Guyana Times - Tuesday, February 26, 2019

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

Issue No. 3847

THE BEACON OF TRUTH Tuesday, February 26, 2019

PRICE

No-confidence resolution

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Political uncertainty has led to steep decline in business – GCCI Abusive farmer brutally chops lover Page 3

Pomeroon P9 residents appeal for safe drinking water

Guyanese P11 man stabbed to death in St Lucia

Page 7

ECD family forced to evacuate home after neighbour sets tyres on fire Page 2

Scotiabank’s sale

P7

Central Bank still in the dark over acquisition plans – Finance Minister

Students allegedly sitting on floor in classrooms …RDC “perturbed” over education issues in Region 10 Page 13

CIIP workers picket Corentyne NDC for unpaid salaries

$80 vat included

Page 13

36-year-old charged for raping 9-yearold girl P8 Complaints raised over excavation of Boerasirie P11 dam …flooding looms during high tide, rainfall

Govt’s refusal to resign threatens democracy – NACTA poll Page 9

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tuesday, february 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

ECD family evacuates home after neighbour sets pile of tyres on fire

Some of the burnt out tyres

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Thick smoke and flames from the burning tyres

Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) family was on Monday forced to evacuate their home after thick smoke engulfed the house due to a neighbour setting a yard full of tyres on fire.

Charran Sahdeo, 53, and his family of Lot 454 Better Hope, ECD, scampered to evacuate and safeguard their belongings on the roadway after intense flames and thick dark smoke advancing from a landfill of tyres threatened

their home.

Sahdeo told this newspaper that the plot of land next to his home was being used by his neighbour, Rahaman Ally, as a dumpsite for used tyres.

He related that on Saturday, the tyres were set ablaze by Ally. According to Sahdeo, the Guyana Fire Service was called and they went and put out the blaze. However, on Sunday the fire reignited but this time the family is alleging that when contact was made

with the fire service, neighbours were allegedly told by the dispatcher to stop wasting the GFS’ time.

However, on Monday at about 07:30h, the situation escalated, forcing Sahdeo to evacuate his family, including two toddlers.

“Saturday, he light a fire here, and like the fire undermine and went till down at the bottom….and every now and then the fire keep coming up.

Every time the fire come up, a

Charran Sahdeo

lot of neighbours plus we does call the fire service…they does take their own time and say they fed-up coming,” he said.

On Monday, a dauntless Sahdeo said himself and neighbours tried to keep the fire under control but were unable to do so.

“When we see the fire start spread this morning (Monday) and coming towards the house, we try to take lil precaution throw lil water, spray lil water, the neighbour at the back all spray lil water…. thank God the house ain’t ful-

ly catch afire,” he said.

When Guyana Times arrived at the scene, family members and neighbours were seen assisting the affected family to clear all the damaged materials at the home.

The intense smoke caused a traffic buildup as commuters were forced to stop or find alternative routes since visibility was poor as a result of the blaze.

Meanwhile, Police have since taken Ally into custody. An investigation has been launched.

Gafoors EBD junction

Police, Infrastructure Ministry in talks to ease traffic woes

O

ne day after a lowbed truck was involved in an accident at Mc Doom, East Bank Demerara (EBD) clocking off three lanes of the roadway, the Guyana Police Force and the Public Infrastructure Ministry are in talks to find a workable solution to traffic woes on the East Bank of Demerara.

This was related to Guyana Times on Monday by Traffic Chief Linden Isles. On Sunday, commuters traversing the EBD highway were blocked off for over two hours after a lowbed truck carrying oil rig equipment made a U-turn at Mc Doom, causing the gear to topple off onto the roadway.

Isles, while not divulging much information, noted that systems have to be developed to reduce traffic backup in that specific area.

“Presently we would have already, in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, we already looked at the area and plans

Traffic Chief Linden Isles

are in place to have something be done there (so) something is on stream to deal with the traffic at that particular junction,” the Traffic Chief informed.

He explained that an assessment of the area was conducted and the necessary systems are likely to come on stream soon.

Meanwhile, in relation to the investigation into the ac-

cident, the Traffic Chief noted that Police have since launched a probe to determine whether the lorry driver will be held liable for the incident.

“We are doing some investigation and coming out of that investigation, if we find that negligence and faulty packing (was involved) he will be charged,” Isles noted.

The Traffic Chief said the matter has sparked concern from a number of persons. In this regard, he said the police is concerned about the manner in which such vehicles that have the responsibility of distributing and transporting these containers actually pack them.

Asked if the Force is likely to prohibit U-turns at the junction, the Traffic Chief reminded that the Ministry has its plans which are likely to bear fruit soon, especially since an assessment of the area was already conducted.

This publication understands that the lorry, GWW

The lorry which was transporting the oil rig equipment that toppled on Sunday causing the major traffic build-up

8170, was transporting oil rig equipment and while negotiating a U-turn, the items fell on the roadway.

No one was injured.

It was, however, a frustrating period for commuters, who had no other option but to sit and wait for over two hours in the lanes of traffic.

Guyana Times was told that the traffic was backed up all the way to Diamond on the East Bank, while the lines in the opposite direction reached as far as Mandela Avenue.

Although Government received funding for a bypass road from Diamond to Ogle,

East Coast Demerara, the project is yet to commence.

The preliminary report has pegged the project cost at US$104 million.

This Diamond-Ogle bypass project will see some 26 kilometres of roadway constructed, linking two of the country’s main thoroughfares – the East Bank Highway and East Coast Highway. This new road link will also be connected to key communities in Georgetown and along the East Bank of Demerara. These include Diamond, Mocha, Eccles – all on the East Bank – and

South Ruimveldt (via Aubrey Barker Road) in Georgetown.

Back in 2016, Finance Minister Winston Jordan signed a US$50 million loan with the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of India for the construction of a 20-kilometre road from Ogle on the East Coast of Demerara, to Diamond.

Since the Indian Government is funding the project, it is required that the contracts be awarded to companies from that country and as such, the 10-month design consultancy project was awarded to RITES Limited.

news

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tuesday, february 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, February 26 – 10:30h-12:00h and Wednesday, February 27 – 12:00h-13:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, February 26 – 09:45h-11:15h and Wednesday, February 27 – 11:00h-12:30h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Early-morning rain showers are expected to be followed by lightly cloudy conditions with sunny intervals in the mid to late afternoon hours. Clear to partly cloudy skies are expected in the evening, with overall temperatures ranging between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 09:24h and 22:02h reaching maximum heights of 2.33 metres and 2.18 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 15:30h reaching a minimum height of 0.91 metre.

FRIday, FEBRUARY 22, 2019

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FREE TICKET MONday, FEBRUARY 25, 2019

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No-confidence resolution

Political uncertainty has led to steep decline in business – GCCI “From a national development perspective, the climate of uncertainty does not bode well for investors’ confidence, both local and foreign, as well as business planning, budgeting, and other key features of business management and administration.

