Guyana Times - Thursday, January 3, 2019

Over 500 Police, 700 GDF P ranks promoted 13

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3793

Thursday, January 3, 2019

PRICE

No-confidence resolution

WHAT'S INSIDE:

33 majority is more than the minority of members – former T&T Speaker

…requiring 34 votes for passage argument “grasping at straws” – former T&T Deputy Speaker Page 3 ...says Govt must call elections

Today’s sitting of National Assembly “unconstitutional” – PPP Chief Whip to Speaker

Page 11

…says PPP will not participate in undermining Guyana’s Constitution

Govt's resignation should be automatic – Ram Page 9

$80 vat included

President returns from Cuba

P13 60% of Lindeners not paying rates and taxes – Mayor

Essequibo family loses home after New Year’s Day fire P12

P8 Security guard to face Judge, jury for reputed wife’s murder

Page 2

…National Assembly now estopped from revisiting motion – Attorney

Deadly holiday

4 murdered, 3 killed in accidents

206 of 337 day-care P7 centres unlicensed – CCPA

See stories on pages 7, 8, 10 and 14

Beheaded: Toshao Solomon Lewis

Murdered: Kevin Moses Betancourt

Murdered: Premchand Samaroo

Murdered: Harichand Samaroo

Over 48,000 persons P10 receiving less than 24-hour water service – report

2 news

ThursdAY, January 3, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

President’s returns from Cuba P

resident David Granger returned home from Cuba on New Year’s Day after receiving his third round of chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Granger left Guyana on Christmas Day for Cuba where he is receiving treatment after being diagnosed with cancer in November.

According to the President’s

press unit, he returned home on New Year’s Day. The Head of State has been receiving treatment at the Centro de Investigaciones Médico Quirúrgicas (CIMEQ).

This was his third medical visit to Cuba since November, when he was first diagnosed with NonHodgkin Lymphoma, a type of cancer which develops in

President David Granger

the lymphatic system.

The President and First Lady Sandra Granger had travelled to Cuba on October 30, 2018 to enable his undergoing medical tests after he had complained of feeling

unwell. Days later, he was diagnosed with cancer.

The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It comprises of clear fluid called lymph, which contains infection-fight-

ing white blood cells known as lymphocytes, and the lymphatic vessels through which it flows.

The President was discharged from the hospital in Cuba on November 6, after undergoing a series of tests and surgical procedures.

He returned to Guyana on November 20, after he was given approval by his medical team to travel. On December 4, the President left the shores of Guyana for a second time to continue his chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy targets cells that grow and divide quickly, as cancer cells do.

Unlike radiation or surgery, which targets specific areas, chemo can work throughout the body. But it can also affect some fast-growing healthy cells, such as those which make up the skin, hair, and bone marrow.

In May of this year, Granger and the First Lady had travelled to Trinidad and Tobago to undergo what

was referred to as their annual medical check-up. At the time, and in response to reports in the press, the Government had revealed that the couple did their examinations under a Caribbean medical insurance scheme at the Good Health Medical Centre.

The results of those checkups, Government had said, had indicated a clean bill of health.

Coconut vendor charged for malicious damage to property

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38-year-old resident of Costello Housing Scheme, Georgetown, on Wednesday found himself before Magistrate Faith McGusty, slapped with two charges of malicious damage to property.

The charges against Robert Cox, a coconut vendor, detailed that on October 14, 2018, at Costello Housing Scheme, he unlawfully and maliciously damaged a chair set valued $70,000 and two mattresses valued $60,000; the property of Dexter Harry.

Another charge stated that on the said date and location, he unlawfully and maliciously damaged one bed and clothing among other items at a total value of $85,500.

The defendant denied both charges.

Police Prosecutor Annalisa Brummell made no objections to bail being granted.

As a result, Magistrate McGusty placed Cox on $20,000 bail. The case will continue on January 16.

Vendor slapped with larceny charge

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wenty-one-year-old Donald Evans, who vends at the Route 44 bus park, on Monday appeared before Georgetown Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he was slapped with a charge of simple larceny.

The charge stated that on December 30, 2018, at Lombard Street, Georgetown, he stole a cellphone valued $30,000; the property of Sheneza Knights. Evans denied the charge after it was read to him. Police Prosecutor Annalisa Brummell did not object to bail but asked that conditions be applied.

Magistrate McGusty released Evans on $20,000 bail. The case will continue on January 16.

news

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ThursdAY, January 3, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, January 3 – a night retraction at 03:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Friday, January 4 – 04:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, January 3 – 14:55h-16:25h and Friday, January 4 – 15:30h-17:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

No-confidence resolution

33 majority is more than the minority of members – former T&T Speaker …requiring 34 votes for passage argument “grasping at straws” – former T&T Deputy Speaker ...says Govt must call elections

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals will prevail throughout the day, with partly cloudy to light rain skies expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 2.68 metres and 5.36 metres.

Former Trinidad and Tobago House Speaker, Nizam Mohammed (1968-1991)

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The people have spoken

Constitution is clear

High Tide: 02:31h and 14:45h reaching maximum heights of 2.35 metres and 2.35 metres respectively.

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his belief that previous motions and legislations passed with 33 votes could be viewed as null and void, a view held by some local observers.

realm. Thirty-four makes no sense because you’re creating an issue that really and truly doesn’t exist. Once the vote is carried, then the no-confidence is carried,” Dr Khan postulated.

head of today’s scheduled sitting of the National Assembly from which the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) plans to abstain, two former Speakers of the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament have held out that 33 votes out of 65 constitute a majority, with one calling on the President David Granger-led Government to resign and call fresh elections.

These contentions follow the December 21, 2018 passage of an Opposition filed no-confidence motion against the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration when now expelled representative Charrandas Persaud made a conscience vote and supported the motion.

Government had initially accepted the motion now turned resolution but subsequently shifted its position with Attorney General Basil Williams having declared that the Administration will mount a legal challenge on the view that 34 votes were required for successful passage. The Attorney General held to that view after Attorney Nigel Hughes, husband of Government Minister Cathy Hughes, made that comment following the passage of the motion.

However, in an interview with Guyana Times on Wednesday, former Deputy Speaker (1995-2000; 20102011), Dr Faud Khan who has also acted in the post of Speaker, clearly outlined that 33 votes surpassed the 50 per cent mark.

“If that had occurred on my watch while I was sitting in the chair, it would have been obvious that it would be more than 50 per cent of the vote that would have carried the motion and from what I gather, 32.5 is the 50 per cent mark and 33 votes go over the 50 per cent and as a result of that, this carries the vote into the no-confidence

Dr Khan highlighted that had such a motion been passed in Trinidad, elections would have been called in his home country, which is Guyana’s Caricom (Caribbean Community) counterpart and geographic neighbour.

“You would have to call elections as you have lost confidence; you would have a lot of shenanigans [which has] been happening in Guyana; they [Trinidad’s Government] would try all kinds of legal actions to try and stop it but at the end of the day, the Constitution is clear, the Government [of Guyana] has lost the vote and if the vote is in favour of the Opposition, then it means that the Government has been defeated and they have no locus standi to stand up and say ‘yes, we will stay’.

What you are really doing is losing the confidence of the people,” the United National Congress (UNC) Representative detailed.

Today’s sitting in Parliament Building was scheduled to deal with “the consequences” of the no-confidence resolution. He observed that the Speaker does not have the right to “revoke” the vote as he made it clear

Former Trinidad and Tobago Deputy Speaker and Acting Speaker, Dr Faud Khan (T&T Parliament photo)

that the requiring 34 votes for passage argument will not hold up.

“It’s null and void; anyone who tries to pull that argument is really grasping at straws and they are going against the Constitution. For public confidence to be on a Government, you would have to [call elections]; if they don’t, whatever they do, the public confidence will not be on them,” Dr Khan posited.

He further disputed the merit of the 34 argument on

Some of what Dr Khan put forward was shared by former Trinidad and Tobago House Speaker (1986-1991), Nizam Mohammed who posited that 33 votes out of 65 reflect a majority.

Some have argued that 33 is a simple majority while 34 would be an absolute majority but the former Speaker indicated that ‘majority’ was the key word as Guyana’s Constitution makes no mention of ‘simple’ or absolute. Article 106 (6) of the Constitution in fact states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.” Mohammed highlighted that the term ‘half’ was not expressed.

Turn to page 9

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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

Knowledge of convenience

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here is a saying, “actions must match words”, which very often is used in a political context by the electorate to politicians.

Primarily it’s a general response when campaign promises are unfulfilled, and a new cycle begins. That said, Guyana is currently facing an unprecedented political situation, and which could possibly enter the realms of a constitutional crisis following the No-confidence Motion of December 21, 2018.

Following the vote, the Speaker declared that the motion was carried and within hours the Prime Minister conceded to its passage and stated that the Government will accept the consequences, including elections within the constitutionally stipulated 90-day period. The next day the President echoed similar sentiments, and which were reiterated in some way during his New Year’s message to the nation.

He affirmed that the Government “remains committed to upholding the Constitution, preserving the rule of law and guaranteeing a safe, stable, orderly and peaceful country”. Those are reassuring words and are expected from a leader and it goes a far way in tempering the prevailing sentiments of uncertainty.

However, some would argue they are mere words since the expected immediate action for the Government to resign, Parliament dissolved, and electoral process begin as mandated by the Constitution subsequent to the successful passage of the No-confidence Motion, are yet to be seen. That would have been the actions needed to uphold the Constitution and preserving the rule of law.

Given the President’s demanding schedule in seeking medical treatment, one may not be indisposed to giving him the benefit of not immediately implementing the required constitutional procedures within the context of the time elapsed thus far. However, one can also make a case that he cannot be oblivious of the preposterous and desperate mathematical arguments made by the spouse of one of his Ministers. That argument has been publicly adopted and articulated by senior members of his Cabinet including the Prime Minister who conveniently flipped from his original position.

Many have debunked the ludicrous argument the Government is now pushing that the majority of the 65-voting member in the National Assembly is suddenly and conveniently 34 and not 33.

Recently, the Attorney General boldly proclaimed that he knew all along that 34 votes were needed for the successful passage of the noconfidence motion. This is contradictory to the Constitution, to the ruling of the Speaker and to what the Prime Minister said initially.

By his own arguments of 34 being the majority, the Attorney General can therefore be interpreted without ambiguity, that the Government he provides legal advice to has illegal passed budgets and other motions/acts in Parliament since 2015 given that it does have a majority of 34. In other words, in keeping with his position, the Government can not only be deemed illegal in the said context, but had no basis to make the call for a no-confidence motion against the Donald Ramotar Administration. It begs the question of how long the Attorney General has been “aware” of the majority being 34.

That smacks of “knowledge of convenience” which, with every passing day, dissipates any semblance of doubt that the Government’s current position is nothing but a deliberate and frantic attempt to unconstitutionally hold on to power. How else can it explain its submission of a brief on the consequences of the vote to the Speaker and at the same time made known its intention of going to the courts if the ruling of the said consequences is not in its favour?

That ruling is expected today after the Speaker adjourned Parliament on December 21, 2018, to subsequently deal with the consequences. What the Attorney General, on behalf of the Government, is clearly saying to all, is that it’s either their way or no way at all. That would seem to mean that if the Speaker upholds the Constitution that a simple majority of the elected members of the National Assembly, which is 33 out of 65, is all that is needed for the no-confidence motion to be carried, it would not be respected.

Nothing can be more unconstitutional, and it is counter to what the President is saying with regard to upholding the Constitution. This is where the Government’s action is not matching its words. While the President must be commended for generally saying the right things in this uncharted and political charged period, while expressing a willingness to work with the Opposition for enhanced cooperation, many expected him to forthrightly allay fears over the uncertainty that his Government may potentially not uphold and adhere to the Constitution process triggered by a no-confidence motion that has been carried.

To have that absurd mathematical argument be cast aside in the interest of the country and its people, given what our history reveals on electoral consequences, is yet to happen. As the Head of State, the buck stops with him to give genuine meaning to what he says. Anything else will continue to give credence to the belief that the utterances of some politicians are mere words with unintended actions.

The Government’s Chief Whip now famous vociferous boast of “we have a solid 33” during the no-confidence motion debate, is one of the many affirmations of that being the number for, in its case, the defeat of the motion. That itself should shut down the now convenient argument of 34 from the Government side.

An afternoon ride on the Mahaica River: In this Girendra Persaud photo, this gentleman is seen cruising on the Mahaica River

Netflix pulls “Patriot Act” episode in Saudi Arabia after it criticised official account of Khashoggi killing

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etflix has blocked an episode of a comedy show which is critical of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his alleged role in the killing of Journalist Jamal Khashoggi from streaming in Saudi Arabia after officials from the Kingdom complained.

Some US lawmakers and the CIA believe the Crown Prince was complicit in the murder of Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in October. The Journalist, who resided in Virginia, was reportedly then cut up with a bone saw. His body is yet to be found.

In November, Saudi Prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty for five people allegedly involved in Khashoggi’s murder. Riyadh has claimed the killing was organised by rogue elements within the regime, and not overseen by the Crown Prince.

“Patriot Act” host Hasan Minhaj mocked the Saudi account in an episode of his Netflix show, saying “this entire cover-up exists for one reason ... just a few months ago Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aka MbS, was hailed as the reformer the Arab world needed, but the revelations about Khashoggi’s killing have shattered that image.

“And it blows my mind that it took the killing of a Washington Post Journalist for everyone to go, ‘oh I guess he’s really not a reformer.’ Meanwhile, every Muslim person you know was like, ‘yeah no s**t.’

“MbS is not modernising Saudi Arabia, the only thing he’s modernising is Saudi dictatorship,” he added.

That episode of “Patriot Act” is no longer available on Netflix inside Saudi Arabia.

It remains accessible in all other regions.

“We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide

Journalist Jamal Khashoggi

and only removed this episode in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal request -- and to comply with local law,” the company said in an official statement.

Netflix added that Saudi officials threatened it with prosecution under the Kingdom’s cybercrime law, which states “production, preparation, transmission, or storage of material impinging on public order, religious values, public morals, and privacy, through the information network or computers” is a crime punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine not exceeding US$800,000.

A representative from Netflix told CNN that the episode had been available in the Kingdom since it aired in October. It was only taken down once the complaint from Saudi officials had been made and the streaming service’s lawyers had adjudged it to have contravened local law, the spokesperson said.

The representative added that the request to take it down had been limited to removal from Netflix’s site, it is still available globally on the show’s official YouTube channel.

“Quite outrageous”

Human Rights Watch Executive Director Sarah Leah Whitson denounced the move on Twitter, saying “Netflix’s claim to support artistic freedom means nothing if it bows to de-

mands of Government officials who believe in no freedom for their citizens – not artistic, not political, not comedic.”

Karen Attiah, who edited Khashoggi at the Washington Post, said Minhaj “has been a strong, honest and (funny) voice challenging Saudi Arabia (and) Mohammed bin Salman” in the wake of her colleague’s murder.

“Quite outrageous that Netflix has pulled one of his episodes critical of Saudi Arabia,” she added.

“When Jamal Khashoggi wrote about the need for free expression in the Arab world (and everywhere), that freedom is not just about Journalists. It’s about freedom for artists, comedians, cartoonists, musicians, activists and anyone who wants to express their views on society.”

“Repercussions”

Minhaj, who hosted the White House Correspondents Dinner in 2017, has yet to comment on the takedown, but in an article in the Atlantic in early December said he wrestled with the implications, as a Muslim, of commenting on the story.

“There was a lot of discussion in my family about not doing it,” he said. “I’ve just come to personal and spiritual terms with what the repercussions are.”

In the article, he add-

ed that running the episode had instilled a sense of fear in him, which was exacerbated by the fact that he recently became a father.

In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour in November, shortly after the episode was released, Minhaj said that his comedy took the difficult decision to examine the murder, and to highlight the US’s relationship with the Middle Eastern powerhouse.

“Our relationship with Saudi Arabia – and I mean that both as an American and a Muslim – has always been extremely complicated. It’s unfortunate that the death of a journalist, this brutal murder of a journalist was the thing that brought (America’s relationship with Saudi Arabia) to the light,” he said. “Just so you know, we’ve had this complicated... we’ve been taking Saudi Arabia to ‘sword prom’ since FDR.”

Media lockdown

Ranked 169th out of 180 nations in the world for press freedom, Saudi Arabia “permits no independent media and tolerates no independent political parties, unions, or human rights groups. The level of self-censorship is extremely high”, media watch group Reporters Without Borders says.

In 2015, it reported that one “method used by the Government is to counterattack or sanction in response to damaging media reports.”

It cites the case of the Financial Times, which “had to withdraw its correspondent and close its Riyadh bureau for publishing ‘lies’ about Saudi Arabia.

“The Saudi authorities even considered legal proceedings if the newspaper did not issue an apology and undertake to cover Saudi Arabia in ‘neutral’ and ‘objective’ manner.” (CNN.com)

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Granger should Ah-ah-ah, not so fast President retake the reins and stop

Dear Editor, The no-confidence motion was debated and carried in the 65 elected member National Assembly by a vote of 33-32. All through the voting, the display of the governing coalition was blatant in the physical and verbal abuse on Mr Charrandas Persaud by members of the AFC and APNU. Within 24 hours after the vote, both the Prime Minister and the President accepted that the vote had been successful. The Clerk of the National Assembly certified that the motion received 33 votes in favour and many Guyanese saw this as a welcoming sign of the respect of the rule of law. We have subsequently seen a U-turn as there are now ‘questions’ on the successful passage of the motion. Let us look at these in detail.

