Guyana Times - Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3787

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Govt, Opposition urge Guyanese to spread “peace and goodwill” guyanatimesgy.com

See stories on pages 3 and 7 ... to meet in January ...President convenes meeting with top security officials

Mystery fire destroys admin building at Diamond Secondary School

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

A 90-yearold tells his Christmas P13 story

Ex-Wales P9 sugar workers hopeful for employment opportunities

Page 12

Over 180 P15 contraband items found in raids at 5 prisons

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo shares a photo moment during a Christmas party he hosted for children on Monday at his Church Street, Georgetown office

Spreading Christmas cheer to those who touch our hearts Page 18

Guyana Times Assistant Editor Bhisham Mohamed makes a presentation to Pam Chandradeo and two of her three children

President P13 leaves today for another round of chemotherapy “The sugar P6 that built me”: Belle Vue elders reflect 62 years on

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3 Govt, Opposition urge Guyanese to spread “peace and goodwill”, build a “tolerant society” news

tuesdAY, december 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, December 25 – 05:30h-07:00h; Wednesday, December 26 – 08:00h-09:30h and Thursday, December 27 – 09:00h-10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, December 25 – 06:25h-07:55h; Wednesday, December 26 – 07:15h-08:45h and Thursday, December 27 – 08:10h-09:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals are expected throughout the day. Clear skies are expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 20 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 06:20h and 18:35h reaching maximum heights of 2.66 metres and 2.77 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 12:07h reaching a minimum height of 0.59 metre.

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Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

President David Granger

s Guyana joins the rest of the world in celebrating Christmas, which signifies the birth of Jesus Christ, the Government and the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) are calling on Guyanese to promote peace and goodwill while building a tolerant society.

In his Christmas message to the nation, President David Granger posited that the promise of peace and goodwill on earth was central to this festive season and to the ministry of Christ.

“The gospel of St Luke in the Holy Bible reminds us that on the eve of Jesus’s birth, angels proclaimed: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” The promotion of peace and the fostering of goodwill are the eternal messages of Christmas and the essential conditions for achieving social cohesion in this country and everywhere in the world,” he noted.

The Head of State posited that despite the divisions of the past and the difficulties of the present, Guyanese should accept that sometimes differences would exist, but they need not be hostile or hateful because of that.

“The lesson of Christmas teaches us the value of peace among peoples and goodwill toward all. We are creating a community of citizens based on mutual respect and aimed at ensuring the common good. Guyanese, Guyana is becoming a gentler, kinder, more compassionate country. Everyone, regardless of race, religion, political persuasion, social status or place of residence could look forward to sharing the goodwill of this festival and to living in peace with one another,” President Granger encouraged.

He noted that as Guyanese at home and in the Diaspora were observing this sacred event with joy, we should be reminded that it was a special season that is filled with the spirit of friendship and fellowship.

“The festival of Christmas could be celebrat-

for compassion and kindness, it is also a time for prayers and goodwill among people.

“Whatever challenges may confront Guyanese, they always find ways and means to share in the spirit of the season,” the PPP/C added, while remaining optimistic about the future.

“As the New Year beckons, new challenges may be forthcoming but if we remain steadfastly hopeful, we as Guyanese will overcome them,” the Party asserted.

Nevertheless, the PPP/C added that as the nation cel-

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ed most meaningfully by remembering the biblical proclamation of Jesus’s birth.

Let us work together to eradicate the capital vices of anger, greed and hatred and to engender peace and goodwill in our families, in our communities, and throughout our beloved country,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, the Opposition is urging Guyanese to reflect so that the pertinent messages and significance of this festive time are not lost.

“Christmas marks the birth of the Saviour Jesus Christ, whose exemplary life and teachings provide guidance for the upliftment of humanity. Let us all be inspired by what he stood for to build a more tolerant society where hope of a better future becomes the prevailing sentiment and mood,” the Party said in its Christmas message to the nation.

According to the PPP/C, while Christmas is the season of merriment and a time

ebrated the festive season, it should have the needy and the less fortunate and the many others who are faced with challenges of various sorts in their thoughts and have them enjoy the usual generosity that is common during this time.

“Our Christmas traditions and values are internationally renowned,” the PPP/C asserted as it extended greetings to all Guyanese, especially the Christian community here and in the Diaspora for a merry Christmas and a successful New Year.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesdAY, december 25, 2018

Views Checking it twice

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

Christmas: Remember those thrown into poverty

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s we celebrate Christmas today, it is time for reflection on the year that is about to end. This year, however, we celebrate Christmas against the backdrop of the 2019 Budget that was just passed by the Government using its one-seat majority in Parliament and, shortly thereafter, the collapse of Government with the no-confidence motion filed by Guyana’s Opposition Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) being successful.

Despite the looming of fresh elections in the first quarter of 2019, this has not dampened the spirits of Guyanese, as had been anticipated by many.

Today is Christmas – the birthday of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem over two millennia ago. The narrative of his birth is very important for us today, and not only because the religion founded in his name is easily the largest and most widespread among the seven billion or so humans on planet Earth today, but for the message encapsulated in his life.

Born in a manger among the domesticated animals kept there, the baby Jesus was of humble stock, since his nominal father, Joseph, was a carpenter. Joseph was made the Patron Saint of Workers by the Catholic and even some protestant denominations, while Jesus ministered mostly to the poor during his sojourn on earth. In the Bible it is written: “When he (Jesus) came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.”

In a world of increasing inequality, Jesus’s message is very apropos on this day. Even though named after him, many will be hosting sumptuous feasts even as thousands of our brothers and sisters in the sugar belt wonder where the next meal will come from.

This newspaper carried a story in which a 25-yearold mother of four was quoted as saying, “Sometimes my children wake up in the night hungry and all I can do is cry. Right now, I need a lot of help. I am punishing a lot, because it isn’t easy to raise four children without a job”.

She and her 35-year-old husband were former workers at the Skeldon sugar estate, which has been closed.

No mother or father can bear the cries of hunger from their children. Those cries are daggers to the heart, which worsens when there is no means to offer them a morsel. Her heart-shattering story is just a microcosm of the harsh and cruel reality hundreds of sugar workers are now forced to endure following the closure of some estates over the past two years. That reality may not have fully resonated or been understood by others, and maybe by those who made the decision to shut the estates. It’s similar for others like her and for the fathers who become emasculated in such circumstances. That reality has telling effects on the mental state of those affected. Enduring that daily exacerbates that very troubling mindset and the seeming hopeless situation.

The people across the entire sugar belt face more than a bleak future, as they many have been unemployed for as much as two years. Even before the decision was taken, families pleaded for it not to be implemented over fear of the devastating impact it would have on their lives and on thousands more who are indirectly affected.

Today, as we celebrate Christmas, let us remember and help those who are poor and those who were plunged into poverty because of unemployment.

Merry Christmas

Checking it twice: In this Dexter Ceres photo, this child was seen on Regent Street, Georgetown wisely examining her toy set before she makes her final purchase

Jamal Khashoggi’s final months as an exile in the long shadow of Saudi Arabia (Conclusion)

By Souad Mekhennet and Greg Miller

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A syringe y July 2018, the Saudi crown prince had commanded subordinates to find a way to bring the exiled columnist back to the kingdom, according to intercepted communications examined by US intelligence officials.

They saw an opportunity in late September, when Khashoggi entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul seeking paperwork he needed for a marriage to a Turkish woman. He was told to return the following week.

Khashoggi said he would be back the following Tuesday.

After attending a weekend conference in London, Khashoggi returned to Istanbul early in the morning on October 2 and called the consulate to say he would be there by 13:00h. He met his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, for breakfast and told her of his plan. Concerned about him going alone, she skipped obligations at a university in Istanbul to accompany him.

As he left his phones with her and went inside, it was the last time she ever saw him.

Several Saudi teams were already in place, having arrived on a pair of jets from Riyadh. The operatives had met with Qahtani before leaving, according to Saudi officials. Assigned to the team was Maher Mutreb, a Mohammed bodyguard who had worked at the Saudi embassy in London at the same time as Khashoggi.

What happened inside might never have emerged were it not for listening devices planted in the Saudi consulate by Turkish intelligence. The recordings span several days and capture

operatives discussing in advance of Khashoggi’s arrival their plans to subdue and kill him, according to Western intelligence officials.

Khashoggi seemed to realize quickly that he was in danger. A member of the team asked whether he would take tea, and Khashoggi replied yes with an edge in his voice that made it clear that he sensed that this ritual act of politeness presaged something sinister, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss classified material.

A member of the team informed Khashoggi that he was going back to Saudi Arabia, according to a Western official who said that for a moment Khashoggi seems to have believed that he was going to be drugged and abducted. The Saudi team, however, brought a syringe packed with enough sedative to be lethal, the officials said.

The rest of the recording suggests there was no intent to take Khashoggi alive, multiple officials said. It captures the writer gasping for air in a physical struggle that gives way to silence. The horror resumes with the sound of an electric motor, presumably a saw that a special member of the team – a crime scene expert from the Saudi Ministry of Interior – used to dismember Khashoggi’s body.

Saudi officials maintain that the team did not bring a saw but used implements found at the consulate, citing the statements that the suspects have given authorities.

Khashoggi’s body has not been recovered. Saudi officials said that the killers entrusted Khashoggi’s remains to an accomplice in Turkey.

Turkish authorities said the Saudis have yet to provide any evidence or identify this

supposed individual.

The publisher and the Ambassador Khashoggi’s disappearance, reported to Turkish authorities by Cengiz after she had waited outside the consulate for more than three hours, set off a frantic search for clues in Istanbul and Washington.

At The Post, publisher Fred Ryan appealed for help from senior Trump administration officials at the White House and State Department. Ryan also drafted a letter to Mohammed, delivered via diplomatic channels, the day after Khashoggi disappeared.

Trump officials were responsive during the initial days after the writer’s disappearance. Then, suddenly, the administration’s willingness to engage seemed to evaporate. It was as if Mohammed’s ardent backers understood, perhaps from early intelligence reports, that Khashoggi would not be found alive and that what they faced was no longer a case of a missing journalist but a looming diplomatic crisis.