The Chamber remains hopeful that an environment which encourages investment prevails.” – GCCI

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he Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) said it has conducted a study following the passage of the December 21, 2018 no-confidence motion and has found that the looming political uncertainty has caused some 64 per cent of businesses to register some sort of decline.

The Chamber on Monday said it was concerned about the effect of the impact of the associated uncertainty on the business community, adding that it was that level of uncertainty which prompted the survey, to gauge the effect of the political environment on business performance.

“From the results, 64 per cent of respondents (or about two in every three businesses) experienced some form of decline due to uncertainty over the state of political affairs in Guyana.

For those businesses which registered a decline in activity, approximately 85 per cent experienced a 25 to 50 per cent drop in the level of commercial activity. The remaining 15 per cent experienced 75 to 100 per cent decline in business,” the GCCI said.

The Private Sector body noted that the significant decline in commercial activity was worrying to itself and its membership. According to the Chamber, the continued state of political uncertainty can result in further decline in economic activity.

“From a national development perspective, the climate of uncertainty does not bode well for investors’ confidence, both local and foreign, as well as business planning, budgeting, and other key features of business management and administration. The Chamber remains hopeful that an environment which encourages investment prevails,” the statement revealed.

GCCI’s membership numbers over 240 business organisations from micro to enterprise level, located throughout the country and in the Caricom Region.

The Chamber emphasised the need for national leaders to expediently resolve political issues that exist in

order to restore and boost investors’ confidence, which would result in Guyana’s economy growing comfortably.

T h e p a s sage o f

the December 21, 2018 no-confidence motion saw the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government being toppled.

The motion was moved by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and carried in a 33-32 vote, with AFC MP Charrandas Persaud defecting in a vote of conscience in favour of the motion.

It has been over 65 days since the resolution was carried and no move has been made by the Government to have elections held within the constitutionally mandated 90 days.

Additionally, the Guyana E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) has since indicated that it will require at least five months to prepare. This move has been condemned by many, with observers accusing GECOM of ignoring its constitutional mandate to buy time for the Government.

On Saturday, Public Security Minister

Khemraj Ramjattan admitted that Guyana would enter into a period of constitutional crisis if come March 19, the constitutionally-mandated Regional and General Elections are not held.

“Well then, you will certainly have what is internationally regarded as a constitutional crisis and I must admit that for the purposes of this dialogue that we are going to presume that the 90 days have passed and we still do not have the two-third majority in Parliament, we are going to enter some uncharted waters,” Ramjattan admitted.

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tuesDAY, february 26, 2019

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

Domestic violence: underestimated reality

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gain, another mother is battling for her life, as domestic violence discussion has again surfaced. This time, the young 22-year-old mother was trying to escape a life of abuse when she was mercilessly chopped by her former partner, who from reports has not accepted that the relationship is over. Vashti Mahase of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara was placed in a terrible situation by the Police when she was ordered to accompany an unarmed Rural Constable (RC) to serve her abuser with a restraining order. This in itself raises the issue of how frivolous some members of the Guyana Police Force treat matters of restraining orders. Ms Mahase, in this instance, fell victim to another administrative glitch, which saw her facing her abuser with an unarmed RC. Numerous cases of domestic violence have been reported in the Guyanese media. Many victims of domestic violence were brutally killed in some instances. Unfortunately, it continues despite awareness efforts and the much-touted training of law enforcement officers, who are expected to be the first step of recourse with regard to the lodging of complaints.

There is more than a subtle irony in the continuance of this societal scourge in spite of the relentless efforts and the plethora of available mechanisms to inform and educate. The problem is much larger than what appears in the news, including the social media outlets, as many cases go unreported. This therefore gives much credence to the appearance of an underestimated reality.

Many reasons have been made known for what can deter an abused victim from seeking the intervention of the law.

Among them, in no specific order of impact, are aspects of culture, shame, dependency and its redounding lack of empowerment for some, and the lack of confidence in law enforcement itself precipitated from the reported trivialising of the issue in some instances.

While it is always heartening to hear that surviving victims and witnesses to such horrific incidents would be counselled, it would be very informative for the benefit of all to know the extent of what is available and offered. Realistically, expectations cannot be for what obtains in the developed nations; however, there must be something tangible, in keeping with available resources, with upgrades foremost in planning.

Given the plethora of incidents that unfortunately continue, and which would make added demands on the system, the question of adequacy of trained staff, needed facilities and support systems becomes more pertinent.

Again, we press the need for more stringent measures to be taken to help save women’s lives; since many of them continue to suffer and even die at the hands of their spouses or other persons close to them. The solutions are well known and have been fully ventilated in the media before, hence there is no need to rehash them here. Suffice to say that while Government must take the lead in helping to bring about change, everyone – civil society, faith-based organisations, Police, judiciary etc -must do what is required of them. Everyone needs to be more proactive in their response to the scourge.

Again, we call for a multisector and cross-ministerial approach that would result in community level activism to prevent this scourge.

While there is a disadvantage in being unable to accurately quote figures based on extensive research, if available, on the amount of people lost, injured and disfigured, and those scarred for life as a result of domestic violence, it must be extremely high in proportion to our population. Clearly, the highest number would be those who are left traumatised.

This therefore must be seen as a serious cause for concern, and a compelling reason for consideration to be declared a national priority. This is an apolitical issue, and is not confined to any one group, thereby making it less difficult to garner national support. In such small societies, the impact permeates throughout and away from just the families.

Venezuelan police Officer Cesar Marcano (centre) along with his wife Adriana Ballera (left) and their children Alexandra (right), Cesar Jesus (top) and Adranlleli are seen at the Brazil-Venezuela border, in Pacaraima, Roraima state, Brazil. More than 100 Venezuelan soldiers have deserted and crossed into Colombia, immigration authorities reported as tensions rise between the neighbours over humanitarian aid (voanews.com)

Venezuela crisis: Defectors fear for families under Maduro

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enezuelan soldiers who defected into Colombia on Saturday say they fear for the safety of their families under President Nicolás Maduro’s Government.

Speaking exclusively to the BBC’s Orla Guerin, one defector aged 23 says he is worried forces loyal to the President may “lash out against my family”.

“But I think it was the best decision I could have made,” he adds.

More than 100 soldiers are said to have defected, most during deadly clashes over aid deliveries on Saturday.

Tensions were high after President Maduro sent troops to block roads and bridges at the borders of neighbouring Brazil and Colombia, where food and medicine deliveries, organised by the US, were set to enter the country.

What next for Venezuela’s Opposition?

At various crossing points, Venezuelan security forces fired tear gas at volunteers and protesters burning outposts and throwing stones at soldiers and riot police.

We met the deserters – male and female – one day after they laid down their weapons and left their posts.

