Guyana Times - Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Steven P16 Ramphal is Chutney King

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

Issue No. 3839

THE BEACON OF TRUTH Tuesday, February 19, 2019

61 striking workers fired by bauxite company Page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

P11 Miner charged for killing teen

…Union cries constitutional violation, calls for political intervention …company no-show at Labour Dept’s conciliation meeting

Aircraft crashes at Canal No 2

Page 15

…cop suffers broken leg, pilot escapes unhurt

Govt forcing LGC to become dysfunctional Page 7

– former Minister

Children’s deaths at GPHC

Family of Sharezer Mendonca offered compensation to keep quiet – aunt

Page 15

Failed execution attempt

Berbice P11 businessman arrested, owed Chinese national $4M – sources Minibus driver, conductor P8 charged for assaulting cop

Deaf society protests forP10 right to drive

People’s Progressive Party Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali on Monday visited numerous communities in Region Nine as part of his countrywide outreaches to listen to concerns, issues and suggestions of Guyanese. In photo, Ali greets a resident of Lethem during one of his several well-attended meetings

Bible college student slapped with rape charge Page 8

Lusignan vendors’ P15 relocation only temporary – NDC Chairman Trump to P15 seek to raise pressure on Venezuela military

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tUESday, february 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

news

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tUESday, february 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, February 19 – a night retraction from 04:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Wednesday, February 20 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, February 19 – 16:10h-17:40h and Wednesday, February 20 – 16:45h-18:15h.

61 striking workers fired by bauxite company

…Union cries constitutional violation, calls for political intervention …company no-show at Labour Dept’s conciliation meeting

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

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

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

High Tide: 16:44h reaching a maximum height of 2.86 metres.

Low Tide: 10:17h and 22:43h reaching minimum heights of 0.48 metre and 0.32 metre respectively.

saturday, FEBRUARY 16, 2019

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Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union President Lincoln Lewis

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he Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU) is holding on to its call for Government to intervene in the Russian Aluminium Company (RUSAL) controversy, which took another turn with the abrupt firing of some 61 striking Guyanese workers. This was confirmed by the GBGWU’s President Lincoln Lewis, who told Guyana Times on Monday that a list of names was provided which detailed the workers who are now jobless.

On Friday, operations at the company’s Region 10 location were temporarily shut down after workers protested an arbitrary one per cent salary increase by the multi-national company – an increase which was reportedly sanctioned by Guyana’s Government. Lewis was asked if he has been given assurances by the Minister charged with oversight of Labour, Keith Scott, of a possibility of settling the matter, but the Union President responded in the negative.

“We didn’t talk with the Labour Minister, there’s no assurances from anybody,” Lewis strongly commented.

On Monday, RUSAL’s management was a no-show at a conciliation meeting even though they were called upon by the Labour Department.

It has been relayed that the affected workers were given letters of termination dated February 18, 2019, without reasons cited. However, the Union representative plans to ventilate the issue to the fullest extent, saying that matter would be “prosecuted”. He did not confirm if this meant that RUSAL’s representatives would be served with legal action but noted that it is a possibility.

“It would be possible – we are contemplating both political and legal action,” Lewis stressed.

He further noted that there have been several constitutional violations on the part of the foreign-based company over the last decade, but Lewis is of the view that the State would not have allowed local companies to do the same. He said it is only the politicians that can speak as to why this has been continuing.

Lewis said that he sees this current issue as a trans-

gression on the rights of workers. “When people can challenge your Constitution and your laws, then you have to take action against them…the President and the Opposition Leader should get involved,” Lewis, who is also General Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), said.

Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle has, however, indicated that a conciliation meeting will be held today.

RUSAL’s reported dismissal comes after workers were, in fact, threatened with dismissal after they initiated the strike action. However, under Article 147 of the Constitution of Guyana, striking workers are afforded protection.

The company, in a letter dated February 15, 2019, which was seen by this publication noted that management had no alternative but to close the mine area due to the withdrawal of labour by workers attached to the mining equipment/mobile equipment maintenance department. It noted that work was halted in the department until further notice. “All affected workers are asked to leave the premises of the company with immediate effect,” the letter went on to state.

Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle

There was a planned meeting between management and employees on Saturday where workers intended to reiterate their calls for a 15 per cent increase.

During the meeting, issues such as wage increases, living quarters and transportation were reportedly discussed and Regional Vice Chairman for Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), Elroy Adolph in an invited comment said employees were very disturbed over the rate of the increase, but have faith in the Workers Union.

The GBGWU on Friday noted the situation was

President David Granger

an embarrassment to all Guyanese. According to the Union, Article 147 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana protects the right to strike, noting that in the collective bargaining process, striking is considered an industrial weapon to be used whenever the circumstances become necessary.

“In this period of political division and external tension with our neighbour Venezuela that is facilitating a growing presence of Russia in its ongoing pursuit of geopolitical relevance, is management’s new threats and intensified violation a strategy we must pay attention to,” the Union had also stated.

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

Citizens’ role in getting value for money

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t is unbelievable the quality of work that is being carried out by some contractors engaged in public infrastructure projects, most of which cost the treasury millions of dollars. All around the country, one can point to numerous examples of substandard work for which contractors were paid huge sums. In fact, in some cases, they were even overpaid.

In many cases, very little action is taken against these errant contractors for not meeting their contractual obligations, resulting in them walking scotch free. In fact, some persons would even be shocked to learn that these same persons who have done poor work or left work incomplete were awarded additional contracts.

Year after year, in his report, the Auditor General would highlight a number of examples of substandard or incomplete work in construction projects across the country -- whether they be schools, hospitals, roads, bridges etc. His last year report was no different. In that report, the AG pointed to some instances where road projects were incomplete or left abandoned, even though contractors were already paid huge sums to do a proper job. Many have asked what actions are being taken against these contractors to recoup these monies, or what sort of systems have been put in place to ensure these contracting firms are debarred from bidding for future projects.

Also, at a recent engagement between the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and regional officials, to address several irregularities which were cited in the Auditor General’s Report, PAC Chairman Irfaan Ali once again brought the said issue to the fore. Like many others, he lamented the fact that very little is being done to ensure contractors honour their obligations to the State.

It was also pointed out at that meeting that, in the past, sums of money were overpaid to contractors in mobilisation fees – which is a fraction of the contractual cost that is paid to the contractor to get his/her equipment to the site where the project is to be implemented. In some cases, sums of money over the standard or required amount are paid to the contractor, and the works are still not completed.

This certainly is unacceptable. And while tax payers have used different forums to complain previously, the relevant agencies have a duty to ensure that public monies are well spent and accounted for.

From what is gathered, there are, from time to time, several lapses in the national procurement system, which need to be corrected urgently. For example, it is clear that there are poor monitoring and reporting mechanisms in place to ensure contracting firms carry out works as per contractual agreement. Also, there seems to be no strict policy to penalise and/or debar contractors for failing to meet their contractual obligations.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure had said that it is in the process of establishing a database which would keep a track record of the number of projects awarded to local contractors and their performance with respect to each.

It would also be helpful if procuring entities keep a proper record of the performance of companies with regard to projects awarded. This could be used as an effective measure to better inform the process for selecting competent contractors to handle Government projects.

The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) is in place, and it was hoped that the relevant mechanisms would have been put in place with the aim of ensuring these lapses are corrected. However, the PPC still needs to examine and implement effective measures for blacklisting, so that contractors who are consistently delinquent could face the requisite level of debarment. A contractor found to have a record of producing poor and incomplete work cannot, and should not, be awarded additional contracts.

Citizens also have a role to play in ensuring that they get value for money. They should also be encouraged to provide the relevant feedback to the respective authorities in relation to how certain projects are progressing in their communities.

People’s Progressive Party Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali shares a light moment with Party supporters in Lethem, Region Nine where he was enthusiastically welcomed by residents in that region

Turkey’s Erdogan urges US to confront Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi killing

Journalist Jamal Khashoggi

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends a joint news conference with Russian and Iranian Presidents (not pictured) following a trilateral meeting on Syria in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on February 14 (Sergei Chirikov/AFP/Getty Images)

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urkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday scolded the Trump Administration for not confronting Saudi Arabia over the killing of Journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He said that his government was in possession of additional “documents” related to the case it had not shared.

“The CIA has yet to put all their weight on this issue. America needs to put their presence and their weight on this issue,” he said while talking about the United States’ bilateral relationship with Saudi Arabia.

Erdogan’s comments, during a live television interview with a private Turkish broadcaster, came a day after Police in Istanbul offered a theory about the disposal of Khashoggi’s remains by Saudi agents who allegedly killed the Journalist. The

Police said his body may have been burnt, according to Turkey’s State-run news agency.

Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul soon after he entered the building on October 2 to obtain documents that would allow him to remarry. His body, which was dismembered, has not been located.

The President’s interview and the Police report suggest a renewed effort by Turkey to pressure the Saudi leadership at a delicate moment for the Kingdom. In the past few weeks, US lawmakers have moved to punish Saudi Arabia for alleged human rights abuses and its military intervention in Yemen.

A United Nations human rights expert who has opened an indepen-

dent investigation into the Khashoggi killing said in a preliminary finding this month that Saudi Arabia had “seriously curtailed and undermined” Turkey’s attempts to investigate the crime.

In November, the CIA concluded with medium-to-high confidence that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman probably ordered the killing of Khashoggi, a contributing columnist to The Washington Post who had written articles criticising the Crown Prince. Saudi officials have vigorously denied that Crown Prince Mohammed was involved.

President Trump has defended the Crown Prince and argued that the US alliance with Saudi Arabia should not be threatened because of the Khashoggi case.

Saudi Arabia has cast the killing as a rogue operation carried out by Saudi officials who had disobeyed orders to bring Khashoggi back to the Kingdom alive.

Saudi Prosecutors have in-

dicted 11 unidentified people and said they are seeking the death penalty for five of them.

In his comments Friday, Erdogan mocked Saudi assurances that justice would be served and suggested Turkey would eventually make public the evidence it has collected, including audio recordings from inside the Consulate.

“We have not given all the documents we have, from A to Z, in our hands,” Erdogan said.

He also reiterated his demand that the Saudi Government divulge the name of the person who ordered Khashoggi’s killing.

“Is it possible for these 15 people not to know?” he said, referring to the Saudi agents who had travelled to Istanbul, some of whom are in Saudi custody.

“These 15 people know who gave this order. If this was another subject, we know very well how Saudi Arabia would make them talk,” he said. (Wahington 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

Ad hominem attacks Illegal trade of foreign currency

Dear Editor, The Guyana Chronicle of Thursday, 14th February, 2019 published a lengthy letter from Rickford Burke in which he describes me as “an out-of-touch elitist struggling to transition into our 21st century society of equals”…“a dinosaur from the imperialist Guyanese century”…“allegedly functioning out of his Washington DC home”… “his ministerial duties were such an abundance of nothing”…“ moonlighting in Washington while collecting a salary from the Guyanese taxpayers, allegedly under pretence” and that I had been “fired… as head of the Guyana Public Communications Agency (GPCA) for incompetence”.

A Dr Mark Devonish also attacked me in the same Chronicle publication, advising that I “go sit quietly in a corner”, and that if I “have a pressing urge to speak, try reciting the alphabet”.

I wrote the Chronicle a letter in response to these ad hominem attacks, and they have refused to publish my letter.

Mr Burke has essayed (literally) a response to me which is replete with personal insults and, in all of its thousands of words spread across Facebook and in your newspaper, has failed, not surprisingly, to respond to a single fact that I listed in my letter. His letter, therefore, deserves a response, though I truly find it difficult to believe that anyone can, honestly, setting their political biases aside, take him seriously.

I was, however, wrong when I wrote that Mr. Burke lives in the USA. Clearly, he lives in La La Land.

For the record, I have never lived in Washington, DC, as he so blithely claims.

But then, again, Mr. Burke plays fast and loose with the

truth in everything he says and writes.

I must admit that I am flattered when he calls me a “dinosaur”, one of the greatest, most powerful and feared of the animal kingdom that roamed our earth.

Burke labels me an “elitist”. I have directly served my country, living in my country, politically and professionally, and the political party which he now seeks to keep in power unconstitutionally, for some 20 years.

I served both in the Cabinet as Minister of State in the Office of the President (8 years) and as Special Adviser to two Presidents, Forbes Burnham and Desmond Hoyte; and as professional head of the Guyana Public Communications Agency. I recall President Hoyte hosting a farewell event for me when I resigned in 1992 and making some very kind remarks about my service; and no, Mr. Burke, I was not fired; and no, Mr. Burke, President Hoyte did not tell you so.

When Jonestown occurred, at the behest of President Burnham, I was the lone voice defending Guyana’s honour, good name and integrity on over 25 American television stations, including on the NBC Today Show, at the time hosted by Tom Brokaw, and the CBS Walter Cronkite Newscast. I was also a guest speaker at four prominent American Universities.

I represented Guyana when the majority of our politicians at the time were running for cover from the American press. If, therefore, this service to my country makes me an “elitist”, then I am fine with being so labelled.

I hold no brief for the People’s Progressive Party, though I have worked in my professional capacity for the government under Dr Jagdeo. If, howev-

What happens if constitutionally due elections are not held?

Dear Editor, If National and Regional Elections are not held by March 21, 2019 -- as ruled by the Chief Justice (Ag) -and there is no two-thirds majority (by the way, what number is two-thirds of 65?) vote in Parliament for elections to be deferred beyond the date stipulated above -- as outlined under Article 106 (7) of the Constitution of Guyana -- will the new elections be deemed unconstitutional?