Ryan’s attempts to get information from the Saudi government were met with denials and falsehoods.

After days of requests, Khaled, the Saudi ambassador and brother of the crown prince, agreed to meet with Ryan at The Post publisher’s Georgetown home.

He arrived around 21:00h on Sunday, October 7, five days after Khashoggi disappeared.

The ambassador indicated that he had been gathering information from Riyadh and that Saudi Arabia did not regard Khashoggi as a threat. “Jamal has always been honest,” he said. “We

have never perceived him as being an asset of [a hostile country] or anyone else.”

The ambassador proceed to make a series of assertions that defied logic and were contradicted by details emerging from Istanbul.

Ryan asked about reports that Saudi planes had flown into and out of Istanbul around the time of Khashoggi’s disappearance, pressing the ambassador on the presence of any Saudi aircraft. The ambassador responded categorically, saying that such reports were “baseless” when, in fact, such flights had taken place and the teams had flown back to Saudi Arabia within hours of Khashoggi’s death.

Asked to provide evidence backing up Saudi Arabia’s claims that Khashoggi had departed the consulate safely, the ambassador said that video cameras at the compound “weren’t recording” because of technical problems.

Ryan was incredulous.

“You can walk around the block here and you will appear on a dozen video cameras,” he said motioning to the surrounding neighbourhood. “I don’t understand this.” Saudi authorities have since concluded that the consulate cameras were intentionally disabled.

Ryan questioned the ambassador about other Saudi claims that seemed riddled with gaping holes of logic.

Why would Khashoggi have exited through the consulate back door, as some had suggested, when his fiancé was waiting out front? Why would he deviate from what he had done just days earlier, when he entered and left through the same door?

The ambassador was adamant. (The Washington Post)

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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

Entire AFC should Remembering yesteryear’s Christmas in Guyana have supported Charrandas

Dear Editor, The Guyanese people have, for three and a half years, been badly smitten by a morose sense of hopelessness, which gets progressively worse with each passing year the Coalition has been in government. The people saw not even a glimmer of hope on the horizon, since they knew that, as each day progresses, this nation has been fed a bitter diet of party paramountcy as the old PNC dictatorship began to emerge.

In the weeks preceding the no-confidence motion, the Coalition spent a fortune on advertisements and TV programmes in an effort to brainwash the Guyanese public.

However, the endless stream of wastage and extravagance; the countless acts of mismanagement, corruption and barefaced thievery; the cronyism and the innumerable ‘gifts’ to party hacks in the form of Commissions of Inquiry and forensic audits; the debilitating burden of increased taxation and worsening standard of living; the massive and vindictive dismissals of workers; the catapulting of numerous com-

munities into poverty; the completely visionless annual budgets; the destruction of all the productive sectors; the increasingly huge deficits of the public enterprises; the voracious appetite for borrowing -- ignoring the old, the young and the vulnerable groups, but shamelessly affording themselves the good life -- have all contributed to the success of the ‘NOCONFIDENCE’ motion.

Why call Charrandas a ‘traitor’ and a ‘Judas’? He gave an interview wherein he gave valid reasons for supporting the motion!

This member of Parliament took an oath to office in which he swore to ‘bear true faith and allegiance to the people of Guyana’ and that he would ‘faithfully execute the Office of Member of Parliament without fear or favour, affection or ill-will’, and that in the functions of that office, “I will honour, uphold and preserve the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana”.

Anyone who listened to his interview in aftermath of the passage of the no-confi-

dence motion would conclude that he gave effect to that oath, and allowed the facts outlined above to ignite his conscience, resulting in his support of the motion.

What is a ‘conscience vote’? A conscience vote, or free vote, can be defined as ‘a type of vote in a legislative body where legislators are allowed to vote according to their personal conscience rather than according to an official line set down by their political party’. On one hand, the Coalition had instructed its members that the no-confidence motion is a ‘vote of conscience’ and should be voted along party lines. However, the Leader of the Opposition, Dr Jagdeo, is cognisant that, given the numbers, the motion would need the support of at least one member of the Coalition side of the House, therefore he exhorted those members that, “There are many of them that express displeasure about the state of affairs within that camp and about the policies they are pursuing…[We hope] that some of them will grow a conscience and translate what they say privately into a vote, and we hope that that will happen because it wouldn’t mean an act of betrayal, it would be an act of patriotism.” This exhortation of the Opposition Leader bore fruit. A patriot answered this call!

It must also be borne in mind that this change of conscience did not happen overnight. Since this Coalition took office in 2015, there has been a continuous awakening of the consciousness of its supporters, who became greatly disillusioned by its performance in office and the fact that the ‘good life’ as promised has dissipated into thin air. I have written extensively about the AFC reneging on its founding principles and its ‘subservience’ to the APNU, and Charrandas echoed this in his interview.

The move by Charrandas was in the making all the time, and should have been supported by the entire AFC members of the House. At least that would have erased the shameless position to which they have been relegated, while renewing their commitment to the AFC’s founding principles; but, instead, they have opted to expel the one person who has stood as a beacon of sacrifice to this nation. The AFC have again squandered an ideal opportunity to make amends.

Charrandas had offered that final opportunity to the AFC, but has gifted great hope to the Guyanese people at this year’s Christmas!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor – Region 6

Dear Editor, Christmas was/is the most popular and largest of cultural celebrations in Guyana, the diaspora and throughout the Caribbean.

Although a Christian holiday, it was/is widely celebrated by non-Christians (Hindus and Muslims who also are present in large numbers in the Caribbean). A Caribbean X-Mas was/is a secular-like holiday with gift-giving, feasting, exchanging cards, seasonal music, watching the (masquerade) bands, horse racing, visiting friends and relatives, etc. Neighborhoods were festooned with simple trimmings, balloons, varied lightings, and other decorations but not in abundance as exist today. People went out on Christmas eve for snacks and ice cream and purchasing toys for children.

The celebration of yesteryear is etched in the minds of Guyanese in the diaspora with a basket of memories. It is the main reason why many in the diaspora prefer to go "home" to be with relatives and relive that unique experience.

Christmas offered the opportunity for renewal within the home. Old curtains were replaced with seasonal curtains. The pickets, house walls and tree trunks would be washed or painted or white washed (with a special lime).

Some acquired new furniture.

Some people polished and varnished old furniture and the floor are done. New cushions would be in place along with new spreads on the beds and new pillows to welcome the new season. The lawns were immaculately kept. The decorated tropical Christmas tree on the front yard was lit up with simple lights.

The season produced a special feeling that is associat-

ed with certain sounds (music - both religious and secular, western and Indian, church bells, special radio programs, horns, whistles, bells, popping toy guns, crying dolls, etc.

Christmas carols were very popular with choir singing in front of churches. Carols and Christmas songs were also played on the air and the radio stations. Businesses advertise their Christmas goods and services early and as such radio and television stations started Christmas programming in November.

Christmas had a certain smell (curry and massala dishes, the fruit cake, bread, ginger beer, sorrel, mauby, pine drink, new or redone furniture and new curtains, bed spreads, etc.). The aromatic scent wafted in the air and all the decorations and trimmings brightened up entire neighborhoods. There was a spirit of friendliness (expressed in smiles, handshakes, hugs, etc.).

Christmas was a time when people sent Christmas cards to each other and to relatives and friends around the world. People called one another at Christmas time – about the only time in the year to speak with friends because of the huge costs associated with call and the limited phone lines. Most of the international calls were from America, Canada, United Kingdom because of high costs for calls emerging from Guyana. But today many calls originate from the Caribbean because of reduced rates arising out of competition.

People looked forward for radio programs that carried telephone greetings recorded and packaged as a program from the diaspora and aired on Christmas Day or Boxing Day or New Years. These

were later replaced with telex messages and subsequently by phone calls and internet messages and now whats app.

Christmas was the time for masquerade bands, performing and playing their special brand of music on special instruments, accompanied by colorful costumed characters dancing. The performers would stop in front of a house, playing and dancing and even entered into yards and danced entertaining households. The spectators generally offered cheers and money.

The season was associated with giving gifts primarily to children -- toys, games and clothes are some of the favorite gifts. Children were told that their gifts were brought

by Father Christmas and that they should hang socks and commit to being good. They were encouraged to go to bed by midnight so Santa can bring their gifts. Gifts were opened in the morning with squeals of delight from the children.

Christmas was a time for preparation of food, cakes and other goodies served with traditional homemade drinks. It was traditional for families to expect uninvited visitors.

Among the main items served were black cake, ginger beer, (imported apples and grapes, walnuts, dates, sweet wine, etc. before they were banned).

The season was also a time to go to horse races and the cinema and many people went to the cinemas to view hit movies from India or Hollywood.

The Christmas holiday season extended over on Boxing Day and repeated itself for Old Year and New Year with similar activities.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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The sugar that built me: Belle Vue elders reflect 62 years on getherness.

“Ah we live together, we come together, ah we mattie ... the world ah we own. All ah we come in this world as a family ‘cause God make ah we and who got passion got passion but me nah got passion,” the elderly woman stated with great fervency.

Today, she lives with her youngest child, who is in her 40s while her eldest child who lives overseas is in her 70s. Mrs Mangra said finally that she would most want to

many similar sentiments to Mangra regarding the unity that permeated Belle Vue. He said that at any time, neighbours or even strangers could visit various homes and be offered a meal. He indicated that as a teenaged lad, he was the last of his relatives to go over to Belle Vue shortly after the scheme was established.

Uncle Aaron said that while he lived at Grove, he worked at Diamond Estate throwing manure and started to plant cane at Belle Vue

Balram Balkarran

Jamonee Mangra, 86, the wife of one of the original sugar workers that settled in the Belle Vue Pilot Scheme in 1956. She is the last one alive of the original group

By Shemuel Fanfair

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ocated in the environs of the former Wales Sugar Estate is the breezy community of Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara (WBD), a village which was built on sugar and thrived during the heyday of sugar production.

In fact, the village celebrated its 62nd year in existence this past year and was said to be the first and only pilot scheme established by the Bookers Sugar Estate, which ran the industry from the colonial era up to 1970.