They have found sanctuary in a Catholic church, with a discreet security presence outside.

Some seemed to be in shock over the violent scenes this weekend when Venezuelan troops fired on their own people with teargas and rubber bullets.

The parish priest who took them in told us many arrived battered and bruised.

The deserters said they had fled because their homeland needed change, and their children needed food. After speaking on the phone to a loved one, one young officer

wept openly.

Most of those we met were foot soldiers. They said the top brass was still bound – by corruption – to President Maduro, and that he would fight to stay in power.

But they said he had lost the rank and file who were putting their faith in the Opposition Leader, Juan Guaidó.

Another defector, a woman, described the mood on Saturday as “tense”, adding: “I was thinking I could not harm my own people.

“My daughter is still in Venezuela and that is what hurts the most. But I did this for her. It’s difficult because I don’t know what they might do to her.”

A third said he felt pain at seeing the Venezuelan people on the streets fighting for humanitarian aid.

“I felt impotent and useless. I felt pain for everything happening,” he said.

On Sunday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said President Maduro’s “days are numbered” following the deadly events at the weekend.

“Picking exact days is difficult. I’m confident that the Venezuelan people will ensure that Maduro’s days are numbered,” Pompeo told CNN. At least two people died in Saturday’s clashes between civilians and troops loyal to r Maduro.

Self-declared interim President Juan Guaidó, who has been recognised by more than 50 countries, has called on other nations to consider “all measures” to oust Maduro after Oppositionled efforts to bring in aid descended into clashes. .Meanwhile, Colombia and Brazil said they would intensify pressure on Maduro to relinquish power.

US President Donald Trump has not ruled out an armed

The moment Venezuelan troops crashed through its border with Colombia

response to the Venezuela crisis.

Separately on Sunday, a boat carrying US aid from Puerto Rico to Venezuela was forced to dock on the small Dutch island of Curaçao after it was intercepted by the Venezuelan navy off the northern coast, AFP news agency reports.

The vessel was reportedly loaded with nine cargo containers filled with food and medicine.

Maduro, who says he is the legitimate president and is backed by key economic allies, including Russia, Cuba and China, has warned that deliveries of foreign aid would open the way for US military intervention.

Guaidó, who declared himself interim president last month, argues that alleged irregularities with the nation’s 2018 election render Maduro’s leadership illegitimate.

What happened at the border on Saturday?

Venezuela’s Opposition had intended to bring aid trucks over the borders with Brazil and Colombia.

Guaidó had pledged that the aid would come into the country on Saturday. In response, Maduro partly closed the country’s borders.

Venezuelan civilians attempted to cross in order to get to the stores of food and

medicine, but the attempt quickly descended into bloody violence.

Soldiers opened fire on civilians, using a mixture of live ammunition and rubber bullets.

Video footage showed Venezuelan soldiers crashing their armoured vehicles into the border with Colombia in order to defect.

Another video posted on social media appeared to show four soldiers publicly denouncing the President and announcing their support for Guaidó.

Guaidó promised the defectors amnesty if they joined the “right side of history”.

The humanitarian aid stockpiled in Colombia and Brazil is at the centre of a stand-off between Maduro and Guaidó that goes back to Maduro’s disputed re-election in 2018.

For several years Venezuela has been in the grip of a political and economic crisis.

An out-of-control inflation rate has seen prices soar, leaving many Venezuelans struggling to afford basic items.

More than three million people have fled Venezuela in recent years, according to the United Nations refugee agency, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). (BBC News)

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tuesday, february 26, 2019

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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

Govt must do what the Constitution prescribes

Dear Editor, As the anti-democratic chalice of the PNC/R-led coalition burns, President David Granger’s unilateral appointed Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) adds fuel and fans the flames.

Under his stewardship, the Commission tends to invalidate its own constitutional mandate, that of the Legislature and the Judiciary. The implications would be deep, sacrificial, and revolutionary for all citizens of our dear land.

Obviously, under the directed political mandate of the PNC/R, the Chairman Justice (ret’d) James Patterson continues to lean impulsively in favour of the fallen coalition while obliterating all semblance of democratic norms. Patterson has teamed up with his septuagenarian and octogenarian directorate to cast his deciding vote on every single occasion against a proposition of balance and transparency.

The rule of law, the future of our youths and country do

not seem to matter as this PNC/R-led APNU/AFC coalition Government demonstrates a hell-bent power-atany-cost agenda, premised on taking our country into a constitutional crisis. It is indeed most shameful and unacceptable that this wicked cabal is now showing that they are willing to risk taking our citizens for granted again as they had prior to the carried No-Confidence Motion.

Mr Granger, Patterson and the APNU Commissioners lead the subversion of the Guyana Constitution, as the fallen Government continues to flaunt and fleece the treasury. In the face of international condemnation, Guyana now faces its biggest threats at the wanton fantasy of the APNU/AFC cabal and its tainted GECOM faction.

The baseless diversions and excuses emerging from GECOM are most shameful and abominable. From the apparent trumped-up sick leave of Patterson to his

refusal to commence election preparations since the passing of the December 21, 2018, No-Confidence Motion is both sickening and sad.

GECOM’s Secretariat, led

by CEO Lowenfield has also contradictorily moved to complement the delaying posture of trampling on citizen’s rights.

Lowenfield has paradoxically synchronised his knowledge and revelations that the List of Electors is sufficiently clean to proceed with the elections, with deliberately extended timelines as another farcical excuse. The issue of funds being budgeted for house-tohouse registrations is also most absurd. It is a fact that GECOM as a constitutional agency, receives appropriated funds as a full package to use as necessary.

It is also important to recognise that whenever any other law and the Constitution conflictingly collide, the Constitution takes precedence and all agencies and administrators of the Acts must make

the necessary adjustments.

So, realistically, there is really no basis for excuses, and steps must be taken to hold all and sundry accountable for their roles in this sick semantical dance. This column calls for a Commission of Inquiry as soon as the elections are over, to hold these players accountable for their damning assault on the Constitution and citizens.

It is a fact that very serious and incomparable levels of corruption are taking place at all points in the APNU/AFC Government. As for GECOM, the honest and loyal staff are sparing no efforts to expose all the illegal and comprising transactions that are taking place.

The Information Officer of GECOM and the Chief Executive Officer already said that they are ready for Regional and National Elections.

Lowenfield’s pronouncements on the List as ready and authentic means that it could be simply updated under one legitimate Continuous Registration

Cycle. GECOM has money and they must utilise the money in the best interest of the country and prevent a constitutional crisis. A less than civil and lawful society would not benefit anyone; neither would the APNU/ AFC’s bondage.

After March 19, 2019, there will be no legitimate Government without David Granger and GECOM properly addressing the National Elections. All hell can break loose should the illegal APNU/AFC try to force their will on citizens as the ultimate police state looms.

