Guyana Times - Tuesday, April 9, 2019

New organisation focuses on rescuing abused, abandoned animals P14

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3889

Tuesday, april 9, 2019

PRICE

No-confidence appeal

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Swift resolution would be great – US Ambassador …US Govt to continue to respect democratic process Page 3

Kara Kara, Speightland residents call for desilting of creeks, river …say farmlands, livelihoods affected

Page 10

Region 1 outbreak

P12 Miners evacuated in Chinese air ambulance

Top Cop threatens to prosecute persons who offer bribes to traffic P11 ranks Businessman P8 remanded on narco trafficking, bribery charges

Misuse of funds probe

Head of SOCU questioned but still on the job – Top Cop P10 A resident standing in a section of the Demerara River near Speightland and Karakara communities in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) demonstrating how shallow it has become as a result of silt

House-to-house registration to begin by June – GECOM Page 13

Woman files $40M Guyana could do lawsuit against ... after being strip- better – US envoy …says investors want predictability, stability CANU searched CJIA Mosquito infestation forces teachers to work on roadside Ease of doing business

Page 9

Page 7

Page 2

…Govt now dissatisfied with Unit’s performance

“Desist from P13 lighting fires in open spaces” – GFS …says perpetrators will be prosecuted

Copa Airlines flight delayed after bomb P8 scare at CJIA

2 NEWS

TUESday, april 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Mosquito infestation forces Operations of City Engineers teachers to work on roadside Department reviewed

Some teachers sitting on the roadside opposite the secondary school completing their work

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mosquito infestation and flooded washroom at the Freeburg Secondary School, Norton and Palm Streets, Werken-Rust, Georgetown, has forced a number of teachers to sit on the roadside of the school in an effort to meet deadlines for their end of term submissions.

When Guyana Times visited the school on Monday, a

majority of the students had been sent home and just a few remained in a classroom sitting their end of term examination.

During the visit to the school, it was observed that the entire building had been teeming with mosquitoes.

Also, there was a dysfunctional washroom located on the lower flat of the building.

The washroom was flooded

and seemed abandoned and according to the teachers, it has been in that condition for a number of years.

Teachers who reached out to this newspaper complained that several reports were made to the Education Ministry, which usually seeks the Public Health Ministry’s assistance in fumigating premises, however, that would only offer a temporary relief to the problem.

The teachers pointed out that no effort has been made by the Education Ministry to acquire the services of a contractor to remedy the issue

the Education Ministry sought assistance from the Public Health Ministry in fumigating the school, however, the Ministry said that they would be unable to deal with the matter until later in the week.

The Head Teacher of the school declined to comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, following a photograph published on Inews on Monday highlighting the conditions the teachers were forced to work under, which involved them sitting outside in the schoolyard doing their work, the

Freeburg Secondary School, Norton and Palm Streets, Werk-enRust, Georgetown

One of the washrooms at the school

of the flooded washroom.

The educators went on to note that they made a report to the Ministry on Monday morning and once again, the Deputy Education Officer advised that they “spray out” a safe room and remain there and have the students who did not have examinations on Monday to return home.

The teachers also said that they were advised that

Education Ministry issued a statement saying that the Vector Control Unit within the Public Health Ministry will visit the school to fumigate the building.

According to the Ministry, the school will remain closed today and resume operations on Wednesday. The teachers have since been assigned to Charlestown Secondary School for today.

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine and city Councillors at Monday’s statutory meeting

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he operations of the City Engineers Department came under scrutiny during Monday’s statutory meeting after Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine voiced concerns about the slow pace of work and the absence of key staffers in the field.

Mayor Narine expressed disappointment at the lack of work completed in recent times, accusing the City Engineer Department of “sleeping”.

These problems arose primarily with the building inspectors and their absence to assess structures within the confines of the city. The Mayor further mentioned that a majority of the issues brought to his attention relate to the City Engineer Department and instructed the Head of the Department to provide details on the last encounter with persons under his supervision.

“I’m mentioning it again that the City Engineer need not to be there sitting in the office but being in the fields sometimes and having meetings with building inspectors. We must get clearly what is happening…I find out from persons who are building and nobody ever said that a building inspector has visited them,” he added.

He reminded employees of the Council that they were hired to do a job and stated the possibility of additional correspondents this week regarding the City Engineer Department.

“I might receive three correspondents this week about the same issue. We need these building inspectors to be out there. They have a duty…You’re being employed by the Council to do a job and it must be in that manner.”

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news

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TUESday, april 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Tuesday, April 9 – 05:00h-06:30h and Wednesday, April 10 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, April 9 – 06:15h-07:45h and Wednesday, April 10 – 06:50h-08:20h.

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

WEATHER TODAY

Light cloudy skies can be expected throughout the morning, followed by sunny intervals in the afternoon. Partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening, with overall temperatures ranging between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 06:50h and 19:19h reaching maximum heights of 2.71 metres and 2.57 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 00:26h and 12:51h reaching minimum heights of 0.61 metre and 0.49 metre respectively.

saturday, april 6, 2019

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No-confidence appeal

Swift resolution would be great – US Ambassador …US Govt to continue to respect democratic process here

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hile recognising that political leaders in Guyana have utilised democratic processes available in settling the No-confidence Motion case, United States Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch believes the faster this matter is resolved, the better it would be for the country.

“I think the faster there is a resolution, I think the better. I think that’s probably best for everyone. The democratic process is being followed and the democratic institutions are being used and a swift resolution would be great. But I understand also that the CCJ (Caribbean Court of Justice) has given a date of May 10, so we should hear more then,” the US diplomat said in an interview with journalists from local newspapers in Guyana on Monday at the Embassy’s Young and Duke Streets, Georgetown office.

Without speculating on the outcome of the proceedings currently before the Trinidad-based regional court, Ambassador Lynch stressed that her country is emphatically firm in its respect for the democratic institutions and democratic processes being undertaken in Guyana, as well as the commitment of local political leaders to ensure peace and stability in the country.

“I have been heartened in my short amount of time here that all the political leaders – in Government, the Oposition, other political parties – indicated that they will respect this ruling and there will be a peaceful reaction to it. So I am hopeful that would happen and I would encourage all political parties and citizens to react in a peaceful way even if they disagree with the outcome,” she contended.

Following the December 21, 2018 passage of the Opposition-sponsored No-confidence Motion in the National Assembly, Government had subsequently asked the House to reverse the passage, but its Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, had declined the request and redirected it to the courts. As such, Government moved to the High Court to challenge the validity of the motion, saying a 34 majority is needed for it to be successfully passed.

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George, in January, had upheld the passage of the No-confidence Motion, ruling that in Guyana’s 65-member National Assembly, a majority is 33. The High Court ruling, however, was appealed

by Attorney General Basil Williams.

While Justice Rishi Persaud last month dismissed the appeal and conferred with the ruling of the

United States Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch answers a question asked by Guyana Times senior journalist, Vahnu Manikchand (right) during the interview on Monday at the US Embassy’s Young and Duke Streets, Georgetown office (Dexter Ceres photo)

High Court, his colleague appellate judges allowed the state’s appeal.

Both Justices Yonette Cummings-Edwards, acting Chancellor, and Dawn Gregory opined that while 33 is the majority of the 65member National Assembly, the successful passage of a no- confidence motion requires an “absolute majority” of 34, and not the “simple” majority of 33 that has been used to pass ordinary business in the House.

According to the two appellate Judges in their March 22 decision, half of the National Assembly would be 32.5 and since there is no half vote then that would be rounded up to 33, which is a “simple” majority of the House, and so in order to make it “absolute”, one more has to be added to bring about a 34 majority.

Nevertheless, Opposition

Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, through his battery of lawyers, on March 26, appealed the Appeal Court’s majority ruling.

Jagdeo, in his application, is seeking orders setting aside or reversing the majority judgement of the Court of Appeal of Guyana and resorting to the decision of the acting Chief Justice Roxane George made on January 31, 2019; a declaration that the resolution of the National Assembly is valid; and a

declaration that the Noconfidence Motion moved by Jagdeo was validly passed on December 21, 2018.

The Opposition Leader, through his attorneys, is also seeking a declaration that puts to rest that 33 votes/ members constitute a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly within the meaning of Article 106 (6) of the Constitution of Guyana. The application is also seeking costs.

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tuesday, april 9, 2019

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Warning on bribes

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olice Commissioner Leslie James on Monday sent a strong warning to members of the public and law enforcement officers who are engaged in collecting bribes – that there is intent to prosecute both parties. To use the Commissioner’s own words “it’s a two way street…once there is no offer, there can’t be acceptance. It goes both sides offer and acceptance and let me warn you civilians, we are coming after you those of you who are offering.” Policemen and women, the world over, are well respected personnel and role models for young people who aspire to contribute positively to the overall development of their communities and its residents.

They usually earn the admiration of citizens because of their unique display of honesty, integrity, patience, good temperament, politeness and commitment to maintaining law and order, especially in troubling times and turbulent circumstances. For some, these men and women in uniform stand like superheroes between victims and villains, and the oppressed and their oppressors.

In short, Policing is a noble profession and is therefore guided by codified laws and practices which dictate exactly how its members are expected to behave in almost every rational circumstance. It is also governed by high standards and ethics which serve to encourage and motivate its members to become standard bearers as far as morality and public decency are concerned.

In the developed world, there is no changing of the goalposts or standards whenever breaches that warrant sanctions and criminal prosecutions are concerned if a Policeman breaches the law or acts in a hostile manner towards people seeking the assistance of various law agencies.

In the Caribbean, the culture is different. In some parts, there is a temptation on the part of the middle management of various Policing units to conceal the excesses of Policemen and women who are accused and in some instances found guilty of breaching the standards, ethics and laws of the profession.

As a direct result of their actions, if they go undetected by the top brass of these agencies, a new culture is passed down to their subordinates which embolden and encourage junior ranks to get involved in unscrupulous activities, which in the short and long-term damage the reputation of the entire profession.

In Guyana, some Policemen and women are openly engaged in crime and criminality within the divisions that they serve. Others are caught breaching the ethics of their profession accepting bribes, victimising citizens, applying their own version of the law and abusing their positions in order to create additional wealth and sources of income.

The situation has reached such a level where the lines between right and wrong are now blurred and there is widespread collusion between ranks at all levels to engage in dishonesty for the right price. Additionally, some law men are even in the habit of verbally abusing members of the public, using expletives and other derogatory language in the presence of their seniors.

The image of the force continues to decline because of the indifference and non-action of those in authority.

Enough attention is not being paid by the top brass of the force in disciplining ranks who breach the standards and ethics of the profession. There is no reassessment of the entry requirements for the force. There is no emphasis on engineering internal programmes to lift the morale of these lawmen to empower them to cope better in the field.

The Public Security Ministry needs to work with the force to advance a modern customer service and public relations programme aimed at strengthening the performance of Police Officers and their interpersonal skills. Also, an advance policy that tackles corruption and collusion in the force must be adumbrated.

Modern crime-fighting tactics can only be successful when the public demonstrates higher levels of trust, confidence and respect for Policemen. The criminals are wining in some respect because the public demonstrates indifference in providing information that could infiltrate the criminal enterprise across the country.

The public’s attitude will not change unless the Policemen and women carry themselves with higher levels of dignity, respect, integrity, honesty and decency. History will not be kind to the current Top Cop unless he distinguishes himself as the one lawman who managed to set the force on a path to delivering a higher level of service to the Guyanese people.

President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr Vindhya Persaud along with business tycoon, Dr Yesu Persaud and other executive members offer prayers at the site for the construction of a new $260 million educational facility at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. The simple ceremony was performed by Pandit Jagmohan Persaud. The new Dharmic Rama Krishna Primary and Secondary Schools site is located near Giftland Mall

US military wary of China’s foothold in Venezuela – the head of US Southern Command says Beijing is using disinformation and debt diplomacy to dig in as Maduro clings to power

By Lara Seligman

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s US President Donald Trump’s national security team mulls a military intervention to oust Venezuela’s strongman President, Nicolás Maduro, the Pentagon is watching China’s commercial and financial creep in the crisis-gripped nation with growing alarm.

In an interview with Foreign Policy, Admiral Craig Faller, the four-star military officer who heads US Southern Command, pointed to a Chinese disinformation campaign designed to blame the United States for the blackouts that devastated Venezuela in recent weeks.

Maduro, whose government is backed by China, Russia, and Cuba, has himself publicly accused the US Defence Department of causing the blackouts. Following the power failures, Beijing offered to help the Venezuelan Government restore its grid.

“China came out publicly, a state spokesman, implying the blackouts were attributable to US cyberattacks,” Faller said during a recent trip to Washington, DC “That is just such a blatant lie. The blackouts are attributed to Maduro’s inept leadership, corruption, inattention to his people, and lack of concern for any humanity.”

The Pentagon is worried about China in other arenas as well. In the Pacific, China is building up its military capability, intimidating its smaller neighbours, and threatening Taiwan.

In Africa, Beijing is using debt diplomacy to gain control of crucial ports and other infrastructure. And in Europe, the Trump administration is pushing NATO to address potential Chinese cyberthreats and

Commander of US Southern Command Craig Faller, testifies during a US Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on February 7

commercial threats.

“I think the biggest threat to democracy and the way of life around the world is the trend that we see in China,” Faller said.

He said China was trying to assert economic control in Venezuela by investing in infrastructure and providing hefty loans that Caracas would have difficulty paying back. Much of Beijing’s financial interest in Venezuela is tied to loans-for-oil deals struck between the two countries in 2007. By 2014, the China Development Bank had provided Venezuela with more than US$30 billion in loans tied to oil production.

These loans have served to prop up the Venezuelan Government over the past two decades, “far beyond the point at which its bad policies would have historically caused a change,” said Evan Ellis, an analyst with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

“There is no other actor in Latin America, with the possible exception of the Cubans, who as much controls the fate of Nicolás Maduro and his henchman as China does,” Ellis said.

China also has a major information technolo-

gy footprint in the country.

The Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE is creating a new ID card that can be used to monitor citizens’ behaviour, Faller said.

Using information from these cards, the government can trace a person’s finances, medical history, and voting record, Reuters reported last fall.

Meanwhile, Beijing has sold more than US$615 million in weapons to Venezuela over the last 10 years, according to information provided by US Southern Command.

“China is hedging its bets and being unhelpful” in Venezuela, Faller said.

“For a nation who wishes to stake their claim amongst the great nations, they are certainly not respecting human rights, sovereignty, democracy – any of the things that this neighbourhood values.”

Last week, one news site reported that the Chinese army sent 120 troops to the country. But a spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed it as inaccurate. US Southern Command declined to comment.

Faller would not discuss specific US plans for a military intervention to oust Maduro in favour of Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó. He said the military is “looking at a range” of options and “will be ready” for whatever decision the president makes.

“We are on the balls of our feet,” Faller said. He compared Maduro to the authoritarian leader Bashar al-Assad of Syria.

“The crisis in Venezuela could approach that degree by the end of this year if Maduro still remains in power. It’s that bad,” said Faller, who served previously as the director of operations at US Central Command.

Southern Command identifies that 17 out of 31 Latin American nations have joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative; meanwhile, 23 host Chinese infrastructure projects, including 56 ports across the region. China has provided Latin American countries more than US$150 billion in loans since 2005.

The Pentagon is also increasingly concerned about China’s new deep space ground station in Argentina, from which the Chinese military can monitor and potentially target US and allied satellites.

“The degree to which China was investing across all the elements of power in the region is startling and concerning,” Faller said.

Some analysts counter that China’s role in Latin America has been positive.

According to a recent paper by Ted Piccone, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, the Chinese demand for the region’s commodities has helped drive an economic boom in the past decade that “doubled the size of Latin America’s middle class and dramatically reduced poverty.”

“For now … China’s rise has generally not unduly harmed core US national security interests in the LAC region,” Piccone wrote. “The trends, however, require careful monitoring and ongoing dialogue to avoid a more hostile environment.”

In particular, Faller is apprehensive about China’s second Belt and Road forum, planned to take place at the end of April. During the forum, he expects Beijing will try to dismiss accusations of predatory loans and debt diplomacy.

“Fair, reciprocal, transparent – we are all in,” Faller said. “But that has not been the facts to date.” (foreignpolicy.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

APNU/AFC circus continues: commissioning dormant eye-clinic while ignoring people’s plight

Dear Editor, Both Ministers in the Ministry of Public Health ventured away from their air-conditioned, plush offices on Brickdam and travelled to Region 6 last week, pretending they were there to commission significant upgrading of the health sector.

In the aftermath of the December 21st NoConfidence Motion, APNU+AFC have embarked on a desperate charade, a “circus”, to demonstrate they care for the people. After four years of total neglect, after four years of bourgeoisie-style and elitist government, the NCM woke them up. Just a few days ago, they stepped out of their castles into their front lawn at the Square of the Revolution, a mere one to two minutes’ walk, for a circus deemed

“bringing government to the people”, never mind the people had to travel to see the Ministers in the Ministers’ front lawn.