The ‘Belle Vue Pilot Scheme’ as it was then known saw 57 male sugar workers and their families from various estates across East and West Demerara being transplanted to the WBD village under a project that made them sugar cane farmers. It was felt that once workers cultivated their own produce that they would sell the cane to the estate and industrial conflict would be minimised as farmers would not strike

against themselves.

However, two of the estate workers turned farmers dropped out of the scheme shortly after and 55 remained. Today, all of those 55 couples have passed away – save for one of the wives, 86-year-old Jamonee Mangra, who resides on Third Street, Bellevue.

It was a regular and calm early afternoon when I met up with the soft-spoken but sharp mother of nine. It was after her lunch period and she sat by her downstairs window taking in the relaxing winds emanating from the Demerara River, which runs adjacent to the community.

She reminisced about married life to her husband, whose only name was Mangra. He died in April 1990 and Mrs Mangra recalled with ease that she and her husband were among the first set of occupants that moved into the scheme in August 1956.

"When I came on this street, it only had seven hous-

es complete and the other ones bin a build on the opposite side. The others come March 1957. People come from far and near and all ah we come and live; some come from Grove, Diamond, all about ... Manager tell we leh we come here and he ah gie we house for live. People always used to talk to each other," she fondly recalled.

The elderly woman, who had a somewhat restrained smile, said that when she first came from Wales, she helped her husband plant cane. Those were arduous days which began around 03:00h when she prepared meals for her household.

Jamonee was born near the Mahaica market area and went to Vriesland, WBD, at six years of age as a result of her father’s death.

Mrs Mangra bore 11 children from which five sons and four daughters remain alive.

The elder explained that she has about 30 grandchildren, and multiple great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren though providing the exact number was difficult. She, however, remembered clearly that all holidays in Belle Vue whether it was Christian, Hindu or Muslim would all be celebrated in to-

Third Street, Belle Vue, WBD

see cane being milled at the Wales Estate again as many of her children built their lives around the industry.

One of her neighbours, Ramnarine Ragaloo, 79, called “Uncle Aaron” was born in Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and had

after he joined his parents, ‘Jasodra’ and ‘Ragaloo’. One of the amenities in these original 15 by 20 foot homes were indoor toilets and a sewerage system.

“When we come we had seven houses pun one line on the toilet system and every 20

minutes to half hour, the toilets flushed automatically,” Uncle Aaron explained, noting that there was an overhead tank that stored water, which also flowed to two stand pipes in every street.

When the scheme started there were no trees and the concrete two-storey houses included upstairs bedrooms that were 8 by 10 feet with a kitchen on the ground floor.

Uncle Aaron saw the scheme as a developed place; however, he along with other residents said that many persons in the surrounding villages would aim remarks at them when they passed the villages on their bicycles, saying that Belle Vue’s inhabitants were living in prison.

“They would say ey! Belle Vue jail man'... people around didn't like us much ‘cause them seh we feel we powerful more than them,” he recalled.

The father of six, who also has six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, told Guyana Times that in the colonial days, they were paid $20 per week which had to suffice for a family of six or seven.

“It (the money) ah do, but not to how you want them do. I had seven children, one die. We used to wake about 5 o’clock time, prepare, lef house 7 o’clock; take lunch 1

Cash crops are now being planted on the farmlands at Belle Vue, WBD (Adam Baksh photo)

o’clock and when cane start cut sometime we come home 7 o’clock in the night. We used to get 75 cents a tonne cut and load,” Uncle Aaron noted.

He later explained that he got married to his wife, Lynette Rajbeo in 1961. “We married 57 years, married life been good; is how you treat am, she never worked on the farm,” he explained.

Uncle Aaron also pointed out that he grew up across the road from where he now lived and when he got married he went on the opposite side where he rented the entire house from Bookers Estate for $120 per year, which he highlighted could hardly buy a drink today.

He added that afterwards, the house went up for sale and he bought it for $350 from the Estate. He noted that his children would attend classes before helping on the farms in the afternoons. Uncle Aaron also said holidays were grand and unified.

“All holiday people ah come round – Phagwah, Diwali, Christmas. We used to live as one. Long time you only had to seh you head ah hurt yo and people used to come, but now yo dead and people nah even come,” he stated with a frown. turn to page 12

news

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tuesdAY, december 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Jagdeo, Granger to meet in January – President meets with top security officials

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ollowing Friday’s historic no-confidence vote, a meeting is being arranged between Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and President David Granger when the latter returns from Cuba early in January.

Jagdeo made this revelation during a press conference on Monday, when he read a letter from Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

In the letter, the Minister promised that a precise date for the meeting will be set upon Granger’s return.

Referring to Government’s posture since it lost the vote, Jagdeo acknowledged the maturity displayed by coalition leaders.

“There was a press conference held immediately after Parliament and I saw Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo speaking on behalf of the Government.

He said they respect the decision of the no-confidence vote, that the Government had fallen and elections were constitutionally due.

“I saw the President reflect similar sentiments and also express the hope that we could work even closer now. You would recall that

in Parliament on that very day I approached Minister Harmon and I said I would like to meet the President if possible,” he said.

Certifying no-confidence vote

Jagdeo also noted that he has received an official document from the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs certifying the passage of the no-confidence motion. This is significant as certain sections of society have questioned the validity of the vote. This is despite it being recognised by the Government itself, the National Assembly and the international community.

With their respective supporters still absorbing the results, Jagdeo reiterated the need for a meeting between him and President Granger. He noted that while the Constitution was clear on the time line for elections, there was still need for them to discuss the dynamics pre-and-post elections.

“We still need to talk about this period, about our conduct in this period, a conduct that doesn’t polarise our country any further.

And I said my party is prepared to have that discussion about the future, what happens in the post-election period that would result in a new government. Whether the new government is controlled by APNU/AFC or PPP, there shall be a new government.”

The Opposition Leader also noted that he has informed PPP/C supporters of the need to avoid triumphalism in the wake of the no-confidence vote. Jagdeo lauded the fact that most of Guyana have accepted the results and gone forward with the festive season.

Cabinet meeting

Meanwhile, President Granger on Monday convened special meetings with his Cabinet and the National Security Committee (NSC). Among the topics discussed was the fall of his Government on account of the no-confidence motion.

With the Government’s defeat, the Constitution of Guyana is clear on what the next steps are. According to a statement from the Government; however, the legal and constitutional as-

Linden fatal stabbing

Footballer died from stab wound to chest

A

post-mortem examination conducted on the body of 21-yearold Leonard Peters of West Watooka in Linden has given the cause of his death as perforation of the lungs due to stab wound to the chest.

The autopsy was conducted by pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh on Monday.

Peters met his demise on Saturday after accidentally spilling his drink on the suspect. According to initial reports, Peters was at a bar in his community when he accidently spilled his drink on

one of the suspects, and this subsequently led to a physical confrontation.

This newspaper was told that one of the suspects reportedly went to his home, situated a short distance away, and retrieved a knife with which he stabbed Peters once to the chest upon his return.

The injured Peters was rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), where he died while receiving medical attention.

The dead man’s father, Leonard Peters Snr, said he

Deceased: Leonard Peters Jr

was awakened by his wife, who related that their son had been stabbed. turn to page 15

pects of the vote were examined at the meeting and a sub-committee established to advise further on the matter.

“The Sub-Committee will examine all the legal opinions available and report to Cabinet on Thursday, December 27 with recommendations on the way forward,” the release from the Government states.

“The Government wishes to give the full assurance to you the citizens that all necessary measures to ensure your safety and security are in place and that, in this regard, you go about your business in a confident manner.”

However, despite Government’s examination of the legal options to go forward, the Constitution of Guyana is clear on the matter.

Article 106 (6) of the Constitution of Guyana states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

Clause 7 goes on to state

A meeting between President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is likely to be scheduled for January

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

the election.”

While the release did not elaborate on why the NSC met, Guyana recently drew international attention when the Venezuelan navy intercepted and forced an ExxonMobil research vessel to cease conducting its work in the Stabroek block.

This led to Exxon announcing the suspension of seismic data collection.

8 news Man arraigned for murder of Watooka youth T Splitting tuesdAY, december 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

wenty-two-year-old Michael Emmanuel was on Monday arraigned for the murder of Leonard Peters when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on December 21 at Lot 7 West Watooka, Linden, he murdered Peters, also called Lenny.

The accused was unrepresented at the time of his appearance. It was re-

ported that the now dead man was attending a social event, where it is alleged that he “accidentally spilled alcohol” on the accused.

This incident, escalated into a physical confrontation between the two.

Soon after the altercation, Peters was seen bleeding from the left side of his chest from what appeared to be a stab wound.

The injured man was rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), where he succumbed to

his injuries while receiving medical attention. The suspect was arrested and charged for the murder.

Meanwhile, a post-mortem performed on the body of Peters gave the cause of death as a stab wound to the chest and perforation of the lung. The autopsy was performed by Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh on Monday.

The accused is expected to make his next court appearance on January 8, 2019.

hairs…

G

Murder accused Michael Emmanuel

Teen charged for stealing boat, engine

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n 18-year-old Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) resident appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Christmas Eve slapped with a charge of stealing a boat and engine.

Richard Benn denied the charge which stated that between December 15 and December 16, 2018 at Puruni Landing, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), he stole one outboard Yamaha boat engine and one boat, both

valued at $987,000, property of Bibi Khan.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield informed the court that the stolen items were not recovered.

The Chief Magistrate released the defendant on

$100,000. As a condition of bail, Benn must report to the Bartica Police Station once per week.

The case will continue at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on January 11, 2019.

…with majority no-confidence vote

uyana hadn’t even recovered from the shock of AFC’s Charrandas Persaud voting his conscience -- to throw out the PNC-led Government and force elections to be scheduled in three months -- when Nigel Hughes claimed that the 33 “yes” votes against 32 “no” votes in a 65-member House didn’t constitute a “majority” to carry the no-confidence motion!!