However, we cannot, at any cost, encourage a dictatorship in Guyana and the Guyanese people must deal with this malignant cancer in a truly revolutionary spirit.

It is of note that due process has been followed thus far and that the warnings of the international community are unmistakably pellucid.

That the Legislature duly passed the No-Confidence Motion and the eminent Chief Justice refused to

grant an order for a stay of the constitutional period for election.

The local organisations are fully aware of the consequences of an illegal Government. Now it is clearly observable that the APNU/PNC-AFC are certainly on a spending spree and utilising State resources to campaign politically. All accounting officers, particularly Permanent Secretaries and Regional Executive Officers, are on notice that they will have to bear the consequences for any illegal or complicit activities.

The diplomatic communities and other civil-minded transparency organisations must be fully behind the people of this country, and call on the Government to do what the Constitution prescribed. Otherwise, the highest possibility of the country coming to a halt may be definite, and it will not be business as usual for those responsible.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Granger has shown utter contempt for Guyana’s Constitution Dear Editor, There was a successful passage of a no-confidence motion against this Government on December 21, 2018, to which Article 106 (6) and (7) gave specific instructions as to the way forward.

The Granger Government, in typical PNC fashion, has been trying every which way to stave off this sure directive. There have been endless court scenes, which I call frivolities, into the validity of the vote, among some other trivial matters, which

will eventually amount to nothing. The stubbornness and illegal mentality of this Government urge them on to show more contempt, as they try somehow to circumvent the Constitution.

In this regard, we are about to see a constitutional crisis very soon.

Now, as that constitutional crisis, pariah state situation, looms bigger and brighter, many in civil society are calling on the Government to honour the Constitution. They have every right to do so because respect for the law

stands supreme in any civilised society unless we want to fall victim to a lawless society, which is something the PNC are driving us into.

Those civil groups are acting in a responsible manner, thus calling on the guilty party, which in this case is the Government, to own up to the realities of the day, resign, and call elections. But instead, they and their support press are manufacturing a ton of lies in a vain effort to prop up their hopeless situation.

They have even gone

so far as to blame the coming crisis on the Opposition Leader who is the innocent party in all of this. Why blame the Opposition Leader for this mess when you have an obstinate Government which does not care about people or country? Granger and his lawless PNC members have shown utter contempt for law and order as well as the people over whom they govern. From the very first day in office, this Government ruled on a narrow party basis, the needs of the people were far removed from their vocabulary. The

Soft skills should be integrated into TVET programmes Dear Editor, I crave your indulgence of allowing me some space within your newspaper to share my views on the Technical Vocational Education and Training program in Guyana.

Recently, I noticed the Education Ministry pursuing the development of TVET in various regions. In January there was a contract signing for the design and construction supervision of three TVET facilities in Regions three, four and five.

Earlier this week, a similar engagement for the same purpose was signed for facilities in regions one and seven. Based on reports in the media, these facilities will be better able to deliver training in areas such as masonry/ plumbing/steel fixing, electrical installation, furniture making/carpentry and joinery, garment making, housekeeping and graphic design.

Editor, this is commendable by the Ministry of Education to be injecting funds into developing TVET areas in Guyana.

With the skills that will be taught, Guyana can expect

the renewal of a workforce of skilled men and women in the aforementioned areas.

Some can move on to gain employment in those fields while others can become entrepreneurs, opening their own businesses and even becoming contractors and bid for Government contracts.

My concern, however, is although we will have a skilled workforce, we must remember that many of the students of these courses may not be the most ‘polished’ bunch, despite their intellectual capabilities.

Some will have sharp edges as it relates to their personalities and people skills.

I, therefore, humbly submit, that the Education Ministry, when implementing these programs make provision for subjects that address customer service and care so that the ‘soft skills’ of students can be developed.

This will allow them to know how to deal with their clients. We must remember that in a lot of cases, these trained young men and women may have to interact with their clients directly. They will not have the opportunity

to hide behind a trained customer service agent as yet, particularly those that will venture out to become entrepreneurs.

Let us imagine for a minute a young lad, trained as a mason and has to provide an estimate to a client in his community for the concreting of a yard. That freshly-minted mason will have to be taught the importance of politeness and professionalism to provide the said estimate and even further, to respect the importance of sticking to deadlines and reporting inabilities of finishing or not finishing within given timeframes.

The teaching of soft skills borders on communication skills. These subject areas can teach students various techniques of improving communication between themselves and clients which will augur well for good customer relations. This is important since we are encouraging persons to venture into entrepreneurship and become their own ‘bosses’. It will benefit them since their good service will build their reputation in a positive light,

securing for themselves, future jobs.

Many people complain about their interaction with tradesmen particularly, saying that they possess no ‘people skills’, that they are ‘rough, rugged, crude and ill-mannered’. Being able to do the job correctly is good but customers also want persons that they can talk to and interact in a friendly manner.

When we implement these programs, we must think holistically by not just focusing on the main skills but also developing the individual completely into becoming a well-rounded Guyanese.

With that said Editor, I repeat my commendation to the Education Ministry for acknowledging the need for improved TVET services being offered to students. I encourage the education officials and the Education Minister to continue developing the education sector in Guyana. We are going in the right direction.

Yours faithfully, Elizabeth Williams

people were second class or no class where they were concerned. From the onset, it was how to please themselves and their party people using State funds. Volda Lawrence aptly expressed that fact so there is no need to clarify anything whatsoever in that well thought out, well-established fact of the PNC. Do not shift the blame; please cast the accusatory finger in the direction where it rightfully belongs.

So, when that same group of persons is suggesting that the Opposition Leader meets with Granger

for another round of discussions, I am re-echoing the words of Jagdeo that there would be no meeting of the two. As the visionary doctor has said, he has no interest in another PR stunt with the President. When Granger respects the Constitution of this country, then and only then would he honour a meeting with him. And may I add, that discussion would centre on how soon we are going into the next general election.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

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Foundation G

erms are tiny organisms that can cause disease – and they’re so small that they can creep into your system without you noticing. To stay healthy, it helps to give some thought to germs.

Germs basics

by the five-second rule: A clean-looking floor isn’t necessarily clean. A shiny tile floor is probably cleaner than 1970s-era carpet. But even clean, dry floors can harbour bacteria. Newly washed floors are only as clean as the tools used to wash them (picture eating food off the mop in the cafeteria if you need a visual). Even with a brand-new mop or sponge, stubborn germs can still be on the floor after cleaning.

What is the 5-second rule?

Almost everyone has dropped food on the floor and still wanted to eat it. Some people apply the “5-second rule.” You probably know it — supposedly, food won’t be contaminated with bacteria if you pick it up off the floor in five seconds or less.

So, is it true?

