the Mexican tetra fish found three areas of the fish genome were involved in its ability to regenerate heart tissue.

One gene appeared to play a particularly key role in the process. Researchers hope their study will one day make it possible to heal heart muscle in patients who have had a heart attack.

Hundreds of thousands of people in the UK live with heart failure, often as a result of a heart attack. Because it is not possible for humans to regenerate their damaged,

scarred heart muscle, people either have to live with the condition or may require a heart transplant.

For this study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, Dr Mathilda Mommersteeg and her team at the University of Oxford studied two types of Mexican tetra fish – river-dwellers that are able to self-heal their heart tissue, and cave-dwellers that cannot. The cave fish, who once lived in the rivers of Northern Mexico, were washed into caves by floodwaters about 1.5 million years ago and evolved, losing their sight and colour because of living in perpetual darkness.

Comparing the two types of tetra fish, researchers

The Mexican tetra fish that lives in the rivers of Northern Mexico can heal its heart, while its cave-dwelling relative cannot

found two genes – lrrc10 and caveolin – were much more active in the river fish following heart injury.

Having discovered this, they switched off the lrrc10 gene in a different species of

fish with self-healing abilities, the zebrafish.

With this gene no longer working properly, the zebrafish became unable to fully repair its heart without scarring. (Excerpt from BBC News)

T&T Police Commissioner Gary Griffith

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12-year-old primary schoolboy in Trinidad has pleaded guilty to issuing death threats to Police Commissioner Gary Griffith and has been released into the custody of his parents until his sentencing.

The child, who cannot be identified because he is a minor, pleaded guilty to misusing a telephone to send a threatening message when he appeared before Magistrate Nazeera Ali in the Port of Spain Children’s Court on Wednesday.

The Magistrate has since requested a report from the Probation Services Division to assist in determining the appropriate punishment.

Under Section 106 of the Summary Offences Act, the offence carries a maximum penalty of a TT$200 fine or up to a month in prison.

The child will be sentenced on January 16 next year.

The court heard that a call had been received by the E999 operator from a mobile phone with a male caller saying “we are coming to kill Gary Griffith”.

The call was then transferred to the E999’s Police Corporal on duty, where the caller repeated his threat to kill Griffith. The caller then extended his death threats to the Police Corporal who took the call.

The call was traced to east Port of Spain and the boy surrendered to the Police on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Police are investigating another incident in which a caller threatened to kill the Police Commissioner and his wife, Nicole.

The Trinidad Express newspaper Wednesday quoted Griffith as saying that “I would expect to get these desperate threats on a regular basis. (Excerpt from CMC)

UNDP representative endorses paternity leave in Jamaica

U

nited Nations D e v e l o p m e n t Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Bruno Pouezat is encouraging Jamaica to grant pater-

nity leave to working fathers of newborns, noting that the UNDP has adopted the gender inclusive policy in the Jamaica country office and across the world with good re-

sults. “In our local office, men enjoy four weeks of paternity leave with full pay to support the mother, and care and bond with the newborn child,” Pouezat was quoted as say-

ing in a release. “We encourage Jamaica to implement paternity leave because UNDP staff, men and women, can testify that paternity leave improves family life and boosts

male responsibility,” he added.

Pouezat was addressing the Amazing Men Awards ceremony in honour of International Men’s Day on Monday at the University of the West Indies

Regional Headquarters, where four men from UNDP’s Rejuvenating Communities Social Cohesion project were honoured, along with a number of men’s groups. (Excerpt from

Jamaica Observer)

17

thursdAY, november 22, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

UAE court sentences UK student to life in prison

A

court in the United Arab Emirates has sentenced British student Matthew Hedges to life in prison after he was convicted of spying and supplying sensitive security information to external actors.

Abu Dhabi's Federal Court of Appeal handed down the verdict on Wednesday, a move described as deeply disappointing by British Prime Minister Theresa May. "We can confirm that he was sentenced to life in prison. The hearing lasted less than five minutes, and his lawyer was not present," the Hedges' family spokesperson told AFP news agency.

Hedges, a 31-year-old PhD student at Durham University, was arrested on May 5 at Dubai airport after a two-week research visit.

He was researching the

Matthew Hedges and his wife, Daniela Tejada [family handout via AFP]

UAE's foreign and internal security policies after the Arab Spring revolutions of 2011 when he was detained.

Hedges was formally charged in October with spying on the Gulf state, where he has been held in solitary confinement for the past six months.

"I am in complete shock and I don't know what to

do. Matthew is innocent," said Hedges’ wife, Daniela Tejada, who was present in the courtroom.

"The UAE authorities should feel ashamed for such an obvious injustice," she said in a statement, adding that her husband was shaking when he heard the verdict. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Around the World

Indian groom gets shot on wedding day and still marries

A

n Indian groom made his vows despite being shot on the way to his wedding in Delhi, Police said on Wednesday.

After a few hours of surgery, the 25-year-old returned to his bride-to-be and completed the ceremony with a bullet still lodged in his shoulder.

Police are now looking for two suspects who opened fire on the groom's wedding procession on Monday evening.

Witnesses say the gunmen in Monday's attack arrived on a motorbike prior to the attack about 21:00h local time (15:30 GMT) and fled in the ensuing chaos.

Indian wedding processions like this one often involve horsedrawn carriages and brass bands

Police said the assailants climbed onto the groom's horse-drawn carriage before the attack, which they suspect was not an act of random violence.

P

the retirement age of Judges earlier this year, forcing many to quit.

Critics said the law helped give the Law and Justice Party political control of the Supreme Court.

But the Government argued that the reforms – which triggered mass street protests – were needed to make the court more effi-

cient and remove Judges appointed during the communist era.