This, of course, wasn’t pointed out between 2011 and 2015, when APNU and AFC pooled their 33 votes in the House to vote down several PPP bills when the latter only had 32 votes. That allowed them to select the Speaker and heads of several standing committees, since they had the “majority”. Since 2015, they have had a joint 33 seats to the PPP’s 32, and have passed any number of bills and motions in the House via their majority. Those majorities were okay. …But now that the PNC-led APNU/AFC Government has fallen – and this has been accepted by President Granger and PM Moses Nagamootoo as well as any number of ambassadors, who complimented us on our acceptance of “democratic” norms -- up comes this objection in what becomes an effort to throw a spanner into the works. Hughes’s suggestion of course throws a lifeline to the drowning coalition Government, which will grasp at any straw; but he’s just beating a dead horse – one which is even deader that the AFC’s “dead meat”!!

Listen to Hughes’s argument to parse the critical Art 106(6), which states, “The Cabinet, including the President, shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence” “There are sixty-five members of the House.

Mathematically, one half of the house is 32.5 members.

There is no such thing as a half-member, so half of the house is 33 members. This is because you have to round up to identify half of the house. For a no-confidence motion to pass and be valid, the motion has to enjoy more votes that one half of the full House, i.e: 34 votes. The House voted 33:32. Thirty-three is a rounding down of what constitutes half of the House. The motion consequently was not carried.”

Sadly, bright as Hughes may be, the premise of his argument falls for any number of reasons. Firstly, he’s conveniently conflating “categorical” and “continuous” variables for his argument. While, “mathematically”, half of 65 is 32.5, people aren’t a “continuous” variable like, say, temperature means something. Even Hughes himself concedes there is no such thing as “half people” – so his creation of 32.5 people, which he then rounds off upwards, is meaningless to begin with!!

It’s like the ancient scholastics counting the number of angels on the head of a pin!!

…And ignoring reality

The “conundrum” Hughes presents, therefore, is an artifice of his own creation! With “categorical” units like people, “majority” simply means “more than” the other portions combined. In an even number of categorical units, the majority is one more than the mathematical half. For odd numbers, the total is MATHEMATIALLY divided and the next WHOLE number upwards becomes the majority. It’s pure sophistry to divide 65 MPs to arrive at 32.5 MPs and then say, “There is no such thing as a half member, so half of the House is 33 members”!!

If one 32.5 is rounded up to become 33 and called “half”, what happens to the other 32.5 that becomes 32?

Are some halves, when they are PNC, of greater value than other halves, when they are PPP? The case cited by Hughes was on the determination of a quota which is not equivalent to a majority, and in any case also didn’t make the distinction between “categorical” and “continuous” variables.

Try another “thing”!

...On post no-confidence vote

One commentator claims Charrandas Persaud will form his own party. Your Eyewitness hopes he realises his hero halo will quickly be vaporised in the rough-andtumble of the elections hustings!!

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

9 Ex-Wales sugar workers hopeful for employment

tuesdAY, december 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

…many entering 2019 still unemployed

By Shemuel Fanfair

S

ome two years since the Wales Sugar Estate was closed, some of the people who have been affected say that they are still dealing with reduced employment opportunities heading into 2019.

Many of these persons reside in lower West Bank Demerara (WBD) communities such as La Retraite, Bellevue, Good Intent, Sisters, Vriesland, Vive-leForce and Free and Easy.

They are hoping that any project such as an industrial estate including a juice or plantain chip factory can be established as a means of providing much-needed jobs in the area.

A snow cone vendor,

Abel Charles

were closed for the last time, the Wales Market was the economic hub of the lower WBD area but now the mar-

Pam Ram attends to her kitchen garden as another source of income

who once supplemented his income when he worked with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) now depends solely on his former side employment to provide for himself and his family; selling to fellow villagers, many of whom can barely afford to support his trade. One of the women in the Vive le Force area; Pam Ram told Guyana Times that she would be grateful for a financial grant to go into farming. She said her husband is finding much difficulty in maintaining stable employment.

“He get knockout when the estate close but the money what he get (for his severance) is not anything. If you go to buy the Christmas things, it done...he doing lil weeding and getting a $2,000 – nothing much,” Ram explained.

Before the factory gates

ket has seen reduced sales as vendor Hemraj Budram who has been carrying goods into the villages reiterated. He stressed that in the 19 years he has been selling, things have been quite rough in the last few years.

“Now I find things really slow up not like before when cane used to chop.

Friday you ah sell like halfday market. Like how they close [Wales], they should have opened another factory like for juice or plantain chip or coconut. You don’t close thing just like that – everybody out of job,” the Patentia Housing Scheme resident told this newspaper.

Mother of five, Sharda Narine underscored her challenges with meeting her family’s basic needs, saying that she finds it difficult to send her children to school. The Vive-le-Force resident also expressed that

she would be grateful for her husband to get a consistent job rather than just one or two days’ work.

Meanwhile, cash crop farmer, Abel Charles noted that farmers are bearing the impact from the closure and expressed his hope that Government would assist in job creation while at the same time, rehabilitate some of the dams affected by the intermittent rains.

“When the rain falls heavily, we can’t use tractors, we have to fetch our goods for miles...since the Wales Estate closed, it affecting the farmers also; business is being affected right along the way but despite this, people could still survive but we asking the Government, they need jobs,” Charles observed.

Many of the sugar workers contended that they did

Sharda Narine

not know what the future holds for them at Wales or where the road will take

Michael Chootoo

Guyana Times Journalist Shemuel Fanfair gives a listening ear to a former sugar worker, who once supplemented his income as a snow cone vendor, which is now his only source of income

them but they are sure that they will not give up hope.

This is premised on their belief that they are duty-bound to ensure that their offspring live comfortably - always being able to attend classes and have regular meals. Presently, however, many have been facing a difficult holiday season.

“The family see things and they got to pass it. Like how Christmas coming now, you used to get a nice Christmas but now you will get a small Christmas but not to the standard where you went...with relationship problems, some people going away and some stayed,” Chootoo who had worked for 28 years explained.

Wales was closed in December 2016 and it was only a few weeks ago that remaining workers were paid their severance with interest after two High Court rulings.

Government has said that downsizing the sugar industry was a cost-cutting measure due to the billions of dollars that have been allocated to the cash-strapped industry.

Moreover, GuySuCo recently announced that operations at the three remaining estates (Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt) would yield a surplus for 2018.

However, many observers, including the political opposition previously expressed that the Administration should have conducted social impact studies ahead of closing estates. The closures of East Demerara (Enmore), Wales and Skeldon were finalised by December 2017.

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news

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Border controversy

Opposition Leader stands with Govt on territorial integrity efforts O pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday condemned the actions of the Venezuelan Navy on Saturday when it interfered with a research vessel doing work on behalf of ExxonMobil in the Stabroek Block.

At a press conference at his office, Jagdeo stressed that Guyana’s territorial integrity was above politics. As such, the former President expressed nothing but support for the Government’s efforts in this arena.

“We condemn this action, on the part of the People’s Progressive Party and the parliamentary Opposition.

We condemn it outright and we hope there is no repetition of this action,” Jagdeo said. “On Saturday, when I got wind of the incident, I called the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Carl Greenidge).

“When I got on to him, he said he was still sketchy of the incident and all the details. So I asked him to inform me when he had more information. He did so subsequently, but I indicated to him at that time … that should he issue a press statement he could include that I spoke to him and the PPP.” According to Jagdeo, he had wanted the parliamentary Opposition’s unequivocal support on the matter to be apparent from the start.

He noted the importance of this unity reflected nationally and internationally, notwithstanding the recent no-confidence vote.

Jagdeo noted, however, that the Foreign Affairs Ministry avoided mention of him reaching out to the Government and offering support on the matter in the press release it issued on Saturday following the incident.

The Ramform Tethys

“I did not see it reflected in the press statement, that is why I’m mentioning it here … that is one issue that is above politics in Guyana: the integrity of every inch of our country,” Jagdeo said.

On Saturday, the Venezuelan Navy intercepted and forced the ExxonMobil research vessel

to cease conducting its work in Guyana’s Stabroek Block.

This led to Exxon announcing the suspension of seismic data collection.

The US Government has since called on Venezuela to respect Guyana’s sovereignty, with the State Department reiterating in a press release that Guyana

has a right to extract its resources from the economic zone. Meanwhile, Venezuela has said it wants talks with Guyana.

In a broadcast on Saturday, Greenidge had condemned the actions of the Venezuelan Navy; actions which he noted were both illegal and aggressive, having occurred in the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of Guyana.

According to the Minister, Exxon reported to them that the Venezuelans intercepted the Ramform Tethys vessel at approximately 10:30h on Saturday at N 09 deg 17.19 min / W 058 deg 16.20 min at an approximate distance of 140 kilometres from the nearest point to the provisional equidistant line with Venezuela. Greenidge noted that the vessel had a crew of 70, including the Captain, on board.

“The Government of Guyana rejects this ille-

gal, aggressive and hostile act perpetrated by the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela which once again demonstrates the real threat to Guyana’s economic development by its western neighbour; an act that violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be bringing this latest act of illegality and blatant disrespect for Guyana’s sovereignty

by Venezuela to the attention of the United Nations,” Greenidge said. “It is also in the process of informing the several Governments of the 70 crew members of the threat to their safety.”

According to Greenidge, the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela would also receive formal communication from the Government of Guyana on the matter.

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tuesdAY, december 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

A 90-year-old tells his Christmas story

By Leah Hernandez

C

hristmas as we know has always been a time for sharing, togetherness, and showing love amongst the family, other relatives and even our friends. But with our grandparents and other elders around, togetherness would often be stronger, since they have a way of their own of bringing families together by simply making the festive spirit become more intense through the stories told about past Christmas celebrations.

One such elder who one can never lose interest in during a conversation is Edward Benjamin, 90, who was born in Sisters Village, East Bank Berbice (EBB) on April 8, 1928. Age has not affected his sharp memory as I sat down with him to talk about Christmas in years gone by.

During a captivating talk with the senior at his Yarrowkabra, Linden-Soesdyke Highway home, he seemed all jolly and enthusiastic about Christmas, as he recount-

Ninety-year-old Edward Benjamin

ed how he celebrated this festive season when he was younger.