Will the new Government formed by the party which wins the elections be deemed illegal? What will be the con-

stitutional issue/s if any?

I am no expert as it relates to Constitutional Law. I do not have the competence to debate complex legal issues. I am only an ordinary layman; but, as a citizen of Guyana, my conscious is pricking me. I am wondering. Perhaps I am just a lonely wonderer. Let the confabulation continue.

Yours faithfully, Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)

er, there is one thing I have learned for certain -- that age has taught me -- it is to distinguish the difference between what is right and what is wrong, what is honest and what is dishonest, and to have the courage and fortitude to speak out publicly. What our Government is doing now is wrong, and threatens to significantly hurt our country if not corrected.

Mr Burke and his ilk, in contrast, sadly, prefer to embrace the politics of convenience and opportunity in the name of party political loyalty, even at the expense of the safety, security and the maintenance of peace in our country.

As for Dr Mark Devonish, is it really necessary for him to emphasise his self importance by listing all those letters, degrees and universities at which he consults when he signs his name to a letter? What it says about the author is not particularly flattering.

Dr Devonish is right, I am not a lawyer, but the fact that the facts I have listed in my letter are all endorsed by the statement of the Bar Association Council of Guyana is sufficient for me.

Like Mr Burke, Dr. Devonish lives outside of Guyana, in the comfort and safety of knowing that whatever he says and writes have no consequences for him in Guyana.

Come home, Dr. Devonish. We need good doctors in Guyana. You would better serve your country than by pontificating on what is happening here at home from afar.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

Dear Editor, Officials of the Bank of Guyana (BoG) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) need to be aware that the illegal trade of foreign currency appears to be very active among merchants and migrants from other countries, which may be a contributing factor to the reduced value of the Guyana dollar.

Over the past month, I witnessed illegal activities first hand in two stores that I had only briefly visited.

At one store on Regent Street, Georgetown, close to Regent Street, a Cuban national purchased several items which were paid for in US dollars.

The goods, which were originally priced in Guyana dollars, were converted to US dollar equivalent at an exchange rate that was not aligned to those of the BoG, local commercial banks, or Cambios. Since I was next in line behind the Cuban customer, witnessing the transaction was inevitable.

When my turn came to pay

for my purchase, I curiously asked the female money collector, who appeared to be of Chinese origin working in concert with some persons of suspected Indian or Bangladeshi origin, if I could pay in US dollars too.

Her curt response was, “Not for you! Not for you”.

I continued my probe by asking her if she had a Cambio Licence and she responded in dismissive fashion by saying that she did not understand me. I left the store without desiring to press the matter further.

The next occurrence of this type of activity was observed again on Regent Street, but closer to Albert Street, in a hardware store. A group of Spanishspeaking men and women entered the store under the guidance of a Guyanese man.

They were escorted to a section of the store where a man of Chinese origin, who apparently owns or manages the store, proceeded to purchase sums of US currency from the foreigners. I

looked around in the store, then went outside, inquisitively searching for any sign that the store operated Cambio services. However, there was none.

I also heard stories from usually reliable sources about a store on Robb Street where mainly Cubans and Venezuelans are selectively invited to enter during the early morning hours. The grilled doors are then closed to permit the foreign nationals to conduct purchases using US dollars.

If this is the usual and daily practice by shop and store owners who bypass, evade, and subvert the established regulatory financial system in Guyana, the reduced value of local currency compared to the US dollar is merely a symptom of a much larger problem that officials need to extensively investigate in order to restore order, the value, and stability of the Guyana dollar.

Yours faithfully, Orette Cutting

IRO calls for recognition of the Constitution as the supreme law Dear Editor, The question of values must take a central place in our deliberations and be articulated and made explicit if we are to move beyond a national community divided by partisan politics to one with shared responsibilities for one another’s well-being and security.

No effective and peaceful order can be founded

and sustained unless it is firmly grounded in the principles of justice and the rule of law.

Adhering to such principles provides the necessary stability and legitimacy that are required to gain the support of the peoples that the system aims to serve.

The religious community of Guyana, being primarily

concerned with the peace, stability and unity of the peoples of this country, calls on all political parties to recognise the Constitution of Guyana as the supreme law and the highest governing document in the Republic of Guyana.

Sincerely, Inter-Religious Organisation

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Page Foundation Living with a single parent

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, february 19, 2019

f you live with one parent, you know that a lot of other kids do, too.

Separation and divorce are the most common reasons for this. In other cases, the mom and dad may never have lived together, or one of them may have died.

Living with one parent instead of two can bring out a lot of emotions. These feelings can be pretty strong, and they can be confusing, too. You might feel terribly sad and angry because your parents divorced.

You also might feel happy that your parents split up and aren’t fighting anymore, but you may also feel upset when your mom introduces you to a man that she is dating.

You might love the uncle or grandma who takes care of you, but s o m e t i m e s y o u might wish you c o u l d have one family with both a mom and a dad.

Emotions all by themselves aren’t either good or bad. They’re just

feelings. Because living with one parent can sometimes be stressful, it can help to talk about it. You can talk with your parent, a relative, school counsellor, or another trusted adult. Talking with other kids who live with single parents can be a great idea, too.

Single parents and work

Single parents are often working parents because someone needs to earn money to pay for food, clothing, and a place to live. Having a job means your mom or dad is able to provide these things and more for you. People work for other reasons, too. A job can let a person

use his or her special talents and skills. A job can be important because it helps people in the community. Or a job can simply be exciting or interesting.

But even though you might understand why your mom or dad has to work, sometimes it can be hard to accept. “Not now, I have to work” isn’t what you want to hear when you’d like to do something fun. This can be especially true during the summer or school vacations.

You’re home, they’re gone, and the days can seem really long.

Many kids simply take care of themselves for all or part of the time that a parent is at work. This can be all right, but only if you’re prepared to handle the responsibility. You need to know what to do in case of an emergency, as well as how to use your time wisely. And if you’re by yourself, you should know how to handle loneliness, too.

Other choices include going to an after-school prog r a m m e or staying with a neighbour or relative.

During the summer, many schools and towns offer summer programmes and camps.

Time troubles

It can be tough

when you don’t have enough time with your dad or mom.

When you live with one parent, that person really has to do the work of two people.

Besides a job, your mom or dad is responsible for caring for the kids, the house, the yard, the car, the pets – everything that grown-ups do!

And besides all that, your dad or mom would like to be able to spend more time just hanging out with you, too.

So what can you do?

One of the best ways is to hold a family meeting. Talk about everyone’s schedule for work, school, and activities. You can also talk about what jobs around the house need to be done every day, which ones can be done less often, and who could do each job.

When you take a look at chores and other time demands, you can try to work some family time into the schedule. Maybe you can eat more meals together.

You might want to help your parent cook dinner sometimes. That can be both fun and helpful to your parent.

Maybe you also can schedule a weekly game or movie night.

Time may be tight, but kids in single-parent families can make a difference by helping out around the house. They also can make another important contribution: reminding their moms or dads to have a little fun!

Talking about your feelings

H

ow many feelings can you name? Happy, sad, scared? That’s a good start.

Can you name some more? How about playful, joyful, calm? Mad, upset, worried. Confused, lonely, nervous. Grateful, glad, cosy. Loved, friendly, peaceful.

There are so many feelings to name. Try coming up with some of your own.

No matter how you feel – good or bad – it’s healthy to put your feelings into words. Talking about feelings helps us feel close to people who care. It helps us feel better when we’re sad or scared.

Putting feelings into words helps us use self-control when we feel mad or upset. If your little brother took something of yours, you can say, “Hey, I’m annoyed that you took that without asking me. Next time, please ask.” No need to get in a big fight over it.

or a friend can be a good person to talk to. It’s easier than you think. You can start by going to the person and saying, “Can we talk for a minute?” Then say how you feel and why.

Let the other person listen. Maybe they will give you advice. Or say something kind. Maybe they will help you laugh, or give you a hug. Or say, “Don’t worry, I’ll help you study your spelling words.” Just saying how you feel and why helps you start to feel better. It helps to know you are not alone with a problem or worry.

Just say how you feel and why, without yelling.

this: “Dad, I’m really glad we’re having pizza tonight!

Thanks!”

“I’m excited about the game tonight. I think the coach will let me start.”

“I’m so relieved because I did really well on my Maths test!”

“I felt so awkward when I asked Kyle to the dance, and I was so happy when he said yes!”

You don’t have to talk about every feeling you have. But noticing your feelings and saying how you feel and why is good practice. The more you do it, the easier it gets.

Talking about your feelings is a healthy way to express them. And when you have difficult feelings you need to talk over, you’ll be ready.

Talk about feelings any time

You don’t have to wait for a big problem to talk about your feelings. You can say how you feel any time. It’s a good thing to practice.

Talking about feelings doesn’t have to be a big talk. You can make a short and simple comment. Like

(kidshealth.org)

Know your feelings

It’s easier to talk about your feelings if you know how you feel and why. Try these easy steps: Think of the name for how you feel. (Let’s say you feel nervous.)

Think of why you feel that way. (Let’s say you are nervous because you have a spelling test tomorrow.)

Put them together into words. (Say to yourself, “I feel nervous about my spelling test tomorrow.”)

If you don’t know why you feel a certain way, you can still talk about it. You can say, “I feel upset, but I don’t know why.”

Pick someone to talk to

A parent, grandparent,

(kidshealth.org)

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tUESday, february 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt forcing LGC to become dysfunctional – former Minister …says it’s an injustice against working class

Former Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud

By Rupa Seenaraine

F

ormer Local Government Minister, Ganga Persaud has placed the blame for the chaos at the Local Government Commission squarely at the feet of Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan, which, he noted, has been stymied due to the withholding of funds for its operations.

During an interview with Guyana Times on Monday, Persaud noted that prior to the budget hearings, the Communities Minister was supposed to submit pertinent documentation, which would recognise the agency as a constitutional body.

However, this was never executed and the organisation remained under the Ministry.

“The Local Government Commission is a constitutional agency. However, there was need for the necessary documentation to be presented by the Ministry of Communities so that it could be recognised as independent of the Ministry.

That didn’t happen. The budget was presented and

the Minister of Finance in his wisdom reduced the allocation to that agency but the agency received an allocation which was approved by Parliament,” he said.

He added that there were high hopes on the part of the coalition Government that the Commission would have functioned as it was designed to, but this is not the reality.

Questioning where the fault lies, he pointed towards the leadership of the Minister since Parliament is a legislature which cannot make such missteps.

“The Local Government Commission promised a lot according to the Government and expectations were extremely high. Unfortunately, all those expectations have resulted in zero benefit and the only thing that came out of that process is frustration and uncertainty. The performance of that agency is seemingly stymied by the Ministry and one has to hold the Minister accountable. Where does the fault lie? Certainly, it cannot be the Parliament. It has to be the Administration, the de facto Government and more specifically, at the feet of the Minister,” the former Minister stated.

Stymied

Now that a reduced budgetary allocation was presented to the Commission, instead of the budget they requested, their work is being stymied due to lack of finances and moreover, staffers have been unpaid for their months of service.

“If this Government can react to its Commission and the 27 staff members that it has done, then I think it is really unjust. It is a travesty and an injustice against the working people of this coun-

try. It is a crime against humanity.”

According to Persaud, this move is aimed at leaving the Commission with no other option but to relinquish its responsibilities to the Ministry; another way

“It is a travesty and an injustice against the working people of this country. It is a crime against humanity” – former Minister for Government to take control of local democratic organs. All entities under the Commission are also deprived of payments for this time.

“There must be a compelling reason for the Government to act in the manner in which it has acted. For me, the reason why this Government has acted in this manner is to force the Commission to become dysfunctional. When that happens, the Minister then retains all the function of the Commission. Here is a case that democracy, transparency and accountability is paying a heavy price for political advantage. The Government is seeking to manipulate the work of the Local Government Commission and what is happening in Local Government,” said Persaud.

Persaud said to rectify this issue, the budgetary allocations must first be released to the Commission by the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Emil McGarrell, since these mon-

ies were allocated during the budget. Adding to that, the Commission must be duly established to function as any other constitutional body.

“The Permanent Secretary needs to sign off on the request by the Commission so [the Commission] can continue to do what they have to do. The budget allocations that were approved by Parliament needs to be released forthwith. In order to avoid a recurrent of this incident, we need to move this Local Government Commission from the present schedule

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

that it is on and place it on the schedule in which all the other statutory entities has in place.”

According to Chairman of the LGC, Mortimer Mingo, McGarrell said that the 2019 budget of the Commission for salaries was not in agreement with that of public service workers, hence he would not sign off for payments.

Persaud related that this was not an excuse since employees of other commissions are not being paid with accordance to a public service scheme.

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tuesday, february 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Minibus driver, conductor charged for assaulting cop

A

fter a video surfaced of a Route 45 minibus driver and his conductor assaulting a Police Officer and went viral on a social media website, the duo was on Monday charged.

Bus driver Carlos Bacchus, 29, of Lot 26 Victoria Village, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and his 26-year-old conductor, Troy Peters, both denied three charges with which they were slapped – assault, obstructing traffic and resisting arrest.

It is alleged that on February 13, 2019 at

the intersection of South Road and King Street, Georgetown, they resisted arrest by Police Constable Joel Samuel, who was at the time acting in the execution of his duties.

The prosecution is contending that on February 13, 2019, the Virtual Complainant, who was fully dressed in his uniform, was executing duties in the area when he observed a minibus bearing registration numbers PTT 9295 soliciting passengers on the southern side of the street. This vehicle was allegedly obstruct-

ing traffic.

