Guyana Times November 28, 2018

Guyana signs on to new P16 roadmap to save the jaguar

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3760

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

PRICE

Scotiabank pulls out of Guyana

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Man gets 2 years after confessing to $1.1M P8 robbery

Page 3

42 minibus park returns to original location for Christmas P16

– Govt expresses concern

PSC lists several concerns regarding Budget 2019

…hire car drivers to be removed again today

Page 13

– expresses worry over impact on foreign reserves

Blairmont sugar workers down tools – call for increase in wages, salaries

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4 firemen to be charged for stealing from crashed P10 plane

Pedal cyclist killed in Mahaicony accident P10

Field and factory workers attached to the Blairmont Sugar Estate, West Bank Berbice, on Tuesday came out in their numbers to protest for an increase in wages and salaries

Man brutally chops reputed wife who threatens to end relationship Page 12

– lifeless body of suspect found hanging

DPP Chambers launches Code of Conduct for local prosecutors Page 15

PPP GECOM P11 Commissioners storm out of statutory meeting …after Chairman unilaterally insisted PRO be present at all meetings

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wedneSdAY, November 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Wednesday, November 28 – 09:00h-10:30h and Thursday, November 29 – 10:30h-12:00h.

Scotiabank pulls out of Guyana – Govt expresses concern

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, November 28 – 08:20h-09:50h and Thursday, November 29 – 09:35h-11:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the morning, with light cloudy skies with light rain showers in the afternoon and throughout the evening. Temperatures will range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 08:14h and 20:33h reaching maximum heights of 2.40 metres and 2.44 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 01:41h and 14:03h reaching minimum heights of 0.64 metre and 0.88 metre respectively.

saturDAY, novemBER 24, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS J

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23 25 27

FREE TICKET TUESDAY, november 27, 2018

14 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

01 06 10 15 22 LUCKY 3

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Afternoon Draw

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Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

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PAY DAY

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11 13 18 SUPER PAY DAY

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

Scotia Bank (left) has inked a US$123 million deal with Republic Bank to have the Trini-based institution take over their branches

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major shake-up is looming on the financial landscape, as Canadian-based Scotiabank will be pulling out its operations in Guyana and a number of other countries. The bank branches will in turn be bought over by Republic Bank.

Guyana Times understands that the deal is worth US$123 million and was executed on Tuesday. According to Chairman of Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) Ronald Harford, who made the announcement, the move will benefit everyone in the long-run. This includes Scotiabank clients and employees and the group’s own stakeholders.

“This acquisition represents another major milestone for the Republic Group.

As we grow and acquire significant positions in our existing markets, it is important that we continue to broaden our footprint, regionally and internationally.”

“This agreement, which is subject to all regulatory approvals, affords us the opportunity to reach more clients in the Eastern Caribbean and Guyana, two markets we are familiar with, and build new relationships in St Maarten,” Harford said in a statement from the bank, also promising that all impacted Scotiabank employees will join the Republic Group.

Broken down, the US$123 million purchase price represents US$25 million of total shareholding of Scotiabank Anguilla Limited; and a premium of US$98 million over net asset value for operations in the other eight countries – St Maarten, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“This price does not include any amounts required to capitalise the branches post-closing. The agreement signals the commencement of a transaction that is subject to all regulatory and other customary approvals and conditions,” the bank stated.

It is understood that the Republic Group’s total asset base as at September 30, 2018 was US$10.5 billion, with equity at US$1.5 billion and shareholder profits for the year ended September 30, 2018 of US$198 million.

Acquiring Scotia means the Group’s asset size will increase by approximately US$2.5 billion. Investment and banking consultant Citigroup Global Markets Inc is said to be advising RFHL on the transaction. In a statement, Scotia Bank’s head of International banking, Ignacio (Nacho) Deschamps, sought to assuage any con-

cerns about the takeover of his bank’s branches.

“Scotiabank is proud to work with the Republic Group – a leader in financial services in the Caribbean who is well positioned to invest and grow the business, and to provide customers across the region with leading financial solutions that meet their needs,” he said.

Monopoly

But Scotia bank’s presence in Guyana is of such a magnitude that even Government is concerned about the transaction, with the Finance Ministry expressing regret at the buyout soon after it was announced.

According to a statement from the Ministry, the Financial Institutions Act (FIA) has clear stipulations regarding ‘acquisition of control’ and requires approval from the Bank of Guyana. The Ministry noted that an application must first be submitted and due diligence conducted.

The Ministry also noted that the FIA addresses any fundamental changes that arise out of mergers and transfer of assets or liabilities.

And they pointed out that the agreement raises a number of issues within the banking sector… the effects of which must be considered by the Finance Ministry, the Bank of Guyana and the Government.

According to the Ministry,

Republic Bank already occupies 35.4 per cent of the banking systems total assets in Guyana and 36.8 per cent of all deposits. The Ministry noted that if Republic Bank now acquires Scotia, this will increase to 51 per cent of both assets and deposits.

“This raises concerns about an over-concentration of banking services, market domination and the ‘too big to fail’ risks,” the Ministry stated, questioning the potential effect on competition and the potential for Republic Bank to have too much influence on prices and rates for banking services.

Besides the potential for lost jobs arising from Republic Bank consolidating its branches, the Ministry also noted that there may be issues related to correspondent banking options.

“The Scotiabank decision, which is made when Guyana’s economy is on the cusp of fi-

nancial transformation with the onset of massive new oil and gas sector raises concerns and is regretted,” the Ministry stated.

“The Ministry of Finance wishes to assure that it will continue to stay abreast of this matter, will act in the best interest of the Guyanese people and will issue subsequent updates as necessary.”

Scotiabankcurrently has five branches in Guyana.

There are two in Georgetown: Carmichael and Robb Streets, Georgetown, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); one in New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Five (MahaicaBerbice); one in Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); and another in Parika, East Bank Essequibo, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

Already, persons have expressed concerns that the agreement was made without notifying with customers.

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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

Budget 2019: Short on substance

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he analyses of Budget 2019 are ongoing and soon the $300 billion odd package will be debated in Parliament.

Unfortunately, if the past were to be a guide, there will be little or no room for any meaningful change that may be proposed by the Opposition due to the Government’s majority in the National Assembly.

The Opposition has already branded the budget ‘visionless and disappointing’, while the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), having noted that some money will be coming back into the hands of consumers, has expressed disappointment over the non-reduction of the Excise Tax on fuel.

From the Government standpoint, the budget is another major step towards fulfilling its promise to provide a good life for all Guyanese and sees as vital that new taxes were not announced. It is confident that will ensure no additional financial burden be imposed on taxpayers and, along with the other measures announced, providing that ‘good life’ seems on track. In announcing increases in the Income Tax threshold, old-age pension and public assistance, the Government is seemingly brimming with confidence to deliver its elusive promise.

Expectations of the ordinary citizens are always rife at budget time. For them, the bottom line is always basic bread and butter issues; will they be earning more? A cursory look through the relevant sections does offer some encouragement that workers’ income will in effect be increased resulting from the upward movement of the tax threshold. Similarly for pensioners and those who depend on public assistance. However, the reality may be vastly different when the magnitude of those increases and the actual value in terms of spending power are taken into consideration.

Come 2019, the Income Tax threshold will go upwards by $5000 and those who earn above $65,000, the necessary tax regime kicks in. In reality, for that group, the increase is less than $5000.

Pensioners will benefit from an increase of $1000 per month which is equivalent to just one modest fast-food meal or three loaves of bread for the 30-day period. Those increases must have sounded good during the presentation but the harsh reality would be the lack of effectiveness on people’s spending ability.

Fuel prices, which generally determine the cost of commodities, have quietly crept up. Transportation and manufacturing costs would be unmoved and with constantly rising food prices, the announced increases will be of little value. While it is something despite the miniscule amount, it is not as exciting as it was made out to be.

Of course the Government will boast of implementing necessary measures to increase workers’ income and no new taxes for 2019. The preference will be to highlight the increases in terms of percentage as against the actual sum given the assumed public relations and political value for higher figures relating to benefits seem to bode well with the mind. It will therefore make interesting reading when the various analyses, especially from the labour unions, are made known.

With regard to the no new taxes, a plethora was already unleashed on the working class since the 2015 to 2018 budgets by the current Government. That broke the backs of many and precipitated a vast reduction in disposable income which redounded to lesser spending and sloth in the economy.

Aside from the closure of sugar estates and the devastated effect it continues to have on the lives of thousands of workers and their families, hundreds of other jobs continue to be lost as businesses close due to the lack of the necessary enabling financial environment.

This budget, and the Government’s previous four, have done little to address or reverse those worrying trends and to create jobs. As a matter of fact, its projected growth rates were not met and in some cases readjusted downwards. That in itself speaks volumes over the lack of holistic effectiveness of Government’s budgetary measures.

One can argue that it probably became cognisant of the hardships it imposed on the populace since 2015 with that point effectively brought home by the results of the recently held Local Government Elections. On the heels of the Government’s dismal showing, salary increases were announced with tax-free retroactive pay and the sudden announcement of social projects including a proposed hospital for the Sophia area.

That was not a subtle reaction to make its promise appear as not just a promise. With its own support base utterly disappointed over the lack in delivering the promised good life, the Government would have been hard-pressed to announce any new tax measure.

It could also be that there is little or nothing left to tax.

In the context of the realities on the ground, Budget 2019, given its size it terms of its sum, pages and the probably the longest presentation in the nation’s history, may either be an exercise in verbose prowess for maximum screen time to realistically and ironically say little; an endeavor to create a façade to mask the lack of substance; unbridled hope and high expectations for oil revenue down the road. Some may conclude it’s a combination of all three.

Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’ Maxine Graham DSM presented a token to Superintendent Anthony Vanderhyden who was acknowledged for his loyalty and commitment while serving the Force. Vanderhyden has served the Force with distinction for more than 37 years and will officially retire on January 1, 2019

Khashoggi killing: Saudi Crown Prince greeted with protests in Tunisia …anger over killing of Journalist prompts protests against visit

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audi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been greeted by an outpouring of public anger on his arrival in Tunisia, one of the stops on his first trip abroad since the killing of Journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which critics say was designed to whitewash his image before the G20 summit later this week.

After embraces and smiles from allies in the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt this week, the powerful Crown Prince did not receive such a warm welcome in Tunis: at least 200 people gathered in the city centre on Monday night the day before scheduled talks with Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi.

A huge banner depicting the Crown Prince carrying a chainsaw – a reference to his alleged involvement in Khashoggi’s gruesome murder and reported dismemberment at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul – was unfurled over the Tunisian Journalists’ union building.

On Tuesday, hundreds more demonstrators carried placards reading “No to polluting revolutionary Tunisia” and “The murderer is not welcome”, in marches organised by youth and women’s rights groups.

After several weeks of shifting explanations, Riyadh eventually admitted the dissident writer was killed at the hands of a hit team sent from the Kingdom, but the Saudis maintain that Crown Prince Mohammed had no knowledge of the rogue operation.

The Tunis protests were

Tunisian protesters holding placards with inscription in Arabic reading: “Tunisians against Saudi crown prince visit” [Stringer/EPA photograph]

accompanied by statements from the Tunisian Journalists’ union and a dozen Non-Governmental Organisations decrying Crown Prince Mohammed’s visit as an “attack on the principles” of the Arab Spring that brought democracy and freedom of expression to Tunisia.

“Arab citizens are often hostages to our governments,” said Suad AbuDayyeh, a consultant for the campaign group Equality Now. “Prince Salman is locking up and torturing women activists in Saudi Arabia.

I’m delighted Tunisians are standing up to him.”

Tunisian officials stressed the “historical and fraternal” relations between Tunis and Riyadh, adding that the region would suffer if Saudi Arabia, a regional power, was destabilised by Crown Prince Mohammed’s

removal.

Tunisia is a longstanding recipient of Saudi development and aid funds. Many in the country are still angry, however, that Saudi Arabia offered refuge to the corrupt former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali after he was overthrown in 2011, and has since refused to extradite him.

After Tunisia, Crown Prince Mohammed is due to travel to the G20 summit in Argentina on Friday, where many world leaders are dreading the prospect of public meetings with the embattled heir to the throne.

While US President Donald Trump has reiterated support for his Saudi ally, going as far as contradicting the CIA’s reported assessment that the Crown Prince ordered Khashoggi’s death, the possibility of shaking hands and posing for pho-

tos with the Saudi de facto leader poses a headache for British Prime Minister, Theresa May, and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Both the United Kingdom and France have condemned Saudi Arabia’s conduct over Khashoggi’s murder and used it to pressure the Saudi-United Arab Emirates coalition fighting in Yemen into renewed peace talks, but the criticism has stopped short of ending arms sales to the Gulf.

On Monday, the advocacy group Human Rights Watch took the largely symbolic step of writing to a federal prosecutor in Argentina demanding the Crown Prince’s arrest on his arrival in Buenos Aires for war crimes and torture.

The Crown Prince is reportedly still expected to attend the summit. (The Guardian)

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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

Elected local representatives of Linden have a unique and privileged position Dear Editor, The Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration along with its members would like to congratulate all the Councillors elected to serve on the 4th Linden Municipality Council.

We wish to thank the candidates who participated in the process, the backers and others who made their nominations possible. We also wish to thank everyone else who made this success a reality.

Our hope is that this Council’s focus will be on planning, implementing and facilitating educational enlightening and exceptional development programs, including activities and events which will help to accomplish the mission, vision and goals of the Council as well as enhance the linden Mayor & Town Council’s values in Linden.

However, being a

Councillor is hard work.

Every day you will be expected to balance the needs of your communities, your residents and voters, community groups, local businesses, your political party ( if you belong to one ) and the Council. All will make legitimate demands of your time – on top of your personal commitments to family, friends and the workplace.

As Councillors you will have many different roles to balance. Being the local elected representative, you will engage with residents and groups on a wide range of different issues and take on an important community leadership role.