Without hesitating, he fervently told me with smiles that he clearly remembered going around the village singing and beating drums with everyone joining in the merriment.

Our teller of tales, who was sitting and seemed very festive in the way he spoke, went deeper and related to me that even though the fuss about dec-

orating their homes was not so much, other activities such as fishing, picking coconut and cutting cane were way more interesting to do during the holidays – that seems quite unusual when compared to these times.

“As a boy, Christmas time, we would go around the village singing and have these tea cups, and beating drums and everybody comes out and gather around, that’s how I grew up.”

Like many Guyanese, Benjamin remembers a table full of pepperpot, black cake and cookup on Christmas Day. He said without these dishes “a Guyanese Christmas wouldn’t be a Guyanese Christmas after all”.

When asked what gifts he received for Christmas, he remembers his parents –- Hubert and Catherine Benjamin – making sure he had a toy gun just like all the other boys in the village. He recalled those days of playing with the toys guns as “good days”, noting that these days were “very dangerous days” to play with guns

given the many crimes committed with them.

The retired Sergeant of the British Guiana Police Force went on: “Christmas Day we do the same, we move around. The boys, we would play cricket and football and thing… The parents how they trained you, they teach you to believe in Santa Claus, but there is a Christ.”

The merry senior in an aside told me he feels great for his age, having been around for so long and being able to recall his Christmas memories.

Benjamin, who has been residing for the past 39 years in the lovely community of Yarrowkabra along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, related to me that his vigorousness was the result of his daily routines, which include waking up before seven in the mornings and being an active body in his yard.

As we slowly came to the end of our chat about Benjamin’s exciting Christmas stories, which seem quite numerous, I asked him what were some of his expectations for this year’s Christmas celebra-

A section of Benjamin’s well-kept surroundings

tion, and he smiled at me and said: “I look forward for a lot of things, like decorating the house; in general getting everything in order, clean up the place, paint the house and the

fences.”

It was not a surprise at all what he said, given the vigour he has demonstrated in sharing his Christmas stories.

President leaves today for another round of chemotherapy

P

resident David Granger will today leave for Cuba for another round of chemotherapy at the Centro de Investigaciones Médico Quirúrgicas (CIMEQ).

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

On Monday, the Head of State met with top officials of the Joint Services and with his Cabinet.

The President and First Lady Sandra Granger had travelled to Cuba on October 30, 2018 to enable his undergoing medical tests after he had complained of feeling unwell. Days later, he was diagnosed with cancer.

President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (Filed photo)

The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It comprises of clear fluid called lymph, which contains infection-fighting white blood cells known as lymphocytes, and the lymphatic vessels through which it flows.

The President was discharged from the hospital in Cuba on November 6, after undergoing a series of tests and surgical procedures. He returned to Guyana on November 20, after he was given approval by his medical team to travel. On December 4, the President left the shores of Guyana for a second time to continue his chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy targets cells that grow and divide quickly, as cancer cells do. Unlike radiation or surgery, which targets specific

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

In May of this year, Granger and the First Lady had travelled to Trinidad and Tobago to undergo what was referred to as their annual medical check-up.

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

The results of those check-ups, Government had said, had indicated a clean bill of health.

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15 Over 180 contraband items found in raids at 5 prisons news

tuesdAY, december 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

C

Some of the contraband found during the prison raid

ontinued efforts to rid prison facilities of contraband is proving to be successful as more illicit items were discovered during raids conducted at five penitentiaries across the country on Monday.

The coordinated search of the facilities involved over 260 personnel from both the Guyana Police Force and Guyana Prisons Service.

The exercise was carried out between 05:50h and 12:30h at the various prisons.

The searches resulted in the combined removal of the following prohibited items: 21 cellphones; a sim card; a memory card; six earpieces; four phone adapters;

a quantity of phone chargers; several packets of cigarettes/bamboo; 61 lighters; 12 smoking utensils; 46 grams of cannabis; four metal forks/spoons; 52 razor blades; six compasses; five pieces of broken mirrors; five pairs of scissors; a large quantity of improvised weapons and a quantity of nails.

In addition, the exercise also yielded the discovery of 12 bottles of fermented wine and three bottles of pepper sauce, as well as a quantity of stones, ‘shaving bics’, triple A batteries and sand paper.

Contraband smuggling has long been a perenni-

al problem within the prison system and this is compounded by the fact that both Prison and Police officers are facilitating the illegal trade, which is said to be a “big business”.

While the authorities have been struggling to curb the illegal practice, there has been a breakthrough on the apparent network among rogue prison officers.

In fact, only in October, four prison officers were arrested after they smuggled a bottle of rum and a pack of cigarettes into the Lusignan Prison the weekend prior.

Those officers were subsequently charged and interdicted from duty.

Footballer died from stab...

The distraught father said his son collapsed a short distance away from his home before he was transported to the hospital.

Police have since said they have taken two brothers into custody for this murder. This publication was told that one of the sus-

pects has taken investigators to his home, where he handed over a knife which is believed to be the murder weapon.

The elder Peters has said the family is still trying to gather information in regard to what had transpired, as information has not been

from page 7

forthcoming. He noted, however, that the suspects had been known to his son, since they had grown up in the same neighbourhood.

The body of the late Leonard Peters has since been handed over to relatives for burial.

In addition, another two ranks found themselves in hot water following the discovery of illegal items at two

separate prison facilities.

In Berbice, 1032 grams of suspected marijuana and 39 packs of cigarettes were found in the New Amsterdam Prison and a prison officer had admitted to conspiring with inmates to hide the contraband that was thrown over the fence.

Meanwhile, another prison officer at the Timehri penitentiary was taken into custody after he was implicated by an inmate regarding the presence of 584 grams of marijuana in the compound.

Furthermore, five other prison officers were relieved of their duties back in July after they were fingered in

an incident whereby a parcel containing cannabis had been thrown into the Lusignan Prison Holding Bay area.

Director of Prisons (ag) Gladwin Samuels had disclosed in September that so far for the year, some 28 prison officers have been dismissed; 11 for facilitating or directly smuggling contraband into the prison system. The Prisons Director added that there are 12 ranks currently interdicted from duty, nine of whom have been charged either departmentally or criminally for trafficking-related activities.

16 news

tuesdAY, december 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

PPP concerned over GECOM Chair’s illness as elections loom

O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has voiced concerns over the illness of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson, as elections are expected within 90 days.

Jagdeo made the remarks during his weekly press briefing on Monday. The 85-year-old retired Justice was hospitalised less than two weeks ago and was later discharged and was being monitored at home.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary posited that it was not just a concern of the Party but the general public, that has been looming since the appointment of the Chairman back in 2017.

“It’s a concern of ours – his illness. This has been a public concern when he was appointed. So that has to be important, because the Commission is critical to the (elections) machinery.

“If the commission is not meeting, who runs GECOM? The secretariat has a Chief Elections Officer and others, but you need the oversight of the Commission. So he’s not meeting.”

Minister of State, Joseph

Harmon had written to Jagdeo, revealing President David Granger’s willingness to meet with him when he returned from treatment in Cuba early in January. According to Jagdeo, the state of affairs at GECOM will be one of the things he brings up at the meeting.

“That must be an issue that must be discussed between us; about how we get the issue resolved. I don’t know what we will agree on, but as you correctly identified, it’s not just a concern to us but the general public.”

Last year, Jagdeo submitted three lists with six names each for a choice of GECOM Chairman, but Granger rejected them all.

The President then unilaterally appointed Patterson, who was never nominated by Jagdeo and who the PPP had specific concerns about. This precipitated a legal battle that ended up all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Asked whether he would waive the nomination process if it came down to replacing Patterson as GECOM Chairman, considering the 90-day timeline to elections, Jagdeo noted that such a deter-

GECOM Chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson

mination was premature and would have to be discussed.

Unconstitutional Government But Jagdeo did warn that if elections were not facilitated within 90 days and there was no parliamentary agreement to extend this time, Guyana would have in place an unconstitutional Government.

On Friday evening, the no-confidence motion brought by the parliamentary Opposition – PPP/Civic – against the Government succeeded when Charrandas Persaud, a former Alliance For Change (AFC) parliamentarian, broke ranks and cast a con-

science vote in favour of the motion.

A total of 10 Members of Parliament (MPs) had previously debated the motion, but when a vote of division was called, Persaud’s vote changed the numbers to 33 versus his colleagues’ 32 votes against the motion.

While Persaud’s former coalition colleagues have complained about being betrayed by the vote, the parliamentary Opposition has thrown its support behind the MP’s democratic right to vote in whichev-

er direction his conscience leads him.

With the Government’s defeat, the next steps are spelt out in the Constitution of Guyana.

Article 106 (6) states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

Meanwhile, clause 7 goes on to state that “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three

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

President Granger has already committed to following the provisions outlined in the Constitution, facilitating early elections and engaging in dialogue with the Leader of the Opposition

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tuesdAY, december 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

No-confidence vote

FITUG calls for political maturity

T

he Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) issued a call for political maturity at a time when the nation is in uncharted waters following the historic no-confidence vote in the National Assembly on Friday last.

FITUG on Monday acknowledged that the notion of such a motion was not new and has long been a constitutional feature; however, it was the first time that such a motion has been successfully charted.

The Federation said it was heartened to learn that the

Government has accepted the result of the vote and not too long from now national and regional elections will be held.

“We, at this time, look to the Guyana Elections Commission to fulfil its mandate and deliver an election that is free and fair and free of fear too. Our organisation, of

course, will be following developments on this front. We also recognised the statements of Leader of the Opposition, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who has committed to dialogue with the Administration as our nation finds itself in uncharted waters. This, we believe, is a step in the right direction. We noted too that President David Granger has signalled his willingness to meet and we hope that such meeting could be soon convened, recognising the medical treatment the President is receiving at this time. We certainly hope those discussions will yield fruits in the interest of the Guyanese people,” FITUG said.

On Friday last, the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) successfully tabled a motion against the David Granger-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Coalition Government. The PPP/C, which has 32 of the 65 seats in the National Assembly, was able to successfully sway AFC’s Charrandas Persaud, ultimately leading to the collapse of the Government.