The five-second rule has become such a part of our culture that scientists actually tested it. They found that the “rule” is mostly myth: Bacteria can attach to food even if you pick it up super fast. So, depending on which types of bacteria happen to climb on board, you could still get sick.

Here are two facts to consider whenever you feel tempted

The five-second rule has become such a part of our culture that scientists actually tested it. They found that the “rule” is mostly myth: Bacteria can attach to food even if you pick it up super fast. So, depending on which types of bacteria happen to climb on board, you could still get sick.

Fast is better – but it may not be fast enough. Although a piece of food does pick up more bacteria the longer it’s on the floor, bacteria can attach to it instantly. So any food that hits the floor can get contaminated if conditions are right. And foods with wet surfaces, like an apple slice, pick up bacteria easily.

When in doubt, toss it out

Some bacteria are not harmful. But others can torture you with miserable stuff like diarrhoea. Even if there’s no visible dirt on your food, you can still get sick. You just can’t tell what kinds of bacteria may be lurking on the floor.

So what are you to do with the piece of watermelon that just slipped from your grip? The safest choice is to throw it out.

Or let the dog have it. (And there’s another thing to consider — even the five-second rule can’t get around the fact that your food may have landed right in a spot where Fido parked his butt.) (kidshealth.org)

The term germs is really just a generic word for four different types of organisms: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

Bacteria are tiny, single-celled organisms that are found throughout nature, including in the bodies of human beings. A certain number of bacteria are good for our bodies – they help keep the digestive system in working order and keep harmful bacteria from moving in. Some bacteria are even used to produce medicines and vaccines.

But bacteria can cause trouble, too – ever had a urinary tract infection or strep throat? These infections are caused by bacteria.

Viruses are even smaller than bacteria and can’t live on their own. In order to survive, grow, and reproduce, they need to be inside other living organisms. Most viruses can only live for a very short time outside other living cells. For example, they can stay on surfaces like a countertop or toilet seat in infected bodily fluids for a short period of time, but they quickly die there unless a live host comes along.

But some viruses, such as the kind that cause hepatitis (an infection of the liver), can survive on surfaces for a week or longer and still be able to cause infections.

Once they’ve moved into your body, viruses spread easily and can make you quite sick. Viruses are responsible for not-so-serious diseases like colds as well as extremely serious diseases like smallpox.

Fungi (pronounced: FUN-guy) are multi-celled, plantlike organisms that usually aren’t dangerous in a healthy person. Fungi can’t produce their own food from soil, water, and air, so instead, they get nutrition from plants, food, and animals in damp, warm environments.

Two common fungal infections are athlete’s foot and ringworm. People who have weakened immune systems (from diseases like AIDS or cancer) may develop more serious fungal infections.

Protozoa (pronounced: pro-toe-ZO-uh) are one-celled organisms like bacteria. Protozoa love moisture, so intestinal infections and other diseases they cause are often spread through contaminated water.

Once organisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa invade your body, they get ready to stay for a while.

These germs draw all their energy from you! They may damage or destroy some of your own healthy cells. As they use up your nutrients and energy, most will produce waste products, known as toxins.

Some toxins cause the annoying symptoms of common colds or flu-like infections, such as sniffles, sneezing, coughing, and diarrhoea. But other toxins can cause high fever, increased heart rate, and even life-threatening illness.

If you’re not feeling well and visit your doctor, he or she may order testing to examine your blood and other fluids under a microscope or do cultures to figure out which germs (if any) are making you sick.

How can I protect myself from germs?

The best way to prevent the infections that germs cause is by protecting yourself. Because most germs are spread through the air in sneezes or coughs or through bodily fluids like saliva, semen, vaginal fluid, or blood. If you or someone else is sick, your best bet is to limit contact with those substances.

Washing your hands often is absolutely the best way to stop germs from getting into your body. When should you wash? After using the bathroom, after blowing your nose or coughing, after touching any pets or animals, after gardening, or before and after visiting a sick relative or friend.

And of course you should wash your hands before eating or cooking.

There’s a right way to wash hands, too – you need to soap up well using warm water and plenty of soap, then rub your hands vigorously together for 20 seconds (away from the water). Rinse your hands and finish by drying them thoroughly on a clean towel. It’s a good idea to carry hand sanitiser with you for times when you are eating out or not near a sink.

If you spend any time in the kitchen, you’ll have many opportunities to get rid of germs. Be sure to use proper food-handling techniques, like using separate cutting boards, utensils, and towels for preparing uncooked meat and poultry.

Another way to fight infections from germs is to make sure you have the right immunisations, especially if you’ll be travelling to other countries. Getting a flu vaccination yearly is strongly recommended, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

With a little prevention, you can keep harmful germs out of your way! (kidshealth.org)

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tuesday, february 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Abusive farmer brutally chops lover …woman in critical condition at GPHC

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22-year-old woman is battling for her life at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after she was chopped several times about her body on Sunday when she informed her 35-yearold abusive reputed husband that she wanted nothing more to do with him.

Injured is Vashti Mahase of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Speaking with Guyana Times on Monday, the injured woman’s mother, Zorina Mahase, said her daughter, Vashti Mahase, was involved in an abusive relationship with the assailant for about six months now.

She related that her

daughter grew tired of her abuser’s ways and wanted to leave the relationship, however, the 35-year-old farmer of Lima Dam, Mahaica, was determined to spend the rest of his life with Mahase. The worried mother said that things took a turn for the worst when her daughter recently learnt that she was pregnant and did not want to keep the child because of the abusive relationship with the farmer.

According to Zorina Mahase, her daughter’s partner had threatened to chop her head off if she tried to have an abortion.

Fearful for her life, Mahase left the abusive home and went to her mother’s residence. She returned

a few days later, accompanied by her relatives to collect her belongings. This, according to Zorina Mahase, angered the farmer even more which led to a confrontation.

Zorina Mahase related that the reputed husband subsequently went to the police station and reported that his reputed wife stole his money when she was moving out. This led to Vashti Mahase being arrested and placed in the lockups for a few days.

Zorina Mahase recalled begging the police to let her daughter out and arrest the farmer. She said that the farmer subsequently went to the family and informed them that he will drop the

Injured: Vashti Mahase

allegation if Mahase would take him back.

Days later, when her daughter was released, Mahase was threatened again and she, in turn, reported the matter. The woman was sent to the suspect’s home with a rural consta-

ble to serve a restraining order but when he saw her, he whipped out his cutlass and dealt the woman several chops to her face, hand, back and about the body. As the attack was launched on the woman, the rural constable ran away.

After the rural constable ran away, the bleeding woman was picked up and rushed to the GPHC. According to the mother, her daughter was told that it was compulsory for her to be present when the restraining order was served since she needed to identify him.

The distraught mother said she is pleading for justice for her daughter even as she fears for her own life.

She explained that after regaining consciousness, her daughter informed her that during the chopping,

the suspect kept saying “it wasn’t over”.