As such, the officer went over to the accused and told them of the offence. The duo later became annoyed and began behaving disorderly when they were warned for a second time by the peace officer.

According to the prosecution’s case, the already enraged men began assaulting the traffic cop, who attempted to arrest them both.

Defence Attorney Everton Singh-Lammy, in a bail application, informed the court that there was a fight between the officer

and his clients. Further, the court was also told that the Police Officer was known to his clients since they were in a love affair with the same girl.

Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris objected to bail, stating that a strong message must be sent to other bus operators who assault Police Officers as they execute their duties.

The defendants were released on $20,000 bail for each offence by Principal Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus. The case will continue on March 11, 2019.

Alleged phone thief on $50,000 bail Bible college A student slapped with rape charge labourer of Water Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara was on Monday hauled before the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts to answer to a simple larceny charge.

Leon Davis, 24, denied that he, on February 6,

2019, while in the vicinity of Brickdam, Georgetown, stole from the person of Joel Paddy, a cellphone valued $80,000.

While no facts were presented in court on Monday, reports are Davis was acquitted of a similar charge

almost three years ago.

However, Police Prosecutor Adunni Innis had no objections to bail being granted to the father of one.

He was released on $50,000 bail. The case will continue on March 18, 2019.

A

student of a Georgetown Bible college on Monday appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he was slapped with a rape charge.

Samuel Whaul of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The case was heard in camera.

The prosecution is contending that the 25-year-old theology student reportedly raped his 21-year-old colleague.

It is alleged that Whaul, on October 25, 2018, while in the vicinity of Georgetown, engaged in sexual penetration with the young woman without her consent.

Following the incident, a report was made to the police and Whaul was recently arrested. He was released on $200,000 bail. As a condition for bail, the unrepresented man was ordered to stay away from the VC. The case will continue on February 25, 2019.

Rate…

T

…of Public Sector discrimination here’s a story in the press about the Bertrand Collins Public Service College, wherein the Director— (Retd) Col Lawrence Paul -- says they “face a diversity problem” in their student body!!

To be fair to Col Paul, he did say it wasn’t easy figuring out the ethnicity of some recruits. The Director, however, also mentioned that they make a special effort to ensure “hinterland” students are aware of the opportunity. This, of course, is very commendable, because he’s obviously trying to recruit more Amerindians into the Public Service, where they’ve been severely underrepresented from “time immemorial”.

But how come Col Paul didn’t also try to directly address the atrocious underrepresentation of other ethnic groups in the Public Service overall, and especially in the cadets being recruited for fast tracking? After all, following a long, convoluted story about the skewed numbers, he acknowledged that, back in 2004, the Disciplined Forces Commission had found the same situation in the institution of which he was part. And had recommended specific steps to rectify the imbalance – namely affirmative action. Did he try then? He certainly hasn’t tried now!!

When the Public Service College was launched, your Eyewitness had hoped that in addition to attempting to inject some higher level of professionalism into the Public Service, it would also address the imbalance.

After all, in any country – but especially in our institutionally underdeveloped Third World nation – the government services delivered by its bureaucracy is crucial to improving the lives of the masses of the people, and a balanced Civil Service goes a long way towards ensuring that equitable distribution.

But, sadly, this PNC-led Government has done reverted to the policies of the Burnhamite regime of the 1970s, when the Bureaucracy and the Disciplined Forces were massively expanded – and staffed from the PNC’s base constituency. The People’s Militia and the Cadet Corps, for instance, have been resuscitated and staffed as of yore.

It’s all part and parcel of maintaining the PNC’s authoritarian rule over the country.

To cut off the option from the PPP of challenging the PNC’s destruction of the Constitution and democracy.

…of suicide Suicide rates in Guyana are once again in the news.

Back in 2012, a rate of 44.2 was reported, making us the number 1 country in the world for suicide. Once again we became infamous, as the opportunity was seized by the international media to regurgitate the Jim Jones tragedy. Well, the Clinical Psychologist attached to the Public Health Ministry, Balogun Osunbiyi, has reiterated the Health Ministry’s claim that suicides have decreased -- with 2016 figures standing at 29 per cent; and, in 2017, 24.67 per cent.

While the data for 2018 isn’t completed, he claimed at least 50 persons less had committed suicide.

Now, if these statistics reflected reality, it would’ve been fantastic; but sadly, it isn’t. And the representative of the Caribbean Voice was brave enough to point out (again) that Osunbiyi wasn’t wearing any clothes.

Actually, persons ingesting gramoxone and monocrotophos (always fatal, but take several days to die) are discharged.

When they do die, the cause of death is then recorded as “heart failure or something”! Sick!

…of constitutional flouting The rate of this PNC-led Government’s traducing of the Constitution has (unsurprisingly) skyrocketed.

Once ignoring that the Court can’t stay the clear command of Art 106 (6) for the President and Cabinet to resign, every dictat is illegal!!

Fruit of the poisoned tree!!

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

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tUESday, february 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Court-ordered Article 106 March 19 elections

Govt making mockery of CJ’s decision, Constitution – Nandlall …engaging in more ‘constitutional heresy’

F

ormer Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has accused the David Granger-led Administration of practising “constitutional heresy” by still holding Cabinet meetings but under a different name while ignoring the recent ruling by acting Chief Justice (CJ) Roxane George.

Nandlall said that in her ruling, the CJ stated clearly that in accordance with the Constitution and upon the successful passage of the no-confidence motion, on December 21, 2018, the President (David Granger), as well as the Cabinet, was taken to have resigned.

“To circumvent the CJ’s ruling and to subvert the express language of the Constitution, the Government continues to meet and make decisions, but they are not calling those meetings Cabinet, but a ‘Ministerial Plenary and the Secretary to this extra-constitutional body who used to be the Secretary to the Cabinet (Edward Persico), that person is now called Secretary to the plenary,” he explained.

Mockery

This move, according to Nandlall, highlights how Government is making a mockery of both the acting CJ’s decision, as well as the express provisions of the Constitution. He reminded that the Constitution provided for an institution called Cabinet and that institution is to advise the President on the direction in which the Government should go pol-

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

icy-wise and in accordance with good governance.

He argued, “Cabinet has been disbanded so to speak by the CJ’s ruling and by the express language of provision of the Constitution by the passage of the no-confidence motion. You can’t concoct another agency calling it a name and imbuing it with the power to perform the functions that Cabinet used to be performing. I’ve never heard anything like this, nowhere in the Caribbean or Commonwealth…”

The former AG also described the situation as a constitutional travesty.

Constitutional heresy

Meanwhile, in making reference to statements made by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, where he told the press that the plenary of Ministers had the same powers as Cabinet, Nandlall said he disagreed with that reasoning.

“Where did they get that from? Where did the ple-

1 charged for beating Mabura man

R

omel Vieira also called “Rasta man”, was charged for the severe beating of a Mabura resident, Cliff Williams, which occurred on Friday last.

The accused, who allegedly confessed to Police, made his appearance before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Monday to answer to a charge of felonious wounding.

He was remanded to prison until February 25, 2019.

It was reported that 50-year-old Williams was attacked by a group of men at Mabura, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), which caused him to sustain several bodily injuries including fractured fingers.

According to Police, the victim of 47 Miles, Mabura, and the alleged perpetrators are known to each other, and would usually have misunderstandings.

It was reported that the men were at Vieira’s shop at Mabura consuming alcohol when the victim started to

Romel Vieira also called “Rasta man”

argue with him and another suspect.

A fight then ensued, and it is alleged that the four men dealt several cuffs and kicks to the victim, causing his right foot and left hand to break and his fingers to be fractured.

The suspects then fled the scene, while the victim was escorted to the Linden Hospital Complex. The suspect was later arrested and charged.

nary of Cabinet Ministers, whatever that amorphous organisation is, is not provided anywhere in the laws.

The Constitution creates a Cabinet and it ascribes to Cabinet the functional responsibilities that Cabinet is to perform,” he added.

Again, Nandlall said that it could only be seen as constitutional heresy at its worst. His reasoning for this is that all of the decisions which are now being made are unconstitutional and illegal. “At some time they will have to set aside that as illegal and unlawful, because it is,” he stated.

Minister Harmon was the first to reveal this information, stating that the plenary of ministers have met as a collective to note contracts from the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) and give approval for various official

President David Granger

government appointments.

The Minister revealed that the plenary approved diplomatic relations with San Marino, the appointment of a new Indian High Commissioner and a non-resident Ambassador from Kuwait.

The plenary gave its

consent for the reconstitution of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA); a Value Added Tax (VAT) Appeal tribunal and also approved the Customs and Trade Single Window System Bill 2019. This Bill, Harmon explained, will pave the way for improved processing of data.

Harmon defended the meeting of the plenary, noting that such meetings were also held last year. The Minister was asked to explain under which law is a plenary of Ministers authorised to meet and ‘note’ contracts.

“The plenaries are an extended Cabinet with all the Ministers included. It is noted that there is in fact a judgement of the court that was made with respect to the Cabinet. That judgement was appealed. But we have not had a stay of the judge-

ment, and as such, we have not held Cabinet meetings.”

“Ministerial plenaries are chaired by the President and include all the Ministers. It, therefore, has all the powers that a Cabinet has… the appointment of a Minister, sitting as a Minister appointed in a full meeting with the President has the full authority of the Government to perform his functions.”

Government fell to a no-confidence vote brought against it on December 21, 2018. It took the matter to the High Court, but was defeated. The matter is now with the Appeal Court.

President Granger and his Government have said they are waiting on the pending legal cases, but Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has already warned that transactions approved by an illegal Cabinet run the risk of not being recognised.

10 news

tUESday, february 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Deaf society protests for right to drive

A

group of persons from the Guyana Society for the Deaf on Monday protested the Public Security Ministry, Brickdam, Georgetown, calling for drivers’ licences to be issued for them.

They said that the deaf

should be given equal privileges as those who can hear and should not be discriminated against, as they held their placards across from the Ministry.

Those persons were represented by Lawrence Hallahan, who interpreted

their sign language.

It was explained that they met with the Government some time ago to discuss the issue when they were assured it would have been discussed.

“We came here a few years ago and we had a

meeting with him (Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan) and chatted with him and the Minister said okay he is going to make plans but now it’s been like a long time maybe two or three years since that meeting and nothing has changed,” one

A section of the protesters gathered opposite the Public Security Ministry

person said via a Hallahan.

Another protestor argued that the deaf are treated equally in other countries and are allowed to drive but they are being discriminated against in their own country.

Another protestor, who gave his name only as Colin, told Guyana Times that he is aware of persons who are deaf and able to drive right here in Guyana.

In fact, he explained that one of his deaf friends has been driving for a very long time and has never had a single accident.

Ricky, a deaf young man who was born in Guyana said he later moved to Trinidad where he saw other deaf persons driving and he would like the same to be possible in his home country.

According to the protesters, one of the questions that often lingers on the issue is how they will be able to hear emergencies, vehicles and sounds around them.

However, according to the protesters, they are capable of driving by using their mirrors to see what is happening around them.

The protesters said that because of how they are being treated, they are forced to use taxis although many of them already have their own vehicles.

They said that they are willing to continue protest action until the Government fulfills their promise to them.

Efforts by this newspaper to contact the Public Security Minister for a comment on the issue proved futile.

Mango Man murder

“Smallie”, Nero to know fate soon

Mark Royden Williams called “Smallie” and Sherwin Nero called “Catty” will soon know their fates

A

fter more than a week after a verdict was supposed to be handed down in the Kumar Singh “Mango Man” murder case, Mark Royden “Smallie” Williams and Sherwin Nero called “Catty” are set to know their fates later this week.

During Monday’s proceedings, closing addresses by the prosecution and Defence Counsel Nigel Hughes were heard before a 12-member jury. However, presiding Judge, James Bovell-Drakes adjourned the matter to Thursday for summation of evidence. Thereafter, the jury will deliberate and determine whether or not the co-accused are innocent or guilty.

They were implicated in the murder of “Mango Man” whilst executing a robbery on August 30, 2007, at the man’s Cove and John, East

Coast Demerara home. At the time, the man’s relatives were visiting from neighbouring Suriname. During the trial, the jury had been told that an ex-police rank transported the duo from Kumar Singh’s home via horse cart which the defence argued is implausible. Singh was killed after gunmen stormed his premises and allegedly made off with cash and jewellery.

When “Smallie” had taken the stand, he implicated Inspector Suraj Singh and other ranks of torturing him.

His account to the jury was that upon his 2008 arrest, he was handcuffed, beaten and shocked into signing the police caution statement which he claimed was not freely given. Prosecutors Tameika Clarke and Tiffini Lyken are leading the State’s case.

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tUESday, february 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Miner charged for Failed execution attempt Berbice businessman arrested, owed killing teen

A

miner of Hotoquin Village, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini) has been charged in connection with the murder of 19-year-old miner Alex Daniels of Swan Village, Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

Imran Daniels, 24, appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Monday after he was slapped with the capital offence, which occurred at Mabura, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) last Wednesday. It is alleged that Daniels inflicted injuries upon the teen on February 13, 2019 at Frenchman Backdam, Mabura, which resulted in his death. The case will continue on April 4, 2019.

The teen was reportedly murdered at approximately 22:00h on February 13 following an argument with the accused, who was his

Murder accused: Imran Daniels

workmate.

The Police report stated that a post-mortem conducted by Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary listed the cause of death as multiple stab wounds to the abdomen.

Preliminary investigations had revealed that the

now deceased man and the suspect were both employed as miners at the same.

The men were consuming alcoholic beverages at Frenchman Landing, in the presence of other employees.