Persaud, after his vote, said that he was pleased with his decision and noted that there were a lot of missteps by the Government that led him to supporting the motion. He cited the closure of the sugar estates among other things that led to his conscience vote as opposed to toeing the party line.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had first an-

Palm Court hosts annual Tiger Bay toy drive

Managing Director of Palm Court, Navin Prashad distributes toys to children of Tiger Bay, Georgetown on Monday during the restaurant and bar’s annual toy and food drive in the community

nounced the no-confidence motion on the heels of devastating losses in the Local Government Elections (LGE) for the coalition Government and went ahead to file the motion with the National Assembly on November 15, 2018.

The PPP/C had contended that the motion was lodged based on concrete reasons upon which the Guyanese people had rejected the People’s National Congress (PNC)led coalition. It pointed to the thousands of jobs that have been lost as a result of the closure of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) estates.

In addition, the Party referred to the various scandals that have erupted under the Administration. These include the single sourcing of the feasibility contract for the

new Demerara River crossing, the single sourcing of a drug bond and the single sourcing of drug procurement contracts.

The Party further noted the numerous breaches of fiscal laws flagged by the Audit Office of Guyana in its reports, as well as the lack of accountability in the D’Urban Park Project, with the Auditor General having to launch a special probe into the development.

The depletion of Guyana’s gold and foreign reserves was also highlighted. In fact, a report from the central bank earlier this year had indicated that Guyana’s net foreign reserves, held by the Bank in foreign currency notes, have fallen to their lowest point since 2008.

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tuesDAY, december 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Spreading Christmas cheer to those who touch our hearts started to cry for help but realised they were all alone, with no help. However, Kison pulled herself together and wrapped her brother in a blanket, tied it to a window and eased him out of the burning house. When he was safe, she then began to climb down the blanket which loosened, resulting in her falling from approximately 14 feet high. She sustained a fractured leg.

After the children escaped, they began scream-

By Lakhram Bhagirat

W

e were all brought up with the notion that charity begins at home but should not end there, and especially around Christmas time, we feel even more charitable. We feel more charitable because it is the season for giving and helping those who require it. Christmas is the season where we try our best to put smiles on the faces of those close to us as well as around us.

Bearing that in mind, the staff of Guyana Times, Evening News, Inews, TV-G Channel 28 and Radio Guyana (85.5) in collaboration with Environmental Management Consultants came together to put smiles on the faces of four families they thought deserved every little bit of help they could get. During the past year, our reporters had the opportunity to interact with many persons, and quite often persons in need of whatever assistance they can get. The four families we chose to assist this year

her father and two younger brothers.

His focus now is to make sure that the two boys finish school and as such, we donated a number of school supplies, a mattress and food items to the family.

Keeping their heads above water In September one of the stories that resonated with us was when a mother told us “sometimes my children wake up hungry and all I can do is cry.” Melissa

Guyana Times Assistant Editor Bhisham Mohamed makes a presentation to Egbert Kendall who is struggling to send his children to school

have undergone struggles beyond comprehension, but they are resilient and fighting to survive.

Honouring a young hero In February, we reported on the heroic act of a seven-year-old that left a last-

ing impression on us. It was the night of February 5 when Kison Henry was all alone with her fouryear-old brother, Kyle in their Glasgow New Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

They were

sleeping, but sometime around 21:30h they were awakened by smoke only to discover that their two-storey wooden and concrete house was on fire.

One can only imagine the state of panic that must have come as the children

Melissa Sinclair receives donation for her children

ing and neighbour rushed to their assistance. The fire may have started from a lit candle which was left there by the children’s mother who locked them in the house and went out. The mother has a history of neglecting the children and would have fled the scene after she discovered the fire.

Kison and Kyle now live with their grandmother, Donette. She said that they have been coping fairly well since the fire and are now rebuilding the pieces. She added that the children are adjusting, and people have been assisting them because of the heroic act of Kison.

Kison will forever be a hero because she not only saved her own life but the life of her brother as well hence the reason for us here at Times Media Group honouring her bravery.

Stationery supplies, toys and food hampers were donated to the children so that their Christmas can be a little brighter. Donette said that it is the little things that matter the most to her grandchildren and they are grateful for all that has been bestowed upon them.

Helping a struggling father Two Sunday’s ago, we reported that 67-yearold Egbert Kendall of Corentyne village is taking care of his family with his $19,500 pension. He is mostly confined to his bed, or rather, the thin sheet of sponge which has been placed on the floor of the 16foot by 15-foot building.

Egbert Kendall had been the family’s sole breadwinner but three years ago he became ill. Because of his illness, his 17-year-old daughter has been forced to drop out of school to care for

Sinclair is a mother of four, and she along with her husband were laid off when the Skeldon Estate closed its doors. They are yet to find permanent employment.

For now, her husband, Eon Collymore, takes up odd jobs and she sells snacks to school children. Their house is falling apart, and they are finding it hard to send the children to school. It was one of the reasons we made a donation to them, to ensure that the children can stay in school as well as enjoy the holidays.

Helping a single mother The final family that we assisted was Pam Chandradeo of Mibicuri South, Black Bush Polder.

In July 2016 the community was rocked when Pawan Chandradeo, also called “Surish”, 37, of Black Bush Polder; his son Jaikarran Chandradeo, also called “Kevin”, 15 and his brotherin-law, Narish Rooplall, also called “Mice”, 33, of Number 73 Village, Corentyne were discovered lying next to each other on a dam at Cookrite Savannah, Black Bush Polder, with gunshot wounds.

Pam is the wife of Pawan and mother of Jaikarran.

The trio were fishing in the backdam when they were attacked and killed. Since then, Pam has been the sole breadwinner of her family and is struggling to make ends meet. Her son, Alvin, who was also with the trio was forced to drop out of school and is struggling to cope almost two years later.

She now maintains her family by doing some farming and rearing livestock.

The perpetrators have been committed to stand trial in the High Court.

18

tuesDAY, december 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Spreading Christmas cheer to those who touch our hearts started to cry for help but realised they were all alone, with no help. However, Kison pulled herself together and wrapped her brother in a blanket, tied it to a window and eased him out of the burning house. When he was safe, she then began to climb down the blanket which loosened, resulting in her falling from approximately 14 feet high. She sustained a fractured leg.

After the children escaped, they began scream-

By Lakhram Bhagirat

W

e were all brought up with the notion that charity begins at home but should not end there, and especially around Christmas time, we feel even more charitable. We feel more charitable because it is the season for giving and helping those who require it. Christmas is the season where we try our best to put smiles on the faces of those close to us as well as around us.

Bearing that in mind, the staff of Guyana Times, Evening News, Inews, TV-G Channel 28 and Radio Guyana (85.5) in collaboration with Environmental Management Consultants came together to put smiles on the faces of four families they thought deserved every little bit of help they could get. During the past year, our reporters had the opportunity to interact with many persons, and quite often persons in need of whatever assistance they can get. The four families we chose to assist this year

her father and two younger brothers.

His focus now is to make sure that the two boys finish school and as such, we donated a number of school supplies, a mattress and food items to the family.

Keeping their heads above water In September one of the stories that resonated with us was when a mother told us “sometimes my children wake up hungry and all I can do is cry.” Melissa

Guyana Times Assistant Editor Bhisham Mohamed makes a presentation to Egbert Kendall who is struggling to send his children to school

have undergone struggles beyond comprehension, but they are resilient and fighting to survive.

Honouring a young hero In February, we reported on the heroic act of a seven-year-old that left a last-

ing impression on us. It was the night of February 5 when Kison Henry was all alone with her fouryear-old brother, Kyle in their Glasgow New Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

They were

sleeping, but sometime around 21:30h they were awakened by smoke only to discover that their two-storey wooden and concrete house was on fire.

One can only imagine the state of panic that must have come as the children

Melissa Sinclair receives donation for her children

ing and neighbour rushed to their assistance. The fire may have started from a lit candle which was left there by the children’s mother who locked them in the house and went out. The mother has a history of neglecting the children and would have fled the scene after she discovered the fire.

Kison and Kyle now live with their grandmother, Donette. She said that they have been coping fairly well since the fire and are now rebuilding the pieces. She added that the children are adjusting, and people have been assisting them because of the heroic act of Kison.

Kison will forever be a hero because she not only saved her own life but the life of her brother as well hence the reason for us here at Times Media Group honouring her bravery.

Stationery supplies, toys and food hampers were donated to the children so that their Christmas can be a little brighter. Donette said that it is the little things that matter the most to her grandchildren and they are grateful for all that has been bestowed upon them.

Helping a struggling father Two Sunday’s ago, we reported that 67-yearold Egbert Kendall of Corentyne village is taking care of his family with his $19,500 pension. He is mostly confined to his bed, or rather, the thin sheet of sponge which has been placed on the floor of the 16foot by 15-foot building.

Egbert Kendall had been the family’s sole breadwinner but three years ago he became ill. Because of his illness, his 17-year-old daughter has been forced to drop out of school to care for

Sinclair is a mother of four, and she along with her husband were laid off when the Skeldon Estate closed its doors. They are yet to find permanent employment.

For now, her husband, Eon Collymore, takes up odd jobs and she sells snacks to school children. Their house is falling apart, and they are finding it hard to send the children to school. It was one of the reasons we made a donation to them, to ensure that the children can stay in school as well as enjoy the holidays.

Helping a single mother The final family that we assisted was Pam Chandradeo of Mibicuri South, Black Bush Polder.

In July 2016 the community was rocked when Pawan Chandradeo, also called “Surish”, 37, of Black Bush Polder; his son Jaikarran Chandradeo, also called “Kevin”, 15 and his brotherin-law, Narish Rooplall, also called “Mice”, 33, of Number 73 Village, Corentyne were discovered lying next to each other on a dam at Cookrite Savannah, Black Bush Polder, with gunshot wounds.

Pam is the wife of Pawan and mother of Jaikarran.

The trio were fishing in the backdam when they were attacked and killed. Since then, Pam has been the sole breadwinner of her family and is struggling to make ends meet. Her son, Alvin, who was also with the trio was forced to drop out of school and is struggling to cope almost two years later.