The young woman has two kids from a previous relationship and they too felt the hands of the abusive man who himself is a father of six. Her children are currently with their father, who resides in Good Hope as well.

The ECD Divisional Commander, Calvin Brutus, confirmed on Monday that the suspect is wanted for questioning in relation to the matter. He added that he was not certain why young Mahase had to be present during the serving of the restraining order.

The Commander said he was told that the two were involved in an argument before the farmer charged out with his cutlass in pursuit of the woman.

Scotiabank’s sale

Central Bank still in the dark over acquisition plans – Finance Minister

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lose to three months after it was announced that Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) had plans to acquire Scotiabank’s banking operations in Guyana, that process is yet to commence.

As such, the Bank of Guyana (BoG) has also been left in the dark as it relates to the RFHL’s plans in this regard, as it is still to submit certain documents to start the acquisition process.

This is according to Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who told the media at the sidelines of an event on Monday that the status quo ante remained at the moment.

“They (RFHL) are still to submit the relevant information to the BoG. The last time I spoke with the Governor (Gobind Ganga,) he said that process is still ongoing,” Jordan explained.

Asked whether there was a deadline for these submissions, the Finance Minister said a deadline could not be given, because Government was not the buyer, and they could also change their mind.

“Once they submit the relevant information that is being requested, the Bank will do what it is required to do under the (Bank of Guyana) Act. I think they’ll probably make a recommendation to Government,” he said.

In early December 2018, the Trinidad-based RFHL said it had entered into an agreement to acquire Scotiabank’s banking operations in nine Caribbean countries.

It said banks being acquired were located in Guyana, St Maarten, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Following the announcement, the Antigua and Barbuda Government said it was “deeply disappointed” that Scotiabank would decide to sell its operations “without any form of consultation” with the regulators or the Finance Minister of that island nation.

The Guyana Government, on the other hand, had said the agreement “raises a number of is-

RFHL plans to acquire the Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank) operations here and in eight other Caribbean countries

sues for the banking sector in Guyana and for the public which the Finance Ministry, the Bank of Guyana and the Government of Guyana will need to carefully consider”.

Concerns

The Ministry in a statement said that “this move is not Guyana-specific and is part of a region-wide refocusing by Scotiabank” and it has also taken note of the statement by RFHL that the agreement was “subject to all regulatory approvals”.

It posited that the Financial Institutions Act (FIA) has clear stipulations

regarding “acquisition of control” and requires approval of the BoG following the submission of an application and due diligence being conducted.

“Further, the FIA addresses as well the issue of

‘fundamental changes’ as it relates to mergers and transfer of assets or liabilities,” the Finance Ministry said.

The Ministry stated that among the issues raised by the planned acquisition was the fact Republic Bank currently held 35.4 per cent of the banking system’s assets and 36.8 per cent of deposits, which the acquisition would increase to 51 per cent of both assets and deposits. “This raises concerns about an over-concentration of banking services, market domination, and the ‘too big to fail’ risks,” the Ministry said.

It added that it would also have to take into consideration “the effect on competition and the potential for Republic Bank to have too much influence on

pricing of banking products and rates”.

Former Presidential Advisor, economist Ramon Gaskin said he believed that the sale to Republic Bank would only allow that banking institution to dominate the local banking sector in Guyana, which could be unhealthy for the financial sector.

While on the other hand, Washington DC-based financial analyst Sasenarine Singh said there was a possibility that if Republic Bank did acquire Scotiabank, it would indeed have negative implications for the local financial sector.

Singh agreed that was bigger risk in this issue were allowing one bank to have too great a market share of the banking sector.

8 news

tuesday, february 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

36-year-old charged for raping 9-year-old girl

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36-year-old man was on Monday released on $250,000 bail

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a rape charge.

Mario Heywood ap-

peared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where the charge was read to him.

It is alleged that between October 1 and November 20, 2018, he raped a nine-year-

old girl. The court heard that the child was left in his care when he committed the act.

The child reportedly told her mother what had trans-

pired and the matter was reported to the Police. The suspect was recently arrested and charged for the offence. The case will continue on March 7, 2019.

End game…

Sales rep slapped with 9 charges W

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22-year-old sales representative who was slapped with nine charges including resisting arrest, assault and use of threatening language, appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Jenlisa Fordyce was charged separately for unlawfully and maliciously assaulting Police Officers Welcome, Joseph and Reynolds on February 21, 2019, at the Route 32

Minibus Park, Georgetown.

Other charges alleged that Fordyce, also on February 21, 2019, at the same location, caused obstruction to Officers Welcome and Reynolds by resisting arrest as they were acting in the execution of their duties.

Another charge alleged that on February 24, 2019, at the Brickdam Police Station, Fordyce unlawfully assaulted Police Officer Morris while causing ob-

struction to him by resisting arrest as he was acting in the execution of his duties.

In court on Monday, Fordyce only admitted to the two charges alleging that on February 21, 2019, at Georgetown, she had in her possession, an offensive weapon, that is, a sharp edged blade. The final charge stated that she used threatening behaviour towards Police Officer Joseph.

To that charge, she admitted to the offence and was fined

$40,000.

Police Prosecutor Adunni Inniss did not object to bail being granted on the remaining charges. Magistrate Daly released her on $150,000 bail for the other offences and adjourned the cases to March 4, 2019.

Dominican charged for overstaying in Guyana

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Fined: Eric Guante

Dominican man on Monday appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged for overstaying in Guyana.

Eric Guante admitted that between January 5, 2019 and February 24, 2019 at Georgetown, he failed to comply with conditions under which he was permitted to stay in Guyana.

According to immigration records, Guante was granted permission to stay in Guyana from December 6, 2018 to January 5, 2019.

On Monday, in a plea of mitigation, the foreign national told the Magistrate that he was informed that as long as he has a Guyanese child, he could remain in Guyana. With the aid of a translator, Guante further explained that he pleaded guilty, since he did not want to waste the court’s time.

However, Police Prosecutor Richard Harris contended that records did not reveal any information about him having a child in Guyana.

Magistrate Daly fined Guante $30,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in him having to serve six months in prison.

…in Venezuela? e know the end game in Venezuela’s been taking some time. But “this time na lang time” - even for the lone superpower standing. Time there was when the Marines would’ve long been dispatched after President Trump did a Henry II and exclaimed “Will no one rid me of this meddlesome Maduro?” Maduro, after all -like Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket -- just didn’t get it that the old order had to go.

It’s not just a clash of ideologies any longer – socialism versus capitalism -- that argument had long been settled after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. Trouble was, Maduro’s mentor Hugo Chavez didn’t look next door to Guyana, where Burnham, another leader on horseback (literally!), decided he’d “mould” Guyana’s destiny along “socialist” lines. Hey!!