It is alleged that while the men were returning to their camp, the accused discarded the now deceased’s slippers, which resulted in an argument. This caused other employees to intervene in an effort to bring peace to the situation; however, the argument allegedly escalated.

While at the mining camp, the accused reportedly armed himself with a knife and dealt the now deceased man two stab wounds – one to the centre of his chest and another above his right hip.

The accused was arrested by his fellow employees and handed over to the Police at the Mabura Police Station.

The alleged murder weapon was also lodged.

Prison escapee remanded for armed robbery charge

O

ne of the 13 prisoners who escaped from the Lusignan Penitentiary during 2017 jailbreak was placed back into the system on Monday after he was charged with robbery under arms.

Winston Long, 22, appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus and denied that on February 2, 2019, at High Street, Georgetown, while in the company of others, he robbed Sherlock Cummings of $3000; a cell phone valued $6000 along with a $10,000 gold chain while using personal violence at the said time or immediately after.

According to the prosecution’s case, at about 01:30h on February 2, the Virtual Complainant was proceeding along High Street, Georgetown, when he was approached by Long. The prosecution is contending that Long held the victim at weapon point and robbed him of his valuables.

Cummings was also beaten during the process of the robbery.

However, the victim was able to grasp the attention of a nearby police patrol that was in the vicinity. Reports are the police were able to arrest Long a short distance away with the items in his

possession.

Bail for Long was opposed by the prosecutor on the grounds that he may be a flight risk and that he also has matters of a similar nature pending before the said court.

The prosecution’s submissions were upheld and Long was remanded to prison.

Long was among other inmates who escaped from the Lusignan Prison by digging a hole under the fence during July 2017. However, after being recaptured, he pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment.

He was released from prison last year.

Chinese national $4M – sources

A

s investigators dig deeper into the failed execution of a Chinese businessman in Berbice, a source close to the probe has revealed that the police are looking at a possible credit arrangement as the motive behind the attack.

This publication understands the Chinese businessman had credited some $4 million in materials to a Corriverton businessman. However, the Chinese businessman allegedly did not receive it which reportedly led to a dispute. The Corriverton businessman has since been taken into Police custody.

On Monday, Police in B Division (Berbice) confirmed that they have arrested a third person in connection with the failed execution attempt on a Chinese businessman at Skeldon, Berbice, last week.

Guyana Times understands that he is also from Corriverton. According to Police sources, the two others -- who were arrested at separate roadblocks in Berbice -- have confessed to having been paid to murder the businessman.

One day after their arrest, both men confessed to collecting $1 million each from a city businessman to torture and kill the Chinese national. According to the men, the money was dropped off by a taxi driver.

According to reports, on Thursday last, the two bandits drove up in a heavily tinted Toyota Premio motorcar and entered the window-making factory.

Guyana Times was told that the men walked up to the businessman and hit him to the face with a hammer.

According to reports, the men were seen rushing out

of the building and hurriedly entering the waiting car before it sped away. The businessman was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital where he was admitted a patient.

Meanwhile, based on the description and number plate given to Police by persons in the area, a car was intercepted at a roadblock on the Corentyne. According to Police, only the driver was in the vehicle and his address was given as Lodge, Georgetown. The police noted that the driver could not give a reasonable explanation for his being in Berbice.

He was taken into custody.

However, at Number 50 Village, Police arrested another man who could not give a reasonable explanation for being in Berbice.

He is from Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown.

Investigations are still ongoing.

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tUESday, february 19, 2019 | guy

13

ry 19, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

M

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* Peppy’s Cook Up Seasoning * Peppy’s Soy Sauce

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1. Pat chicken dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.

2. Heat oil in a large pot on medium-high heat.

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Remove chicken from pot and set aside, keeping it warm. The chicken will not be fully cooked at this stage.

4. Add half of the onions and 2 sprigs of thyme to the pot and sauté for 2 minutes or until onions are translucent.

5. Drain peas well and add to sautéed onions. Stir and cook together for 2 minutes.

1. Add lukewarm water to cook peas and cook until the peas are cooked 3/4 of the way through

and the water has significantly reduced.

2. Add coconut milk, reserved par-cooked chicken, rice, remaining onions, remaining 2 sprigs of thyme, basil, Peppy’s Cook Up Seasoning, Peppy’s Soy sauce, tomatoes and green onions to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir to mix.

3. Cover pot and bring to a boil. When the pot comes to a boil, let cook on high heat for 6 to 7 minutes or until you begin to see the surface of the rice.

Reduce heat to low, re-cover pot and let cook for 30 to 35 minutes or until the liquid has completely evaporated.

4. The rice should be glossy, the grains loose and cooked through.

5. Let rest 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

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tUESday, february 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

A

fter graduating with a degree in economics and working as a business counsellor, Verindra Singh recognised

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tuesday, february 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Aircraft crashes at Canal No 2 …cop suffers broken leg, pilot escapes unhurt

A

rescue team has been dispatched to Canal Number Two, West Bank Demerara, Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) to search for a Cessna aircraft and its occupants – a pilot and a policeman – after it crashed about one mile from the Boeraserie Water Conservancy.

This publication understands that the Cessna 182 plane, said to be a Seventh Day Adventist Missionary aircraft, crashed at about 19:00h as it was transporting a body from Arawai to Eugene F Correia International Airport (Ogle airport).

Speaking with Guyana

Times, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Colonel Edberg Field explained that the aircraft may have crashed after it reportedly ran out of fuel.

He said that he is uncertain whether the plane landed in trees, on land or in the water but, nevertheless, stated that after the crash, the police rank on board contacted his superiors via telephone. Field stated that the policeman suffered a broken leg but the pilot escaped unharmed.

Field added that ranks from the Guyana Defence Force and officials from

the GCAA were, up to late Monday evening, attempting to rescue a pilot and a police rank. Guyana Times was told that the body the two persons were transporting remained intact.

Meanwhile, residents of Canal Number Two told this publication that they were alerted that something was amiss when they saw an ambulance and van-loads of Guyana Defence Force and Police ranks speeding through the area.

A resident noted that it was then that they were told that a plane had crashed south of the Boeraserie Water Conservancy.

Constitutional breach

Police called in to investigate dual citizenship MPs

A

ttorney Christopher Ram has formally requested the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to launch an investigation into the possible violation of the Constitution of Guyana by parliamentarians who hold dual citizenship.

Listed as suspected violators of Article 155 of the Constitution, the Representation of the People’s Act and the Statutory Declarations Act are Members of Parliament (MPs) from both the Opposition and APNU/ AFC Coalition Government.

They are Ministers Dominic Gaskin, Carl Greenidge, Joseph Harmon, Rupert Roopnaraine; and Opposition members Gail Teixeira, Odinga Lumumba and Adrian Anamayah.

“You, as Commissioner of Police, will immediately appreciate that the Constitution is the country’s supreme law and is underpinned by the rule of law,” Ram penned in the letter which was dispatched to Top Cop Leslie James on February 18.

He also asked the Police to expand this investigation to all MPs, since others may have dual citizenships unbeknownst to the public.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has since made it clear that parliamentarians of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) will uphold the law.

Jagdeo said those MPs who want to retain their dual citizenship would be recalled and replaced.

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George recently ruled that anyone who holds dual citizenship; that is, citizenship of Guyana and of a foreign power or state, as envisaged by Article 155 (1) (a), therefore falls in this category of disqualified persons pursuant to Article 156 (1) (d), and should not, and cannot, be a member of the National Assembly ....

Ram called the Police Commissioner’s attention to

the ruling, and also cited other laws which he believes are being breached by MPs with dual citizenship.

These is Section 11 (3) of the Representation of the People Act, which states, “A list of candidates [for election to the National Assembly] shall set out the names, one below the other in such order as each party may determine of the surnames and other names, of at least 42 persons qualified to be elected to the National Assembly and who have consented to the inclusion of their names in the list as candidates for election, together with the address and occupation of each such person.”

There also is Section 11 (4) of the said Act, which reads, “Each list of candidates shall be accompanied by a statutory declaration in Form ~’l 3 by each person named therein as a candidate of his qualifications and consent, made before a justice of the peace, commissioner of oaths, notary public, or other person authorised by law to administer an oath in the place where the declaration is made.”

Section 4 of the Statutory Declarations Act, Cap 5:09, provides that “Everyone who makes a declaration according to this Act containing any statement false in fact, which he knows or believes to be false or does not believe to be true, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be liable to imprisonment for one year.”

Ram is therefore contending that parliamentarians who hold dual citizenship have falsely declared that they are qualified to be MPs. While PPP/C MP Gail Teixeira has signalled her intention to give up her foreign citizenship to continue serving in the National Assembly, no one from the Government side has made such a commitment.

The AFC has argued that the issue of renouncing cit-

izenship does not apply to its parliamentarian Dominic Gaskin, who was born in the United Kingdom.

On the other hand, none of the APNU members have indicated a willingness to give up their foreign citizenships.

The issue of persons with dual citizenship in the National Assembly existed for years, but only resurfaced after former Government MP Charrandas Persaud voted in favour of a no-confidence motion which was tabled by the Opposition and validly passed in the National Assembly.

Government supporter Compton Reid has challenged the validity of the vote cast

by Persaud in the National Assembly on the basis that he breached Article 155 of the Constitution, which bars MPs from having dual citizenship.

But the Chief Justice noted that while Persaud should not have been a sitting parliamentarian because of his dual citizenship, at the time of his vote on the motion, he was a valid MP, hence his vote is valid.

Children’s deaths at GPHC

Family of Sharezer Mendonca offered compensation to keep quiet – aunt

By Samuel Sukhnandan

T

he family of Sharezer Mendonca, the third child to have died after receiving pre-chemotherapy treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in January, claimed that they were offered a compensation from a senior hospital official to bury the matter.

The aunt of the six-year-old child, Sherry Ann Mendonca, said that the family has also been kept in the dark, which leads them to believe that the investigation may not be as independent as it should be.

Mendonca feels that top officials at the hospital may be trying to cover up the alleged wrongdoings.

“Right now, what they are trying to do, is to have us take compensation for the issue and that obviously means sweeping it under the rugs afterwards,” she told Guyana Times, explaining that the family is not looking for any financial compensation, rather, they want to know what really led to Sharezer’s demise.

Compensation

Asked what type of compensation was offered, Mendonca said, “At first they were telling us they will pay for the funeral and when the swapping of the bodies happened, and they realised that things went wrong and they telling us any amount… any amount we can call it.”

The girl’s aunt was referring to January 25, when Sharezer’s body was given to the wrong family, resulting in an unauthorised autopsy.

Eventually, the family discovered the body, which was on its way to Parika, being transported by a family from Bartica in place of another deceased young girl.

It was related that when the body was returned to the family, she was identified as young Mendonca. But to make matters worse, there were visible incisions made on her body which indicated that an autopsy had been performed.

The family claimed that the preliminary autopsy found

Six-year-old Sharezer Mendonca

that she died as a result of heart failure and not from leukaemia, the disease she was being treated for.

The family is currently seeking legal advice and said that there seems to be a lack of professionalism and due diligence at the GPHC. The family’s legal team has also requested that the hospital make the young girl’s medical records available but they were told that it will be provided after the investigation.

As for the investigation, Mendonca told this newspaper that they were told that the investigation would have wrapped up on Saturday, but when they inquired, they were informed that it is still in process. The family said that they have spoken to the people carrying out the investigation.

She said they questioned their knowledge of the situation and asked them to explain what may have gone wrong.

“We did notice that during the interview they were baffled by certain things that were already out there like the swapping of the bodies.

They acted as though it was not out…,” she stated, explaining that despite several checks with the medical authority and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), they have not updated them on what is taking place with the investigation.

The family has also moved to hire a private pathologist and lawyer, but both of these individuals hit an impasse because they were told that all

documents and information regarding the case will only be provided upon completion of the investigation being carried out.

Mendonca confirmed that the family was interviewed by the authorities, but claimed that based on the line of questioning, they are not confident that it will produce the facts.

“We met with the persons, but if you are doing an investigation you’ll try as much as possible to get enough information before they begin. It shows that it is bias at the moment. It’s like they are actually trying to see how much you (we) know, and how much they can actually clear them self of.”

Investigation

Meanwhile, GPHC Public Relations Officer Mitzi Campbell told Guyana Times that she is not sure that the investigation is complete because officials at the hospital who are part of the investigative team are meeting with other families. She also denied that the family is being kept in the dark.

“I don’t think they are being kept in the dark. They were invited here. They had a discussion with the team and at the end of it all, it’s when the committee will complete its final report,” she explained, adding that she is not certain that there is a timeframe in which the investigation should wrap up.

Public Health Minister, Dr Karen Cummings had told this publication that the investigation into the deaths of sixyear-old Sharezer Mendonca, three-year-old Roshani Seegobin and Curwayne Edwards is progressing well and would have been concluded last week.

Sharezer was taken to the Paediatric Ward on January 3, where she was administered with an injection before undergoing treatment for leukaemia. However, shortly after, she became unresponsive.

She was later transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, where she subsequently died.

Lusignan vendors’ relocation only temporary – NDC Chairman

C

hairman of the Mon Repos/La Reconnaissance Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Ayube Mohammed is urging vendors to comply with the instructions to relocate from the Lusignan market place.

The NDC Chairman, during a telephone interview with this newspaper on Monday, pleaded with the vendors to adhere and cooperate with the authorities since the shift is merely temporary.

The Chairman explained that the NDC does not have the authority to move vendors from their respective vending location but asserted that it is the Government of Guyana’s decision to temporarily do so.