The Law and Justice Party (PiS) has already appointed the majority of Judges to the Constitutional Tribunal, which has the power to veto legislation, and also controls the body that nominates all Judges in Poland. (Excerpt from BBC News)

UN warns of famine in violencehit Central African Republic

F

amine will hit the Central African Republic if nothing is done to reverse the humanitarian situation in the country, which is deteriorating at an "alarming rate", the United Nations has warned.

The growing unrest in the country of 4.5 million people is forcing many to flee their homes and abandon their fields, causing spiralling food insecurity, the

UN humanitarian coordinator in the country, Najat Rochdi, told reporters in Geneva on Wednesday.

If the situation remains the same and people do not return to their fields, "it means that in very few years, we'll have a famine in the Central African Republic", said Rochdi.

"We are not talking about 10 people. We are talking about hundreds of

thousands" at risk, added Rochdi, pointing out that several regions have already reached level 4 in terms of food insecurity.

Earlier this month, the UN's World Food Programme warned that the CAR was facing the worst situation of food insecurity in four years, with nearly two million people in urgent need of food aid. (Excerpt

from Al Jazeera)

Norway child abuse: Man held over assaults on 300 boys

A

26-year-old man has been charged in a case described by Police as Norway's biggest ever sexual abuse case.

The man, reportedly a football referee, has been under investigation for several years and now faces charges involving more than 300 teenage boys.

The victims were mainly targeted over the Internet in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, according to Prosecutors.

But several of the boys

are thought to have met the man in person.

According to Norwegian reports, the man pretended to be a girl named Sandra or Henriette on chat forums in order to win the boys' trust, persuading them to send him naked pictures and videos of themselves.

A local newspaper said he would tempt them with offers of money, naked pictures purportedly of Sandra or tobacco snuff, and once they had sent ma-

terial he would allegedly threaten them with blackmail if they failed to send more.

Norwegian public broadcaster NRK said he had received more than 16,000 videos.

The rape charges are believed to be related to an alleged threat to post photos and videos online, although several charges involve physical abuse of victims the man met in person. (Excerpt from BBC News)

(Excerpt from BBC News)

American killed by an isolated tribe on remote island

Poland reverses law on removing Judges following EU court ruling oland's governing party has moved to reinstate Supreme Court Justices whom it had forced into early retirement.

It follows last month's ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) which ordered that Poland suspend the application of its new law.

The Government lowered

The groom, who was being escorted by friends and family dancing to loud music, alleged he was shot "with the intention to kill".

A Sentinel tribal man aims with his bow and arrow at an Indian Coast Guard helicopter as it flies over the island for a survey of the damage caused by the tsunami in India's Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, December 28, 2004

A

young American adventurer and evangelist visiting one of the islands in India’s remote cluster of Andaman and Nicobar has been killed by a tribe of hunter-gatherers who live there isolated from

the outside world, Police said on Wednesday.

The North Sentinel Island, which is out of bounds for visitors, is home to the Sentinelese community, believed to be the last pre-Neolithic tribe in the

world.

The American, identified as 26-year-old John Allen Chau, was killed after being illegally ferried to the island by fishermen, Dependra Pathak, the Director General of Police in Andaman and Nicobar, told Reuters.

“A murder case has been registered against unknown persons,” said Pathak, adding that the fishermen had been arrested.

North Sentinel Island is about 50 kilometres (31 miles) west of Port Blair, the capital of the island cluster.

In 2006, two fishermen, whose boat strayed onto the 60-sq-km island, were killed and their bodies never recovered. An Indian Coast Guard helicopter sent to retrieve the bodies was repelled by a volley of arrows from the community. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

Interpol presidency vote: Russia in surprise loss to South Korea

I

nterpol has elected South Korean Kim Jongyang as its President, rejecting the controversial Russian frontrunner.

Kim was chosen by Interpol's 194 Member States at a meeting of its annual congress in Dubai.

He beat Russia's Alexander Prokopchuk, who has been accused of using Interpol's arrest warrant system to target critics of the Kremlin.

Russia blamed the outcome of the voting on "unprecedented pressure and interference".

The election follows the disappearance of Interpol's former President Meng Hongwei, who vanished on a trip to China in September.

Beijing has since confirmed he has been detained and is being investigated for al-

Kim Jong-yang had been acting Interpol Chief since the last President's disappearance in September

legedly taking bribes.

Kim, 57, beat Prokopchuk, also 57, by 101 votes to 61 at Interpol's General Assembly meeting on Wednesday, media reports say.

Interpol confirmed the South Korean's victory, without revealing the breakdown of the results.

Kim is a former South

Korean Police Officer who once served as head of Police in Gyeonggi, the country's most populous province.

He was already senior Vice President of Interpol and had been serving as acting President since Meng's disappearance. He will serve out the remaining two years of Meng's term. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursdAY, November 22, 2018

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

Put everything you've got into tidying up loose ends.

You'll enjoy the upcoming festivities more if you know you have a clean slate going forward.

CANCER

Keep an open mind, but if someone appears unpredictable, you are best off standing back and observing. Do your own thing to get further ahead.

Health and fitness are encouraged.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Reconnecting with an old friend will bring back memories that will prompt you to make new plans. A situation that left you feeling confused will be cleared up.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Consider your current position and what it offers you in the long term. An adjustment to a contract will give you freedom to take on new projects. A partnership change looks promising.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Socializing with peers will give you a chance to gain allies and the support you need to bring about changes that will benefit everyone. Romance is in the stars.

Don't let anyone bamboozle you into an unnecessary expense or domestic change you don't want to make. Use common sense to persuade others to see things your way.

Self-improvement should be LIBRA (Sept. 23- your priority. Whether you alter Oct. 23) how you manage your money, update your appearance or adjust an unequal partnership, the results will be beneficial.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD — ENCODES (ENCODES: en-CODES: Converts from one system of communication into another.)

Can you find 24 or more words in ENCODES? The list will be published tomorrow.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

YESTERDAY’S WORD — CORNICE

cone conic core corn crone once

rein rice nice nicer icon iron

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

A change will do you good, but make sure that whatever you do helps you maintain a healthy emotional, physical and financial outlook. Put your trust in yourself, not in someone else.