At the Council you will contribute to the development of policies and strategies, including budget setting, and you may be involved in scrutinising Council decisions or making decisions on planning. Councillors, your primary role is to rep-

resent your constituencies and the people who live in it. Councillors, you provide a bridge between the communities and the Council. As well as being an advocate for your local residents and directing them to the right people at the Council, you will need to keep them informed about the issues that affect them.

In order to understand and represent local views and priorities, you need to build strong relationships and encourage local people to make their views known and engage with you and the Council. Good communication and engagement is central to being effective Councillors.

As local Councillors, your residents will expect you to: • respond to their queries and investigate their concerns • c o m m u n i c a t e Council decisions that affect them

From a destructive Opposition to a failed Government Dear Editor, The fourth National Budget for the APNU/AFC coalition Government was presented to the National Assembly despite the majority of the Guyanese population, through the Opposition Leader has declared no-confidence against the APNU/ AFC administration for the mismanagement of affairs in Guyana Since the 2011-2015 period when the APNU and the AFC were the combined opposition with a dangerous weapon of a parliamentary majority, they have used it deliberately and conveniently to take Guyana down the path of destruction. The combined opposition, during that period, who promised a good life and a better future, deliberately, by their vindictive actions destroyed the

very foundation upon which they are presently collapsing now.

How can people sleep at night knowing that they are guilty of not fulfilling the role the electorate gave them? During the 2011-2015 period the lack of support for major national development projects such as the Amailia Falls Hydroelectric plant, the CJIA expansion, Marriott hotel, a Specialty Hospital, the blocked security measures that would have prevented money laundering and many other measures that are contributing towards a failed APNU/AFC government.

During this period the APNU/AFC/PNC was determined not to support any projects that would further enhance the popularity of the PPP/C, regardless of

The Scotiabank sale Dear Editor, I was astounded when I read an online article from a prominent news establishment that Scotiabank has sold its local operations and will be exiting the Guyana operations.

I am astounded because as a long-time account holder of this Bank, I would have expected to be informed by the Bank before this information reached the public domain.

I would hope the arbitrary transfer of my account to the sold bank is not a done deal without any consultation with me.

Your respectfully, Shamshun Mohamed

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

how much the entire nation stands to benefit.

Unfortunately, the APNU/AFC coalition government can't recover from their present collapse, despite presenting four consecutive budgets. We can conclude: From a destructive opposition to a failed Government.

Your sincerely, Zamal Hussain

• know your patch and be aware of any problems • know and work with representatives of local organisations, interest groups, youth groups and businesses • represent their views at Council meetings • lead local campaigns on their behalf.

It is our belief that the diversity of this Council will foster greater unity and co-operation since residents of linden will have full representation which will strengthen the democratic process, thereby allowing a greater say in the governance of the respective communities. It will also help to build trust among various ethnic groups where everyone will feel respected as they would become an integral part of the decision making process of the Council.

Councillors, you must promote greater accountability, as elected representatives you are answerable directly to the people in your immediate communities.

Linden has so many talented and educated citizens, please involve them in building our local communities and take advantage of the talent that resides in various organisations, youth groups and political parties in order to promote progress in Linden.

Given the history of Linden and its political landscape, let’s prepare and develop visionary leadership skills among the hundreds of residents who will be involved in the consultation and leadership processes of their local communities Note that the traits of good leaders are common across disciplines, profes-

sions and geographical regions. Community leadership is unique in its approach and goals. Remember, as Councillors your leadership is not about managing or even coordinating and it is certainly not about dictating or imposing your ideas onto others. Your leadership must be part education, part inspiration, and part mobilisation.

Maximise your strengths Councillors and ensure that everyone on the team is making a meaningful contribution in representing their communities. Some individuals may have a strong need for control. Others may have a deep need to be appreciated for their time and service.

As Councillors your job is to balance everyone’s needs and keep your sights focused on jobs/works that need to be done to keep Linden and her communities progressing toward the 21st Century.

There is the myth that leaders lead and doers do, but as Linden municipality Councillors lead by example and consult with residents, it has proven to be best to get residents to buy in to any project. Above everything else Councillors, it is about the people who live with you and near you. The people who form the communities are the beneficiaries, but also those who, you as Councillors are accountable to.

It is not just about policies, processes or procedures.

More than anything, it is about the people of Linden.

The PPP/C, during the 2018 LGE outreaches called for the practice of stewardship in the new Council, getting residents to take responsibility for their physical spac-

es and surroundings. This includes natural areas, structures and spaces.

Stewardship is working together to protect, preserve and take care of your communities. This involves renewing, repairing, rebuilding and constantly reviewing your physical communities to ensure that it is healthy, strong and well-maintained. Let us all think forward, there is a saying in some communities about thinking five generations ahead, let’s not think for today only, or even tomorrow , but being able to make wise decisions that will still benefit the residents long after this current Council has dissolved Residents your future, our future, young and old depends on the effectiveness of this Council to get the job done , let’s give them our support and work together as a team for development as our Councillors address and correct the issues that are affecting our daily lives . We must ensure that consultation is always a transparent process with our Councillors.

Let’s enrich the lives of Lindeners Your sincerely, David Adams

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Talking to your parents ure, you talk to your parents, but what if you need to really talk?

Maybe you have a problem you can't solve alone. Or it could be that you want to feel closer to your Mom and Dad. It's easy to say "Hi, Mom" or "Dad, can you pass the potatoes?" It can be harder to start talking about personal topics. Still, it's good to confide in your parents. In fact, it can help a lot.

Be brave and start talking Let's face it, talking about personal stuff can feel embarrassing. But remember, your parents know you pretty well – and they were your age once, too! So don't let a little embarrassment stop you.

It's OK to go ahead and share what's on your mind.

Some children might think if they share a problem, they'll make a parent worried or upset. But your mom or dad can handle knowing about your problem, big or small. If they look concerned, it just means they care, and that they feel for you.

Some children might not bring up a problem, because they just don't want to think about it – and hope it will just go away. But sweeping a problem under the rug hardly ever solves it. And bottling up your feelings can make you feel stressed.

Talking things over with a parent can help you feel less stressed. Together, you can think of ways to cope, solve the problem, and feel better. Just knowing your parent understands and cares about what you're going through can reduce your stress a lot.

How to start Do you need to talk about something important? Try these tips: Decide who you want to talk to. Do

Foundation

you want to talk to your Mom, your Dad, or both of them? Do you want to talk to a grandparent? An older sibling?

Pick a good time and place to talk.

Any time you're together can work. For example, when you're walking the dog, helping with the dishes, or driving in the car.

Think about what you need. Do you need your parent to just listen and understand what you're going through? Do you need permission for something? Do you want advice? Do you need to talk about trouble you're in?

Think of what you'll say. You can get started by saying things like: "Mom, I need to tell you about a

problem I'm having."

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

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

"Mom, I did something I know was wrong. You might be mad, but I want to fix things, and I need your help. Can I tell you?"

Once you get started, your mom or dad will listen and talk, too. Then you can have more of a back-and-forth discussion.

Communication tips Explain your situation. Give details that can help parents understand your situation. Explain what you think, feel, and want.

Be honest. If you're always honest, a parent will be likely to believe what you say. If you sometimes hide the truth or add too much drama, parents will have a harder time believing what you tell them.

If you lie, they'll find it hard to trust you.

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

Try not to argue or whine. Use a tone that's friendly and respectful.

That makes it more likely parents will listen and take what you say seriously. It also makes it more likely that they'll talk to you in the same way.

Share the good stuff, too. Make it a habit to talk to your parents about things besides problems. Share what goes well for you, too. Tell them about a good part of your day, a grade you're proud of, or a funny joke a friend told you. Talking helps you be close and enjoy each other more.

What if it doesn't work?

Most of the time, you and your parents can have a good talk and make at least some progress. But for some children, it might not work out. Some parents have troubles of their own. Others just can't be available in the ways their children need and deserve. Others have a hard time being flexible.

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

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10-year-old boy named James has an outburst in school.

Upset by something a classmate says to him, he pushes the other boy, and a shoving match ensues. When the teacher steps in to break it up, James goes ballistic, throwing papers and books around the classroom and bolting out of the room and down the hall. He is finally contained in the vice principal’s office, where staff members try to calm him down. Instead, he kicks the Vice Principal in a frenzied effort to escape.

To the uninitiated, James looks like a boy with serious anger issues. It’s not the first time he’s flown out of control. The school insists that his parents pick him up and take him home for lunch every day because he’s been banned from the cafeteria.

Unrecognised anxiety

But what’s really going on? “It turns out, after an evaluation, that he is off the charts for social anxiety,” reports Dr Jerry Bubrick, a child psychologist at the Child Mind Institute. “He can’t tolerate any – even constructive – criticism. He just will shut down altogether. James is terrified of being embarrassed, so when a boy says something that makes him uncomfortable, he has no skills to deal with it, and he freaks out. Flight or fight.”

A child who appears oppositional or aggressive may be reacting to anxiety he can’t articulate.

James’s story illustrates something that parents and teachers may not realize – that disruptive behaviour is often generated by unrecognised anxiety. A child who appears to be oppositional or aggressive may be reacting to anxiety – anxiety he may, depending on his age, not be able to articulate effectively, or not even fully recognise

that he’s feeling.

“Especially in younger kids with anxiety you might see freezing and clinging kind of behaviour,” says Dr Rachel Busman, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, “but you can also see tantrums and complete meltdowns.”

A great masquerade

Anxiety manifests in a surprising variety of ways in part because it is based on a physiological response to a threat in the environment, a response that maximises the body’s ability to either face danger or escape danger. So while some children exhibit anxiety by shrinking from situations or objects that trigger fears, some react with overwhelming need to break out of an uncomfortable situation. That behaviour, which can be unmanageable, is often misread as anger or opposition.

“Anxiety is one of those diagnoses that is a great masquerader,” explains Dr Laura Prager, director of the Child Psychiatry Emergency Service at Massachusetts General Hospital. “It can look like a lot of things.

Particularly with kids who may not have words to express their feelings, or because no one is listening to them, they might manifest their anxiety with behavioural dysregulation.”

The more commonly recognised symptoms of anxiety in a child are things like trouble sleeping in his own room or separating from his parents, avoidance of certain activities, a behaviourally inhibited temperament. “Anyone would recognize those symptoms,” notes Dr Prager, co-author of Suicide by Security Blanket, and Other Stories from the Child Psychiatry Emergency Service. But in other cases the anxiety can be hidden. (childmind.org)

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Budget 2019

Education Ministry gets $52B; $3.1B for UG – oil and gas related courses; anti-bullying programmes targeted

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overnment has announced allocations totalling $52.2 billion for the education sector in its 2019 Budget, including a $3.1 billion subvention to the University of Guyana that will go towards upgrades.

According to Finance Minister Winston Jordan, $508 million out of the money will go towards upgrading facilities at both the Turkeyen and Tain campuses. In addition, the Minister explained that $2.6 billion will be used to cover operational expenditure.

Jordan also revealed to the National Assembly that the University will be formulating a strategic plan that includes plans for new degrees in the oil and gas field, such as petroleum engineering.

In terms of the entire sector, Jordan said the money will go towards, among other things, eliminating the shortage of books in the classroom. Money will also be invested in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) subjects.

A priority for spending, he noted, is addressing disparities in education between the coast and hinterland. Jordan also noted that monies will go towards alleviating social ills within the schools system, as well as the school feeding programme.

“Programmes to reduce

The University of Guyana will get a subvention of $3.1 billion

bullying and violence as well as other social problems in schools will be expanded to ensure regular school attendance. In this regard, two mobile welfare units will be introduced to expand access to a wider student population.”

“Importantly, the school feeding programme across the country will be expanded, with an additional 9545 students expected to benefit. This programme has been shown to be pivotal to improving school attendance and enhancing learning in the absence of hunger.” $5.4 billion will also be spent on constructing, rehabilitating and extending schools throughout Guyana. This includes the continuation of works on St Rose’s High, which was torn down earlier this year to be rebuilt.

During his speech, Jordan expressed opti-

mism of Guyana achieving 90 per cent pass rates in Mathematics. Despite the implementation of a series of measures aimed at improving students’ performance in the core subject areas, Mathematics recorded low pass rates at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

During an overview of pupils’ performance at this year’s examination, which was written in March, it was highlighted that only 38 per cent of the pupils who wrote the NGSA exam this year gained 50 per cent or more in maths. This is compared to 45 per cent last year.

Education Minister Nicolette Henry had said at the time that exam pass rates normally fluctuate and it always becomes a cause for concern when that percentage drops below what was obtained previously. To this end, she

3 Police Officers under close arrest for allegedly selling seized marijuana to dealer

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hree Police Officers attached to the Fort Wellington Police Station were placed under close arrest after allegedly selling a portion of marijuana they seized to other dealers.

Based on reports received, Police ranks would have unearthed 21.7 kilograms of compressed cannabis in a car that had crashed into another on the West Coast of Berbice on November 18, 2018. The illicit drug was discovered after the driver fled the scene.

It was reported that the cannabis was found well wrapped in several black plastic bags on the back seat of the car.

However, surveillance footage indicates that the officers who arrived on the scene may have removed a quantity of the illegal drug

The compressed cannabis

before taking pictures.

After the surveillance footage from a nearby business and a house was reviewed, investigators concluded that the first part of the booty had been removed.

A Traffic Sergeant and

two Detective Sergeants were placed under close arrest after it was revealed that they would have sold the stolen portion of marijuana to a dealer on the Corentyne. The investigation continues.

had noted that the Ministry will have to continue what

it started last year, that is, mainstreaming methodology that were used in the emergency intervention.

“Last year as you are aware, it was an intervention year… so what we have to do is sustain… There is no subject area that is below the Maths 38 per cent, which was considered high for Mathematics,” she said, while adding that they want those days to be a thing of the past, whereby subject pass rate percentages are in the 20s, teens or even lower.

Following disturbing low performances in 2016, Cabinet had mandated in

October that year that a strategy be established targeting improvements in students’ performance in the core subject areas. That plan was subsequently approved and implemented.

Among the measures that were recommended are training of teachers in content and methodology, developing learning communities where teachers were able to share information and experiences regarding mathematical concepts and recruitment of monitors and coordinators to ensure that the emergency plan was implemented.