“The NDC is not the one that is moving them, it is the

Chairman of the Mon Repos/La Reconnaissance Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Ayube Mohammed

Government…. I’ve noticed that there is some space there and we would’ve approached the Government to see if

we can have them rehoused right there, which I am hoping will happen because it’s a Lusignan market and I don’t want it to go to Annandale,” he stated.

Mohammed added that facilitating road works along the East Coast of Demerara is a key factor that was taken into consideration during the decision-making process, which he outlined would be hindered if persons continue to sell close by.

When asked about the alleged threats issued by the NDC to have the vendors’ possessions dismantled, Mohammed refuted such claims made by vendors, “That is one of the things that they always keep saying ‘the NDC issuing threats,’ why would we threaten them? If

we want to move their stalls, we would’ve moved them, their stalls are all there”.

Nevertheless, the NDC Chairman is assuring vendors that they will return to their original vending spots once the road works are completed. They have since expressed extreme reluctance to move to the temporary location which is in Annandale.

Calls to Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan for a comment on the matter went unanswered.

Over 300 Lusignan vendors were given until January 2019 to relocate to a new vending site situated in Annandale but up to date they have refused to comply, strongly believing that they will suffer significant losses at the new location.

16 News

tuesday, february 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Steven Ramphal is Chutney King EPA launches 1st "Green Note" magazine

Newly-crowned Chutney Monarch Steven Ramphal during his performance

T

he Anna Regina Community Centre Ground came alive on Sunday night as hundreds flocked the venue to support their favourite artistes vying for the National Chutney Monarch 2019.

After some excellent performances, Steven Ramphal was named the winner for his tune, “Rang Ke Baare” followed by the 2018 Chutney Monarch, Bunty Singh, who performed “Pholourie”. The third spot was won by former Chutney Monarch, Pooran Seeraj with “GT Ladki” and rounding off the top spot was Arjit Singh who performed “Ring on the Lukanee”.

An elated Ramphal was lost for words after the announcement. The young artiste, who also secured second place at the Carib Soca

the crowd went hysterical.

He was the guest performer at the event promoted by the Social Cohesion Ministry.

However, the lone female singer, Goonwattie Harrynarine, also called “Amrita” of Berbice who performed “Dulaha Dulahin” at the semi-finals claimed that she was cheated.

She told Guyana Times that while on her way to Essequibo, she was told to return to Berbice since the winners of the competition were already chosen. She also claimed that she attempted to speak to an official but did not get any satisfaction.

Meanwhile, the winner will collect $1 million along

Fourth-place winner Arjit Singh on stage

Monarch, said that he remained humble during the competition and had his eyes on the prize from the inception.

However, the show was of high standards which saw the Shakti Strings Orchestra accompanying the artistes. As Trinidadian Chutney singer, Adesh Samaroo took to the stage,

with two airline tickets to any Caribbean Airlines destinations.

The second place winner will receive $600,000 while the third place winner will receive $400,000 and $200,000 will be given to the person who secured the fourth spot.

Trump to seek to raise pressure on Venezuela military

U

S President Donald Trump will try to apply further pressure to Venezuela's military during a speech on Monday.

In Florida, Trump is expected to say the US "knows where military officials and their families have money hidden throughout the world".

The speech represents a further attempt to persuade them to switch allegiance

to Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó.

The US has already implemented other economic sanctions after President Nicolás Maduro refused to step down.

The US and most other Western democracies have recognised Guaidó as the country's interim President.

The head of the country's Opposition-led National Assembly declared him-

self as such during an anti-Government protest last month.

Guaidó has vowed to oversee fresh elections on the grounds that Maduro's 2018 re-election was flawed.

Maduro has criticised outside influence in the country's internal affairs.

He has also maintained the support of his military and several key allies. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Americans arrested in Haiti with weapons – media

A man rides a bike in front of a main Haitian Police Station, where according to local media a group of foreign nationals, including Americans, armed with semi-automatic weapons were detained

H

aitian Police arrested a group of foreign nationals, including Americans, armed with semi-automatic weapons, Haitian newspapers reported

on Monday, adding to uncertainty in the poor Caribbean country after more than a week of anti-Government protests. Haitian newspaper Le Nouvelliste reported that sev-

en foreigners and a Haitian were in the group that was picked up by the Police on Sunday night. Police found rifles, pistols, drones and satellite phones in their vehicle, the paper said.

Other media said several of the men were US citizens and one was Serbian.

Since February 7, thousands of demonstrators have called for President Jovenel Moise to resign and for an independent probe into the whereabouts of funds from the PetroCaribe agreement, an alliance between Caribbean countries and Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member Venezuela. (Reuters)

Executive members of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) along with other partners at the launching of the “Green Note” magazine

T

he Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday last officially launched its first “Green Note – News on the Environment” magazine at the Umana Yana, High Street, Kingston Georgetown.

The publication comes with a goal of increasing public education and awareness by providing intriguing, pertinent and concise information as well as fostering environmental stew-

ardship at all levels of society. It also focuses on the environment into the public and private domains in a reader-friendly format, Brief remarks were delivered by Executive Director of the EPA, Dr Vincent Adams, Chairman of the EPA Board, Dr Patrick Williams and Stakeholder Management Coordinator, Department of Environment Onika Stellingburg.

The event was attended by members of Government

and the Private Sector as well as non-governmental organisations and youth groups. Partners of the magazine officially received their copies of “Green Note” during the simple ceremony.

The EPA expressed gratitude to all partners who contributed to the success of the publication and said it looks forward to continued support as it synergises efforts to make greater inroads for a sustainable and prosperous Guyana.

Mon Repos fire

Arson not yet ruled out – Police

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olice have not yet ruled out arson in the Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, Sunday morning fire which claimed the life of a 57-year-old woman and left six others homeless.

Divisional Commander of C Division, Calvin Brutus told Guyana Times on Monday that they have received information that someone was responsible for causing the fire.

It was related that the person would have had a disagreement with family members some time ago, and as such, Police acted on this information. While no evidence was provided, Police are in pursuit of the man who is yet to be detained for questioning.

“It is alleged without any proof that somebody may have caused the fire. They gave a name of someone who had a disagreement with a family member some weeks ago. The police checked for him but he wasn’t there at the time and they are to go back and look for him. What I understand is that he was close to the family and there were some disagreement among them,” said the Commander.

This publication visited the area on Monday and neighbours relayed a different tale of the family and the now dead woman, Yowani Sasenarine.

A neighbour alleged that Sasenarine was reportedly neglected by her family.

The woman related that on many occasions, strangers would be imbibing and using illegal drugs on the property, but the woman was unable to say anything while neighbours objected.

At present, the fire vic-

The aftermath of the Mon Repos, ECD fire

tims were rescued by family and friends who have also been making funeral arrangements for the dead woman.

“The lady get a stroke and she can’t do anything. My heart goes out because all kind of people they used to get there drinking and smoking and playing music late till the next morning. They never used to take good care of the lady,” one neighbour alleged.

The top flat of the Lot 564 Block 8 Mon Repos house was reportedly occupied by the now dead woman and a daughter while the bottom flat was occupied by another daughter and her husband, along with their three children.

At the scene, the woman’s son-in-law Joseph Pereira

said he was awoken by the screams from the deceased at about 02:10h and upon checking, he saw the entire upper flat of the house engulfed in flames.

He said he attempted to extinguish the fire to save his mother-in-law but failed.

He also said that he was the last to see his mother-in-law since he made sure that she was in bed.

While neighbours recalled hearing the screams, most of them said that by the time they ran outside, the fire had already swept through the entire house.

Nevertheless, they alerted the police and the fire service. However, they complained that the fire service responded too late and could not have done anything to save the house from burning.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, february 19, 2019

Around the World

7 lawmakers quit UK Labour Party citing Brexit 'betrayal', anti-Semitism

S

even Labour lawmakers quit on Monday over leader Jeremy Corbyn’s approach to Brexit and a row over anti-Semitism, saying Britain’s main opposition party had been “hijacked by the machine politics of the hard left”.

In a direct challenge to Corbyn, the seven centrist MPs said they were courting others from across Parliament to join their group, saying “enough is enough” in keeping silent over their doubts about the Labour leader’s fitness for office.

United by a desire for a second referendum on Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, they acknowledged that their resignations would not change the arithmetic in Parliament,

N

Britain’s Labour Party MPs Ann Coffey, Angela Smith, Chris Leslie, Mike Gapes, Luciana Berger, Gavin Shuker and Chuka Umunna pose for a picture after their announcement they are leaving the party, in London, Britain

where there is as yet no majority for such a vote.

“The Labour party we joined that we campaigned for and believed in is no longer today’s Labour Party ... it has now been hijacked by the machine politics of the hard left,” lawmaker Chris Leslie told a news conference.

Corbyn expressed his disappointment that the group had left, referring in a statement to “Labour policies that inspired millions at the last election” when the opposition party saw its biggest increase in vote share since 1945 to win 262 seats.

But the party’s depu-

ty leader, Tom Watson, described the resignations as a “wake-up call”, saying “unless we change we may see more days like this” a guarded suggestion that Corbyn and his team had taken Labour too far to the left. (Excerpt from Reuters)

A civilian and three alleged militants were also among those killed in Monday's confrontation.

Police say the three suspected militants who were killed are members of Pakistan-based group Jaishe-Mohammad (JeM), which said it was responsible for Thursday's suicide bombing.

Pakistan denies any role in the bombing but India has accused the state of being complicit.

India recalled its top diplomat to the country in the wake of the attack and Pakistan has now also recalled its ambassador from Delhi for consultations.

The operation lasted 16 hours on Monday, with heavy gunfire reported as Indian security personnel appealed to villagers to stay indoors.

Among the Indian soldiers killed was an army major, Police and military officials said. They said another six

members of the Indian military were also injured in the battle.

The operation targeted a residential area said to be a hideout for suspected militants.

Indian security forces have been hunting for those with suspected links to JeM following Thursday's bombing, which saw a vehicle packed with explosives ram a convoy of 78 buses carrying Indian security forces. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Venezuela to distribute food to poor Colombians amid aid tension

V

e n e z u e l a ’ s Government will distribute food to poor residents of the Colombian border city of Cucuta this weekend, the Information Minister said on Monday, an effort that would parallel Opposition plans to bring in humanitarian aid.

Opposition activists have vowed to bring in food and aid provided in part by the United States via neighbouring countries on Saturday,

despite President Nicolás Maduro’s refusal to accept assistance. Millions face hunger and malnutrition amid severe food shortages in the hyperinflationary country.

“We are going to take more than 20,000 boxes of (food) to the brothers and sisters of Cucuta to help with the situation of extreme need facing the boys and girls of Cucuta,” Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said in televised statements.

Venezuela's Communications and Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez

He did not explicitly say the food would be distributed in Cucuta.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido, who last month invoked articles of the Constitution to declare himself President, has launched a nationwide campaign to bring food and medicine into the country by land and sea on Saturday.

Guaido described Rodriguez’s statements as “cynical”. (Excerpt from Reuters)

At least 24 reported dead after bus hits dump truck in Bolivia

A

passenger bus crashed head-on with a dump truck in southern Bolivia on Monday, killing at least 24 people and injuring 12 more, Police said.

According to the Associated Press, the accident occurred in a dense fog on the high-plains highway connecting Potosi and Oruro, about 135 miles (220 kilometres) south of the capital.

Police said the bus was en route to Oruru from the town of Villazon on the Argentine border.

Police Colonel Jose Pizarro told State television that the cause of the accident was under investigation.

Two buses collided on the same highway in January, killing 22 people. A passenger bus struck a dump truck on a highway in southern Bolivia early Monday

(msn.com)

Nigeria's President: Disrupt vote at the “expense of your life”

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Pulwama attack: 9 killed in Kashmir gun battle

ine people, including four Indian soldiers and a policeman, have been killed in Indianadministered Kashmir during a gun battle, police say.

The clash occurred in Pulwama, where more than 40 Indian paramilitary police were killed in a bombing last week.

That attack, the worst in decades, has fuelled tensions between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan.

17

morning, leaving at least 24 people dead

resident Muhammadu Buhari has warned of grave consequences for those who steal ballot boxes or attempt to disrupt rescheduled Nigeria elections.

Buhari spoke during an emergency meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the nation’s capital, Abuja, on Monday.

“Anybody who decides to snatch ballot boxes or lead thugs to disturb it [the vote], maybe this is the last lawful action you will take,” Buhari said.

“I am going to warn anybody who thinks he has enough influence in his locality to lead a body of thugs or to disturb the voting system, he will do it at the expense of his own life.”

The President’s speech was condemned by the Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and civil society organisations.

“The last time we checked, the death penalty wasn’t a sanction in the 2010 Electoral Act. So threatening people with death could be considered an incitement to electoral violence, which is an offence under the act,” PDP spokesman Phrank Shuaibu

President Muhammadu Buhari

said.

“Recall this is coming from the same party which said that foreigners who intervene in the election would be sent back in body bags,” Shuaibu added.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the delay of polls by a week on Saturday following an emergency meeting in Abuja. The INEC said the postponement was made because of delays in transporting electoral materials.

Buhari also questioned the election delay, calling for an investigation of the role of the electoral body. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

US-backed Syrian forces call for 1500 coalition troops to stay

A fighter from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) rides on a vehicle in the village of Baghouz, Deir Al Zor province, Syria

T

he commander of USbacked forces in Syria called on Monday for about 1000 to 1500 international forces to remain in Syria to help fight Islamic State and expressed hope that the United States, in particular, would halt plans for a total pullout.

The remarks by the Commander-in-Chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Kobani, followed talks with senior US generals in Syria and offered perhaps the most comprehensive view to date of his requests for an enduring military assistance from the US-led coalition.