After that circus failed, the Ministers are desperately seeking some other way, any other way, to fool the people.

It is this desperation that brought the two Ministers in the Ministry of Public Health to Region 6. If the Square of the Revolution fiasco was the “biggest circus ever” in Guyana, the foolishness of this rare Region 6 visit by the Ministers was simultaneously farcical, disgusting, and insulting.

While the Ministers were present in Region 6, the whole area from Fyrish Village to Bloomfield was out of any potable water service from GWI. Thousands

of families were exposed to major inconvenience, facing a serious public health threat. Neither Minister showed any concern, providing no evidence they care an iota for these Guyanese sisters and brothers; for the thousands of Guyanese children living there.

Sadly, a young woman in Williamsburg, a small community about 5 minutes’ drive from the Port Mourant Hospital, was brutally murdered by her husband, and neither Minister found it necessary to visit the family or address the out-of-control domestic violence against women and girls.

Even as that tragedy was playing out, workers from the Albion Sugar Estate were on strike, their families further burdened; but neither Minister engaged

them.

While savoring the idea of an appreciation dinner in their honour, the two Ministers went to New Amsterdam Hospital, totally ignoring the shame that the mortuary at New Amsterdam Hospital is closed, and families who are already traumatised by the death of their members must pay to use private mortuary services.

The Ministers also ignored that, just within the last two weeks, residents in Region 6 have been protesting poor services at the hospital and the high-handed behaviour of the present CEO. The Ministers pretended that nothing was wrong at the hospital, ignoring questions surrounding maternal and child deaths at the hospital, and the

Nagamootoo should accept that Govt has failed its electorate Dear Editor, It is now approaching the fourth year since the coalition Government assumed office and the Guyanese masses are astoundingly disappointed by the increasingly high levels of corruption which is being perpetrated by this Government whose campaign platform was based on the eradication of corruption by removing the previous PPP/C Government. Some were gullible enough to accept this even though a casual perusal would have exposed the fact to them that it is the same old PNC which dominates the APNU and you cannot expect a drastic transformation from the 28 years of thievery, mismanagement, and institutionalised corruption.

I cannot help but recall Moses Nagamootoo’s startling ‘political theory’ which he revealed in January 2016 at Queens, New York. He said, “you should have a President for only one term or five years after which the leader should be changed since the ‘thieving’ starts in the second term”. He further added that “in 50 years, we have only changed Government twice…you have to think about changing Government as quickly as possible as you can, as periodically as you can, because thieving is a disease”.

Now, it is ironic that Nagamootoo failed to recognise the endemic corruption which has engulfed his Government almost as soon as they took over the seats of Government. He was part of the Cabinet’s decision to pay themselves between 50100 per cent wage increases supposedly to remove the temptation to be involved in “thievery” with his salary, perks and eventual pension greatly surpassing that of former President Bharrat Jagdeo. The masses were given an increased dose of the illusionary “good life”, our standard of living continues to plunge while more than 30,000 persons became jobless with many communities being transformed into ‘zombie zones’ overnight.

While it may be that Nagamootoo was targeting a third term for Jagdeo and was referring to him, it cannot be so interpreted when he said that, “you have to think about changing Government as quickly as possible”.

The coalition was already in Government, hence he must be taken to mean that if a Government does not perform well according to the expectations of the electorate then it must be changed. Therefore, this is exactly what the majority of the representatives did on December 21, 2018.

This is what ‘Sovereignty of the people’ means. The Constitution, in Article 106 (6), provides for this – to remove a Government if it is corrupted and not performing to expectations by way of a “no-confidence motion”.

In just four years, corruption has eaten away many of the economic gains made by the PPP/C Government. It must be recalled that our economy, under the PNC, was bankrupt and 95 per cent of our GDP went to pay debts. Today, our US reserve which the PPP/C Government has managed to accumulate over the years has fallen by over 50 per cent while the cost of living has spiralled with no solution in sight.

It has been documented that the APNU/AFC Government has been involved in more corruption in its four-year tenure compared to the old PNC Government, beginning from the undisclosed cost of inauguration ceremonies of the President, the D’Urban Park ‘thievery’, the US$18

million signing bonus, the $30 billion GuySuCo bond, the GPHC single sourcing of $605 million in drugs, the Sussex Street ‘Condom’ bond, the Demerara Harbour Bridge feasibility study, the ‘rehabilitation’ of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the blatant breaches of the procurement laws to facilitate bribery and ‘kickbacks’, the awarding of contracts to cronies like the awarding of the Corentyne Highway road slashing and cleaning, the rental of Broomes’ mansion, the Annette Ferguson affair and others too numerous to mention. It has also been one scandal after another, a media recently disclosed a number of these.

Nagamootoo should now accede to the fact that his Government has failed the electorate who have now decided that a ‘change in Government’ is now vital and the ‘disease’ eradicated for the nation’s survival!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

chronic medicine and medical supplies’ shortages.

But the Ministers were gleeful that there was an appreciation dinner on their behalf.

Besides the local health officials prostrating themselves at the feet of the Ministers at their appreciation dinner, the two Ministers, pretending they brought profound, new and improved health services, went and commissioned a refurbished kitchen at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

After neglecting maintenance for the kitchen, and after millions of dollars of questionable spending at the hospital, two Ministers showed up to boast of a refurbished kitchen as a big health achievement for APNU+AFC, and as an important upgrade of the health sector for Regions 6 and 5.

The kitchen is of course important to the hospital, but the refurbishment would not have been necessary had they maintained the kitchen, rather than allowing the total neglect since May 2015.

In the meanwhile, the Ministers ignored that a High-Dependency Unit was constructed but remained unused because it was constructed in the wrong place.

It is a shame, an absolute disgrace.

The Ministers went to Port Mourant Hospital to re-commission the Port Mourant Ophthalmology Hospital.

This important hospital has been dormant, literally closed soon after the May 2015 elec-

tions. After four years of ignoring the Ophthalmology Hospital, the Ministers, like knights in shining armour, showed up to re-commission the hospital. They failed to announce that the hospital still would not resume its main function: provide eye surgeries like cataract surgeries. They did announce that an outreach eye care team from the US military would be using the facility to perform some eye surgeries. This US military medical outreach has existed for almost two decades. It is an important and successful outreach programme, but this does not solve the problem of a once successful hospital being virtually closed for almost four years now.

What were they commissioning?

This kind of comedic behaviour is shameful. It is disgusting that taxpayers’ money is being used in such a wasteful manner -for a show. The Ministers’ outreach insult has not escaped the people. They see it for what it is - a farce, disgusting and insulting. The people are not fooled. Their eyes are wide open and they are waiting impatiently for the elections, because more than 80 per cent of Region 6 cannot wait to register their rejection of these Ministers and APNU/AFC. The Ministers may be able to parade in a charade of power, but the people have a simple X that is far more powerful than anything APNU+AFC has.

Sincerely, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

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hat is your response when your child is frustrated? Does your child’s frustration lead to your own frustration? Let’s say you’re in a hurry to get out the door to go somewhere and your child is having trouble getting ready, or they’re just not ready to go. How are you feeling? Are you becoming emotionally upset? How might you react to your child continuing to say, “I just can’t get this?” after you have spent 20 minutes trying to help her with a set of math problems? A new research study sheds some light on how the emotional state of a parent affects the emotional welfare of a child.

A research team in the department of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, conducted an experimental study involving school-age children and their parent facing a frustrating task together and found that when parents remain calm, they can help a frustrated child self-regulate. The study soon to be published, “Physiological Contagion in Parent-Child Dyads During an Emotional Challenge,” used electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring of both parent and child to measure their emotional state.

Emotional contagion occurs when children unconsciously sense their parents’ emotions.

For the study, each parent/child pair entered a room where the child was given a challenging Lego puzzle to complete, and the parent was instructed to watch but not help their child. During the second part of the session, the pair were told they had five extra minutes to complete the puzzle, and the parent

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could help. The ECG data indicated the parent’s emotional state influenced the child’s emotional regulation but that the child’s emotional state did not affect the parent.

While this is a novel approach to looking at this aspect of the parent-child relationship and further studies will need to be conducted to verify and further understand this phenomenon, it’s useful to see how the functioning of the parent’s nervous system can connect with a child’s nervous system. This is

sometimes referred to as attunement or co-regulation. The parent’s connecting with the child in the second phase helped their child to emotionally regulate, or to “calm down.”

From day one, how you as a parent respond to your child when they’re upset will shape their ability to self-regulate. If a parent tells a child who is crying to “stop crying,” “get over it,” or “it’s no big deal,” the child is likely to remain upset. Yelling at a child or telling him to go to his room until he calms down does

nothing to help him learn to self-regulate or “control” his emotions and usually leads to repetition and even an escalation of over-reacting to frustrating circumstances.

Picking up a baby when their crying will lead to the baby to stop crying when she sees or hears her parent. Hugging and sharing empathy with a toddler and providing reassurance when they’re upset helps them to calm down. With older children, you can then encourage them to use words to express their feelings. When parents repeatedly ignore or respond negatively or punitively to a child when they’re emotionally upset, as the child develops, he or she will likely over-react to frustrating situations more frequently and more intensely.

When you’re confronted by a crying baby or an upset child, the first thing is for you to regroup and remain calm.

Taking a few deep breaths helps most people. When you can respond calmly or neutrally, you will help your child because they’re unconsciously picking up on your calmness, which in turn will cause their nervous system to calm down.

Your baby will feel secure. You will then use the moment to help an older child learn skills such as deep breathing, reframing (looking at the situation in a more positive light) as well as using words to convey their thoughts and feelings.

A parent may assume their child is choosing to cry, yell or stomp their feet rather than use words. What is more likely the case is the child hasn’t developed an adequate emotional vocabulary. A meltdown may be the perfect

time to teach your child appropriate ways to state how they’re feeling. Once a child can tell you how they feel and why they’re feeling that way, you can help them learn to problem solve and/or become able to accept some situations even though they’d like them to be different. The more time parents spend helping their child develop coping skills, the less time they’ll spend responding to emotional outbursts.

This will then enable you to help them express their needs to others. It also opens up the opportunity to begin to help your child to attune to the needs of others.

Listening to your child does not mean that you’ll give in or grant their every wish, but it does help them to feel accepted and more open to listening to you so you can teach them coping skills including emotional regulation, problem-solving as well as empathy and understanding of others.

Here are a few basic tips: 1. Take a few deep breaths and/or count silently to 10 if you’re feeling upset.

2. Look at your child and

pay attention to any emotional cues including body language, tone of voice, and words if they’re using them.

3. Calmly validate their feelings by saying, “I see you’re (angry, mad, upset, disappointed, sad, etc.)”

4. Next, try to understand why they’re upset. If you’re not sure you might say, “Tell me what is making you …?”

If they can’t tell you, state your observation by saying, “It looks to me like you are ___ because of ___? I understand how that could ___.

5. With younger children, this may be the time to say, “I’m sorry you are ___” and then redirect by saying, “Oh look at ____. I bet you can ____ with it.”

6. For older children, you may have to be assertive and say, I know that is making you feel ___ but ___ (explain or state the reason their desire is not realistic).

7. In some cases, problem-solving may be an appropriate approach.

8. Taking time to teach basic coping skills for toddlers and older children is definitely in order. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

by Pam Myers

I

t seems for every generation there is a parenting trend or approach that is new. In 2009, Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, released a revised edition of his book Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting, which was co-written with his wife. It was originally released in 1997. However it wasn’t until 2009 that the mindfulness approach began to take hold.

To understand what mindful parenting is, it’s important to first understand what it means to be mindful.

What does it mean to be mindful?

Mindful living or the mindful approach attempts to live and be in the moment. To experience each moment as it is happening. The tendency is for people to constantly have chatter in their heads. You might be talking to your boss but you’re thinking about what you have to do when you get home. To be mindful means that instead of thinking about what has happened or what’s going to happen, you’re completely focused on what is happening right now.

To be mindful means to slow down and become aware of your thoughts and feelings. It’s a difficult practice, and many people meditate to train themselves to become more mindful.

Mindfulness as it relates to parenting

Mindful parenting strives to improve the moments you’re with your child. When you’re interacting with your child, the goal is to be 100 per cent focused on them rather than thinking about what you’re making for dinner, how you’re going to find time for a shower, or the fact that your child hasn’t had any vegetables in the past 12 hours.

Mindful parenting also teaches parents to become less reactive to the trials and tribulations of parenting. Instead of allowing your emotions to dictate your response to a situation, for example your child took a rock to your car’s exterior, you’re able to be aware of your thoughts and emotions and respond in an appropriate manner. You’re able to approach each of your child’s mistakes as a calm and in-control parent.

Is it realistic?

Mindfulness and becoming more aware of your emotions and your thoughts is a powerful ability. And yes, when you’re able to be completely present with your child, your interactions will be joyous and rewarding, even when they’re misbehaving.

However, practicing mindfulness 100 per cent of the time is unrealistic. No one is perfect and being a parent is an emotional job.

According to Kabat-Zinn, “Mindful parenting is not about being a yogi or practicing Buddhism; it’s about being human and realising that we have more options than we may think in any moment, no matter what is happening.”

You can begin to practice more mindful parenting right now. When you’re experiencing an emotional reaction to your child, count to ten and take deep breaths. As you interact with your child, enjoy the experiences. Don’t allow outside influences, including thoughts and fears, to interrupt your time together. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

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TUESday, april 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ease of doing business

Guyana could do better – US Ambassador …says investors want predictability and stability

By Vahnu Manikchand

W

ith Guyana on the cusp of becoming an oil producing nation, newly appointed United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, believes the country can do better when it comes to the way business is being done here.

Over the years, Guyana has been ranking low on ease of doing business indices. In fact, the most recent report from the World Bank last November showed that there was a decline in investors’ confidence here. The World Bank’s 2018 Report rated Guyana 134 among 190 economies in the ease of doing business; eight places down from 2017’s 126 global ranking. Previously, Guyana ranked 124th in 2016 and an all-time high in 2015 at 140. The country’s best ranking was in 2008 when it was ranked a record low of 98.

Ease of Doing Business Index is one of the most comprehensive studies done by the World Bank, in which it looks at key indicators such as registering, compliance, taxation, obtaining loans and similar factors such as administrative procedures.

It also looks at legal measures, such a protection and settlements.

According to Ambassador

Lynch, although she has met most of the Private Sectorstakeholder bodies here since her arrival, she is yet to have “deep” discussions with them; but she noted that coming out of those engagements thus far, however, is the need for Guyana to provide a more conducive environment to do business.

“On the surface, there is some thought that Guyana could do a bit better on easing the way of doing business. So in other words, allowing businesses to start up quicker, faster and making the regulations less bureaucratic so that there are more opportunities for more businesses to get up and going quicker,” Ambassador Lynch asserted during a sitdown interview with sections of the local media fraternity on Monday.

This, the US diplomat explained, would create an enabling environment not just for huge companies such as ExxonMobil – the US oil giant preparing to for production early next year having discovered some 5.5 billion barrels of oil offshore Guyana – but for smaller companies as well to thrive and develop with the potential to create jobs in the long run.

The Ambassador pointed out that generally, the Private Sector, in any country, usually wants stability and predictability.

Operations of City...

This comment from the Mayor came after Councillor Hetson Botswick stated that the City Engineer has been relying on the Council to make decisions when the bylaws already dictate the course of action to be taken. He noted that this puts an additional burden on the Council, to which Narine completely agreed.

During City Hall’s Commission of Inquiry in 2018, the City Engineer was subpoenaed to answer to city works which were ongoing for several months.

In respect to the Kitty Market, the Commission heard that substandard materials were sourced to conduct the works which was part of the $250 million res-

US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch during Monday’s interview with local journalists

“In my experience, the thing what most Private Sector want is stability and predictability so they can do their business… So those are very specific areas (and) I think it’s something that Guyana should want and make sure that they do continue to make improvements and get a handle on (that), so that trade and investments can thrive here and I think that there is a great possibility that they can do that,” she contended.

The US State Department’s 2018 report has cited Guyana’s minor improvements in curbing corruption, tackling crime and inadequate infrastrucFrom page 2

toration exercise. Councillor Bishram Kupen submitted his statement, verifying that poor quality of wood was purchased for these works.

It has been three years since US$41,000 was donated to City Hall by the US Embassy for works on the Stabroek Market Clock but the restoration process was never started.

ture as posing a hindrance in the local investment climate.

However, Ambassador Lynch, who was accredited just last month, said while no concern about corruption was raised during her interactions with the business community, both local and overseas, thus far, this is always an area of concern across the globe.

She referenced that the report did applaud Guyana for the positive gains made and the political will to address these issues, but simultaneously highlighted that there are more areas to work on. The US envoy pointed to what is referred to as ‘barriers to trade and investments’. This includes corruption; security in terms of the existence of transnational criminal organisations – crime and violence; and the ease of doing business and transparency.