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wednesdAY, November 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Anna Regina family robbed …victims bemoan slothfulness of Police

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n Anna Regina Housing Scheme, Essequibo family are fearful for their lives after their home was invaded by bandits on Sunday morning who carted off a small quantity of valuables.

According to reports, about 07:00h on the day in question, the armed men entered the bottom flat of the Dhanraj home.

Guyana Times understands that the men were, however, only able to escape with a gas cylinder, a washing machine cord and a purse which contained an undisclosed sum of cash.

However, the victims are complaining about Police ranks of the G Division (Essequibo Coast-Islands) who, according

The Dhanraj home

to them, showed little interest when the matter was reported.

The ranks reportedly turned up at the robbery scene some seven and a half hours after they were summoned. This publication was told that a rank attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) later visited, took a few

pictures, and promised to return to the scene, but, to date, he never showed up.

“They are treating us like second-class citizens, them ain’t really have time with our problems … the Police is only working in the interest of the big and influential and the poor citizens are being left to suffer their

losses … some of the excuses made by the Police are they don't have enough ranks at the Station or vehicles, but if a big one call, they can come in minutes, arrange a jeep load of wellarmed Policemen which shows clearly the double standards of the Police,” one of the victims complained.

The family continued to await a response from the Police regarding the investigation into the crime.

“It is not about the stuff that was taken, it is about them not showing interest and so they gon come again … so that is what we are afraid of.”

Efforts to contact the Divisional Commander proved futile.

Man gets 2 years after confessing to $1.1M robbery

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man was jailed for two years by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday afternoon after he admitted to a $1.1 million robbery carried out in the North West District (NWD).

Steve Williams admitted that he used a gun to rob Deneisha Stoll of three ounces of raw gold along with cash and cosmetics valued $1.1 million, belonging to Shauntel Benjamin.

The robbery reportedly occurred on November 23, 2018 at Bamboo Landing, NWD. Williams also confessed to having a 9mm pistol along with one live round of ammunition in his pos-

session on November 24, 2018 at Hell Hill, NWD without being the holder of a licence for same.

In addition to the jail sentence, he was fined $50,000.

Budget Blahs…

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…the morning after

n the PNC’s first turn at the wheel – courtesy of their serial elections rigging – Budgets were eagerly anticipated. Folks wanted to know what other hardships they’d have to suffer with the new turn of the screw. But that kicked in only after they kicked out their minority coalition partner after their first term. Will less than two years to go into this latest “first term”, after looking at this Budget, one doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out it’ll soon be “déjà vu all over again”!

The problem with the PNC then and the PNC now is they haven’t the faintest notion how to actually CREATE wealth…they just know how to tax and spend. And with this fella Jordan as Finance Minister – who’d spent a decade crunching numbers with Jagdeo.

For the umpteenth time, your Eyewitness repeats the caution he’s offered ever since the PNC slipped back into office with the help of the AFC: you have to create wealth before you share wealth. And just collecting taxes isn’t creating wealth – that’s actually reducing wealth.

Folks go along because they figure the Government’s gonna spend it so that wealth’s created by the Private Sector. Burnham, of course, insisted Government could create wealth – through nationalising the “commanding heights of the economy” – but destroyed the economy in the process.

This Government just doesn’t get it that facilitating businesses to expand is actually good for average folks, who get jobs. They’re busy following their master’s footsteps by exponentially expanding the Public Sector – which, while necessary, doesn’t really produce anything, does it? Jordan took a baby step in this direction by reducing the Corporate (non-commercial) Tax rate from 30 per cent to 25 per cent in the present Budget.

The theory behind that, is with taxes reduced, the business will use the money “saved” to expand and create more jobs. So far, so good. But with us hoping to compete with all those Trini companies slobbering to snatch our oil revenues, our tax rate will just be matching Trinidad’s!! If we really want to replace Trinidad as the manufacturing hub of the Caribbean, why not take our tax rates down to where Singapore – the most successful former third world economy – is at: 17.5 per cent??!! We’re not even going to mention Ireland’s 12.5 per cent rate in case Jordan gets the bends!!

And of course, Jordan’s Budget did even mention the elephant in the room, when it comes to boosting manufacturing to create jobs – electricity costs.

We’re still four times more expensive than Trinidad!!

…and circuses

The PNC Government allocated $350 million in its Budget for preparation to celebrate the “Republican Golden Jubilee” in February 2020!! Imagine that!! Now, with over $1.5 billion of our tax dollars spent – most of it unaccounted for!! – for the Independence Jubilee in 2016, you know this $350 million is just the tip of a monstrous Iceberg!! What will they do this time? Fix up the stadium at D’Urban Park? After three years of this PNC incarnation, your Eyewitness knows, dear reader, you’ve detected one of their major characteristic – love of a “jump up”!! But there’s more than meets the eye in this latest jump up – the timing!!

2020, of course, is when we get “first oil”. But even more significantly, it’ll also be General Elections time – to decide who’ll be in charge of the oil revenues!!

So, with this massive Jump Up in February…followed by the Guyana Carnival which will then segue into the Independence celebrations, it’ll be one big PNC campaign sport until the elections.

All paid for with your money!! Development, eh?

…Monuments

In mentioning the $1.1 billion his PNC Government allocated to “maintain” cultural institutions and facilities”, Jordan gratuitously mentioned the Indian Arrival Monument at Palmyra.

But that was completely funded by the Indian Government! After the Guyana-funded base built by the Linden contractor collapsed!!

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

News

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wednesdAY, November 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Blairmont sugar workers down tools – call for increase in wages, salaries

GAWU’s Berbice representative, Harvey Tambron

increase and we did not get any from 2015.”

Another gang member, Vanessa Phillips was more to the point. “Cost of living going up and I have children to look after. Me wan mon-

and Government met several times to iron out the increases.

Government has now given public servants between 0.5 and seven per cent salary increases and

they have not gotten a dime.

As to the 15 per cent that we are proposing, we went to the bargaining table and discussed fringes and other conditions and of now there is no offer on the table for

ers, the bell loaders and the field workshop, cane harvesters and other small gangs in the cultivation.

Tambron said they are all affected by the wage freeze.

“Life has become a challenge. They cannot see a way forward and the holidays are coming… making mention of teachers and

ey. Wage increase money.”

They are contending that since the change of government in 2015, working with the estate is no longer something to look forward to.

A representative of the workers, Bickram Singh related that apart from the lack of salary increases, the cost of living has skyrocketed since the last time an increase was given to workers.

“It is about time that sugar workers deserve a wage increase because this Government has imposed over 200 taxes on us and took away the children’s school grant so the burden come back right away to the workers and therefore whatever was our wages in 2014 can’t carry on any longer.”

Earlier in the year, teachers through their union, the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) took to the streets in protest demanding salary increases. It was given to them after the Union

the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has rejected the increases approved by the Government, saying it is an imposition while the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has criticised the coalition Government’s move for imposing a salary increases on public servants.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) believes sugar workers are being targeted.

The Berbice representative, Harvey Tambron says the Union made representation for wage increases for workers in 2015, 2016, 2017 and this year.

“We had negotiations and those negotiations were declared deadlocked. We tried and exhausted the system and [the Guyana Sugar Corporation] GuySuCo nor the Government did not pay heed to our demands or proposals and so the sugar workers did not receive anything. So far for this year

the sugar workers.”

According to Tambron, not only has commodities increased, but the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) has also increased tariffs.

The protest received full support from factory work-

other public servants, the Union rep said sugar workers are being ignored… I want to believe it is an act of spitefulness to undermine the sugar workers and the industry.”

The workers are willing

The section of the aggrieved sugar workers at the protest line on Tuesday morning

F

ield and factory workers attached to the Blairmont Sugar Estate, on Tuesday came out in their numbers to protest for increase in wages and salaries.

The angry protesters stood outside the estate compound as they chanted, “Wage increase, wage increase.”

Some held placards, with slogans, “address out 15 per cent clam”, “No closure and sell out of Blairmont Estate”, “2014 rates in 2018 can’t work”, “higher cost of living and less pay” and “big bosses eating mutton, workers eating nothing”. Another group chanted, “Sarwan must go”.

Hemraj Lackram from the bell loading department argued that they deserve better working conditions.

“The cost for a lot of things raised and the money can’t compensate. We have little children going to school and the money is not sufficient.”

Another worker, Zaman Ali, who is a weeder, said on many occasions they are given tasks which they cannot complete in a day. When this happens, he said they are not paid for that day.

On some occasions they are given a half day’s pay.

According to Ali, the field supervisor has been reluctant to visit weeding sites with the workers to address their concerns. “The boss man say he coming and he not coming and see the work,” he explained.

“We want wage increase,” says Nical Nero, another member of the weeding gang. “It is long overdue.

Since 2014, we get a wage

to continue their protest but the Union is not in support saying that it first has to strategise a plan. Tambron says it is being hoped that Government will be moved by the one day protest to make an offer to the workers.

Tambron’s comments come on the heels of the pre-

sentation of the National Budget which was presented to the Parliament hours before the protest. The budget made no mention of wage increases for sugar workers.

10 news

wednesdAY, November 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

4 firemen to be charged for stealing from crashed plane

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our of the 12 firemen who are accused of stealing the personal belongings of crew members and passengers from the Fly Jamaica aircraft which crash-landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) over two weeks ago, are to be charged and placed before the courts for the crime.

This is according to Guyana Police Force (GPF) Public Relations Officer (PRO) Jairam Ramlakhan.

“Please be advised that legal advice has been obtained to the effect that four of the implicated firemen be charged criminally,” Ramlakhan said on Tuesday.

Based on advice from the Force’s Legal Advisor, Justice Claudette Singh, one of the firemen will be charged with simple larceny, while the other three will face charges to the effect of “having under their control articles reasonably suspected to have been stolen”.

The four firemen are likely to appear in court soon.

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was the first responder to the November 9, 2018 crash site when the Fly Jamaica plane crashed during an emergency landing less than an hour after taking off for Toronto, Canada, due to technical complications.

The incident occurred

around 02:45h and later that day, several crew members and passengers complained of missing belongings. Several firefighters were later implicated in the act of theft, which has been described as an embarrassment by many, since they had exclusive access to the crashed plane.

It was reported that one of the firemen had reportedly returned some of the stolen items while some were found at the Timehri Fire Service.

The following morning the matter was reported to the Police.

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle subsequently confirmed that the dozen firemen were sus-

pended from duties pending investigations by the Police. In the meantime, the Fire Service had also held an independent inquiry into the theft allegations.

Justice Singh had ordered Police investigators to carry out further work before advising on a way forward.

Meanwhile, at the recently-concluded International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air Transport Conference held in Guyana over a five-day period.

Several ranks of the Police Force’s Steel Orchestra were also implicated in stealing some model planes.

It was reported that eight ranks were placed under close arrest and were being questioned on the theft of the items that were exhibits at a cocktail reception held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

According to the Force’s PRO, the case file into this incident is still with the Police Legal Advisor.

Pedal cyclist killed in Mahaicony accident

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pedal cyclist succumbed to his injuries at the Mahaicony Hospital after he was struck by a motor car on Monday on Letter G Public Road, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Dead is 28-year-old Brian Fordyce, of Mahaicony. He was struck by a motor car bearing registration number PGG 1565 around 01:30h.

According to information received, Fordyce was proceeding easterly along the road when the motor car, which was proceeding in the same direction, collided with the rear of Fordyce’s bicycle.

As a result of the impact, Fordyce was reportedly thrown onto the roadway. He was quickly picked up with visible leg and arm injuries and rushed to the Hospital in

an unconscious state.

He died on Tuesday morning about 06:00h while receiving treatment at the medical facility.

The driver of the motor car, Teoron Frederick, 26, of Paradise Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), appeared at the Mahaicony Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday morning charged for the accident.

He denied that on the said

day, he failed to stop after an accident and also failed to render assistance to Fordyce.

Frederick was not charged with causing Fordyce’s death, but was expected to be slapped with a causing death charge shortly.

Nevertheless, he was placed on $100,000 bail, and was expected to return to court on December 5, 2018.

Where’s the money

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atiricus was upset…and it showed as he trundled like a Walking Dead to the Back Street Bar. He’d been ordered by his editor to listen the day before to the five-hour Budget presentation by the Finance Minister. He was still in shock. He was sure the Geneva Convention had outlawed this sort of thing as “cruel and inhuman punishment”. It was worse than the American waterboarding those bleeding hearts complained about at Guantanamo Bay. “Hey Sato! Why so glum, chum?” said Hari, as he espied Satiricus slouching towards the table, where he and the fellas had started to build their beer bottle forest.

“I don’t understand why the finance Minister has to READ the damn Budget,” Satiricus replied sourly. “Why can’t they just circulate the printed speech?”

“Budday, da de way de English teach abee,” said Cappo.

“But ‘e na easy pan de Minista too yuh know!”

“Well, in de English Parli’ment, dem allow de Chancella fuh drink likka when ‘e gi’e ‘e Budget Speech,” pointed out Bungi. “Maybe abee a do de same t’ing in Guyana?”

“Well, that explains how he could carry on with all the nonsense,” said Satiricus sourly. “I wish I had a case of beer when I had to listen to him for five hours!”

“I looked at the thing on TV outside,” said Hari, with a smirk. “While I had my beers with Bungi and Cappo!!”

“Abee na see you dough, Sato,” said Cappo. “But abee see yuh old fr’en’ Rum Jhaat and Nagga Man buss in wan sleep!!”

“Dem na bin a sleep,” laughed Bungi. “Dem bin a do some deep t’inkin’!”

“Yes!” said Hari. “About how they can get back some life into dead meat!!”

“But seriously, fellas,” said Satiricus. “What’d you think about the Budget?”

“Da wha’ yuh call wan eleck-shan budget,” said Cappo.

“Dem a try fuh buy back all dem people who na vote fuh dem.”

“Me na t’ink suh,” said Bingi. “How come dem na gi’e all dem cane cutta dem fyaah, nuttin?”

“I think they’re just trying to bring back Pee’nSee people, fellas,” said Hari. “They’ve given up on the Dead meat KFC!”