33 vs 34 – the majority question The first uproar came from Nigel Hughes who said that for the motion to pass it required 34 votes in favor in a 65-member house. I will not go into his math which - to put it very politely - is absolute nonsense. The bigger question – rather, the real question is not the math. The question is not what number constitutes a majority, but rather ask yourself why is it that 33 is no longer a majority.

The outcome of the 2011 General and Regional Elections was that the incumbent PPP/C received 32 seats, APNU received 26 seats, and AFC received 7 seats. The PPP/C retained the presidency and Government according to the constitution. APNU and AFC sitting separately

in the opposition commanded 33 seats in total. At the opening of the Tenth Parliament, the Hansard dated February 10, 2012, recorded the following statements (the Speaker of the House at this time was Raphael Trotman): Leader of the Opposition [Brigadier (Ret’d) David Granger]: “Thank you Mr. Speaker. I rise on behalf of the majority of this Hon House…” “…we ask you, Mr Speaker, to ensure that the will of the majority of this House is respected.”

Mr Ramjattan: “…this National Assembly has as a majority – the members of the Opposition.”

Mr Speaker: “The uniqueness both of this National Assembly, with an Opposition majority…”

These three statements are significant for two specific reasons. Firstly, it came from the leaders of the two parties forming the opposition in Parliament after the 2011 elections, including from a Speaker of the House that was from the AFC. Secondly and most importantly, each of the statements above made reference to the majority of the House and not a majority of the members present.

Briefly put, Mr Granger, Mr Ramjattan, and Mr Trotman, who were all members of the opposition holding 33 seats combined firmly believed and pontificated that holding 33 seats in total equated to having a majority of the National Assembly and the House as a whole.

In 2015 General and Regional elections were held. The result was that the APNU+AFC coalition

received 33 votes and the PPP/C received 32. Under the Constitution, APNU+AFC took the presidency and formed a Government. In response to the 2018 no-confidence motion tabled by the PPP/C, the following statement was made by the Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo: “It must have a majority of all elected members of National Assembly. Our National Assembly has 65 members. It means that the motion of no-confidence, in order to pass, must have 33 members who are elected as members of the National Assembly.” – DPI November 23, 2018 It is therefore clear and indisputable that the leaders of APNU and AFC held that 33 members constituted a majority of the National Assembly from 2012 – 2018.

For eight years 33 constituted a majority. It is also critically important to remember that after the passage of the motion both Prime Minister Nagamootoo and President Granger agreed that the motion was successful.

In these eight years, Nigel Hughes was a member of the AFC and did not once disagree. Hughes has cited the case of Vanuatu (where the elected House of their Parliament has 52 members) as his logic behind the 34 majority number. There are two flaws in his reasoning and as Hughes notes you can’t have half of a person, we will focus on whole numbers.

The first issue with this is the number 52. 52 is an even number, and even numbers are equally divisible into two parts resulting in whole num-

bers of equal value. For example: 25+25=50, 12+12=24, etc. Secondly (and as a result of the first), all even numbers will – as a minimum – have a majority of a whole number that is two more than the minority. For example: 26+24=50, 13+11=24, etc.

The same does not hold true for odd numbers which are not divisible into two parts resulting in whole numbers of equal value (the result will always be a decimal).

For example: 25.5+25.5=51, 12.5+12.5=25, etc. Therefore, odd numbers will – as a minimum – have a majority of a whole number that is one more than the minority. For example: 26+25=51, 13+12=25, etc.

As demonstrated above, with regards to the 65 elected members of the National Assembly, the following facts are clear and have been endorsed by those now in Government: 1. That 33 is a majority of the House of 65 elected members.

2. That the leadership of APNU and AFC since 2012 supported this fact.

3. That APNU and AFC holding – collectively and in coalition – 33 seats since 2012 have expressed the conviction that 33 is a majority up till December 23, 2018.

4. That Nigel Hughes did not since 2012 give any objection to APNU and AFC claiming a majority with 33 seats until the APNU+AFC Government fell from the passage of the 2018 no-confidence motion on December 21, 2018.

Sincerely, V Hemsworth

the runaway carriage

Dear Editor, Notice was served by the Guyana Wildlife Commission that the hunting season for wild birds has been closed effective January 1, 2019; ironically, at the same time newsourcegy. com was announcing the opening of the electoral silly season with the melodramatic story of Charrandas Persaud’s attempts to procure undiluted cassareep.

Editor, if the opening salvoes are anything to go by, we are in for a bumpy ride in a jet plane filled with gold bars and sacks of cash (another patently false and ridiculous story). My very real fear is that one of these silly season stories will set off a wildfire that is not as easily extinguishable.

Editor, how can we expect a population divided by 32.5 to recognise truth in a sky full of wild noises? What do we do when, not if, the messages are crafted to incite emotional and violent responses? The desperation of the Granger Administration to cling onto power at the expense of the Constitution is painful to watch, they continue to craft their own noose and ignore the calls to put down the rope, the longer they grasp at fanciful theories of plus ones and Canadian citizenships, the tighter it will gnaw at their necks and the more desperate they will become. The Administration cannot label all who are advising them to respect the Constitution as ‘opposition elements’, Lincoln Lewis, Christopher Ram, Guyana Bar Association, David Hinds, Ralph Ramkarran and others

are among the fairest of civil society commentators, please note that I have not mentioned anyone aligned with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on that list, in fact this list can be taken as a Who’s Who of persons who also held the feet of successive PPP administrations to the fire.

Sun Tzu, the famous Chinese military strategist advises “never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake”; however, Martin Carter, our own Guyanese treasure said of politics “all are involved! all are consumed!” and I side with our own in recognising that we are not in a war, we are at the end of the day, all citizens of Guyana and the consequences of reckless actions at the top are felt keenly by us at the bottom. Hence, I raise my voice for the people and once again urge President Granger to retake the reins and stop the runaway carriage. Serve notice that the silly season is also closed. ***You Are Involved*** This I have learnt: today a speck tomorrow a hero hero or monster you are consumed!

Like a jig shakes the loom.

Like a web is spun the pattern all are involved! all are consumed!

— Martin Carter, from Poems of Resistance from British Guiana

Respectfully, Robin Singh

Work together as one for the benefit of Guyana Dear Editor, It is almost two weeks into that 90-day period! The name Charrandas Persaud is a dead cert in the school history books of Guyana’s children of the future. The history books will have a settled judgement as to whether the MP’s vote was one of conscience or of greed and opportunism, or indeed reflective of an underlying simmering disenchantment amongst some coalition partners’ members. It is widely perceived by members of the Guyanese public, that with the clear exception of our President and a mere handful of others, a general arrogance prevails in the public attitudes of those in the highest positions in public office today just as prior to 2015.

Whatever may be the true motivation of Mr Charrandas Persaud, the dramatic events of Friday, December 21, 2018, should be seen as very instructive as to the desirability that coalition partners treat each other with the basic mutual respect with which functioning family members treat each other. That approach would promote and facilitate more transparency and meaningful discussion within the coalition membership

and thus lessen or even eliminate the kind of simmering disenchantment that might have been the catalyst for the MP’s actions. The coalition Government ought to be regarded as a practical step towards unity of national political purpose.

The coalition Government is a good thing for Guyana as we hopefully transition to a system, enshrined in the Constitution, whereby there are guarantees that political power and financial benefits will be shared fairly by all Guyanese in accordance with transparent and straightforward criteria. I echo the cry of Sase Singh in his piece to “Save Guyana Now” – although in so doing I lend no weight to Singh’s conclusion unaccompanied by any reasoning that: “any attempt to use any convoluted argument to claim that in this case of voting, 33 is not greater than 32….” This conclusion by Singh does not give any indication whatsoever that he understands or has even read the contrary legal argument. I also take the citing by Singh of an unfortunate utterance of the Public Health Minister, implying thereby that the Minister’s expressed sentiments explain the Government’s “[re-

fusal] to employ the best talent from around the world”, as no more than a well-timed opportunistic dig at the coalition. The Minister subsequently apologised publicly.

Singh is however spoton for the remainder of his piece. We simply must find a way to work together. As a nation we have too many riches to protect for our generations to come – and for the world in relation to our role in the ecosystem – to allow ourselves to be distracted by internal squabbling. The political opportunity we have here and now to make purposive changes to the way we govern our country ought not to be missed. The Constitution that is bemoaned by parties in Opposition but enjoyed by successive governments, should be the primary target for change and will itself be the instrument wherein will reside the provisions of the supreme law of Guyana.

The reality is that Guyana’s two numerically largest races comprise about 47 per cent and 42 per cent of the population, Indians and Africans respectively.

A significant proportion of Guyanese are of mixed heritage between or with one of the two predominant races. This means that elec-

tions will always be close and results routinely disputed despite the presence of international observers, given customary racial voting.

A new system could, for example, have as its aim the creation of a cadre of five persons whose main qualifications would be: intelligence, humility, articulate manner and patriotism.

These persons would have applied to and been interviewed and vetted by a special public commission. They would then be monitored by those of their peers and functional superiors as may be authorised to do so by secret parliamentary committee, and also by way of analysis of generally-worded but thoughtful questionnaires completed randomly and anonymously by subordinates in her/his place of normal work and/or sphere of influence. After an election result is declared, one of the five would be elected

by Parliament, to serve as President of Guyana. The President would be under a duty to execute the policies of the winning party or coalition – but will have significant powers to amend or overrule policy proposals if he or she could justify such divergence to Parliament.

Among the criteria for choos-

ing the best candidate for President for a particular term of office, would be the candidate’s race, which if considered necessary could be constitutionally rotated either termly or every two terms. Once upon a time when British Guiana was a colony of Great Britain, two young intelligent patriots named Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham, together campaigned passionately for our country’s independence from colonial rule.

That goal was achieved, but the old divide and rule tactics that had worked so well during slavery and again post-abolition when indentured Indians arrived, were deployed yet again post-independence – and again worked! Venezuela amongst

others may be the next to benefit from our disunity, if we do not make it a priority to present a genuinely united front to the world.

Once upon a time financial resources were scarce.

Today we are on the very cusp of benefiting financially on a scale never before experienced or even envisaged in Guyana – indeed in most countries of the world period! There no longer exists in the Guyana context any rationale whatsoever for racial competition for scarce financial resources. Now is the time to do as Burnham and Jagan once did albeit too briefly; work together as one for the benefit of all Guyana.

Sincerely, Ronald Bostwick

Oh, what a tangled web Dear Editor, Again, from my layperson perspective, I am thinking that while calls are being made against the one who voted for the motion to be sanctioned and investigated, those who claimed they knew, but still allowed a perceived great wrong to be committed within the confines of the hallowed Chamber, for various

trumped up reasons, what sanctions will be brought against them? So there we have through their individual and collective withholding of this vital information a great wrong was allowed to become a resolution. Oh, what a tangled web.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

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olunteering is an opportunity to change lives, including your own. If you’re feeling frustrated or overwhelmed by the news of a disaster, volunteering to help can be a great way to cope. If you’d like to support a cause but can’t afford to donate money, you can donate your time instead.

Helping others in need is such an important part of life.

Foundation

it?

So how do you go about

Find what’s right for you

Unlike school, with volunteering you get to pick what really interests you and who (or what) is most deserving of your time. Need some ideas to get you started? Here are just a few: Help kids learn and grow.

Become a Big Brother or Big Sister, camp counsellor, or volunteer for an after-school

sports programme.

Give back. Serve dinner this new year to the homeless, volunteer at your local food bank, or distribute toys to kids. Your church, temple, mosque, or other place of worship also may be able to use your help.

Play with pets at a local animal shelter. Most shelters depend on volunteers to keep the cats and dogs happy and well exercised. (And when you’re walking res-

cued dogs, you get a workout too.)

Volunteer for a political campaign. If you’re interested in politics, it’s a great way to find out how things work on the inside. Even if you can’t vote, you can still work to get your candidate elected.

time to an organisation that raises money for research, delivers meals, or offers other help to people with an illness.

If you have more than one thing you love, find a way to combine the two. For example, if you love kids and are great at arts and crafts,

or look in your local phone book. You can call an organisation directly and ask if they need volunteers in your area. You can ask friends or relatives for ideas and contacts or look on bulletin boards in your library or in bookstores. It’s worth spending the time up front to iden-

Help the environment.

Join a conservation group and help out with river preservation. Take part in a local park clean-up day. You don’t have to be an outdoorsy type — if you can’t picture yourself hauling trees up a hill, you could help out in a park office or education centre.

Support a health-related cause. Lots of us are close to people who have a medical problem (like cancer, HIV, or diabetes, for example). It can feel good to donate your

visit your local children’s hospital and offer to lead art activities for young patients.

tify a job that’s a good fit for you.

When you’re calling an organisation to offer your time, it’s best to ask for a volunteer coordinator. Be ready to answer some questions, like: Why do you want to volunteer for our organisation?

What do you know about our organisation?

How many hours a week will you be able to volunteer?

What are your interests?

Do you have any special skills?

Do you have a way to get here?

Most places will ask you to come for an interview, which is usually pretty casual. They want to talk to you face to face and if they haven’t yet asked the questions above, they will do it at the interview.

Whether your interview is on the phone or in person, don’t forget to ask questions of your own. For example: What will be expected of me if I volunteer here?

What kind of training will I receive?

How many other volunteers are there?

How many hours do you expect me to volunteer each week/month?

You might even want to ask if you can observe some other volunteers in action to get a feel for the work before you commit.

If it’s a good fit – meaning you like the organisation, they like you, and you like the work – volunteering can be an incredible experience. (kidshealth.org)

Expand your mind Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills — from working as part of a team to setting and reaching goals. It gives you a chance to discover what kinds of things you’re best at and enjoy the most. A volunteer job that you love can even help shape your ideas about your career goals.

Volunteering also can give you a sense of responsibility because people really depend on you. And it can help you develop a new understanding of people who are different from you – people with disabilities, people in financial distress, sick kids, or the elderly.

Feel good Donating your time is a great way to feel like you have the power to change things for the better. When people depend on you, it can change the way you look at yourself. You can feel proud of the goals that you’ve achieved for an organisation – whether it’s helping to organise a 10K to raise money for breast cancer or running the race itself.

Volunteering is also a great way to get a perspective on your own life. Sometimes it’s easy to get consumed by worries about your grades or the fight you had with your friend or parent. And although these things are very important in their own way, sometimes it can be helpful to get some distance and think about other things. Volunteering allows you to do this.

It lets you focus on others and see that your involvement in the world can be meaningful.

Finally, volunteering can help save you from being bored – it gives you a place to be where you can have a good time and keep busy.

Look good When you donate your time to a cause you care about, it looks impressive on college or job applications. That’s not the main reason for volunteering, of course — if you do it just to please other people or to look good, you may not enjoy it. But volunteering does show others (and yourself!) that you are reliable enough to make a commitment and show up on schedule.

Volunteering also shows employers and colleges that you believe in making the world a better place — and that you’re willing to sacrifice your time and energy to do it.

Find what fits your schedule

Once you’ve found something that inspires you, decide how much time you want to spend. Local organisations (like hospitals or shelters) often like volunteers to give them a set amount of time every week or two.

But what if school, sports, or other commitments prevent you from devoting time every week? Many large organisations (especially those related to the environment or finding cures for diseases) have day-long activities.

These include walkathons, bike rides, clean-up days, or building homes for those in need.

You can also spend a week, month, or even a whole summer volunteering through a structured internship. The advantage of these is you get to immerse yourself in the activities and feel a real sense of achievement when you see the results.

Because you spend a lot of time together, most people who work on long-term volunteer projects form close friendships. Sometimes you get to travel, and the organization may pay your travel and living costs.

Where do I sign up?

After you’ve decided what you’re interested in and how much time you can devote, it’s time to find out where you can volunteer.

You have several choices.

You can search the Internet

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thursdAY, January 3, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Toshao beheaded 206 of 337 day-care centres unlicensed – CCPA by son-in-law O

T

he community of Kurtaka in the Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) was sent into a state of shock on New Year Day, when the village’s Toshao was beheaded by his son-in-law after he intervened in a domestic dispute.

Dead is Toshao Solomon Lewis, who resided in the said community.

Reports are the incident occurred at about 04:00h on January 1. Guyana Times was told that Toshao Lewis and his son attempted to stop his 27-year-old son-in-law from beating his daughter.

Annoyed at the two men’s intervention, the suspect armed himself with a cutlass and dealt several chops to his father-in-law, severing his head in the process.

He then turned his attention to his brother-in-law, dealing him several chops also which reportedly severed one of the man’s hands.

Following the incident, the suspect fled the scene in a boat.

Dead: Toshao Solomon Lewis

The thing is with the way some of the villages are situated, the Toshao is not in the central part of the area.

Some of them live outside or far away so it’s difficult.”

Another concern raised was the location of Police stations and medical facilities which affects the response to such incidents.

“The health facility sometimes is not where the majority of the population is.

Sometimes they have to go

Joint Services ranks escorting the suspect on Wednesday

The team of law enforcement officers who were dispatched to the area to probe the murder arrested the suspect on Wednesday.

The body of the dead Toshao and his injured son were also transported to Bartica as investigations continue.

When contacted, former President of the National Toshaos Council, Joel Fredericks related that security has been a concern of many village leaders within communities of the riverine and hinterland regions. In some scenarios, they are vulnerable to attacks because their dwellings are isolated from the community.

As a former chief, he mentioned, “For the Indigenous people in the hinterland, there is a security problem.

up the river or down the river. Especially in the riverine area, that is an issue for most of the villages because people live along the river.”