“So we look at those

trade barriers holistically and we want to continue to work with the Government of Guyana to address all those. But I would say, it’s not just the Government, citizens have a responsibility too.

So we also very much want to continue our work with civil society organisations, the Private Sector, all kinds of institutions and again, like we do all around the world, hold the Government accountable for being transparent, for being reliable, for delivering services to its citizens. So corruption, I would say is just one of the visions, that we’re working on and that we have seen some progress there in Guyana,” the US Ambassador stressed.

Negative impact

Recent events in the local political sphere has caused much unease among local Private Sector bodies.

Many of these agencies have warned that the current political climate has been negatively impacting economic activities here.

But Government has dismissed this. In fact, President David Granger two weeks ago said that this was a “misinterpretation” of the situation on the ground, adding that it was “unfortunate” that the business community feels that way.

This gave birth to what many perceived as a public-spat between Government and the Private Sector, with the latter being accused of taking a political side with regards to the unsettled No-confidence Motion.

Asked during Monday’s interview whether this was something raised during her engagements thus far, the US Ambassador responded in the negative.

“My involvement always, throughout my career as a Government official, with the Private Sector is doing what we can, especially for American businesses, to listen to their concerns and you know, help ease the doing of business in whatever country they’re in and hoping that they are treated fairly in whatever country.

So no, I certainly didn’t discuss whatever political leaning people may have,” she contended.

However, in the height of political uncertainty up until last month when the No-confidence Motion cases were in the local courts, several members of the diplomatic community here had also voiced concerns on the impact the political situation can have on potential investment opportunities.

Questioned whether similar feedback is being received from US investors looking to do business in Guyana, Ambassador Lynch’s response again was negative. She explained that she has been predominantly talking to local businesses and US companies also on the ground here and this does not seem to be an issue right now.

According to the new US diplomat, her country will continues to encourage investments in Guyana especially now on the heels of first oil, which she reiterated, will only bring betterment for Guyanese.

8 News

Tuesday, april 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Copa Airlines flight delayed after bomb scare at CJIA

A

Copa Airlines flight, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, was on Monday afternoon delayed following a bomb scare.

In a release, the airline said that all 127 passengers and six crew members onboard Flight 255 are safe following a false report of an explosive device aboard the aircraft on Monday.

“Following the alarm which was raised just prior to the scheduled 14:24hrs departure of the flight, Copa

Airlines immediately activated security protocols,” the airline said.

Passengers and crew were asked to disembark for inspection and ranks of the

Guyana Police Force’s Bomb Disposal Unit launched a search of the aircraft, the airline added.

“After confirming no explosive device was found, the alarm was determined to be false. Copa Airlines worked closely with Guyana security officials during the inspection process. Following their clearance, Flight 255 departed at 17:42h, arriving at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City at 20:44hrs (local time),” the release stated.

Businessman remanded on narco trafficking, bribery charges

A

hotelier on Monday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charges of possession of narcotics and bribery.

Forty-four-year-old Marlon Jarvis denied the three charges instituted against him. The first charge stated that on April 3, 2019, at Tabatinga, Lethem, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), he was found with 53.4 kilograms of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. It is also alleged that on the same date, he was found with 1.59 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of traf-

Remanded: Marlon Jarvis

ficking. Another charge detailed that Jarvis gave his friend, Samuel Trotman,

the sum of $180,000, who claimed he could have the narcotics charge dropped.

The defendant’s attorney, Jermone Khan, told the court that his client received a call from his friend, Trotman, who told him that he got into trouble with the police. He then asked the defendant to bring the money, which he would use to bribe the police. However, when Jarvis showed up with the money, he was arrested.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that on April 3, ranks from Lethem Police Station went to an unfurnished flat structure at Tabatinga and conducted a search when a man was seen running from the

premises and made his good escape.

Police ranks further investigated the matter where Jarvis, the owner of Marlon’s and Sons Hotel, was arrested.

The prosecutor further stated that police ranks were conducting an interview with Trotman when he received a call from Jarvis, who stated that he would bribe the police with $1.2 million for the drugs to be returned to him.

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan remanded Jarvis to prison and transferred the matter to Lethem Magistrate’s Court. The case will continue on April 18, 2019.

21-year-old freed of rape charge

T

wenty-one-yearold Jarrell Duke on Monday exited the High Court a free man after a 12-member jury found him not guilty of rape.

Duke stood trial before Justice Brassington Reynolds on a charge of rape of a child under the age of 16 years old.

The unanimous not

Freed: Jarrell Duke

guilty verdict was returned after more than two hours of deliberation by the jury.

Duke’s trial commenced before Justice Reynolds on April 2, 2019. It was alleged that he was engaged in sexual penetration with a sixyear-old between December 14, 2013, and December 18, 2013.

The former accused was

represented by Attorneyat-Law Rabindra Mohabir while the State’s case was presented by Prosecutors Seeta Bishundial, Lisa Cave and Sarah Martin.

After informing Duke that he was a free man, Justice Reynolds urged the young man to consider it as a second chance.

Different strokes…

P

…for sugar workers PP’s presidential candidate has been pilloried by Government spokespersons for clearly declaring that, if elected, he’ll reopen the sugar estates closed by the PNC Government. He explained that under his party’s plans, there’d be some 11,000 jobs created. It was interesting to contrast the rationale offered by Ali for the PPP’s proposal to that of the PNC for theirs. It reveals the fundamentally different nature of the two parties.

Ali spoke to the concerns of the more than 7000 persons who’d been thrown into the streets to join the burgeoning mass of unemployed in Guyana. He was talking about PEOPLE, not statistics! In an economy out of which the PNC had sucked the dynamism, the PPP had injected their aggressive economic policies. He resonated with the families of those workers – at least 35,000 men, women and mostly children – and their blighted future. Coming from Leonora, he grew up hearing first-hand about the privations of the 1500 families who’d suffered the identical fate when Burnham’s PNC shut down Leonora Estate in the late 1970s.

To the PNC, however, sugar had always been seen as a reservoir of PPP support. Leonora, in fact, had been a stronghold of the PPP during the 1960s’ struggle against the PNC’s betrayal of Guyana in its quest for REAL independence. Burnham had a long memory. It’s clear, however, that Granger’s memory is longer; but then he’s a historian who boasted about being a staunch PNC member in all the years he was a big one in the army.

Granger always insisted sugar had to be closed. The social tragedy that would be unleashed if that were to be done didn’t matter – as it does to Ali. Granger spoke to numbers on a balance sheet: about the US$2.5 million annual subsidy the Government shelled out to the industry; about “economic rationality”. He only changed his tune temporarily to lure the AFC into his election coalition. And in the face of his own CoI into the operations of GuySuCo – which advised otherwise – he unilaterally ordered that four estates be shuttered.

But the “economic rationality” argument was just a disingenuous ploy being used by Granger to hide his real motive. The PPP, for instance, had for decades subsidised the electricity charges to Linden to the tune of US$1.5 million annually. Linden, after all, was a depressed community after the closure of bauxite operations, and the PPP felt for the workers, even though they supported the PNC. Ironically, they continued the Burnhamite levy on sugar, which sucked sugar workers dry and brought sugar to its parlous state. Granger continues with that subsidy today, without ever mentioning “economic rationality”!!

That’s the difference between Ali and Granger!!

Government should be about all people! …for different probes Well, well, well! We’re now told that a PROBE had been launched since last year into charges that Housing Minister Valerie Adams-Yearwood had a conflict of interest when it was pointed out that her husband, Pastor Yearwood, had received contracts for building houses for the CH&PA, which falls under her Ministry. Really? Or was the PROBE to find out whether Contractor/Pastor Yearwood had in fact stiffed his subcontractor, who’d written to all and sundry, starting from the President and the CH&PA over a year ago?? After all, the matter only surfaced when the desperate, not hearing from anyone he’d written to – much less from the still undisclosed body that’s conducting the PROBE – went to the Opposition Leader.

Mout’ open and story jump out!! Seems the CH&PA had brought Pastor/Contractor and the stiffed contractor together with no resolution or mention of conflict of interest!

So, will this PROBE join those into the Broomes’ matter; the Patterson matter; the Lawrence matter; the D’Urban Park matter etc., etc., – which are also presumably ongoing??

Or have they all been deep-sixed? …for legal advice Rejecting suggestions his AG Chambers need help in oil and gas legislation, Basil Williams claims his bete noir “committed an error by arrogating to himself knowledge of which he is denuded.”

Denuded?

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

News

9

Tuesday, april 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Woman files $40M lawsuit against CANU …after being strip-searched at CJIA

A

United Statesbased woman is suing the State and the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU), after she was asked to strip naked and squat by officers at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Sunday.

Ayana Adams, who is Guyanese by birth and a US citizen, was in the process of returning to New York on a Caribbean Airlines flight, after vacationing in her homeland. According to her Attorney, Siand Dhurjon, her ordeal started after her luggage – two suitcases and one carryon bag – was searched and she had passed through security screening.

“She was told she was clear, she went through immigration where she did the regular body scans. Just as she was putting on her shoes, she saw the same CANU guy that searched her. And he told her to have a seat,” the lawyer told Guyana Times.

“Then two females from CANU took her into a room with mattresses on the wall.

And she was told they have to do a thorough scan and that she needed to take off her clothes. She protested, of course. And she asked what the problem is. And

Attorney Siand Dhurjon

they said it’s just procedure.”

He related that she reluctantly took off her jump suit, leaving just her bra and underwear. The Attorney said that the agents were not satisfied, demanding that she take off all her clothes, squat and cough as they needed to check “her abdomen and her guts.”

“She protested and said she wanted to see the supervisor. And then some man came and said this is the procedure. And this is what you’ll have to do, or else we will have to take you to go and do an X-Ray.” “By then I was contact-

ed,” the lawyer explained.

“And I tried contacting the airport to tell them they don’t have the power to force someone to do a cavity search or an X-Ray or any procedure of the sort.

They need a court order to do that.”

Dhurjon explained that his client’s reason for not wanting to squat was because she was experiencing her menstrual cycle, a fact that was explained to the CANU officers to no avail.

He said they insisted on her going through the procedure.

The attorney said after a while, his client was taken to sign documentations, then transported to Woodlands Hospital.

He said during this time, Adams’ luggage was left for extended periods unattended and with no padlock.

“By then I showed up at the hospital and I notified all the CANU ranks that they have no power to do this, this is an unlawful procedure, that my client should not be under arrest.

And we told them we do not consent to any X-ray or medical test done on my client. And they still went into the room, behind my back when I wasn’t looking, and they did it.”

Swift resolution would...

In a case management hearing subsequently last month, the CCJ set May 10 at 09:00h for the hearing of the cases, with April 8 being given as the deadline for filing cross appeals. In addition, April 17 was given for written submissions and the April 23 to reply. However, a pre-trial hearing will be heard on April 24, where issues concerning the order and length of oral submissions will be addressed.

Apart from Jagdeo, there were two other sets of ap-

peals filed. In total, the cases before the regional court are: Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo v the Attorney General of Guyana, Dr Barton Scotland and Joseph Harmon; Christopher Ram v the Attorney General of Guyana, the Leader of the Opposition and Joseph Harmon; and Charrandas Persaud v Compton Herbert Reid, Dr Barton Scotland, Bharrat Jagdeo and Joseph Harmon – which deals with Persaud’s, a former parliamentarian on the

From page 3

Government’s side, eligibility to vote in the House and the validity of his December 21, 2019, vote in favour of the Opposition’s motion of no-confidence against the coalition Government.

In the case of Ram v the Attorney General, the political activist had petitioned the High Court to have Government resign and President David Granger call elections within 90 days as stipulated by Articles 106 (6) and (7) of the Constitution.

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport

“And it was found she had nothing inside of her.

And I asked them if she is under arrest still. And they said they still have to take her to CANU headquarters again to await further instructions form the Director.”

Afterwards, he said, they endured further hassle seeking accommodations for Adams as she had already missed her flight.

She had previously stayed at the Marriott, where Dhurjon said approximately US$1800 was spent.

According to the lawyer, his client was previously promised accommodation at a hotel. After she supplied proof of her stay at the Marriott, however, she was bluntly told she could not be accommodated at any hotel and that she would have to stay at friends of CANU’s headquarters.

To make matters worse, her requests for a copy of her X-ray was denied. He noted that his client is a medical student who has two jobs abroad. He explained that she has no priors and was profiled and humiliated by the officers.

According to Dhurjon, they will be filing a lawsuit against the State to seek compensation for the missed flight, accommoda-

tion, missing school and her work and damages for the breach of his client’s human rights.

10 news

Tuesday, april 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Misuse of funds probe

Head of SOCU questioned but still on the job – Top Cop ….Govt now dissatisfied with Unit’s performance

H

ead of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Sydney James has been questioned in relation to the misuse of funds at the entity but remains at the helm as the probe continues.

Police Commissioner Leslie James on Monday told reporters that James is on the job but did not respond to questions by the media about his contractual period.

However, the Commissioner did say that James’ contract will be made public at the relevant time. He added that he is not aware of the SOCU Deputy Head being replaced as yet but said he will pronounce further also at an “appropriate time.”

Amid concerns about possible misuse of funds, Government is unhappy with the Unit’s failure to secure money laundering convictions in court based on the cases SOCU prepares. In an interview on Monday with the media, Attorney General Basil Williams lamented the situation in light of the Caribbean Financial Task Force’s (CFATF) mutual evaluations.

“I’m concerned that we

SOCU Head Sydney James

haven’t had any convictions in relation to anti-money laundering offences. We have to strengthen SOCU, which is the enforcement arm,” Williams said. “You know we lost (former adviser) Mr Sittlington, we lost (former financial analyst) Sheronie James. And we’ve been trying to get a qualified prosecutor for them.”

The probe into the operations of the white-collar crime-fighting Unit was triggered when the former British adviser made a number of allegations against

the Unit.

Following the allegations, James was subjected to questioning over allegations of improper spending.

This is in light of the ongoing investigation and audit which stemmed after the termination of the British adviser.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had confirmed that an investigation is ongoing into the matter, where he noted that there were allegations of monies not being spent properly and it is now within the jurisdiction of the investigators to understand the spending procedures at SOCU. “There are some allegations being made that monies were not spent properly…and, of course, you listen to what the auditors of the Police Force has to say on that score and proceed apace with that. The investigators have asked a number of questions of Mr Sydney James and they’re in the process of understanding better, the system that is in place in relation to spending,” Ramjattan had said.

Sittlington, after being fired amid a conflict of interest scandal, had revealed that SOCU has not been operating in a manner in which it should and that there are instances of improper spending.

The parliamentary opposition has maintained that SOCU, which was set up to fight money laundering and other white-collar crimes, has become a political unit under the APNU/AFC regime.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had said that Sittlington was going beyond his advisory role and taking on executive functions, pointing out that he was going on operations such as raids and arrests.

SOCU was also under scrutiny after its Deputy Director, Sheronie James, resigned after a local Magistrate disqualified her as an expert witness based on her lack of qualifications.

Ramjattan had said James was recommended by senior officials after she would have indicated her qualifications, which the Ministry thought was genuine.

Police Commissioner Leslie James

“We were told that she has these qualifications and when she was asked to provide the certain certificates, it was not produced…It was some senior people that recommended her…If you say that you’re of a certain quality and it turns out you are not of that quality or qualification, you’re not going to get employment, not under me,” said Ramjattan.

Questions were previously raised about the police investigating James and whether there could be any

bias, however, the Public Security Minister had assured that it is perfectly normal and that in addition to the police’s own internal audits ongoing at SOCU, the auditor general can come in and take control of the proceedings.

He had stated that the police auditors were seeking to understand better, the systems which have been in place for spending at the agency.

This comes even as the parliamentary opposition has expressed concern about SOCU moving away from its original mandate.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has previously said that SOCU’s mandate is not being delivered, especially since it is suspected of taking political directives. He had noted that this was responsible for its failure rate.

SOCU has had several of its cases tossed out of the window by the courts, including a number of charges against former Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) executives and Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry (GBTI) directors.

Karakara, Speightland residents call for desilting of creeks, river …say farmlands, livelihoods affected

R

esidents of the Speightland and Karakara communities in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) are appealing for sections of the creeks and the Demerara River area to be desilted.

According to the residents, sections of the waterways in the communities are severely blocked due to bauxite overburden sediments caused by mining activities.

They noted that this is an issue which has been affecting them for a number of

that comes from the mines area – the tail end that draws to the creek...we’re looking for assistance...” he indicated.

The resident added that there is a severe blockage which has caused a section of the community’s creek to disappear.

“We had to cut a small channel to pass and it’s very hard to pass sometimes. It’s worse now,” he said.

Edwards said he has made requests to the mining company in the area in the

pointed out.

Farmers of the predominantly Amerindian community, Speightland, utilise the creeks and rivers to transport their produce and according to Shouldel Persaud, a resident, it is difficult to traverse with paddles or speedboats due to the shallowness of the creeks and river.

