Guyana Times - Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Application for home improvement subsidies, core houses begins Nov 1 P9 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3732

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Labourer P8 charged for killing drinking buddy Housing developer saga

Complaints, lies prompted disclaimer P5 notice – CH&PA CEO

"We welcome everyone. Who you voted for in the past does not matter" – Jagdeo tells Lindeners

Page 3 LGE 2018

Man jailed Finance for death of Minister refuses commonto meet with BBCI law wife Bridge tolls

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Page 11

Under pressure: Govt releases Belt and Road MoU inked with China

P13

Increase in subvention essential to effective functioning – Councillors

Police crack down on P13 “obscured” number plates …27 vehicles impounded

Page 9

Another juvenile Trump looking offender escapes to end Page 17 Page from NOC 12 citizenship for children born to non-citizens

GCCI’s proposed local content legislation P10 stalled

P16 Stricter penalties for damage to public property

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BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, October 31 – 10:30h-12:00h and Thursday, November 1 – 12:00h-13:30h.

“We welcome everyone. Who you voted for in the past does not matter” – Jagdeo tells Lindeners as he shared his vision for progress. He told supporters that under the current Government there has not

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, October 31 – 09:50h-11:20h and Thursday, November 1 – 11:10h-12:40h.

Parliament, Juan Edghill who stressed that the upcoming LGE should not be taken lightly. Once elect-

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals and sunny weather can be expected throughout the day, with clear skies in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 21 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from East South-easterly to Easterly and East North-easterly to North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 09:33h and 21:58h reaching maximum heights of 2.23 metres and 2.28 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 02:54h and 15:25h reaching minimum heights of 0.81 metre and 1.05 metres respectively.

SaturDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS L

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FREE TICKET

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tuesDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018 DAILY MILLIONS

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

Opposition Leader and General Secretary of the People's Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo

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eader of the Opposition and General Secretary of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) Bharrat Jagdeo on Tuesday evening shared his enthusiasm of the Party securing victory at the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) on November 12 and General Elections in 2020, reiterating to Lindeners that the Party will "sweep the polls.”

Speaking at Mackenzie, Linden where hundreds turned for the LGE meeting, Jagdeo reiterated the PPP's goals, stating that the Party has regained supporters, who had previously been sidetracked. He said those persons have realised Government's failed campaign promises and are now back in full support of the PPP. "Every single promise that they made to our people, they broke...now, people's eyes are opened. They're back with us and many who supported them are with us too. And that is why in 2020, we're going to sweep the polls. You're about a year and a half away from deliverance in this country, because we've worked together right across Guyana to take back this county...", he told the large crowd, who gathered inside the compound of the Party's Linden office.

Jagdeo added that the only way the election victory can be achieved is through support, as he also urged full support for candidates contesting in the upcoming LGE. "The only way that we can achieve this is by all of you playing a role," Jagdeo stressed. He noted that while no candidate is perfect, all of the Party's candidates stand for a cause. The Party's General Secretary extended an open invitation, noting that all are welcomed to the Party, as he reiterated the basis of its establishment by founder-Leader Dr Cheddi Jagan. "We welcome everyone... Who you voted for in the past doesn't matter. We work for Guyana, we work for all of our people...Every single person, regardless of your race, your religion, your gender, your class, you're welcomed to the People's Progressive Party, now as it was then. Because we were established for a cause. And the cause was one of justice and dignity for

all of our people," he said.

Jagdeo restated that voting at the LGE will be the first vote towards the Party taking back Guyana in 2020,

Lindeners turned out in large numbers for the PPP meeting

been a single major investment, noting that every sector is currently on a decline.

Also addressing the gathering was Party member and Opposition Member of

ed, he said constituency representatives will not be allowed to "do their own thing". "We are on a march for victory come November 12", Edghill reiterated.

A section of the large gathering at Mackenzie, Linden on Tuesday evening during the PPP’s LGE meeting

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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

Financial challenges

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common mantra across the nation is, “things are really hard”. It is a simple and easily understood statement that encapsulates the harsh economic situation many are faced with daily. The belief is that it gets exponentially harder with every passing day. While many analyses have been done to explain its genesis, current realities and future outlook, relief does not appear to be within grasp thereby compounding an already bleak situation.

It has become increasingly difficult to find someone who offers a different view in terms of financial challenges being experienced. Even the affluent are not excluded especially those in the business sector. Some within this grouping are adamant that the deck continues to be stacked against them through unpopular tax policies, giving way eventually to decrease in business activities.

For them, the mantra is, “things really slow”.

Many have spoken candidly but insist on being anonymous out of fear of being the reason to further hurt their business. Paramount is their concern of not wanting to criticize publicly in an effort to avoid any semblance of perceived political partisanship. This is understandable given the reality of repercussion that history painfully reminds of. While many would naturally prefer the protection of anonymity for their lamentations, others seem less constraint.

While governments generally cannot meet every need, prioritised national spending is expected to be implemented. Therein lies the profound disappointment and possibly betrayal felt. Coming in with tremendous goodwill on the promise of a better life, expectation was rife. For many, the reality is now harsher and cannot be masked. It would therefore be fair for them to question some aspects of public spending.

With D’Urban Park and ministerial salary increases and benefits being recurring decimals, the new monstrous fence around the Ministry of the Presidency may have gone unnoticed. Facelifts and renovations are good but should not be at the expense of the concerns of the nation’s workers.

They, the workers, will naturally question the justification for what can be described as diverted priorities. This includes huge sums already spend on furnishing, dietary needs, increase security and additional entourage vehicles. Aspects of these obviously cannot be compromised, however the question of what could have led to a mantra of “urgent priority”, seems only natural.

The proposed plantain chip factory in Leguan is left abandoned after millions spent. The initial idea was questioned, but passion for the endeavour and the justification for its construction were not short. What then could have led to the perceived halt in construction and by extension, operation? Were those sums illadvisedly spent?

A plethora of questions can be asked, pertinently in the context of relevance as with other projects have since been abandoned. The multiple Commissions of Inquiry and frequent and extensive overseas travel while monies are being deemed unavailable for workers, are major concerns.

Clearly this will be seen as a demotivating factor, for all who toil honestly and laboriously to provide for their families. They can rightfully question priorities regarding their welfare which believably are being ignored as motivation and confidence wane. The unfortunate reality is that they have no choice but to endure as they try to eke out a livelihood. They also have no excuse to their dependents.

Unlike the Administration, which seems to be prioritising non-priorities, the workers cannot afford a parallel set of convenient priorities. Of course they would wish so as to free themselves of the heavy burdens carried. That logically derives a mantra of hope while swirling in despair.

Britain's Prince Harry interacts with a child at Viaduct Harbour in Auckland, New Zealand. REUTERS/Phil Noble

Turkish Prosecutor demands answers from Saudis over Khashoggi killing

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urkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that his chief prosecutor has asked his Saudi counterpart to reveal who ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

The killing has sparked a global firestorm, straining Ankara’s already fraught relationship with Riyadh and pressing the Trump administration to defend its most prized Middle Eastern ally, whose leadership is suspected of sending a 15-man hit squad to carry out the killing.

“Our prosecutor asked who sent the group that came here and said that this needed to be looked at,” Erdogan told reporters as he left parliament in Ankara.

“We cannot leave this issue unsolved,” he said. “We need to solve it now.”

Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributing columnist, was last seen in grainy surveillance video on Oct. 2, entering Istanbul’s Saudi Consulate to retrieve paperwork for his upcoming marriage. Turkish officials say he was detained, tortured and dismembered — while his fiancee waited outside.

His remains have not been found.

Saud al-Mojeb, Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor, met with his Turkish counterpart for the second time Tuesday before visiting the consulate, where the killing is alleged to have taken place, Turkish media reported. Riyadh has depicted the killing as a rogue act, arresting 18 suspects and condemning Khashoggi’s

President Tayyip Erdogan has said the Turkish lawyer looking into the death of Jamal Khashoggi has asked Saudi Arabia’s Prosecutor to disclose who sent the team involved in the Journalist’s killing

death. But Western officials have speculated that it was an audacious plan – which involved flying the hit squad to Istanbul on private jets and enlisting an apparent body double to leave the consulate after the killing – that would not have been possible without the knowledge of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto ruler.

Cooperation with Saudi Arabia, and particularly with Mohammed, sits at the heart of the Trump administration’s foreign policy in the Middle East. Although this latest crisis has drawn strong rebukes from both parties in Congress, there are few indications that it will fundamentally change the relationship between the two nations.

In an address to parliament Tuesday, Erdogan appeared more muted in his criticism of Saudi Arabia than in previous weeks. He did not mention Khashoggi by name and fell back on earlier talking points without upping the ante.

“There is no reason to beat around the bush. Or, there is no reason to save someone from beneath this,” he said. “We must overcome

this with our mechanisms of justice and politics.”

Michelle Bachelet, the U.N. high commissioner for Human Rights, called Tuesday for an independent investigation, involving international experts, of what she described as a “shockingly brazen crime.”

Saudi Arabia has undergone sweeping social reforms during Mohammed’s time effectively ruling the kingdom. Long-standing restrictions, including a ban on women driving, have been overturned to global acclaim.

But a political crackdown has been accelerating at the same time. Prominent activists and clerics have been jailed. Last November, dozens of princes from the extended royal family also were detained at Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel as part of what Mohammed’s inner circle characterized as an anti-corruption drive.

Although long considered a frank voice, Khashoggi was once a palace insider, serving first as an adviser to Prince Turki bin Faisal, a former head of Saudi intelligence, and later as a de facto spokesman for the Saudi Embassy in Washington.

More recently, he had grown disillusioned with the kingdom’s rising oppression, addressing the subject in columns for The Post. He also angered Saudi authorities by criticizing the election of Donald Trump.

“For an investigation to be carried out free of any appearance of political considerations, the involvement of international experts, with full access to evidence and witnesses, would be highly desirable,” Bachelet said in a statement.

The journalist’s family and friends are pushing for answers. “We want everyone involved, from top to bottom, to face justice,” Hatice Cengiz, his Turkish fiancee, said in an emotional interview broadcast by the BBC on Monday.

Cengiz had waited outside Istanbul’s Saudi Consulate on Oct. 2, raising the alarm when Khashoggi did not emerge and refusing to leave until the early hours of the next morning. “We didn’t say any goodbyes,” she told the interviewer.

“At least he had someone he loved at the end of his life. Maybe that crossed his mind in his last minutes.”

(The Washington Post)

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Housing developer saga

Complaints, lies prompted disclaimer notice – CH&PA CEO

The disclaimer against Chairman of Icarus Construction and Development INC, Robert Forrester

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omplaints from members of the public about developer Robert Forrester, who the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) issued a notice severing ties with, prompted this course of action.

This admission was made on Tuesday by the authority’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lelon Saul, in an interview following the announcement of the Adequate Housing and Urban

Accessibility Programme.

He revealed that Forrester, the Chairman of Icarus Construction and Development INC, was moonlighting as a CH&PA agent.

“It was so because apparently, from information received, the individual was telling people he’s working for us,” the CEO explained. “He’s not working for us. He is not an agent of CH&PA and that is why we put that notice in the newspaper.”

“Because we have received complaints that seemed to suggest that he was saying he’s an agent of CH&PA,” Saul also added. When asked if there are other cases of persons pretending to work for the Authority, he replied in the negative.

According to a notice in the daily newspapers, CH&PA informed the public that Forrester was not authorised to transact any business on behalf of the agency. The notice added that this was by order of management.

It was only in August that an announcement was made of a partnership between Forrester’s firm, the Communities Ministry and the New Amsterdam Municipal Council to construct a model village at Savannah Park.

It was noted that the US$3 million initiative, the first for New Amsterdam, would have all the basic amenities and 60 housing units that would cater for low, middle and high-income earners.

It was pointed out in the report that only limited

plans for a Police outpost to be erected, in addition to commercial spaces, green areas, and a mall that would have all essential services.

However, following the publication of the notice on Sunday, sources at the CH&PA indicated that Forrester was charged back in September of 2014 with converting to his own use $1.5 million given to him to purchase a house lot. He was subsequently granted bail in the amount CH&PA CEO Lelon Saul

spots would be available, as only a specific number could be accommodated; that successful applicants would be screened; and that the requisite documents would be cleared with the relevant lending institutions before applicants would be allocated lots. And like CH&PA’s regular house lots, these homeowners would have a specific time in which they must build.