It also shows that Kobani is still holding out hope that US President Donald Trump may soften his withdrawal order, which has been criticised by allies at home and abroad and which triggered the resignation of Trump’s defence secretary.

With US help, the Kurdish-led fighters are poised to seize Islamic State’s last holdout in eastern Syria.

At the height of its power four years ago, Islamic State held about a third of both Iraq and Syria in a self-proclaimed caliphate.

But Islamic State still has thousands of fighters, who, now dispersed, are expected to turn to guerrilla-style attacks. Kobani said there was discussions about perhaps French and British troops supporting the SDF in Syria.

But he stressed he also wanted at least “a partial group of American forces”, who now number more than 2000 in Syria, to stay as well.

US Army General Joseph Votel, Head of Central Command, said after talks with Kobani that he was still carrying out Trump’s December order for a complete withdrawal of US forces. (Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, february 19, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

dilbert

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

Participate in events and activities that will encourage you to make new connections. Your enthusiasm and charm will result in invitations and proposals.

Romance is in the stars.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Be careful whom you believe or trust. An emotional situation will escalate quickly if you are suspicious of what someone is telling you. Emotional deception is apparent.

CANCER

Set your sights and goals high. What you have to offer will bring favourable responses and unusual opportunities. Partnerships look promising, and meetings and business trips are favoured.

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

WORD GAME

Gather information and verify your findings.

Resourcefulness will help you avoid being taken advantage of by someone who tends to exaggerate. An interview will lead to a better position.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

Do things that will allow you to blow off steam.

Physical activity or labour will ease tension and give you time to mull over recent events and how best to respond.

Share your thoughts, feelings and plans with someone close to you to get a better idea of what’s possible. A day trip or meeting will help you make a decision.

Look for a way to cut your costs, or rearrange assets to better cover your expenses. A settlement or contract needs to be looked over carefully. Get expert advice if necessary.

Learn all you can before you make a move or personal change. Don’t overreact to a situation that arises between you and a loved one. Listen and offer alternatives.

If you touch base with SAGITTARIUS someone you enjoy being (Nov. 23- around, you’ll be offered inDec. 21) formation that will help you make a decision regarding a recent unexpected change.

Finish what you start.

CAPRICORN Looking back at the past will (Dec. 22- help you make crucial deciJan. 19) sions regarding the best way to move forward now. A financial gain is apparent.

solution for MONDAY’S puzzle AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Pay closer attention to what’s going on in your personal relationships. Take the time to find out what others want, and offer incentives that will ensure you get your way as well.

Don’t wait for someone else to take the reins.

You will impress the people you need to get things done your way if you take action.

Personal gains will improve your lifestyle.

tuesday, february 19, 2019

19

New Era Cricket: Stump mics have their uses but beware the manipulation

I

t’s hardly cricket’s gallery of shame – for there’s match-fixing and various forms of cheating and instances of graver misconduct – but in the first two months of this year, cricketers have brought varying levels of embarrassment on themselves and the game through the words they have spoken on and off the field.

Ramnaresh Sarwan and Glenn McGrath had one of It has led to bans and suspensions and, the most memorable sledge battles in West Indies crucially and somewhat alarmingly, excricket. It did not change the outcome of the series posed several levels of prejudices - sexism but it is one that will be etched in the memories of and misogyny in the case of Hardik Pandya players and fans alike and KL Rahul, racial profiling in the case of Sarfaraz Ahmed, and oblique homophobroadcasters and, in many cases, the live feed bia in the case of Shannon Gabriel - among is produced by the home board. As it stands, it’s elite cricketers. On a wider level, it’s a reopen to manipulation, or at the very least to acflection of the gap between expected becusations and perceptions of manipulation. haviour and prevalent behaviour.

During their last tour of India, the Australian The boundaries of acceptable behaviour cricket team complained about the selective and conduct have been redrawn in this airing of an exchange between Mathew Wade more global, connected, but decidedly elite and Ravindra Jadeja. The reverse happened in world the cricketers now inhabit. But it is Australia when the home broadcasters clipped one they are ill-prepared for on account of Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul were banned for their controversial comments in a TV programme out a mild spat between Jadeja and team-mate a combination of factors - background, lack Ishant Sharma during a drinks break. The chises. Enormous resources are spent – rightfully so - on of opportunities to develop societal skills, and the insularity developing their primary skills, but since they are also the Indian team management felt it was mischievous. that celebrity brings.

More interesting was the practice of making the stump game’s primary ambassadors judged for their conduct both Given where and to whom it was addressed, it was stag- on and off the field, should they not be adequately prepared? mic the primary feed during certain overs. It produced some gering that Sarfaraz was unable to grasp the terrible nature Franchise cricket has done its bit in exposing players to dif- entertaining exchanges between Rishabh Pant and Tim of his lapse – even assuming that it was a general venting of ferent cultures, but how much institutional training do the Paine, which culminated in that photo Paine’s wife posted frustration, and he hadn’t intended for Andile Phehlukwayo cricketers receive? on Instagram going viral. But the fact remained it was the to understand the meaning of kaale.

Two of these three instances were brought to light be- broadcasters who chose the overs, and a feeling persisted in Just as in the case of Pandya – and to a lesser extent, cause the stump mics were turned on, and given the nature the Indian camp that Pant, a young player on his first tour Rahul - who couldn’t have excused his performance on the of the transgressions, it’s difficult to feel sympathy for the to Australia, might have been set up as easy prey. grounds that it was an extension of boy banter in a casu- players in question. But however tempting it might be to Just as in the cases of ball tampering, which are now inal setting, it would have been no defence for the captain of draw obvious conclusions, we must assess these two issues - variably unearthed by the broadcasters and almost always Pakistan that the term isn’t as pejorative in the subconti- on-field verbal transgressions and broadcasting of the chat- expose the touring players, the selective use of stump mics nent where the abhorrent practice of coining nicknames ter – separately. has the potential of attracting accusations of bias. from skin colours or other physical attributes isn’t uncomAnd finally, stump mics have limited surveillance value.

The ICC is now an enthusiastic advocate of the idea of mon, and those at the receiving end are resigned to it. keeping the mics on, which has received the unqualified They cover only a fraction of the ground, and as demonstratIt was right for the players to cop the punishment, but support of Moeen Ali, who claimed in his recent autobiogra- ed in the case of Joe Root and Gabriel, the recording can the question remains whether the accountability shouldn’t phy to have been at the receiving end of a racial taunt that sometimes be partial – it was that which prompted Gabriel extend to their employers. to release his part of the conversation. Most of these inciwas not caught by mics.

As society evolves, lines are constantly redrawn. With It is a persuasive argument. Switched-on stump mics dents, of course, occur in the vicinity of the stump mics, the a contemporary lens, a lot of on-field banter now part of have the potential to cut down personal abuse and bring stumps being the focus of cricket’s central confrontation. cricket folklore becomes, at the very least, cringe-worthy. greater accountability from players. The game needs its ten- But that doesn’t mean no infractions take place in other Consider this exchange – perhaps apocryphal – between Ian sions and emotions, but once players are aware of repercus- parts of the field, and those these mics can’t capture.

Botham and Rodney Marsh, among cricket’s most celebrat- sions, they are likely to stay within the line.

Those who abuse as a tactic will simply get smarter ed sledges.

And it can make the game both more accessible and en- about it. Already, there are examples of players mutterMarsh: “How’s your wife and my kids?” tertaining for fans. MS Dhoni behind the stumps to spinners ing under their breath, or with their hands covering their Botham: “The wife’s fine, but the kids are retard- provides the perfect mix of insight, wisdom and hilarity for mouths. Finding a way around the stump mic is unlikely to ed.” the television viewer who can now feel part of the plot. And be an insurmountable challenge. It could also encourage enBut who’s going to drum this in to the players, who come for a sport in constant pursuit of finding new ways to engage trapment of gullible cricketers – not everyone has the wit or from different backgrounds and cultures, and don’t receive the fans, this is an attractive option. the felicity of language to respond in kind to provocations – the same education or sensitisation, but who must always However, cricket must be wary of the potential dangers. by those more adept at the art of sledging. be judged by a uniform code of behaviour?

Before hailing stump mics as the cure to a persistent but To start with, it would only be natural, as FICA articulatCricket treats itself as a corporate entity on most counts ed, if players were concerned about the inconsistency of its minor irritant, cricket must pause to consider these side efand, apart from being heroes and celebrities, cricketers are application. fects. (ESPNcricinfo) highly remunerated employees of cricket boards and franThe keys at the moment are in the hands of the home

Grenada’s Taplin sets worldleading mark in 400m

G

renada quarter mile star Bralon Taplin recorded the fastest set the fastest time over the distance so far this season after taking top spot at the Texas A&M Aggie Twilight on Saturday.

In blanket finish for the Caribbean, Taplin, competing for Texas A&M, cruised to the line in 45.26 well clear of second place Cayman Island athlete Jamal Walton who was third in 46.26.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Asa Guevara w a s third in 46.47.

Taplin’s finish beat the previous world-leading mark of 45.35 set by Houston’s Obi Igbokwe in Clemson last weekend. The 28-year-old, World Championship finalist, has a personal best of 44.88 over the distance, which was set at College Station in the Grenada’s United States last year. Earlier this season Taplin won Bralon the 300m in 32.49 seconds to equal the world-leading time Taplin for the 2019 indoor season. (BBC Sport)

Fury signs ESPN fight deal worth reported £80M

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ritish heavyweight Tyson Fury has signed a deal with a United States network worth a reported £80 million.

The deal, which is understood to cover Fury’s next five fights, will see him broadcast on ESPN in the US while remaining on BT Sport in the UK. Fury believes the deal makes a rematch with Deontay Wilder “more makeable”.

But Fury, Wilder and IBF, WBA and WBO champion Anthony Joshua The former champion’s visit to the canvas now work with rival US broadcasters, was short-lived making future negotiations arguably Now Fury has his own US broadmore difficult. caster, agreements will have to be Fury’s December draw with WBC reached between ESPN and Showtime world heavyweight champion Wilder aired on BT Sport in the UK as well over the airing of a rematch in as Showtime - who broadcast the America.

Joshua meanwhile is signed to the American’s fights - in the US.

DAZN streaming service in the US. Fury’s promoter Frank Warren pointed to the size of ESPN’s subscription base when he said his fighter was now on “a bigger platform”.

Asked about negotiations for bouts with the division’s biggest names, Warren said: “They will now have to come to us.

“This ESPN situation for him is probably one of the biggest things to happen to a British sportsman. It’s something special.”

As part of his new deal, Fury will be promoted by both Warren and Top Rank CEO Bob Arum in the US. Arum, 87, has promoted the likes of Muhammad Ali and Floyd Mayweather and said Fury was “a generational heavyweight talent at the peak of his powers”. (BBC Sport)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesday, february 19, 2019

Milo Under-18 Football Tournament...

NBA All-Star: Christianburg-Wismar begin campaign with Giannis scores

7-0 win

game-high 38 points in defeat to Team LeBron

A snippet of the football action

T

he Milo School’s Under-18 Football tournament closed out yet another weekend of exhilarating football action with three exciting matches on Sunday afternoon.

The six teams involved ensured that spectators at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue were treated to keen competition on both ends of the field. However, there was a fair share of winners and those who missed the The Christianburg-Wismar goalscorers mark. er, Friendship for the advantage and Among those who outshone their Ann’s Grove for the equaliser. After counterparts were the boys hailing much back and forth, the advantage from Linden (Christianburg-Wismar eventually came to Friendship in the Secondary School), who made a strong 52nd, thanks to the accuracy of Shane start, signalling that they do not in- Sharp’s shot. Regulation time expired tend to miss out on the top spot this with the score on 2-0, resulting in a time around. win for Friendship Secondary.

Also amongst the winners on The second game of the day was by far Sunday were Vergenoegen Secondary the most entertaining, and seven goals and Friendship Secondary, who were were netted therein. Christianburgthe first to taste victory. Friendship Wismar Secondary made the most of met with Ann’s Grove in the first en- their trip to Georgetown with a thrashcounter, which set the bar for the level ing of St. John’s College. In the earliof competition for the day. Both sides er parts of their encounter, St. John’s had their share of near misses in the looked up to the task of seriously chalfirst half, but the goalkeepers worked lenging the usually fast paced Linden as hard as the strikers, preventing any team, but their high spirits were goals from being scored within the first daunted when Wayne Wilson connecthalf. ed with the goal in the 7th. Minutes latTwo minutes into the second half, er, Keron Sharpe extended CWSS’ lead Friendship Secondary had their re- to 2-0 with a slip past the St. John’s ward with a goal off the boots of goalkeeper in the 16th. The St. John’s Dornel Mc Lennon in the 37th. The defence did well in the remainder of goal only made both sides hunt hard- the half to restrict Christianburg-

Wismar’s lead to 2, but they could not hold up in the second.

The second half of the game could be described as a rain of goals, and it saw Captain Andre Mayer netting a hat trick with back to back goals in the 41st, 42nd and 45th minutes. Three minutes after Mayer’s brilliance, Randy Pickering added one to the tally. The CWSS’ final goal came when Hiram Gilkes found the back of the net in the 60th, to close off a 7-0 win.

Georgetown’s Tutorial High battled with West Demerara’s Vergenoegen Secondary in the final match of the day. The one-sided affair began with Riveldo Smith netting the first goal of the game in the 16th. Vergenogen Secondary’s goalkeeper proved to be a trusty custodian, as he, along with their defence, managed to hold an aggressive Tutorial at bay. Chris Smith and Ray Adams both netted one each in the second half to bring the scorecard to 3-0.