He noted too that this often results in damages to the boats.

“Sometimes you come out here [to a section of the

A resident standing in a section of the river that needs desilting to demonstrate how shallow it has become

They need to build back the depth and they have to keep servicing it all the time because more the depth goes more sand will go. So they have to keep clearing it all the time. The other thing is, they got to do a diversion, re-channel the creek. That will serve a lot of the problems here – get all the lands that under water dry”, he said.

Sand build-up in a section of the river

years as farmers explained that many farmlands are under water.

Residents further explained to this publication that some sections of the river and creeks which they utilise as modes of transportation have been rendered impassible.

Speaking with this publication, affected resident Eddy Edwards noted that the situation gets even worse when there is low tide.

“The issue is the sand

past but no assistance has since been granted.

The issue, he noted, has had major effects on the livelihood of residents.

“People need to use their land to farm, but right now it is under water, for ‘umpteen’ years...people does work up here, I mean for themselves, like lumber; Amerindians accustomed to farming, fishing. Now it’s become a even more bigger issue because it not only blocking the creek but the river too,” Edwards

creek] and you can’t pass.

It’s pure sand, no water.

Every day you carrying out your greens you got to come out and push in your boat when you meet out at the creek mouth. If is high tide you could drive in but time like now [low tide] you got to come in and push in your boat. Otherwise to that, you got to wait til the water rise to come in back. That is the problem”, he noted.

At a particular section of the river, one can actually

walk to the middle without any hassle as was demonstrated by a resident.

Persaud pointed out that years ago, residents got some relief after the affected areas were dug by an excavator but he said the issue has since returned.

According to Edwards, there is need for proper maintenance of the areas to prevent the issue from recurring.

“The Government should desilt this creek, get some sort of dredge operation.

Edwards said he is even willing to secure a dredge to undertake the works if he is given a contract to do so.

But he noted that he is still sceptical that anyone will look into the issue since residents have been making this request for years.

“This is a really big issue and nobody is paying attention,” he noted. (Utamu Belle)

NEWS

11

Tuesday, april 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Top Cop threatens to prosecute Several Region 10 sweeper/cleaners still being paid below minimum wage persons who offer bribes to traffic ranks R

P

Filed photo: Traffic ranks at Eve Leary, Georgetown (DPI photo)

olice Commissioner Leslie James on Monday urged ranks to desist from accepting bribes from members of the public.

Commissioner James also made it clear that the Force will be prosecuting members of the public who offer bribes to police since the offence is a “two-way street” involving both givers and takers.

The Top Cop issued the warning on Monday at the opening ceremony of a training programme at the Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Street, Georgetown, where he said that he is looking for a change in performance of ranks and fewer allegations of corruption in terms of bribery claims.

“Once there is no offer, there can’t be acceptance. It goes both sides, offer and acceptance, and let me warn you civilians, we are coming after you, those of you who are offering,” he said.

He charged that too often, members of the public are committing offences and then offering bribes to ranks then making claims that police are taking bribes. “You just cannot offer and then going and telling people ‘police tekking bribe’. It is better for you to say ‘civilians [are] offering bribes and police [are] taking bribes,” James said.

He added that while the Force will be engaging particular departments to tackle this issue; if the ranks believe that their salaries are too small, they should tender their resignation.

“If you’re not comfortable with your salaries, leave the job. You came on, you were told what is being offered and you decided to become

an agent of the Force. How come you have an issue with your remuneration,” said James.

He told ranks that their uniforms, conduct and performance reflect the image of the Guyana Police Force and as such, they should conduct themselves in a professional manner and execute their duties in accordance with the Force’s Standard Operating Procedures.

“Read, and continue reading. Go after knowledge, read your standing orders, read the laws, read yourself into the job,” Commissioner James told the ranks.

Commissioner James stressed that action will be taken against subordinates, who fail to comply with standing orders when performing their duties as failing to do so will have far-reaching implications.

Last year, several policemen were charged after it was alleged that they accepted bribes. On October 29, 2018, three former police ranks were jailed for one year and fined for accepting a $6 million bribe back in September 2015.

Corporal Shawn McPhoy of 174 Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Constable Ray Drepaul Saul of Eversham, Corentyne, and Constable Trevon McKenzie of Princeton, Corriverton, Corentyne, were charged jointly for the offence, which was committed between September 10 and 11, 2015.

The ranks had received information that a route 63 A minibus would usually be transporting drugs, guns and cash. They were provided with the vehicle number and the travel schedule for

the minibus.

While in the vicinity of Springlands, East BerbiceCorentyne, they observed the vehicle and decided to stop it to conduct a search during which they discovered that the vehicle was indeed transporting a very large quantity of cocaine and cash at the time.

It is alleged that the ranks on patrol entered into negotiation with the occupants of the vehicle which led to the occupants of the vehicle handing over $6 million in cash to the ranks.

The ranks then allowed the vehicle to continue its journey and even provided some amount of escort for the vehicle before returning to a police station. The ranks have all since appealed the decision and have since been placed on $50,000 bail each.

In July 2018, a rank attached to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) was arraigned in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on a charge of obtaining money from road users to drop a traffic charge.

Twenty-eight-yearold Police Constable Chris Brown of Lot 1590 La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, was charged jointly with Mark Collins.

The court heard that on December 7, 2017, at the Ruimveldt Police Station, while being employed by the State, Brown obtained a sum of $10,000 from Iyana Hutson as inducement or reward to forego instituting charges against Dwayne Dover for a traffic offence he had committed.

Brown was placed on bail in the sum of $5000.

egion 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) officials are currently seeking to have all sweeper/cleaners attached to public schools in the region paid the minimum wage across the board.

The issue was, for the second time in recent months, raised at the Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC’s) statutory meeting, where it was highlighted that some workers are yet to be paid the minimum wage of $64,200.

Sweeper/cleaners in Region 10 had just last year welcomed a decision by Government to have their positions regularised consequent to a review of their hours of work. Following this, approval had been granted for them to be paid the then minimum rate of $312 per hour, which has since been increased to $370.4 per hour, the present minimum wage.

It was, however, noted that in some cases the hours of work varied between the nursery, primary and sec-

receiving the appropriate minimum wage of $64,200 monthly.

Responding, Regional Chairman Renis Morian noted that he had received from one of the agencies a package stating that the RDC is supposed to do a number of things in relation to the payment of the workers. Morian said there needs to be correlation between the ministries to effect movement for the payments to be made.

He then questioned Deputy Regional Education Officer (DREO) Maylene Stephen, who noted that the Council is currently paying according to the prescribed rate of $312 per hour.

Stephen noted that more money would definitely be needed to move in the direction of increasing remuneration.

“I know the Personnel Department engaged the cleaners and the sweepers in relation to this, but they are not getting the $64,200,” she noted.

Morian stressed that the matter needs to en-

up to the minimum wage.

He added that the issue was raised since the previous statutory meeting, and needs to be fixed. Sampson pointed out that when the workers worked for six hours, their payments were accurate according to calculations. However, if they are not paid accordingly now, it would constitute a violation of the Government’s minimum wage.

Meanwhile, Councillor Douglas Gittens said temporary workers attached to nursery schools had complained of receiving far less pay, but he noted that they were expected to increase their hours to normal working hours, to be regularised and receive the payment.

“We want this thing fixed like yesterday, so a number of things got to happen.

When that letter is written, the money got to be released… If the money is not released, you can say, ‘Pay them whatever’, they won’t be paid…and it’s easy for somebody to say, ‘Yes, I okayed the payment’. That

Councillors at the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Regional Democratic Council statutory meeting

ondary workers, and some were yet to be brought up to standard. It was noted that while some workers are being paid the minimum wage, others are yet to receive same.

During the statutory meeting, Councillor Charles Sampson noted that he was informed that the sweeper/ cleaners were given a new work schedule which would see them working for nine hours (from 07:00-16:00) with an hour set aside for lunch, which would result in eight hours of work. He accordingly sought to ascertain if the workers were

gage the attention of the Chief Executive Officer of the Education Ministry, the Education Minister and the Financial Secretary of the Finance Ministry, in moving forward. He said a letter to effect change would be prepared and copied to these persons.

According to Councillor Sampson, the $312 per hour which some cleaners are receiving is equivalent to $54,000 monthly, which he said is totally wrong if the workers are working for eight hours. He argued that the rate should be $370.4 per hour, to bring the workers

is one Ministry, but it’s that same Ministry our budget does go to, and if you ain’t make a strong recommendation for that money to increase, the people ain’t gon get paid,” Gittens said.

Prior to the regularisation of sweeper/cleaners, there had been countrywide protests by the workers. Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) Regional Representative Maurice Butters had also made several calls for all of the Region’s sweeper/cleaners to be brought up to scratch and paid the public service minimum wage.

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Tuesday, april 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 1 outbreak

Miners evacuated in Chinese air ambulance T he sick undiagnosed Chinese miners attached to Guyana Manganese Inc (GMI) left Guyana on Monday for China. The

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) ambulance was escorted by Police to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) where the ill min-

ers accompanied by medical practitioners will board the Chinese air ambulance which arrived in Guyana on Saturday.

A well-placed source

at the GPHC had told this newspaper that doctors are of the view that the miners are not infected with Leptospirosis since their symptoms are not consistent with this disease but they still believe that the illness is similar to H1N1. The source noted that as a result, a decision was taken to take the men back home to China.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud on Monday when contacted told Guyana Times said that he along with two representatives from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) are in Matthews Ridge to host meetings and a full update will be made available by the Public Health Ministry subsequent to those meetings.

Regional health officials on Saturday held a public meeting with residents of Matthews Ridge, North West District (NWD), to update them on the current health crisis facing the GMI workers, who fell ill while working in a tunnel in the area.

Present at the meeting were the region’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Karen Boyle, Regional Health Officer Dr Cerdel Mc Watt and representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

It was reported that the now evacuated patients were being treated and were responding to antibiotic and anti-fungal medicines and results from samples that were sent overseas for further evaluation are scheduled to be returned soon.

Meanwhile, officials

The quarantined area at the GPHC where the sick miners were being treated

have maintained that only Chinese workers that worked in the specific tunnel are affected by the illness and no other residents of that or neighbouring villages have been infected.

Further, GMI mining operations will remain closed until certain requirements are met and the company is given the green light by the EPA to resume operations.

Residents of Matthews Ridge on Friday had expressed concerns over the health risks involved and are furious that health officials are not disclosing information as to the seriousness of the situation.

Several residents who reached out to this newspaper said that it is time that the health authorities speak to persons living in the area since they are very worried about the situation.

Two Chinese miners died as a result of Leptospirosis, a Ministry statement had said.

Meanwhile, all precautionary measures are still in place at the Matthews Ridge tunnel site and its immediate surroundings, adding that essential medical supplies are in stock to treat employees of the mining firm and residents of the area.

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House-to-house registration to begin by June – GECOM

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s all of Guyana patiently awaits the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on the No-confidence Motion appeal that was passed in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was ordered to still prepare for elections and registration for this process is likely to begin by June. This was confirmed by GECOM’s Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Warde.

Warde in an invited comment told Guyana Times on Monday that the necessary training for election officials has begun in several areas across the country.

“The decision for houseto-house registration was initially part of our 2019 work programme as agreed to by the Commission and subsequently, I think sometime in February where the Commission had moved a motion to return to its original work programme in light of all that has happened during the No-confidence Motion. In so doing, the Secretariat has commenced its preparations for the conduct of house-to-house registration and so I think it was the weekend of the 23rd and 24th of March training for the trainers commenced.

The PRO was keen to note, “ Shorter time period means that you need more staff, you need rapid procurement, you need a number of other (things) so it means that cost will eventually go up and so our request was taking all those factors into consideration”.

CCJ case

Subsequently, there was the training in Georgetown I think at 16 locations on the weekend of the 30th and 31st (of March) and of as at yesterday (Sunday) training continued on the East Coast and on the East Bank (of Demerara),” Ward explained.

According to her, the training was conducted for persons who serve as Assistant Registration Officers and enumerators during the period.

That training is expected to wind down sometime in May, she detailed, as it is expected to have a sixweek to two-month duration. It was on this note that she informed Guyana Times of GECOM’s plans to begin house-to-house registrations in June.

“We anticipate all things being equal, that training should conclude sometime in May. We haven’t definite-

ly determined that timeline as yet but once training is finished, I figure by the first week in June, the actual conduct of house-to-house registration will commence,” the PRO indicated.

She pointed out that this process will run for about three to four months.

The PRO was unable to say how long after hosting the registration process GECOM would be ready to facilitate elections.

She would only say, “Pending all the new developments right now that has happened, as you know initially the Chairman of the Commission had written to the President indicating a November timeline given that house-to-house registration would have wrapped up by then and to move into elections by the end of November. As you know, things have evolved since then there has been a Court

“Desist from lighting fires in open spaces” – GFS

…says perpetrators will be prosecuted

The burnt lawns in Region Three that affected commuters using the public road at Schoonord, West Bank Demerara

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s the dry season continues to take its toll locally, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has been facing the full brunt as bush fires have been prevailing as often as 18 times daily over the past three months.

In this regard, the Fire Prevention Officer, Andrew Holder told Guyana Times that these fires are not always attributed to the hot weather and persons caught mischievously lighting such fires will be arrested.

In an almost disappointed tone, the Fire Prevention Officer said, “We are cognisant of the fact that we are experiencing currently a prolonged dry weather spell, however, not all of these bush fires can be attributed to the hot weather conditions. More often than that our investigations has pointed to citizens of themselves

Fire Prevention Officer Andrew Holder

lighting these fires for the purpose of land clearing and getting rid of their garbage and so on”.

Further, he said, “Right now as it is, the situation is so bad that we don’t even want to give anybody conditionality under which it

is okay to light these fires.

It is a prohibition, a complete no no and perpetrators will find themselves before the court…we are experiencing an unusual dry weather spell and as such, lighting fires in open spaces has severe consequences. Consequently, we are imploring citizens to desist forthwith from lighting fires in open spaces”.

According to him, the Fire Service has already had to investigate the instances of grass fires in the Coldingen/Non-Pariel, East Coast Demerara area as persons there were found to be in the habit of deliberately lighting dry vegetation afire.

In fact, Holder said that the GFS has had to rush to that very area sometimes as much as three times per day, even at nights.

Turn to page 15

of Appeal ruling and subsequently now to the CCJ so whatever other timelines are being looked at I think that would be based on the outcome of those rulings and whatever other decisions are to be taken.”

Warde reminded that President David Granger has committed to providing the Commission with the additional funds it needs to facilitate the much anticipated elections.

According to her, those additional monies would be absolutely necessary, if GECOM is to host free and fair elections in a timely manner.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had initially requested that the CCJ to rule on the no-confidence matter before April 30, when the current voters’ list expires. However the matter is to be heard on May 10.

On March 22, the Appeal Court in a 2:1 ruling said a majority of 34 votes would have been needed to validly pass the No-confidence Motion brought against the Government last year.

The ruling means the motion was not validly passed, and hence the coalition Administration was not toppled as a result of the events that occurred in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018 – when

the minority Opposition had secured the crossover vote of former Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament Charrandas Persaud to obtain a 33 majority to pass the No-confidence Motion in the National Assembly.

Government had subsequently asked the House to reverse the passage of the motion, but its Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, had declined the request.

As such, Government had gone to the High Court to challenge the validity of the motion, saying that a 34 majority is needed for it to be successfully passed.

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George had, in January, upheld the December 21, 2018 passage of the No-confidence Motion, ruling that in Guyana’s 65-member National Assembly a majority is 33.

Since the passage of the no-confidence resolution, GECOM has been accused of dragging its feet with respect to elections preparation.

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Training for station Sergeants, subordinate officers opens

A section of the gathering at the launching of the training programme

T

he Guyana Police Force Monday embarked upon a training programme for the development of Station Sergeants and

newly promoted subordinate officers.

These core courses are pertinent to the Guyana Police Force Paul Williams,

Assistant commissioner in charge of administration said at the opening ceremony held at Officers’ Training Centre Monday.

Williams explained that the programme includes Project and Strategic Management and will aid in the review of the Human and other resources available to them in an effort to bring about maximum gain.

“We find that these are important at this time although the Force is doing well; ranks need to be equip with requisite knowledge and skills and it is our duty to serve this nation and we will do so to the highest standard,” Williams said. He added that the training aims at promoting capacity building and sustenance of professionalism.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Leslie James, in his feature address charged the ranks to execute their daily routines with commitment and professionalism.

He pointed out that domestic security has improved and expressed thanks to the United Kingdom and InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and Government of Guyana for the newly intro-

duced Strategic Plan 20192021 which will be reviewed annually. The Strategic plan has a monitoring and evaluation aspect and oversight will be done fortnightly by commanders and other group members on performance of ranks. He also highlighted that there will be quarterly reporting on progress being made in this regard.