A change to the way you SAGITTARIUS do a job or take care of your (Nov. 23- responsibilities will affect Dec. 21) an important relationship.

Don't share personal information.

Average mark 18 words Time limit 30 minutes

ceric cero cire coin coiner coir

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Don't let anyone take advantage of you. Turn your home into your safe haven.

Add components that will make you feel relaxed and ease your stress. Do the work yourself and save money.

Get your books up to date and renew any licenses or documents that could pose a problem for you if left to lapse. Problems with contracts should be revisited. Update your image.

Communication and travel delays will be problematic if you aren't precise when answering questions or filling out forms. Take the time to do things right the first time.

ThursdAY, november 22, 2018

19

Annandale, Dolphin slated to clash as Guyoil fixtures continue T

he Ministry of Education Ground will be home to two monumental clashes this afternoon, as the Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers Under-18 tournament continues.

The tournament, which has been ongoing for more than a month, has gathered schools from the East Coast and West Coast Demerara, Georgetown and Linden, in an exhilarating display of undiscovered and upcoming talent.

When the action continues at 15:30h, the first match will feature Annandale Secondary and Dolphin Secondary. Annandale, who are currently sitting pretty at the top of the points table, will prove to be a tough opponent for Dolphin, who are not having an exceptional tournament. Coming off of a loss to Bishops’ High School, Dolphin will look to

strengthen their defence, which is sure to come under fire from the Annandale team which possess quick and witty strikers.

Annandale’s only concern will be to maintain their goal difference, as this is the only factor keeping them away from the number one spot, which is currently occupied by Lodge

Secondary.

On the other hand, the second game of the afternoon will see a clash between the top and the bottom of the table, namely Lodge Secondary and St Rose’s High at 17:45h. St Rose’s are coming off of a string of losses, their most recent being to Marian Academy in a 4-0 affair, while Lodge are yet to

lose a game. It is another instance where St Rose’s will be keen to protect their goal at all costs from the versatile Lodge players. However, Lodge are expected to play their usual attacking game and if St Rose’s are up to the task, spectators will be able to witness a high- scoring thriller.

When the ninth round

of the Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers Tournament begins, many of the teams will be eager to strike a win in hopes of bettering their points standing as the competition winds down.

Christianburg Wismar’s only concern will be to continue winning games as their goal difference of 44 is sure to guarantee their

buoyance in the competition. On the other hand, teams such as Uitvlugt Secondary, Bishops’ High and Charlestown Secondary will have a double task, with their focus on winning and restricting their opponents to as few goals as possible. Though lagging behind, Queen’s College, St Rose’s, Queenstown Secondary and Marian Academy have shown that their teams can do well, not to mention the handful of standout players that have emerged from those teams.

One thing that is sure, the remaining three rounds will be action packed as the 12 teams battle for a spot at the top and a chance to gift their schools a much-needed project that will be funded by Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers. The Under-18 tournament, like many others, is being coordinated by the Petra Organisation.

Australia evade Karthik blitz to pick up narrow win

S

hikhar Dhawan, for the first-half of the innings, and Dinesh Karthik right at the end, threatened to extend Australia’s run of losses in T20Is, but the hosts managed to pick up a narrow four-run win by the DLS Method courtesy an all-round effort from Marcus Stoinis, who successfully defended 13 runs in the final over. Needing 174 in 17 overs, in a rain-curtailed encounter, India had a tough start losing Rohit Sharma cheaply for 7 and with KL Rahul also failing to fire, the onus was on the free-flowing Dhawan to bat deep.

Dhawan, who made 92 in his previous T20I appearance against Windies just a few days ago, timed the ball beautifully to thrill the Indian supporters at the Gabba, who outnumbered the locals. Australia’s tactic to bowl short didn’t pay off against the left-hander, with a pick-up shot off Jason Behrendorff standing out from the rest he played in his 42-ball 76 comprising of 10 fours and two sixes. The moment he reached his halfcentury, Dhawan lost Rahul at the other end via a stumping, in an over that also saw Alex Carey appealing for hit-wicket in bizarre fashion after having disturbing the bails himself, as replays suggested, with Rahul’s foot nowhere near the sticks.

Adam Zampa tightened the screws with the wicket and continued to hurt India as captain Virat Kohli couldn’t get going batting at number four.

A thick outside edge saw the ball land safely in the hands of Chris Lynn at short third man.

India needed 78 from 36 at this stage with the hope of a win

Australia ended their four-match losing streak in T20Is

resting on Dhawan’s shoulders.

But Australia got the big fish in the very next over when Billy Stanlake persisted with his shortball ploy, with Dhawan guiding one straight into the hands of the fielder at third man after muscling one over backward square leg two balls earlier.

Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik, who had exchanged gloves for this contest, had a massive task at hand with India needing 60 from the final four overs. Looking down and out, India stormed back into the contest courtesy a 25-run over where both batsmen smashed Andrew Tye, who looked helpless on this surface. Karthik continued to look in very good touch by pulling one off Stoinis for a boundary in the 15th over and followed it up with a terrific shot wide of long-off to bring the equation down to 20 off 11, as Tye conceded 47 runs in three

overs.

India were favourites at this stage, but Pant failed in his attempt to bring out a reverse scoop off Tye. Australia seized the opportunity to apply the pressure and even though Karthik found the boundary again off the final ball of the penultimate over, Stoinis used his variations to good effect when India needed 13 off the final 6. Karthik could have perhaps avoided taking the second run off the first ball of the final over as Stoinis bowled a dot ball, and then removed Krunal off the next ball to bring the equation to 11 off 3. Karthik was back on strike at this stage but another slower one led to his downfall which eventually sealed India’s fate.