In an interview at the time with the media, Forrester had revealed

of $150,000. It is unclear what came out of the matter. The source noted that the CH&PA has been receiving a high number of complaints from members of the public about Forrester’s alleged financial improprieties.

Guyana Times understands that these complaints have been made for some time now, but a senior CH&PA official had managed to keep them under wraps since the two share a long friendship.

Fraudster jailed for 18 months A

fraudster, who admitted that he converted $1 million of his employer’s money to his own use, was on Tuesday jailed.

Alex Persaud appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where he admitted that on October 14 and 26, 2018, at Puruni Landing,

Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) while being a servant and solely entrusted with $1 million, property of Dave Young, he fraudulently converted money to his own personal use and benefit.

The 44-year-old man was jailed for 18 months by Magistrate McLennan.

Single sourcing of medication

Dear Editor, On the August 8th, 2018, I wrote a letter pointing out that something stinks with the HDM Labs / Ministry of Public Health deal. At the time, it was widely believed that the HDM Labs contract valued at $366,826,660.8 GYD or ($1,789,886 US).

I asked the Minister of Public Health Hon. Volda Lawerence several questions in parliament. To date, she has refused to answer. But the latest report from the Auditor General dated 31st December 2017, has now confirmed HDM Labs Inc. received a contract valued at $409.497 million on the 31st of August 2017- much more than was previously quoted.

In a statement to parliament on the 18th July 2018, Minister Lawerence claimed that only three of the six companies submitted bids.

The Auditor General report has identified these companies as IPA, Caribbean Medical Supplies and Ansa McAl Trading. Each of these companies has been regular suppliers to the Ministry of Public Health. But on this occasion, their bids were evaluated and rejected. The disqualification of the three bidders in the first round is highly suspicious; many believe that these bidders received unfair treatment. The government should release the findings from the Bid Evaluation Committee for us to understand why these

three bidders were disqualified.

In the first round, six companies were invited to bid, of these, only three participated. Of the three companies that participated, all were disqualified. The Ministry re-invited the same six companies to retender. The logic behind the Ministry’s action is questionable, unless they had a prearranged outcome. Of the six companies that were invited to participate, only one submitted a bid, that is HDM labs.

It is unclear, whether an Evaluation Committee was established to evaluate the HDM Labs’ bid- if so the report of the committee should be disclosed. If there was no evaluation committee, then on what basis was a decision taken to give the award to HDM Labs? From the information that is currently available, it seems that the process was engineered in favour HDM Labs’ favour.

This flawed procurement has led to wastage of taxpayers’ dollars. The Auditor General’s report looked at nine items that were bought by this contract. The report compared the price paid to HDM Labs with that of IPA, Caribbean Medical Supplies and AnSa McAl. For this letter, I will compare HDM Labs’, Price with IPA. Please refer the table: From this analysis, it is clear, that IPA had better prices than HDM Labs.

ed. The Public Procurement Commission should launch an immediate investigation into the multiple breaches of the Procurement Act, and the wastage of taxpayers’ dollars.

If the government is serious

In justifying the need for restrictive tendering, a case was made for emergency supplies of medicines. I suppose that based on this evidence the NPTAB agreed to this restrictive method of procurement. The Auditor General’s report pointed out, “The supplier was required to supply the drugs two weeks after signing of the contract; that is all items should have been delivered no later than 22nd September 2017. At[To] this date, no items were delivered, and delivery commenced in October 2017. As of 31st December 2017, items to the value of $141.892 M (35% of the contract price) were delivered. The supplier fulfilled his obligations under the contract in March 2018, that is, six months after the agreed delivery date.”

As the Auditor General’s report pointed, out some of the medicines arrived six months after the date of delivery.

This deal reeks of corruption. For the nine items that the Auditor General analysed, the government could have saved $166,942,315 million if IPA was used. HDM Labs was required to deliver the drugs in two weeks but took six months. The Ministry of Public Health should explain to the public whether it has taken any action against HDM Labs for failure to deliver as specified in the agreement. The National Tender Procurement and Administration Board (NTPAB) should say whether, based on bad performance on this contract the company would be blacklist-

about corruption, it should call in the police to do a thorough investigation.

Sincerely, Dr Frank Anthony, MP

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By Dona Matthews, PhD

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ee Schneider interviewed me about Beyond Intelligence: Raising Happily Productive Kids, a book I wrote with Joanne Foster. Lee was particularly interested in implications for parents over 40.

LEE SCHNEIDER: Dona, welcome to the podcast.

DONA MATTHEWS: Thank you. I’m happy to be here.

LEE: You have a great quiz right at the start of your book. I want to run down a few of those questions. You’ll tell me the answers and we’ll talk about it a bit. One of the first questions you ask is, by the time a child is three years old their intelligence level is set for life. Is that true or false?

Intelligence develops over time

DONA: That’s absolutely false. It’s a common misconception that kids’ intelligence is set for life by age three.

What is true is that those first three years are extremely important for building the brain.

There’s a whole lot going into the child’s experience of those first three years that are going to make a difference to their subsequent intelligence.

However, the more that is learned about the brain and how it develops, the more researchers learn about neuroplasticity and the measurement of intelligence, the more scientists are coming to the conclusion that intelligence is something that develops over time with opportunities to learn. It’s not static. It’s never set. It’s always developing.

The brain is always capable of change.

By the time a kid is three

Foundation years old, there’s a whole lot of really important learning that has gone on. But how smart they are or how capable they seem to be at that stage is only a very rough indicator of what’s going to happen in the future.

LEE: So that means when our child is three our job as parents just isn’t over.

DONA: Oh yes.

[LAUGHTER] LEE: There’s more to be done.

DONA: There’s quite a bit more to be done. Absolutely.

LEE: Right. How about this one: Parents should protect their children from setbacks, obstacles, and experiences of failure. Is that true or false?

DONA: Overall, in general, it’s false. The true part is it’s a parent’s job to keep their children safe. So if it’s about their safety, yes, it’s important to protect. However, it’s only through setbacks, obstacles, and failures that people learn. If people are protected from setbacks they never learn how to deal with them.

So continuing to learn and grow and develop requires mistakes and failures and then paying attention to those and say, “What do I have to learn about this?” So that attitude of welcoming failure is what makes the difference between somebody who does continue to learn and grow and tends to be a lot more successful, and

somebody who tries to avoid setbacks and failures.

LEE: Someone who understands that failure is going to come with the territory — that’s going to be a more resilient person a person who is willing to change versus the risk-averse person who will probably learn less.

It’s good to embrace failure

DONA: Exactly. In fact, it is good to embrace or welcome failure. There’s been a whole lot of research done on this showing that people who look at failures as learning opportunities and therefore actively welcome failure achieve a lot more than others. Nobody feels good when they fail. But when something happens that might feel or look like failure, it’s good to say, “OK, what can I learn from this?” And therefore learn to thank the universe for giving me this failure opportunity. People who do that, the research shows conclusively that they do a whole lot better in their lives in every way. Academically, professionally, financially, psychologically, in relationships, every domain of life is enriched by that e m b r a c ing-of-failure attitude.

L E E : Fascinating.

It’s not easy, that’s for sure.

DONA: We live in a culture that doesn’t support that. We live in a culture where we’re embarrassed by our setbacks and our failures.

People try to hide them.

Do highly intelligent children have more problems?

LEE: How about this one: Highly intelligent children have more social and emotional problems than other kids. True or false?

DONA: That again, as with the other two questions, the overall answer is that it is false. Yet it’s another one of those widely-held misconceptions about high intelligence: a lot of people think that those who are highly intelligent are weird. More volatile. Even more likely to have problems with mental illness.

But in fact the research again is really clear, saying that intelligence and social-emotional development are pretty independent of each other. So you get people who have really good social and emotional strength who are also extremely intelligent. You also get people who are extremely intelligent who have terrible problems socially and/or emotionally.

And vice versa. So those two things — high intelligence and social emotional development — are independently developing variables.

The only connection between those two things — high intelligence and social emotional problems — is that sometimes, especially with young children, it’s hard for really advanced kids to find friends of their own age. It can be hard for extremely advanced kids to connect with kids who are developing in a more normal way. It’s a temporary thing. Because as people grow older they’re more and more likely to find people who share their way of looking at the world. (Excerpt from psychol-

ogytoday.com)

By Marika Lindholm, PhD

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or 18 years (and sometimes longer), we are confronted with a never-ending array of decisions about our child’s choices, activities, and behaviour. In the process, we develop a sense of right and wrong for our individual family. For some families, this might mean no sugar or screen time, while for others, it might be no hitting or cursing, or all the above.

Most of us parent somewhere in between Tiger Mom and “anything goes”, which creates a constant interplay between laying down the law and looking the other way. As parents, we strive to foster independence and resilience while expressing unconditional love – a delicate and challenging balance!

As a mom to five children ages 13-23, I’ve made countless mistakes and miscalculations when it comes to handling tantrums, misbehaviour, and bad choices. Clearly, there’s no playbook to follow for each situation, but perhaps by sharing a few of the hardwon lessons I’ve learned, I can save you some misery. If you find yourself falling short, or regretting an action or inaction, remember, there’s always a next time!

Understand what’s ageappropriate.

Intellectually, we grasp that toddlers are not little grownups capable of processing constructive criticism. Yet, too often, in our desire to be fair and just, we communicate ineffectively.

Give a toddler a valid reason not to do something and be done with it: “You can’t pull mommy’s hair because it hurts, and it’s not OK to hurt people.”

Enough said. The next time, give the same message. They’ll get it. To increase your empathy for your children when they act like little monsters, it’s enormously helpful to read about each developmental stage. For instance, obnoxious and annoying behaviour by toddlers and teenagers alike are developmentally appropriate and necessary. Both toddler and teen defiance are to be endured and require Zen-like self-control. This doesn’t mean that you must refrain from

correction; rather, say your peace, and understand that no amount of yelling or cajoling will transform a teen or toddler who is intent on rebelling.

Do your best to avoid idle threats. We’ve all made idle threats, and we know they don’t work. That’s because they undermine our power.

I’ve been known to threaten to throw out all my children’ toys or smash their phones if they don’t clean their rooms.

Obviously, I’m screaming with little impact, because I’ve never actually followed through. You are better off taking a favourite toy or phone with the calm statement, “You will get this back once your room is clean.”

Their shock might yield a nice surprise for you.

Be prepared to follow through. This can be easier said than done when we’re in a setting or situation in which following through on a punishment is challenging. For example, I’ve told one child, “If you don’t behave, I’m not taking you out for pizza!” – and then had to sheepishly double back because that was my dinner plan. Also be sure that your threat of discipline makes sense in that context or setting. For example, when you’re about to get on a plane, don’t take away your child’s favourite toy. Figure out another punishment that won’t come back to bite you.

Nobody wants to be on a plane with a bored, angry kid. Save that consequence for home, when you can send them to their room!

Avoid a long defence of each parenting decision.

Although I rarely say, “Because I told you so,” I’m essentially trying to impart that idea with a short rationale. My teenagers, in particular, like to draw me into complex debates in which I have to defend why I’m not letting them do something, such as going to a sleepover. Instead of a drawnout argument, I aim for a short explanation, repeat it a couple of times as necessary, and then move on. Your kid won’t like it, but you’ll save time and avoid an even bigger argument since most children are extremely skilled in the art of persuasion.

Give your decision a short rationale and then step away.

(Excerpt from psychologyttoday.com)

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Bridge tolls

Finance Minister refuses to meet with BBCI

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

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espite the intervention of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), who sought to bring Finance Minister Winston Jordan to the table with the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) to discuss impending toll increases, these overtures have been snubbed.

This is according to Vice Chairman of the BBCI, Paul Cheong, who in a statement on Tuesday took sections of the media to task for misrepresenting the facts of the company. For one, the Bridge Company outlined that there is no majority shareholder but rather, six investors have either 20 or 10 per cent shareholding.

“It would be of interest to the public to know that BBCI asked the Private Sector Commission to use its good office to arrange an urgent meeting with the Minister of Finance in the matter of the toll adjustment and that the Minister of Finance has refused to entertain the request,” the company stated.

The Bridge Company meanwhile noted that the BBCI shareholding is structured with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) having a 20 per cent ownership, with $80 million in ordinary shares. NIS also has $950 million in preference

shares.