With condolences pouring in, another former executive member of the NTC, Eyon Boyal posted on his social media page that Indigenous leaders over the years have asked for handcuffs, guns and Police outposts for protection against their “highrisk” jobs.

“As a former Toshao, I have listened to my fellow Indigenous leaders at successive National Toshaos Conferences request guns, handcuffs and even Police outposts or Police patrols…

Toshaos, indeed need protection of all sorts since you are the father of the village, all villagers turn to your help,” his Facebook post read.

f 337 day care and playschool facilities found across the country, a mere 131 possess the required licences, leaving a whopping 206 of these institutions unlicensed.

This is according to the Child Care and Protection Agency’s (CCPA) Yearin-Review, posted on the Agency’s social media page.

According to statistics provided by the department, three day cares were found in Region One (Barima-Waini) with none of those being licensed or registered. Over in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 18 facilities were found with all of those being registered and licensed. In Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 48 playschools were found of which 33 were registered but only 20 were licensed. Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) had the highest number of playschools found which stood at 184, however 160 of those were registered and only 41 had the necessary licences. In Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 15 day cares were found, 13 were registered while five possessed their licences. Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) had three, one and another three day cares respectively; none of which were licensed or registered. However, in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) 28 playschools were found, 26 were registered while 19 were licensed.

According to a senior official at the CCPA, playschools and day cares can be registered but not licensed, as the licensing process is a lengthy one.

It was explained that for such entities to be licensed, they must undergo a series of inspections by the Public Health Ministry, the Guyana Fire Service, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and a number of other agencies. Along with this high number of paperwork also has to be sorted out before those busi-

nesses can be licensed.

According to the official, the CCPA arm of the Social Protection Ministry will be assisting those businesses in becoming fully compliant with the standards as required of them. The CCPA will be guiding those businesses along the way as they seek to have all the facilities licensed by the end of 2019.

When asked if the required licence would pose any major threat or issue if not possessed, the negative was given as a response. Guyana Times was told by the senior official if a child is injured at any of the unlicensed day cares, then the business owners will be held responsible.

“They would still be under our supervision so whether they licensed or not, if anything happens to the children they would have to take responsibility. They have to operate at the minimum standard, so it’s just the paperwork is the problem to get but they have to maintain the minimum standard,” the official stated.

The official added that the CCPA will continue to work with those busi-

nesses to achieve the target of 100 per cent licensing by the end of this year.

In September of last year, Executive Officer of Early Childhood Development, Lavern Thorne during an interview with Guyana Times said as a result of a number of interventions made over time, the CCPA has been able to up the standards of day-care facilities across the country, which were previously below standard.

Some of the works that were done to those centres include rehabilitation to the buildings, proper play spaces and materials, trained and qualified staff, among others.

Thorne disclosed, “Before we hadn’t met minimum standards that would regulate these facilities but now we have minimum standards that facilities are required to meet and based on that, they go through a process where they have to be registered and licensed”.

Although most of those day-cares are privately owned, Thorne noted how crucial it is for the CCPA to monitor these facilities.

8 news

thursdAY, January 3, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Essequibo Coast labourer stabbed to death

T

he year 2018 ended on a grieving note for an Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) family after a labourer, Kevin Moses Betancourt, was stabbed to death.

Reports are the 23-yearold was stabbed to death at about 21:30h on old years’ night at Pamona Housing Scheme.

According to reports, Betancourt went in search of a friend with whom he had earlier in the day met in a masquerade band.

Guyana Times was told that

Dead: Kevin Moses Betancourt

as the 23-year-old entered the premises at Pamona

Housing Scheme, the suspect, who was intoxicated, requested that he leave the yard. This led to a physical confrontation and the suspect whipped out a knife and wounded Betancourt to his neck and chest.

The young man was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A relative of the suspect told this publication that he was recently released from prison, having served time for assaulting an old man. The suspect is from the Pomeroon River

area and was spending the holidays at his cousin’s residence in Pamona.

Speaking with Guyana Times, the dead man’s mother, Bibi Nazim said her son Kevin is her second child of four children, born in Venezuela. She said the family moved back to Guyana about 10 years ago. The suspect was subsequently arrested.

Meanwhile, a post-mortem examination conducted on the body of Betancourt showed that he died as a result of a perforation to the heart.

Security guard to face Judge, jury for wife’s murder

M

Murder accused: Jermaine Bristol

onths after being charged for the murder of his reputed wife, Shanece Lawrence, Jermaine Bristol of Freeman Street, East La Penitence, was on Wednesday committed to stand trial at the High Court

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The 34-year-old man was charged on August 24, 2018, for the capital offence of murder committed against his reputed wife, 24-yearold Shanece Lawrence on

Dead: reputed wife Shanece Lawrence

August 22, 2018 at their Freeman Street, East La Penitence home.

The ruling to face the Judge and jury came after the Chief Magistrate found that a prima facie case was made out against Bristol.

The prosecution’s case had stated that after killing Lawrence, Bristol walked into the East La Penitence Police Station and reported the crime. He then led the Police to the body, which was discovered with a knife stuck in the neck.

A post-mortem examination performed by Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh showed that Lawrence had 10 stab wounds to the neck and body.

It was reported in August 2018 that the couple shared a rocky relationship spanning over half a decade.

Bristol’s aunt, Yvonne Morris, told Guyana Times she had last seen the couple sometime between 10:00h and 10:30h on the dreadful day, when they both visited her home at different intervals. She said although her nephew was not a violent person, the duo had had a turbulent relationship, with constant intense arguments being featured. The woman said her nephew informed her that Lawrence had left the home sometime on August 23, 2018.

Meanwhile, the dead woman’s mother had told this publication that she was aware that the duo had issues, adding that her daughter had informed her that she was planning to move back home; but she maintained that the couple had not been fully separated.

Hope for the best…

W

…but prepare for the worst ell…here we are, on the third day of the New Year. Yep! Time sure does fly when you’re recovering from the shock of a Government being voted out on a no-confidence motion by the Opposition!! Being the first time for us added an intense frisson to the period, not to mention the existential fear in Guyana by sections of the populace of being beaten into a pulp every time the PNC doesn’t get its way in politics!

Anyhow, from far-off Cuba where he’s getting his second cycle of chemotherapy for his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, President Granger sent a very carefullycrafted New Year’s message that we need to parse just as carefully to get his take on what’s ahead. While he was away, as your Eyewitness explained earlier, the old line PNC hardliners have seized Nigel Hughes “33 is not greater than 32” gambit like a piece of raw meat thrown into a school of sharks. In the feeding frenzy, the PNC hardliners are also attempting a palace putsch.

The President, who returned yesterday, summarised what the APNU/AFC coalition achieved last year and then outlined a long laundry list of what “his administration” will be working to achieve this year. It was only at the fag end of his release that he ALLUDED to the no-confidence resolution, which had instructed he and his Cabinet to resign. Said he rather elliptically: “Recent developments in the National Assembly have created opportunities for enhanced political cooperation.

Meetings between the Government and Opposition will take place in the new year to discuss and determine the way forward for our country. Your Government is prepared to work with the Opposition to ensure that our national objectives are achieved and that 2019 can be a satisfactory year for all.”

So what’s he saying? That he accepts the rules of our political system that instruct him to resign and would quash the outlandish move by members of his party to subvert those rules – as adumbrated in the Constitution?? Doesn’t seem so since he refused to say so unambiguously. He says, “Meetings between the Government and Opposition will take place in the new year to discuss and determine the way forward for our country.” What’s there to “discuss”?

It would seem he’s bowing to the hardliners in his party – as his PM Nagamootoo and other Ministers have done – to reject the clear cut acceptance of the democratic process and risk returning the old “wrong and strong” thuggish image to the PNC. Your Eyewitness hopes he’s wrong.

Through mainly Granger’s perceived integrity, the PNC’s pariah status was rehabilitated.

Is he willing to gamble that away? …on Mother of Parliaments example Moses Nagamootoo and other members of the coalition Government met the western ambassadors about their refusal to resign because “a majority” didn’t vote for the no-confidence motion. Your Eyewitness hopes the British Ambassador had the fortitude to tell him how it’s done in real democracies. They suck it in and get on with a new election!

In 1979 when the Labour Government was defeated 311 to 310, on a no-confidence vote; PM Callahan immediately said, “Tomorrow I shall propose to Her Majesty that Parliament be dissolved as soon as essential business can be cleared up”. His opponent Mrs Margaret Thatcher replied: "As the Government no longer have authority to carry on business without the agreement of the Opposition, I make it quite clear that we shall facilitate any business which requires the agreement of the Opposition".

In a similar manner, all Jagdeo’s doing is quoting Mrs Thatcher: “…the Government no longer has authority to carry on business without the agreement of the Opposition”.

Call it “caretaker govt” or what you may!! …with that cook-up rice After all that cook-up rice amidst the cacophony of the almost continuous explosions of firecrackers on Old Years Night, Guyana must be groggy.

He wishes for more clarity as the year goes by!

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

news

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thursdAY, January 3, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

No-confidence resolution

Govt’s resignation should be automatic – Ram …National Assembly now estopped from revisiting motion – Attorney

O

utspoken political commentator and attorney Christopher Ram said according to the provisions in the Guyana Constitution, the Government’s resignation should be automatic or with immediate effect after the passage of a no-confidence motion.

In a letter to the editor on Wednesday, Ram explained that Article 106 (6) uses mandatory language and imposes a duty on the Cabinet, including the President, to resign if the Government is defeated on a no-confidence motion.

He added that the resignation under Article 106 (6), brings to a halt their functions, including aiding and advising the President in the general direction and control of the Government, proposing legislation, reviewing of contracts over fifteen million dollars and the making of appointments.

“While the Constitution is silent on the specific date for the resignation under Article 106 (6), for the reason set out below, that resignation seems to be automatic, or intended to be with immediate effect. In any case, Article 232 (9) provides that the Interpretation and General Clauses Act (ICGA) shall apply for the purpose of interpreting the Constitution. Since no time is prescribed therefore, Section 39 of the ICGA provides that “where no time is prescribed within which anything shall be done, such thing shall be done with all convenient speed,” Ram noted.

Solidifying his argument, the attorney alluded to the similar situation in the United Kingdom Parliament when Conservative Party Leader Margaret Thatcher succeeded in a motion of no-confidence against Labour Party Government led by Prime Minister James Callaghan.

The vote was 311:310.

Despite the UK not having a Constitution, its Parliament is considered supreme and

Political commentator and Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram

Callaghan tendered his resignation to the Queen the day after the March 28, 1979 vote and asked her to dissolve Parliament “as soon as essential business can be cleared up”. Parliament was dissolved 10 days after the vote and elections held 36 days after the vote.

Further solidifying his argument, Ram noted that former Speaker of the House Ralph Ramkarran pointed out that the inclusion of paragraphs (6) and (7) in Article 106 was to insert in the Guyana Constitution, the convention inherited from the UK regarding no-confidence motions. Ramkarran was the Chairman of the Constitution Reform Commission that inserted the provisions hence he would be the most experienced to speak on the issue of its interpretation.

“It is hard to see what more could have been done by the CRC which could convince the [A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change] APNU/AFC Government; that like the Callaghan Government, it fell the time the motion was passed. That is common sense and the resignation ought to have been a formality,” Ram said.

Turning to Article 106 (7) which states, “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain

in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

Explaining the key terms in the provision, Ram said “Government” is defined in the Constitution only to mean Government of Guyana but it is clear that the term must include the President who under Article 89 – Establishment of office of President of the Constitution is vested with several roles: Head of State, supreme executive authority and Commander-in-Chief of the country’s armed forces.

The President also has a number of functions and powers including the appointment of Ministers and the allocation of portfolios; presiding over Cabinet meetings; appointing parliamentary secretaries and an Attorney General; exercising the Prerogative of Mercy; appointing Judges, including the Chancellor and the Chief Justice.

“The President’s functions are clearly diminished under Article 106 (6) but he still remains the head of Government, Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. As a practical matter he can no longer perform some of the functions identified in the preceding paragraph while his tenure as President automatically comes to an end when the person elected President at the next election takes office,” he explained.

He further stated that the Ministers, after the President had resigned, would only be delegated as oversight personnel in their respective Ministries.

Earlier this week, Attorney General Basil Williams announced that on

his advice, the Government has written to the Speaker requesting him to “reverse the passage of the No-confidence Motion”, a step which seems as absurd as the 34–32 majority arguments, according to Ram. “It is unclear whether the Government is really serious about the validity of its claims or whether the real motive behind the challenge to the result of the Motion as announced by Speaker Scotland is all about holding on to power, or to use the words of Vice President Ramjattan, ‘to bring back [their] term’. What is certain is that the country’s embrace of democracy is once again being tested and that while this is being played out, the Venezuelan President would be looking on with interest while investors become increasingly nervous,” Ram

noted.

Estopped

Meanwhile, Attorney JT Kissoon of Kissoons and Kissoons Chambers on Wednesday said the National Assembly is the highest court in the land with its own procedures and system with the Speaker being likened to a Superior Judge of the land, the Clerk of the National Assembly to the Registrar of the Court.

“The proceedings of the Noconfidence Motion has been debated and voted upon. The Speaker, the Superior Judge declared the Motion is carried on behalf of the Opposition and declared the Government has fallen, confirmed by the Prime Minister, a leader of Government’s business. The Clerk of Parliament being the Registrar confirmed the dec-

laration of the Speaker, the Superior Judge and accordingly the Clerk (Registrar) of the National Assembly sent out the certified Order of the National Assembly to the various relevant sources, in this case the Opposition Leader, the Prime Minister and other relevant entities,” he noted.

“The National Assembly in my view is now functus officio and cannot revisit the Order made as it is now estopped from so doing.

No court of law can knock on the door and enter the National Assembly to regulate its functions and proceedings and therefore the order of the Speaker as confirmed by the Clerk cannot be altered. It appears only with the support of the Opposition can the proceedings be revisited,” Kissoon added.

33 majority is more...

“The ordinary interpretation is not talking about half; it’s talking about majority and a majority in ordinary language would be 33. Majority as I understand it would be more than the minority and the majority would be 33,” Mohammed stated.

When asked on whether or not the Administration has valid case to argue, the former Speaker noted that the will of the people has to be taken into consideration and even though Government has 33 seats and the Opposition, 32, according to him, the people’s will was reflected in the December 21 vote.

“If such a situation existed in Trinidad and Tobago, I do not believe that there would have been any delay in announcing a date for the elections. It happened during the time of Basdeo Panday when he was Prime Minister and there a defection of three members of his Government and the then Prime Minister said he did not have the kind of majority in according with

law to carry on any further and they had an election,” Mohamed recalled of the early 2000s era.

“My view is, without interfering with what is taking place in Guyana, is that the people through their representatives did in fact speak,” he added.

With the Guyana Government’s defeat, the next steps in Clause 7 of Article 106 goes on to state that “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

“What will be taking place now in machinations among the politicians on both sides to either bring the county to elections before the required date

From page 3

or the Government will seek to buy more time rather than call an election,” the former speaker said.

Mohammed explained that in Trinidad’s bi-cameral legislature, a motion of no-confidence, which is filed in the House of Representatives, would be carried by a majority of voting members present. It was observed that if the country had 65 members and all were present, then 33 would be a majority and a no-confidence motion would be carried unless there are standing orders or provisions in the Trinidad and Tobago Constitution that require a specific number or percentage. The twin island republic’s Parliament has 41 seats in the Senate and 41 seats in the House of Representatives representing an Upper and Lower house respectively.

Locally, both Government and Opposition have met with the diplomatic community as Guyana gears up to potentially head to the polls within the coming months.

10 news Bandits kill brothers during Corentyne robbery thursdAY, January 3, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Dead: Premchand Samaroo

B

andits on Monday evening killed two brothers during a Corentyne, Berbice robbery.

Dead are Premchand Samaroo, 45, also called “Tully”, a labourer and a father of two of Bush Lot Farm; and his brother Harichand Samaroo, 46, called “Davo”, a farmer and father of three of Lot 81 Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne.

One of the brothers was shot at point blank range to the head while the other was beaten and subsequently died. The incident occurred at their mother’s home situated at Lot 446 Bush Lot Village, Corentyne.

According to reports, at about 20:30h on Old Years night, the two brothers were at their mother’s home celebrating with an elder cousin, who was visiting from the United States.

During the celebration, a loud explosion was heard, which some family members dismissed as a squib but Premchand Samaroo’s relatives thought it was too loud and too close and decided to investigate. As Premchand walked from under the house, he was shot to the head and fell, dying seconds later.

His mother, Irene Samaroo, 67, who was at the time inside the house, said she went in search of a torchlight.

“He did sit down and eat food in the kitchen when we

hear something like bomb coming from the backyard, so “Tully” went to see what happen and tell me to go bring the torchlight and he walk go,” the grieving mother related.

Her older son, Harichand Samaroo also went to investigate and was beaten by the bandits.

The dead men’s mother told Guyana Times that she was approached by one of the intruders as she reached the bottom of the step with the torchlight.

According to her, three masked men approached her. She said she saw two of them were carrying firearms.

less body was found lying in a pool of blood.

“I say like they carry away my next son and start to holla. Somebody from the house over there say look him lying at the back. I go

Dead: Harichand Samaroo

The house where the incident took place

he wanted cash and not jewellery. She related that the men escaped with US$350, just over $60,000 from her cousin and a further $6000 from her pocked before leaving.

She said the family then took the torchlight and went into the back yard in search of her son. Premchand’s life-

Harrychand was picked up and placed in a hammock where he asked for water and indicated that he received injuries to his abdomen.

He was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where he died while receiving medical attention.