Commissioner James urged ranks to be confident and well informed when executing their duties. “If you’re timid, you’re in the wrong job”. “You cannot be a timid soul and doing police work.

It just can’t happen,” he said.

He cautioned the station managers that the Force’s administration would be taking serious actions against them for failure to comply with Standard Operating Procedures and Standing Orders. He also emphasised the need for caution when entering records in the station diary or the occurrence, saying that such documentary evidence could “have far-reaching implications” such as far as the Trinidad-

based Caribbean Court of Justice, Guyana’s final court of appeal.

James pointed out the Police force’s administration would not treat lightly matters such as inaction, false imprisonment of person, and no entries.

Commission James highlighted that the force is a more reformed one which will soon see the introduction of body cams other modernized crime fighting techniques being used. James stressed the need for the law enforcement agents to strive for knowledge and self-improvement by furthering their studies at tertiary institutions and making themselves more effective in executing duties.

He added that this will foster better community and other stakeholders’ relationship.

James added that he has instructed Office of Professional responsibility to visit divisions and engage ranks on issues of concern.

This he said will aid in better relation among members of the force.

Ansa McAl launches over 50 new products

A new brand of coffee which was launched

T

he massive Trinidadian rooted, ANSA McAL, goods’ distribution company on Monday morning introduced over 50 new products from five different brands which seeks to help Guyana strive towards achieving its green economy while giv-

ing locals a taste of healthy and delicious snacks.

The products range from biscuits to coffees and even biodegradable items which the company says is the mere tip of the iceberg of what’s to come next.

Head of the Business Unit, Food and Consumer

Goods, Anjeta Hinds, shared a few of the products which are now available at leading supermarkets.

She said, “You need to pick up Butter Kiss biscuits, or Pozuelo cookies or you need to try Juan Valdez coffee and you need to put it in your biodegradable hot pack paper cups and things of that nature.

We also do have Pam’s Sardines. Pam’s Sardines are from the Connors Group of Companies, they are the leading manufacturers and distributors across sardines and tuna”.

Hinds added that a host of biodegradable items such as foil wraps, reusable plastic products and reusable paper products will now be distributed across Guyana, at “unmatched” and “unbeatable prices”.

According to her, the products are all healthy choices for both children

and adults who are looking to keep their calorie and sugar intake low.

“We know that everybody is becoming a little bit more health conscious. They’re looking at calorie count, they’re looking at sugar content across the different snacks and there’s nothing on this table that has an ultra-high, send your child into hyper-drive sugar content and or calorie count...we do have healthier options,” she assured.

It was pointed out that the agency will strive to ensure the product reaches all corners of Guyana so that every local can have a taste of quality as well as access safer products that are better for the environment.

The biodegradable products is one which has already been welcomed by many retailers and patrons as even the Government is seeking to do away with

Head of the Business Unit, Food and Consumer Goods, Anjeta Hinds

plastic.

In fact Minister of State, Joseph Harmon at a post-Cabinet press conference last April, said ending of the use of plastic bags across Guyana is on the Government’s agenda. He explained that plastic is a

problem across the world and Guyana, for its part, was not exempted from the consequences of this pollution.

Providing a timeline, Harmon was optimistic that the ban could be pulled off by the year 2021.

New organisation focuses on rescuing abused, abandoned animals

Founders of the organisation (left to right): Steffi Denobrega, Marcia Tucker and Shari Da Silva

A

newly established organisation referred to as “Paws for a Cause” has been the driving force in providing assistance for animals, who are neglected or abused by their owners.

The group was formed on February 16, 2019 by three women, Steffi Denobrega, Marcia Tucker and Shari Da Silva, who were previously involved in rescuing animals but decided to combine their efforts to reach a wider spectrum.

To date, they have received many reports of animal cruelty and have managed to offer help with support from volunteers.

One of the founders, Steffi Denobrega told the Guyana Times that many animals are taken in, sometimes in critical health conditions, where they are offered a home and treatment until an adoption is finalized. In most cases, they are kept at a shelter but volunteers would foster some of the animals at their house.

“We have a foster home and he have about 10 animals there so most of them are rescued and then we have members from our group that foster at their homes, like kittens and puppies. As those animals grow up, find homes for them,”

said Denobrega.

Daily experiences involve many animals who have been seriously injured.

In one instance, Tucker stated that they heard word of a horse being used for labour but upon arrival, they were unable to save the mammal.

She explained that a puppy was beaten by an owner with severe head injuries inflicted with a sharp object.

That animal was successfully rescued, where medical attention was provided.

“The abuse is the roughest part of the job. We’re extreme animal lovers and when we see those things, it’s hard but it’s what keeps us going,” she stated.

Usually, these reports would be made by concerned citizens who would send details to their facebook page at Paws For A Cause.

Members of the group would then dispatch themselves to the area to rescue the animal.

It was related that these cases are prevalent on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara, with cats and dogs being at the top of the list for abuse. However, the organisation is planning to heighten their response to areas in Berbice, Bartica and other far-flung areas.

“On a day to day basis, we get reports all over Georgetown and we try to

Engaging students on caring for animals

Animals that were rescued

schedule on when we’re going to rescue them. On the East Coast and the East Bank is way bigger than Georgetown,” said Tucker.

They have also engaged a number of schools to educate young children on their approach towards animals and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to look out for animal abuse.

“We want to reach out to the NDCs and the Mayor and City Council because we want to stretch this further.

We want to go to Essequibo and Berbice and Bartica because all these places have problems. We try to get volunteers from those areas to assist us,” Denobrega added.

In the past week, they would have facilitated the

adoption of a batch of puppies and two dogs. For now, Paws For A Cause are trying to get more volunteers on board to assist with rescuing animals from remote areas of Guyana. Throughout the past month, they have collaborated with veterinarian, Dr Nardeo Bassoodeo and the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) among others.

“We’d really like if more vets can come on board with us and help because one is not enough and we want to expand our foster care systems and get more volunteers on board,” one of the members mentioned.

news

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St Lucia Govt Minister resigns after second episode of alleged misconduct

Dr Ubaldus Raymond

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ultiple sources confirmed on Friday that Senator Dr Ubaldus Raymond, Public Service Minister of St Lucia, has resigned, ahead of a joint session of Saint Lucia’s Parliament scheduled for today, and the subsequent debate of the estimates of expenditure 2019/2020 in the sum of $1,591,589,000.

At the time of writing, the government of Saint Lucia has not made any official announcement of Raymond’s resignation or the reason he is at the centre of yet another controversy.

His extramarital activi-

ties were called into question in 2017 when, as a Minister in the Finance Ministry, nude photos of Raymond with his pants down, went viral on social media. The publication of Raymond’s photos was accompanied by screenshots of a social media conversation purporting to coerce him into paying EC$700 (US$259) to discourage online publication of the images.

Raymond filed a complaint to the local Police that he was the victim of attempted blackmail in relation to nude photos he sent to Curshaby Alexander and

Kershel Louis; both of whom were just over 18 at the time in 2017.

The case was withdrawn from the Magistrate’s Court in favour of mediation and settled, to avoid embarrassing court proceedings, testimony and cross examination, because, as one local wag noted, “He would have had to provide evidence of the blackmail, his physical composition and disprove that the ‘Vienna sausage club’ pictures are not of his stature.”

Raymond seemingly felt no remorse for his actions, claiming it was a political hit job. “I will not give in to political operatives who will use the most disgusting tactics in order to malign my name or to scare me into submission,” he said at the time.

More recently, shortly after carnival in Trinidad and Tobago, a video surfaced featuring Raymond at a public function dancing suggestively with a female not identified as his wife.

Last week, recordings of a Government Minister said to be Raymond engaging in sexually explicit conversations in February and March of this year with a teacher working in Trinidad named Crystal were widely aired on social media in Saint Lucia.

While Raymond’s previous misadventures were largely ignored by his

“Desist from lighting...

Against this backdrop, the Fire Prevention Officer warned that the GFS has approached the Guyana Police Force for assistance and will be arresting troublemakers.

He said, “That is why we are cautioning citizens to desist from setting fires in open spaces especially during this dry spell that we are experiencing. Aside from cautioning residents, we have also approached the Guyana Police Force for assistance because we will be putting some of these persons to face the court”.

Holder was keen to note that responding to grass

fires puts a lot of strain on the GFS’ resources, both human and otherwise, as it requires hundreds of gallons of water to extinguish one of the massive fires.

He said, “When these firefighters have to respond to five (or) six grass fires in a given day, it really tires them out and puts them at a disadvantage if needs be for them to respond to a structural fire”.

Moreover, the Fire Officer noted that the wear and tear of the GFS’ vehicles must also be taken into consideration as fuel is also used to get to and from such

From page 13

scenes.

“It really depletes our resources having to respond to these fires at such frequent occurrences,” he concluded.

Last week, firefighters on the West Coast of Demerara had cause to respond to a huge grass fire in Schoonord, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) as commuters were affected by the thick smoke in the area.

In fact, one road user even told this publication that he and others were forced to use their fog lamps to drive through the area safely.

Cabinet colleagues and the Seventh-day Adventist Church of which he is an el-

der, it seems that his latest escapade was the final straw as the author of his own mis-

fortune as one local blogger put it. (Caribbean News Now)

Accused US visa fraudster nabbed in Jamaica

T

he Police have arrested a man accused of fraudulently collecting money to assist several people with acquiring United States visas.

The Overseas Criminal Investigations (OCI) Division of the US Embassy in Kingston said following its investigation, the Police arrested and charged Eric George Miller of Olympic Gardens last Wednesday.

This, the embassy said in a statement, follows complaints received from eight Jamaicans claiming that Miller defrauded them.

The accused allegedly

convinced each of the eight victims to deposit between J$75,000 – $160,000 into his bank account in exchange for promising to help them acquire H2B visas and employment opportunities in the United States.

“When the victims recently appeared at the US Embassy as instructed by Miller, they learned that they had no visa appointments scheduled, and Miller did not answer their calls or arrive to render assistance with the process,” the statement continued.

Miller was arrested and charged by the constabu-

lary’s Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Division (CTOC) with “obtaining money by means of false pretense,” due to misrepresenting himself as someone who could assist in acquiring H2B visas/overseas work opportunities and charging multiple Jamaicans for services not rendered.

The US Embassy’s OCI division said it is committed to preserving the transparency of the visa issuance process, and is dedicated to ensuring that Jamaican nationals seeking visas are not unfairly exploited by financial fraudsters. (Jamaica Observer)

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, APRIL 9, 2019

Regional

Brazil's Bolsonaro says working with Cubans march to end animal cruelty US to sow 'dissent' in Venezuela Army in possible first independent protest

B

razilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Monday he is working with the U.S. government to sow dissent within the Venezuelan Army.

Bolsonaro, during an interview with Jovem Pan radio, said that if there is a military invasion in Venezuela, he would ask seek the counsel of Brazil’s National Defence Council and Congress on what, if any, action his country

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro speaks during a promotion ceremony for generals of the armed forces, at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil April 5, 2019

should take.

“We cannot allow Venezuela to become a new Cuba or North Korea,” the right-wing president said.

Bolsonaro said that if any military intervention actually deposed Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, it is quite likely that the country would see guerrilla warfare waged by Maduro’s diehard backers and whomever took power. (Reuters)

China counters reports on sending troops to Venezuela

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang

C

hina has denied sending troops to Venezuela two weeks after the chief of staff of Russian ground forces Vasily Tonkoshkurov, along with a deployment of 100 soldiers and 35 tonnes of material, arrived in Venezuela under the terms of a 2001 cooperation treaty between Moscow and Caracas.

China’s shipment of 65 tons of Chinese medicine to Venezuela, according to a government official is an “important and strategic level” of the partnership between Beijing and Caracas but raised concerns that the shipment of humanitarian aid included a deployment of more than 120 Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers to support President Nicolás Maduro’s forces.

Nevertheless, multiple reports disclosed that a group of Chinese military personnel, 120-strong arrived on Margarita Island March 28, “to deliver humanitarian aid and military supplies to the government forces”, and after that the Chinese PLA troops were transferred to a Venezuelan military facility.

Chinese foreign ministry

spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters on Tuesday: “I don’t know where you got this information or for what purpose was it produced, but I can tell you this: what you said is simply not true. The Chinese Government’s position on the Venezuela issue is consistent and clear-cut,” adding, “China opposes external interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs and believe the country’s government and opposition need to seek a political solution through peaceful dialogue.”

Chinese’s ambassador to Venezuela has also emphasised the role of diplomacy and increased activity in promoting trade and investment, saying that “the Venezuelan people are capable of keeping the peace.”

(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

T&T PM: No Venezuelan refugee camp here

T

rinidad and Tobago will not open a refugee camp for Venezuelans, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said during the People National Movement’s public meeting on Saturday evening.

“We have some Venezuelans in Trinidad and Tobago, we embrace them as economic migrants,” said Rowley at the Five Rivers Secondary school. The Prime Minister added: “I have been approached by external forces, external agencies to open refugee camps in Trinidad for Venezuelans. I have flatly refused. For two reasons ladies and gentlemen. Those are doors once you open

Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley

them they are very difficult to close.”

He pointed to refugee camps which had been opened in countries in the middle east which had seen persons spend entire lifetimes in those camps.

He said while those camps had established to be a temporary sanctuary for refugees, there appeared no end to refugee situation. The Prime Minister also raised the question of T&T’s ability to accommodate the Venezuelan refugees should such a camp open in the country. He said, “We a country of 1.3 million and a little piece of land here. Venezuela has a quarter of continent and 33 million people we gonna open refugee camps in Trinidad and Tobago what is our position? And we must apologise for saying no to that?” asked the Prime Minister. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Twin engine plane makes crash landing in Dominica

A

twin engine commercial aircraft crash landed at the Douglas Charles Airport here on Monday, but there were no immediate reports of injuries.

Media reports said that the plane belongs to the Dominican Republic based Sky High Aviation Services that has schedule flights from Santo Domingo, Tórtola, Aruba, Curacao, St

Marteen, Bonaire, St Kitts, Antigua, Cuba, Bahamas, Eustatius, Jamaica and Dominica.

Video recordings showed several people walking away from the aircraft. (Jamaica Observer)

Activists marched with their pets and carried a sign saying "Cuba against animal abuse"

H

undreds of Cubans have held a march against animal cruelty, in what is thought to be the first independent protest allowed in the country.

Activists walked with their pets and chanted slogans as they demonstrated peacefully in the capital Havana.

They called for an animal protection law as they converged on a tomb of an American woman who is seen as the founder of animal rights in Cuba.

The one-party state has until now only allowed government-sanctioned marches.

Díaz-Canel: The man succeeding the Castros "This march marks the before and after in the protection of animals in Cuba," organiser Beatriz Batista said. "I consider it to be a historic event."

Others were more sceptical, with dissident artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara telling Reuters

news agency it could be a show by the government.

"This enables the government to say 'look how permissive we are'," he said.

"But is it really?" Activists spread word of the march on social media.

In December the Cuban Government allowed a rollout of 3G mobile Internet, where once people had to rely on Internet cafes and WiFi hotspots.

Marches in Cuba had until now been strictly controlled by the government, and were mostly limited to demonstrations celebrating the 1959 revolution or religious processions.

Authorities however still refuse to allow protests against the state. (BBC News)

Haiti stands “at the crossroads” between peacekeeping and development – UN human rights chief

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ith the end of the UN’s peacekeeping presence in Haiti in sight, the UN’s human rights chief told the Security Council on Wednesday last that the country now stands “at the crossroads between peacekeeping and development,” urging all concerned parties to continue building on progress made, or “risk losing it” altogether.

While encouraged by civil society’s engagement in promoting and protecting human rights, along with the victims of human rights violations, Michelle Bachelet acknowledged that “it has not been able to fully assume a monitoring and advocacy role.”

She noted that some civil society organisations continue to be targeted by acts of intimidation saying that it “must stop,” urging everyone with a stake in the Caribbean nation’s future, “to work together to strengthen the human rights protection system.”

Calling Haiti’s return to constitutional order, following presidential, legislative and local elections in 2017, “a significant achievement,” Bachelet added that standing “at the crossroads” between peacekeeping and development, “we must recognise the progress accomplished,” and “also continue building on it, or risk losing it.”

The High Commissioner

encouraged the council to provide Haitians with “the necessary support to strengthen institutions, fight against impunity and promote and protect human rights as a foundation to stability and development.”

She said that February’s protests – “the longest and most violent” in years – had “almost entirely paralysed the country,” despite significant improvements in the professionalism of the UN-supported national police, incidents of serious human rights violations, including cases of summary executions, continue to be reported, with limited accountability. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Brazil: 10 soldiers arrested after firing more than 80 bullets into family's car

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en Brazilian soldiers have been arrested after firing more than 80 bullets into a car carrying a family, killing one man and wounding two other people.

Evaldo dos Santos Rosa, 51, a musician and security guard, was driving the family to a baby shower on Sunday afternoon, when an army patrol opened fire on them in the low-income neighbourhood of Guadalupe.