“The NIS is not the majority shareholder,” the company stated. “No single shareholder owns the majority of shares. In an eight-person Board of Directors, six are ordinary shareholders, including the NIS, one is a preferential shareholder and one subordinated loan holder, including the NIS. The last two categories have no general voting rights.”

“The six ordinary shareholders are not guaranteed a return on their investment. Their investments are subjected to the risk of the company making a profit and cash flow availability. Since BBCI has made no profit, no dividends have been paid to any of the shareholders,” the company further outlined.

In an engagement with the media only a few days ago, Minister Jordan was asked whether he had had engagements with the BBCI. In his response, he had revealed that he had interactions with PSC on the matter.

Petty politicking

Last week, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) had been very critical of the Government for its less than mature ap-

proach to resolving the proposed toll increases.

FITUG had stressed that Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) supplies the entire country with agriculture produce and thus, higher tolls would result in higher prices for groceries. The Union had therefore noted the seriousness of the situation, from both the economic point of view and the future of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

The Union noted that the coalition Government was elected to lead and should therefore demonstrate genuine leadership and end the “petty politicking” by sitting with BBCI executives without further delay and engaging in sober discussions on measures to avoid the toll rise.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo also said the toll increases seemed to have come as a result of collusion between Government and the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI). He is of the firm view that this would most likely lead to the Government acting as the “knight in shining armour” who steps in and saves the day by blocking the increases.

Several stakeholders, economists, civil society and even some shareholders have been calling for a full buyout of the bridge by Government to bring a permanent resolution to the issue.

The increases in tolls were announced by BBCI Chairman, Dr Surendra Persaud, during a press conference recently. According to Persaud, they were formally informed by Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson that Government would not agree to their previous requests for an increase.

As per the increases, cars and minibuses will now be charged $8040; pickups,

small trucks and four wheel drive vehicles, $14,600; medium trucks, $27,720; large trucks, $49,600; art trucks, $116,680; freight, $1680 and boats passing through the river will be charged

$401,040.

The ownership structure of BBCI is made up of ordinary share capital of $400 million owned by private investors and preference shares of $950 million

owned by NIS. The holders of the ordinary shares are NIS, Queens Atlantic Inc and Secure International Finance Company, Handin-Hand and Demerara Contractors.

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wednesdAY, october 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Labourer charged for killing drinking buddy

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Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD) labourer was on Tuesday hauled before the court of law after he was slapped with a charge of murder.

Phillip Solomon is accused of killing his “drinking buddy”, Vernon Cummings during an argument last week.

It is alleged that the 41-year-old man murdered Cummings, also known as “Ervil”, on October 24, 2018 at Timehri.

According to the prosecution’s case, the two men, who were both labourers, were at a wharf at Timehri, where they would normally consume alcohol together. However, on October 24,

2018, while they were imbibing, an argument ensued between the two. Based on reports, the now deceased man armed himself with a piece of iron and attacked the accused, who then armed himself with a piece of wood and the two began lashing each other about the body.

Solomon’s brother was alerted and went to the

scene. He took away the piece of iron from Cummings, but his brother dealt Cummings a blow to his head causing him to fall to the ground.

He was then rushed to the Diamond hospital where he died while receiving treatment. The case will continue on November 12, 2018.

Accused ganja trafficking couple on bail

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couple, who were reportedly busted with narcotics in their possession while at the Bartica Police Station, was on Tuesday released on $150,000 bail each when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Vidya Bishun, 26, of

Byderabo Road, Bartica; and Brian Blackman, 29, of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), both denied the charge which stated that on October 27, 2018, at the Bartica Police Station, they had in their possession 239.7 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

According to the prosecution’s case, Bishun was

at Bartica when a routine search was conducted at the Police Station when the illegal drug was found in her bag. The court heard that Blackman arrived at the station sometime after and started behaving in a disorderly manner, for which he was arrested. The prosecution is contending that he admitted ownership of the

drugs while in Police custody.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne objected to bail being granted due to the prevalence of the offence and the nature of the charge.

However, the Chief Magistrate granted each defendant $150,000 bail.

The case was adjourned to November 14.

Changing…

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…strategies just for spite hen Jagdeo floated the idea of Guyana being compensated for not cutting down its forests, there were a lot of snickers from the cynics out there – especially in the Opposition benches. But when Norway coughed up US$250 million for doing just that, you’d think the latter bunch would’ve taken note, wouldn’t you? Well they would’ve – if they had Guyana’s development at heart, and not just interested in scoring points. Jagdeo had come up with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) in 2008 as an overarching framework to move Guyana forward within the growing international recognition of the value of standing forests in the battle against global warming and climate change in general. He posed three questions – how to make forests worth more alive than dead; how to stimulate future growth using clean energy and non-deforesting economic activities; and how to protect against climate change.

From an early proposal by Costa Rica that deforestation should be encouraged with monetary compensation, by 2007, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – had agreed that this would include measures to promote reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, alongside conservation and sustainable management of forests. The mechanism within the UNFCCC to achieve this objective was dubbed REDD+.

Guyana’s pioneering efforts for an entire country to centre its development plan on a low carbon strategy was lauded by the world and we were invited to the G20 table to suggest financing modalities for REDD+. Unfortunately, subsequent UNFCCC meetings at Copenhagen in 2009 and at Cancun and Durban in succeeding years, didn’t see a legally binding agreement. But this didn’t deter Guyana, which had secured the Norway agreement and started to implement aspects of the LCDS programme. Such as the Amaila Falls Hydro-Electric Project.

Taking into cognisance the slowed pace of follow through by the developed countries in their financial commitments to REDD+ compliant countries, such as Guyana and other developments, the LCDS was modified in 2013. It was therefore with great surprise, your Eyewitness learnt the new PNC-led coalition Government jettisoned the LCDS, even as they committed to “go green!” They took a US$1.5 million (GY$300 million) to fund the creation of a Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) that still hasn’t been presented to the Guyanese public in the “consultations” they promised.

There was no need to go down this road…if they had problems with aspects of the LCDS, they could’ve had them modified – even as the PPP had done. But from their inability to justify their rejection of the AFHEP to the Norwegians – after they concluded it was the way to go to spend their US$80 million lying in the bank – it was clear they were just acting to spite Jagdeo.

Not caring they were cutting Guyana’s face. …intellectual property rights There’s a tempest by the usual suspects in the teapot called Guyana, over the Opposition Leader’s comment that the legislation on intellectual property (IP) rights might be too robust for us at this stage of our development. The “usual suspects”, of course, are the handful who believe their “creative genius” in producing self-published works of doggerel and novellas will now rake in billions after folks stop “knocking off” their “works”!! Then there’s the comprador class who acts as agents for the rights to broadcast content from “foreign”.

They’re making out as if Jagdeo’s some anachronism, holding back these billions from flowing. It’s clear they’ve forgotten the sordid and one-sided history of TRIPS (Trade Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) that places developing countries at a severe disadvantage. For instance, the refusal to allow patents of Traditional Knowledge (TK) from Indigenous sources and to permit developed countries to “bio prospect” – like with neem.

And that the developed countries were routinely violating IPR’s well into the 20th century! …of the (sugar) guard?

Your Eyewitness remains confused about the claimed changing of the guards in GuySuCo. What input has the new Board been allowed to make to deflect the trajectory of the Corporation’s plunge into oblivion??

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

News

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wednesdAY, october 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Under pressure: Govt releases Belt and Road MoU inked with China

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fter mounting pressure, the Government of Guyana through the Foreign Affairs Ministry has finally released the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the People’s Republic of China to execute loan-financed projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The particulars of the MoU state Guyana is expected to engage in bilateral cooperation with the People’s Republic of China. This means the two countries will be carrying out joint plans and pilot programmes in several key areas.

According to the MoU, these areas include economic and technological exchange and joint research programmes. In addition, there is expected to be information sharing between the two countries, as well as capacity building, exchange of personnel and training opportunities.

Part five, section two of the agreement also speaks to cooperation on areas of education, culture, health, tourism and other relevant fields.

The MoU also details that public/private partnerships and free market principles will apply between Guyana and China. In a publication earlier this year, the World

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge (right, seated) signing the BRI agreement back in July with Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jainchun

Bank had noted the benefits to countries that open up their trade.

According to the World Bank, this often leads to economic growth, improved productivity and brings down the price for goods and service through increased competition. Of course, there are some drawbacks to a free trade economy.

One of the most obvious ones is that it may crowd out domestic business. Besides the economic threat to local competitors, there is also a need to replace revenue that may be lost from waiving of import tariffs.

Besides the areas of cooperation, the MoU stipulates that it will have a lifespan of

three years. The agreement, according to the document, automatically renews for another three years when it ends, indefinitely, unless terminated.

The MoU also details that termination can only occur with a written notice of at least three months through diplomatic channels.

MoU

The MoU was first signed on July 27, 2018, between Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jainchun. It falls within the framework of China’s Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st century Maritime Silk Road, more commonly re-

ferred to as the Belt and Road Initiative.

The signing was done at the Chinese embassy in the presence of President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Ministers of Government.

The signing was also done in commemoration of the 47 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The accord is expected to enhance cooperation in five main areas, namely: policy coordination, facilities connectivity, trade and investment, financial integration, and people-to-people interaction. Public infrastructure is also expected to be a major focus under this agreement.

Application for home improvement subsidies, core houses begins Nov 1

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wo thousand, two hundred and fifty (2250) families are set to benefit from the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s (CH&PA) Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme.

Senior officials of the CH&PA, including Minister within the Communities Ministry, with responsibility for housing, Valerie AdamsPatterson-Yearwood updated the media on details of the project at a press conference on Wednesday.

Deputy Director of Community Development at the Ministry, Donell BessBascom said from November 1, application forms for the home improvement subsidies and core houses will be made available. The application period will run for three months from November 1, 2018, until February 1, 2019. “We have allocated a three-month application period which is adequate time for persons to be able to apply and have an opportunity to benefit,” Bess-Bascom explained.

Persons desirous of applying must reside within targeted areas of the programme.

These include from as far as La Bonne Intention on the East Coast to Georgetown; Great Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara and Westminster, Rec-Door-Zee Phase I &II, Onderneeming and La Parfaite Harmonie Phase II on the West Bank of Demerara Bess-Bascom also disclosed that several pick-up points have been established

for a swifter distribution of application forms. “All the local democratic organs or local authorities within the project areas will be used as distribution centres for application forms.”

It was also highlighted that while there will be several points within the programme’s geographical area of coverage, the CH&PA will be the sole agency responsible for the submission of these forms after it would have been completed.

Eligible and successful applicants accessing the home improvement subsidies will benefit from as much as $500,000 in building materials. Upgrades could range from roof repairs, walls, floors, wet areas (bathroom and toilet), expansion to alleviate overcrowding, electrical works, plumbing and sanitation, rainwater harvesting and modifications for persons with disabilities.

Successful applicants of the home improvement subsidies will be required to take charge of full labour costs.

These home improvement subsidies will target low-income earners and single parent-led homes. The CH&PA will be catering for 2000 subsidies.

For the core homes, 250 persons will benefit, and applicants must be a citizen of Guyana and 18 years of age or older and occupy land issued by the CH&PA. Bess-Bascom also added that during the period of processing applications there will be extensive home visits for verification of informa-

tion provided. Also, persons who would have benefited from previous subsidies (two or more subsidies) and core houses will not be considered for these two projects.

According to Minister Adams-Patterson-Yearwood, while the agency is expecting an influx of applications from persons wishing to benefit from these two projects,

there will be a strict shortlisting process that is likely to take as much as eight months after the period of application closes.

“We anticipate that there will be lots of applications so when we are processing, we will have to prioritise… And, remember we are looking for the most vulnerable families,” the Minister said.

In July last year, members of a ministerial team from Guyana visited their counterparts in neighbouring Brazil, during which it was agreed that both countries would provide financial resources for the engineering and design of the LindenLethem road.

It was reported that the two countries would be working closely with the People’s Republic of China to access billions from the China Select Fund to complete this critical piece of infrastructure that holds great potential in terms of integrating the two countries and improving trade between the neighbours and the Caribbean.

Minister Greenidge also noted that another major project that can benefit from this MoU with China is the new Demerara River Bridge, which Government is working on constructing to replace the Demerara Harbour Bridge, which has outlived its 10-year lifespan.