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wednesdAY, November 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Budget 2019 PPP GECOM Commissioners storm out of statutory meeting $4B for Prison Service, …after Chairman unilaterally insisted infrastructure enhancement

PRO be present at all meetings

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…as billions set aside to improve security sector

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PPP Commissioners: Robeson Benn, Bibi Safora Shadick and Sase Gunraj

he Opposition Commissioners on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Tuesday walked out of a statutory meeting after Chairman, (ret’d) Justice James Patterson, invited the Commission’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) to sit in the meetings henceforth without first consulting with them.

In a joint statement later on Tuesday, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) commissioners – Bibi Safora Shadick, Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn – explained that they were forced to walk out the meeting after Government nominated commissioner, Desmond Trotman, suggested that it was necessary for PRO Yolanda Ward to be present since some Commissioners were going public on its discussions of the meetings.

The PPP officials said Trotman accused Shadick of expressing views to the media on a weekly basis which contained misrepresentation and “lies” on the discussions of the Commission.

However, Commissioner Benn interjected and pointed out that the Chairman or the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, can, if necessary,

invite persons to the meeting for specific information, or clarification on a matter being discussed, but they had to have the agreement of the Commissioners to so do.

He went on to express too that the idea to have a subordinate officer, in the person of the PRO, to have a permanent presence at the meeting to monitor and then confront a Commissioner in the media, was ludicrous.

F u r t h e r m o r e , Commissioner Benn pointed out that if a matter reported on by a Commissioner needed response or clarification in the media, it was for the Chairman, CEO or other Commissioners to so do.

But Commissioner Vincent Alexander, in supporting the positions of the Chairman and Trotman, stated that it was the prerogative of the Chairman and the CEO to invite which ever member of staff to the meeting and that they do not need to have the agreement of the Commission.

The missive further outlined that Commissioner Shadick then sought to have Commissioner Trotman identify for the Commission which lies she had represented in the media with respect to her comments about GECOM.

Trotman refused to offer Shadick any response other than referring her to her writings.

During this, it was noted, Chairman Patterson did not protect Shadick nor did he ask Trotman to clarify or withdraw his remarks which Benn suggested were “slanderous” in the circumstance. As such, Commissioner Shadick suggested that given the situation, all GECOM meetings should be open to the media and public, in which case the PRO could be present.

Nevertheless, Chairman Patterson, thereafter, persisted in his effort to have the PRO present at the statutory meeting on a regular basis, with the vociferous support of Commissioners Alexander and Trotman, the Opposition Commissioners noted.

“As a result of the Chairman’s persistence in seeking to impose an undemocratic practice on the Commission, Commissioners Bibi Shadick, Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn walked out of the meeting,” they said in the statement.

According to the PPP Commissioners, they are committed to continue exposing the shenanigans at GECOM for the benefit of the Guyanese public.

s the Guyana Government continues to grapple with the troubles within the local prison system, it has set aside some $4 billion to enhance the Guyana Prison Service.

During his presentation of the 2019 National Budget on Monday, Finance Minister Winston Jordan disclosed that a total of $35.6 billion has been allocated to consolidate and expand the security sector. This represents an increase of 14.5 per cent over the 2018 Budget.

Of the 2019 budgeted sum, about $4 billion will be expended on maintaining and improving the Prison Service, including a sum of $1.5 billion that has been dedicated towards improving and developing the prison infrastructure.

According to the Finance Minister, this huge sum injected into the prison system will see an ease in overcrowding and also remove the need to use temporary holding areas like the one at the Lusignan Prison.

“This year‘s allocation will result in the construction of the new Georgetown Prison, the continued expansion of the Mazaruni Prison Complex, and the commencement of preparatory work for the reconstruction of the New Amsterdam Prison. We will also procure the requisite equipment, including a body scanner, to detect contraband substances and improve safety at our prisons,” Minister Jordan stated.

Moving on to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Finance Minister posited that some $0.5 billion has been set aside to further expand the Police’s vehicular and marine fleets, the canine and mounted branches, as well as for the procurement of ballistic, crime scene and other equipment.

However, he noted going forward next year, the focus of the Police Force will be on the consolidation of existing facilities and expansion of services to cover larger areas.

“To better plan and execute its mandate, the Guyana Police Force has undertaken to harmonise its divisional boundaries with those of the administrative regions in a phased manner, with a view to ensuring that each region has at least one divisional headquarters. In 2019, nearly $700 million will be expended to construct and improve Police buildings, including the construction of four new divisional headquarters in Regions One [Barima-Waini], Four [Demerara-Mahaica], Five [Mahaica-Berbice] and Eight [Potaro-Siparuni],” the

The Camp Street Prison

Minister stated.

According to Jordan, these efforts have placed the Police Force in a better position now to deliver on its mandate of “serving and protecting citizens” with the substantial increase in its budgetary allocation, acquisition of equipment, refurbishment of Police stations, increased training opportunities for all ranks, and the recruitment of 1500 ranks since 2015.

On the issue of narcotics, the Finance Minister posited that transnational smuggling has forced the diversion of more resources towards combatting this scourge. He noted that while some notable successes have already been recorded, next year will see the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) intensifying its monitoring and intelligence operations, especially at the country’s porous borders, and at hotspots across the country.

Simultaneously, he added, to support the anti-narcotics programme, Guyana’s Forensic Science Laboratory is in the process of procuring DNA and related equipment to test for the presence of narcotics.

Furthermore regarding the Guyana Fire Service, it was noted that this agency has benefited from the acquisition of new water tenders and related fire-fighting vehicles, with more to come this year.

“Allocation has been made, in 2019, for the procurement of four, fully-equipped ambulances and, by the end of the year, the Fire Service‘s emergency medical service (EMS) should be in a position to fully service Region Four, with a response time of about 10 minutes. The EMS rollout is expected to span through 2021 and expand across Regions Four, Five and Six [East Berbice-Corentyne],” Jordan stated.

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister also announced that in efforts to combat transnational narcotics smuggling, fund were allocated so that the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit can intensify its monitoring and intelligence operations, especially at the bor-

ders, and at hotspots across the country.

Simultaneously, to support this anti-narcotics programme, the Forensic Laboratory is in the process of procuring DNA and related equipment to test for the presence of narcotics, Minister Jordan said.

On the other hand, increased allocations to the Guyana Defence Force will go towards assisting in the defence of the country’s territorial integrity; support the Police in the maintenance of law and order as required; and contribute to the economic development of the country.

The budget allocation will also support the upgrade of facilities at Camp Ayanganna, Timehri, Anna Regina, New Amsterdam, Makouria and Morawhanna, as well as procurement of equipment and improving the fleet of land and water transport, including the flagship GDF Essequibo.

Moreover, the Finance Minister added that initiatives supporting direct interventions with citizens will continue in 2019. He said public awareness campaigns targeting attitude and behavioural change to prevent inter-personal violence will be implemented in targeted communities such as Vreed-enHoop and Albouystown.

Additionally, the communities of 68 Kildonan/ Friendship, Adelphi Canefield, Kilcoy, Angoy‘s Avenue and Sophia will benefit from funding to implement rapid impact projects, including the establishment of facilities to promote interaction, skills training, recreation and social cohesion.

“These interventions are aimed at promoting youth and community development by creating opportunities and a safe space to engage youths on the issues they face, build skills and confidence in communities, and share experiences to effect positive social change. The security sector is assured that the coalition Government will continue to be a pillar of support for their efforts in keeping our country and its citizens safe,” the Finance Minister asserted.

12news

wednesdAY, November 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Man brutally chops reputed wife who threatened to end relationship – lifeless body of suspect found hanging

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32-year-old mother of six is battling for her life after she was chopped to her neck and hands by her reputed husband during an argument at Swan Community, Linden-Soesdyke Highway on Tuesday.

The woman, Malicia Andrews was attacked and chopped around 02:30h on the day in question.

The suspect, 39-year-old

Ian English, subsequently took his own life after committing the act. He was found hanging a short distance from the home the couple and their two children shared.

Charmalita Adams, the youngest sister of the now injured woman, related that Andrews visited her mother’s home to discuss some problems that she was facing in her relation-

ship.

"She went down by mommy, cause we ain't know if they get problems, she never used to speak out ... he follow she down there and tell she come with he, but she didn't want to ‘cause she ain't want he no more....,” the sister stated.

The suspect, however, followed Andrews to her mother’s home at Lot 22 Swan Community, and deInjured: Malicia Andrews

manded that she return home with him, but she refused while informing him that she wanted to end the relationship.

The suspect reportedly became enraged, armed

himself with a cutlass, went into the house and dealt Andrews several chops to her body. The injured woman reportedly ran into the yard and collapsed.

Believing his part-

ner to be dead, the suspect collected a rope along with the blood-stained cutlass and fled the scene.

Andrews was picked up and rushed to the Diamond hospital in critical condition and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

English’s body was discovered by Police ranks who were summoned to the scene after the chopping incident. His body was cut down and taken to the Lyken Funeral home to await a post mortem.

Andrews remains in critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital. The couple, who shared a relationship for several years, had two children ages 13 and 2.

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wednesdAY, November 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

PSC lists several concerns regarding Budget 2019 – expresses worry over impact on foreign reserves

PSC Chairman Desmond Sears

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lthough the Private Sector was part of the consultation process which helped to shape Budget 2019, its umbrella organisation, the Private Sector Commission (PSC), has listed a number of issues it has with the coalition Government’s annual financial blueprint for the country.

The Commission said in a statement on Tuesday that it was mainly concerned about the level of proposed overall tax revenue on businesses and individuals as Budget 2019 projects a 9.9 per cent increase in revenue, while the economy is projected to grow by 4.6 per cent. “Most importantly, there is no provision for relief on energy costs, which are stifling businesses,” it said.

However, the PSC recalled that it had recommended the gradual lowering of the Corporation Tax over a period of 10 years to 20 per cent. “The PSC is, therefore, pleased at the reduction to 25 per cent which was announced for 2019 and signals a commitment to this mutual goal.”

Further, the PSC said it was cognisant of the need to incentivise the manufacturing sector and had hoped that given the large input of the services sector to Guyana’s Gross

Domestic Product, thought would have been given to reducing the tax rate for commercial businesses from the draconian 40 per cent as this is having an adverse effect on legitimate businesses.

“Worrying too is the impact of Budget 2019 upon the foreign reserves of the Central Bank; an impact that does not appear to have taken cognisance of the need to cushion against external shocks to which the country and its currency are vulnerable,” the statement added.

Nevertheless, the PSC said it was pleased that Budget 2019 contained several measures such as the raising of the tax threshold, which it had proposed for the relief of the tax burden upon employees, and the monies earmarked for hinterland airstrips.

The PSC said it was also pleased that plans have been announced for the construction of the Linden-Lethem road which it said will ease the woes of businesses and residents which depend on that area for their livelihood.

“The dire need for the East Bank road, which had been proposed by the Commission, has also been addressed and the Commission is heartened

that the development of modern Port Georgetown is being addressed.” The PSC also was pleased with provisions for the differently-abled, a demographic which was often neglected.

Following the Budget presentation on Monday, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Executive Director Richard Rambarran said that although The Private Sector was happy to see some money going back into the hands of consumers, it was extremely disappointed that the Government has made no move to remove or reduce the excise tax on fuel.

He explained that in 2018, fuel has had a rehabilitating effect on the Private Sector, because it was multipurpose.

He noted that it was not only used in manufacturing, but in every other aspect of business.

“It is used in distribution, it is used in just about every single aspect of the production and distribution line; and as such, there should be something, or there should have been something, which addresses fuel costs,” he noted.

Rambarran further related that the Government needed to be more serious about the development of a green economy, and not just talk about developing a green economy. He noted the lack of advancement in this area despite the Government repeatedly talking about the Green State Development Strategy.

The GCCI Executive Director also noted that the current budget presented needed to be taken within the current context of Guyana, since, according to the 2018 numbers, there has been minimal growth in a number of sectors and sub-sectors, as well as contraction in a few.

However, he said that they were pleased with the mea-

sures identified which would ultimately put money back into the hands of the consumers as well as the Private Sector.

On the issue of tax reduction, he explained that the Private Sector was somewhat pleased with some of the reductions identified, but reminded that the decreases were not across-the-board.

Guyana’s Private Sector bodies have been calling on Government to cushion the effect of the excise tax on fuel prices, which affect every aspect of their businesses.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

14 news DPP Chambers launches Code of Conduct for local prosecutors T wednesdAY, November 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

he Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DDP) on Tuesday launched the country’s very first Code of Conduct for public prosecutors in an effort to guide them in securing more convictions.

‘The Code for Prosecutors’ is aimed at improving consistency in decision-making among prosecutors, guiding them on general principles to be applied when making decisions about prosecutions. It also allows for members of the public to understand the basis on which decisions to prosecute are made.

Speaking at the launching of the 27-page doc-

DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack

stitute solid cases which will yield in convictions and encourage persons to pled guilty,” she asserted.

while committing to ensuring that they are adopted by the Police Force.

“We must get our investi-

Some of the public prosecutors at Tuesday’s launching of the Code for Prosecutors

ument at the Pegasus Hotel, Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar AliHack posited that the code comes at a time when the Criminal Justice System is undergoing improvements.

To this end, she called on the stakeholders, such as the Guyana Police Force, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and others, to apply the codes when instituting charges so that it can yield convictions. She noted that the focus must never be instituting a large number of cases, but instead on the prosecution rate.

“Prosecutors need to appreciate that the focus must be on completing investigations in a timely manner before instituting charges; in-

“My challenge today to the Police and other persons who institute charges, is to follow this recipe and let us improve the whole criminal justice system in Guyana.

This is the foundation upon which the criminal justice system rests – completely investigations, quality investigations, charge when you have sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction. If not, we will continue to wallow in an over-burden system, overcrowded prison and low conviction rate. This is our criminal justice system and it is for us to fix it”, the DPP stated.