Dos Santos’s wife’s stepfather and a passerby were both wounded; his wife, seven-year-old son and 13-year old goddaughter escaped injury. The homicide detective Leonardo Salgado, who examined the scene and interviewed witnesses, told

the Guardian soldiers had confused the family’s white car with another white car stolen nearby.

“They did not order it to stop, they started firing in an unjustified, inexplicable way,” he said. “Only a miracle stopped this tragedy [from] being worse.”

The Army’s eastern military command initially said an army patrol had been attacked by criminals but on Monday it changed its position and said that due to “inconsistencies between the facts initially reported and other information that arrived afterwards” 10 of the 12 soldiers involved had been arrested for “disobeying the rules of engagement”.

“They refused to present

the soldiers. They said that military prosecutors were dealing with the case,” he said. The army said the soldiers were carrying out a “regular patrol” of the perimeter of a large military complex nearby and that the case is now with military courts and prosecutors.

Security specialists and activists said military courts are even slower and less efficient at investigating Army killings than civil courts. When the military were put in charge of policing in Rio state during a 2018 “federal intervention” homicides fell seven per cent, but deaths caused by state security agents soared 36 per cent.

(Excerpt from The Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, APRIL 9, 2019

17

Around the World

US labels Iran’s elite Revolutionary Libya crisis: Air strike at Tripoli Guard Corps a ‘terror group’ airport as thousands flee clashes

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard troops march in a military parade just outside Tehran, Iran [File: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP]

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resident Donald Trump announced on Monday that the United States is designating Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a foreign “terrorist organisation”, marking the first time Washington has formally labelled another country’s military a “terrorist group”.

Responding to the move, Iran immediately declared the US as “State sponsor of

terrorism” and US forces in the region “terrorist groups”, State media reported.

Iran also condemned the US decision as an illegal act prompted by Tehran’s regional influence and “success in fighting against Islamic State,” Iranian State TV said, referring to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS).

The US has already blacklisted dozens of entities and people for affil-

iations with the IRGC, but not the organisation as a whole.

Trump on Monday confirmed earlier reports that the US was planning the designation, saying it will continue to increase financial pressure and raise the costs on Iran “for its support of terrorist activity”.

The US President said in a statement that the move “recognises the reality that Iran is not only a State sponsor of terrorism, but that the IRGC actively participates in, finances, and promotes terrorism as a tool of statecraft”.

The designation “makes crystal clear the risks of conducting business with, or providing support to, the IRGC”, Trump said. “If you are doing business with the IRGC, you will be bankrolling terrorism.”

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a strident critic of Iran, said the designation would take place in one week. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

A

Fighters from Misrata are helping defend Tripoli

n air strike has hit Tripoli’s only functioning airport as rival factions battle for control of Libya’s capital.

Flights at Mitiga International Airport were suspended after passengers had to evacuate its terminal.

No casualties have been reported and an eyewitness told the BBC a militia based at the site appeared to be the target.

A Commander from the east, General Khalifa Haftar is heading an offen-

sive to take control of the capital from a UN-backed Government.

Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj has accused General Haftar of attempting a coup.

At least 2800 people have so far fled fighting around Tripoli, the UN said.

The UN also warned that those who remain risk being cut off from vital services because of the clashes.

The UN’s Libya envoy, Ghassan Salame, described Monday’s Mitiga bombing

as “a serious violation of humanitarian law” and an “escalation of violence on the ground”.

The airport is home to a powerful militia, loosely under the control of the Government’s Interior Ministry, said the BBC’s North Africa correspondent, Rana Jawad.

Media loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA) have blamed the General Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) for the airport strike but there was no confirmation.

An older, inactive airport, Tripoli International, has also been a focal point for clashes recent days.

The Libyan Health Ministry said at least 25 people had been killed and 80 wounded so far, including civilians and Government fighters.

General Haftar’s forces said they had lost at least 19 fighters. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Ahead of Indian election, Modi’s party France plans tax cuts to quell yellow vest anger vows to strip Kashmir of special rights

I

ndia’s Hindu nationalist ruling party vowed on Monday to strip decades-old special rights from the people of Jammu and Kashmir, making an election promise that provoked warnings of a backlash in the country’s only Muslimmajority State.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is widely expected to retain power after a general election that starts on Thursday, though with a much smaller mandate, hit by concerns over a shortage of jobs and weak

farm prices.

It pledged to spend 100 trillion rupees (US$1.44 trillion) on infrastructure in the next five years, to help create jobs for the millions entering the workforce each year.

The BJP has consistently advocated an end to Kashmir’s special constitutional status, which prevents outsiders from buying property there, arguing that such laws have hindered its integration with the rest of India.

The party also reiterated its long-held desire to abol-

ish Kashmir’s autonomous status.

BJP supporters have sought the removal, expressing anger at many Kashmiris’ resistance to rule

by India, which, for three decades, has battled an armed insurgency in the region also claimed by Pakistan.

Repeal would bring widespread unrest, Kashmiri political leaders warned.

Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, the leader of a left party in Kashmir, warned of “disastrous and unimaginable repercussions”. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

Erdogan says ‘organised crimes’ took place in Istanbul vote

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u r k i s h President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has defended his party’s plans to demand a full recount of votes cast in mayoral elections in Istanbul, claiming that “almost all” of the voting was marred by irregularities.

Erdogan and his Justice and Development (AK) Party suffered a major setback in last week’s local elections after the opposition took control of the capital, Ankara, and won a tight race for Istanbul, after nearly 25 years of rule.

Erdogan himself rose to prominence as Istanbul’s Mayor in the 1990s before emerging as a national leader.

A partial recount of votes - mostly of ballot papers that were previously

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suffered a major setback in last week’s local elections after the Opposition took control of the capital[Ahmet Bolat/Anadolu]

deemed invalid - demanded

by Erdogan’s party is taking place in several Istanbul districts. But the party said it will apply to the country’s top Electoral Board to demand a recount of all the ballots.

Opposition Republican

People’s Party (CHP) candidate Ekrem Imamoglu’s lead over the ruling party candidate, former Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, narrowed to close to 16,000 votes from the initial 25,000 votes in Istanbul on Monday, after 90 per cent of the invalidated ballots were recounted.

Erdogan said when there was a problem with a margin of vote victories in other countries, appeals and even new elections were not unusual.

He, however, added that his party would accept results confirmed by the top Electoral Board.

The CHP candidate for mayor of Ankara, Mansur Yavas, received a document certifying his election win and took over the municipality in a brief ceremony on Monday. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

“The big debate is here”: Yellow vest protests have dominated French news for months

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he French Prime Minister said cutting taxes must be a priority, in response to a national debate that focused on the yellow vest protesters’ grievances.

Edouard Philippe said “the debate clearly shows us in which direction we need to go: we need to lower taxes and lower them faster”.

The “great debate” involved 10,000 meetings in French community halls and about two million online contributions.

France has the highest taxation rate among developed countries.

But France also has the highest level of social spending, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Tax cuts have been a key demand of the yellow vest (“gilets jaunes”) movement that has taken to the streets in France every weekend since mid-November.

Initially, the protesters demanded lower fuel tax-

es, but the movement quickly morphed into a general rejection of President Emmanuel Macron’s economic policies.

Philippe said the threemonth national debate had highlighted “immense frustration over taxes”.

One of Macron’s least popular measures, early in his presidency, was to scrap a special tax for the wealthy.

Yellow vest protesters accuse Macron of protecting the Parisian elite, especially the wealthy, while neglecting the hardship of citizens in the provinces.

Philippe said another lesson from the debate was that “the balance must be restored between the cities and the regions”. That would include improving transport links between urban and rural areas.

There was also public demand for more participatory democracy and more action to tackle climate change, he said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Sudanese Army blocks attempt to disperse protesters: witnesses

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udanese soldiers intervened to protect several thousand demonstrators calling for an end to President Omar al-Bashir’s rule on Monday after security forces tried to break up the sit-in, witnesses and activists said.

For the first time in some three months of unrest, a group of prominent opposition leaders joined protesters outside the Defence Ministry in Khartoum.

They addressed demonstrators who have been massed for two days outside the Ministry compound and repeated their demand for

Bashir and his Government to step down immediately, witnesses said.

The Interior Minister told Parliament that six people had been killed on Saturday and Sunday in disturbances in the capital, and one in the western region of Darfur.

Early on Monday, witnesses and activists said riot police and secret service personnel charged the demonstrators with pick-up trucks while firing tear gas, trying to disperse a crowd estimated at 3000 men and women.

But witnesses and activists said soldiers guarding

the compound had come out to protect the demonstrators, firing warning shots in the air.

The security forces retreated without firing back and soldiers deployed around the area, while demonstrators chanted “The army is protecting us” and “One people, one army”, witnesses said. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Previous attempts by security forces have failed to disperse the protesters, who have vowed to stay until Bashir steps down. (Excerpt from Reuters)

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tuesDAY, APRIL 9, 2019

ARCHIE

Take care of business first before someone complains.

(March 21- Once your tasks are complete, April 19) move on to enjoyable activities that will ease stress and keep you fit.

ARIES

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Don’t let anxiety kick in and cause you to make an emotional mistake. Look for the positive in whatever transpires to ease stress and make better choices.

CANCER

It’s time to have some fun. If you work on a project that stimulates you mentally, good things will happen.

A relationship will develop faster if each party pursues a common goal.

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

(PELORUS: puh-LOR-us: A sighting device on a ship.)

Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 53 or more words in PELORUS? The list will be published Tuesday.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

YESTERDAY S WORD - TROCHES hero hers hoer horse horst hose host echo escort etch ethos

Don’t jump into something you haven’t had a chance to study. Stick to methods you know are safe and sound, and keep to the people you know you can trust.

Learn all you can and connect with people who can help you make healthy and wise decisions. Don’t let anyone put demands on you.

Keep a close watch over your money and possessions. Take care of important details yourself.

Share your feelings with a loved one and make plans that will bring you closer together.

something risky or unrealistic.

Don’t share private information.

Average mark 38 words

other cero chest chore chose core corset cost cote crest hector

How you help people will determine what others think of you. If you want to make a change, consider how it will affect everyone around you.

The right move will lead to new opportunities.

Network and mingle with SAGITTARIUS people you can learn from.

(Nov. 23- Gravitate toward the experts, Dec. 21) not to those trying to pitch you

TODAY’S WORD - PELORUS

those throes torch tore recto rest retch rochet rose rote ocher

Take your time going over your tax return or other financial papers. An oversight on your part or by someone taking care of your affairs will be costly.

score scoter sect sector shoe shore short shot sore sort store

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Change your lifestyle to suit your needs in order to feel happy about your future. The past will reveal exactly what you need to know to make the best choice.

If you reconnect with someone you enjoyed doing things with in the past, you’ll come up with an interesting idea that will bring about a positive change and a different lifestyle.

Be careful what you say.

Stick to the rules and offer positive feedback. Help others, but don’t let anyone take advantage of you. Take precautions to avoid injury and arguments.

tuesday, APRIL 9, 2019

19

VIVO IPL Edition 12…

KL Rahul the hero as Kings XI Punjab remain unbeaten at home SCOREBOARD K L Rahul’s third fifty in four matches helped Kings XI Punjab over the line with a ball to spare, ensuring they maintained a perfect home record in IPL 2019 with a six-wicket win over Sunrisers H y d e ra b a d .

T h e

David Warner scored 70 not out

Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul added 114 for the second wicket

visiting bowling unit did well to stretch the match into the final over as a 114-run second-wicket stand between Rahul and Mayank Agarwal nearly went to waste due to a late stumble chasing a target of 151.

With 19 off 18 balls required and nine wickets in hand, Sandeep Sharma and Siddharth Kaul suddenly dragged Sunrisers back into the contest with a superb pair of death overs that claimed Agarwal, David Miller and Mandeep Singh to leave Rahul and new man Sam Curran needing 11 to get off the final over bowled by Mohammad Nabi. But Sunrisers paid for sloppy fielding in the ensuing sequence as a pair of would-be singles by Curran turned into two twos, before a final fumble

by David Warner at long-on on the penultimate ball allowed a single to become another two for the winning run.

Power outage After R Ashwin won the toss and sent the visitors in to bat, the Kings XI bowling unit strangled Sunrisers top-order in the first half of the innings.

Jonny Bairstow fell to Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s fourth ball in the second over as a leg stump line of attack that initially resulted in a pair of leg-side wides finally paid off with a catch flicked to Ashwin at midwicket.

Warner survived a run-out chance by Miller at backward point on 4 in the fifth over as both he and Vijay Shankar struggled to get momentum going in the face of a disciplined display by the hosts, ending the Powerplay at 27 for 1. The pair reached 50 for 1 at the halfway mark, having gone 5.1 overs without a boundary.

The pressure finally resulted in Shankar edging Ashwin behind in the 11th as his attempted late cut to third man went awry due to some extra bounce.

Warner shifts gears Entering the 16th over, Warner was still striking at under a run a ball before taking Mujeeb on to give Sunrisers a late burst. Warner had earlier showed signs of getting unstuck by reverse sweeping Mujeeb over point for a boundary in the 13th and became aggressive once more against the Afghan by stepping outside leg stump to loft him

over long-on for six, moving to 47 off 46 balls. He brought up a 49-ball half-century later in the over, the slowest of Warner’s T20 career.

Warner survived another chance on the second ball of the final over. After Mohammed Shami had Manish Pandey caught at deep midwicket to start the over, Warner should have been out on 69 gloving an attempted scoop to the keeper but was given not out. A single next ball allowed Deepak Hooda on strike, who flicked four past the keeper before two straight drives accounted for another 10 runs to complete 100 off the final 10 overs for Sunrisers.

Rashid nabs Gayle the whale The 20-year-old Afghan legspinner took a famous beating at the hands of the Universe Boss on the same ground last season when Gayle torched Rashid Khan for six sixes, including four in a row during one over, on the way to an unbeaten 104 off 63 balls.

Rashid ended with 1 for 55 on that day in a Kings XI win.

But on this occasion, their showdown was short and sweet in favour of Rashid who nabbed the biggest fish out there. Having already scored 16 of Kings XI’s first 18 runs, Gayle decided to take on the first delivery Rashid bowled after entering the attack in the fourth over and wound

3

Sunrisers Hyderabad Innings (20 overs maximum) DA Warner not out 70 JM Bairstow †c Ashwin b Rahman 1 V Shankar c †Rahul b Ashwin 26 Mohammad Nabi run out (Ashwin) 12 MK Pandey c sub (KK Nair) b Shami 19 DJ Hooda not out 14 Extras (lb 5, w 3) 8 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 7.5) 1504 Did not bat: YK Pathan, Rashid Khan, B Kumar (c), S Kaul, Sandeep Sharma Fall of wickets: 1-7 (JM Bairstow, 1.4 ov), 2-56 (V Shankar, 10.4 ov), 3-80 (Mohammad Nabi, 13.2 ov), 4-135 (MK Pandey, 19.1 ov) BOWLING AS Rajpoot (4-0-21-0) M Rahman (4-0-34-1) M Shami (4-0-30-1) R Ashwin (4-0-30-1) SM Curran (4-0-30-0)

up driving a catch to Hooda at long-on, who charged in for a brilliant take.

Rahul stays cool After Gayle fell, wickets were hard to come by for Rashid and everyone else in the Sunrisers bowling unit. Rahul continued his fine early season form by steering the rest of the Kings XI chase. He smacked Nabi for two boundaries in the 13th to bring up a 34-ball halfcentury.

Kings XI Punjab Innings (target: 151 runs from 20 overs) KL Rahul † not out 71 CH Gayle c Hooda b Rashid Khan 16 MA Agarwal c Shankar b Sharma 55 DA Miller c Hooda b Sharma 1 M Singh c Hooda b Kaul 2 SM Curran not out 5 Extras (lb 1) 1 TOTAL (19.5 Overs, RR: 7.61) 151-4 Yet to bat: SN Khan, R Ashwin (c), Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AS Rajpoot Fall of wickets: 1-18 (CH Gayle, 3.1 ov), 2-132 (MA Agarwal, 17.1 ov), 3-135 (DA Miller, 17.6 ov), 4-140 (Mandeep Singh, 18.6 ov) BOWLING B Kumar (4-0-25-0) S Sharma (4-0-21-2) R Khan (4-0-20-1) M Nabi (3.5-0-42-0) S Kaul (4-0-42-1)

Victory looked assured before the late wobble of wickets. But after five runs

by Curran to start the final over, Rahul’s dominance over Nabi continued with a straight driven four to take the equation down to two off two balls. Another flick by Rahul toward long-on was certain to level the scores but wound up becoming the winning shot after Warner couldn’t pick up the ball cleanly. (ESPNcricinfo)

Chelsea climb to third with win over West Ham

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hese are likely to be Eden Hazard’s final few months in Chelsea blue but, if displays as scintillating as this are an indication of his mood, then the Belgian is clearly determined to depart on a high. The focus will inevitably be drawn to his stunning goals here, which would ultimately serve to thrust this team back into third place, but his had been an inspirational performance throughout. The kind that will be sorely missed in these parts.