The Belt and Road Initiative refers to the Silk

Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, a significant development strategy launched by the Chinese Government with the intention of promoting economic co-operation among countries along the proposed Belt and Road routes.

The initiative has been designed to enhance the orderly, free flow of economic factors, and the efficient allocation of resources. It is also intended to further market integration and create a regional economic co-operation framework of benefit to all.

The initial focus has been infrastructure investment, education, construction materials, railway and highway, automobile, real estate, power grid, and iron and steel.

Already, the Belt and Road Initiative has been listed as one of the largest infrastructure and investment projects in history, covering 73 countries, now a total of 74 with the addition of Guyana, as well as 28 international organisations.

10 news

wednesdAY, october 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

GCCI’s proposed local content legislation stalled

GCCI President Deodat Indar

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n a move to safeguard the rights of Guyanese businesses, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) had submitted a model local content legislation to the Government of Guyana for consideration.

But according to President of the GCCI, Deodat Indar, having met with several top Government officials to discuss this, the Chamber is convinced that this process will be delayed.

“We did not get a definite word to Government’s response to the legislation.

So, right now we are unsure of where Government is going,” he told Guyana Times on Tuesday.

Indar has expressed GCCI’s disappointment that there is no legislative framework since 2015 when the first oil discovery was made in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana.

The GCCI President said Government has proposed finalising the Local Content Policy first before consider-

ation is given to tabling legislation. However, the second review of the local content policy is expected to be completed by the first quarter of next year.

“I said to them in that meeting that I’m not in agreement with that approach. I said that you can pass legislation to fix hitches in the business community that we believe that Guyanese company are not getting their share of the pie for various reasons,” he added.

Indar argued that the legislation should not be delayed, explaining that the draft that was sent to Government is a simple one. Therefore, he feels that serious consideration should be given to it, not at the detriment of waiting for a policy to be implemented first.

He said the main objective is to give Guyanese businesses first consideration, unlike the contract that Government signed with United States oil-giant ExxonMobil where it stipulates that first preference will be given to that particular company.

He said, “We are not asking for preference, we are asking for consideration… I am saying that the legislation should be looked at. And the one we proposed is simple, flexible and it does not constrain the scheduling of the operators in terms of execution of their job.”

The model legislation presented to Government by the Chamber defines Guyanese companies as companies that are registered in Guyana

Head of the Energy Department, Dr Mark Bynoe

where 51 per cent of the share capital are owned by citizens of Guyana.

In addition to that, it stipulates that the board meetings of the said companies should be held in Guyana; the head office of the company is located in Guyana and; 70 per cent of the workforce of the company follows suit with the definition of a citizen of Guyana.

Another section of the bill also stipulates that an operator or contractor must ensure that first consideration is given to Guyanese companies in the provision of goods and or services directly related to the oil industry.

The GCCI have been actively pushing to have Government place more emphasis on ensuring local content remains a critical area of focus for the oil and gas sector.

The Chamber said Guyanese businesses should cash in on the opportunities from this new and emerging sector. It said local businesses can pro-

vide a whole host of services related to the sector.

As ExxonMobil prepares to officially commence production in 2020, there is much preparatory work currently ongoing, which requires services tailored to the specific needs of the industry.

The draft local content policy has been criticised in recent months for lacking provisions which would safeguard against exploitation by companies, especially since there have been intensified reports of the local companies being bypassed for contracts and services.

The document does not cater for issues such as how to avoid procurement fraud, conflict of interest and favouritism, among others.

According to the draft local content framework document, the policy seeks to address the suite of opportunities that may arise and the approaches to be taken in selecting and developing opportunities related to enhancing the capabilities of Guyanese nationals and businesses through training and well-tailored social contributions for greater impact and benefits among others.

When Guyana Times contacted Head of the Energy Department in the Ministry of the Presidency, Dr Mark Bynoe for a comment he declined to speak on the matter. Rather, he said all the issues related to oil and gas will be discussed whenever a decision is made to hold a press conference. (Samuel Sukhnandan)

Nagga Presidency!!

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atiricus could barely conceal his joy as he hurried over to the Back Street Bar. Three years ago, he’d taken a lot of flack from his best friends after he decided to stick with his leaders Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat when they joined up with the Pee-‘n-See. And matters didn’t improve any when the Pee-‘n-See stiffed Nagga Man on the extra powers that would’ve come from the President. Now it was all about to change!!

“So wha’d you fellas say now?” crowed Satiricus, as he and his buddies huddled around their table with their beers.

“Wha’ yuh a talk ‘bout, Sato?” said Cappo, “Me’riddle, me’rridle m’rie?”

“I’m talking about my leader Nagga Man becoming President of this great Republic!” Satiricus said, as he slapped the table with his open palm.

“Ow, Sato,” said Bungi, “Da all yuh t’ink ‘bout? Yuh na worry ‘bout de President?”

“Yeah, that’s rather cold, boy!” observed Hari.

“Look chaps, the President only gone up for a check-up,” said Satiricus. “He’ll be back in two weeks.”

“Suh Nagga Man guh be President fuh two week!” chuckled Cappo. “Wha’ yuh t’ink ‘e can do?”

“Well, ‘e guh get fuh chair Cabinet two time!” interjected Bungi before Satiricus could answer. “At last!!”

“Al’yu laugh!” said Satiricus amiably. “Nagga Man can do a lot of things in two weeks!”

“Like what?” demanded Hari.

“Well he could give out all kinds of goodies to his old supporters in the sugar belt,” said Satiricus. “And win them back at the LGE fu vote KFC!” “Whe’ Nagga Man guh get de money fram?” asked Cappo, truculently.

“From that $30 billion they borrowed for GuySuCo,” said Satiricus smugly. “Where else?”

“Lemme get dis strai’t,” said Bungi with an incredulous look.

“You tink Nagga Man guh get Cabinet to ‘gree fuh spend $30 billian pan suga worka?”

“He can do anything! He’ll be the President!” said Satiricus.

“Why not?” asked Satiricus.

“Because Nagga Man never ever showed he has the stones to take risks!” observed Hari with a smile.

news

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wednesdAY, october 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Man jailed for death Mother, stepfather on bail of common-law wife after beating man who

Jailed: Laurent McGarrell

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25-year-old man who was charged last year with causing the death of his common-law wife in a motorcycle accident was found guilty and sentenced to two years in jail on Tuesday by Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

Laurent McGarrell was arraigned on a charge of causing the death of his 20-year-old common-law wife, Gaitri Sahadeo, who was killed in a motorcycle accident at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on June 23, 2017. A breathalyser test conducted on McGarrell after the accident had determined that he had a blood alcohol level of 40 micrograms, which is over

the legal limit.

In addition to the causing death charge, McGarrell was also arraigned on a slew of traffic-related charges, namely driving without a driver’s licence, driving without third-party insurance, driving without a safety helmet, carrying a pillion rider without protective head gear, driving a motorcycle while being under the influence of alcohol, and driving a motorcycle without consent from the owner.

He denied the charges of driving under the influence and taking the motorcycle without the owner’s permission, but admitted to the other traffic-related offences.

He was fined $7500 for each of the charges in relation to driving without a helmet and carrying a pillion rider without the protective head gear, and was fined $30,000 for unlicensed driving; while the breach of insurance offence also attracted a penalty of a $30,000 fine.

McGarrell was disqualified from acquiring or being able to hold a driver’s licence for any class of vehicle for a period of 12 months.

During his first appear-

visited teen daughter

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Dead: Gaitri Sahadeo

ance last year, he broke down in tears and told the court that he “is not in the right frame of mind”.

Nevertheless, a psychiatric evaluation later proved that he was fit to stand trial.

Reports are that the June 23, 2017 fatal accident occurred on the eastern carriageway of the Providence Public Road about 00:30h when the motorcycle suffered a blowout. Sahadeo, who was the pillion rider, had sustained severe injuries to her head because she had not been wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. She later succumbed to her injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

woman and her common-law husband who beat a man, who was found hiding in the couple’s D’Urban Street, Georgetown home after being invited by the couple’s 15-year-old daughter, were taken before the court for unlawful and malicious wounding.

Kerwin James, 32, and his common-law wife Lusha Adams appeared before a city Magistrate on Monday and denied the allegations that were made out against them.

It is alleged that the couple, Adams and James unlawfully and maliciously wounded 21-year-old Mario Bruce with intent to maim, disfigure and to cause actual bodily harm to Bruce on August 22, 2018 at D’Urban Street, Georgetown.

The Police prosecutor is contending that on August 22, 2018, the defendants left their 15-year-old daughter at home alone when she allegedly invited the 21-yearold with whom she allegedly shared a relationship with, over to the house.

Upon returning home, Bruce was found in the up-

Miner remanded on B&E charge A 22-year-old miner whose burglary attempts were unsuccessful, was on Tuesday brought before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the crime.

Michael Smith stood before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied that between October 9 and 15, 2018, at Lot 3275 Aubrey Barker Road, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, while being in the company of others, he broke and entered the dwelling house of John Primo and stole a quantity of items including a refrigerator, television, several cases of beer bottles, a security camera, one gas bottle and a DVD; all at a total cost of $426,000.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne objected to bail being granted, citing the seriousness and prevalence of the charge.

The prosecution’s case is contending that the victim secured his belongings and went to a nearby bar.

Upon his return home, he spotted the defendant and others making their escape with his valuables. The victim however followed the defendant to his place of residence, after which he went and reported the matter to the Police. Smith was arrested and charged but his accomplices are yet to be found.

The Chief Magistrate remanded Smith to prison.

The case will continue today.

per flat of the house and was allegedly dealt a sound thrashing by the teen’s parents who said they thought he was a thief.

Defence attorney for the couple, in an application for bail, told the court that when his clients returned home, the man was hiding in a bedroom and upon seeing them, he attempted to run. It was at that time he

was caught and questioned by the girl’s mother and step-father about his presence in their home.

Bruce later went to the Police and made a report and the couple was arrested. It was unclear why the charges were instituted almost two months later.

They were each released on $50,000 bail. The case will continue on November 12.

12news

wednesdAY, october 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Another juvenile offender escapes from NOC

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search has begun for a 17-year-old juvenile offender of the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) who pushed down a social service assistant and escaped on Monday from the facility.

The teen of New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) was sent to the juvenile correctional facility to serve a three-year sen-

tence on a charge of breaking and entering and larceny.

Guyana Times understands that at about 13:00h, the teen was being escorted back to his dorm, when he pushed the 61-year-old social service assistant, Dale Dowding to the ground and ran West out of the compound and into an area covered with high vegetation and made good his escape.

Several workers at the en-

tity went after the teen but he managed to escape. The matter was reported to the Police who also launched a search team.

Just last month, 13 other juvenile offenders had escaped from the said facility but were however recaptured several days after.

According to information received, 10 of the teens escaped on September 27, 2018, and the other three

New Opportunity Corps

escaped on September 28, 2018.

The teens had completed some chores in the compound of the facility, after which they started to run towards the said western side of the premises, which is not fenced.

Those who had escaped were a 15-year-old female of Vigilance, East Coast Demerara (ECD), who is serving 18 months for simple larceny; a 16-yearold girl of Bartica, Region

Seven, who is serving two years for wandering; another 16-year-old girl of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, who is serving three years for wandering; a 15-year-old male of the Essequibo Coast, who is serving one year for simple larceny; a 16-year-old female of Number 10 Village, West Coast Berbice, who is serving two years for wandering; a 16-year-old male of New Amsterdam, Berbice, who is serving 21 months for

attempting to escape from custody; a 16-year-old male of Buxton, ECD, who is serving a three-year sentence for possession of a firearm; a 16-year-old boy of Tucville, Georgetown, who is serving 22 months for wandering; a 17-year-old girl of Mahdia, Region Eight, who is serving two years for wandering; and a 17-year-old boy of Lethem, Region Nine who is serving 15 months for burglary.

Back in 2017, oversight of the NOC’s operations were shifted from the Education Ministry to the Social Protection Ministry, to provide a stable ground for the youths to adapt to society after leaving the institution.

Youths between the ages of 10 and 18 are placed at this correctional institution for petty offences, such as wandering, minor assault and theft.