Earlier in the evening, Australia staged a pretty good recovery to post 158 on the board. D’Arcy Short struggled to get going right from the outset as

Australia scored only 13 from the first three overs. That prompted Aaron Finch to open up and hit one straight to Kohli at short cover but the Indian captain put it down on a day where the Indians weren’t at their best on the field. Short’s misery finally came to an end when he mistimed Khaleel Ahmed’s first ball of the match.

Australia had 16 dot balls in the powerplay, needing a few big overs to up the ante.

Chris Lynn teed off at the right time smashing Khaleel for three sixes to get the run-rate closer to eight, but Kuldeep Yadav’s double strike in successive overs dented Australia again. First, he outfoxed Finch, who tried to slog and managed only an edge to backward point. He struck again when Lynn hit one back to the bowler in tame fashion after threatening to continue to his assault. It appeared as if India had struck again immediately when Krunal had Stoinis adjudged leg before while attempting a reverse paddle but the batsman’s decision to challenge the umpire’s verdict paid dividends as replays showed the ball sailing over the stumps.

Glenn Maxwell started off cautiously, but Stoinis kept the scorecard ticking as he picked up a couple of fours off Khaleel, who had a forgettable debut on Australian soil. At the other end, Maxwell finally opened up to completely shift the momentum in Australia’s favour. He picked on Krunal for the assault as he launched three massive sixes off the left-arm spinner over longon as the duo brought up their half-century stand off just 22 balls.

Apart from the big-hitting, the feature of their partnership was the running between the wickets. Maxwell and Stoinis pushed for twos and threes to constantly put pressure on the fielders. After seeing off Kuldeep’s final over, the two batsmen hit a six each off Krunal in his final over and when Maxwell attempted a six for the fifth time, he mistimed the delivery but managed to hang on with the ball hitting the spider cam. Two balls later, Khaleel dropped Stoinis and

the players immediately rushed back to the pavilion due to rain.

After a prolonged delay, three overs were reduced in each innings, and thankfully for India, they had already started the 17th over with Jasprit Bumrah before the rain interruption. Bumrah came back to finish off a top over where he conceded only five runs off the last five balls which included Maxwell’s wicket.

Despite those efforts, the target was adjusted to 174, which was just enough for Australia to nick a much-needed win. (Cricbuzz)

SCOREBOARD Australia Innings (17 overs maximum) DJM Short c Kuldeep Yadav b Ahmed 7 AJ Finch (c) c Ahmed b Kuldeep Yadav 27 CA Lynn c & b Kuldeep Yadav 37 GJ Maxwell c Kumar b Bumrah 46 MP Stoinis not out 33 BR McDermott not out 2 Extras (b 1, w 5) 6 TOTAL (4 wickets, 17 Overs, RR: 9.29) 158 Did not bat: AT Carey †, AJ Tye, JP Behrendorff, A Zampa, B Stanlake Fall of wickets: 1-24 (DJM Short, 4.1 ov), 2-64 (AJ Finch, 8.3 ov), 3-75 (CA Lynn, 10.1 ov), 4-153 (GJ Maxwell, 16.2 ov) BOWLING: B Kumar (3-0-150), JJ Bumrah (3-0-21-1), KK Ahmed (3-0-42-1), K Yadav (40-24-2), KH Pandya (4-0-55-0)

India Innings (target: 174 runs from 17 overs) RG Sharma c Finch b Behrendorff 7 S Dhawan c Behrendorff b Stanlake 76 KL Rahul st †Carey b Zampa 13 V Kohli (c) c Lynn b Zampa 4 RR Pant † c Behrendorff b Tye 20 KD Karthik c Behrendorff b Stoinis 30 KH Pandya c Maxwell b Stoinis 2 B Kumar not out 1 K Yadav not out 4 Extras (lb 3, nb 3, w 6) 12 TOTAL (7 wickets, 17 Overs, RR: 9.94) 169 Did not bat: JJ Bumrah, KK Ahmed Fall of wickets: 1-35 (RG Sharma, 4.1 ov), 2-81 (KL Rahul, 8.2 ov), 3-94 (V Kohli, 10.5 ov), 4-105 (S Dhawan, 11.4 ov), 5-156 (RR Pant, 15.3 ov), 6-163 (KH Pandya, 16.3 ov), 7-163 (KD Karthik, 16.4 ov) BOWLING: JP Behrendorff (4-043-1), B Stanlake (3-0-27-1), AJ Tye (3-0-47-1), A Zampa (4-0-222), MP Stoinis (3-0-27-2)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

ThursdAY, november 22, 2018

GCB trial match…

Griffith, Bramble and Ali-Mohammed among runs – Lewis, Yadram share 7 wickets Ramaal Lewis bowls during his four-wicket spell

Anthony Bramble goes big

By Brandon Corlette

G

uyana Jaguars senior opening batsman Trevon Griffith continued his love affair with Everest, smashing a brilliant century while Anthony Bramble and Renaldo AliMohamed stroked half-centuries for Johnson’s XI. The rain disappeared on the final day at the Everest Cricket Club, giving the players the opportunity to prepare for the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional FourDay Tournament scheduled for early December.

Earlier in the match, Singh’s XI were bowled out for 277 with Robin Bacchus (55); Bhaskar Yadram (56); Clinton Pestano (46) and Ramaal Lewis (46*) being the principal scor-

ers.

Gudakesh Motie, Christopher Barnwell, Raun Johnson and Kevin Sinclair picked up two wickets each for Johnson’s XI. As the sea-wall breeze made its way across the Ground, Rajendra Chandrika and Griffith stepped out to bat for Johnson’s XI. The brisk Romario Shepherd and Pestano took the new ball for Singh’s XI to kick-start the highly competitive match.

Griffith and Chandrika continued from Day 2, scoring 82 runs together as the elegant Griffith dominated the partnership. Chandrika was the first dismissed for 19 when he was trapped in front by the Essequibian Anthony Adams. Captain Leon Johnson, fresh from his Regional Super 50 ton,

was out caught off off-spinner Lewis for only 17.