Acknowledging the charge, Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Williams welcomed the prosecutorial guidelines,

gators involved, it is important that they understand what it is as it relates to this code for prosecutors… We work along with several other agencies… and they look forward for us to set that example and lead them in several matters. Therefore, it is mandatory and not without a discretion that the Guyana Police Force must embark on ensuring that this Code For Prosecutors find itself parallel with investigators,” Williams contended.

Meanwhile, acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, sought to remind prosecutors of the tremendous power and discretion they hold, adding that the latter must be exercised in a consistent, fair, objective and transparent manner so

that their decisions cannot be questioned.

“Today, prosecutors are on a better footing with the promulgation or the launch of this code. With this code we have the necessary guiding principles to discharge responsibilities in the decision-making process…

Indeed, the bar has been raised, hence, frivolous and vexatious charges and cases with weak or insufficient evidence will not find their way in our courtrooms.

Cases coming before the court, will now have a realistic prospect of conviction,” the Chancellor stated.

She added too that reduction in case backlogs and the prison population are also direct benefits that will be derived from the application of the Code For Prosecutors.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, in delivering remarks at the launching ceremony, underscored to prosecutors that their duty is not to get convictions but to ensure justice is served.

To this end, he urged that more be done to ensure that prosecutors are educated on the code.

"I wish we can have this code as a basis for an education programme for prosecutors, for Policemen… Have in house sessions, not only to launch the code, but to educate the practitioners in the court system on the importance of the code,” the Prime Minister posited.

The formulation of the code was done in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Guyana. It was drafted by English Attorney David Robinson. The project was funded by the UNODC and United Nations country representative, Mikiko Tanaka, lauded Guyana for introducing the code.

The Code of Conduct for Prosecutors includes guidelines for the application of the code; the role and ethics of prosecutors; the decision on whether to prosecute as well as selection of charges among others.

Mixed emotions as Old Age Pension increases by $1000

Yvonne Simpson, a pensioner crying for more to be added to the monthly allocation

W

hile some residents are excited to receive what was deemed a massive increase by Finance Minister Winston Jordan during the budget presentation on Monday, quite a few pensioners have expressed dissatisfaction over the amount, saying that the cost of living is way too high.

During an afternoon walkabout in the capital city of Georgetown, several residents, especially pensioners took the opportunity to express their views on the amount to be added to the present $19,500 monthly allocation.

One woman said, “A $1000 is not enough. I would like to have more, I want $5000 more, would have been good because if you go in the market, they put on more things (prices). As soon as they have a budget, they put on $20 on this, $100 on that, $40 more on transportation, so $5000 would’ve nice.”

Another pensioner, Yvonne Simpson argued, “A $1000 can’t do with this time that going here. We want a $5000 more. That would do the work, $1000 because cost of living expensive. Everything dear in the market and tax raise, you

got to pay more for everything.”

Sita (only name given), another pensioner, said the increase was not enough.

According to her, “That is not enough, because light bill raise, water bill raise and everything.”

A pensioner, who is also a market vendor, told this newspaper that she was quite satisfied with the amount being given by the Government, while another said that the Government would only give what it had and as such, she welcomed the increase.

Speaking at a press conference after the Budget presentation on Monday evening, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said that the $300.7 billion Budget presented by the Finance Minister was one that was filled with repetition and disappointment, adding that the Party could not support such a budget in its current form.

According to the Opposition Leader, the Budget fell far short of fulfilling objectives that are important to enhancing the welfare, well-being and future of the Guyanese people.

In addition, he pointed out that nothing in relation to water rates was outlined in the Budget, although they affected the population massively.

Jagdeo said, “You know your water rate has gone up. You have to pay more for transportation now, because the Government didn’t reduce the taxes on fuel (and) everything has gone up. You are hoping for some relief at home, (but) what sort of relief did this budget bring to you? You are a pensioner and you are a public assistance person and you are expecting, they are telling people about the massive increases that they will give and you get a $1000 more per month.”

news

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wednesdAY, November 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Rice miller charged for resisting arrest, threatening workers Guyana has a cash-flow problem – Minister Jordan should resign

– charges stemmed from blocking entrance to aerodrome

A

n Essequibo rice miller was on Tuesday slapped with at least ten charges when he appeared at the

ly, he started to block the main access route to the facility which is supposed to be accessible on a 24-hour basis in case of emergen-

I

wondered if the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government is broke when, a few days ago, public servants were advised that salaries for November and December will be late. This followed late salary payments for hundreds of public servants in October. Simultaneously, many contractors are complaining that they are owed hundreds of millions and their payments are being Dr Leslie Ramsammy deferred. Meanwhile, sugar workers who have been owed severance for at least one year and even for more than two years are still awaiting payments, even after the President promised them more than two months ago that they would be paid. Parliament approved payment more than one month ago and a Judge ordered immediate payment for sugar workers about a month ago. Are these late payments coincidences or symptoms that APNU/AFC have a cash-flow problem?

The suspicion of a cash-flow problem was heightened on Monday after the Finance Minister presented Budget 2019, a budget of more than $300 billion, with a record-breaking deficit. Budget 2019, reveals a $58 billion (US$288 million) current account deficit in 2018 and expected to increase to $93 billion in 2019. This is in spite of collecting more than $88 billion more in taxes in 2018 than the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government collected in 2014. Tax revenues in 2014 under the PPP amounted to about $135 billion. In 2018, tax revenues, under APNU/AFC, amount to more than $223 billion, largely because of more than 200 increased or new taxes. Jordon plans to increase tax revenues by another $31 billion in 2019. Even with the largest revenue-base in history, Guyana is also now running record-breaking deficits. Something is amiss.

Even after collecting record amount of taxes from people, APNU/AFC have binged-borrowed and the Minister is adamant that APNU/AFC must borrow even more. In Budget 2019, Minister Winston Jordan recklessly urged Guyanese not to worry about the huge, record-breaking deficits because he plans to draw down even more of the foreign currency and gold reserves at the Bank of Guyana and to increase borrowing and taxation.

Already, the foreign currency reserve is depleted by more than US$260 million, falling from US$650 million in May 2015 and the gold reserve which stood at $25 billion in May 2015 is now standing at $3 billion. Given Minister Jordan's cavalier attitude about the reserve and borrowing, we can now expect further deterioration in the foreign currency and the gold reserves at the Bank of Guyana. It is nothing short of a reckless assault on Guyana's financial stability.

Jordan plans significant domestic and international borrowing in his reckless financial malfeasance, heaping further risks on the fragile financial stability. The Minister shamelessly bragged that domestic borrowing increased by $34 billion in 2018. In fact, since May 2015, APNU/AFC used up the total of $11 billion in deposits and has borrowed another $55 billion from the Bank of Guyana. In the meantime, the Government's international debt has increased from US$1.1 billion in May 2015 to now US$1.68 billion, an increase of more than 53 per cent in less than four years. Guyana's national debt is now increasing faster than our economy. Between 1992 and May 2015, Guyana's national debt progressively decreased, while the economy grew. Under the PPP, Guyana's national debt reduced from more than 900 per cent to less than 45 per cent GDP. Since May 2015, APNU/AFC has squandered this commendable record, with debt increasing faster than the economy again, approaching 60 per cent. Debt servicing increased to almost US$78 million this year from about US$40 million in 2015.

There is no mystery why APNU/AFC is dependent on Guyana's reserve, borrowing and taxation. The economy is struggling. Local businesses complain everyday about "business slow bad". Many small businesses are closing their doors, going out of business. Vendors are struggling to put food on the table.

More than 30,000 jobs have been lost. Traditional industries are desperate. Guyana's exports in 2018 will earn US$168 million less than in 2017, US$200 million less than 2014. Sugar's export earnings will be US$50 million less this year. Rice, the lone bright spot in the economy since May 2015, will be US$16 million less in 2018. Forestry will lose US$38 million and bauxite US$87 million in export earnings for 2018. No wonder Minister Jordan had to confess the economy will not achieve the projected 3.8 per cent GDP growth.

Minister Jordan spent almost five painful hours trying desperately to paint a positive picture. In the end, Minister Jordan only heightened the suspicion of experts and ordinary citizens that Guyana is, at the minimum, experiencing a serious cash-flow problem, or more seriously, the country is broke.

Either of these possibilities means that APNU/AFC has managed our country's economy and finances recklessly. The Local Government Elections 2018 showed the Guyanese people know this. President Granger must ask Minister Jordan to resign.

The baby being taken on board the aircraft after a long delay

A letter that was sent to Wazeer Hussein to give up possession of the land

Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

Wazeer Hussein was reportedly charged with resisting arrest, threatening behaviour and obstructing officials of the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission from carrying out their duties.

He reportedly pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him and was granted bail in the sum of $5000 on each charge.

The charges stemmed after he reportedly blocked the entrance to the Hampton Court Aerodrome, Essequibo Coast on several occasions.

Hussein is claiming ownership of the plot of land that is used to gain access to the aerodrome, but according to a document seen by Guyana Times, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) had informed the businessman that the plot of land was owned by the State and as such, ordered that he give up possession of the reserve immediately.

The notice also stated that failure to comply will result in legal action being brought against him by the Commission. This publication was told that Hussein has claimed ownership of the land for quite some time now, but only recent-

cies.

On Friday, this newspaper understands, Hussein placed pieces of lumber, old iron and other items at the

main entrance to prevent persons from using the access road in and out of the aerodrome.

On the same day, Junior Social Protection Minister Keith Scott was visiting the region, along with a team from the Ministry of the Presidency, and they too were blocked from using the access road. After an intervention by the Police and the relevant authorities, the entrance was cleared.

It was a similar situation on Saturday, when an ambulance carrying a sickly baby was blocked from entering the aerodrome.

The baby was transferred from the Suddie Hospital to the Georgetown Public Hospital owing to his medical condition.

Based on reports received, the ambulance had to use another route to get the baby to the waiting aircraft. This matter was reportedly brought to the

attention of the GL&SC prompting a visit by its officers.

According to reports, after the officers spoke with Hussein, he refused to allow the entrance to the aerodrome to become accessible and as such, the Police were summoned to the area.

Although the Police instructed him to remove the materials, he again bluntly refused and threatened the officers and workers of the aerodrome. Sergeant Parris, who was on the scene, had refused to arrest the man on the fact he made use of threatening language to several persons.

However, the situation got out of control thus causing G Division Commander, Superintendent K Pareshram to visit the site.

After assessing the situation, Pareshram had Hussein arrested and charged.

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wednesdAY, november 28, 2018

News

42 minibus park returns to original location for Christmas …hire car drivers to be removed again today

A

G

eorgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green has confirmed that the 42 (Timehri to Georgetown) minibuses have returned to their original spot for the Christmas season. During a brief telephone interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday, Mayor Chase Green said City Hall is working along with the Traffic Department in Georgetown and has relocated those drivers to their original bus park to eliminate traffic congestion for the festive season.

A senior traffic rank, however, related that the relocation was done after a number of reports were made by passengers and even drivers who were robbed on High Street, Georgetown.

According to the traffic rank, short drop hire car drivers who were removed from the 42 (Grove/ Diamond) minibus park to facilitate vendors of the Stabroek Market Wharf will once again be relocated to-

42 minibus operators plying their trade at their original bus park

day (Wednesday), this time to the Stabroek Market Square, also to reduce the traffic build up in the area.

The various minibus parks were removed to pave the way for vendors of the collapsed Stabroek Market Wharf, which was also recently partially burnt after a fire.

City Hall first removed the route 42 (DiamondGrove) minibuses in August

and relocated them to Bugle Street, Georgetown, where drivers expressed serious reservations about their safety.

The Timehri minibuses, also of the 42-zone, were later removed and placed on High Street, where they also expressed conerns about their safety and that of their passengers, especially those travelling at night.

President of the United

More provision needed for teen mothers from Govt – NGO

Minibus Union, Eon Andrews has since viewed City Hall’s move as “visionless” and “ridiculous”.

“I think it was ridiculous.

I think it is visionless… it is either corruption, mismanagement, thoughtlessness and probably no feelings for anybody but themselves,” he stated during a previous interview with this publication.

s part of the engagements on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the European Union (EU) on Tuesday hosted a forum, where several stakeholders called for more provision to be made for teenage mothers who might not necessarily be able to provide for their newborns, which in turn leaves them at risk of being abused.

The meeting saw representatives from various agencies, especially the NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) Women Across Differences (WAD) calling for more provision to be put in place for teenage mothers to take care of their newborns, by not only Government but other NGOs as well.

A representative from the organisation, Hazel HalleyBurnett shared, “If you are not economically strong, you are open to violence, if you get your little pittance, then you will not be treated as second class in your own homes.”

Halley-Burnett explained that it was on account of this belief that the organisation usually helped young women

Guyana signs on to new roadmap to save the jaguar

T

he Government of Guyana is pleased to support a new initiative to save the jaguar (Panthera onca). In an unprecedented global commitment to saving the jaguar, key jaguar range states and leading international conservation organisations joined together to launch the Jaguar 2030 Conservation Roadmap for the Americas, which was presented on the side of the Conference of Parties (COP) 14 of the Convention on Biological Diversity currently being held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

The roadmap aims to strengthen the Jaguar Corridor, ranging from Mexico to Argentina, by securing 30-priority jaguar conservation landscapes by the year 2030. This bold, regionally-focused initiative will pave a new path to strengthen international cooperation and awareness for jaguar protection initiatives, including those mitigating human-jaguar conflict and connecting and protecting jaguar habitats, and stimulate sustainable development opportunities, such as eco-tourism, that support the well-being of communities and indigenous peoples coexisting with this species.

Jaguar conservation transcends the intent of safeguarding a single species. Successful jaguar conservation maintains forests, carbon, biodiversity, watersheds, and national and cultural heritage.

Odacy Davis, Deputy Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission, on behalf of Guyana, welcomed the new initiative and indicated Guyana’s com-

The Guyana delegation, from left: Odacy Davis, Deputy Commissioner, Protected Areas Commission; Dr Patrick Chesney, Coordinator, MEAs ACP Project Caricom; Stacy Lord, Programme Lead, Biodiversity Resources Management Programme Area, Environmental Protection Agency; Dr Vincent Adams, Executive Director, Environmental Protection Agency and Diana Fernandes, MEAs Coordinator, Department of Environment

mitment to the process, noting that the pathways proposed in the roadmap will lend to further conservation of the species, and enable the country to address increasing threats. She further stressed the importance for the inclusive participation and sharing of best practices among range countries and partners.