13 Police crack down on “obscured” number plates news

wednesdAY, october 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

…27 vehicles impounded

Some of the vehicles which were impounded on Tuesday

LGE 2018

Increase in subvention essential to effective functioning – Councillors

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o effectively function in their roles and provide acceptable services to all communities, Councillors of some Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) are calling for an increase in the yearly subvention that is disbursed through Central Government.

In an interview with some of the candidates who will be contesting the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE), Councillor Poorandai Sukhu told Guyana Times that this is one of her requests as she continues to represent Constituency Four (Zeelugt) on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD).

According to her, the local organ body is given a $4 million per year to conduct works in the community and most officials of the Council feel this amount should be amplified.

Judging from the previous years, the subvention did not suffice to meet all of the needs of the villages, since in most cases, the Council would have difficulties in carrying out its functions.

“The subvention is $4 million and it don’t actually benefit all the Local Authority Areas (LAA) and the residents. Usually we don’t get more than that and it is hard for the Councillors to monitor that so that it can assist all of the constituencies,” said the Councillor and LGE candidate.

Another issue of concern is the number of workers that were placed to work for the Council to clear drains and conduct small maintenance projects. It was revealed that 15 persons were appointed by the Government, but this number has been reduced to seven.

“We are only left with seven so as Councillors, we are asking that they have more workers to the LLA. They would usually clear the burial grounds, drains and thick vegetation. If we don’t have workers, then those works can’t get done.”

In the upcoming election which is slated for

Councillor and Constituency Four (Zeelugt) Candidate Poorandai Sukhu

November 12, Sukhu reminded that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, which she is representing during her re-election, is against any increases in rates and taxes.

“Our main issue is the vote against tax. If there is any tax to levy on any property, we are voting against that because of the economic situation and people are out of jobs. It would be a pressure on our people at this time and the whole region at large.

Along with that, she is trying to combat the high crime rate in her community by introducing training for women and youths.

This will also assist in providing jobs to unemployed individuals.

Better drainage, roads and utility services are also on the agenda if she manages to capture the win for the district. While there are no candidates from the A Partnership for Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), two persons from the United Republican Party (URP) are among the list of contesters.

“I will try my best to get better drainage for the area so that we don’t have any flooding. Not much of our roads in Zeelugt are completed and some are in a deplorable state. I would have asked for materials to fix it and I want to ensure that it is better after the elections as well.”

(Rupadai Seenaraine)

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ome 27 motor vehicles were on Tuesday impounded in Georgetown by ranks of the Guyana Police Traffic Department, which were found to have prohibited obscured Identification Marks (number plates).

After being impounded, the vehicle owners were all

reprimanded for the violation and were later released.

Traffic Chief, Superintendent Linden Isles is urging owners and drivers of motor vehicles to comply with the law as it relates to number plates or face the consequence of being prosecuted.

As such, a reminder is

now being sent out to the public advising that all motor vehicles driven on the roads must have a distinctive identification mark consisting of a figure or figures and a letter or letters. The figures must be inscribed in white on a black surface and no letter or figure should be capable of being detached

from such surface. According to the Traffic Chief, all letters and figures must also be three and a half inches high; every part of each letter and figure must be five-eighth of an inch broad and the total width of the space taken by every letter or figure must be two and a half inches.

14 News Govt's job creation proposal disappointing – Jagdeo wednesdAY, october 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has expressed his disappointment in the current Administration’s approached to job creation – which on the campaign trail leading up to the 2015 General and Regional Elections had said it will be creating employment for young people.

The Opposition Leader’s expression of disappoint-

ment was made while addressing hundreds at meeting at Rose Hall, Berbice over the weekend.

He said while President David Granger has been encouraging youth to become plantain chips and cook up rice entrepreneurs, this is not what many young people would have envisaged as their careers when the A Partnership

for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration took office.

At the time of his address, Jagdeo was just a few buildings away from where President Granger was just over a week ago when a Berbice youth ask him to speak of Government’s plans for jobs for young people.

The President in response then said youths should not

President David Granger

look toward Government to provide jobs for them. He urged that they create businesses, saying Government has been providing grants for persons to start up their own businesses. According to Granger, there is great potential in the cook-up rice and also plantain chip retail business.

“The possibilities of employment with the Government are limited but the possibilities of self-employment are unlimited.

When you ask what are the job opportunities and about the brain drain, I tell you that you don’t have to run and leave because this is the land of promise and opportunities. Young people must learn to go out and create jobs and there are so many possibilities here in East Berbice, anytime you go by the Bridge [Berbice River Bridge] you see people with these big laundry baskets selling plantain chips.

That is business, don’t laugh at them,” the Head of State said.

Jagdeo praised the President for admitting that the Government has no jobs to offer young people. He said most Corentyne parents will not want their children to become plantain chip entrepreneurs.

“What do we say to our children after you work hard and send them to school and to university and they get qualified? How do we say to them that they have to go and sell plantain chips on the street side?

We want jobs in oil and gas for our children. We want jobs in Information and Communication Technology, in agro processing, in the most advanced services in the environmental sector, in eco-tourism, in hotel management; that is what we want for our children so that they can make more money so that they can live a better life,” the Opposition Leader said.

Jagdeo who was at the time speaking to residents of the town about Local Government Elections (LGE) said before polling day persons need to know about the parties which are in the race.

At the last LGE, there were 16 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and three towns (New Amsterdam, Rose Hall Town and Corriverton) in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) in which they contested.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) won 14 of the NDCs, APNU one and the two parties had a tie at the Gibraltar/Fyrish NDC. APNU won the town of New Amsterdam with the other two towns going to the PPP. However, Jagdeo noted that in the Hog/Lancaster NDC which was won by APNU and New Amsterdam property taxes were increased by 100 per cent.

“They won only two of 19 areas in Region Six and in both areas that they won in 2016, the people who voted for them say their taxes go up by 100 per cent. In the areas that the PPP won, we made it clear that wherever we win we are not going to bring additional burden additional hardships to people. That is a Party’s policy. So any where we win no taxes will be increased, Jagdeo told Rose Hall Town.

(Andrew Carmichael)

news

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wednesdAY, october 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Kwakwani mid-wife History will wreck strangled to death – PM

M

Nagamootoo

oses Nagamootoo is assured his name will be inscribed in the history annals. But he definitely will hate what history will say about him. The freedom fighter, the champion of the poor caper that he draped himself with over many years with Cheddi Jagan and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has morphed into a sad caricature of a person shamed, disgraced and laughed at, even in his own home village.

In communities that are strongholds of the People’s National Congress, he is nothing but a political prop, a pawn, a sucker who betrayed his people for a title and the perks it carries.

They laugh at him, behind his back. In the communities Dr Leslie Ramsammy that still revere Cheddi Jagan's ‘Freedom Brigade’, Nagamootoo is now reviled, seen as a snake in Vaseline.

As a little boy, I heard Cheddi at the corner of Albion Bridge humbly and confidently stating that history will reveal the truth and will absolve him. History has been good to Cheddi, anointing him as an anchor of hope. Cheddi, a genuine national hero, is remembered as a beacon of grace, dignity and courage, even his detractors say so. Unlike Cheddi, history will not be generous to Nagamootoo.

The hurricane of history will mock, belittle and revile Nagamootoo. History will paint Nagamootoo as a consummate con-artist who used his tricks and deceit to gain the trust of his people, as a narcissist, man obsessed with pomposity, self-centeredness, egotism. Far from remembering him as a freedom fighter and champion of the poor, history will nail him as a tragicomic bit player, used by people to reintroduce dictatorship and extinguish the flames of hope for people in our country. Far from being a name proudly used as a rallying cry, it will be punchline for treachery and betrayal, much like the way Judas is used.

While beating his chest in India "pompositing" himself as a Prime Minister (PM) at a Tamil Convention, his audience was unaware that Nagamootoo no longer has time for people worried about the next meal for their family. These people include sugar workers who have lost their jobs, begging for their severance; rice farmers who have lost their leases and those who sell paddy at prices below cost of production; Amerindians not getting titles; miners intimidated; people worried about tolls, higher property taxes; domestic and sexual violence; spiraling crime; bloating the underbelly of corruption. Nagamootoo now has no ears to hear, eyes to see, mouth to talk, or heart to be compassionate. He has no time for these people. He is silent and hides from them.

Nagamootoo held a Local Government Elections (LGE) AFC meeting at Auchlyne, a village within walking distance from his family home in Whim. The response had a clue for what history has in store for him. A group of protesters confronted him, including many sugar workers who he once claimed he was their champion. The protesters outnumbered those who were in the tents in the school yard. Those in the tents included parents who thought it was a school event, not a political meeting, and Alliance For Change (AFC) candidates from different parts of the country there to ensure the PM had an audience. Simultaneously, in Nagamootoo's home village, people were treating Bharrat Jagdeo and PPP local leaders with adulation.

The demise and fall of Nagamootoo and the AFC are amply underlined by the Auchlyne meeting. Nagamootoo did not advertise the event as an AFC political meeting, fearing no one will come, other than bussed-in AFC candidates. He advertised it, instead, as the PM talking about local issues.

The event was totally paid for by taxpayers, including expensive, colouful flyers that were sent with the children to invite their parents. The flyers were in the APNU and AFC colours. They descended into trickery and deceit in order to even host a small LGE meeting.

The AFC had to use trickery and deceit to even post a list for LGE 2018 in his village. In investigating fraud and deceit, as ordered by a Judge, the Police could not find any of the local AFC leaders; all Nagamootoo's relatives. Why were they hiding in the midst of the LGE campaign? Why and how could Nagamootoo, with his power and State resources, fail to persuade enough of his villagers to stand with him in the AFC to at least make him look good in his own village? My historical perspective aside, let Moses' villagers warn him of what history has in store for him. The nice house, the siren-blazing convoys, his globetrotting and his pompous charades around the country are not worth the historical belittling that is in store for Moses.

History absolved Cheddi. History will wreck Nagamootoo.

…3 in Police custody

T

he autopsy conducted on the body of Paulette Wade, whose body was found in her Kwakwani Park, Upper Berbice River home, by her six-year-old daughter, revealed the woman was strangled to death. Wade, a 37-year-old nurse/mid-wife attached to the Kwakwani Hospital, died sometime between 21:00h on Thursday and 06:30h on Friday at her residence. The autopsy was conducted at the Wismar Hospital Mortuary by Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh. According to information from the Police, Dr Singh gave the cause of

death “as asphyxiation due to manual strangulation compounded by blunt trauma to the head.

Moreover, the Police detailed that three males are in custody assisting with the investigation. The woman reportedly went to bed with her six-year-old daughter on Thursday night and was found dead by the child on Friday morning. The woman’s husband was not at home at the time as he was said to be working in the interior.

The child reportedly found her mother lying motionless on the floor in the bedroom.

She called out for her mother who was not responding,

Dead: Paulette Wade

as such, she opened the back door and went to her nineyear-old friend who lives in the next street and told her what she saw.

They then went over the road to the hospital com-

pound and told the security guard who then informed staff at the hospital.

The Police were then notified, and nurses and a doctor went over to the home and pronounced Wade dead.

Investigators reportedly found Wade’s body lying face down on a concrete floor clad in pink night clothes.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, the woman had small bruises on her elbow and blood was seen on her mouth. No forced entry was seen on the house, nor was anything observed ransacked in the home. An investigation has been launched.

16 news

wednesdAY, october 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Single-use plastic ban

Cassava products can replace non-biodegradable plastics – Solid Waste Director

E

fforts to potentially ban the use of single-use plastics in Guyana have generated several ways in which an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative can be created.

This has led to the successful production of replacements with cassava and other local components, which can be the solution if the hazardous plastics are indeed banned.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Tuesday, Solid Waste Director, Walter Narine informed that the first attempt at making an alternative was conducted just a few days ago and it can very well be implemented to eradicate single-use plastics.

“We’re basically extracting the starch component of these products, combining it with glycerin, table salt, water under some amount of heat and you have plastic which is biodegradable. We want to do that now because the Government is looking

at a potential ban on [single use] plastics and we anticipate that we might want an alternative and one which will work very nicely,” said Narine.

While they are yet to make bags from the material, the Solid Waste Director stated that the engagement was just to prove that cassava and other starch products can be utilised effectively, as is being done in other countries.

“We have produced the plastics, but we haven’t produced the plastics bags. For that, you will have to have an equipment called an extruder. We would have to buy that extruder but we just showed that you can produce plastics from these cassava products and you can make anything.”