Griffith continued to dominate the bowlers, hitting 18 timely fours and one maximum in his majestic 117. The middle-order batmen faltered to the likes of Lewis, Yadram and Adams.

Akshya Persaud, batting at number four, was removed by left-arm spinner Adams after scoring only three runs. Barnwell came and went, falling for a watchful 11 that included a consolation boundary. The reliable wicketkeeper-batsman Bramble came to bat with a positive mindset, but he watched Kevin Sinclair (19) and Joshua Persaud (00) throw their wickets away.

Bramble found a reliable partner in Ali-Mohamed and it was positive batting from

Bhaskar Yadram removed Anthony Bramble

the duo.

Ali-Mohammed, a West Indies Under-19 player, was very aggressive in his stroke-play while Bramble

milked the bowling, gathering ones and twos easily.

Bramble and AliMohamed were involved in an 81-run partnership,

with the latter dismissed for a well-composed 54, hitting four huge maximums in the process. A hundred was there for the taking, but Bramble fell with the score on 344-9 after stroking a responsible 75.

Motie then showed what he can do with the bat. The left hander was the final batsman dismissed for 42, with Looknauth (04) being the not out batsman.

Lewis returned with the ball to capture four wickets while part-timer Yadram grabbed three wickets.

Adams also picked up two wickets.

Since the players will require a huge amount of preparation to defend their Four-Day title, the second match between Johnson’s XI and Singh’s XI will be played next Wednesday at the National Stadium, Providence.

Johnson says, “Don’t write off Didier Drogba, Chelsea and Guyana’s 1st Gold Cup yet” Ivory Coast legend retires T C

he Golden Jaguars are still in the competition, but must win their final qualifier against Belize and hope other results are favourable to stand any chance of reaching their first CONCACAF Gold Cup, according to Guyana Senior Men’s National Team Head Coach Michael Johnson.

French Guiana beat Guyana 2-1 on Tuesday, leaving the Golden Jaguars 15th in the qualification table on seven points, with the top 10 qualifying for the Region’s premier tournament.

“We have one more bite at the cherry. We have to win our last game to stand any chance of qualifying; we need to do our bit in the hope that results will go our way,” Johnson said. “We are still in the competition. We need the home support to come to the National Stadium in your colours in support of a team that needs your help in winning this game.”

In an honest assessment of the performance in Cayenne, Johnson singled out a poor start to the match against French Guiana.

“We were not at the races in the first half and we con-

ceded poor goals. We didn’t start playing until an hour into the game. The fitness level of players is a real concern.”

However, he picked out battling performances from 18-year-old Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder Elliot Bonds and skipper Neil Danns as “a credit to the team”, and expressed sympathy for the squad after a tough result.

“My experiences as an international player for Jamaica put me in a unique position to understand how players feel and how it impacts them,” he said.

Guyana Football

Federation ( G F F ) President Wayne Forde said: “I would like to thank the players and coaching staff for giving their all and doing their best. It was a

heart-breaking and disappointing result that leaves our Gold Cup dreams in the balance. However, while w e still have a slim chance of qualifying, we must remain p o s i tive.”

Michael Johnson

helsea legend Didier Drogba has confirmed his retirement from playing, ending “an amazing 20 years”.

The Ivory Coast striker, 40, had two spells at Chelsea, scoring 164 goals in 381 games and winning four Premier Leagues and the 2012 Champions League.

He spent the last 18 months of his career with US side Phoenix Rising, the club he co-owns.

“After 20 years, I have decided to put an end to my playing career,” he told BBC World Service’s Sportshour.

It had been expected Drogba would retire after the United Soccer League Cup final earlier this month, with his last game a 1-0 defeat by Louisville City in the final of the United States’ second tier.

“It’s the best way to end, helping some young talent to develop,” he said.

“To give something back to the game was the best way to finish as I have learned so much in the game.”

Drogba did not play topflight football until the age of 23, when French side Guingamp signed him from Ligue 2 Le Mans in January

Didier Drogba won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and the Champions League with Chelsea

2002.

He moved to Marseille 18 months later - and the following year completed a reported £24m move to Chelsea, where he had the best spell of his career.

Drogba won three Premier League titles in his first eight years at Chelsea, including in each of his first two seasons in England, as well as four FA Cups and two League Cups.

He also won the Premier League Golden Boot in 200607 and 2009-10.

He left on a high, scoring the winning penalty in the Champions League final shootout against Bayern Munich.

Drogba then spent six months with Shanghai Shenhua and a year and a half with Galatasaray before returning to Chelsea.

He scored seven goals in 2014-15, winning a fourth Premier League title and a third League Cup, leaving the club as their fourth highest scorer of all time.

In 2015, he joined Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact and then became player-owner of Phoenix Rising.

He scored 65 times in 105 caps for the Ivory Coast, playing in three World Cups and being named African Footballer of the Year twice. (BBC Sport)

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21

BCB expresses appreciation for support

E

xecutives, members of various clubs and the President of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) would like to express gratitude to legendary Guyanese singing icon Dave Martins for his contribution to the historic fundraising concert that the Board hosted on November 3.

The concert was held in the compound of the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) as part of the Board’s effort to raise funds for its Cricket Developmental Programme.

Martins, in a sterling performance, wound back the years and had his passionate fans singing along to his famous songs, including “Cricket in the Jungle”, “Honeymooning Couple”, “Not a Blade of Grass” and “Boyhood Days”.

BCB President Hilbert Foster expressed gratitude to Martins and his band for performing at the concert with minimum cost to the Board. The vibrant Cricket Board presented Martins with its highest Award “Tribute to Heroes”.

BCB Office Administrator Angela Haniff presents the “Tribute to Heroes” Award to Dave Martins

The legendary singer was the 17th awardee joining the likes of Mortimer George, Carl Moore, Malcolm Peters, Ancel Hazel, Lennox Phillips, and the late Leslie

Amsterdam.