Also at the launch, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Panthera and Government representatives announced the creation of the first-ever International Jaguar Day to be celebrated annually on November 29. This day will raise awareness

about threats facing the jaguar, conservation efforts ensuring its survival and the role of the jaguar as a keystone species whose presence is indicative of a healthy ecosystem – the foundation for a sustainable future for wildlife and people alike.

The launch of this roadmap was preceded by a high-level forum held in New York on March 1, 2018, where 14 jaguar range countries, international and national partner organisations, launched the Jaguar 2030 New York Statement at the United Nations headquarters.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon in his comments at the high level forum stated that “the jaguar represents much more than

just an animal; it is a part of a way of life of our people.”

The New York Statement recognises that investing in the conservation of jaguars and their habitats can improve broader efforts to manage natural resources, strengthen community livelihoods, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Department of Environment and its agencies – Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission, Protected Areas Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency – will continue to contribute to the finalisation of the roadmap and its implementation in the Americas.

Representative from Women Across Differences, Hazel Halley-Burnett

to be trained in making craft items to sell, so as to have at least a “small piece”.

While speaking to the need for both Government and Private Sector intervention, the representative related, “I’ve seen we’ve prepared cradles and different things and when feeding time (comes), you want to know if is trench water they put in the bottles … you know what they put in there – water with sugar…no milk, nothing and they come to us and sometimes we of our own kindness provide some milk to give them.”

While responding to a question posted by Guyana Times, she says she believes that not only Government but other NGOs should play a role in supporting teenage mothers who may not be able to take care of their child or children by themselves.

“NGOs with the kind of economic resources can help because it’s not always money. Government has indicated in the past (that) they’ve done several things for mothers at clinics providing subsidies and all of that. It doesn’t happen now, but we hope that that can (through) the Ministry of (Public) Health can be able to introduce that again, so as to help not only teen mothers but women in their reproductive rights,” Halley-Burnett explained.

The programme hosted by the EU on Monday was in observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

According to a United Nations report one in three women and girls experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most frequently at the hands of an intimate partner. Only 52 per cent of women married or in a union freely make their own decisions about sexual relations, contraceptive use and health care. Worldwide, almost 750 million women and girls alive today were married before their 18th birthday; while 200 million women and girls have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM). More alarmingly, one in two women killed worldwide were killed by their partners or family in 2012; while only one out of 20 men were killed under similar circumstances.

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wednesdAY, november 28, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Russia warns of escalation in Crimea over martial law in Ukraine

R

ussian President Vladimir Putin has said that Ukraine is to blame for the confrontation in Crimea, as Moscow warned that the conflict could escalate because of Kiev's decision to declare martial law.

In a phone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday, Putin said he was "seriously concerned" about the weekend naval standoff off the coast of Crimea between the Ukrainian Navy and Russia's Coastguard, which saw the latter seizing three Ukrainian ships and their crew.

The Russian President accused Ukraine of provoking the confrontation for political reasons.

Merkel's spokesperson, Steffen Seibert, said the Chancellor in the conversation with Putin stressed the need for de-escalation and dialogue.

Hours after the phone call between Moscow and Berlin, the Kremlin also issued a fol-

Egypt, Saudi Arabia say Qatar blockade will continue

E

Ukrainian far-right groups attend a rally demanding to set martial law and cut diplomatic ties with Russia [Anadolu]

low-up statement denouncing the martial law in Ukraine.

"The imposition of martial law in some regions may pose a risk of escalating tensions in the conflict-hit region, namely the southeast," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in comments carried by the State

news agency, TASS. Ukraine's leadership responded to the weekend clash by imposing martial law throughout much of the country on Monday, just as the UN held an emergency session to discuss the escalating tensions.

Meanwhile, a Crimean

court on Tuesday ordered five of 24 captured Ukrainian sailors to be held in jail for two months for their involvement in the incident.

Today, 12 more will appear in court after Russia accused them of illegally entering its territorial waters.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

gypt and Saudi Arabia have jointly announced that their ongoing blockade of Qatar would remain in effect until further notice, according to the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya television channel.

The two countries on Tuesday reiterated their ongoing refusal to "make any concessions" towards Doha, which has been facing sanctions from four Arab States for more than a year.

The announcement was made following a meeting in Cairo between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the latter of whom visited Egypt's capital on Tuesday as part of a regional tour.

Later on Tuesday, Prince Mohammed is expected to arrive in Tunisia where protesters have taken to the

streets to oppose his visit and demand justice for the killing of Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi last month in the kingdom's consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul.

In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates cut off ties with Qatar and imposed a land, sea, and air blockade on the Gulf State.

The quartet accuses Doha of supporting terrorism and proscribed Opposition political movements, such as the Muslim Brotherhood.

Qatar has repeatedly rejected the accusations as baseless.

Shortly after breaking ties with the country, the quartet issued a list of demands for Qatar, which it had to comply with in order to normalise ties. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

China orders probe into UN warns that world is falling behind 1st “gene-edited babies” Paris climate goals

C

hinese officials and scientists have denounced the claims of a geneticist who said he had created the first gene-edited babies.

Authorities have ordered an investigation as a hospital linked to the research suggested its ethical approval had been forged.

The National Health Commission said on Monday it was "highly concerned" and had ordered provincial health officials "to immediately investigate and clarify the matter".

The government's medical ethics committee in Shenzhen said it was investigating the case, as was the Guangdong provincial health commission, according to Southern Metropolis Daily, a State media outlet.

More than 100 scientists said in an open letter the use of CRISPR-Cas9 technology to edit the genes of human embryos was risky, unjustified and harmed the reputation and development of the biomedical community in

China.

CRISPR-Cas9 is a technology that allows scientists to essentially cut-and-paste DNA, raising hope of genetic fixes for diseases. However, there are also concerns about its safety and ethics.

In videos posted online, scientist He Jiankui defended what he said he had achieved – embryonic gene editing to help protect twin baby girls born this month from infection with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. "Pandora's box has been opened. We still might have a glimmer of hope to close it before it's too late," the scientists said in their letter, a copy of which was posted by the Chinese news website the Paper.

"The biomedical ethics review for this so-called research exists in name only. Conducting direct human experiments can only be described as crazy," the Chinese-language letter, signed by approximately 120 scientists, says. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

A

United Nations report has warned that global efforts to tackle greenhouse gas emissions are off track, with emissions reaching a record high of 53.5 billion tonnes in 2017, the first rise after three years of decreases.

The ninth annual UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report, released on Tuesday, analysed the impact of climate policies implemented by individual countries, and whether they were enough to limit the global average temperature rise to a relatively safe threshold of below two degrees Celsius by 2030.

The assessment comes a few days before a UN cli-

mate conference starts in Poland. The talks will produce a "rule book" on how to implement the 2015 Paris Agreement, which aims to limit the rise in global temperatures to between 1.5 and two degrees Celsius.

According to the report, emissions by 2030 will need to be around 25 per cent lower than 2017 levels to limit global warming to two degrees Celsius, and 55 per cent lower to limit the rise to 1.5 Celsius.

"Increased emissions and lagging action mean the gap figure for this year's report is larger than ever," the report stated.

Current climate policies

are set to lower emissions by up to six billion tonnes by 2030, meaning global warming of around three degrees Celsius by 2100.

"If the emissions gap

is not closed by 2030, it is very plausible that the goal of a well below two degrees Celsius temperature rise increase is also out of reach," the report said. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

India “puts on hold” efforts to retrieve missionary’s body

I

ndian officials have "put on hold" efforts to retrieve the body of an American mission-

ary reportedly killed by an endangered tribe in the Andaman and Nicobar islands last week.

SpongeBob SquarePants creator dies at age 57

S

pongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg has died at the age of 57.

The news was confirmed by Nickelodeon, which has broadcast the hugely popular cartoon series since 1999.

In a statement, the company said Hillenburg's cause of death was motor neurone disease (also known as ALS) – a condition he revealed he had been diagnosed with in March last year.

As well as creating the character, Hillenburg also directed 2004's The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.

"We are sad to share the news of the passing of Stephen Hillenburg, the

Emissions in 2030 will need to be around 25 per cent and 55 per cent lower than last year to put the world on track to limit global warming [File: Chris Baltimore/Reuters]

SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg was said to have had a "unique sense of humour" and "limitless imagination"

creator of SpongeBob SquarePants," Nickelodeon tweeted from its official account.

"Today, we are observing a moment of silence to honour his life and work."

The company's statement added: "Steve imbued 'SpongeBob SquarePants' with a unique sense of humour and innocence that has brought joy to generations of kids and families everywhere.

"His utterly original characters and the world of Bikini Bottom will long stand as a reminder of the value of optimism, friendship and the limitless power of imagination." (Excerpt from BBC

News)

A senior official told the BBC it was done so as not to disturb the protected Sentinelese tribe.

John Allen Chau is said to have been killed with arrows when he landed on North Sentinel Island on November 17.

He was trying to convert the tribe to Christianity.

His body is still on the island and attempts so far to retrieve it have been unsuccessful.

On Monday, top Government official Chetan Sanghi called a meeting of senior officials from the police, tribal welfare, forest and anthropological departments where

A senior official told the BBC it was so as not to disturb the protected Sentinelese tribe

it was decided to put the search for the body on hold, an official who attended the meeting told the BBC. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesdAY, November 28, 2018

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

The changes you make should reflect what you can afford as well as how you take care of business. Don't let someone else handle your affairs.

Put some muscle behind your plans. Don't wait for someone else to jump in and take charge. Set your plans in motion and don't stop until you are finished.

You'll have plenty of ideas, but before you get started, make sure you have accurate information and that your plans are realistic. Personal change and romance are favoured.

Do your own thing. Don't feel the need to follow someone else. Trust in your ability and use experience and logic to ensure that you do what's best for you.

A change will do you good. Make plans to get together with friends or attend an event that will encourage networking. You'll be inspired by the information you receive.

Pay close attention to what's going on at home and with anyone you are in a close relationship with.

Look for any sign of discontentment or missing information.

Practice what you preach.

LIBRA (Sept. 23- Someone will give you someOct. 23) thing to think about if you don't live up to the standards you expect others to maintain.

Personal growth is encouraged.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — HALIBUT (HALIBUT: HAL-ih-but: Any of several marine flatfishes.)

SUDOKU

Average mark 15 words Time limit 20 minutes

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Keep the momentum going until you are happy with the results you get. Whether at work or home, it's up to you to follow through with your plans.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Consider your budget before you spend money on end-of-year festivities or buy gifts for loved ones. Walk away from anyone trying to coax you to be excessive or indulgent.

Can you find 19 or more words in HALIBUT? The list will be published tomorrow.

Check the facts before you

CAPRICORN share information with others.

(Dec. 22- Someone will pass along inforJan. 19) mation that could make you

YESTERDAY’S WORD — PERMEATE

pare part pate pear peat peer pert peter pram prate eater epee ramp

rape rapt rate ream reap repeat mare mart mate meat meet mere mete

meter ampere aper arete tame tamer tamp tamper tape taper tare tarp team

tear teem temper tempera tepee term tram tramp trap tree

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

look bad if it's not completely accurate. Question change and people who tend to be unpredictable.

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

An opportunity should not be ignored. Put everything aside and look at the possibilities. Negotiate on your own behalf to come out on top. Get what you want in writing.

Don't let anger take the reins. Think matters through and offer reasonable suggestions. If someone wants to be excessive, it doesn't mean you should follow suit. Do what's right, not what's popular.

wednesdAY, november 28, 2018

19

Current Caribbean pitches favour spinners – continuously dominate regional tournaments

Anthony Adams bowls. Guyana Jaguars may play three spinners in the upcoming Regional 4-Day since the Caribbean pitches are spin-friendly

By Brandon Corlette

A

sian countries are known to be more suitable for spin bowling, but the Caribbean pitches in the recent standalone Women’s World T20 proved otherwise. In the 2016 Women’s World T20 tournament played in the spin-dominant India, 134 wickets were taken by spin-

ners compared to 140 taken in the Caribbean (Antigua, St Lucia and Guyana).

It may have only been a six-wicket difference, but spinners were able to pick up wickets more regularly in the Caribbean than in India. The spinners in the Women’s World T20 created more chances and were able to pick up wickets every 18 balls in contrast to ev-

ery 20.7 in India. Six of the top 10 bowlers in the standalone Women’s World T20 tournament were spinners with Ashleigh Gardener topping the charts with 10 wickets. Kristie Gordon, Stafanie Taylor, Radha Yadav, Leigh Kasperek and Poonam Yadav were the other outstanding spinners.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional

Cricket League (PCL) Regional 4-Day tournament 2017-2018 has showed significantly that spinners were the dominant on “slow Caribbean pitches”.

Six of the top 10 leading wicket takers in the 20172018 Regional 4-Day tournament were spin bowlers. Leading that chart was Veerasammy Permaul with 50 wickets capturing four five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul. Imran Khan was second on that chart with 48 wickets picking up three five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul. Shane Shillingford captured 38, Nikita Miller 36, Jomel Warrican 36, and Jamaican leg-spinner Damion Jacobs 28. Permaul, who made his First-Class debut in 2007, played 103 First-Class matches for 444 wickets, including 25 five-wicket hauls.

How much has the present Caribbean pitches aided in his regional success? The same question may be directed to Imran Khan who

Gudakesh Motie captured 21 wickets in the Regional 2017-2018 4-Day tournament

made his debut in 2005, after the lively pitches, and has 368 wickets. Gudakesh Motie, another spinner, has had success in regional tournaments with 85 wickets in 24 matches after making his debut in 2015.

In another regional tournament, the Regional Super50 2018-2019, Canada’s spin ace Romesh Eranga and Combined Colleges and Campuses (CCC) spin king Kjorn Ottley topped the charts with 17 wickets apiece.