If this material is to be used, it was assured that it is eco-friendly, cheaper to produce and can be easily disposed without causing any harm.

“It is 100 per cent ecofriendly. Once you put in the

water and stir vigorously, it will dissolve. I would say once all things are equal, it would be much cheaper to produce the plastics with cassava. It’s cheaper and environmentally friendly,” Narine specified.

He added, “This was never used in Guyana. Thus will be the first attempt but it was a technology that was practiced in other countries. Everybody is accepting that we have a problem and the rush is on to find an alternative.”

Last week, Stakeholder Management Coordinator

of the Department of Environment, Aretha Forde

told this publication that citizens from several populated areas across the country were engaged in discussions that will determine whether or not the plastics are banned. These consultations were completed in areas such as Anna Regina, New Amsterdam, Rose Hall, and Linden.

Single-use plastics are everyday items which are made of plastic and are disposed of after being used once with the common ones being bags, straws and bottles.

Many persons are pushing

for the ban to be implemented so that the surroundings can be rid of these plastics. It is believed that a large quantity of waste that is being disposed on a daily basis is made up of single-use plastics.

With the large sums of monies that are being spent to collect garbage in the city, City Hall is also contemplating to charge a fee for every barrel of waste that is collected. This service is currently free in the Georgetown area.

(Rupadai Seenaraine)

Stricter penalties for damage to public property

T

he Public Infrastructure Ministry is working towards collaborating with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) to institute stricter penalties for vandalism to public property.

According to the Manager of Traffic/Safety/Maintenance at the Ministry, Kester Hinds, the Government is forced to expend large sums which could have been otherwise utilised, to service and repair traffic and street lights.

The Traffic/Safety/ Maintenance Manager told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that vandals are removing cables and lights from conductive pipes.

Hence, the department cannot fully install additional traffic signs, guardrails or street lights.

“Despite the measures we are taking on the road, the challenge is that we still find

recklessness on the road and with the road accidents many of our traffic lights are destroyed and vandalised. We need to address behavioural changes more aggressively and we are working to increase the fines so that when persons are caught, the fine would be so hefty that it will affect their future behaviour,” Hinds explained.

For 2018 the Traffic/Safety/ Maintenance department work programme oversaw the geometric improvement in the vicinity of Giftland Mall on the railway embankment, the installation of signs and guardrails and crash cushions to reduce the damage to vehicles from collisions and the painting of road markings.

Hinds pointed out that the department is currently using thermoplastic materials for the road markings in areas such as New Amsterdam to Number 35 Village, Abary to Mahaica

Bridge, Timehri on the East Bank Demerara, West Bank Demerara and the Essequibo Coast. The thermoplastic is durable and lasts longer than the paint used in that past.

“As you drive around our roads you will see that most are painted; it’s an ongoing exercise and we will continue in other areas. So, we are asking persons to look out for acts of vandalism of public properties. If the cables are removed, it means no lights. And that would make communities unsafe. We will all benefit from the lights so let us protect them,” Hinds emphasised.

Just recently, the Public Infrastructure Ministry had condemned the case of vandalism on the Schoonard Road leading to La Parfaite Harmonie on West Bank Demerara, where seven out of 10 bump traffic signs and metal posts that were installed a few weeks ago went missing.

17

wednesdAY, october 31, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Venice under water as deadly storms hit Italy I

taly has been battered by fierce winds and rain which have left 10 people dead in the west and north, while schools and tourist sites closed in several regions amid fears for people's safety.

Winds of up to 180km/h (110 mph) were reported, and two tornadoes ripped through the centre of the coastal town of Terracina,

killing one person and leaving 10 others injured. In the canal city of Venice, rising floodwaters overwhelmed many of its famed squares and walkways, with officials saying as much as 75 per cent of the city is now submerged.

Beyond Venice in the North, it was a story of high winds, fallen trees and landslides.

In the wider Veneto region, a man was killed by a tree and a volunteer fireman died in the north-eastern border region of Alto Adige, also known as South Tyrol.

A woman was killed when her home was hit by a landslide and a fisherman's body was found hours after he went to check on his boat on a lake in Trento.

South of the beach resort of Rimini, a kite-surfer aged 63 died when he was hurled against rocks.

Across Italy six people died on Monday and further deaths were confirmed on Tuesday. Some of the worst conditions were reported on the west coast, particularly in Liguria in the Northwest.

The outer breakwater

wall in the fashionable port of Rapallo was destroyed as its reinforced concreted crumbled, causing damage to some of the prize yachts moored at the resort. Fire fighters had to go to the rescue of 19 people after they became trapped in Rapallo.

Further south, the coastal province of Grosseto said it had suffered a "calamitous" event, while trees fell

down the capital Rome and further South in Naples, where a 21-year-old student was killed.

Two tornadoes tore roofs from buildings in Terracina South of Rome, as residents ran for cover.

Meteorologists are warning that the bad weather will continue. Transport and power supplies have been disrupted too. (BBC News)

Trump looking to end Indonesian divers, 'pinger locators', hunt citizenship for children for doomed plane's cockpit recorders born to non-citizens I

D

onald Trump has insisted he will move to end the right to American citizenship for the children of non-citizens born in the US, a pledge he made frequently throughout the 2016 campaign and one often dismissed by scholars as legally unfeasible.

Birthright citizenship, as it is referred to in the US, is enshrined by the 14th amendment to the constitution. But Trump suggested in an interview with the news site Axios that he would sign an executive order that ended the right. Any such order would probably be immediately challenged in the courts.

The comments came as the Administration hardens its already extreme line on immigration in an effort to win the midterm elections next week. The order immediately gave rise to pictures of troops in combat gear and armoured vehicles heading to join already heavily armed border patrol agents, as Trump characterised the caravan as “an invasion of our country”. Many of the migrants are expected to seek asylum, as US and international law allows.

In the interview with Axios, Trump falsely claimed: “We’re the only country in

US President Donald Trump

the world where a person comes in and has a baby, and the baby is essentially a citizen of the United States for 85 years with all of those benefits.” He added: “It’s ridiculous. It’s ridiculous. And it has to end.”

In fact, dozens of states around the world, including Canada and Brazil, endow the same right. Countries such as the UK and Australia endow a restricted version.

Trump told Axios he had discussed the move with legal counsel and had been told it could be accomplished with a presidential order. He offered no timeframe on the signing of such an order and was not asked to give one. (Excerpt from The

Guardian)

ndonesia deployed divers on Tuesday to search for an airliner that crashed with 189 people on board, as “pinger locators” tried to zero in on its cockpit recorders and find out why an almost-new plane went down in the sea minutes after take-off.

Indonesia, one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, has a patchy safety record. With the now almost certain prospect of all on board having died, the crash is set to rank as its second-worst air disaster.

Ground staff lost contact with flight JT610 of budget airline Lion Air 13 minutes after the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft took off early on Monday from the airport in Jakarta, the capital, on its way to the tin-mining town of Pangkal Pinang.

Dozens of relatives of those on board gathered at

Rescue workers of crashed Lion Air flight JT610 carry a body bag off a boat at Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta, Indonesia, October 30, 2018

a Police hospital where body bags were brought for forensic doctors to try to identify victims, including by taking saliva swabs from family members for DNA tests.

Sonar vessels and an underwater drone have also been

hunting for the wreckage of the fuselage, where many victims were feared trapped, officials said.

The head of a national transport safety panel, Soerjanto Tjahjono, said that underwater “pinger lo-

cators”, including equipment from Singapore, were being deployed to help find the aircraft’s black boxes. The priority is finding the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder to help determine the cause of the disaster, safety experts said.

The focus was initially an area within five nautical miles of where the plane lost contact, but that was expanded to 10 nautical miles on Tuesday and will be expanded to 15 today, a search and rescue agency officer said.

But only debris, personal items, including 52 identification cards and passports, and body parts have been found off the shore of Karawang district, East of Jakarta.

Police said human remains were collected in 37 body bags after sweeps of the site, roughly 15 km (nine miles) off the coast. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Jair Bolsonaro seeks top Judge to become Brazil Justice Minister

B

razil's far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro says he wants the country's bestknown anti-corruption Judge to be justice minister or to serve on the Supreme Court.

Sergio Moro has been the driving force behind an anti-corruption probe known as Operation Car Wash. In

his first TV interview since being elected, Bolsonaro also underlined his campaign pledge to loosen gun laws.

The former Army captain won a sweeping election victory on Sunday. However, his praise of Brazil's former dictatorship and his comments on race, women and homosexuality have raised

German nurse admits to killing 100 patients as trial opens

F

ormer nurse Niels Hoegel, admitted Tuesday to killing 100 patients in his care, on the first day of his trial in the biggest serial killing case in Germany's post-war history.

Hoegel, 41, has already spent nearly a decade in prison on a life term for other patient deaths, and is accused of intentionally administering medical overdoses to victims so he could bring them back to life at the last moment.

As the proceedings opened in the northern city of Oldenburg, presiding judge Sebastian Buehrmann asked whether the charges against him were accurate. Hoegel replied quietly "yes".

As the proceedings began Buehrmann said the main aim of the trial was to establish the full scope of

Former nurse Niels Hoegel is accused of intentionally administering medical overdoses to victims so he could bring them back to life at the last moment

the murder spree that was allowed to go unchecked for years at two German hospitals.

After a minute of silence in the courtroom for the victims, the bearded, heavyset Hoegel listened impassively, his head lowered, as public prosecutor Daniela Schiereck-Bohlmann read out the name of each dead patient and the charges against the defendant.

Prosecutors say at least 36 patients were killed at a hospital in Oldenburg where he worked, and about 64 more at a clinic in nearby Delmenhorst, between 2000 and 2005.

More than 130 bodies of patients who died on Hoegel's watch have been exhumed, in a case investigators have called "unprecedented in Germany to our knowledge". (Excerpt from MSN)

Brazil's far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro

concern.

Bolsonaro's populist approach has led to some media dubbing him "Trump of the Tropics". Bolsonaro relied on the support of evangelical groups in the run-up to the election. He said he intended to speak to Judge Sergio Moro "soon" and invite him to the justice ministry or to the Supreme Court.

He said Moro would be a person "of extreme importance in a government like ours".

Bolsonaro also said he would seek to loosen Brazil's gun laws this year, before he even takes office, insisting that more widespread gun ownership would help to cut crime.

Relaxing gun laws was one of his flagship policies and he has suggested that "every honest citizen" should be able to own a gun.

Critics warn that such a move would only worsen violent crime in Brazil.(Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesdAY, october 31, 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)

A change of heart will make you question what you want to do next. Consider what’s transpired to figure out the best way to move forward. Secure your personal finances.

Don’t act on an emotional whim. Taking matters into your own hands when you don’t have all the facts will lead to errors. Consider how to best move forward without suffering loss.

Make lifestyle changes that will add to your convenience and comfort. Altering how or where you live or work is favored.

Don’t feel that you must buy friendship or love. Your kindness and understanding are sufficient. If someone expects you to pay his or her way, reconsider the relationship.

Go over details. If something doesn’t seem right, put a halt on your plans.

Making a mistake will cost you more time and money than slowing down and doing things properly.

Don’t try to change the people around you. If you look inward and do a little soul-searching, you’ll discover that the best change begins within. Personal growth will improve your life.

Use your experience, LIBRA (Sept. 23- knowledge and persuasive Oct. 23) way with words to get what you want. Don’t hesitate to take physical action to get things done.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — OCCURRING (OCCURRING: uh-KUR-ing:

SUDOKU

Can you find 23 or more words in OCCURRING? The list will be published tomorrow.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

YESTERDAY’S WORD — NEBULAE

blue ulna unable lane lean lune able alee

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

Give people a chance to voice their opinions. Look for a way to satisfy everyone without giving up too much.

An incentive will deter an argument that could stifle progress.

Use common sense when SAGITTARIUS dealing with institutions, (Nov. 23- government agencies and Dec. 21) personal money matters.

Don’t feel you must make a hasty decision if you don’t have all the facts.

Taking place; coming about.)

Average mark 17 words Time limit 25 minutes

nebula elan enable bale baleen bane bean beau been

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

A joint venture should be studied carefully. Don’t act when you are under stress.

Wait until you feel comfortable with what’s happening.

Take a pass if someone pressures you.

An unexpected change of plans will leave you at a loss.