Meanwhile, his wife, Bhagwattie Harrypersaud,

Mother of the dead men, Irene Samaroo

and shine the torchlight and I see him lying down and he can’t help himself.”

47, explained that they were married for 23 years and have three children – the eldest being 24.

Meanwhile, as investigations continue, several persons have been taken into custody for questioning in relation to the murders.

(Andrew Carmichael)

Over 48,000 persons receiving less than 24-hour water service – report Beaten: Moonilall Robert Kumar

One went to her and two others went to her cousin, Moonilall Robert Kumar, 71, a US-based Guyanese, who came into the country the previous day for a two-month stay. Kumar said the third bandit was carrying a cutlass.

“One had a gun to me and the other had the cutlass and I tried to remain calm and they told me that they wanted money. He ask me for my wallet and I told him that I don’t have a wallet…”

Kumar related.

The bandits also demanded money from the dead men’s mother.

“So I take out the money that I had in my shirt pocket and he say that he don’t want that.”

Irene related that one of the bandit demanded that

Well Maintenance Manager Dwayne Shako

By Shemuel Fanfair

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s the world advances into its nineteenth year in the 21st century, many urban areas in Guyana are still receiving less than desirable water service, with the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) having disclosed earlier this week that 73 per cent of all consumers receive 24-

hour service. The GWI’s Performance Review for 2018 estimated its customer count at 178,254 and a simple calculation would show that 27 per cent of this number is 48,128.58. This suggested that over 48,000 GWI customers are receiving water services on a scheduled basis.

Responding to questions by Guyana Times as to why urbanised areas such as Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara get scheduled water service, Well Maintenance Manager Dwayne Shako revealed that the current water wells and treatment facilities cannot cater to the amount of persons now living in the various communities. He stressed that GWI will be working this year to increase the amount of consumers receiving 24-hour service.

“The issue with Pouderoyen is the same issue we face in Covent Garden, Grove (East Bank Demerara), Better Hope, Mon Repos, Port Mourant (East Coast Demerara), that we’re not able to distribute 24 hours. It’s basically the demand is more than the supply. The areas have grown,” Shako confirmed on Monday last.

Members of the media were told that the areas with an expanded population have plants that run out of water every five to six hours and Shako noted that that is also happening at central Ruimveldt, East and West Ruimveldt, Roxanne Burnham Gardens and Gyhoc Park in Georgetown.

“In terms of Pouderoyen, they are digging another well that will be able to supply the plant with additional source and then we’ll modify the infrastructure of the plant to be able to deliver a 24-hour service. Once that well is completed, we’ll also be able to move some of the

WCD residents sourcing water from a trench last year

Good Fortuin customers and that will be able to deliver 24hour service to Pouderoyen,” Shako outlined.

GWI’s Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles revealed that Government has already approved allocations to develop water facilities that will cater to the West Demerara areas of Pouderoyen, West Minster, La Parfaite Harmonie and Lust-en-Rust which according to him, will receive a better supply in 2019.

“The contractor has already mobilised his rig at West Minster. When he’s finished there then he will move to Pouderoyen,” Van West-Charles indicated.

At GWI’s end of year press conference, it was announced that GWI will acquire two rigs to reduce some of the allocations expended in procuring contracted personnel to carry out such works. The authority also disclosed than more than 3000 residents of Sophia and its surrounding communities benefited from improved water supply with the completion of the ground storage tank at Sophia.

Consistent access to water has been difficult at certain intervals during 2018.

In October of last year, Guyana Times reported that

thousands of West Coast of Demerara (WCD) residents were coping for at least weeks without potable water supply and some even had to source water from nearby trenches. This had disturbed regular chores and other daily tasks. Four major villages – Meten-Meer-Zorg, Zeelugt, De Kinderen and Tuschen – were all affected.

In Zeelugt, some persons had to walk about the streets with their buckets to obtain water from the trenches and some were seen utilising bicycles to transport water to their homes for washing and cleaning. In Vergenoegen, some complained that they were initially receiving a 24hour water supply but this reduced to consumers dealing with a scheduled service from 05:00h to 12:00h noon and from 17:00h to 19:00h.

At present, residents of Ruimzeigt and Pouderoyen told Guyana Times that even in 2019, they are receiving an inconsistent water supply. It was explained that Ruimzeigt’s service is discontinued from 10:00h and returns at 18:00h while for Pouderoyen, the services is stopped at 13:00h, returns at 17:00h, only to be discontinued once again at 21:00h before returning the following day.

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thursdAY, January 3, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

No-confidence resolution

Today’s sitting of National Assembly “unconstitutional” – PPP/C Chief Whip to Speaker …says PPP will not participate in undermining Guyana’s Constitution

PPP’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

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he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has indicated that its members will be boycotting Parliament until a sitting is called to address the kicking off of the constitutionally mandated General and Regional Elections.

According to the Party, Parliament should only reconvene to deal with the hosting of the elections and not continue as usual since the Government has been defeated by a no-confidence vote. However, Government is claiming that it is business as usual since the motion was not successfully passed as it required 34 votes instead of the customary 33.

According to Article 106 (6) of the Constitution, “The Cabinet, including the President, shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members in the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.” However, Article 106 (7) states that, “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

In a letter sent to speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, PPP’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira said it will not be participating in what it deems to be an unconstitutional sitting of the House. In the letter dated, December 31, 2018, Teixeira noted that in accordance with Article 106 (6) of the Constitution is clear as to the next course of action which is the resignation of the Government along with the calling of elections. Teixeira added that it is not competent for the Government to move or participate in a sitting of the National Assembly if it does not announce the date of im-

pending elections.

On the Order Paper for the January 3 sitting are the Value-Added Tax (Amendment Bill, the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, and the Property Tax (Amendment) Bill. “In this regard, the parliamentary Opposition is of the view that the business that is scheduled to be considered by the National Assembly on the 3rd January, 2019, is not in compliance with Article 106(7) of the Constitution.

Therefore, any sitting of the National Assembly that is not in compliance with this article is a violation of the Constitution. Thus, the parliamentary Opposition will not participate in undermining the Constitution, and, further recommend that this sitting should not be held,” Teixeira wrote.

Ever since the passage of the motion, there have been calls for Government to resign and pave the way forward for the election. However, Government is refusing to do so on the grounds it was not defeated. The Government have since submitted a legal brief to Speaker of House, asking him to revisit and possibly reverse his decision; a move that never happened in the history of Guyana’s Parliament.

No authority

However, the PPP has since written to Scotland informing him that he has no review powers over the motion.

Teixeira in her letter noted that “The parliamentary Opposition is of the view that the No-confidence Motion having been conclusively dealt with, in, and, by the National Assembly on the 21st December, 2018, is not open to review. We have been advised, with no disrespect to you sir, that the Speaker has no review powers over the said motion, and, that the Speaker, the Clerk and the National Assembly are functus officio in respect of and in relation to the said motion.

Furthermore, in our humble opinion, Standing Orders 26(e) precludes any effort to rescind a resolution on a question already decided on in the same Session.”

She further informed that Standing Order 26(e), which states that “it (National Assembly) shall not receive discussion of a matter which has been discussed in the same Session”, is clear as to the way forward.

Govt admits

At a press conference earlier this week, Attorney General Basil Williams admitted that the Constitution of Guyana makes no distinc-

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland

tion between an absolute majority and simple majority.

When asked about the Government ‘switching its mouth’ after promising to respect the results of the

no-confidence vote, Williams claimed that President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said what they had to say at that time to “keep the peace.”

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has since slammed the rhetoric by Government members and other coalition supporters that a 34:32 vote was needed as “majority” over the actuality of “33:32” votes, to have the “no-confidence” motion passed. According to Jagdeo, this interpretation of the Constitution is “utter stupidity”, noting that it shows the desperation of the Government.

On December 21, 2018, the No-confidence Motion brought by the parliamen-

President David Granger

tary Opposition against the Government succeeded when former Alliance For Change Member of Parliament Charrandas Persaud broke rank and made a conscience vote in

favour of the motion.

President Granger has already committed to following the provisions outlined in the Constitution, facilitating early elections and engaging in dialogue with the Leader of the Opposition. Since the passage of the motion on December 21, 2018; however, persons aligned with the coalition party have sought to question the motion’s validity even as the vote has already been certified.

The original proponent of the 34-vote argument is Attorney Nigel Hughes, a former AFC Chairman, who is also the husband of Government Minister Cathy Hughes. Since then, Government has held on to this explanation like a lifeline.

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Essequibo family loses home GCAA gearing itself for “busy year”, increased helicopter activity after New Year’s Day fire

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The Richmond Housing Scheme house on fire

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fire of unknown origin has destroyed the home of an Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) family.

Reports are the fire at Second Street, Richmond Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast started about 19:30h on New Year’s Day. The couple who live in the house were not at home at the time of the blaze.

Reports are neighbours saw flames coming from the house and called the Fire Service, which is located at Anna Regina. A resident

told Guyana Times that when the call was placed to the fire service, they were told that there was no driver available to take the fire tender to the location. It took the fire service 30 minutes to arrive at the scene which is one village away.

However, this newspaper was told by that time the house was completely destroyed.

Residents in an effort to render assistance formed a bucket brigade to save the house that was in close proximity to the blaze.

When this publication

visited the scene, residents were very critical of the Guyana Fire Service’s response. One neighbour told this publication that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) personnel arrived on the scene in quick time and disconnected the electricity.

This publication was unable to speak with the couple who lived in the home, but neighbours said that the house was completely furnished.

The Guyana Fire Service has since launched an investigation.

ith oil production less than one year away, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is preparing itself for quite a busy year, which is likely to have increased helicopter activity.

This was explained by Head of the Aviation sector, Egbert Field, who during an interview with Guyana Times on Wednesday said, “We just started the year and we are just analysing what took place over the last year and are planning for a busy year ahead because a lot is going to happen”.

He explained that the “busy year” can be summed up into one equation, as first oil can be expected within a few months.

It was on that note that the Director of the GCAA disclosed that more helicopter activity can be expected. He noted, “It would really push us to the point of having more inspections on operators and all the other things”.

Plans are also being made according to him to set up more programmes, “but nothing (too) extraordinary”.

The helicopters which will be brought in, he said,

GCAA Director Egbert Field

will perform the same functions that are being carried out presently which involves trips from the shore to the oil rigs. He said over 10 flights daily can be expected. “There will be a little more activity…maybe 10 flights or 12 flights a day, they may be doing more so my air traffic controllers will have more work on their hands,” Field asserted.

Along with the increase in helicopter traffic expected this year, Guyana is also anticipating a greater influx of

Guyana meets with US to discuss border controversy with Venezuela

Senior Director of the United States National Security Council’s Western Hemisphere Affairs, Mauricio Claver-Carone and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

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uyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge on Tuesday met with the Senior Director of the United States National Security Council’s Western Hemisphere Affairs, Mauricio ClaverCarone, to discuss the ongoing border controversy Guyana has with Venezuela.

The meeting was held between the two high-level officials in Brasilia, Brazil, on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony for the President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro.

According to a release from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the discussions were focused on the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy, particularly the Venezuelan navy’s recent interception of an ExxonMobil contracted vessel, conducting seismic surveys in Guyanese territory on December 22, 2018.

According to the Ministry, the US State Department issued a statement prior to the incident saying, “Guyana has

the sovereign right to explore and exploit resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone.”

It went on to urge Venezuelans to respect the international laws and rights of its neighbours.

Inauguration

Meanwhile, at the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, Greenidge said his attendance consolidates existing relations.

“Brazil is an important ally especially at a time when there is so much instability in the world,” Greenidge said. “Most importantly, it is our largest immediate neighbour and our relationship with the State is a priority,” he added.

Notwithstanding a change of Government, the Guyanese Foreign Minister remains optimistic about Guyana/Brazil relations. “I wouldn’t expect there to be a shift as regards Guyana because our relations have

not been unstable. We have strong common interests bilaterally and regionally,” he explained.

The Minister also seized the opportunity to meet with his Brazilian counterpart, Ernesto Araujo, who previously held the post of Director of the Department US, Canada and InterAmerican matters.

During the meeting, the two Ministers also discussed the Guyana/Venezuela controversy and other areas of mutual interest. Greenidge during the ceremony was able to meet with ambassadors of Caribbean states where he briefed them on developing issues including the controversy with Venezuela and the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).

Meanwhile, on the issue of Guyana/Brazil relations, Guyana’s Ambassador, George Talbot underscored the nature of existing relations with Brazil which have spanned decades.

Guyana and Brazil established diplomatic relations on August 26, 1968. Cooperation covers a broad range of areas including trade, health, agriculture, transport and security matters.

Venezuelan military

In December, the Venezuelan military forced a seismic vessel belonging to ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary out of Guyanese waters.

ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary has since suspended the 3D seismic operations it started only a month ago in Guyana’s Stabroek Block after the appearance and approach of the Venezuelan military, which forced the

company’s seismic vessel to pack up shop and vacate the area.

The vessel in question is the Ramform Tethys, which is owned by Norwegian company Petroleum and Geo Services (PGS) that was contracted by ExxonMobil to carry out tests and acquire seismic data.

This incident comes

at a time when Guyana has an ongoing case with Venezuela in regard to territorial integrity. In November Guyana submitted its memorial on jurisdiction to the International Court of Justice, and a date has been set for the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuelan to submit its own counter memorial.

airlines. This is more than likely with the new air services agreements being inked with other countries, some of which have been already signed.

In fact, back in December last year, GCAA was gearing up to sign another open skies agreement, this time with the African country Tanzania.

Field noted that already the Agency has signed open skies agreement with other South American countries which will allow for more airlines to fly here as well.

“We’ll improve connectivity in the region, especially with the South American region by reaching out to sign more air services agreements with the various states, because having air services agreements that is the foundation or the platform which the airlines will be able to ride on,” the Director said.

On that note, it was pointed out that the GCAA has already inked an agreement with Brazil and Ghana which will allow for direct flights to those countries as well as it also gave clearance for any airline which wishes to fly here from those countries.

“At the last conference we had, the air-transport conference, Guyana signed an agreement with Ghana and Ghana is very excited about that because they are looking to open up their country,” Field noted.

At that conference, he had also disclosed that the Authority is seeking to sign more of such agreements with Columbia and other African states such as Tanzania and Nigeria, with the aim of having as many airlines as possible entering Guyana.

Garbage collectors deadlock

New Year brings no assurances on owed payments – Puran

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he decision of Central Government to bail out City Hall from debts owed to two main solid waste collectors in the new year remains unfulfilled and there has been no contact between the two parties on the way forward.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Wednesday, General Manager of Puran Brother’s Disposal Services, Khalesh Puran explained that no payments were made on behalf of the Government for services to resume.

“There is still no payment from them or any date that these payments will be made,” said Puran.

Without a date, collectors are questioning if they will be paid within the first week of January as was promised. Business Development Supervisor of Cevon Waste Management, Morris Archer had informed this media outlet that this was the assurance given.

At that time, high hopes were beaming as expectations suggested that they

would receive owed payments.

On November 25, 2018, the collectors withdrew their services after examining the feasibility of operating without payments and being owed for over six months. Immediately after, services were provided by five agencies; namely Granderson, Trash Tech, Tri Star, C&S Services and Garbage Eaters.

By the first week in December, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan met with the collectors and officials of City Hall, where it was declared that Central Government would stand the outstanding $160 million by the ending of 2018.

“It yielded what we believe to be credible assurances that settlement of the outstanding debt will commence very shortly. Our understanding is that the first payment will be made before the end of 2018. We have, without prejudice, accepted those assurances,” the service providers jointly an-

nounced.

Meanwhile, buildups of waste across business enterprises and residential communities proved that the contractors were essential and further, that the smaller contractors were unable to service the entire city.

For this, the contractor proposed to resume operations immediately with confirmation from the M&CC. This did not materialise to which they issued another statement, affirming that services would not be provided without credible assurances.

“Timely payment under the terms of our contract with the Georgetown City Council is a fundamental issue. We cannot, we submit, be expected to provide services without reasonable assurances of timely payment.

Where there is slippage we are prepared, as we have, over time, to exercise some measure of understanding to an extent that is reasonable.”

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thursdAY, January 3, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

of Lindeners not paying Over 500 Police, 700 60% rates and taxes – Mayor GDF ranks promoted L bery under arms by 13.2 per cent, and there was a six per cent reduction in fatal accidents.

In 2018, 31 officers were promoted from the rank of corporal to sergeant while 43 ranks who were once lance corporals were promoted to corporals, and 22 from constables to corporals.

Additionally, 66 ranks who held the position of constable were advanced to serve as lance corporals.

GDF promotions

Police Commissioner Leslie James

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olice Commissioner Leslie James in his New Year’s message announced over 500 officers who were promoted to higher rank within the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

James expressed in his message that the GPF was at a pivotal juncture whereby reformation was imminent and fruitful results were expected by the first quarter of this year.

He added that following consultation with their United Kingdom counterparts, the Force has embarked on work in three domains: training, infrastructural development, and human resource management of officers.

While zeroing in on the promotions, James acknowledged, “Promotions cause the recipients to exude feelings of joy, satisfaction and of course, a sense of achievement. Equally, it can be a catalyst to motivate ranks who may be despondent because of not being promoted on this occasion. All is not lost; I urge that you remain resolute and steadfast in your good performance.”

To fill the post of Assistant Commissioner, three senior superintendents: Edgar Thomas, Royston Andries-Junor and Paul Langevine were promoted.

M e a n w h i l e , Superintendents Phillip Azore, Brian Eastman, Adrian Simon, Linden Lord, Khalili Pareshram, Michael Sutton, Linden Isles, Michael Kingston and Charmaine Jones-Stuart were positioned as Senior Superintendent.