Foster hailed Martins as a strong supporter of cricket in the Caribbean and recalled the happy memories West Indians could associ-

ate with his tune “We are the Champions”. The song served for over a decade as the unofficial anthem of West Indies cricket.

The Board also expressed its gratitude to Joseph “Reds” Perreira for his role in organising Martins’ participation in the concert.

The legendary Guyanese cricket commentator visited the Ancient County in July 2018, and as part of his commitment to Berbice cricket, organised the concert.

The BCB also acknowledges the support of Barron Food of St Lucia and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ronald Ramjattan and Troy Cadogan of ANSA McAL. Special thanks also went out to the management of NATI, National Communications Network, Claudette Watts of Watsan’s Catering and the Guyana Beverage Company.

Funds raised will be used for the preparation of the Berbice Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 teams for the 2019 Inter-county season.

The energetic Foster not-

ed that the Board in 2018 had already successfully completed 16 cricket tournaments while the Mogu Mogu Inter-Secondary School; New Building Society (NBS) Second Division, Pepsi 50Over, Brian Ramphal Double Wicket, Da Silva Under-13 and Mike’s Pharmacy Under-15 Tournaments for 2019 have already started.

The Upper Corentyne Cricket Association Double Wicket Under-17 and Under-19 2019 Tournaments, Nand Persaud Female and another First Division Tournament would also bowl off soon.

Additionally, over the last nine months, the Board has successfully organised dozens of programmes which included a cricket academy, coaching clinics, award ceremonies and educational movements as part of its intense effort to lift Berbice cricket higher.

The Board, under the leadership of Foster, has also raised over $8 million in cash and kind to assist the promotion of the game.

Ariel Masters escape Fishermen Masters’ net to claim softball title A

s the curtains came down on the Mike’s Pharmacy 15-over Softball Competition on Sunday, softball fans were able to witness an intense battle in a low-scoring thriller as Ariel Masters defeated Fishermen’s Masters at the Malteenoes Sports Club.

Playing in their semi-final matchup, Ariel Masters batted first against Success Masters and posted a commanding 186-5 in their allotted 15 overs as opener Mohamed Rafeek made a blistering 110 not out, which included seven fours and eight sixes to lead the innings.

Supporting him was Manoj Arjune, who chipped in with 22. Needing 187 for victory, Success Masters came very close to the target as they threatened Ariel. Despite Vijay Baljit’s 38 and Sachin Singh’s 33, Ariel were able to restrict them to 172-7. Arjune captured 2-15 and Robert Comacho 2-20, securing Ariel a spot in the final.

As for Fishermen Masters, they were

set to battle the in-form Wellman Masters in the other semi-final. Batting first, Fishermen were restricted to 146-8 as Z Asad commanded the innings with a brilliant 44. He was also offered support from Suresh Ramdin, who scored 30 runs and D Thomas, who chipped in 17 despite Wayne Jones’ 4-28.

Fishermen were then able to restrict Wellman Masters for 136-6 even though the in-form Jones scored 68. With that win, Fishermen secured the other final slot.

Ariel and Fishermen were now set to face each other, with the latter taking first strike to accumulate a modest 127-7.

Scoring for Fishermen were Suresh Ramdin, who made 39; Pooran Singh, 36, and Sachin Singh, 20. The pick of the bowlers for Ariel were Comacho who claimed 3-18, Hanoman Singh, 2-18 and Arjune 2-21.

With such a small total on the board, Ariel easily chased the total down in 14.2 overs with 3 balls to spare to end on 129-5.

Taking Ariel Masters over the line were Richard Persaud, who struck three fours and three sixes in a top score of 46, while Troy Lewis made 30 and Comacho supported with 25.

As the event came to an end, organiser Wayne Jones congratulated the winning team and gave high praise to the sponsors.

The competition was organised by the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA).

Richard Persaud scored an important 46 to lead Ariel Masters to victory

Man City boss warned by FA over referee comments M anchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been warned by the Football Association after he spoke about referee Anthony Taylor before the Manchester derby.

Guardiola broke FA rules by discussing the suitability of the Cheshire official, who is from Wythenshawe.

Although Guardiola backed Taylor and dismissed accusations of potential bias, managers are not permitted to talk about refereeing appointments.

Manchester United's Jose Mourinho was fined for a similar charge in 2016.

In November of that year the United manager was fined £50,000 for talking about Taylor before a game against Liverpool.

However, Mourinho had previously been warned following comments he made as Chelsea boss in December 2014 about referee Neil Swarbrick before a game at Stoke.

Premier League leaders City won the Manchester derby 3-1 on 11 November. (BBC Sport)

Pep Guardiola guided his team to a 3-1 win in the Manchester derby in November

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thursdAY, november 22, 2018

Petra gearing up to release sport magazine T

he Petra Organisation is looking to broaden its range in the sport arena; as such, the entity revealed on Monday that it would be launching a sport magazine in the new year.

The Organisation, which has been coordinating tournaments for a number of years, has found an outlet to showcase the successes from its packed 2018 year.

Cordel Mc Clure, who is attached to the Organisation, detailed what Petra hoped to achieve with the publishing of the magazine.

“So what Petra is attempting to do is to cap-

ture all of the tournaments coordinated by the Petra Organisation into a colourful, attractive magazine.

This magazine will highlight players who would have excelled, highlight the schools and clubs that did well in these tournaments,” he explained.

The Petra Organisation has delivered tournaments for various age groups over the years, including Under-11 Pee Wee, Under-14, Under-18 and senior clubs, to name a few. It has, with the help of sponsors, coordinated Milo and Guyoil Under-18, ExxonMobil Under-14,

O

Vera’s Finally

Courts Pee Wee Under-11 Boys, Smalta Under-11 Girls, Limacol and Turbo knock-

out competitions which cater to senior clubs. In this light, Mc Clure urged young play-

ers to look out for their teams.