Don’t give in to someone trying to coerce you into doing something. Say no and do your own thing.

A change in your financial status looks promising.

Negotiations will go smoothly and incentives will be offered.

Someone from your past will surprise you with something you thought was gone forever.

wednesdAY, october 31, 2018

19

Thompson nets record-breaking 14 3-pointers G

olden State Warriors All-Star swingman Klay Thompson set an NBA record by knocking down 14 three-pointers in Monday night’s 149-124 win over the Chicago Bulls.

Thompson went 14-for-24 from beyond the arc and 18for-29 from the field, racking up 52 points in 27 minutes while raining down shots from all over the floor. After his struggles to start the season, both Thompson and his teammates were ready for him to break out -- and he did so in record-breaking fashion.

“I just knew I was due for a big night,” Thompson said.

“I just knew it.”

Thompson hit shots early and often, and the Warriors repeatedly looked for him throughout the night. In the first half, Thompson’s 10 three-pointers tied Chandler Parsons’ record set in 2014. The Warriors also set an NBA record for

team three-pointers made in a half by knocking down 17 in the first half.

“It’s the best feeling,” Thompson said of being in the zone. “Something I haven’t felt in the first six, seven games. To snap out of a slump with the record, I couldn’t ask for a better way to do it. And I’m just going to continue this momentum on Wednesday, and it’s one of the best feelings in basketball when you touch the ball and feel like it’s going in every time.”

Thompson received a loud ovation from the United Centre crowd after knocking down the record-setting triple, breaking teammate Stephen Curry’s mark of 13 three-pointers in a game. It was a record Thompson and his teammates took great pride in. There was a gleeful joy within the Warriors’ locker room as Thompson left with the game ball and his game jersey in hand.

“I really believe, I don’t know if I would have been able to break the records I have got in my past, just like tonight, without the system I play in or the team I’m with or the guys I play with,” Thompson said.

“Because they knew even before I went out for the second half. Steph looked at the box score and said, ‘Go get it.’ And that just shows you the unselfishness that is within him. Same with KD and Draymond and DJ and everyone else that was out there on the floor trying to find me and get me good looks.”

Curry had no issues with Thompson being the one to break his record. “Records are obviously meant to be broken,” Curry said. “I’m just happy it’s my teammate and nobody else. And I got to witness it in person.”

For Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr, it was another reminder of just how

Biles pushes USA to gold at World Gymnastics Championships

S

imone Biles helped the United States to an emphatic women’s team victory at the World Gymnastics Championships.

Despite two uncharacteristic errors from the 21-year-old on beam and floor, the US still posted 171.629, well ahead of Russia in second and China in third.

The win gave Biles, who was admitted to hospital with a kidney stone on the eve of the event, her 11th world title.

“It’s very special. Myself and the team have trained very hard to be where we are,” Biles told BBC Sport.

“I still feel pretty good – I’m in a little bit of pain, but it’s nothing I can’t manage and I haven’t had to do anything differently apart from missing one training session.”

By making the podium in Doha, US, Russia and China women have also qualified for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

At the halfway point of

the final after the vault and uneven bars, the US team of Biles, Morgan Hurd, Riley McCusker, Kara Eaker and Grace McCallum already had a seven-point lead.

On the final two apparatus, Biles grabbed the beam to avoid falling off and then had a big step out on the floor.

Those were ultimately minor blips in an otherwise impressive team performance by the defending champions.

“It’s always disappointing [to make mistakes], but we go back into practice and work on those little things with more finals to come,” said Biles.

The last time Biles competed at a comparable level was at the 2016 Olympics – where she won four gold medals and one bronze.

After that, she took a break from the sport and this event in Qatar marks her return to the world stage.

Can Biles make history?

On Thursday, Biles has the chance to become the first female gymnast to win five allaround world titles.

“I think it would be really exciting. We’ll have to see what happens,” said Biles.

“I feel like I’m mentally and physically stronger and when I step out on the mat, I know what I’m capable of.”

If Biles succeeds, she will dethrone her USA team-mate Morgan Hurd, who won the title in Montreal last year.

“I mean, I’m competing with the greatest of all time, so probably not,” laughed Hurd when asked about her chances of defending her title against Biles.

“But we never see it as competing against each other – but competing with each other.

“We still want each other to do the absolute best we can possibly do.” (BBC Sport)

special his team is that the players came together to help Thompson set a new mark.

“I didn’t even realise what was happening, record-wise, until they called a timeout,” Kerr said. “He had made a couple in the second half, and I heard Klay say, ‘Two more! Two more!’ And that’s when I realised -- and I didn’t even know who had the record, and so I asked Steph, I go, ‘Do you have the record?’ He goes, ‘Yeah.’

At that point, the guys were just feeding him every time.

I think that’s how much they care about Klay and felt for him because he’s had a rough start to the season, and obviously, he got it going tonight, to say the least.”

Thompson broke the record while donning a headband. It was a rare look that was the result of a cut on his head acquired in a third-quarter collision with Warriors centre Damian Jones. The injury required two stitches, but Thompson enjoyed the comic relief the headband provided.

Monday marked the fourth time in Thompson’s career that he scored at least 30 points in a half, the 11th time he scored at least 40 in

Klay Thompson

a game and the third time he scored at least 50. It was the third time in a week that a member of the Warriors put on a showcase performance. Curry racked up 51 points in three quarters in a win over the Washington

Wizards last Wednesday, and Durant scored 25 points in the fourth quarter of Friday’s win over the New York Knicks. Thompson’s performance Monday was icing on an unbelievable cake.

(ESPN)

20 Persaud pleased with GASA tenure

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesdAY, october 31, 2018

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he Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) is preparing to host its election exercise today, and there may or may not be a new president of the association.

Despite this, the outgoing President Ivan Persaud has noted that he was pleased with his tenure.

In an interview with media operatives, Persaud indicated his contentment, stating, “One of the main goals under my stewardship was to increase participation in swimming, something that we’ve done a lot.”

He went on to disclose that this would not have been possible without the support of several clubs and coaches and expressed his gratitude. “And I would like to say thank you to all the clubs and affiliates who’ve done this. All of our clubs have increased participation by hundreds, so I want to thank them,” Persaud said.

He went on to explain that there were other goals set by GASA that were soon to come full circle. “Also, one of the other goals was to make sure

Outgoing GASA President Ivan Persaud

we do our outreach programme in the outlying areas. We’re set for our open water clinic this month.”

Persaud further explained that this programme would take place at Lake Mainstay.

Additionally, a clinic for Coaches and officials is also high on the GASA schedule. “I always tried to make sure, under my stewardship, that we complete our FINA assisted programmes, educational programmes for coaches and our officials. So

far, every year, we’ve had two of these clinics, this year we’re getting three which is an additional open water coaches’ clinic.”

President Persaud also shared that seeing Guyana’s top swimmers being rewarded for their tireless work was one of the highlights of his tenure. “One of the things that I am most proud of is our kids that were selected for scholarship programmes, we had Mr Hannibal Gaskin, then Mr De Nobrega and now it’s Andrew Fowler’s turn,” Persaud explained.

In the event that a new President takes the reins of the GASA, Persaud said there would be adequate funding, so that the Association can continue to function on a high level.

“Whether I continue or not, it’s nothing because we have already brokered from FINA to make sure we receive US$25,000 annually,” Persaud disclosed.

The Association is also expecting a shipment of swimming equipment so as to enhance the level of training in all areas of the country.

Dhawan set to return to Daredevils after 11 years

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leven years since he made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut with Delhi Daredevils, Shikhar Dhawan is set to play for his home team again in 2019. ESPNcricinfo understands that the batsman is likely to have been traded by Sunrisers Hyderabad in exchange for three players – Vijay Shankar, Abhishek Sharma, and Shahbaz Nadeem.

Sunrisers had chosen not to retain Dhawan ahead of last year's auction, where the franchise paid INR 5.2 crore (approximately US$820,000) to buy him back. Since then, there have been murmurs about him being unhappy about being price tagged, which eventually led to Sunrisers releasing him through the trade. Since Daredevils had bought the trio of Shankar (INR 3.2 cr/ US$434,428); Nadeem (INR 3.2 cr/ US$434,428); and Abhishek (INR 55 lakhs/ US$74,667) for a total of INR 6.95 crore/US$943,524, Sunrisers would need to pay the balance amount in cash.

Dhawan last played for Daredevils in the first season of the IPL in 2008. Then he moved to Mumbai for a couple of years and finally arrived in

Hyderabad, initially playing for Deccan Chargers for a year before joining Sunrisers in 2013.

Dhawan has been the leading run-getter for Sunrisers with a tally of 2768 from 91 innings at an average of 35.03 and strike-rate of 125.13. In the 2018 IPL, he made 497 runs at 35.50.

His smart strike-rate was 142.82, better than his normal strike-rate of 136.91.

Although regular Captain David Warner was the force behind Sunrisers winning the IPL in 2016, Dhawan also played a key role at the top of the order. In fact, the WarnerDhawan combine (2357) is the third-most prolific pairing behind Chris GayleVirat Kohli (2787) and AB de Villiers-Kohli (2525).

In case the deal does go through – both franchises have been tight-lipped, making no public comment – it remains to be seen whether Daredevils have gained much from it, having released three all-rounders, all Indians, two of whom (Shankar and Nadeem) are frequent firstchoice picks in the XI. The Dhawan deal is the second big trade ahead of the next IPL auction, scheduled for December 16. Royal Challengers Bangalore earlier released South African wicketkeeperbatsman Quinton de Kock to Mumbai Indians in a money-only trade, which involves a franchise selling the player in exchange for money, as opposed to swapping him for another player.

The other trade in the first trading window was RCB releasing Mandeep Singh to Kings XI Punjab in exchange for Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. (ESPNcricinfo)

Sankar’s Auto Works joins “Ignite” panel S ankar’s Auto Works is the latest company to join the sponsorship train for the “Ignite” race meet of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC).

The company handed over the sponsorship un-

der its Valvoline brand last week to Saurica Singh of the GMR&SC ahead of the event set for November 10 and 11.

The highly-anticipated event is expected to see the culmination of the 2018 season of CMRC for Groups

One to Five as well as the Superstocks and SR3 radicals along with the local classes, including the Superstock motorcycles.

The competition will see drivers from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Canada as

well as competitors out of Europe.

Tickets for the packed 27-race two-day meet are on sale at the cost of $2500; children $1000 at the GMR&SC’s Thomas Lands office. On Saturday, there will be the time trials be-

ginning at 10:00h in all the classes followed by official races in the Street Cross Motorcyle, 125cc Motorcycle, Street Tuner, Choke Starlet Cup and Sports Tuner, which will be 10 laps each from 13:20h.

The feature race on

Saturday will see 20 gruelling laps in the first clash in the SR3 Radicals Cup. Meanwhile, on Sunday, racing fans’ hunger for scorching action will be well-satisfied with a packed 19-race programme set for November 11.

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21 New York businessman donates to cricketers in New Amsterdam sports

Zeynul Ramsammy and Tomani Caesar collected cricket gear from Michael Balkarran (centre)

Members of Tucber Park Cricket Club receive the uniforms

ichael Balkarran of Mike’s Floor Covering, 4210 Avenue D, Brooklyn, New York, 11203, USA, made donations of cricketing gear to Guyana’s Under-15 and Tucber Park cricketers, Zeynul Ramsammy and Tomani Caesar. The New York businessman also donated team uniforms to Tucber Park Cricket Club (TPCC) in New Amsterdam earlier in 2018.

Balkarran had observed Caesar and Ramsammy in 2017 when they displayed their cricketing talents in an Under-13 final played at

while Ramsammy was the Captain of the team that finished second to Barbados in the Regional Under-15 tournament.

Additionally, Balkarran donated white uniforms to the TPCC. Over the years, TPCC have produced national and international cricketers, with Guyana Jaguars and West Indies A fast bowling allrounder Romario Shepherd being the most recent.

The businessman has recognised the success the Club has had over the years, and he decided to invest in the youths since they are the

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Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) against the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Under-13 team.

Ramsammy and Caesar played for Blairmont Under-13 in that tournament where the duo dominated.

Ramsammy in particular had a monumental tournament as he was adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP), scoring approximately 200 runs.