Other ranks of the Force were awarded with the position of superintendent, deputy superintendent, assistant superintendent, cadet officer, chief inspector, inspector, sergeant, corporal and lance corporal.

The Top Cop sought to mention that the Force has managed to maintain public security which was evident from a decrease in serious crimes, including gun-related robberies and fatal accidents. According to statistics, serious crimes decreased by 11 per cent, rob-

Meanwhile, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) also raised the stakes for 706 of its ranks for 2019, which was announced by the Chiefof-Staff, Brigadier Patrick West.

Leading the list is Substantive Warrant Officer Class Two Marvin Pilgrim, who was promoted to the position of Acting Warrant Officer Class One. Christopher Harmon, Dyanor Wilson, Hesley Craig and Brian Ferdinant also followed in the same category.

Acting Warrant Officers Class Two Lawrence Assanah, Eon Winter and Cleveland O’Brien were promoted to Substantive Warrant Officer Class Two. Back in 2017, the life of the Police Service Commission had expired, and President David Granger had ordered that it put the promotion of senior ranks on hold. However, in November, a High Court ruling by acting Chief Justice

Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Patrick West

Roxane George established that the President breached the Constitution when he issued a directive to halt promotions.

This move had been reported to have had a demoralising and demotivating effect on Police Officers.

Acting Top Cop at that time, David Ramnarine signalled that the situation had also caused some uneasiness among the junior ranks.

After that, Government’s spokesperson, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon told media operatives at a post-Cabinet press briefing that both the Police and Public Service Commissions were before the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments.

After nearly one year in August of 2018, a five-member Commission was installed to serve for three years.

inden Mayor Waneka Arrindell said that at least 60 per cent of Lindeners was not paying their rates and taxes and several businesses in the community owed millions to the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) municipality.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Wednesday, Arrindell noted that this was a major issue for the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC), which she said was working towards the establishment of its municipal court, in an effort to secure outstanding payments.

Arrindell also appealed to members of the community to settle outstanding balances as soon as possible as she highlighted numerous effects this has on the Council.

“One of the major difficulties we’re facing is the fact that there’s still 60 per cent of the residents not paying their rates and taxes. We only have a 40 per cent pay rate right now. And this is since we’ve been here. From 2016 to now. Sixty per cent of the taxes not paid. What we’ve found is that persons in the areas who are not under the municipality are willing to come in and start paying their taxes. But residents who are under the municipality are the ones not coming out to pay,” the Mayor said.

She added that the rates and taxes were inexpensive, as she pointed out that rates for households start from as low as $1000 and $1200 per year. She also reminded residents that from funds garnered, the municipality is expected to carry out main-

Soldier’s murder

Suspect turns up at Police Station in company of Attorney accompanied by his lawyer, Chandra Sohan.

Police have been searching for the suspect for the murder of Lieutenant Mark Begot, 26, of Lot 21 Philippi Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

The suspect’s Attorney told this publication that he has advised his client not to give any statement to investigators.

On December 30, 2018, “Son” and Lieutenant Begot, along with another man, were imbibing at a bar in the village when an argument broke out over payDead: Lieutenant Mark Begot

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he suspect in Sunday’s stabbing incident which left a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lieutenant dead has turned himself in to Police custody.

Guyana Times was told that shortly after 13:00h the suspect, who goes by the alias “Son”, turned up at the Whim Police Station

ment for a Guinness.

The argument escalated into a fight with bottles being used as missiles to throw at each other.

The suspect reportedly armed himself with a knife and allegedly stabbed Begot.

The injured soldier was rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital.

Begot was subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital and died while receiving medical treatment.

Police are continuing their investigations.

Linden Mayor Waneka Arrindell

tenance functions such as garbage disposal and every other service that it offers.

“So, we want to encourage the residents to come out and pay their rates and taxes. Of course, also, your rates and taxes payment is going to determine the payment of the salaries for the members of the staff, because we’re not given money by the Government to pay staff. Every municipality has to garner their own funds to pay their staff and at this point ... we still can’t meet the minimum wage.

There’re some promises we made last year and we still cannot come up with it, because persons are not paying their rates and taxes,” Arrindell continued.

Amnesty

She added that the municipality would have granted amnesty on rates and taxes last month, and during this month defaulting taxpayers were being offered 10 per cent off.

“There are persons who owe us in millions. We have businesses that owe us up to millions. We’re going to attempt too – before this first quarter is over – to have our Municipal Court established. Because once our

Municipal Court is established, then we’re going to be able to charge and fine people for the outstanding monies that they owe us. I cannot say why people are not paying, but it is my hope that they would start to pay and understand the importance of paying,” the Mayor stated.

She noted that while there was poor sanitation in the past, the municipality now has four compactor trucks which are functional. As such, she said, it is doing far better in terms of services offered to the community. Arrindell noted, however, that in order to service and maintain the equipment, more staff has to be hired, hence more finance is needed. She encourages residents to pay up as much as they possibly can. The Mayor also noted that there were plans to increase rates and taxes across the country.

“We are in the process, and this should be finished

by June of this year – the Government is re-evaluating all lands. Once that evaluation is done, there’s going to be an increase in rates and taxes across the country. Because we’re right now paying at the 1976 rates and taxes, which is not suitable for what is happening now.

Hopefully by mid- year, we’ll have those new rates and taxes set and then we’re going to start our improvement – increasing our rates. Of course, we’ll try our best to make sure that the increase is not exorbitant that it affects our residents significantly, but it must be able to at least pan out,” she said.

According to Arrindell, the Council runs on a stable budget and will work to establish what its needs are and will incrementally work on increases.

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Taxi driver dies after slamming into parked tractor

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hire car driver died after slamming into a parked tractor along the Corentyne, Berbice highway on New Year’s morning.

Dead is Jaggernauth Ramkarran, also called “Long Hair”, 50, of Grant 1802 Crabwood Creek, while the passenger Akesh Koochamala, 22, of Number 65 Village, Corentyne, is a patient at the New Amsterdam Hospital after receiving injuries.

Reports are the accident occurred at 03:15h on New Year’s Day at Number 67 Village. Reports are that Ramkarran was proceeding North along the western carriageway of the road reportedly at a fast speed when he swerved from stray animals and collided with the

Village.

According to the driver, when he returned from Crabwood Creek he heard of the accident.

Speaking with Guyana Times, the dead man’s wife said based on the damage to the vehicle and the injuries her husband received, it was impossible for him to survive.

“When I saw my husband, the devastation in me I became helpless. Everything was broken for him. He was bleeding like a pipe was leaking from his head.

His head was open; everything was damaged for him.

His nose was broken; there wasn’t a part good. Only the skin and the flesh were holding together but when you touch him you could feel

Dead: Jaggernauth Ramkarran

During 2018 on several occasions, Region Six Regional Democratic Council raised concerns over the issue and had called on the Communities, Public Security and Public Infrastructure ministries to implement systems to make the Corentyne Highway safer for pedestrians and motorists.

In an invited comment, PM Regional Representative Gobin Harbhajan who has in

the past been very vocal over the situation said parking on the road shoulders with heavy-duty agriculture machines has become a norm.

He added that it had become hazard for both pedestrians and motorists.

“Especially when a driver has to swerve from animals and end up slamming into one of these parked agriculture machines such as combines, tractors, trucks heavy-duty water pumps, cage wheel, romplough which carries 18 sharp roller blades.”

The Corentyne Highway, Harbhajan noted, has also become the resting place for old minibuses and cars.

“They junk it on the road shoulders and leave it to rot and in many cases vegetation will take over. I have been addressing this issue at the highest level for the past 13 years,” he said.

“I have visited a few Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and met with overseers and pleaded with them to serve notice to

The car that was driven by Ramkarran

the owners of junk heavy-duty machines and I met with a few station Sergeants many times on movable heavy-duty machinery especially tractors with cage wheel and heavy mud not to mention that some of these machines don’t have lights and reflectors they also pointing me to different directions, too many lives have been lost.”

Late last year, a family on their way home from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport served from an an-

imal on the Corentyne Highway and slammed into a parked old truck. Two persons died on that occasion.

In another incident, a lorry driver lost his life after the canter he was driving swerved from a pig and end up hitting a parked truck on the road shoulder.

Over the Christmas holidays, another driver died after slamming into a refrigerator which was on the Corentyne Highway.

Oil prices fall amid currency, share market turmoil

O The tractor which Ramkarran slammed into

tractor. An eyewitness told Guyana Times that there were three cows on the road at the time of the incident.

Another driver told this publication that both himself and Ramkarran were parked in front of Reno Hotel in Corriverton soliciting passengers when Ramkarran told him that he was going to Number 65

how it is,” the grieving widow said in a graphic description of what she saw.

Meanwhile, the accident has again highlighted the danger posed by animals along the Corentyne Highway and danger posed the by derelict vehicles which decorate the parapets of the Highway along the Upper Corentyne.

il prices fell on Thursday amid volatile currency and stock markets, and as analysts warned of an economic slowdown for 2019 just as crude supply is rising globally.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures were at $45.93 per barrel at 0152 GMT, down 61 cents, or 1.3 per cent, from their last settlement.

International Brent crude futures were down 36 cents, or 0.7 percent, at $54.55 per barrel.

Markets were roiled by a more than 3 percent crash of the U.S.-dollar against Japan’s yen overnight, and

after US tech giant Apple cut its sales forecast.

“We did not foresee the magnitude of the economic deceleration, particularly in Greater China,” Apple chief executive Tim Cook said.

The slowdown in China and turmoil in stock and currency markets is making investors nervous, including in oil markets.

Investment bank Jefferies said in a 2019 opening note to clients and employees that the start of the year “doesn’t feel as firm, the future doesn’t feel

as certain and optimistic, and the path forward does not seem as clear.”

The US bank added that “markets are extremely volatile and virtually impossible to anticipate or navigate.”

Oil markets have also come under pressure from a surge in supply.

US crude production stood at a record 11.7 million barrels per day (bpd) in late 2018, making the United States the world’s biggest oil producer.

Others are not sitting idle, with Russian output

reaching a record of more than 11 million bpd in 2018.

Supply from Iraq, the number two producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) behind Saudi Arabia, is also up, with December exports at 3.73 million bpd, up from 3.37 million bpd in November.

With production rising and demand growth expected to slow, many analysts expect a global oil supply overhang to build in the first months of 2019. (Reuters)

Apple blames China as it cuts forecast Apple has rattled investors with news that its sales have been slowing, blaming economic weakness in China. n a surprise disclosure, the iPhone maker said it anticipated revenue of about $84bn (£67bn) for the three months to 29 December.

In November it forecast sales of at least $89bn - a prediction that had already disappointed investors.

Apple's share price sank more than 7% in after hours trade, extending its more than 28% slide since November.

The festive season is typically Apple's strongest quarter.

But revenue of $84bn would mark an almost 5% fall from the same period last year and represent the firm's first year-on-year quarterly decline since 2016.

In a letter to investors on Wednesday, chief executive Tim Cook said the firm's sales problems were primarily in its Greater China region, which includes Hong Kong and Taiwan and accounts for almost 20% of its revenue. "While we anticipated some challenges

I

in key emerging markets, we did not foresee the magnitude of the economic deceleration, particularly in Greater China," he said.

However, he added that developed markets saw troubles as well, as fewer customers than expected chose to upgrade to Apple's newest phones. Wednesday's cut to the sales forecast marked the first time Apple has revised its guidance to investors in more than 15 years.

It appeared to confirm doubts about the firm's prospects that have troubled investors in recent months,

contributing to the broader market sell-off.

Production cuts by major suppliers had led to worries that the firm's newest phones were not gaining traction among buyers, in part due to high prices.

"The question for investors will be the extent to which Apple's aggressive pricing has exacerbated this situation and what this means for the company's longer-term pricing power within its iPhone franchise," said James Cordwell, an analyst at Atlantic Equities.

(BBC)

news

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Ramsammy’s Ruminations APNU/AFC owes the nation an explanation – Where are the Exxon US$18M and the NICIL $30B?

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hile the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government is railroading democratic norms, trying desperately to disregard the valid no-confidence motion, they are continuing reckless mismanagement and corruption.

Just so that we do not get completely blindsided by the Government's shenanigan and determination to illegally hold on to power, there are still big worries about sinister motives involving; first, the ExxonMobil US$18 million (GY$3.6 billion) bonus Dr Leslie Ramsammy Guyana received and, second, the US$150 million (GY$30 billion) loan that the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) took ostensibly for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

Two years after the ExxonMobil money was deposited into a secret Bank of Guyana account, no one today can say definitively where that money is. The ExxonMobil bonus money is now not in the Bank of Guyana. The Finance Minister told Guyana sometime back that the money is somewhere in an unknown overseas bank, but other Ministers have said different things.

One Minister said the money was used to pay lawyers defending our interests against Venezuela, even as they are asking for money in the 2018 and now the 2019 Budget for this purpose.

Another Minister has a story different from these Ministers.

Why the secret? This is not mere political malfeasance, there is suspicion of abuse.

More than a year since NICIL took a loan at 4.5 per cent supposedly to invest in creating a more efficient GuySuCo, we do not really know anything much about the money. GuySuCo has been very explicit they have not received the money. Under pressure, NICIL released about $1.5 billion to GuySuCo which used it to meet wage commitments, but the rest of more than $28 billion is now a mystery. Meanwhile, NICIL will soon pay $1.4 billion in interest on the loan and we know they paid about $2 billion to arrange the loan. But what are they doing with the rest of the money? No wonder there is conflict between the Special Purpose Unit (SPU)/NICIL and GuySuCo – a conflict simmering and boiling over, as APNU/AFC seem not to care and is totally silent. Why the mystery around this $30 billion loan?

It is brazen mismanagement and incompetence like the aforementioned and the suspicion of corruption and abuse of State resources that caused people to lose confidence in APNU/ AFC. The overwhelming feeling that APNU/AFC is clueless, but also incompetent and corrupt caused APNU/AFC to lose the No-confidence Motion in Parliament on December 21, 2018. APNU/AFC, in accordance with the Constitution, is now on a timeline to hold elections by March 21, 2019. However, APNU/AFC is presently engaged in a brazen, shameful game of deceit and buffoonery designed to sidestep the law and to hijack Guyana's democracy. Just as its parent body, the People's National Congress (PNC) did between 1964 and 1992 with rigged elections, the present APNU/AFC is trying to deny the will of the people. The truth is the Local Government Elections results in which the People’s Progressive Party secured 63 per cent of the votes and close to 70 per cent of the local government seats is reflective of the overwhelming loss of confidence among the people.

While Bharrat Jagdeo and his colleagues did a brilliant job explaining why APNU/AFC have totally lost the confidence of the people and why elections must be held now, there are persistent and explicit reminders everywhere. Last Friday, as most of the nation prepared for the New Year's Eve festivities, sugar workers at Albion Estate were not paid their weekly wages. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, performing the functions of President, had ample time engaging in “jumbie” Mathematics, desperately trying to justify that 33 is not more than 32 and, therefore, cannot be majority in a 65-seat Parliament, but he was silent, not even a moment to, at least, sympathise with the workers. As he has during all the travails of the sugar workers since May 2015, he is still silent.

APNU/AFC has been tone-deaf, arrogant, and unable to hear the cries of the people. They have been insensitive to the woes that families encounter on a daily basis, as there are fewer jobs available, more than 30,000 people losing their jobs, cost of living skyrocketing, people increasingly unable to pay bank loans, businesses closing, crime spiralling out of control etc.

With increasing frustration among the citizens everywhere, the Government's posture and attitude have become more and more distant and disconnected from the people. Thus, when the rice farmers in Essequibo protested non-payment by millers for paddy sold to them since early in the year, the Government was missing in action (MIA). It is the myriad of such travesties that caused people to lose all confidence in the APNU/AFC Government. Now they must subject themselves to the will of the people.

St Vincent Opposition legislator wants EU brought before international courts

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n opposition legislator, incensed at the move by the European Union to force Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries to adopt measures regarding the establishment of international businesses in the region, wants the matter to be taken before international courts.

Last week, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves called for a unified Caricom approach to the issue after telling legislators that some countries “have surrendered or are inclined to surrender.

“Others have compromised and accommodated but without any or much resistance.

It is not too late for coordinated creative resistance on a broad range of issues where our interest and those of the European Union do not coincide,” he added.

Attorney Kay BacchusBaptiste said Kingstown should consider taking legal action against the EU over its “extra-territorial” actions to force small states to enforce its tax laws.

Legislators here have been debating the International Business Companies (Amendment and Consolidated) (Amendment) Bill, 2018 and BacchusBaptiste said she smiled when she read the words “harmful taxation”.

“Harmful to whom? From

Attorney Kay Bacchus-Baptiste

whose perspective?

And so, I also feel that what the European Union is doing is illegal and I do not think that creative resistance by just saying so is enough,” she said, adding “I think we have to go further. I think we should challenge it in the international courts of justice because you are using your power to enforce your view.

“And I do agree that it is ruling extra territorially.

And to say it with indignation and just sit down will not make one single difference,” said Bacchus-Baptiste, a former agent in the international business sector, who warned that the EU move would, in effect, destroy the industry in small states.

Late last month, Grenada,

which is among several countries blacklisted by the European Union in 2017 as having harmful tax legislation based on EU claims that their citizens use these pieces of legislation to avoid paying taxes, repealed several pieces of legislation required for establishing international business there.