The Milo Under-18 School’s Football tournament, which is being coordinated by the Petra Organisation, will continue on Sunday February 24 at the Ministry of Education Ground.

South Africa runner’s appeal against IAAF rule begins

O

lympic 800m champion Caster Semenya’s appeal against a regulation restricting testosterone levels in female runners began on Monday - as the head of world athletics again defended the rule.

South African Semenya, 28, is seeking to overturn the regulation at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).

But IAAF president Lord Coe said it would “protect the sanctity of fair and open competition”.

The case will be heard until Friday, with a verdict expected by 29 March.

Before the hearing, Semenya’s lawyers and Athletics South Africa (ASA) accused the IAAF of breaching confidentiality regulations by releasing a list of five expert witnesses who will testify on its behalf.

“Semenya believes the IAAF press release is a clear breach of the confidentiality provisions that was orchestrated in an effort to influence public opinion in circumstances where the IAAF knew that Semenya would not be prepared to respond because she was complying with her confidentiality obligations,” her lawyers said.

“As a matter of fairness, Semenya raised this issue with the Cas and has been granted permission to publicly release information responding to the IAAF press release‚ including disclosing the experts who are testifying in support of Semenya’s case.”

Athletics’ governing body responded by saying it was within its rights to make the witness list public.

“Cas left the decision for all parties to release their witness list to the parties involved,” the IAAF said. “This was agreed.”

Under the IAAF rule, female athletes with naturally high testosterone levels would have to race against men or change events unless they took medication to reduce it.

Athletes who wanted to compete in those events must take medication for six months, then maintain a lower testosterone level.

It was intended the new rule would be brought in on 1 November last year, but the legal challenge from Semenya and ASA prompted that to be delayed until 26 March.

Speaking in June, Semenya called the proposed rule “unfair”, adding: “I just want to run naturally, the way I was born.”

As an 18-year-old, she was asked to take a gender test but no results have officially been made public.

The IAAF denied a report on Thursday that lawyers would argue athletes like Semenya should be classified as male. (BBC Sport)

Caster Semenya arrives at Monday’s hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne

The “Greek Freak” was the highest-scoring player at the 2019 NBA All-Star Game

G

iannis Antetokounmpo reaffirmed his status as one of the hottest new talents in the NBA as he scored a game-high 38 points in Sunday’s All-Star game although his team lost to LeBron James’ side 178-164 as basketball’s biggest names lit up the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Antetokounmpo, nicknamed the ‘Greek Freak’, has led the Milwaukee Bucks to the top of the Eastern Conference with the NBA’s best record.

At 24 he is a leading contender for this season’s Most Valuable Player award and All-Star MVP Kevin Durant says he has “potential through the roof”.

All-Star MVP Durant and Antetokounmpo were among the stand-out players in Charlotte Antetokounmpo’s opposing captain ‘King’ James was making a record-equalling 15th All-Star appearance.

“I had my name on that MVP until the third quarter.

They got hot and took it away from me,” Antetokounmpo said after Team LeBron’s Durant clinched the Most Valuable Player award with 31 points.

Three-time NBA champion Steph Curry had a poor shooting night in his home town - but he set up Antetokounmpo for the moment of the night.

Curry rewarded his captain for making him his first pick with a crowd-pleasing alley-oop bounce pass which the Greek dunked in emphatic fashion.

A sold-out crowd of 19,070 filed into the Spectrum Center for the All Star game, with the famous faces watching on including actors Jamie Foxx and Chris Tucker, and rappers J Cole, Ludacris and Meek Mill.

Team LeBron featured the Los Angeles Lakers’ forward alongside starters Harden, Durant, Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard, while Antetokounmpo’s line-up included starters Steph Curry, Paul George, Joel Embiid and Kemba Walker.

Antetokounmpo’s hand-picked squad scored a record-equalling 53 points in the first quarter, and were leading 95-82 at half-time.

The secret to Team LeBron overcoming a 20-point deficit? Rapper J Cole.

James persuaded coach Mike Malone to let the team leave the locker room to watch his half-time set, with Malone agreeing on the condition that they play better in the second half.

“LeBron made my words known, they watched the concert, and they came out and played great,” Malone said after his charges outscored Team Giannis 96-69 after the break.

(BBC Sport)

CLASSIFIED BCB/Shimron Hetmyer Intermediate Tournament…

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RHT Pepsi, Albion among victorious teams in rain-affected 1st round T

he Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB) Shimron Hetmyer Intermediate Tournament bowled off on Sunday. Several matches were able to be played despite heavy rainfalls which battered most of the grounds scheduled for use.

Among the teams registering victories were defending Champions Rose Hall Town Pepsi, Albion Community Centre, Whim National, No.73 Young Warriors, Dukestown Cricket Club, D’Edward Cricket Club, Skeldon Titans Cricket Club, No.72 All Stars Cricket Club, No. 43 Scorpion and No. 72 Cut and Load.

Former National Youth Players Kevin Sinclair 9 for 13 versus Kildonan Cricket Club and Albion’s Sharaz Ramcharran 6 for 20 were among the top performers in the opening round. Results are as follows: At Chesney, Albion Community Centre Cricket Club defeated Chesney Cricket Club by 63 runs in a match reduced to 22-Overs per side. Albion were able to post 185 for 7 in 22-Overs. As Kandasammy Surjunarine 58, Sarwan Chaitnarine 33 and Adrian Sukwah 19. Bowling for Chesney was D. Harilall 5 for 34.

Chesney Cricket Club in chase of their target were only able to muster 122 all out in 18.3 Overs. As Ricky Amoi 35 and A. Gajabi 18 were the only two to contribute substantial figures. Bowling for Albion were Sharaz Ramcharran 6 for 20, Kevin Umroa 2 for 21.

At Albion, Rose Hall Town Pepsi trashed Kildonan Cricket Club by 182 runs in a match reduced to 32 Overs.

Rose Hall Town Pepsi balsted their way to an agressive 226 for 4 in 32 Overs as Junior Sinclair 62, Jonathan Rampersaud 50, Kevlon Anderson 34, Shawn Pereira 20 not out highlighted the days play.

Kildonan Cricket Club in reply

were bowled out for a disgraceful 34 in 13.2 Overs as Kevin Sinclair 9 for 13 spearheaded the win.

At No. 73 Ground, No. 73 Young Warriors defeated Scottsburg United by 130 runs.

No. 73 Young Warriors Cricket Club were able to post 228 all out in 34.5 Overs. Lakeram Latchman 32, Aftab Moneer 82 and Odraj Singh 39 highlighted the days play for YWCC. Bowling for Scottsburg were M. Raghuraj 4 for 53 and B. Tulsie 3 for 10.

Scottsburg United Cricket Club in reply could only manage 98 all out in 22.4 Overs. Akthar Nahar 37, Calvin Cort 21 not out were the only two substantial figures for Scottsburg. Lakeram Latchman 3 for 10, Azad Mohamed 4 for 10 and Rajesh Bishnauth 3 for 15 were able to take Scottsburg over the line.

At No. 48 Ground, Dukestown Cricket Club defeated No. 48 Challengers. Dukestown Cricket Club posted a target of 291 all out in 38 Overs. Top scoring were Errol Byass 68, Budram Sukhdeo 71 and Clavern Beresford 28.

Munesh Lalu 5 for 37, S. Baijnauth 2 for 37 and Delvin Baldeo 2 for 33 were the pick of the bowlers for the Challengers.

No. 48 Challengers Cricket Club in reply could only muster 161 all out as Balram Persaud 26, Devin Baldeo 37, Munesh Lalu 29 were the only double figures for the team.

Clavern Beresford was able to bag 2 for 50.

At Crabwood Creek, Skeldon Titans defeated Crabwood Creek Cricket Club by 5 wickets. Crabwood Creek Cricket Club posted 117 all out in 32 Overs. Darshan Challitar 40 was the only topscoring for the team as Sherwin Murray 3 for 27, Fascid Bacchus 3 for 4 and C. Felix 2 for 21 were able to restrict their opponents to less than 120.

Skeldon Titans Cricket Club

chased the total down in 18.3 overs as they ended the innings on 1185. Top scoring were Gagendra Ramnarine 31 and Zerkeel Gordon 18. Bowling for Crabwood was Devendra Tamessar 3 for 29.

At No. 70 Ground, No. 72 All Stars defeated No. 70 M.Y.O Cricket Club by 7 wickets. No. 70 M.Y.O. Cricket Club posted 189 all out in 35 Overs as Jameel Asad 31, Niaz Khan 67 were the top scorers.

Permeshwar Chatterpaul 3 for 39 and Pradeep Gobin 3 for 31 were the strike bowlers for the all stars.

No. 72 All Star Cricket Club ended their innings on 193 for 3 in 29-Overs. Soamdat Singh 136 (13x4, 10x6) and Mahendra Bhoj 43 were able to take them over the line despite Abbes Khan 2 for 36 and Niazi Khan 2 for 19.

No. 72 Cut and Load defeated No. 79 Spartan Cricket Club by 20 runs.

No. 72 Cut and Load posted 95 all out in 21.3 Overs. D. Jaggernauth 26, Victor Pedro 27 were the top scorers. Omesh Khemraj 3 for 16, Omesh Mathura 2 for 16 and Naeem Yacoob 2 for 9 were the top bowlers.

At No. 43 Ground, No. 43 Scorpion Cricket Club defeated Yakusari Caribs Cricket Club by 82 runs. No. 43 Scorpion Cricket Club made 134 all out un 22.2 overs. A Grant 29, N Drepaul 58 were the top scorers, but they were out shined as N Ayana 5 for 6, R Ayana 2 for 25 and C Ayana 2 for 22 were able to walk away with respectable figures.

Yakusari Caribs Cricket Club were eventually bowled out for 52 in 14.1 Overs. M. Havery 4 for 29, Y. Danroop 3 for 13 and B. Deen 3 for 2 were the chief tormentors.

At D’Edward, D’Edward Cricket Club defeated Bush Lot United Cricket Club by 24 runs. The match was reduced to 20-Overs due to rain.

D’Edward Cricket Club was able to make 170 for 3 in 20-Overs.

Devindra Lalsa 42, L. Sookra 52, H.

Kevin Sinclair

Bridgelall 28 were the main players.

S. Bhagwandas 2 for 24 was the only respectable figure.

Bush Lot United Cricket Club could only muster 146 all out in 19.4 overs as J. Dilchand 56, H. Darson 30, A. Maradek 39 lead the way. L. Sookra 2 for 6 and N. Rampersaud 2 for 28 were the pick of the bowlers.

At Whim, Whim National Cricket Club defeated Fyrish Cricket Club by 3 wickets. Fyrish Cricket Club was bowled out for 64 in 21-Overs.

K. Deonarine 3 for 25, V. Samaroo 2 for 14 was enough to take Whim over the line.

Whim National Cricket Club despite a wobbly start were able to end with 65 for 7 in 21 Overs. As K. Deonarine 17, M. Charran 18 was just enough for the victory despite K. Subramani 4 for 19 and Y. Chinapen 2 for 10.

MYO Inter-Jamaat Softball Cricket Competition…

De Jesus’ 122, Edoo’s 7-16 highlight latest round T

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Phone: 223-7230 EXT: 55 Keon De Jesus highlighted the day with scores of 122 and 71

he Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) of Guyana’s InterJamaat 15-over Softball Cricket Competition continued on Sunday at the MYO Ground where New Amsterdam, Diamond New Scheme and Tuschen Train Station Masjid (TTSM) secured victories.

The first fixture saw New Amsterdam take on LBI in a thriller as New Amsterdam posted a challenging 199-5.

Keon De Jesus scored a magnificent 122 which included twelve sixes and nine boundaries while Zahil Moakan chipped in with 16. For LBI, Captain Safraz Ally was the only one that contributed anything substantial as he picked up 2 wickets.

Needing 200 for victory LBI found it tough in their pursuit and collapsed for 63 all out in 13 overs with the chief tormentor being Wahab Edoo with figures of 7- 16 runs.

In the other fixture between New Amsterdam and Diamond New Scheme, the former batted first and posted 103- 7 in their allotted overs as De Jesus enjoyed himself with the bat again as he scored 71.

For Diamond, Ajay Kishan and Keisho Ramsarran picked up 3 wickets a piece for

19 and 25 runs, respectively.

In the chase, Diamond lost wickets at regular intervals but managed to secure a win, even with the loss of 9 wickets.

Rawl Reid scored 22 and Patrick Khan supported with 18 to take the Diamond over the line despite Safraz Kassim bagging 3-20 and Edoo picking up 2-24.

TTSM fresh from their victory last week continued their winning ways against New Mosque, taking first strike.

Tuschen posted 129-9 as Imtiaz Hack made 29 runs and was ably supported by Daniel Chunoo and Harry Singh with 22 runs each. Faizul Nazeem picked up 3-21 for New Mosque.

New Mosque in their reply fell short by 30 runs ending up with 99-8 despite efforts from Rahim Ali (40) and Abdullah Roberts (17).

Bowling for TTSM was Pascal Hosie who picked up 3 wickets and Ameer Azim with 2 while Arshad Azim had one.

Wahab Edoo bagged 7-16

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tuesday, february 19, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Amsterdam, Allicock stun at Patrick Forde Memorial Boxing Tournament T

he cream of Guyana’s crop of boxers showed up once again on Sunday evening -joined by boxers from Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago -- for the second annual Patrick Forde Memorial Boxing Tournament.

The 15-fight card hosted at the National Gymnasium held much entertainment and shocking decisions on the judges’ part.