“Of course, the magazine will be available to all schools, clubs, Government offices and sponsors. This initial magazine will be 40 pages and will be ready in January,” Mc Clure said.

He explained that the release date was set in January so as to facilitate the hosting and conclusion of several tournaments, which will occur in December.

With more than 10 tournaments in 2018, the Cordel Mc Clure

magazine is expected to cover a mass of content and will expose talent and upcoming stars at all levels.

“What does it mean for the students? It means that you will have an opportunity to see yourself, to be able to show your family members and schoolmates that you participated in one of the tournaments. For the sponsors, it will mean that you will also have additional viewership.”

“Petra is forward-thinking, Petra is expanding how football is projected to the public,” Mc Clure concluded, praising the company’s vision.

Port Mourant Turf Persaud’s 3rd Club set to come consecutive half-century alive on December 2 guides CICC to semis

n Sunday, December 2, 2018, the first-ever Race of Champions Horse Racing Meet organised by Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee will be hosted at the Port Mourant Turf Club in Corentyne, Berbice.

The event, which is billed to commence at noon, will include several races that will feature a most anticipated rematch between “Vera’s Finally” and “Just Call Me Boss”.

The meet will consist of 10 races with the first being the 1300 metres, whose winner will pocket a handsome cash prize of $1,937,500.

Colts, geldings, fillies and mares 3 years and older, imported and locally-bred horses, C2 & Lower Colts and Geldings, will be eligible for this race.

Other races will include the 1500m (F Class) with a first prize of $775,000 and will be opened to colts, geldings, fillies and mares 3 years and older and to all West Indian and Guyana bred horses F & Lower.

The 1300m will see colts, gelding and fillies 2 years and older compete for $533,000.

The 1500m I Class carries a winner’s purse of $484, 000, the race is open to colts, geldings, fillies & mares 3 years and older, Guyana bred horses classified 1& Lower. It is also open to H-Class none-earners in Guyana.

For the 1300m J Class, the winner will walk away with $465,000. It is open to colts, gelding, fillies and mares 3 years and older and Guyana bred horses classified J3 & Lower.

Many other exciting races are expected to feature throughout the day.

All races will be conducted under the Guyana Horse Racing Rules, but horses must meet all requirements of the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee, while horses are subject to reclassification pending the results of any race meeting prior to this one.

In the event, an animal has been scratched from the event, a medical has to accompany any request of refund, if not, a fee of G$5000 will be charged. All races will start on time and entries are to be paid and jockeys are to be weighed 15 minutes before post time; if not, the said race will be cancelled.

Entries will only be accepted via entry forms provided by the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee.

For more information, contact can be made with Chandu Ramkisoon on 6249063, 608-9063, 232-0633 (Alan Padmore): 232-9115, 232-0811, 232-0657 (Nikita Ross): 662-4668 or 697-1979 (Ramnauth).

Akshaya Persaud

G

uyana Jaguars middle-order batsman Akshaya Persaud followed up his unbeaten half-century, with a classy 74 to lead Cornelia Ida Cricket Club (CICC) to victory over Rising Stars Cricket Club in the West Demerara Cricket Board’s 50-over competition at Canal Polder Number Two Ground.

Cornelia are now into the semi-final stage of the competition after Rising Stars won the toss, putting the CICC side in to bat and ended up losing by 75 runs.

The match was reduced to 40 overs per side as a result of Rising Stars’ late entrance.

Batting first, CICC composed a mammoth total of 2557 in their allotted 40 overs.

Persaud, who had scored two consecutive half-centuries in his last two games, followed up with his third as his 74 comprised 10 smashing fours and a towering six.

Persaud was offered support by teammates Richie Looknauth (38); Mohammed Wazidali (32*); Naveed Alli

(30) and Avinash Dhaniram (22).

Rising Stars’ Marvin Chung had 2-34, and Christian Husbands bagged 1-35 while Shane Persaud and Sachin Singh claimed one wicket each.

Needing 256 for victory, Rising Stars were restricted to 181 all out in 32.4 overs.

Despite Shane Persaud’s 46, which included eight fours, and Shaquille Brisports’ 33, the Stars were harassed by the bowling of the CICC as no other batsman could offer resistance in the run chase.

Harinarine Bissondyal finished with 3-22, Alli had 2-24, and Looknauth claimed 2-32 while Persaud, Dhaniram and Wazidali picked up one wicket each.

The semi-finals for the competition will be held on November 25 at Wales as CICC face off against McGill Super Stars in the first semi-final while at Bridge Ground, Independence Sports Club will battle it out with Zeeburg Sports Club in the other semi.

guyanatimesgy.com

ThursdAY, november 22, 2018

Stand-alone Women’s World T20 tournament…

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Stakes high as final 4 square off T

he semi-finals will be reenactments of the 2016 World T20 finals where West Indies stunned Australia and the 2017 World Cup where England beat India.

With the ICC Women’s World T20 in just its sixth edition and with this being the first stand-alone tournament, the legacy of this tournament can be said to still be in its beginning. And yet the last three matches arrive with the weight of history behind them, thanks to the way the draws have fallen. The semifinals will be re-enactments of two of the most famous finals in the history of women’s cricket, both of which have come in the last two years.

In the first game on Thursday, 22 November, the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium will host the home team as they face pre-tournament favourites Australia. The West Indies claimed the Women’s World T20 in 2016 beating the same team in the final. That game could lay claim to the most ground-breaking victory ever, as it was the first time that a team outside of the axis of Australia-England-New Zealand won a global title since 1973.