International “The Companies Act in its present construct gives incentives to foreign entities that are not domicile in Grenada and Mr Speaker it has been deem to be unfair and lacks transparency by the EU intergovernmental code of conduct group on taxation,” said Grenada’s Legal Affairs Minister Kindra Maturine-Stewart as she piloted the motion to repeal the legislation.

She told legislators that in 2017 Grenada was among a group of 90 countries that the EU selected to be screened against tax transparency, harmful tax practices and base erosion profit shifting.

Gonsalves said St. Kitts and Nevis and Barbados are reported to be crafting a path with some creative resistance.

“And I hear the language of the minister responsible for international financial services in the St. Kitts and Nevis government; in some respects, strong language. Maybe not as robust as what I am issuing

here, but, nevertheless, strong language,” Gonsalves said, noting that it may well be that Caricom did not address the matter in as coordinated a manner it should have because it is not of great moment to Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad or Guyana.

Bacchus-Baptiste said “I think that if we can say the European Union are bullies, what do we call Caricom?

A mouse? If we can say that the European Union is selfish and they are only looking out for their interest, what do we say of Caricom?

“Barbados will go their way to see how to protect their law; Grenada says well we don’t have a lot so we get rid of it, the BVI (British Virgin Islands) and the Bahamas and so, which have more investments, will try will protect it; St. Vincent has a fair amount so we will crawl along,” she said, mentioning the individual responses of some of the Caricom nation with an IBC sector.

“That is not the way to go. There is a principle in the Bible: the David and Goliath principle. And I still believe that can work today. I still believe that Cariom should come together and not be selfish and self-centred because that is what is defeating us,” she said, adding that the EU’s imposition “is what we have to call harmful taxation. (CMC)

Jamaica’s trade deficit with Caricom widens

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amaica’s trade deficit with the Caribbean Community (Caricom) increased to US$351.2 million during the period January to October last year, according to the figures released by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN).

In its International Merchandise Trade (IMT) Statistical Bulletin, STATIN said that the 2018 figure is up from the US$276.3 million recorded for the similar period in 2017.

STATIN said total imports were valued at US$414.1 million in 2018, 20.7 per cent above the similar 2017 period due mainly to increases in

the commodity groups, namely, mineral fuels, etcetera” (US$226.1 million), chemicals” (US$21.9 million) and food” (US$117.6 million).

It said total exports to Caricom decreased by 5.9 per cent to US$62.9 million when compared to the US$66.8 million recorded in 2017.

Earnings from domestic exports amounted to US$53.6 million, down from US$57.6 million in the 2017 period.

Lower exports of food (US$26.4 million) and manufactured goods” (US$2.0 million) contributed to the decease.

STATIN also reported that overall, Jamaica’s trade deficit was US$3,507.6 million for

the January to October 2018 period, 2.4 per cent above the US$3,424.3 million recorded for the comparable 2017 period.

The January to October 2018 IMT Bulletin further outlined that expenditure on total imports were valued at US$4,933.8 million, a nine per cent increase when compared to the US$4,524.6 million in 2017. Revenue from total exports were valued at US$1,426.3 million in the 2018 review period, an increase of 29.6 per cent when compared to the US$1,100.3 million recorded for the similar 2017 period.

STATIN said expenditure

on imports from the United States of America, Jamaica’s main trading partner, was valued at US$2,211.0 million, a 10.8 per cent increase when compared to 2017. On the other hand, revenues from exports to the USA totalled US$472.1 million, an increase of 10.3 per cent., resulting in a 10.9 per cent increase in the trade deficit with the USA from US$1,567.5 million in 2017 to US$1,738.9 million in 2018.

Total imports for January to October 2018 were valued at US$4,933.8 million, representing nine per cent increase when compared to the US$4,524.6 million recorded in 2017, STATIN reported. (CMC)

T&T bans importation of crossbows

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s the seemingly never-ending battle with crime continues, and police continue to snatch illegal weapons out of the hands of criminals, one weapon has gone unfettered, until Wednesday. That weapon is the crossbow.

During the weekly press briefing at the Police Administration Building on Edward Street, Port of Spain, Sgt David Swanson, second division officer in charge of the Firearms Section announced that the importation of crossbows would be restricted with immediate effect.

Swanson said the office of the Commissioner of Police will be liaising with the office of the Comptroller of the Customs and Excise Division to stymie the importation of the weapon.

“It was an unfettered industry where people were bringing in air rifles and cross-

bows and other similar items for sport,” Swanson said. “The CoP has seen it fit to put regulation to it so there is more control to who has access to these weapons.”

Swanson warned that a crossbow can fire from a “vast distance” and is a silent killer.

“You wouldn’t even know where it comes from,” he said.

Newsday understands the range of a high-powered crossbow – one which could fire at a rate of 300 feet per second – can travel a distance between

50 and 60 yards. The weapon which was invented in ancient China is still used today for sport hunting.

While Swanson said there have been no reported murders, homicides, woundings or assaults involving crossbows, the restrictions are being made as a pre-emptive measure.

"If the criminals knew the effectiveness – and thank God they didn’t – then things may have been worse.

"This is a pre-emptive

measure, because we didn’t want something to happen and someone asks why there was no regulation to the crossbows."

Swanson announced that with immediate effect, the importation and sale of air rifles will only be executed by firearm dealers. All existing import permits which belong to private citizens are with immediate effect considered null and void.

Dealers are now required to keep proper records of sale of any air rifle or crossbow and bring the sale to the attention of the Commissioner of Police.

Air rifle clubs must be registered by the Commissioner, have a certified range officer present when practising and adhere to the safety rules set by the police.

People found with air rifles, but not the relevant permission will have their rifles seized. (T&T Newsday)

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Regional

Bolsonaro gives Brazil Farm US Governor grants Caribbean Ministry powers on Indigenous nationals clemency land, in win for farmers N

N

ew Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro issued an executive order on Wednesday making the Agriculture Ministry responsible for deciding on lands claimed by Indigenous peoples, in a victory for agribusiness that will likely enrage environmentalists.

The temporary decree, which will expire unless it is ratified within 120 days by Congress, strips power over land claim decisions from Indigenous affairs agency FUNAI. It says the Agriculture Ministry will now be responsible for “identification, delimitation, demarcation and registration of lands traditionally occupied by Indigenous people”.

The move stoked concern among environmentalists and rights groups that the far-right new President, who took office on Tuesday, will open up the vast Amazon rainforest and other ecologically sensitive areas of Brazil to greater commercial exploitation.

The executive order also moves the Brazilian Forestry Service, which promotes the

Brazil’s new President Jair Bolsonaro gestures after receiving the presidential sash from outgoing President Michel Temer at the Planalto Palace, in Brasilia, Brazil, January 1, 2019

sustainable use of forests and is currently linked to the Environment Ministry, under the Agriculture Ministry control.

Additionally, the decree states that the Agriculture Ministry will be in charge of the management of public forests.

Bolsonaro, who enjoys strong support from Brazil’s powerful agribusiness sector, said during his campaign he was considering such a move, arguing that protected lands should be opened to commercial activ-

ities.

Brazil’s 900,000 Indigenous people make up less than one per cent of the population, but live on lands that stretch for 106.7 million hectares (264 million acres), or 12.5 per cent of the national territory.

“Less than a million people live in these isolated places in Brazil, where they are exploited and manipulated

by NGOs,” Bolsonaro tweeted, referring to non-profit groups. “Let us together integrate these citizens and value all Brazilians.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

Castro denounces US ‘confrontation’ as Cuba marks revolution

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ormer Cuban President Raul Castro has accused the United States of returning to its policy of confrontation.

Castro, who is still head of Cuba’s ruling Communist Party, was speaking on the 60th anniversary of the revolution led by his brother, Fidel.

He urged Cubans to prepare for all scenarios to defend their independence and said the revolution “had not aged”.

The Castro brothers, first Fidel and then Raul, ruled the country between 1959

and 2018.

Raul Castro handed over the Cuban presidency to Miguel Diaz-Canel early last year.

Relations between Cuba and the US thawed under the Obama Administration, but President Donald Trump has taken a harder line.

In 2017, Trump reimposed certain travel and trade restrictions eased by the previous US Government.

“Once again, the US Government seems to be on the road to confronting Cuba and presenting our peaceful and inclusive country as a

threat to the region,” Castro, dressed in his military uniform, said in a ceremony held near Fidel’s tomb.

“Once again, they want to make Cuba guilty of all the evils of the region.”

Castro accused “the far right” in Florida – where many Cuban exiles live – of having “confiscated US policy towards Cuba”.

“I reiterate our willingness to coexist in a civilised way despite our differences, in a relationship of peace, respect and mutual benefit with the United States.”

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Labour Ministry to dispatch 206 farmworkers to Canada

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he Jamaican Labour and Social Security Ministry says 206 farmworkers will soon leave the island to take up employment opportunities in Canada under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP).

According to the Ministry, Portfolio Minister Shahine Robinson, Permanent Secretary Colette RobertRisden and a delegation from the High Commission will dispatch the group this morning at a ceremony, which will be held at the Ministry’s Overseas This will be the first official send-off for this year Employment Services Centre in downtown Kingston. al workers who are recruited to of Jamaicans on Canadian and The SAWP, which is part meet the short-term demand of American farms yearly. of the Ministry’s Overseas manual labour during planting This will be the first official Employment Programme, in- and harvesting seasons, provid- send-off for this year. (Excerpt from volves contractual agricultur- ing opportunities for hundreds Jamaica Observer)

ew York Governor Andrew Cuomo has granted pardons to several Caribbean nationals, including five Jamaicans, convicted of minor drug and other offences, saving them from possible deportation under the Donald Trump Administration’s tough policy on immigrants.

Cuomo said he was granting clemency to 29 immigrants “who have demonstrated substantial evidence of rehabilitation and a commitment to community crime reduction.

“While President Trump shuts down the federal Government over his obsession with keeping immigrants out, New York stands strong in our support for immigrant communities,” said Cuomo, adding “these actions will help keep immigrant families together and take a critical step toward a more just, more fair and more compassionate New York.”

Five Jamaicans, a Trinidadian, one Haitian and six nationals from the Dominican Republic were among those granted pardons.

The Governor said the pardons were in recognition of the immigrants’ “rehabilitative efforts and to remove the barriers that their criminal records present to their immigration status.

“Some are facing deportation, while others wish to be able to participate in their communities as citizens of the country they call home. In each case, a pardon will make immigration-related relief possible, if not automatic,” he said.

Cuomo said one of the 29, Jamaican Olive Ferguson, 75, was convicted of attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in 1991 and that “she has been crimefree ever since”. (Excerpt from CANA News)

Chilean church abuse victims launch fresh attack on bishops

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wo victims of sexual abuse by a Roman Catholic priest in Chile launched a fresh attack on the country’s bishops on Wednesday, accusing them of failing to reform or learn from the crisis.

Juan Carlos Cruz and Jose Andres Murillo, two prominent victims of the abuse who gave evidence of their ordeal to Pope Francis in Rome, said the pontiff had also acted too slowly in handling the crisis.

Cruz said the Chilean church’s leaders, several of whom face criminal investigation for their roles in allegedly covering up abuse, had failed to follow through on their promises to institute reform.

“What we have in Chile is a veritable band of criminal Bishops,” he said. “After visiting the Pope, after everything that’s happened, that is happening with civil justice, they have learned nothing.”

Church officials declined to comment.

The Chilean Catholic Church was engulfed by scandal after a visit by the

Jose Andres Murillo, a victim of clerical sexual abuse in Chile, leaves after talking to the media during a news conference in Santiago, Chile, September 28, 2018 (file photo)

Pope in January last year that brought to the surface a string of abuse allegations now being investigated by Prosecutors.

After initially dismissing some claims, the Pope later summoned Chile’s Bishops to Rome for questioning after a Vatican investigation reported that they had been guilty of “grave negligence” in investigating abuse in the church.

The Pope has accepted the resignations of sev-

en Chilean Bishops, and the country’s episcopal conference has vowed to tighten up child protection measures and work more closely with civil authorities to bring abusers to justice.

But the archbishop of Santiago, Ricardo Ezzati, remains in his post despite facing abuse cover-up allegations – accusations that he, like most of the Chilean church’s senior leadership, denies. (Excerpt from Reuters)

T&T: Homeless man is murder victim one A homeless man is the first recorded murder victim of 2019 after he was found with his head bashed in at a Sea Lots scrap yard in Trinidad.

Police were called to the Suck a Sweetie Old Metal and Marine Stores scrap yard at Concession Drive at around 11:00h, after the body of 55-year-old Daniel Mahabir was found by a contractor about half an hour earlier.

The contractor made a routine check of the yard on New Year’s Day when he saw Mahabir, a regular in the scrap yard, lying motion-

less on his stomach.

When he went closer, he realised Mahabir’s head was covered by a large slab of concrete. The contractor looked closer and realised that Mahabir had a wound to head and was not breathing.

Officers from the Port-ofSpain Division visited the scene and upon initial investigation, labelled the incident as a homicide as there appeared to be evidence of a struggle.

Police suspect Mahabir may have got into an argument with another man who was patrolling the yard

for items to salvage, sparking a fight which lead to Mahabir’s gruesome death.

Guardian Media was told that Mahabir was homeless and that he was known to sleep in the scrap yard on most nights.

His death was said to be the first murder for the new year. Last year, five murders were recorded on New Year’s Day. The T&T Police Service stated that the murder toll for 2018 was 516, officially the second highest toll recorded in the country’s history since Independence.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

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Around the World

US shutdown: Trump shows no signs North Korea warns of ‘new path’, but of budging on wall funds demand

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resident Donald Trump showed no signs on budging on his demand for border wall funding ahead of a border security meeting between congressional leaders and the President on Wednesday, the 12th day of a partial federal Government shutdown.

The shutdown, which began on December 22, was triggered by the Republican President’s demand for more than US$5 billion to fund a wall on the US’s southern border.

Trump told reporters on Wednesday that the shutdown could last a “long time”, saying that the wall is “too important of a subject to walk away from”.

“I think the people of this

A sign declares the National Archive is closed due to a partial federal government shutdown in Washington, DC [Joshua Roberts/Reuters]

country think I am right,” Trump said, and it “could be a long time” before the Government reopens.

Trump also rejected his own Administration’s offer to accept US$2.5 billion for the wall. That of-

fer was made when Vice President Mike Pence and other top officials met with Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer at the start of the shutdown.

Wednesday’s comments come ahead of a planned

briefing at the White House by senior Department of Homeland Security officials who Trump said will “make a plea” to congressional leaders for the border wall.

It will be the first meeting between Trump and Democrats since the shutdown began.

It was unclear if the meeting would lead to a breakthrough in the standoff over a funding dispute.

When Democrats, led by presumptive House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, take over the House today, they plan to approve a two-part spending package meant to end the shutdown. But its prospects of passage are grim in the Senate, where Republicans hold a majority. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

options limited

I

n his New Year address on Tuesday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned he might take a “new path” if Washington maintains sanctions amid his country’s push for economic development, but experts say it may be too late to change the trajectory of negotiations.

Kim did not specify what the new approach might be. His warning may sound similar to the bellicose rhetoric that Pyongyang often deployed before last year’s summit, but he cannot jeopardise the hard-won thaw and has few options beyond appealing directly to US

President Donald Trump, experts say.

State media have in recent weeks accused the State Department of risking returning to “exchanges of fire” of the past by ramping up sanctions, while crediting Trump for his efforts to continue talks.

As both sides struggle to find a breakthrough in stalled talks, the speech shows Kim shifting the focus from calls for complete dismantlement of its nuclear arsenal and hinting at including countries other than the United States. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Train accident on Danish Xi: Nobody can change fact Taiwan is part of China bridge kills 6

C

The incident closed the bridge linking the islands of Zealand and Funen

S

ix people have been killed and 16 injured in a train accident on the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark.

Rail network officials said debris from a freight train – possibly a tarpaulin – hit a commuter train during a heavy storm, forcing it to brake suddenly.

Rescuers are working to free around 100 passengers who remain trapped on board.

The debris struck the commuter train – running from Odense to the capital Copenhagen – about 07:35 local time (06:35 GMT).

“Ordinary Danes on

their way to work or home from Christmas holidays have had their lives broken,” Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen tweeted, saying the accident had “shaken us all”.

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven also tweeted to say he had spoken to Rasmussen after the “terrible accident”.

Images from the scene show heavy goods vehicle trailers on the freight train with their sides torn off.

Emergency services reportedly struggled in the bad weather to reach the passenger train, which came to a stop

on the bridge.

“There was a loud crash and the windows started smashing onto our heads,” passenger Heidi Langberg Zumbusch told Danish broadcaster DR. “We flew down onto the floor, and then the train stopped.”

Zumbusch said fellow passengers told her the side of the carriage in front of theirs had been ripped off.

“We were lucky. The people in the carriage in front of us were not so lucky,” she said.

There were 131 passengers and three crew members on board at the time of the accident. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Centuries-old ban on the entry of women of reproductive age broken at temple

T

wo women in India’s southern Kerala state have breached a centuries-old ban on entering an ancient Hindu temple, despite strong protests by right-wing conservative groups.

Bindu and Kanakadurga, who were in their forties, walked into the Sabarimala Temple at 03:45h on Wednesday, according to the ANI news agency.

The temple had been closed off to women of menstruating age until India’s Supreme Court overturned the ban in September.

However, opponents of the ruling continued to block

women between the ages of 10 and 50 from entering the shrine.

“Today, two women entered Sabarimala Temple.

We had issued standing orders to Police to provide all possible protection to any woman who wants to enter the temple,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters in Kerala’s capital city, Trivandrum.