The night was filled with hefty punch-outs, and excitement was palpable from the very vocal crowd in attendance. Aside from fights in the schoolboys, youth and elite categories, there were a number of exhibition bouts, the most exciting of which came when the Jackman sisters, Abiola and Aleisha, faced off in the ring. The young ladies showed that they are just as skilled as their male counterparts, and traded a number of searing blows.

While Dwayne Baptiste, Jamaine Andrews and Colin Williams fought their way to wins in the schoolboys’ category, Travis Inverary, Kevon Mullings and Devon Hazel impressed in the youth division. However, the elite category held all the entertainment, with fights that often moved patrons to their feet.

Once again, Keevin Allicock showcased his prowess and knack for the sport with another convincing win. Meeting with Trinidadian Anthony Joseph, Allicock was quick on his feet, punching and dodging his way to a unanimous victory. He was awarded

Full list of fights: (The asterisk indicates the winner) School Boys 40-45KG Dwayne Baptiste* vs Daniel Pompey Jamaine Andrews* vs Jarrel Booker Joshua Thambaran vs Colin Williams* Juniors Light Bantamweight Richard Braithwaite vs Travis Inverary* Youth Junior Welterweight Kevon Mullings* vs Jamal Mercer Middleweight Jermain Levans vs Devon Hazel* Exhibition Jamal Eastman vs Christopher Moore Elite Lightweight Albert Thomas vs Shaquille Wright*

the McDonald Trophy for his prowess.

In other awards, Julius Kesney copped the best boxers accolade after a scintillating bantamweight battle with Kelvin Moore.

The headline event did not disappoint. Despite a change in opponent, Desmond Amsterdam kept his marbles in a close middleweight encounter with Aaron Prince of the twin island republic.

The two traded punches evenly, and some were even of the opinion that Prince was the better boxer, which resulted in cries of dismay after the Guyanese Amsterdam was announced the winner.

The GBA will continue their packed 2019 boxing schedule with a schoolboy tournament early in March.

Taking Alberta by storm:

Bantamweight Kelvin Moore vs Julius Kesney* Exhibition Abiola Jackman vs Aleisha Jackman Middleweight Corlette Greenidge* vs Jerron McKenzie Light Welterweight Aubrey Moore* vs Kevin McKenzie Light Heavyweight Markember Pierre* vs Ashton Niles Catchweight Keevin Allicock* vs Anthony Joseph Middleweight Desmond Amsterdam* vs Aaron Prince

Narayan Ramdhani wins Man Utd knock Chelsea ACAC championships out of FA Cup N arayan Ramdhani, continuing to prove that he is currently Guyana’s top male badminton player, has made history for the Kings Eagles University Badminton Team by winning the gold medal in the men’s singles at the 2018-2019 ACAC Provincial Championships, which were played off at the Concordia University in Edmonton, Alberta.

Being the champion and No.1 ranked singles player, he will now represent the Province of Alberta at the National Championships in Nova Scotia in March 2019.

Narayan, seeded No.2, won in a tense three-setter against Nicolas Pittman of Concordia, with Narayan losing the first game at 1621 and coming back in the last two games 21-17, 2117 to win the match and take the gold.

Receiving a bye in the Narayan Ramhdani (centre) poses with his trophy first round, Narayan made the most of this opportunity with a scintil- 2019 ACAC Tournament #3 played at Olds lating two-set win in the quarterfinal. In this College, so this win at the championship round of eight, he met with Luther Jurke of stage signals a mature and skilled come back rivaling college Olds, and took the win 21-8, for the Guyanese, as he spent the last two weeks in intense training.

21-7.

Narayan had also won the other two tourMoving on to the semis, Narayan made naments (#1 & #2) played at Kings University light work of Braxton Wong of Concordia & Nait College, making his total outcome 3 with a 21-7, 21-11 win, before advancing to wins and 1 loss in the Circuit. the final and tasting victory.

The Guyana Badminton Association Just two weeks ago, Narayan lost to (GBA) has expressed its extreme happiness Nicolas Pitman in the finals of the 2018at Narayan’s consistent progress.

Paul Pogba celebrates scoring Manchester United’s second goal as Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga looks dejected

M

anchester United cruised past Chelsea 2-0 and into the FA Cup quarter-finals to plunge Blues boss Maurizio Sarri’s reign even deeper into crisis as he felt the full fury of the club’s frustrated fans.

United delivered the perfect response to their first defeat under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - against Paris St-Germain in the Champions League - to set up a last-eight tie against Wolves.

Ander Herrera converted Paul Pogba’s perfect cross to give United a 31st-minute lead, and Pogba doubled the advantage right on half-time when he dived to head Marcus Rashford’s delivery past Kepa Arrizabalaga, who should have done better.

As Chelsea slumped tamely to another damaging defeat, their fans turned on Sarri.

They jeered his substitutions, mocked his ‘Sarri-ball’ philosophy, demanded the return of Frank Lampard as manager, and joined United’s fans in chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning”.

Solskjaer had no such problems as he took the loud acclaim of United’s supporters after adding another impressive victory to his collection, despite the absence of the injured Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial.

Those fans may not have the casting vote when the decision on the club’s next manager is made, but they made their feelings about Solskjaer clear on another important night for the man who hopes to succeed Jose Mourinho on a permanent basis. (BBC Sport)

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, february 19, 2019

23

NSC/Magnum Futsal Tournament…

Director of Sport slams ‘no-show’ referees D

irector of Sport, Christopher Jones, he addressed an incident that on Monday took a strong stance occurred on Saturday last, against the refereeing body of which resulted in the orgaGuyana, after officials failed to show at nizers of the NSC Magnum the National Sports Commission’s (NSC’s) Mash Cup having to act Magnum Mash Cup on Saturday quickly to avoid cancelling last. However, despite the hicgames after the assigned cups, the show is expected to referees failed to show go on today. at the National “We await an offiGymnasium. cial response from Aside from the Referees’ calling out the Association; we national refcall on President ereeing body Wayne Forde and the of the GFF and Guyana his executives Football to take the lead Federation, as it relates to Director of Sport, Christopher Jones was very disappointed with the Director this matter. the conduct of referees and highlighted this in his address of Sport citBecause, as you ed why such know, the referee officials are part of the occurrences are bad for the development of GFF, and it appears that this component of the sport. (the) GFF has gone rogue. As stated earlier, “Every time these games are organized, we view the non-attendance of the referees whether it is football or any other sport disat last Saturday’s games (as) callous, repug- cipline, there is always a call for corporate nant, distasteful, unprofessional and unbe- Guyana to lend support to these activities. coming of FIFA official referees.”

When you have officials who ought to be Those were the views expressed by present at these tournaments to provide the Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, as necessary refereeing and they don’t turn up,

it says the opposite to corporate Guyana in terms of lending support; and more particularly too,” Jones said.

He went on to adumbrate the more negative effects of such occurrences, stating, “This essentially would cast a bad shadow and would come back to stereotyping certain sport disciplines and as to why certain corporate sponsors don’t readily come on board when it comes to particular sports.”

Meanwhile, Edison Jefford, Magnum Brand Manager, sought to quell the fears of supporters by disclosing that the organizers have put measures in place to ensure tomorrow’s round of 16 goes smoothly.

“This is a community- based tournament, and we want to make it very clear that we will allow no official to prevent these communities from taking what is rightfully theirs. So the show goes on; we have systems in place as it relates to referees. We’ve asked Mr. Griffith to take over this aspect of the refereeing along with Mr. Colin Aaron,” Jefford disclosed.

Fortunately, this hiccup has been the only one experienced thus far.

Jefford also went on to reveal some of the organizers’ plans for the final night of play, which is expected to be filled with pomp and splendor. Jefford noted that all official pro-

tocols will be observed, including the FIFA anthem, entourage and kickoff. The occasion is also expected to be graced with the presence of government personnel.

On the entertainment front, the tournament will see an increase in fan giveaways, while the organizers are looking to partner with Hits and Jams to facilitate the display of Guyana Carnival 2019 costumes.

In the opening clash of tonight’s action, Ansa McAl All Stars and Buxton Diamond square off, while Sophia will look to repel the challenge of the ever improving Broad Street unit.

Pre-tournament favourites Gold Is Money face Melanie, while Showstoppers tackle Tiger Bay. Defending champions Bent Street go up against Stabroek Ballers in the fourth fixture, while Sparta Boss will bring the curtains down with a clash against North East La Penitence. Other games on the card are Back Circle versus North Ruimveldt and Leopold Street vs. Future Stars.

The winner of the 2019 NSC Magnum Mash Cup will cart off $600,000, while second placer will have to settle for $300,000.

Third and fourth placed teams will receive $200,000 and $100,000 respectively.

(Jemima Holmes)

Root, Roy chalk up tons in practice match The Englishmen will play the first ODI against West Indies on Wednesday, February 20 at the

Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. (Brandon Corlette)

Hope hails return of “important” Gayle for England ODIs Jason Roy

E

Joe Root

ngland got their white ball campaign off to a Wood. The number one positive note, defeating University of the West ranked England bowlIndies (UWI) team by 172 runs at the Three Ws ers were up to the Oval in Bridgetown Barbados. task as they restrictEngland looked flawless in their lone white ball ed UWI. practice match ahead of Wednesday’s first ODI. Nicholas Earlier, UWI captain Kyle Corbin won the toss and Kirton (37), elected to field first. England scored a mammoth 371- Amir Jangoo (35) and Kyle Corbin (35) were the bat7 in their allotted 50 overs, compliments of Joe Root’s ters to offer some resistance as the UWI team was 114 and Jason Roy’s 110. bundled out for 200 in 43.5 overs. Chris Woakes, Adil The Englishmen got off to the perfect start, with Rashid and Mark Wood had two wickets each in a comopeners Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy adding 129 plete bowling performance. runs for the first wicket partnership.

Bairstow was the first one dismissed -- for 3 46 from 56 balls – having hit seven fours when he was out bowled by Khesan Ottley.

Root partnered Roy, and the duo frustrated the inexperienced UWI bowling atK Corbin* st J Bairstow b M Ali 35 England tack, which included Windies ODI player Kjorn Ottley c Woakes b M Wood 5 J Roy retd, out

110 Obed Mc Coy. Roy was retired for an 82-ball A Jangoo+ st J Bairstow J Bairstow+ b Ottley

46 56 110 after hitting 15 boundaries and one six b A Rashid 35 J Root st A Jangoo b Cottoy

114 and batting for 128 minutes.

K Hodge b A Rashid

11 E Morgan* run out (K Hodge) 8 After the 57-run partnership ended, B Stokes c N Kirton b Ottley 23 N Kirton c J Bairstow b Plunkett 37 Eoin Morgan (08) was run out while Ben A Hales c O Shields b Jordan 0 K Ottley c A Hales b M Wood 15 Stokes fell for 29 in another 57-run partnerM Ali c O Shields b O McCoy 24 K Cottoy c M Wood ship with Root.

25 C Woakes not out 22 b C Woakes England continued to score runs freely, A Jordan b Woakes

12 L Plunkett not out

4 but in the process they lost Alex Hales (00).

C Holder c Woakes b Stokes

6 DNB A Rashid, M Wood Mooen Ali fell for a breezy 24 when he was 0 Extras (3nb, 14w, 3lb) 20 O McCoy run out (J Roy) out caught off the bowling of Mc Coy, ending O Shields not out

0 Total

371 for 7 the 58-run partnership with Root.

Extras (7w, 8lb, 4b)

19 Bowler Root reached his counterattacking cen200 all out A Jordan (10-0-76-1) Total tury, but was out stumped for 114 from 81 O Shields (6-1-45-0) Bowler balls after hitting 11 fours and four sixes.

(7-0-28-2) C Holder (10-0-59-0) C Woakes England ended their good practice with M Wood

(8-0-35-2) O McCoy

(10-0-69-1) the bat by scoring 371-7. The UWI bowlers L Plunkett

(8-0-48-1) Ottley

(7-0-64-2) toiled, with only Kheshan Yannick Ottley (5.5-0-26-1) K Cottoy (7-0-55-1) B Stokes picking up 2-64.

M Ali (8-0-30-1) In pursuit of 372, UWI lost Kjorn Ottley A Rashid

(7-1-21-2) UWI Vice Chancellor’s XI in the fourth over with the score on 18. He was out caught off the bowling of Mark

SCOREBOARD

Chris Gayle initiated the Hetmyer factor into the ODI team in 2017

W

indies wicket-keeper batsman Shai Hope has hailed the addition of star left-hander Chris Gayle to the squad as the team prepares to face England in the upcoming One Day International series.

The 39-year-old will return to the ODI team for the first time since 2018 when the Windies faced off against Bangladesh. Gayle will play the opening two matches of the five-match series against England.

With the experienced batsman just short of 10,000 ODI runs at an average of 36.98 and 15 centuries, Hope is confident Gayle’s addition will be a major boost to the team.

“It’s great, just to see him (Gayle) at nets. Good laugh, good shots as well, and he’s going to strengthen the team a lot,” ICC quoted Hope as saying.

“We know the importance that

Gayle brings to the team. He has a lot of experience and we need to make sure we use that experience and strengthen the entire team,” he added.

Hope, who was part of the team’s recent Test series win against England also believes that victory will give the team added confidence ahead of the series.

“It’s a lot to look forward to.

It’s a very exciting time, especially leading up to the World Cup so I’m sure the guys are ready and raring to go. We are just coming off a Test series win and that was fantastic for everyone involved and the fans, so it is important for us to continue in that vein and try to get the series win as well.”

The Windies will face England in the first ODI on Wednesday at the Kensington Oval. (Sportsmax)

tuesday, february 19, 2019

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