In the 1981 regional tournament, the Combined Leeward and Windward Islands, captained by Vivian

Richards, won the championship for the first time on the back of great fast bowlers; Andy Roberts took 25 wickets in four matches at an average of 9.92. Those were the days when the Caribbean pitches were lively. The likes of Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, Wayne Daniel, Sylvester Clarke, Colin Croft, and Michael Holding continuously topped regional bowling charts in the past.

Therefore, the past Caribbean pitches were different than the present pitches; but will the spin trend continue in the upcoming Regional Four-Day tournament?

Queen’s College, Charlestown Copa Libertadores final 2nd finish Guyoil Round 9 with wins leg will not be held in Argentina

A

fter a lengthy drought competing against the stronger teams in the competition, Queen’s College and Charlestown Secondary managed to cop some much-needed points on Monday afternoon when they were involved in the final two matches of the ninth round of Guyoil/ Tradewind Tankers’ Under-18 football tournament.

The competition, which is being coordinated by the Petra Organisation, sees the participation of 12 teams hailing from Georgetown, Linden, East Coast, and West Coast of Demerara.

The inaugural league will require each team to play every other team in the competition once before the knockouts begin.

In Monday after- n o o n ’ s action, Charlestown Secondary had a taste of victory after weeks of missing their mark.

Coming up against Dolphin Secondary, Charlestown’s Tyrese Browell wasted little time in getting the scorecard ticking. By the fourth minute of play, Browell was joined by Raymond Bandhu, pushing the lead to 2-0. A flurry of goals several minutes later saw the score extending to 4-0 owing to Isaiah Moore and Bandhu.

Charlestown showed

tons of potential as a run of spirited plays resulted in Dante Sukram and William McKenzie adding one apiece to the total.

As dominant as Charlestown were, Dolphin did not remain mute. Selwyn Jones made an attempt to save face for his team, finally netting a goal after countless tries.

The encounter finished 6-1 in Charlestown’s favour.

The final match of the day and of the round saw Marian Academy and Queen’s College being paired for battle. It was indeed an intense pairing, owing to the game being locked at 1-1 for some period of time. Julian Rodney was the first to strike accurately, putting Queen’s College in the lead. But no more than 10 minutes had passed before Ricardo Percival of Marian Academy replied to equalise the score.

There was much back-andforth between the teams with no luck, as both defences were rock solid. However, Queen’s College were the team with the formula as Diarra Thomas found the back of the net to take the lead and ensure his team took the points.

The competition is expected to continue on Sunday, when the 10th round is kicked off.

This was the level of security needed to contain the supporters

T

he postponed Copa Libertadores final second leg between River Plate and Boca Juniors will be played outside of Argentina on 8 or 9 December.

Saturday’s game was initially delayed until Sunday after River Plate supporters attacked the Boca Juniors team bus, before being postponed.

A statement from South American football’s governing body Conmebol said a date and venue would be decided “as soon as possible”.

The first leg of the final ended 2-2.

Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez met with the presidents of both clubs on Tuesday.

The statement added that Conmebol would coordinate security with the

relevant authorities before the rearranged fixture.

The 36 hours that shamed Argentine football The fixture had been poised as the biggest club match in the 127-year history of Argentine football.

But it was marred by the “shameful” attack in which Boca players suffered cuts from the glass from broken windows, and were also affected by the tear gas used by police to disperse the crowds.

A number of players, including Boca’s former Manchester City, Manchester United and Juventus striker Carlos Tevez, reportedly suffered from dizziness and vomiting and were being

treated by club doctors.

The mayor of Buenos Aires, Horacio Rodriguez Larreta, said River Plate hooligans described as the “mafia of Argentine soccer” were behind the attack.

It came a day after police raided the house of a leader of the Barra Brava - the powerful and violent wing of River’s hardcore support - and confiscated 10m pesos (£207,285) and 300 tickets for the final.

Paraguay, Brazil and Italy have all offered to hold the match.

On Monday, the city government of Genoa wrote to both clubs offering to host the postponed match because of the role immigrants from the Italian city played in forming the two Argentine clubs. (BBC Sport)

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wednesdAY, november 28, 2018

West Indies tour of Bangladesh…

Batters need to take more responsibility in 2nd Test

A

Shimron Hetmyer

fter being bowled out for 246 and 139 in less than 100 overs in the first Test match against Bangladesh, the Windies batters need to take a better approach. In the first innings, the young Shimron Hetmyer continued his developing process when he smashed a counterattacking 47- ball 63 that included five fours and four sixes.

Shane Dowrich stroked a contrasting 63* off 101 balls hitting two fours and three sixes. But that did not prove sufficient on the Windies’ behalf as they suffered a 64-run defeat.

In pursuit of 204 for victory in the first Test, only Sunil Ambris and Jomel Warrican

– Brathwaite laments poor batting

batted in partnership scoring 43 and 41, respectively.

The West Indies batters have failed to apply themselves in given scenarios in Test matches, gifting their wickets away to not-so-special bowling. In the recent Test series against India, Roston Chase and Kieran Powell were the only batters to amass 100 or more runs in four innings in contrast to five Indian batters amassing 100 or more.

It was reasonable to say that India are a topranked team in the Test arena with high-quality bowlers effective in Asian conditions, but West Indies are ranked above

Bangladesh in Test cricket and the batting woes continue.

Kraigg Brathwaite, who is leading West Indies in the absence of Jason Holder, is calling

on the batters to build partnerships in the second Test whether it’s at the top or middle. “We didn’t get partnerships early and it cost us,” said Brathwaite.

He went on further by saying for things to change the team need to occupy the batting crease and accumulate more runs, because we are losing too many quick wickets.

Recently, Brathwaite has been inconsistent for the West Indies team with scores of 0, 14, 6, 19, 13 and 8; like all the other batsmen in this team, the final Test match against Bangladesh will be very important to get some runs. West Indies will not play a Test match until January 23, 2019 against England at Barbados.

West Indies have only one batsman in the top 20 of the Test rankings – Brathwaite, who has a rating of 632 and is ranked 18. The batters selected on tour are capable of scoring heavy runs, but it requires mental application.

(Brandon Corlette)

BCB/Da Silva Motor Spares Under-13 Cricket Tournament

Rose Hall Town Poonai’s Pharmacy, Port Mourant to contest final T

he Rose Hall Town Poonai’s Pharmacy Under-13 team, along with arch rivals Port Mourant Cricket Club, has advanced to the final of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/Da Silva Motor Spares Under-13 Cricket Tournament.

Rose Hall Town Poonai’s Pharmacy advanced after edging past Blairmont Community Centre, taking first innings points at the D’Edward Ground, while Port Mourant Cricket Club defeated Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club by nine wickets at Port Mourant Ground.

At the D’Edward Ground, Rose Hall Town Poonai’s Pharmacy batted first after winning the toss and were bowled out for 54 in 24 overs. Taindra Doobay, 13, and Tamesh Keueraj, 11, were the principal scorers.

Bowling for Blairmont Community Centre, Rawl Dindial (3-9); Romeo Deonarine (3-23) and Kahiem Ashan (212) were the best bowlers.

Berbice Under-15 off spinner Matthew Pottaya then produced an outstanding bowling spell of seven wickets for 10 runs as Blairmont Community Centre were blown away for 42 in 24.1 overs. Romeo Deonarine was the only batsman to offer any resistance to Pottaya, who also had the distinction of claiming the

Rose Hall Town player Matthew Pottaya grabbed 7-10

first hat-trick in the tournament. With a lead of 12 runs, Rose Hall Town Poonai’s Pharmacy had reached 40 for 3 in the second innings when the game was called off by both teams. Pottaya returned with the bat to score 18. R Gafoor took 2 for 18 for Blairmont.

In the other semi-final encounter, Rose Hall Canje batted first at the Port Mourant Ground and reached 81 for 5 from their allotted 25 overs. Avishkar

Persaud, 12, and Romario Ramdihal, 11, top-scored as Saleem Khan took 3 for 20.

Port Mourant Cricket Club in reply were given a solid 94-run opening partnership by Rampertab Ramnauth and Khan.

Ramnauth top-scored with 55 while Khan offered solid support with 35 as Port Mourant Cricket Club ended on 119 for 3. With a deficit of 38 runs,

Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club scored quickly to reach 99 for 4, with Sanjay Algoo scoring an unbeaten 50. Needing to score 52 to register an outright victory, Port Mourant Cricket Club reached 54 for 1 with Ramnauth on 35 and his younger brother Rampersaud on 11.

The final is scheduled for Saturday at the Area H Ground in Rose

Hall Town. The Under-13 Tournament was contested by eight teams: Rose Hall Town Poonai’s Pharmacy, Achievers Youth, Blairmont Community Centre, Tucber Park Cricket Club, Kendall’s Union, Rose Hall Canje, Port Mourant Cricket Club and Albion Community Centre.

The top two teams in the two zones advanced to the semi-finals. The Tournament

would be the 21st to be successfully completed over the past four months, with several others on stream.

BCB President Hilbert Foster stated that the Da Silva Motor Spares Under-13 Tournament has unearthed several promising players. A squad of 16 players would be named after the tournament to undergo special training.

Sergio Aguero nets equaliser as Manchester City draw in Lyon M anchester City reached the Champions League last 16 as Sergio Aguero rescued a draw in Lyon which means topping Group F remains in their own hands.

Lyon wasted several chances before Maxwel Cornet rifled in an angled drive to give them an early second-half lead.

A y m e r i c Laporte steered in Raheem Sterling's free-kick seven minutes but Cornet fired in again to put Lyon top.

However, Aguero reacted quickest to flick in a header two minutes later to earn City what could be a vital point.

City remain top of Group F on 10 points - three clear of Lyon - meaning a draw in their final game against Hoffenheim will be enough to progress as

Sergio Aguero of Manchester City (centre) celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal with Riyad Mahrez and John Stones

group winners.

Finishing top would ensure City will not be drawn against another group winner - with the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Juventus currently top-

ping their groups - in the last 16.

Lyon looked set to join City in qualifying for the knockout stage with the draw, until Shakhtar Donetsk scored a late win-

ner for a 3-2 victory at Hoffenheim.

The French side still need a point in their final game against Shakhtar in Ukraine to progress.(BBC Sport)

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sports

Rugby North Americas Eliminator…

21

Guyana Men’s 15s to clash in Cayman Islands T

he Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) has shortlisted the 15s players that are eligible to participate in the Rugby Americas North (RAN) eliminator match.

The eliminator match that will be played in the Cayman Islands is scheduled for Saturday, February 9, 2019.

The shortlisted players will be training every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at the National Park, Georgetown from 16:30h. Training started

on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 and is expected to conclude on January 31, 2019.

The main objective of this rugby federation, RAN, is to promote and develop rugby in the Caribbean.

The eligible players are: Props – Jacque Archibald, Rondel McAuthur, Jason Tyrell, Delroy Gordon, Cloyd Prowell, Malcolm Rhodius, Keyfo Lopz, Ahmad Isaacs, Vallon Adams,

Demar Haynes, and Selwin Henry

Second Rows – Kevon David, Dwayne Schorder, Daniel Anderson, Kevin Jorden, James Osbourn, Phabian Joseph, Kurt Hunt, Rashad Butcher, Elton Crawford, and Grantly Williams, Hookers –Allen Crawford, Rickford Cummings, and Delroy Fordyce Flankers – R i c h a r d Staglon, J a m a l Angus, Toby David, Sean

Phillips, Glynroy Pool, and Kareem McKenzie Scrum Halfs – Ryan Gonsalves, Osie McKenzie, Daniel Dabreu, and Leaon Greeves, Backs - Peabo Hamilton, Kevin McKenzie, Cladius Butts, Godfrey Brooms, Troyton Brathwaite, Oneal Charles, Lancelot Adonis, Ronald Mayers, Joseph Rahaman, Blaze Baily, Avery Corbin, Akeno James, Patrick King, Kevin Wills, David Felescian, Quayce Kendal, Kesta Mars, Elwin Chase, and Michael Barrow

Kaur, Healy lead batters’ charge in T20I rankings C

aptain Harmanpreet Kaur leads a bunch of India batters making notable advances in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings while players from Australia and England have unsurprisingly made rapid gains in the latest update following the ICC Women’s World T20 2018.

Kaur, who was the second highest run-maker during the 10-team event after Australia opener Alyssa Healy, has gained three slots to reach third position. Kaur aggregated 183 runs including a match-winning 103 in the tournament opener against New Zealand.

Jemimah Rodrigues (up nine places to a career-best sixth) and left-handed opener Smriti Mandhana (up seven places to a career-best 10th) are the others from her team to move up after contributing in their team’s

campaign in the Caribbean, which ended against England in the semi-finals.

Healy has gained four slots to reach eighth position for her player of the tournament effort, which saw her score 225 runs. Other batters to gain in the latest rankings update include Javeria Khan of Pakistan, who has gained seven

places to reach a career-best 14th position, and Clare Shillington of Ireland, who has gained one slot to take the 19th slot.

I n t h e bowlers’ list led by

Australia’s Megan Schutt, New Zealand spinner Leigh Kasperek’s seven wickets have lifted her seven places to third position while finalists England’s Sophie Ecclestone has moved from 16th to fourth and fast bowler Anya Shrubsole from 12th to sixth place after a seven-wicket effort, which included a hat-trick against South Africa.

Other bowlers to improve their rankings include New Zealand leg-spinner Amelia Kerr (up 15 places to a career-best seventh), Delisa Kimmince of Australia (up 10 places to eighth), South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail (up 11 places to 10th), Pakistan’s Nashra Sandhu (up 25 places to a career-best 10th), Shashikala Siriwardene of Sri Lanka (up six places to 17th) and Salma Khatun of Bangladesh (up two places to 14th).

Windies’ Deandra D o t t i n has shot up from fourth

MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Team Rankings (top 10 as of 27 November): Team

Points

Australia 283 England 274 New Zealand 273 Windies 265 India 256 South Africa 242 Pakistan 225 Sri Lanka 208 Bangladesh 191

to second in the list of all-rounders. She has overtaken Australia’s Ellyse Perry and compatriot Hayley Mathews after finishing with 121 runs and 10 wickets in the tournament.