A video posted online by ANI showed the two women, clothed in black, hurriedly walking into the temple.

They offered prayers there, ANI said.

The temple was briefly shut down following the

move for a “purification ritual” by priests.

According to the Sabarimala temple’s website, women of menstruating age were not allowed to enter the shrine because its deity, Lord Ayyappa, was celibate.

Since the top court’s verdict, Hindu hardliners, opposed to the decision, have attacked female pilgrims, threatened Journalists and pelted Police with stones.

On Tuesday, tens of thousands of women in Kerala formed a 620-kilometre human chain “in support of gender equality” from Kasargod in the north to the capital, Trivandrum. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

hinese President Xi Jinping has said that no one can change the fact that Taiwan is “part of China”, adding that Beijing will not give up the use of military force as an option to ensure “reunification”.

Xi made the comments on Wednesday in a speech marking the 40th anniversary of a policy statement that eventually led to a thaw in relations with the selfruled island.

“We are firmly against those who conspire behind the idea of ‘Two China’, or ‘One China-One Taiwan’, or Taiwan Independence,” Xi said in a part of his first major speech addressing the people of what Beijing considers a breakaway province.

“We have achieved great victory on defeating any pro-independence or separatist activities. Nobody,

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Tsai Ing-wen

and no party, can change the historical and legal that Taiwan is part of China and that both sides of the strait belong to China,” Xi said in Beijing.

China “reserves the option of taking all necessary measures” against outside forces that interfere with peaceful reunification and Taiwan Independence separatist activities, he added.

His speech came a day af-

ter Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan called on China to seek a peaceful solution over their differences, insisting people on the island want to maintain self-rule.

“I would like to call on China to face squarely the reality of the existence of the Republic of China on Taiwan,” Tsai said in a New Year’s Day address, referring to the island’s formal name. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Jacob Zuma: Ex-South Africa President in row over music album

Jacob Zuma’s trademark song is the anti-apartheid anthem Umshini Wami, which translates as “Bring Me My Machine Gun”

S

outh Africa’s ex-President Jacob Zuma is embroiled in a new political row –- after signing an unexpected record deal.

The eThekwini district agreed to fund an album of protest songs sung by him,

which officials said would preserve an aspect of cultural heritage.

But South Africa’s Opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has branded the move a waste of resources.

Zuma often sings his trademark tune, “Bring Me My Machine Gun”, at rallies.

EThekwini is a district in KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma’s home province and the heartland of his support base.

Local DA leader Zwakele Mncwango argued that the area’s Government resources should be used to help young people launch careers in music.

“We’re for promoting of culture and heritage. Our problem is when the municipality is wasting money on a former president who is trying his luck on the music industry, while we have upcoming artists who need assistance,” local outlet eNCA quoted him as saying. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

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ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Take a break, do something interesting or learn something new. Broaden your horizons and consider what you’d like to do next.

Make a commitment to a loved one.

Rely on your resources, skills and connections to help you get things done your way. If you pay extra attention to your partnerships, you will learn something valuable.

Only trust people who actually live up to their promises. A financial change will help you save money and spend less of it.

Consider what you can do differently to get ahead.

Set an example for others to gain respect and admiration. Romance is in the stars.

Taking a day trip or visiting someone who has something to offer will open a window of opportunity.

Don’t hesitate to make a decision or move.

Size up a situation you face and do your homework.

Knowing what you are up against will help you come to a decision that will resolve a pending problem.

Avoid excessive situations or behavior.

Learn all you can about LIBRA (Sept. 23- a situation before you make Oct. 23) a decision. Don’t fold under pressure. Make choices based on what’s best for you.

Say what’s on your mind and take action.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Share ideas and see who the best candidate is to help you pursue your goal.

Choosing to live an unusual lifestyle will bring out the best in you.

Emotions will take SAGITTARIUS charge and lead the way.

(Nov. 23- Before you reveal someDec. 21) thing, consider the consequences. Be smart about the information you share and the people you trust.

Tuesday’s Word

solution for LAST PUBLISHED puzzle

Keeping busy should be CAPRICORN your prime objective. Search (Dec. 22- for ways to make your life Jan. 19) better. If you think about what’s important, you’ll know exactly what to let go of.

Expand your interAQUARIUS ests and circle of friends.

(Jan. 20- Information will be shared if Feb. 19) you get in touch with an old friend or colleague. A new direction is encouraged.

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

Gather information from PISCES (Feb. 20- people you know you can March 20) trust, not someone who is manipulative or uninformed.

A personal improvement or change is favored. Romance is highlighted.

tHURsdAY, January 3, 2019

19

Integrating cricket and academics: Dominik Samuels – Windies, Jamaican youth player and UWI medical student

By Brandon Corlette

“I

f there is any Guyanese player I had to

admire, it will definitely be the illustrious and resilient Shivnarine Chanderpaul; he is not the flashiest guy, but the most effective and hardworking” Jamaican Dominik Samuels mused in his interview with Guyana Times Sport.

With nine Grade Ones at the Caribbean S e c o n d a r y E d u c a t i o n Certificate ( C S E C ) Examinations and seven Grade Ones at the Caribbean A d v a n c e d P r o f i c i e n c y Examinations (CAPE), the

Jamaica Under-19 and Windies youth player is an inspiration to all young cricketers. Born on December 21, 1999, Samuels took time off his busy schedule to share his journey so far with this publication in an exclusive interview.

Having represented the West Indies at the Under-15 level and Jamaica at all youth levels, the teenager has passed through the ranks and is one to keep an eye out for in the near future.

The son of Raymond Samuels and Debbie Webster-Samuels, the elegant right-handed batsman hails from Liguanea, Kingston, Jamaica.

Coming from a family with rich cricketing knowledge, Samuels attended St Peter and Paul Preparatory (primary) and Campion College (secondary) schools.

Presently, he is a firstyear medical student at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus and he

represents Kingston Cricket Club.

Samuels told this reporter that it was very important for every cricketer to have a solid education, as cricket is a sport in which players are susceptible to pick up injuries and a career can end within moments.

“Education is a backup and cricketers will need something to fall back on,” he explained. He further emphasised that education helped to integrate individuals into society and instilled moral values whereby the society could look up to them.

At age seven, Samuels, who was living in Barbados at the time, started his cricket career, playing for his school and the Wanderers Cricket Club. He is inspired by his father, who has been a personal coach to him; his mother and his sister. When asked who was his favourite cricketer, he responded: “Virat Kohli: he is confident, consistent and crafty; he is

the personification of what a modern-day player should be. Kohli is very admirable.” Samuels, who attended the same school as Brandon King emulates his schoolmate, who is an aggressive Jamaican and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots batsman.

Samuels will be aiming to represent the West Indies at the international level, but if not selected to represent the Caribbean side, he told this reporter that he would pursue a medical career. As an athlete and a sports lover, the ambitious medical student will be aiming to build a career in sports medicine and orthopaedic surgery.

This will be a suitable field for the youngster since he understands the psychology of cricketers.

D o m i n i k Samuels is a special individual, having achieved a rare feat, playing regional cricket and repre-

senting West Indies at the Under-15 level, but simultaneously pursuing tertiary studies. Most Guyanese cricketers give the sport their undivided attention and fail to pursue higher education, Samuels’s story will remind Guyanese cricketers of the importance of education.

13 Championships, 718 activities complete a successful 2018 for RHTY&SC

“E

veryone in this Club works very hard to make a positive difference as we strongly believe in the work we do. We set ourselves a target of 700 activities/programmes for 2018 and every day we worked hard to fulfil it. It was very difficult due to our Secretary/ CEO full-time commitment to Berbice Cricket, but the rest of our management stepped in to pick up the mantle.”

Those were the words of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) Assistant Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), 19-year-old Simon Naidu as he described 2018 as the best year ever in the 28-year history of the Club, widely described as Guyana’s most dynamic youth and sports club.

Apart from totally dominating cricket in the Ancient County on the field, the Club also completed 718 activities under a wide range of sub-headings that included sports, education, charity, cricket development, community development, anti-crime, anti-alcohol, anti-suicide, a Christmas outreach, religious activities, Dare to Dream, social, medical, coaching and anti-to-

bacco programmes.

On the cricket field, the RHTY&SC won the following major cricket tournaments: Ramnaresh Sarwan Under-17, New York Business Group Under-19, Patron’s Cup First Division, Skyy Vodka 20/20 First Division, Pepsi First Division 50-Over, Busta Champion of Champions 40-Over, Brian Ramphal Double Wicket First Division, Naeem Nasir Memorial, Rhonda Lewis Memorial 20/20, Raffik Construction 100 Balls, Nand Persaud Females, Magic Moments 20/20, and Roy Fredericks Memorial Cup. The Club were also the runners-up in the Mike’s Pharmacy Under-15, Elizabeth Styles Under-21, and Da Silva Under-13 tourneys. Sixteen of the Club’s members went on to play regional cricket in 2018: Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Jeremy Sandia, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Kevin Sinclair, Clinton Pestano, Assad Fudadin, Shabiki Gajnabi, Rushanna Lynch, Sheneeta Grimmond, Uma Matadin, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Melanie Henry and Plaffiana Millington.

RHTY&SC Assistant Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu

Several others like Matthew Pottaya, Keith Simpson, Marian Samaroo, Dian Prahalad, Sherica Campbelle, Chanderpaul Govindan, Kimmone Thomas and Kassie Munroe all played for Berbice at the inter-county level.

Off the field, the Club hosted Guyana’s largest cricket academy with over a hundred youths and a $3 million award ceremony for its members.

The RHTY&SC also single-handedly raised over $10 million in cash and kind for the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB); used $2 million of its own funds to assist its Secretary to fulfil his duties as President of the Board and donated over $3 million worth of crick-

et gear, including balls, stumps, and scorebooks in a joint effort with the Berbice Board. More than 20 promising young cricketers benefited from cricket bats from the Club’s Patron Fund while Club members also carried home close to $1 million worth of gear as part of the Club’s comprehensive cricket programme for clubs, churches, schools and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that also received $1 million in trophies, medals and special prizes. The Club co-hosted the Patron’s Cup, GBTI Inter-Secondary School, Busta Champion of Champions and Naeem Nasir Memorial Cricket Tournaments with the BCB. Other major pro-

grammes/activities done in 2018 include Republic Bank Educational Camp, Monthly Pensioners Project, Scotiabank Mash Parade, Scotiabank Tribute to Outstanding Teachers, Grade Six Top Ten Award, Tribute to Law Enforcement Officers, Tribute to Retired Teachers, Medical Clinics, Annual Youth Review Magazine, Say No to Drugs Posters, DTV-8 Mother of the Year, Walter Nero Memorial Father’s Day Programme, Say No to Crime Stickers, $1 million school bags project, ANSA McAL Award of Excellence, Gregory Gaskin Memorial Berbice Sports Awards, Dolphin Awards, feeding of the poor, the debating competition, spelling bee and educational scholarships.

Naidu, who, despite his tender age, has taken over the daily operations of the Club, stated that two of the most cherished programmes were the Patron’s Fund (third edition) and the 28th Annual Christmas Programme. Under the Patron’s Fund in honour of President David Granger 73rd birthday, the Club distributed millions of dollars worth of cricket bats, bicycles, exercise books, school bags and educational mate-

rials, while the Christmas programme included the distribution of 4000 toys, 300 food hampers, educational materials, wheel chairs, clocks, personal care products, clothing and sport gear to children, churches, NGOs, less fortunate families and the elderly.

The Club’s fourth annual Christmas Village, which was a $1.5 million investment, was visited by close to 8000 youths. The Club also assisted approximately 80 sport events in Berbice and across Guyana in the cycling, softball, dominoes, football, chess, table tennis, basketball and volleyball disciplines.

Naidu disclosed that the RHTY&SC have no major new plans for 2019, but will continue to focus on making positive differences in the lives of others and continuing its dominance on the cricket field. The Assistant Secretary/CEO also expressed gratitude to the Club’s Patron, President Granger; its numerous sponsors and donors; the media, the Rose Hall Town Council; the Government of Guyana; the Region Six Regional Democratic Council (RDC); the Guyana Police Force and all those who assisted during 2018.

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tHURsdAY, January 3, 2019

RHTY&SC cricket teams successfully hold Christmas Village, Christmas Charity Programme festive season brighter for the less fortunate, single-parent households and children. The multimillion-dollar initiative involved the distribution of 4000 toys, 300 food hampers, educational materials, clocks, personal care products, vitamins, clothing, wheel chairs, umbrel-

homes, and orphanages.

In addition to this, the cricketers also provided breakfast and refreshments to hundreds of pensioners as they waited to uplift their monthly Old Age Pension. Hundreds of elderly citizens were provided with a desk clock as a special gift while school age

HA Snacks, Sueria Manufacturing, Factory Price, Food For The Poor, Mike’s Pharmacy, Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh, Brian Ramphal, Busta, Starr Computers, Toucan Industries, Farfan & Mendes Ltd, Bounty Farm Ltd, WR Enterprise, AM Khan, F &H Printery, Sentinel Security,

Young cricketers of the RHTY&SC take a photo opportunity with several children who received toys and educational materials

N

ow that the dust has settled after the Christmas season, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) have declared that their two seasonal activities have been resounding successes.

The Sports Club over the period December 1028, 2018 gathered the members of a whopping 10 teams and were involved in several major activities to make a positive difference during the festive season.

The teams were under the supervision of Assistant Secretary/ CEO Simon Naidu, who organised the fourth Annual Christmas Village and the 28th Annual Christmas Charity Programme.

The Christmas Village was hosted from December

21 to 24, in the Rose Hall Town Primary School Ground. With the 10 cricket teams on board, the players transformed the entire compound of the School into a dreamland for the excited 8000 children and adults who visited the Village over its four-day duration.

The Village included attractions such as Nativity scenes, a 20- foot Christmas tree, a Christmas Chimney, Christmas Star, Santa and his Sleigh, the Christmas Home, 15 large inflatable Christmas characters, outdoor tents, computer games, horror house, children games, photo studio, bouncy castles and trampolines.

Naidu stated that the objectives of the Village were to promote the true traditions of Christmas,

stimulating social cohesion, attracting visitors to Guyana’s smallest township and providing a safe environment for families.

The 2018 Christmas Village was hosted to the tune of $1.5 million (provided by the Club) and was made possible with the assistance of the National Milling Company, J’s Printery, Peter Lewis, Associated Construction Services, Donna Charran and Family, Mrs Lucille George, Sarah Chinsammy, the Nero Family, Lindon Lewis, Pastor Ravi Singh, Errol Hendrax, Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh, Brian Ramphal, and KSM Investments.

On the other hand, the 28th Annual Christmas Charity Programme’s main objective was to make the

A section of the Christmas House within the Christmas Village

las, household items and sports gears to children, families and NGOs. Among those receiving donations from the cricket teams were the Williamsburg Lutheran church, Sharon Congregational Church, the New Amsterdam Prison Service, Corriverton Anglican Church, Rose Hall Town Wesleyan Church, Berbice Cricket Umpires Association, senior citizens

children received school books, pencils, pens, sharpeners, erasers, vitamins and a bag of goodies.

The RHTY&SC have expressed gratitude to the Ministry of the Presidency, Office of the Prime Minister, President Granger, Guyana National Newspapers Limited, Power Producers & Distributors, KSM Investments, ANSA McAL Trading, Bissan Trading,

Colin Elcock, Delmur Shipping, LOTTO, V Net Communication, Regal Enterprise, Canadian Surplus, Universal DVD, Len’s Craft, Anil Beharry, Kishon Sarwan, the Gift Centre, Chief Brand, Sterling Products, Cirkel Distributors and the Office of the First Lady for their continued contributions to the Club’s success.

Murray, Edmund beaten at the Brisbane International A ndy Murray's latest comeback ended after he was outplayed by Russia's Daniil M edv edev in the second round of the

B r i s b a n e International.

The Briton, in his first tournament since September, pushed Medvedev before the world number 16 took control at the end of the first set.

Murray, 31, looked to wane as the 22-year-old continued to overpower him and win 7-5 6-2 in one hour and 21 minutes.

The Scot is ranked

240th in the world after playing six tournaments in 2018.

"When you play better players they will expose any errors that you make in your game or any shots that you're not hitting particularly well. And he did that," Murray said.

After his opening round win over Australian wildcard James

Duckworth, Murray admitted he did not know how much longer he would be able to play top-level tennis after hip surgery last January.

His next scheduled tour-

nament is the Australian Open - the first Grand Slam of the year, which starts on 14 January - although he could decide to take a wildcard for next week's Sydney International.

Murray's exit ended British interest in

Andy Murray was facing Medvedev for first time

Brisbane, with his defeat coming shortly after Kyle Edmund - the man who replaced him as British number one - also lost.

Edmund, the world number 14 and third seed, suffered a shock defeat by Japan's world number 185 Yasutaka Uchiyama, who won 7-6 (8-6) 6-4.

The Yorkshireman, who had a bye in the first round, failed to convert two set points in the opening set against the qualifier.

He was

broken to love in the third game of the second set and Uchiyama went on to wrap it up quickly.

In the women's event, Johanna Konta's campaign also ended in round two after defeat by Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic, while British number four Harriet Dart lost 6-2 6-0 to Latvian world number 11 Anastasija Sevastova.

Rafael Nadal withdraws

Rafael Nadal pulled out of the Brisbane International with a left thigh strain but hopes to be fit for the Australian Open this month.

The world number two said he had wanted to play but that after an MRI scan his doctors had advised him not to.

"They say if I play here, there is a risk... to not have the chance to play Melbourne," he said in a

statement.