West Ham, initially so becalmed but a team who grew into the derby to prompt anxiety in the latter stages, charged four players with swarming around the winger at times in an attempt to suppress his threat, but Hazard would not be stifled. The forward was at his irrepressible best, his every touch spreading panic in opposing ranks while Chelsea’s fans cooed in awe of his ability. Eden Hazard proved a constant menace to West Ham throughout the match The 28-year-old will consider it his mission to secure Champions League football as a parting gift for this club. On this Fabianski’s post from an acute angle, or Callum Hudson-Odoi form, and with the team having summoned some momentum, beyond the full-backs. The weight and accuracy of the Belgian’s delivery to free the teenager beyond Aaron Cresswell just before he can still achieve that much.

The locals crammed into the lower tier of the Matthew the interval was stunning, and all conjured while on the move, Harding stand had unfurled a huge banner depicting Hazard’s with Fabianski doing well to turn the youngster’s shot over the trademark knee-sliding celebration before kick-off, a reminder bar.

It was a masterclass, with West Ham utterly unable to quell – if required – that he will always be cherished in these parts for all his eagerness for a fresh challenge in Madrid. Real, having his threat wherever he secured possession on the pitch. Marko initiated talks last month and apparently aspiring to do business Arnautovic, an unconvincing right-winger and even more suspect at around £85m, hope to speak with the Chelsea hierarchy again when tracking back to support his defence, resorted to shoulder in the days ahead as they seek to strike a compromise over barging the hosts’ No 10 off the ball in the area, though the the fee that would finally lure the winger to the Bernabéu. Yet referee waved away the penalty appeals. Yet, by then, Hazard performances such as this will presumably drive the price far had already supplied his 18th goal of the campaign, and one of the most jaw-dropping of his seven-year stint in England, to force higher, even for a player whose deal expires in 2020.

Hazard, perhaps benefiting from the rests Maurizio Sarri has the home side ahead.

There had appeared little danger when he collected the ball granted him, has been a figure revived of late, with all the fizz and purpose restored to his play. He revelled here in picking passes from Ruben Loftus-Cheek about 40 yards from West Ham’s goal. from deep to liberate Gonzalo Higuaín, who would strike Lukasz Yet, via a flick to kickstart his dart, he swerved away from a half-

hearted Mark Noble and Declan Rice, the latter too far away to muster a challenge, with the zigzag between Angelo Ogbonna and Fabián Balbuena just inside the penalty area played out at breakneck speed. The visitors had been sliced apart through their centre, the area of the team where they had expected to be at their most solid.

Hazard had reached the penalty spot then dispatched his shot into the corner of the net before Ryan Fredericks, a fifth panicked opponent to litter his vapour trail, could slide in and suffocate the attempt.

The full-back would prove more successful in deflecting a close-range volley from Higuaín beyond the far post before the break but West Ham would still depart frazzled by the ferocity of the whole experience.

If Manuel Pellegrini’s selection had appeared bold, then their performance had been horribly anaemic, carrying little to no threat through that one-sided opening period.

Javier Hernández, a regular scorer against Chelsea over the years, would be hauled off at the interval, with Manuel Lanzini and Felipe Anderson in a rejigged formation duly forcing Kepa Arrizabalaga into smart saves early in the second half. Aaron Cresswell’s piledriver, launched across the goalkeeper and just beyond the far post, would not have been saved.

Yet the frenetic nature of the contest had alarmed Sarri on the bench, with his own team’s inability to supply a second from their clearcut openings – Hazard, the substitute Olivier Giroud late on and the otherwise excellent Loftus-Cheek, twice, might have converted – leaving the Italian patrolling his technical area anxiously. That profligacy left the majority on edge and it would take Emerson’s touch to turn an Arnautovic header round the post with Chelsea suddenly uncertain at the back, heaving to contain the visitors’ late urgency in pursuit of parity.

But West Ham’s goal would not come and, as a pulsating contest drifted into its last minute, there was Hazard to collect Ross Barkley’s pass and drill a second into the corner. (The Guardian)

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesday, APRIL 9, 2019

CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship 2019…

Guyana drawn in Group D

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he Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW) today conducted the official draw for the 2019 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship, to be held at the Calle Independencia in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The 2019 edition of the biennial CONCACAF event, which will be held with the support of the Municipal Government of Puerto Vallarta, will have

participation of the 16 best national beach soccer teams in the region. The two best-ranked teams in the competition will ensure qualification for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup to be held in Paraguay in 2019.

The draw, which sorted the 16 participating teams into four groups, was conducted

by CONCACAF Chief Football Officer Manolo Zubiria.

Guyana has been drawn in Group ‘A’, alongside El Salvador, Guadeloupe and Belize. Group ‘A’ has Mexico, Costa Rica,

Jamaica and Guatemala; Group ‘B’ has Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands and US Virgin Islands; while Group ‘C’ consists of United States, Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda and Bonaire.

Guyana open their campaign against El Salvador on May 14, then tackle Guadeloupe the following day, before locking horns with Belize in their final Group ‘D’ match.

The tournament is scheduled to run from May 13 to 19.

Jamal Haynes (11) scoring for Guyana against Belize, BSC 2017

BCB launches Friends of Cricket 100 Balls Tournament for NA/Canje Zone

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he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday last launched another cricket tournament as they strive to fulfill their commitment to organise as many as thirty tournaments at all levels in 2019.

This vibrant Board has already launched tournaments at the Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Under-21, Internal Zones, Primary Schools, Intermediate, Secondary Schools and Second Division levels in the first three months of the year, and would be launching several others in the coming weeks.

The new tournament launched was for teams in the New Amsterdam/Canje sub-zone area at the Second Division level. The five sub- zone areas for which the Berbice Cricket Board organises cricket are Berbice River Zone, West Berbice, New Amsterdam/ Canje, Lower/Central Corentyne and Upper Corentyne.

This tournament is being sponsored by a group of overseasbased Berbicians who call themselves Friends of Berbice Cricket, and will be contested by 15 teams. Those teams are Flying Stars

Cricket Club, Edinburgh Cricket Club, Mt Sinai Cricket Club, Guymine Cricket Club, Tucber Park ‘A’ Cricket Club, Tucber Park ‘B’ Cricket Club, Young Warriors ‘A’ Cricket Club, Young Warriors ‘B’ Cricket Club, Kendall’s Union Cricket Club, Kendall’s Union Sports Star, Police Sports Club, Goed Bananen Land Cricket Club, Betsy Ground Cricket Club, East Bank Blazers Cricket Club, Rose Hall Canje Welfare Cricket Club, and the Mental Hospital Cricket Club.

The teams are divided into four zones, with the winner of each zone advancing to the semifinals. The tournament will see each team facing 100 balls, with three bowlers allowed to bowl three six-ball overs, while two could bowl four overs, including an eight-ball over.

A maximum of two fielders will be allowed outside of the 30 yards for the first five overs, and a maximum of five for the rest of the innings.

Clubs are allowed only two First Division players per game,

while all teams are reminded that all players should be attired in whites. Captains who fail to be at the venue fifteen minutes prior to the start of play shall forfeit their right to the toss, while walkovers shall be granted half hour after the scheduled start of play.

BCB President Hilbert Foster has extended gratitude to former President Anil Beharry, who worked hard to obtain the sponsorship. The sponsors include former Asst Treasurer of the BCB, Romash Munna; Yadram Bhoji and Aftab Shamshudeen.

Foster hailed the sponsors for support of the tournament and for remembering the county of their birth.

Foster committed himself to hosting more tournaments at the internal zones’ level, and said great effort would be made to have a 40- over tournament in each zone by the third quarter of the year. He emphasised the importance of grassroots cricket, as it assists the Berbice Cricket Board to identify promising talents for the future.

Linden Town Week Mayor’s Cup…

Capital knocks out Botafago ─ Eagles United Humble Topp XX

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ewcomers Capital FC knocked out Botafago after a 6-5 penalty kick result broke a 2-2 deadlocked game, while number one ranked Eagles United moved on following a 4-2 triumph over Topp XX, as play in the Linden Mayor’s Cup Football championship, being staged as part of the Linden Town Week 2019 celebrations, continued at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground on Sunday night.

Jamal Haynes pushed his team, Botafago, ahead in the 20th minute, only to see Duquan Hercules tie the game in the 26th minute, scores 1-1. This score was intact going into overtime play, until Andre Mayers sent Capital FC ahead2-1, this time from the penalty spot after 93 minutes.

However, in the 104th minute, Botafago again tied the scores from a goal by Antoine Gill, 2-2. The game went down to penalty

Duquan Hercules and Andre Mayers

kicks, and after the two teams were spotless in the first five kicks they took, Capital FC knocked in their first sudden death kick -- as Botafago missed theirs -- to advance 6-5 to the final four.

In the other game, Eagles United disposed of opponents 4-2, based on a double from Donovan Francis, who scored in the 6th and 48th minutes. The other goals were scored by Kellon Primo in the 28th minute and Colwyn Drakes in the 50th minute. For Topp XX, the goals were netted by Abraham Brown in the 17th and Travis Waterton in the 78th minutes.

On Sunday, the quarter finals will continue with Winners Connection against Silver Shattas, and Net Rockers taking on Blueberry Hill United.

TTFA must explain missing US$2.3M from Home of Football project claims – board member Caribbean Club Shield 2019…

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rinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) board member Keith Look Loy has claimed there will be questions for the association to answer after an audit of the finances of the Home of Football project has revealed a shortfall of US$2.3m (TT$16m).

According to reports, the discrepancy stems from the number of contracts currently at the association’s headquarters and the budget for the controversial project.

Look Loy had turned to the High Court after failing to get the requested information from the association. The court ruled in his favour and order the TTFA to furnish Look Loy with the TTFA ledger for the period of November 2015 to present and contributions of FIFA, TTFA and the government for the Home of Football. The TTFA was also ordered to hand over the overall budget for the names of all bidding companies or parties in connection with the project, the TTFA personnel who selected contractors and sub-contractors for the project and the name of the project manager; the names of contractors and sub-contractors engaged; the quantum, duration and terms of all contractors associated with the project and the current financial and construction status of the project.

According to Look Loy, the results were

TTFA president David John Williams

surprising.

“When I added up the quantum of what was stated in the contracts, the grand total was TT$3.189 million; but the grand total of the FIFA contribution for the Home of Football was US$2.75 million or TT$19.25 million,” Look Loy told Wired868.com.

“So I don’t know how they plan to explain that shortfall, but the gap is over $16 million!”

According to the online publication, TTFA president David John Williams or any other members of the organization is yet to respond to queries surrounding the allegations.

Conquerors winless after 2 runs T

he Fruta Conquerors are at the bottom of Group ‘A’ in the second edition of the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield, after suffering a loss and playing to a draw in the first two of three preliminary matches.

On Friday, April 5, Conquerors opened their campaign against Scholars International at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Curacao, and were defeated 2 – nil. On Sunday, the Tucville-based side battled to a nil-all draw against Jong Holland at the same venue, which is home to Jong Holland.

Today, Conquerors are scheduled to play their final Group ‘A’ match, against Santiago de Cuba at the Dr Antoine Maduro Stadium.

Scholars International lead Group ‘A’ with a win and a draw, while Jong Holland

and Santiago de Cuba both have two draws. There is still a slim chance Conquerors can advance if they manage to score a win in their final preliminary match.

The quarterfinals are slated for April 11, with the semifinals and final billed for April 13 and 15 respectively. The winner of the Caribbean Shield will have opportunity to face the fourth-place finisher of the 2019 Flow CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championship in a playoff match to determine the fourth Caribbean representative in the 2019 Scotiabank CONCACAF League.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, APRIL 9, 2019

GWA boosted by certified coaches and referee G

uyana have now gained three Level One qualified wrestling coaches and one Level One referee, after their participation in a National Federation Workshop.

This was made possible by the United World Wrestling (UWW) and Barbados Olympic Association (BOA), through Olympic Solidarity at the Caribbean Super Week held recently in Barbados.

The coaches that qualified are Kerry Anne Edwards, Kobe Bowen and Marcello Small; while the referee is Charles Johnson.

The officials of the Guyana Wrestling Association (GWA) were pleased for the opportunity, as it has given them a better insight of wrestling and the opportunities it has to offer to Guyanese youths. Several countries’ representatives were present at the Caribbean Super Week host country, such as Barbados, Guyana,

Jamaica, St Lucia, Bahamas, Suriname and Haiti.

The GWA will be hosting its first Camp from April 15 - 17 at the New Amsterdam Town Hall from 10:00 am to 14:00 hrs.

The purpose of the camp is to sensitise parents and children about the sport of wrestling; its origin, technique, types and rules; and the many benefits of a wrestling athlete. This programme will be introduced to different parts of Guyana in the coming months and years.

The GWA has also set up its Inter-School Wrestling Committee in Region 6, and plans to have one in every Region in Guyana in the near future. These committees will oversee wrestling in the respective Regions.

For future plans, the GWA wishes to have school and club tournaments, followed by the inter-school championship,

21

followed by a national championships to select a national team, which will then represent Guyana in the international games.

Executives of the Guyana Wrestling Association extend gratitude to the United World Wrestling President of UWWA, M r.

Francisco Eduardo Lee Lopez; Barbados Olympic Association; President of BWA, Rollins Alleyne; Development Officer of the Americas, Yuri Maier; Coaches Errett and Galva, and the UWW representative Lei Liang for a fun and fantastic programme at the Caribbean Super Week.

WDCA/Beacons 50-Over Cricket…

McGill continues to dominate I n a weekend packed with action, McGill Super Stars Sports Club defeated the Windsor Forest Sports Club in the West Demerara Cricket Association’s (WDCA’s) Beacons 50-Over competition by 123 runs.

The match was held at the Windsor Forest Cricket Ground.

At the spin of the toss, Mc Gill emerged victors and opted to bat first on a hard wicket. Sunny conditions also fa-

voured the team batting first.

Windsor Forest were no strangers to McGill, their having defeated them in the past, and McGill were prepared to make light work of the fragile team. Opening the batting for the superstars McGill were brothers Travis and Troy Persaud, who played smartly as they built a mammoth opening stand of 118 runs. But Troy Persaud fell in the 25th over, and Windsor Forest were giv-

Travis scored 100 and bagged 2-12 to lead McGill to victory

en a window of opportunity.

Batsmen continued to fall as Travis Persaud was offered no support. He, however, continued to rally, bringing up his century in 115 balls. Eventually he was dismissed in the 32nd over, with the score at 168-5; and from there it was light work for Windsor Forest, who restricted McGill to 208 all out in 41.3 overs.

Top scoring for McGill, Travis Persaud made an even

100 (6×4, 4×6); Troy Persaud made 32, and Daniel Basdeo made 20. For Windsor Forest, Ravi Kadarnauth bagged 4-34 and Mahendra Chaitram chipped in with 3-46.

Needing only 209 for victory off 300 balls, Windsor got off to the worst possible start, as they lost wickets in the ‘power-play’ overs. Two players in the team were forced to retire hurt to further dent the team’s hopes of a victory.

McGill were all over Windsor Forest, who eventually folded on 85-8 in 36.1 overs. Aditya Kadarnauth and Sachin Balgobin both made 14, Mahendra Balgobin made 13, and Ravi Kadarnauth made 10.

McGill’s victory was inspired by Travis Persaud with 2-12; Balram Aron with 2-15, Abdul Razack with 2-21, Ganesh Puran with 1-18, and Daniel Basdeo with 1-18.

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n 11-year-old Jamaican has created history by signing for a Formula One team.

Mercedes, the the team of Grenadine Englishman, Lewis Hamilton, announced the signing of Alex Powell on Thursday, creating more history for the island nation.

“When we were made the offer, we were extremely proud and excited for Alex and proud of his accomplishments. I’m also very happy for Jamaica and the Caribbean, especially because this is actually history in the making.

This is actually the first time that a young man from the Caribbean has been signed to a Formula One team,” said Powell’s Dad, John.

John Powell is a veteran racedriver and is also the cousin of one of Jamaica’s finest sprinters, former World Record Holder over 100 metres, Asafa

duced the best.

“One of his first comments was, ‘Dada, this is going to be a lot more pressure on me and the team as a whole.’ But he’s done so well up to now that we’re extremely proud of him and happy for everything that he has done and will do,” said the elder Powell.

While Alex began racing in Jamaica, he moved to Europe for a greater challenge and found he could compete.