South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk has advanced one slot to reach fifth position among all-rounders.

Meanwhile, in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Team Rankings, England have overtaken New Zealand to second position in the list which continues to be topped by Meg Lanning-led Australia with 283 points after their fourth ICC Women’s World T20 title.Ireland-185

T10 League eyeing international expansion in 2019 T he T10 League is eyeing international expansion, with Shaji Ul Mulk, the league’s chairman, in discussions with ‘a few’ international boards over taking the tournament abroad in 2019.

The ICC-sanctioned event currently operates in conjunction and with the approval of the Emirates Cricket Board at its UAE home. Ul Mulk is adamant that the format will only exist in commercially viable markets, where it is held with both the blessing and collaboration of the respective national board.

“Boards are coming to us and it’s all about how we fit in commercially. We will probably have one more T10 in 2019; that’s our ambition,” Ul Mulk told ESPNcricinfo.

We are talking to a few boards, but it depends on how it goes. One thing is very clear: we only want to work with boards.”

While he stopped short of mentioning the boards he is currently engaged in dialogue with, Ul Mulk spoke favourably of the USA, England and South Africa as potential markets. The USA, in particular, Ul Mulk felt, can benefit from the infiltration of the league, which can help in the growth of the sport in the country.

According to the T10 head, Cricket Australia is not one

of those involved in discussions, but is nevertheless another corner of the world where he sees opportunity.

There have also been rumblings of more franchises in the offing to diversify the league’s ownership group. Ul Mulk, however, denied it, saying that any new investment is - at least for the time being - not aiming to bring new teams into the league.

Ul Mulk hoped that the teams can do just that by increasing the shared revenue pot that each franchise contributes to and the league pays out of. He is, however, welcoming investment from prospective partnerships, and said that an ongoing evaluation in the league will be reviewed at the end of the

season that includes potential commercial growth.

“Diversifying or liquidating your ownership - there is nothing wrong with that.

Major international companies and media houses are talking to us, but we are taking our time and doing the evaluation,” he said. “Once we finish the evaluation, we could be looking at liquidating some shares, but as strategic partners.

“What I’m looking for is a strategic partner that adds value to the league rather than just money. As things stand, the T10 League isn’t like the IPL or PSL that are massive leagues, we are a small league. So money is not really required for running the league.” (BBC Sport)

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wednesdAY, november 28, 2018

Shadman Islam set for Van Lange and company dominate Joola North American debut in 2nd Windies Test Table-Tennis Championships S

hadman Islam is set to make his debut as the Bangladesh selectors announced a 13-member squad for the second Test against Windies, on Tuesday (November 27). There was no place for Imrul Kayes, who was rested because of shoulder pain, while Tamim Iqbal continues to recover from a side strain. Islam will partner Soumya Sarkar as the hosts will look to seal a 2-0 series win after claiming the first Test by 64 runs.

There was just one change as the selectors decided to go in with a winning combination. Islam, who has played 42 firstclass games, has 3023 runs at an average of 47.50. Ahead of the first Test, when there was considerable amount of confusion over Tamim’s availability, the selectors had added Islam as cover. His innings of 73 against the visitors in the warm-up game helped him make it to the side, coach Steve Rhodes had confirmed ahead of the series.

In his last six firstclass games for Dhaka M e t r o , Islam has scored three half-centuries and two 150plus scores to surge ahead. “ I m r u l Kayes is having pain

on his shoulder and that is the reason we opted to rest him,” BCB selector Minhajul Abedin told Cricbuzz. “We are looking forward to see how Shadman responds to international cricket. If he makes it into the XI as he is scoring runs quite consistently in the domestic tournament [Highest scorer in NCL].

“There is no specific update of Tamim injury status so we did not include him.

But if he is available we can include him anytime.

That is why we had to announce a 13-member

Imrul Kayes rested due to shoulder pain

squad.”Kayes, after his magnificent form in the limited-overs series against Zimbabwe, has seen a dip in runs. He had three single-digit scores in the two Tests and failed to make an impression in the first Test against Windies as well.

However, he scored a crucial 44 in the first Test on a turning track and ensured Bangladesh got off to a good start despite an early loss.

Abedin also quashed questions about selectors not backing the pacers while playing at home. In the first Test, Bangladesh went in with just one pacer in Mustafizur Rahman who bowled just four overs in the game. “I think we need to think where we are playing before claiming that we are not backing pace bowlers.

In the last Test all the wickets were taken by the spinners and certainly it indicates they are having a good amount of confidence under their belt,” he pointed out.

The second and final Test will be played in Dhaka from November 30 before the two teams play three ODIs and three T20Is. (cricbuzz) Squad: Shakib Al Hasan(c), Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Mithun, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Ariful Haque, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Shadman Islam, Nayeem Hasan

J

A winning Li Loeber TTC from left: Shaun Abrams, Bandhu Paudyal, Jonathan Van Lange and Yuqiao Zou

onathan Van Lange continued on his way to becoming one of Guyana’s top young table-tennis players, having starred in the recent Joola North American Team Championships held at the Gaylord National Resort, National Harbour, Maryland, USA. Van Lange and Titans teammate Krystian Sahadeo winged out for a long stint in the United States of America where they will feature in a number of competitions for the remainder of 2018 before returning in early 2019, with aim of earning high USA point rankings.

The 11-year-old sensation Van Lange, over-

seas-based Guyanese Shaun Abrams, Yuqiao Zou and Bandhu Paudyal, dominated the Division 10 as they represented the Li Loeber Table Tennis Club. The four youngsters topped Group 2 before whipping Group 1 winners Cidra 3 on their way to the Division 10 title.

Van Lange beat Gilianie Avila in three easy sets 116, 11-8, 11-9 before beating Luis Barbosa 11-4, 11-6 and 11-7. Abrams snapped up a three-set win 11-6, 11-9 and 11-5 over Barbosa before defeating Jerall Montijo 11-7, 11-3, 9-11 and 11-9. Zou further extended the carnage with his four-set cop over 7-11, 11-2, 11-7 and 11-6 over an already wounded

Montijo.

In the finals between Li Loeber and Cidra 3, Van Lange and Zou ran amok as the former destroyed Luis Rivera 11-8, 11-8, 11-9 and Jesus Rodriguez 11-4, 8-11, 11-5 and 11-7. Zou then dished out some more fire as he burnt Eduardo Sanchez 11-4, 11-7, 6-11 and 11-8 while bettering Rodriguez 113, 14-12, 9-11, 12-14 and 11-6.

Abrams suffered the only loss against Sanchez at 1210, 11-9, 3-11, 10-12 and 2-11, but wrapped up Li Loeber’s victory with a 6-11, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9 and 11-9 win over Rivera. Li Loeber’s only loss came at the hands of Maryland TTC, who beat them 5-4.

Hamilton Green 9-a-side InterWard/ Village KO Cup…

Next round of matches postponed until Sunday H amilton Green 9-a-side Inter-Ward/ Village KO Cup Coordinator Lennox Arthur has confirmed that the next round of matches would be pushed back to Sunday night owing to circumstances beyond their control.

The round of matches, which was set to be played this evening, will not be played following a request from the custodians of the Centre who related that athletes and officials currently participating in the National Schools Cycling, Swimming & Athletics Championships are using the Den Amstel Community Centre Ground.

Arthur disclosed that the new date for the penultimate round of games is now Sunday, and eight exciting matches are scheduled to be played. Hosts Den Amstel will headline the pro-

ceedings when they clash with Soesdyke in the final game of the night.

In the opening encounter, at 18:00h, Zeelugt tackle Charlestown and many believe that this game is the perfect start for the night’s proceedings. This clash will be followed by the game between Sophia and Central Mackenzie, before Mahaica and Mahaichony square off for a place in the next round, but also bragging rights.

Goed Fortuin then collide with Wales, before Crane and Sara Lodge take to the field for their matchup.

Close to $700,000 in total prize monies are up for grabs.

West Demerara’s Pouderoyen then look to repel the challenge of visiting Newtown Kitty, before another team from the West Side, Uitvlugt face Timehri.

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesdAY, november 28, 2018

23

58th Annual National Schools Cycling, Swimming, Track and Field Championships

Codrington shatters javelin record on day 3

A

The District 5 sprinter gets home easily in the first 4x100m heat

A District 10 long jumper makes a great leap

young woman hailing from South Georgetown, District 13, on Tuesday evening rewrote the Nationals track and field history books as she dismantled the standing javelin throw record by some 10 metres.

Prudence Codrington, 18, was extremely humble as she approached the firing line, putting much effort into her throws. The first attempt went soaring to some 35.38 metres, the exact throw that would win her the gold medal.

However, even if her first throw had missed the mark, her second and third attempts flew to 31.62m and 27.63m, either one would have

landed her the first position and broke the record which was set last year.

The previous synthetic record was set by Kimbily Hilliman of North Georgetown with a throw of 25.81m at last year’s National championships. It is important to note that Codrington also holds the javelin Under-18 record, which was set to 27.00m last year at Leonora.

The silver medal in the javelin event was copped by Denita Marks with a throw of 18.99m. Miriam Primo’s best attempt of 18.33m landed her in third.

Aside from Codrington’s brilliance, it was a packed day of track and field at the Leonora Synthetic Track as many of the athletes sought to secure their spot in the finals of their respective events.

The 400m races in all student age groups (U-8, U-10, U-12, U-14, U-18 and U-20) were run off and saw keen competition, setting the stage for the finals later this week.

The teachers also had their time to shine on the track with a similar line of events.

The Boys Under-12 1200m, Girls U-12 1000m, Boys U-10 1000m and Girls U-10 800m were some of the final events that were run off during the third day’s ac-

tivities.

John Harry of South Georgetown won the Boys U-12 1200m race with a time of 4.07s.

It was just a glance before Walson Peters (District 1) came trotting in for second with 4.11s. Gary Paulin (District 9) made up the top three with 4.15s. Over in the U-12 girls 1000m, Tiana Springer of East Georgetown was the leading lady with a time of 3.31s whilst Hannah Joseph (District 10) was just split seconds behind in a photo finish of 3.31.34s. Akela Hall (District 3) was third with 3.42s.

The Boys U-10 1000m saw Joshaun Marshall of Corentyne winning the race in 3.32s, whilst

Tyrese Langhone (District 10) and Raphael Archer (District 12) finished second and third with respective times of 3.34.26s and 3.34.65s. The Girls U-10 800m was won by Akeela Dover of East Coast Demerara as she sprinted across the finish line at 2.59s. Safina Roberts (District 14) was trailing by just two seconds (3.01s) for her second-place finish. Akeela Pratt (District 5) completed the podium one second later on 3.02s.

The action at the Leonora track and field facility will continue today with the highly-anticipated 100m heats and finals for all age groups.

Johnson says playing “good, solid cricket” is Jaguars’ aim this season

By Clifton Ross

G

uyana Jaguars Captain Leon Johnson has said while his team will be chasing Regional Four-Day history this season, they are, nevertheless, affixed on playing a mature brand of cricket when they commence their title defence.

The four-time Four-Day Championship winning skipper told Guyana Times Sport during an exclusive on Tuesday that going into this season, their main goal was to play consistent cricket and worry less about winning.

Johnson, who has led the side valiantly to four straight titles, said while winning the title for a record fifth time in a row would be nice, maintaining their win-streak and level of consistency are the key criteria.

“We want to play good consistent cricket and worry less about winning every game, because we don’t want to be side-tracked if things don’t go our way. It’s about playing good, solid cricket

and giving a good account of ourselves, because there were a couple of times we won matches easily, but that was because we put in the hard work,” said Johnson.

With Guyana being a force to reckon with in FourDay cricket ever since the start of the Professional Cricket League (PCL) back in the 2013/14 season; the Jags have dominated the League, going unbeaten for seasons while effortlessly retaining their title and the team’s leader pointed out that keeping focused on playing good cricket has been, and is, the mantra of the champs.

The Jags bowled off their first of two three-day practice games last week at the Everest Ground, with a number of top perfromances from some senior and junior players who are gunning for spots in this year’s side.

Regarding what he saw during the first practice game, the former West Indies Test player said he was pleased with some of what he saw and urged players to continue playing top-

Captain Leon Johnson and his men have been dominating four-day cricket since the 2013/2014 season

brand cricket.

“I was happy with the three-day practice game, it’s important to get match practice for the four-day league, so it was good for the players to get some match time in the three-day game. A lot of the guys played well, Trevon

Griffith scored a ton; a few of the guys got fifties, so it was important for them, because we had no three-day league; so guys needed to get out there and spend time in the middle.” Johnson said.

Regarding the bowlers who also looked good, the

left-hander said it was important for them to get some mileage in the legs, especially the fast-bowlers as it would be important when they venture overseas on faster pitches likes the ones in St Lucia and Antigua.

The ex-West Indies

Under-19 Captain hailed the players for their desire to train and play leading up to the competition, as he described the atmosphere in the team as good, but restated that there was no need to get overwhelmed and try to prove any point.

“A few of the guys put in a gym session today, because we couldn’t train outdoors, so that’s just one of the things that show that the guys are up for chasing history. I think that the guys are really looking to be a part of it and it would be nice for the country and the team, to put them on the map but we have done it four times before, so I don’t think we need to prove anything to anyone,” the skipper ended.

Meanwhile, weather providing, the players will again break up into two sides and seek to get as much out of the next three days at Providence as they can before the start of the 2018/19 Regional Four-Day Championships, which bowl off the first week in July.

wednesdAY, november 28, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

58th Annual National Schools Cycling, Swimming, Track and Field Championships The record smasher, Prudence Codrington (centre) is flanked by second- and thirdplace finishers Denita Marks and Miriam Primo

Page 23

Codrington shatters javelin record on day 3 Johnson says Current playing Caribbean “good, pitches solid favour cricket” is spinners Page 23

Jaguars’ aim this season Guyana Jaguars Captain Leon Johnson

Page 19

– continuously dominate regional tournaments

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