In 2018, Ramsammy and Caesar went on to represent the Guyana Under-15 team in the tournament played in Jamaica; Caesar was the wicketkeeper-batsman

future. Like thousands of Guyanese living in New York, Balkarran also has a passion for cricket and he will continue to make contributions in his home country, Guyana.

TPCC is managed and coached by arguably one of the best coaches in Guyana, Julian Moore, who is also a junior selector. West Indies female player Tremayne Smartt is also an active member of the Cricket Club.

The members and parents of the Club greatly thanked the New York businessman for his worthy contributions.

(Brandon Corlette)

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Player of the Match (East Bank v Upper Corentyne) Africa Gentle

Player of the Match (Essequibo v East Coast) Lavina Ragbeer

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ssequibo and East Bank emerged winners in the second round of the GCB Female Franchise Under-17 T20 League.

In the thrilling encounter at Enterprise Ground, East Coast won the toss and chose to bat first, posting 93 for 8 in their 20 overs, with national Under-19 player Sarah Amin top-scoring with 18. Bowling for Essequibo, Onicia Staby picked up 2 for 22 while Analeisa D’Agular, Lisa Charles, and Lavina Ragbeer took one wicket apiece.

In reply, Essequibo blazed to their total, scoring 94 for 5 from 10.4 overs, with Lisa Clerks top-scoring with 20. She was supported by Ragbeer, who scored 15 not out.

Bowling for East Coast, Tilleya Madramootoo grabbed 2 for 24 while Shazan Majeed and Vinita

Ballkishun took one wicket each. Essequibo won the match by five wickets.

Meanwhile, at Albion Ground, East Bank won the toss and decided to bat first.

They made a brilliant 98 for 1 in a match reduced to 10 overs.

Africa Gentle top-scored with a scintillating 55 not out which included nine timely fours.

Sheriban Nelson was the only bowler to claim a wicket, with figures of 1 for 6 for the Upper Corentyne team.

In reply, Upper Corentyne struggled to reach their target and fell short, scoring 62 for 3 in their 10 overs with Kavita Mohabir and Tandika Leiach scoring 12 each. East Bank’s Sharese Leiach and Gentle both picked up one wicket each, taking their team to victory. East Bank won by 36 runs.

250 lucky fans get free Women’s World T20 tickets from Daren Sammy

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Daren Sammy with some of the 250 tickets

wo hundred and fifty St Lucia fans received the opportunity to watch the historic International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s World T20 live and direct from the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, courtesy of the man himself.

The former Windies Captain and 2016 World

T20 winner purchased 250 tickets for the tournament to give to some very lucky fans.

There will be nine matches at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet.

This is the first-ever standalone ICC Women’s World T20 Championships and it’s taking place in Guyana, St Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda. (CWI)

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesdAY, october 31, 2018

Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers U-18 League

Bishops’ trounce QC in top-notch clash

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s the fourth round of the Guyoil/ Tradewind Tankers Under-18 football tournament continued on Monday evening, The Bishops’ High defeated standing rivals Queen’s College while Marian Academy walked away with a surprising win at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

The intensity of the tournament rose on Monday as the players entered round four, where they will face off with a new group of opponents.

The first game of the round and the evening featured Queenstown Secondary and Marian Academy. The first few minutes of the encounter saw Queenstown displaying their attacking style to no avail, while Marian opted for a laid-back approach.

However, the mood of the encounter soon changed as

A Queen’s College defender prevents the ball from crossing the goal line as their battle with Bishops’ High unfolds

Marian Academy stepped up the momentum. Ricardo Percival found the first goal for Marian as he pierced the net in the 20th min-

utes. Four minutes later, Redel Fernandez extended the lead to 2-0, a score which remained until halftime. With Queenstown now

scrambling for a goal to at least save face, Tyrese Black gave his side a glimmer of hope of being able to turn the game around with their

first goal in the 51st minute. Queenstown’s prospects were looking good as they later got an equaliser opportunity in the form of a penalty. However, to Marian’s delight, it was squandered, resulting in a 2-1 win for the private institution.

In the second match scheduled for the evening, Queen’s College and The Bishops’ High put aside their books to renew their rivalry, on the football field.

Ten minutes into the encounter, Queen’s College were gifted with a penalty, which was expertly connected with by Diarra Thorman.

Little did QC know that was their first and last celebration as Bishops’ soon found their groove. The advantage on QC’s part seemed to push Bishops’ into overdrive

as they bettered their plays, searching for an equaliser.

Daniel Benjamin netted the equaliser in the 22nd minute and five minutes later, Romeo Bradford put Bishops’ in the lead 2-1. The second half proved equally bright for Bishops’ as they continued to find the back of the net. Antone Herol scored in the 42nd and Malachi Richards added another just before the final whistle for Bishops’ 4-1 win.

The fourth round of the Petra-organised tournament is expected to continue later this week with Lodge Secondary squaring off with St Rose’s, Charlestown clashing with Wismar Christianburg, Uitvlugt facing off with Vergenoegen, and Annandale battling with Dolphin Secondary.

Ireland arrive for WWT20

The Irish team as they arrive and are greeted by Dr George Norton

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he International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s World T20 is heating up as players trickle in for the first standalone women’s event.

The first women’s team have arrived in Guyana in high spirits, a clear indication that the event will be one to witn e s s .

Despite their late flight, the Ireland Women’s team arrived in Guyana in the wee hours of Tuesday g and were all smiles as they were greeted by the Social Cohesion Minister with responsibility for sport, Dr George Norton, WWT20 Match Day Manager KJ Singh and Venue Manager Sabrina Panday.

The Irish team will hit the nets today as they pre-

pare for the first warm-up match against Bangladesh on Sunday, November 4.

Upon the other teams arrival, they will follow suit and a string of practice matches featuring South Africa v Australia (November 6); Bangladesh v Pakistan (November 6); England v India (November 7) and West Indies v New Z e a l a n d (November 7) will lead up to the opening day of the World Cup on November 9. The practice matches are expected to be hosted at Everest Cricket Club, Georgetown Cricket Club, and Providence National Stadium.

Guyana will play home to the preliminary round of the T2O World Cup hosting matches on November 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17. Two matches will be played on each day.

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesdAY, october 31, 2018

23

Indoor Hockey Championships

Hikers, Saints, GCC chalk up wins on 2nd night T he GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships continued on Monday evening with Woodpecker Hikers continuing in their winning ways for an unbeaten run thus far.

It was yet another successful night for the top hock-

ey teams as they gathered at the Cliff Anderson Sports Halls to vie for supremacy in the Indoor Championships.

Bounty GCC seemed the likely favourites going into their men’s first division match against the inexperienced Supernova, but the youngsters made it

BCB Pepsi 50-over First Division

Magnificent Mickle and impressive Karim star in latest round – Tucber Park and Blairmont Blazers snatch victory

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alcolm Mickle stroked a majestic century to lead Tucber Park Cricket Club (TPCC) past Police Cricket Club by 110 runs, at the Rose Hall Canje Community Centre. In the other encounter at Bush Lot, West Berbice, brilliance from Nigel Deodat and Javed Karim handed Blairmont Blazers a 131-run victory over Rose Hall Canje.

Batting first in sweltering heat in East Canje, Tucber Park openers Steve Deonarine and Malcolm Mickle possessed intent from the get-go. The former Guyana Under-17 batsman Deonarine looked solid in his approach, but he was removed by former national youth player Khemraj Mahadeo for a composed 34.

Mickle did not waste his good start, as he carried his bat and looked to bat deep into the innings. Garfield Benjamin, who seems to be in top form this season, joined Mickle and the pair continued to dominate the ordinary Police bowling. While in the domination process, Benjamin lost his wicket for 14.

However, Mickle continued to play selective strokes and he was able to score ones and twos easily on the fairly large Rose Hall Canje ground. As the Police bowlers continued to cause minor hiccups for Tucber Park batsmen, Clifton Lindie joined Mickle and they thumped the bowlers to all sections of the ground. Mickle was unbeaten on 114 at the end of the innings. Lindie stroked an attractive 71 as the TPCC ended on 269-3 in their allocation of overs. Mahadeo and Cain picked up one wicket each for Police.

In reply, Police were in for a treat from speedster Nial Smith, who removed Amsterdam early in the innings. Tucber Park fast bowlers continued to make inroads as the former Berbice Under-19 fast bowler Raymond Vankenie picked up a wicket in his first spell. Police batsmen found themselves in trouble after Benjamin, the TPCC Captain, introduced his

Clifton Lindie scored 71

spinners, Kwesi Mickle and the dangerous leg-spinner Winslow Roberts. Kwesi Mickle and Roberts picked up wickets at regular intervals with the leg-spinner who has a knack of taking wickets ended with 3-38 and Kwesi Mickle grabbed 2-19. Police were bundled out for 159 runs, with Khemraj Mahadeo offering resistance with 31 while big hitter Paul Tyndall made 27 which proved to be insufficient.

Blairmont Blazers v Rose Hall Canje Community Centre Meanwhile, in another encounter at Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, the Blairmont Blazers defeated Rose Hall Canje Community Centre (RHCC) by a massive 131 runs. The Blairmont Blazers, batting first, scored 219 all out with Guyana Under-17 player Nigel Deodat scoring a well-composed 5, while Seon Glasgow and D Lalsa supported with 37 and 28 respectively. The gifted Guyana Under-15 fast bowler Isaiah Thorne picked up 2-38 while M Campbell grabbed 2-31.

In pursuit of the 220 for victory, RHCC were blown away for a shocking 88 by Guyana’s Under-19 left-arm pacer, Javed Karim. H Harilall was equally brilliant capturing 4-20. The attacking Seasnarine Sukhu (21) and Martin Singh (17) were the only batsmen to resist some outstanding bowling from the victorious Blairmont Blazers. (Brandon Corlette)

hard work for the seasoned Bourda boys.

After the well-fought opening minutes, GCC began to wear on the structure of the Supernova side and found their way through for a few goal-scoring opportunities. The GCC would finally get their breakthrough and first goal of the match through a converted penalty stroke by Kevin Spencer.

Supernova would press on, however, and in the final minute of the first half, Warren Williams capitalised on a GCC defensive mixup to draw the game even.

Although GCC had greater possession and more opportunities, Supernova fought to the end, but could not avoid conceding the victory when Kareem McKenzie hammered home the game winner for GCC in the 24th minute for a 2-1 win.

In the men’s second division, Saints Silencers opened the night’s proceedings with a 2-1 win over Phoenix.

The Silencers’ Paramanand Dindial was the first to get on the scoreboard for his team; however, Robert Brumme found the equaliser for Phoenix. A late goal from Robert Fernandes gave the Silencer the edge they needed for a win.

Bingo Spartans goalscorer Abosaide Cadogan defends against GBTI GCC Spice striker Vanessa Pires

Also, in the second division, Hikers Cadets and Old Fort Rogue had to settle for a division of the points after their draw. Kennard Jerrick and Chris Low Koan netted one each for Hikers, but Sherwyn Caesar and Tremane Cole mirrored their scoring for Old Fort.

The veterans’ category saw GCC Vintage dismantling Antonio’s Hikers in a 7-1 encounter. Kevin

Spencer netted a hat-trick while his teammate Devin Hooper scored a double while Philip Fernandes and Dwayne Scott contributed one apiece. Antonio’s lone goal came from Devin Munroe.

The GCC Bingo Spartans had tough luck after missing out in both their first and second division matches. The Woodpecker Hikers continued in dominant form

with a 2-1 win over the Spartans, thanks to goals from Nicole Eastman and Latacia Chung.

GCC Spice also had a piece of the pie against Bingo Spartans as they recorded a 3-1 win. Dominique De Groot, Vanessa Pires and Tricia Fiedtkou were responsible for Spice’s tally while Abosaide Cadogan scored the lone goal for Spartans in both matches.

wednesdAY, october 31, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Ireland arrive for WWT20 Page 22

The Ireland Women’s cricket team take a photo opportunity with Social Cohesion Minister with responsibility for sport, Dr George Norton

Indoor Hockey Championships

BCB Pepsi 50-over First Division

Magnificent Mickle and impressive Karim star in latest round

Kareem McKenzie on the counterattack for Bounty GCC

Hikers, Saints, GCC chalk up wins on 2nd night Page 23

– Tucber Park and Blairmont Blazers snatch victory Malcolm Mickle scored an unbeaten 114

Page 23 Javed Karim grabbed 4-20

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