She now maintains her family by doing some farming and rearing livestock.

The perpetrators have been committed to stand trial in the High Court.

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, december 25, 2018

19

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Think before you react.

Consider who is listening to you and think about the impression you make on people who care about you. Having a generous heart and an open mind is favored.

Take care of what needs to be done and make this day one to remember.

Include young and old alike in your plans, and go out of your way to make others comfortable.

Home is where the heart is. Surround yourself with peace and joy, and express your love for the important people in your life. Open your heart and your home to friends and family.

Keep strong opinions to yourself. Call a truce with people who don’t see things the way you do. Put differences aside and show others how likable you can be.

You’ll be inclined to overdo it. Before you head down an indulgent path, consider being good to your body and refraining from overeating, drinking and exaggerating. Put greater emphasis on love, not on treasures.

Say less and do more.

What you offer in time and help will be valued more than what you have to say.

Make your time count and your love show.

Gatherings should be joyLIBRA (Sept. 23- ous expressions of the good Oct. 23) things in life. Don’t be critical or take offense at the criticisms of others. Change begins within, and taking the high road will be your best bet.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — VALUABLES (VALUABLES: VAL-yoo-uh-buls:

SUDOKU

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

YESTERDAY’S WORD — JABBERED barb bard bare bead bear beard beer brad

bread bred breed eared ebbed read reed dabber

dare dear debar deer drab

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Don’t let emotions take the reins. Live in the moment and be grateful for what you have. Be the teacher, not the student, and set an example that will leave an impact.

Keep life simple and show SAGITTARIUS moderation in all that you (Nov. 23- do. Offer genuine gestures Dec. 21) that are humbling, not extravagant. What you say and do will make a difference.

Possessions of great monetary worth.)

Average mark 27 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 38 or more words in VALUABLES? The list will be published tomorrow.

jabber jabbed jade jeer abbe abed babe bade

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

The more you do for others, the better you will feel about yourself. The changes you make should be carried out because you want to make them, not because someone is putting pressure on you.

Share your feelings and plans with loved ones and express your gratitude for what you have. Take better care of yourself physically and emotionally.

Don’t take others’ words to heart. Curb any tendency to be indulgent, or to complain or criticize. Focus more on being gracious and looking your very best.

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

TUESdAY, december 25, 2018

UFC 232: Jones test issue moves Nobody event from Las Vegas to Los Angeles should feel PREMIER LEAGUE

– faces the Mauler for light heavyweight title

U

FC 232 has been moved to Los Angeles after a Jon Jones drug-test abnormality - five days before his fight against Alexander Gustafsson was due to take place in Las Vegas.

The United States AntiDoping Agency says remnants of a banned substance have remained in Jones’ system since a positive test on 29 July 2017 that led to a 15-month ban for the American.

The UFC says Jones, 31, tested positive for a “very, very small amount” of the metabolite on 9 December but added that it is “not a violation”.

“This is the residual effect from the July 2017 test. This is not another positive test,” said Jeff Novitzky, vice-president of athlete health and performance for UFC. Jon Jones (left) defeated Alexander Gustafsson via a unanimous decision in their previous fight UFC president Dana White said the Nevada State I’m a clean athlete,” he posted on social media.

Athletic Commission - which licenses the fight - does not Novitzky said the amount of the long-term metabolite in have time to investigate the findings before Saturday’s (29 Jones’ system was like a “a grain of salt split into 50 million December) promotion. pieces”.

He added that the commission in California “has already White says tickets for Los Angeles will go on sale on dealt with Jon Jones and have all the facts, they have every- Wednesday, 26 December. He has offered refunds to fans who thing”. had tickets for Las Vegas who now cannot attend.

Jones says he has “willingly submitted” to every United Jones apologised to fans on his Instagram account, saying States Anti-Doping Agency (Usasda) test in the lead-up to his he “realises there’s a lot of people who have lost out”. light-heavyweight title fight against 31-year-old Gustafsson of He added: “The situation is out of my control. I’ve been feelSweden. ing the frustration of the fans, I’ll do what I can to make it “Usada has confirmed what I’ve been saying all along, that right. This is not a mistake I made.” (BBC Sport)

safe in title race – Klopp

L

iverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says “nobody should feel safe” in the Premier League title race and insists Chelsea and Arsenal remain in the hunt.

Klopp’s side will reach the halfway point of the season on 26 December at the top of the table after establishing a fourpoint lead.

Chelsea and Arsenal, who are fourth and fifth respectively, are 11 points behind the Reds with 20 games to play.

“No-one should feel out of the race,” said Klopp.

In eight of the past 10 seasons, the leaders on Christmas Day have gone on to win the Premier League.

The two exceptions were in 2008-09 and 2013-14 and on both occasions it was Liverpool who slipped from top spot to finish the season in second.

Klopp, whose side are unbeaten in the league and host Newcastle United on

Klopp is known for his unique celebrations

Wednesday (15:00 GMT kickoff), added: “No decision is made, why should it be?”

The German’s comments came after Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino said Liverpool and Manchester City are “clear favourites” for the title after his side thrashed Everton 6-2 at Goodison Park on Sunday to narrow the gap to second-placed City to two points.

“I saw the game against Everton - who played absolutely more than OK - and then they [Spurs] hit pretty much everything and it was really impressive how Tottenham did,” said Klopp.

“The same will happen to Arsenal and Chelsea.

“For me, they [Tottenham] were never out so why should people be surprised they are now in?

“A lot of teams are in whatever you call the title race, and that is how it should be.” (BBC Sport)

CLASSIFIED ADS tuesdAY, december 25, 2018 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

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TO LET

sports

Mars believes originality lacking in chess engines

By Timothy Jaikarran

M

any individuals in today’s generation hold the view that chess engines are doing more harm than good, and can diminish a player’s cognitive skills and render that player dependent on them.

One such person is Davion Mars, FIDE- ranked number ten among active players in Guyana. His opinion is that, on the positive side, the introduction of engines in chess has caused chess theory to evolve to such complex levels that many of the popular lines played in the hyper-modern era are but relics today, and are no longer applicable at top levels as their mainlines have mostly been disproved.

But on the distaff side, he holds this view: “Yes, I do believe engines are damaging the game. The thing about (an engine) is (that) even though it can be used for preparation, there is still an immense amount of work required to absorb all the information that it can provide. After the first 4 moves in chess, the number of different games and variations that can arise are, quite frankly, infinite.

“The role of engines is to sort out practicality from a database based on previous games, and to evaluate how likely it is for a certain move or sequence of moves to produce a certain result, whether it is a win or a draw”.

Mars disclosed that, at the amateur level, engines actually do more harm than good because engine moves are often so subtle and deeply evaluated that they make virtually no sense in a practical setting, as compared to the way a master would evaluate an engine.

He added that masters use techniques such as backward induction, pattern recognition and positional recollection to build on their intuitive knowledge after this knowledge has been established. Only then do they take their ideas to the engine to flesh out any deep or subtle weakness in

Davion Mars

moves they had initially thought would be a great surprise to their opponents.

According to Mars, using a chess engine could be compared to a person having to prepare for a math exam and being given detailed solutions to a specific problem. You memorise this problem only, but when you enter the exam, the question provided has minor changes and is tangentially different on the surface as compared to the one you had studied. Even though the principles used in the question you memorised can be applied in the exam question, your lack of conceptual understanding deprives you of the ability to navigate the exam question, and you fail to make the necessary connection, thus leaving you lost and stranded.

– 100 horses confirmed

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T

Part of last year’s proceedings

Call: 223-7230 Ext 35

Guyana’s number one chess player, Grand Master Anthony Drayton, share a different opinion. He believes engines are beneficial to the game, and can help players to improve in their opening and end games.

When asked why he believes engines are so important, Drayton said, “Some people wouldn’t support it because they are not good at recalling information on the spot. Using the engines in tournaments means you have to cram in some ways to gather information on your opponent, and memorise many long variations and lines in a short span, then apply (them) correctly on the board while still being aware of things (in which) your opponent could go wrong or right”.

Drayton further stated that while Artificial Intelligence (AI) is good, “as a player, you must have a general knowledge of the game if you are to benefit from such technologies”.

According to Drayton, even more so since the invention of more advanced AIs, many things that were deemed lost or drawn have been corrected.

AIs, he said, tend to hold the advantage of causing trouble for your opponent by disturbing the normal trend of teachings that a human player would have; and this gives the engine holder a psychological advantage.

It is Mars’s conviction that all a player has to do is put in the work, preferably through the use of books. Picking up an engine one day before a match does not guarantee any kind of result without going the full course, he explained.

Drayton opines that while AIs are good, a player must have the basic knowledge of the game if he/she wants to rely on modern technology.

Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club Boxing Day invasion imminent

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21

he much-anticipated Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) Boxing Day Horse Race Meet is scheduled to get underway at the Club’s facility in Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice from 13:00 hrs.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, President of the Kennard Memorial Turf Club Ivan Dipnarine stated that the event is deemed to be one of the biggest horse racing events since was confirmed that 100 horses will be participating throughout the day’s proceedings.

According to Dipnarine, many of Guyana’s top horses will be participating such as Lucky Star out of the Chiefoon stable, Viera’s Finally, Seven Dust, Kentucky Woman, Red Weasel and The Rock.

The feature event will see horses classified C and Lower compete for the coveted prize of $800,000 while two-year old Guyana-Bred horses will be seeking to claim the $200,000 first prize money.

In the other races, 3-years old and over Guyana Bred Horses will compete in their 7 furlong journey as they aim to take away a first prize of $240,000.

The other five-furlong race classified as the L-Non Earner will earn a first prize of $100,000 as the Animals classified `L’ open will battle over five furlongs for a first prize worth $140,000. The other five-furlong race will see horses classified `L’ non-winners and the winning stable receive $120,000. To round off the event, H and Lower horses will compete for a first prize worth $250,000.

These races will be conducted under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority, for more information persons can contact: Ivan Dipnarine (331-0316), Justice Kennard

(623-7609 or 235-4818), Fazal Habibulla (6577010), Dennis DeRoop (640-6396) or Compton Sancho (602-1567).