“Alex really grew up around motor racing in Jamaica, in Trinidad and in Barbados,” the elder Powell said. “To be able to compete with Alex Powell the best kids in the world and be one of the Powell. best, if not the best driver in his age group, 10 According to the elder Powell, his son was ex- to 12 years old, and he’s only 11. It’s really phecited about the prospect but knew it meant he nomenal for us and for the people of Jamaica,” now had to maintain a level of consistency and said Powell. (Sportsmax) keep improving because Mercedez-AMG pro-

Annandale Secondary bag KFC tape-ball championship

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nnandale Secondary romped to yet another tape-ball tournament victory after they defeated Patentia Secondary School to win the KFC-sponsored InterSecondary Schools ‘Super 6 Overs’ tape- ball cricket competition.

This tape-ball tournament, which saw participation from 19 secondary schools drawn from across the country, bowled off on Saturday 6th April 2019 on the D’Urban Park tarmac in Georgetown.

In the semifinal round, Annandale Secondary trounced L.B.I Secondary, while Patentia Secondary enjoyed a commanding victory over Hope Secondary in order to book their respective spots in the final.

When the final game concluded, the KFC Championship Trophy and medals were presented to the winners, Annandale Secondary; while Patentia

Annandale Secondary take a photo with the runners-up of the tournament

Secondary received the runners-up trophy.

Ryan Wong of L.B.I

Secondary, Persaud of Secondary,

Ganesh Patentia and

Chanderpaul Ranraj of Annandale Secondary were all presented with special

prizes for their individual outstanding performances in the competition.

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tuesday, APRIL 9, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Bounty – ‘The Quicker Picker Upper’ 2nd Division Hockey League…

Saints stun GCC Spice

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─ Sequel taste victory

ounty – ‘The Quicker Picker Upper’ Second Division Men’s and Women’s Hockey Leagues got off to a good start this past weekend with matches being played on both Saturday and Sunday at the St Stanislaus College ground.

The competitiveness of this year’s league matches in the men’s division was immediately apparent from the opening Saturday afternoon matches. The SHC Savages managed to draw with the experienced defending champions GCC the Sequel 1-1, while an aging Hikers Cadets also played to a 3-3 draw with Bounty GCC. The SHC Savages managed to capitalise on the Sequel starting the match without a goalkeeper, as Hilton Chester capitalised on a rare Sequel defence error to roll his pass over the goal line in the 11th minute.

Sequel’s Patrick Edghill managed to draw the game even four minutes later in connecting with a pass from overlapping deep defender Dwayne Scott. Despite Sequel’s pressure, the Savages held firm, allowing no further goals and seeing the match to a safe 1-1 draw.

The other men’s match of the afternoon, between Bounty GCC and the Hikers Cadets, which took place simultaneously, saw an exciting exchange of goals, which also resulted in a draw 3-3. Lennox Carrol scored first for GCC in the 4th minute of play, but Kevin Fogenay equalised two minutes later to leave a 1-1 halftime score.

GCC went ahead twice more in the second half through Meshach Sargeant and Jason Gomes, but the Hikers’ Sherwyn Caesar and Rene Edwards equalised on both occasions, to leave the final score at 3-3.

The Sequel returned on Sunday to defeat their junior

Full scores are:

Bounty - The Quicker Picker Upper Second Division Hockey League MEN

Bingo Spartans midfielder Madison Fernandes launching an attack against YMCA Old Fort Wildcats

counterparts, Bounty GCC, by a 2-0 margin through goals from Fernandes brothers Alan and Philip, while the SHC Savages edged YMCA Old Fort Aces 1-0 through a solitary goal from Captain Hilton Chester.

In the ladies competition, Saints stunned the defending champions GBTI GCC Spice 2-1 in their opener. Young sensation Charlia Webb outpaced the Spice defence to score in the 13th minute for Saints, giving them a 1-0 half time lead.

Dominique De Groot rattled the Saints’ backboard four minutes into the second half to tie the scores, but Mariah Seegobind gave Saints the winner just three minutes later.

The Bingo Spartans squandered many chances in their battle against the YMCA Old Fort Bellas. Sound defence

Goals GCC the Sequel – Alan Fernandes, Philip Fernandes

GCC the Sequel drew with SHC Savages 1-1 Goals SHC Savages – Hilton Chester 1 GCC the Sequel – Patrick Edghill 1

SHC Savages defeated YMCA Old Fort Aces by 1 – 0 Goals SHC Savages – Hilton Chester 1

Bounty GCC drew with Hikers Cadets 3–3 Goals Bounty GCC Lennox Carrol, Meshach Sargeant, Jason Gomes Hikers Cadets – Tremaine Cole, Sherwyn Caesar, Rene Edwards

Saints defeated GBTI GCC Spice by 2–1 Goals Saints – Charlia Webb, Mariah Seegobind GBTI Spice – Dominique DeGroot

GCC the Sequel defeated Bounty GCC by 2 – 0

WOMEN

Bingo GCC Spartans drew with YMCA Old Fort Bellas 0 – 0

from Old Fort’s Candace Glenn and Julia Gouveia kept the marauding Spartans scoreless to end the match at 0-0.

Matches continue every Saturday and Sunday at the Saint Stanislaus College ground.

Namilco donates $500K Assuria Insurance Golf Tournament tees off April 27 worth of exercise books to RHTY&SC campaign

LGC President Aleem Hussain (second right) along with a few members of the club

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ssuria Insurance Companies will host their inaugural golf tournament at the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) on Saturday, April 27, with a tee-off time of 12:30 pm.

Managing Director Yogendra Arjune, who joined the LGC as a member last year, feels the partnership between the LGC and Assuria is a good step for both entities.

“I have always seen golf as a game of tremendous focus and energy – qualities that are the foundations of Assuria General,” he said.

President of the LGC, Aleem Hussain, declared: “We want to attract golfers of all levels of ability, so this tournament will feature three categories: 0-10, 11-19 and 20-30, so that more players can partake and enjoy the game.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three players in each category, Longest Drive and Nearest to the Pin, as well as for the Best Net and Gross Scores for the day. As a result, we hope that everyone in Guyana -- even if you are not a member, but have an interest in playing -- will come out and take part.”

Arjune added, “Staff from Assuria will be on hand to engage in games and fun, and to hand out giveaways to those in attendance from 3pm onwards”.

The history of Assuria dates back to 1889, when the Eerste Nederlandsche insurance company established its first subsidiary in Suriname. Companies such as Olveh, Ago, Manulife, Nieuwe Eerste Nederlandsche, SURAM, NEN Schadeverzekering, De Nationale, ENNA and NIFM were merged to create what is presently the Assuria Group, which offers Life and General, Term, Endowments and Pension Insurances, along with Motor, Fire, Travel and

Health Insurances.

Assuria General (Gy) Inc. and Assuria Life (Gy) Inc. have been offering quality and innovative products, supported by excellent customer service, to Guyana’s population since March 2012. Assuria Gy offers Motor, Fire, Liability, Life and Pension insurances to Guyanese, and they are currently the only ISO-9001:2015 certified financial service provider in Guyana.

As a result thereof, customers can be guaranteed that their high-quality services meet international requirements.

Since April 2013, the company has been active in Trinidad & Tobago through Gulf Insurance Ltd. This company offers General Insurances in Trinidad and several Caribbean Islands. In January 2015, Assuria acquired controlling interest in Mega Insurance Company Ltd. This company is active in Trinidad & Tobago and offers Life Insurances. The name of Mega Insurance Company Ltd. was changed to Assuria Life (T&T) Ltd. Assuria are more than an insurance provider, they are a large institutional investor who is especially active in the field of mortgage loans and real estate developments. The company sees that, with the development of Guyana’s resources, more and more people and companies will come to Guyana, and golf is a unifying sport that will bring them all together.

For more information on the LGC, and how to learn the game or become a member, call 220-5660/645-0944. To find out more about Assuria Insurance Companies and their services, email them at guyana@assuria.gy or visit any of their seven offices located in Giftland Mall, Church Street, Vreed-en-Hoop, Parika, Rose Hall, Diamond and Linden.

RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster receiving the donation from Namilco Managing Director Bert Sukhai

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ver the last twenty-five years, cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), MS, have administered a highly successful ‘Say Yes to Education’ Campaign as part of their personal development programme.

On Tuesday last, that campaign received a major boost when the National Milling Company (Namilco) handed over to the RHTY&SC thousands of exercise books valued at $500,000.

The Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster received the donation in the presence of Club members Simon Naidu and Ravin Kissoonlall.

Foster disclosed that the books would shortly be distributed to schools at the primary level as part of the Club’s effort to get children to make education the main goal in their lives.

He expressed gratitude to the management of Namilco, especially its Managing Director Bert Sukhai, for reposing confidence in the RHTY&SC and its ability to get things done.

Foster said the RHTY&SC and its ten cricket teams strongly believe that education is the Key to success. He expressed great concern that many children are dropping out of school at a very tender age, and he said this does not auger well for Guyana’s future.

The longstanding sport and youth official, who recently was the recipient of a national award, said that every effort must be made to get youths to stay in school and complete their education.

Over the last twenty-five years, the RHTY&SC have invested millions of dollars to assist thousands of students in their pursuit of an

education, and dozens of schools, NGO and teachers have also benefited. Among the activities hosted are distribution of cycles, exercise books, school bags, school uniforms, educational grants and footwear.

Among other programmes/activities are Tribute to Outstanding Teachers/Students, Tribute to Retired Teachers, Tribute to Head Teachers, Top Ten Grade Six Students Award, Republic Bank Summer Camp, Assistance to Schools, Sponsorship of Educational Competition, Youth Inspirational Booklet, Annual Review Magazine, Educational Posters, Youth Career Fair, among others.

Club member Simon Naidu disclosed that Namilco will be sponsoring a historic School Athletics Championship for Schools in Region 6 on May 26, 2019 at the Albion Community Centre Ground.

The Athletics event will be coordinated by the Club as part of Namilco’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Successful athletes would receive trophies, medals and cash prizes. Namilco will also co-sponsor the RHTY&SC annual Awards Ceremony and Annual Review Magazine in 2019.

Namilco Managing Director Bert Sukhai sdeclared Namilco pleased to be associated with the RHTY&SC, and expressed confidence that the relationship would grow stronger. Sukhai noted that the exercise books were printed as part of a massive Namilco 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Namilco was founded in 1969, and, over the years, has been a massive contributor to the development of sports, youth development, culture and education.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, APRIL 9, 2019

23

Lodge, Christianburg-Wismar look forward to Milo final

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he curtains will come down on the seventh Milo Schools Football tournament on Sunday, April 14th. The final game could not be scripted better, with two of the front runners, Christianburg-Wismar and Lodge Secondary, slated to vie for the $500,000 first prize.

Both teams enjoyed wins on Sunday in the semifinals.

While one was more thrilling than the other, both teams have worked consistently throughout the past months to earn their spot in the final.

When this publication caught up with the Captain of the ChristianburgWismar team, Andre Mayers was thankful for his team’s win, even though it was by a slim 1-0 margin.

“We weren’t in top form, but we did well,” he explained.

Pointing out area that they need to work on,

Coach of Lodge Secondary, Leon Bishop

Mayers identified the defense, which seemed shaky at times, allowing their semifinal challengers Annandale Secondary one too many chances at the goal.

While the youngster could not exactly identify what they would be doing in preparation for the final,

he noted that they would be looking closely at the winner of the other semifinal.

“We are going to watch the first half of the next semi game and see how the teams are playing, and train hard based on that,” he explained.

Nonetheless, Mayers was confident about his team’s

Christianburg-Wismar captain Andre Mayers

chances going into the final.

“We just have to work on our togetherness, and we will win this tournament,” the Christianburg-Wismar captain said.

On the other hand, Lodge

Secondary did their homework on their semifinal opponents, President’s College, and there is no doubt that they will do the same for the final. Explaining that the team watched videos of their challengers as part of their preparation, the team’s coach, Leon Bishop, explained that they based their game plan around that.

“The guys went out there and they executed well, and the results showed that they would have learned from their first group stage match,” he said.

Reflecting on Lodge’s last meeting with Christianburg-Wismar, when the Georgetown team went down 2-0 to the Linden boys, Bishop was quick to defend his team’s showing in that Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers match.

“If you were here you would have seen that it was a competitive match right

down to the end. It was two basic errors that caused us the two free kicks that they scored,” Bishop stated passionately.

On that note, the team’s coach is equally confident that they can pull off a win when the teams meet again on Sunday.

“So we know that once we play to our potential and we are focused, keep the possession of the ball, we can do well against them,” Bishop stated.

The final of the Milo Football tournament will be played at the Ministry of Education Ground on April 14 at 17:00hrs. (Jemima Holmes)

RHTY&SC 29th Award Ceremony…

Gizmos & Gadgets, Canadian Surplus, John Lewis Styles, Da Silva’s Optical among sponsors

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n Sunday, April 28, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), MS, Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, will be hosting its 29th annual Awards Ceremony at its Head Office.

A total of forty club members are to be specially honoured for their contributions and performances on the cricket field and in assisting the RHTY&SC to successfully complete over 900 activities over the last fifteen months.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster and Asst Secretary/ CEO Simon Naidu head the planning committee for the event, and both have expressed confidence that all plans will be in place. This

National cricketers Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Jeremy Sandia, Kevin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Clinton Pestano, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva

teachers, retired teachers, law enforcement officers and medical personnel. The Club will also take opportunity to make donations to several organisations and individuals.

Bel Air Rubis Inter-County Under-17 Tournament…

Ramraj bags 4-7 to hand Demerara victory

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Sales representatives of Canadian Surplus handing over the donation to Simon Naidu and Sohan Harry of the RHTY&SC

Managing Director of Gizmos & Gadgets, Ravi Mangar, handing over Smart Watches to RHTY&SC’s Hilbert Foster

year, a total of $2 million worth of trophies, medals, framed certificates, prizes and gifts are to be shared out, instead of the usual $3 million, because of the Club’s heavy investment in Berbice Cricket and increased expenses on

Giddings, Sheneta Grimmond and Shabiki Gajnabi are among the expected awardees.

The 2019 Awards Ceremony would also include honouring outstanding

the cricket field due to the large amount of tournaments organised by the BCB. On Tuesday last, the organising committee received donations from Canadian Surplus, The Gift Centre, John Lewis Styles, Namilco, Factory Price, Da Silva’s Optical,

Gizmos & Gadgets and H.A Snacks Co. Ltd. Namilco donated fifteen hampers and $60,000 worth of trophies, while the Providence-based Canadian Surplus donated a large quantity of educational materials and two coffee makers. Gizmos & Gadgets, official sponsors of the Club’s First Division Team, handed over three Smart Watches; while The Gift Centre and John Lewis Styles donated luxury watches and other gifts.

Factory Price contributed 40 medals towards honouring of the cricketers, while H.A Snacks Co. Ltd donated several hampers. Dr. Phillip Da Silva of Da Silva’s Optical contributed financially.

Naidu expressed gratitude to each of the donors, and said that over the last 29 years, the Awards Ceremony has served as an inspiration to club members to perform at the highest level. Club members who receive awards are used by management as role models for younger members.

he action commenced in the Bel Air Rubis Inter-County Under-17 tournament with Demerara prevailing over Berbice in a lowscoring affair.

Batting first, Berbice were in a heap of trouble, as they found themselves at 7-2 with openers Ricardo Ramdihol and Collis Noble both dismissed respectively off the bowling of Trevon Charles and Jagdesh Dowlatram.

It was now up to Marvan Prashad to play a captain’s knock to lift his team out of trouble, but Demerara were able to keep Berbice on a tight leash.

Sarwan Chaitnarine came to the crease but offered no support to Prashad, soaking up 12 balls before departing for a duck when he was dismissed

by Dowlatram to add more pressure on the visitors.

After Prashad departed for 31, not much support was offered, with the second highest score – 13 -- coming from Zeynul Ramsammy.

Berbice crumbled after Ramsammy fell, as Chanderpaul Ramraj and Andre Seepersaud ripped through the batting lineup to bamboozle the visitors, leaving them at 66 all out in 29.1 overs.

Chanderpaul Ramraj led the bowling attack with 4-7, while Andre Seepersaud claimed 3-6.

Chanderpaul Ramraj bagged 4-7 to restrict Berbice to 66

Jagdesh Dowlatram bagged 2-5, and Charles had 1-12.

Needing a simple target of 67 for victory off 300 balls, Demerara batted patiently, with the opening pair of Ronaldo Mohamed and Matthew Nandu slowly chipping away at the total. When Nandu was

clean bowled by Jonathan Rampersaud for 11, Mohamed played an anchor-like innings to score and unbeaten 11 from 85 balls. Andre Seepersaud top scored with 31 not out, as Demerara reached 67-1 in 28 overs to claim the first points of the competition.

tuesday, APRIL 9, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship 2019…

Caribbean Club Shield 2019…

Guyana drawn in Group D

Page 20

Page 21

Conquerors winless after 2 runs Page 20

VIVO IPL Edition 12…

Match #23 Time: 10:30h

GWA boosted by certified coaches and referee From right: President of UWWA, Francisco Eduardo Lee Lopez; Charles Johnson; Marcello Small, President GWA; Kerry Anne Edwards; and Kobe Bowen

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