Burnham might’ve been well intentioned and all that, but fact of the matter is he completely destroyed his country and scattered his people like a rice farmer broadcasting paddy for the next crop!!

Every country in the vicinity, including Venezuela – but mostly the US and Canada -- was invaded by hordes of Guyanese refugees. It’s a good thing our population was small, or the fallout would’ve been catastrophic. But that isn’t the case in the ongoing Chavez/Maduro socialist experiment that is careening towards its inevitable collapse.

The international community has to do something before the present 3 million who’ve fled Venezuela become 30 million!!

The 40,000 Guyanese who ended up in Venezuela was a drop in their bucket – but can you imagine if the 3,000 presently in Reg 1 swells to 30,000? For one, they won’t remain in Reg 1!! Anyhow, Maduro gave Trump the opening he needed when he called snap elections last year - which the Carter Center, the UN and OAS etc refused to observe.

After concededly the lowest turnout in Venezuelan history, Maduro was declared the winner by the Maduro-controlled National Electoral Council (CNE). The US refused to recognise the elections, and declared Maduro persona non grata.

After Maduro’s inauguration last month, US VP Mike Pence made a call to the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Juan Guaido, who constitutionally becomes the interim president in the event the office is vacant. He assured Guaido that if he declared himself president, the US would recognise him. So said, so done, and the endgame was in sight. Since then, most European and Latin American States have followed the US lead.

Guaido has promised “free and fair elections” once Maduro departs.

Mike Pence informed the Lima Group of SA States – in the presence of Guaido – of the final US moves.

The lesson is that the US is still ready to defend democratic practices!! …in Guyana?

And the above recitation obviously is relevant for us in Guyana, where the PNC-led Government has been playing ducks and drakes with democracy in general and our Constitution in particular. Specifically, as it relates to the stipulation that the President and his Cabinet SHALL resign immediately after the NCM of Dec 21 and elections should have been scheduled by March 19.

With the PNC Government working in tandem with GECOM, which it controls with the “unilateralised” James Patterson, who is refusing to hold the constitutionally mandated elections, come March 19, when a new president should have been declared and the incumbent will have to go! What then? According to Art 95, “During any period when the Office of the president is vacant, the office shall be assumed by (1) (a) the PM; and if there’s none, according to (b), another Minister elected by Cabinet”.

But Art 95 (c) says if there’s no PM or Cabinet – as is the case -- then the Chancellor of the Judiciary becomes the interim President!!

We hope the visiting US War College Professor passed on the message to the PNC!! …for East Bank highway The humongous 3-hour traffic pile-up occasioned by the toppled flatbed transporting an oil-related rig is a warning of what lies ahead with oil-support companies soon to be lining the entire Demerara River bank!!

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

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tuesday, february 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt’s refusal to resign threatens democracy – NACTA poll

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n opinion poll conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) last week in Guyana to determine people’s views on contemporary issues found that a large majority of voters agree that Government’s refusal to resign threatens local democracy.

The poll was conducted by a political scientist, Dr Vishnu Bisram, who has been conducting opinion polls internationally for almost 30 years. The poll has been interviewing potential voters at random to represent the demographics (41 per cent Indians, 30 per cent Africans, 18 per cent Mixed, 10 per cent Amerindians, and 1 per cent other) of the population.

The poll finds that people

are worried about the implications of the Government’s reluctance to resign having lost the no-confidence motion. Asked if they think Government’s refusal to resign threatens democracy, 68 per cent said yes, 22 per cent said no and 10 per cent had no response or are not sure.

The survey also found that 61 per cent of those interviewees think that the Government should resign, while 30 per cent has said it shouldn’t and 9 per cent did not express an opinion.

Asked if they agree with the vote cast by Charrandas Persaud, the former Government Member of Parliament, on December 21, 2018, to defeat the Government on the no-confidence vote, 71 per cent said yes with only 21 per cent

saying no and 8 per cent not offering a response.

The poll found that people are disillusioned with the performance of the Government that has failed to carry out many promises in its manifesto of 2015.

This, according to the report, explains their support for Charandass who has been applauded for his courage to vote to bring down his own Government.

Further, a large majority of voters also agree with the recent ruling handed down by the Chief Justice Roxanne George on the no-confidence matter that was before her court. That ruling is being appealed by the Government and could reach all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

The Chief Justice ruled

Pomeroon residents appeal for safe drinking water

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esidents in the Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are now faced with drinking water woes as their only source of water is now not safe for consumption.

Pomeroon is the home of thousands of Amerindians.

According to the residents, owing to the prolonged dry season, the Region was forced to pump water from the already low conservancy to save the rice fields and as such, that has contributed to low water levels in the Pomeroon River.

As a result, with Atlantic Ocean at high tide, the murky sea water would make its way into the River making it impossible for residents to use.

Schools, businesses and other institutions are affect-

The murky water in the Pomeroon River

ed.

Residents who have large water storage tanks are running low while those who cannot afford such storage are facing serious problems in sourcing potable water.

They are appealing to the

authorities to address the issue with urgency.

One of the recommendations made by residence is to implement a water distribution system along the river so persons can have access to clean drinking water.

on February 1, 2019, that the no-confidence motion of December 21, 2018, in the Parliament against the Government was successfully passed 33-32.

The judge said 33 constitutes a majority of the Parliament of 65 members. She also ruled that the Government “stood resigned” when it lost the no-confidence vote. The Chief Justice said she could not stay her own ruling pending a proposed Government appeal.

And in the NACTA poll, Guyanese, through their voting, don’t think a court or a judge can stay the outcome of a no-confidence vote and they urged that an election is held to resolve the issue.

CJ ruling

Based on the findings of the ongoing poll, 62 per cent of the nation agrees with the Chief Justice’s rulings as indicated above with 22 per cent disagreeing and the remaining 14 per cent not offering an opinion.

The latest opinion poll

also revealed that Guyanese are disappointed with the Government for not adhering to the laws of the Constitution that specifically calls for it to resign and hold an election within 90 days of the passage of a no-confidence. The 90-day period ends on March 19, 2019.

Government has refused to adhere to the Constitution and challenged the outcome of the no-confidence motion in Parliament and in the court, although Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland said the vote was passed and that he could not reverse it.

Because of this reluctance to resign and hold democratic elections, the poll finds that Guyanese are suspicious of Government’s intentions on elections and are fearful that the country could descend into authoritarianism as experienced during the period of rigged elections between 1965 and 1992.

On Sunday, NACTA released part of the poll which

questioned Guyanese as to whether they believe the no-confidence motion was successfully passed.

A majority of voters said they would like to see an early election within the constitutional March 19 deadline to settle the issue of the no-confidence vote and to avoid an impending constitutional crisis. The population also indicated their concerns over Government’s refusal to resign and hold elections which threaten democracy.