In the later game, tabletoppers India will take on England, a re-match of the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017: On that occasion the home team crowned a year of upheaval with a title in front of their fans, while India fell short of a first ICC Women’s World Cup title by an agonising nine runs. The match was the pinnacle of a record-breaking tournament, one that could be said to have forever changed how

“I think it’s important not just because it’s Australia, but for ourselves and our team,” said Jemimah Rodrigues, one of the young players who has been key to India’s resurgence. “I think it plays a huge impact on our team and I think we look forward to it, but are not carried away by it, and we will try to do even better in the semifinals.”

the world viewed women’s cricket.

West Indies mercurial yet steely In this tournament, the home side have looked mercurial yet steely; there are questions about the consistency of their batting, having posted low scores in three of their four games. But when they beat England, it was runs from lesser known players that saw them home, proof that the side is more than its top-three.

Their bowling line-up has shown the ability to defend low scores, but most electric has been their fielding.

“If you score a low total and you have the best fielding, then you have a chance at defending that total”, said Deandra Dottin ahead of the semi-finals. “We’ve been working very hard on our fielding, our basic stuff, and it certainly helps. I think it’s pretty strong at the moment.”

With the wind in the Caribbean offering some unique challenges to fielders, the home side look distinctly advantaged.

Pre-tournament favourites Australia Australia come in with some questions: after having been anointed far-and-

away favourites before the tournament, the loss against India in their final group game has left many pondering their vulnerability. But they still sport formidable depth, and captain Meg Lanning believes her bowling attack has developed a resilience that wasn’t there before.

“We were staying relatively calm out there knowing that India would come hard at us and they would have the momentum at some point.

I thought we were able to hold them back pretty well,” she said after that loss. The three-time champions have the best support system, the best domestic structure, and

some world-class players, but have not won a world title since 2014, and will be keen to correct that.

India on a winning streak India seem to have shed their skin in the last six months. Doubts about their chances in this competition arose when they lost twice to Bangladesh in the Asia Cup, but since then they have found a winning habit and formula, one with a heavy dose of spin.

Under a new coach, they have now won eight T20Is in a row - their best ever run - and carry critical momentum into the game, having just beaten Australia.

Fighting England England were unchallenged and their middle-order undercooked going into their last group match, but that changed as they were beaten in a thriller by the Windies.

“To have a tight game like that and to see how we fought, how we stayed in the game, how we scrapped, that’s what the team is about,” said Heather Knight. “And that’s all I can ask for the girls. It’s really pleasing obviously, going into the semi-final.”

They have bet heavily on their spinners in this tournament, but it has been their pace bowlers who have won them critical moments in the group games, in conducive conditions in Saint Lucia. The challenge now for Knight’s side will be to replicate that at a different venue, against opposition who play spin well.

Antigua’s coast might boast white sand beaches and azure blue sea, but come Thursday, the interior will be the place to be. The best cricketing talent will converge on the green grass of the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, as this tournament takes its last few steps towards legacy.

Match times are 16:00 hrs and 20:00 hrs. (ICC-Cricket)

Healy set for action in today’s deciders ICC teams up with Google

A

fter suffering a mild concussion colliding with Megan Schutt during Australia’s ICC Women’s World T20 2018 game against India, Australia’s star batter, Alyssa Healy is in the process of recovering from an incident that occurred in the penultimate over of India’s innings.

Healy returned to training in Antigua in the lead-up to today’s semi-final against the Windies, and Rachael Haynes, the senior Australia player, said, “I believe she’s on track. In terms of the games coming up, your guess is as good as mine.

“Obviously, she’s got a couple of hurdles she’s got to jump over, but I’ve got full confidence in our medical staff. We’ve got some of the best people in the country here with us helping her out. Obviously, it’s going to be how she progresses through that.”

Healy is crucial for Australia, the three-time World T20 champions who lost the 2016 final to the same opponents.

Batting at the top of the order, Healy has copped three Player-ofthe-Match awards thus far with scores of 48, 56* and 53 in her three innings, and she is only behind

Rachel Haynes is airborne as she completed a run-out earlier in the tournament

Alyssa Healy has been India’s Harmanpreet Kaur (167) Australia’s leading runand New Zealand’s Suzie Bates scorer this tournament (161) in the overall scoring charts with 157 runs.

The Australian Vice Captain, Haynes, in her interview before the clash in Antigua, explained that this was the first time for the team in Antigua.

“We are a confident group looking to execute our plans to perfection against the star-studded Caribbean team,” Haynes added.

Haynes is expecting a challenge especially from the West Indies Captain, Stafanie Taylor, who has been Haynes’ teammate in the Women’s Big Bash tournament. The Aussies expect a similar pitch at the Sir Vivian Richard Stadium, but simultaneously the bowlers are expecting a bit more pace. In the batting department, the batters are expected to play according to the situation of the game and execute plans in a more professional manner in contrast to their recent match against India.

T

h e

International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a partnership with Google to offer fans a great viewing experience of the semi-finals and final of the ICC Women’s World T20 2018 in the West

Indies.

The collaboration includes enabling the casting of video content from the ICC mobile app on Cast enabled devices, like Chromecast and Google Home Hub, allowing fans around the world to get closer to the final stages of the event and stay up to date on the teams, matches and favourite players on a plethora of devices. This includes in-match clips and short form highlights.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “This is a hugely exciting collaboration for cricket and I’m delighted to welcome Google on board with the ICC Women’s World T20 in the West Indies.

Connecting with fans and giving more of the world the chance to enjoy our sport is vital and our partnership with Google

enables us t o do that.

“Cricket may be a sport steeped in tradition, but it is one that has consistently embraced technology on and off the field to improve the game and the fan experience and we must continue to innovate. The fact that a fan can now enjoy the ICC App content on Cast enabled devices for the first time ever for a cricket event is great news.”

ThursdAY, november 22, 2018

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

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Stand-alone Women’s World T20 tournament…

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Stakes high as final 4 square off

GCB trial match…

Griffith, Bramble and AliMohammed among runs Page 20

Johnson says, “Don’t write off Guyana’s 1st Gold Cup yet” Page 20

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