The Spaniard, 32, missed November's ATP Finals to have ankle surgery, having also had an abdominal muscle problem.

Japan's Taro Daniel will replace Nadal in round two in Brisbane against Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Nadal withdrew from an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi last week after losing his opening match to Kevin Anderson.

"I felt a little bit the leg, the tightening in Abu Dhabi," the 17-time Grand Slam singles champion said.

"I have to be ready to understand that this kind of stuff happens when you're coming back from injuries. I have to accept and keep going."

The Australian Open in Melbourne runs from 14-27 January. (BBC Sport)

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21

Trophy Stall Doubles Championship gears up for exciting close T

he curtains will come down tomorrow on the ninth annual Trophy Stall Doubles Championships with some exciting lawn tennis action ready to be staged.

The tournament, which has been continuously supported by the Trophy Stall, gives players of all ages the opportunity to team up with a partner and compete against players who are far ahead in age or experience.

Nevertheless, the open tournament has been an excellent learning ground for the past nine years.

The 2018 instalment of the tournament has brought

no less action than in previous years, with some of the usual suspects gearing up to compete in the finals whilst there were some shocking wins. The matches have so far been played at the Le Ressouvenir Tennis Court and the National Racquet Centre.

The male doubles category was an intense one with over 12 pairs competing for the top spot. When the dust settled, Phillip Squires and Joseph De Jonge, Heimraj Resaul and Jordan Beaton, and Joshua Kalekyezi and Viraj Sharma were among the pairs who are charging towards the top spot.

After receiving a bye in their first round, Phillip Squires and Joseph De Jonge capitalised greatly when they overcame Vadeanand Resaul and Jeremiah Kalekyezi 6-0, 6-1, in the quarter-final.

Heimraj Resaul and Jordan Beaton had the same luck as they received a bye in the first round and then went on to defeat Mark Mc Donald and Ronald Murray 7-5, 1-0 to advance to the semis.

Joshua Kalekyezi and Viraj Sharma later made light work of Nicholas Glasgow and Orande Dainty 6-1, 6-1 to secure their semi-final spot as well.

The mixed doubles category was also one to watch and is promising a monumental clash for the title when the final is staged.

In the quarter-final round, Khalid Gobin and Donna Walcott came from behind to defeat Rafael Nunes and Grace McCalman 1-6, 6-2, 6-4.

Joseph De Jonge and Fiona Bushell overpowered David Rose and Dacia George 6-2, 6-2. Philip Squires and Shelly Daly Ramdyhan then got past Vadeanand Resaul and Saskia Persaud 6-3, 6-2, while Afruica Gentle and Benjettan Osbourne overcame Heimraj Resaul and

Kalyca Fraser 7-6 (2), 2-6, 6-0 in a hard-fought battle to complete the semi-final pairs.

Over in the semis, Gentle and Osbourne got the better of Joseph De Jonge and Fiona Bushell 6-3, 6-2, to seal their spot in the final.

The other spot was taken

by Philip Squires and Shelly Daly Ramdyhan, who overpowered Khalid Gobin and Donna Walcott 6-1 6-2.

The ninth annual Trophy Stall Doubles Championships will conclude tomorrow at the Le Ressouvenir Tennis Club Court.

Pybus named West Indies Head Coach R

ichard Pybus, West Indies' high performance director, has agreed to take up the role of head coach full-time, replacing the interim coach Nic Pothas.

Pybus' contract will effectively run until the 2019 Test series against India, which follows the ODI World Cup in England that is scheduled for JuneJuly 2019.

The position of West Indies head coach had been vacant since Stuart Law resigned from the position less than two years into his job. He left West Indies to take up a four-year contract with the English county team Middlesex.

As

Windies Head Coach, Law won six out of 15 Tests, including a famous chase of 322 at Headingley against England, and secured series wins over Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, as well as a draw with Sri Lanka.

The team's record was even more impressive in T20Is - eight wins in 19 matches including victory over a World XI team at Lord's in May 2018.

Pothas, who was originally the fielding coach, made interim head coach for the recent tour of Bangladesh that followed Law's exit. West Indies lost Test and ODI series 2-0 and 2-1 respectively, and won the T20Is 2-1.

Pybus, who took over as high performance director in February 2018, his role prior to this, required him to work alongside selectors and coaches across all levels of the game in the Caribbean. He had previously served as West Indies' director of cricket from 2013 to the end of 2016, when he chose not to renew his contract. (ESPN cricinfo)

Richard Pybus presented the 2016-17 Regional 4-day Trophy to Guyana Jaguars Captain Leon Johnson

Man City are still the best in the world – Klopp L

iverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says Manchester City are "still the best team in the world", despite his side being top of the Premier League and seven points ahead of the champions.

Klopp's side face City at Etihad Stadium on Thursday at 20:00 GMT. City have lost two of their past three league games and are third, a point behind second-placed Tottenham.

But Klopp said facing City is "one of the most difficult games you can play in the modern football world".

"We have to be prepared as good as possible, we have to be brave, we have to be full of desire, angry, like in all the other games," said Klopp.

"But with the knowledge the opponent is, for me, still the best team in the world.

Jurgen Klopp (L) and Pep Guardiola during one of their side’s intense battles

Only the points changed, not the preparation for the game."

City, who won the league last season with a record 100 points, have not won in four games against Liverpool and drew 0-0 when the teams

met at Anfield in October.

Liverpool, who are chasing their first league title since 1989-90, are the only unbeaten side in the league this season.

The Anfield club's manager is adamant Guardiola's

side remain a huge threat to Liverpool's hopes of ending their title drought.

"If we were 10 points behind would I say we can't catch them? Of course not," said Klopp.

"It's 3 January. A very

important game - a kind of six-point game. It's a motivation for them 100%, and we need to be ready."

Klopp believes Liverpool's victory against City - who were clear favourites before the tie across two legs on their way to reaching last season's Champions League final was a significant step in his side's development.

"Results and performances give confidence. We have results and performances," he said.

"Our boys have quality.

As long as we mix up potential with attitude there will be quality.

"We got rid of the backpack when we reached the Champions League final.

"That was the moment when the boys did something special. Since then it feels different." (BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tHURsdAY, JANUARY 3, 2019

Sky Plus Den Amstel sink Buxton Incorporated to claim coveted title horse racing – Conquerors humble Tigers for 3rd meet on Sunday A GFF/Stag Super 16 Tournament…

ction in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/Stag Super 16 Year-End Tournament rang in the new year with new champions as Den Amstel defeated the home team, Buxton United, to capture the title at the Buxton Community Centre Ground.

It was expected that the Buxtonians, playing on home turf, would have the upper hand against Den Amstel, but things did not go according to plan as the visitors won 2-0.

Both sides searched in vain for first blood during the first 45 minutes of play, but Buxton United’s defence began to wither as the clock continued to tick.

However, both teams continued to attack, and Den Amstel gained the lead two minutes into the second half, compliments of the inform Jamal Harvey.

Needing an equaliser, Buxton upped the ante and switched gears pushing Den Amstel's defence to the limit with a boisterous crowd be-

Part of the ongoing action

hind them.

The home team proceeded to make two substitutions in the 77th minute, but those did not help the situation. Things then took a turn for the worse in the 85th minute as Jamar Horrigon plunged the team’s hard work into the drain when

he conceded an own goal to leave the team and the fans in utter shock.

From there on, it was easy work for Den Amstel, who then calmly made it to the regulation time whistle against a now dejected Buxton United.

Meanwhile, in the third-

place showdown, the Fruta Conquerors brushed aside Western Tigers 2-0, as Nicholas Mc Arthur scored his team’s only goal in the 61st minute and Western Tigers Raphael Edwards’ own goal in the 75th minute handed Conquerors the victory.

BCB members demand return of Senior Inter-County Tournament T he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday last held its Annual General Meeting at its Cheddi Jagan Street, New Amsterdam head office.

President Hilbert Foster along with Vice President Qualis Winter, Jevaughn Stephen and Secretary Robby Saywack presided over a very cordial meeting, which attracted delegates from Albion Community Centre Club, Port Mourant Cricket Club, Upper Corentyne Cricket Association, Young Warriors Cricket Club, Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club(RHTY&SC), Chesney Cricket Club, Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club, Kildonan Cricket Club, Mount Sinai Cricket Club, Mental Hospital Cricket Club and Guymine Sports Club.

No delegates from West Berbice Cricket Association, Blairmont Community Centre Club, Berbice River Cricket Association and Police Sports Club were present at the meeting, which approved the

minutes of the two special meetings held during the month of December 2018.

Delegates also discussed reports from the President, Secretary, and Treasurer for 2018 and also plans for 2019 which include the hosting of a Two-Day First Division Tournament, seeking sponsorship for the con-

struction of an indoor practice facility, more coaching programmes for junior cricketers, repairs to the BCB office, and preparation for Inter-County Tournaments.

Delegates hailed the outstanding work of the BCB in 2018 and the remarkable progress made on and off the cricket field.

Foster presented an inclusive four-page report which included updates on the 30 cricket tournaments hosted by the

Board, developmental programmes and the success of the Board’s sponsorship drive throughout the year which resulted in $10 million in cash and kind.

Delegates based on a recommendation from Vemen Walter of the Albion Community Centre Club approved a motion for the return of the Senior Inter-County Championship, the symbol of cricket supremacy in Guyana.

The delegates also approved motions from the floor for the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to pay Berbice its annual subvention. The subvention is not a prize to be used to demand loyalty

but for cricket development.

The Board delegates noted the BCB has not received a subvention from the GCB since Keith Foster became President in 2008.

During the meeting, the delegates expressed total disappointment that Berbice players were being forced to travel to the city as many as four times per week for training sessions.

Delegates demanded that the GCB review this system, which is very costly financially, especially on those players who are earning $75,000 per month.

It was noted that the GCB has a multimillion-dollar Cricket Hostel which is locked up while Berbice cricketers have to either travel daily or pay huge monthly rentals in the city. Delegates also disclosed that Berbice has two Level Three Coaches, adequate practice facilities and a modern gym, and urged the GCB to allow the players to train at home.

Representatives as a united body also demanded that the GCB disclose the criteria used to select the Club of the Year. They were very vocal over the county’s most dominant Club, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) non-selection, as Guyana’s Club of the Year.

T

Part of the proceedings in 2017

he 2019 horse racing season will commence immediately with the staging of the Sky Plus Incorporated Promotion Group Horse Race Meet on Sunday, January 6, at Number 36 Village, Macedonia Estate, Corentyne.

The company has one of the most prestigious facilities – the only horseracing facility where the horses run in a straight line from start to finish, in races that usually cover 660 and 880 yards.

On Sunday, the card will consist of seven races, and over $4 million in cash, trophies and other incentives will be up for grabs.

Headlining the meet will be the H and Lower race, which will be run over four furlongs and has a winning purse of $240,000.

There will also be the event for three-year-old animals which will cover over 880 yards with $200,000 up for the taking.

In the classified J and Lower, horses will compete for the $180,000 top prize while in the K Class and Lower race, rivals thrash it out for the first prize of $140,000.

The event will also feature three L Class races, one for male horses which will be over four furlongs and two for female horses which will cover over three furlongs with $100,000 and a trophy up for grabs.

The other L Class event will see the non-earners from the other two L Class races competing for a winner’s purse of $100,000 and a trophy over three furlongs. The champion jockey, trainer and stable will be awarded individual prizes.

Persons interested are asked to make contact with Mohini on 600-4728 or Amanda on 618-5966.

The Sky Plus Incorporated Promotion Group is a subsidiary of the Nand Persaud Group of Companies.

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THURSdAY, JANUaRY 3, 2019

23

Jaguars, Pride lock horns in tomorrow’s top-of-table clash – Windies players return to regional level

By Brandon

Raymon Reifer

T

Corlette

he Guyana Jaguars d e parted Guyana on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 for their thirdround clash against the Barbados Pride.

In the much-anticipated encounter, between arguably the best two teams in the Region, the Kensington Oval will come alive on Friday, January 4, 2019.

The Guyana Jaguars registered two resounding victories in the first two rounds: a nine-wicket win against the Leeward Hurricanes and a 125-run win against the Windward Volcanoes.

Meanwhile, the Barbados Pride registered a dramatic 41-run win against Jamaica Scorpions and lost to Leeward Hurricanes by 34 runs.

The dynamics of both teams are set to change, with West Indies players returning for the third-round clash.

Guyana Jaguars have welcomed Windies trio Sherfane Rutherford, Raymon Reifer and Chanderpaul Hemraj.

Barbados Pride look a formidable unit heading into the third round, as West Indies highest-ranked ODI batsman and Test player, Shai Hope will return.

Other notable players that may feature in the formidable Pride unit are Test opener Kraigg Brathwaite, T20 International skipper Carlos Brathwaite, Roston Chase, and fast bowler Kemar Roach.

Barbados Pride’s first win of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Four-Day Tournament saw Test spinner Jomel Warrican snaring 12 wickets in a match-winning performance. Pride batsmen will be looking to redeem themselves against the dominant Guyana Jaguars unit. Pride had scores of 167 and 187 in their victory against the Jamaica Scorpions. Jonathan Carter, who has been the most promising Pride batsman this season with 142 runs, will be seeking to capitalise after scoring two half-centuries in as many matches.

Miguel Cummings is the leading fast bowler after the first two rounds of the Regional Four-Day Tournament with nine wickets and his best bowling figures being 4-19. The Barbados Pride newcomer, Hayden Walsh has also

Roston Chase

showed promise picking up a five-wicket haul in the first round. The Barbados team that showed holes in their batting will be mended by the likes of Hope and Kraigg Brathwaite, while Kemar Roach will complete the strong bowling opposition.

The Guyana Jaguars will not be intimidated by this opposition; the team coached by Esuan Crandon will be seeking to extend their dominance in Regional Four-Day cricket.

On the Kensington pitch that is bound to support fast bowl-

ers and offer little support to spinners, the Jaguars outfit is well-equipped with the necessary variety to extend their unbeaten run.

The Jaguars may be forced to change their winning combination from the second round.

A team that consist of numerous all-rounders may force a seasoned player to relinquish his place in the starting XI for a Windies player.

This third round will be of great importance to all the players in the various teams,

with the England Test series sharply approaching.

The Test squad that had a miserable season overseas in 2018 may see new players gain selection for the England Test series. In addition to the Test series against England, a President’s XI team will be selected to play the Englishmen in the warm-up match scheduled for January 18, 2019.

The Barbados Pride versus Guyana Jaguars match is scheduled for a 10:00h start, Eastern Caribbean time.

UDFA/GT Beer Football Championship…

Eagles edge out arch-rivals Net Rockers to secure top honours I

t was a fitting finale and one that confirmed Eagles United of Christianburg as the top Linden club as they turned back Net Rockers by a 2-1 scoreline to add the Upper Demerara Football Association’s GT Beer football championship to their UDFA league title for 2018 as a huge crowd witnessed the f i -

nal of the year-ending championship New Year’s night at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground.

Urged on by a strong Christianburg following, the Eagles United landed their first year-end championship since copping the Kashif and Shanghai title in 1991/92 as the eventual final’s Most Valuable P l a y e r Colwyn

Eagles United celebrate their championship

Colwyn Drakes and Deon Charter were the goal scorers in the final game

Drakes carted off the motorcycle prize after taking them to their first GT Beer crown in six tries.

The win gave them $1.2 million as opposed to the $600,000 won by Net Rockers, and laid to rest speculation about who was the club to beat in the region.

Both clubs had played unbeaten in the GTT League championship and drew their game against each other. This then set the stage for a deciding final’s game and Eagles prevailed in overtime.

They were led by defender Benny Neblett and with the decision taken to have the experienced midfield player Clive DeNobrega appear on the pitch despite some concerns about an injury, the Eagles United showed their eagerness to win the game. Both sides battled valiantly, but were unable to score in regulation play.

It took extra time after a 0-0 deadlock to separate the two clubs, and Drakes started the process when he was there to pounce on a chance as Net Rockers defenders

were caught napping and Drakes latched in to slap home a crisp drive for a 1-0 advantage in the 103rd minute. Then Drakes in tandem with the busy Deon Charter put the Christianburg unit up 2-0 as he slipped a pass to Charter who finished the play in the 116th minute.

And as time seemed to be against them, Net Rockers fought back and were rewarded two minutes later.

Deshawn Joseph would cannon a free kick outside the box and it cut the lead to 2-1, but time would not allow them a chance to level and

when the final whistle came Eagles United were holding the championship trophy donated by Trophy Stall.

Captain Benny Neblett received it from UDFA Secretary Dawn Barker while the brand new motorcycle was taken by Drakes.

In the third-place playoff game for $400,000, Haynes and Lewis Winners Connection won 2-1 against the defending champions Botofago in overtime. The scores were level after regulation play with Shaquille France and Stanford Bovell scoring for the Winners Connection in the 4th and 65th minutes of play which the Haynes brothers Shane and Jamal netted in the 47th and 54th minutes of play respectively. Botofago had to settle for fourth place and a prize of $200,000.

The winning goal would then be scored by Cedric Hunte in the 106th minute of play and the final score was 2-1 for Winners Connection.

The presentation will be done by the main sponsors Banks DIH Limited at a date to be announced, according to the UDFA.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2019

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

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Jaguars, Pride lock horns in tomorrow’s top-of-table clash

Page 23

– Windies players return to regional level

13 Championships, 718 activities GFF/Stag Super 16 Tournament…

Den Amstel sink complete a successful Buxton to claim 2018 for RHTY&SC coveted title

The RHT Gizmos & Gadgets Cricket Team

Page 19

– Conquerors humble Tigers for 3rd

Page 22

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