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesdAY, december 25, 2018

Bakewell most recent partner of GFFExxonMobil International Futsal Festival

South Africa eye 2nd place as Test rankings interestingly poised

S

outh Africa will be looking to climb the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team rankings as they get set to face Pakistan on Boxing

GFF President Wayne Forde receives the sponsorship cheque from Bakewell’s Rajendranaught Ganga in the presence of Aubrey “Shanghai” Major

W

ith the highly anticipated Futsal tournament a mere two days away, Bakewell, one of Guyana’s largest bakery establishments, is the latest member of corporate Guyana to throw its support behind the GFF-ExxonMobil International Futsal Festival scheduled for December 27 – 30 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Bakewell has been contributing to sport and sporting fraternities for a number of years, and opted on Friday to give a monetary donation, which was presented by Bakewell Manager Rajendranaught Ganga to Guyana Football Federation President Wayne Forde, who received same in the presence of Aubrey “Shanghai” Major, representative of the tournament’s organisers, Kashif and Shanghai.

The four-day festival will kick off with six matches being played from 18:00hrs to 00:00hrs, with each match being played on the hour and the tournament culminat-

ing with the final match being played at 23:00hrs. A number of exhibition matches featuring school teams are also scheduled for the four- day action.

A list of power packed teams, which include Morvant Caledonia United from Trinidad and Tobago, ZV All-Stars from Suriname, and a São Paulo selection from Brazil, will be placed in two groups.

The local participating teams are a national selection, an East Coast All-Stars, Linden All-Stars, Georgetown All-Stars and West Demerara All-Stars.

The winning team will pocket $1.2 million, while the losing finalist will receive half that amount. Third and fourth-place finishers will pocket $300,000 and $100,000 respectively.

Admission to the event has been set at $1,000.

Day. South Africa could come within one point of top-ranked India; New Zealand can no more move to second place but will gain two important points with a win in second Test against Sri Lanka Top-ranked Rabada, Abbas among bowlers and Elgar, Azhar among batsmen the ones to watch in terms of rankings in upcoming three-Test series between South Africa and Pakistan The scenario in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings is interestingly poised with top-ranked India currently playing in Australia, New Zealand engaged in a series against Sri Lanka and now South Africa getting set for a Boxing Day opening to their three Tests against Pakistan.

All three series have a bearing on the top five positions, with South Africa having the advantage of knowing what they can reap rewards in home conditions. Currently placed third, South Africa have a chance to leapfrog England to second place but also face the danger of being overtaken by their rivals Pakistan and slipping to sixth place.

South Africa are two points behind England and a 2-0 win will take them to 108 points and above England on decimal points.

A 3-0 win will carry South Africa to 110 points, and to within one point of India, should India lose the remaining two matches to Australia.

On the other hand, a 3-0 series loss will see South Africa drop to 99 points with Pakistan reaching 100 points.

India, who currently enjoy an eight-point lead over England, will end the series against Australia at 111 points with a 3-1 series loss but will go up to 118 points with a 3-1 series win.

Team South Africa

In the other ongoing Test series, New Zealand, who had a chance to go up to 109 points and second place with a 2-0 series win, will now be looking to reach 107 points by winning the second match after the opening match ended in a draw. Sri Lanka will be on 91 points in such a scenario but go up to 96 if they win the second Test. New Zealand will slip to 100 points if they lose.

In the MRF Tyres ICC Test Player Rankings, South Africa’s top-ranked fast bowler Kagiso Rabada gets a chance to increase his lead of eight points over England’s James Anderson, while third-ranked Vernon Philander will have to fight it out against Pakistan’s fast-rising fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, who trails him by only five points.

Spinner Keshav Maharaj (19th) and formerly top-ranked Dale Steyn (24th), tied with former all-rounder Shaun Pollock at 421 wickets as the highest-wicket taker in Tests for South Africa, will also get a chance to work their way up.

Among their batsmen, left-handed opener Dean Elgar (eighth), Aiden Markram (11th), Hashim Amla (14th) and Faf du Plessis (17th) will be looking to move up within the list of top 20 batsmen, which features only one Pakistan batsman.

Opener Azhar Ali (10th) and Asad Shafiq (23rd) are the leading names for the visiting team with three of their batsmen in the 30s – Captain Sarfraz Ahmed (32nd), Babar Azam (36th) and Haris Sohail (38th).

Apart from fourth-ranked Abbas, formerly top-ranked leg-spinner Yasir Shah (10th) will be looking to recreate the magic of a recent three-Test series against New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates, where he finished with 29 wickets. Fast bowlers Mohammad Amir (36th) and Hasan Ali (39th) will also be hoping to move up the ladder. (ICC)

Arsenal midfielder out for up to 6 weeks with broken foot

A

rsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a broken foot.

Mkhitaryan, 29, was replaced at half-time during the Carabao Cup quarter-final loss to Tottenham and missed the Premier League win over Burnley.

The Gunners say the Armenia international has a “fractured metatarsal in his right foot”.

Mkhitaryan has scored four goals and provided three assists for the Henrikh Mkhitaryan has scored four Emirates Stadium side this season.

He joins an Arsenal injury list goals for Arsenal this season of whom are expected to return until the which also includes striker Danny Welbeck and defender Rob Holding, neither 2019-20 campaign. (BBC Sport)

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesdAY, december 25, 2018

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Windies Under-19 camp a learning curve

GFF/Stag Super 16 Tournament...

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ction in the Guyana their territory until Football Federation/ fulltime.

Stag Super 16 Year In the final End Tournament continued showdown of the over the weekend with a dounight, Den Amstel ble-header being played at the made a thrilling Golden Grove ground on the comeback to deEast Coast of Demerara. feat Santos FC 2-1.

Milerock FC and Den Sunil Logan utiAmstel FC have each secured lised an opportunivictory in that double-headty in the 53rd miner. In the first matchup of the ute to give Santos night, Milerock brushed aside the lead; but in the Eagle FC 2-0 to storm into the 79th minute, Gavin next round.

Graham pulled off Milerock took command of a stunner to pierce the match in the 11th minute the Santos defence with a Rawle Gittens goal beand take the score ing fired into the back of the to 1-1.

Rawle Gittens scored two net. Eagles attempted from goals in the first matchup Both teams thereon to break the defense played well as they of Milerock, but their attempts searched for the were futile, because they were kept at winning goal, but at full time neither bay for the entire first half. team could break the other team’s deReturning in the second half, the fence, thus the match was taken to exEagles made two substitutions in search tra time. of an equalizer, but Gittens returned in In the 105th minute of the game, the 78th minute to take the team to a Andre Hector capitalized to deny comfortable 2-0 lead.

Santos, as Den Amstel took the lead for Thereafter, it was smooth sailing for the first time. They held on to that lead the eventual victors, as they defended until the end of extra time.

– Kevlon Anderson

he four Guyanese who were involved in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Under-19 training camp returned to Guyana on December 21.

Ashmead Nedd, Kevlon Anderson, Sachin Singh and Kevin Umrao were the four outstanding youths selected for the camp.

With the Under 19 Cricket World Cup scheduled for January 2020 in South Africa, CWI have concluded their first phase in the preparation process for the auspicious occasion.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, Kevlon Anderson told this reporter that the training camp held in Antigua was a great experience.

“It was a great learning curve for me, I learnt a lot”, Anderson told this reporter.

The right handed batsman, who plays for Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club further explained that the camp has greatly assisted him to focus on his strengths and weakness.

Anderson, a natural stroke-maker, is a middle order batsman who can adjust in any conditions. He explained that the camp has given him the courage to improve every aspect of his game.

Anderson, who played in six of the Regional Under 19 matches for Guyana in the Cricket West Indies Regional Under 19 tournament, scored 103 runs in six matches. The young stalwart played his second Regional under 19 tournament in 2018, will be expected to score more runs in the 2019 tournament.

The eighteen-year-old Anderson has demonstrated a responsible attitude in scoring 71 in the Regional three-day Under 19 tournament.

With Guyana being a dominant force in the recent Under-19 tournaments, Anderson will be heading into 2019 with a wealth of experience. In addition to his admirable batting, Anderson has returned regional bowl- Kevlon Anderson ing figures of 4-26.

The second phase of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Under 19 World Cup preparation is scheduled for April 2019. The training camps and Under-19 preparations will be spearheaded by Graeme West and Roderick Eswick. (Brandon Corlette)

GGDMA joins list of sponsors for Stag Super 16

GGDMA’s Administrative Manager Avalon Jagnandan making the presentation to GFF Marketing Coordinator Andrew Small

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ear-end football has always been a staple part of football culture in Guyana, and this year promises no less excitement than what had obtained in years past, as the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Stag Super 16 tournament heats up, with the boiling point scheduled for January 1.

Although the action has already begun, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) is jumping on board just in time to catch the riveting final action, slated for the GFC Ground at Bourda. They have donated an undisclosed monetary sum to the GFF-Stag “Super 16” Yearend Tournament.

The presentation was made on behalf of the GGDMA

by Administrative Manager Avalon Jagnandan and GFF Marketing Coordinator Andrew Small. The agency has extended its best wishes for a successful tournament and indicated its interest in a long-term partnership with the GFF. The GFF-Stag “Super 16” Yearend Tournament kicked off on Friday, December 14, and is at its midway point, with four double-headers remaining, culminating with the third-place and final playoff.

Meanwhile, the venue for the second qualifier on December 26 and the semi-finals on December 28 respectively has been shifted to the National Track and Field Facility at Leonora, while the finals are now scheduled for the GFC Ground, Bourda.

The tournament winner will walk away with two million dollars, a trophy and equipment; the second-placed team will receive one million, trophy and equipment; third place team will get five hundred thousand dollars, trophy and equipment; while the fourth-placed team will receive a trophy and equipment. The tournament will conclude with the grand finals on January 1 at a venue to be announced.

Admission to all matches is as follows: $1,000 (semi-finals) and $1,500 for the finals.

Milerock, Den Amstel secure wins

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Windies Under-19 camp a learning curve – Kevlon Anderson

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