Based on the findings of the still ongoing poll (through Friday, February 22), 65 per cent of the population are concerned, as opposed to 28 per cent who are not and 7 per cent offering no opinion about the political situation in which the Government has refused to accept the outcome of the no-confidence vote. Many said it sets the stage for authoritarianism.

The poll also queried voters on other topical issues.

The findings will be released in a subsequent report.

10 news

tuesday, february 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

RUSAL, bauxite workers need collective bargaining agreement – Trotman

…says fired striking workers will be reinstated

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mid the recent industrial dispute whereby 61 Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI) workers were fired for protesting against a one per cent arbitrary salary increase, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman said that better systems should be implemented to reduce the possibility of such occurrences in the future.

Trotman told the media on

RUSAL’s operation at Aroaima, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice)

Monday that a collective bargaining agreement should be forged between the company and its workers, since the present situation was testament to the absence of such a pact.

“I think, ultimately, the better systems need to be put in place for managing good relations. On one hand, I think the company needs to understand that we do have laws and the workers need to follow a collective bargain agreement, so the answer lies in getting a firm collective bargain between the company and the workers. As long as there is an absence of such an agreement, we’re going to have this tension which erupts periodically,” the Minister said.

BCGI – which is owned by RUSAL – dismissed 61 workers on February 19, since the employment contract prohibits them from downing tools and engaging in strike action. several Following rounds of meetings between Government, the workers and company officials, Minister Trotman said he expected a positive response from the bauxite company by Wednesday.

Reinstated

“The workers will all be reinstated, and I think nothing short of that is expected … I would expect for us to get back into production and normalcy by Wednesday the latest.

RUSAL ought to be able to give not just the Government but, most importantly, the workers some positive news,” said the Minister.

He said the expectation was that RUSAL would stand

by Guyana’s laws, as the Government stood by the company when sanctions were imposed by the US. Moreover, there is need for the company to strike a balance with its employees to ensure that they accept the wages offered, the Minister added.

“We want to see workers that are comfortable, both with their wages and conditions of work. And we want to see a company working in

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

Guyana that is earning a fair rate of return on its investments, so it’s finding that balance between aiding the company and ensuring that the workers are okay. We stood with the company during its travails with the sanctions.

We expect that the company will stand with us and respect the laws in Guyana and the workers.”

Union

During a meeting at the Labour Department last week, the BCGI representatives said that the company did not recognise the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU).

“We have no relation with this union,” a company representative had said.

“It happened before I came to Guyana to work … it was an alternative poll [by workers to unionise]. This poll took place on October 3, 2017. It was won by Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union.

“Only a few weeks after, we got information that the judge in (a case decided) this board was constituted with some breaches and could be considered illegal…. I think many people knew the board was illegal. But nobody said to us such a (poll) could be considered nil and void,” the company’s representative said.

This is a reference to the judgement issued in the case of the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board (TURCB) versus the

Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG).

FITUG General Secretary Carvil Duncan had claimed that TURCB unilaterally appointed a chairman in 2015 without consulting it, and only recognised the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC).

In the written judgment issued by the High Court on November 8, 2017, it said FITUG was not consulted prior to the appointment of a chair in 2015. This was found to be in violation of the Trade Union Recognition Act, especially as it relates to the selection of a chairman of the organisation.

When asked, however, Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle maintained that the GB&GWU by virtue of winning that poll should be the duly-recognised representative of the bauxite workers.

This is, after all, the approach the Ministry has adopted.

“They (RUSAL) can’t say that. A poll was done there.

The Union is the recognised union; there’s no doubt about that. The GB&GWU is the recognised union. They did a poll and the Union won that poll.”

The poll came against the backdrop of eight years of refusal by the BCGI to treat with the GB&GWU. This Union has been crusading against the transgressing of workers’ constitutional right to Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining (Article 147), and the violation of Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act (1997) in the domestic and international communities.

The GB&GWU, as a result of the poll, had renewed calls for the BCGI to honour the laws of Guyana and treat with the Union according to said laws, saying failing to do otherwise would constitute a breach of the law and be continued high-handedness and disrespect shown by management for the sovereignty of Guyana and the workers of Guyana.

11 Complaints raised over excavation of Boerasirie Dam news

tuesday, february 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

…flooding looms during high tide, rainfall

A section of the dam which was excavated several feet lower

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ecent actions to excavate the Boerasirie Dam in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) have caused much worry to residents and fishermen who are fearful that their homes will be inundated during the high tide periods.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Monday, a Councillor from the area explained that she received calls from numerous persons, relaying the distress that residents were faced with at the hands of unknown persons.

This publication understands that some men started excavating the dirt from the dam and have been re-

tailing it to interested persons. The situation is even worse, given the fact that there is no koker to stop water from entering during high tides. She said the dam has been lowered by some six feet, and any high tide in the future will result in mass flooding along Tuschen and Zeelught with the possibility of other areas being affected.

“There is a dam before the trench, and someone is excavating the dirt from it and they’re excavating so low.

This trench goes straight out into the river and there is nothing to stop the water so when the high tide comes, it will flood the entire De Kinderen and Zeelugt,” said

the Councillor.

The Councillor posited that fishermen are also severely worried and calls are being made for authorities to put a stop to the excavation since their efforts proved futile.

“The resident and fishermen is calling for something to be done before they’re affected. Some of the dirt is sold to people and they’re using some to build other areas. Some persons went out and stop them from digging the dam further and explained what will happen if they excavate the dam so low and they still continued.

The Tuschen-Uitvlugt NDC (Neighbourhood Democratic Council) is also aware of this,” she explained.

Meanwhile, a resident from the area, Mugdridge (only name provided) explained, “If the dam get a breach, it will flood everywhere. If I get flood, who will be responsible? We have the Phagwah and Easter spring tide. If the dam get a breach, it will cause a big problem”.

When the tide rises, some fishermen will also suffer since it will not be possible for their boats to be docked along the waterway.

The resident noted that this is an extremely dangerous situation being created that will affect thousands of residents living in the area.

The Public Infrastructure Ministry had issued a notice to the public, sending advice to take precautions during the impending high tide season, which is expected in the

Ecstasy pills convict a former student – School of the Nations 2012 after completing Form One and was transferred by his parents to another school,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the school, Dr Dexter Phillips said in a statement on Monday.

Adams appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday last and pleaded guilty to a charge that on February 20, 2019, at Princes Street, Georgetown,

John Adams

T

he School of the Nations on Monday said that 20-year-old John Adams, who was sentenced to three years in prison for possession of ecstasy pills, is a former student of the institution and not presently attending classes there as was reported by the local media, including Guyana Times, last week.

According to the school, Adams was transferred from the educational facility in 2012 to another city school.

“According to our records, Mr Adams exited School of the Nations in

he had in his possession eight ecstasy pills, which amounted to five grams.

Adams was intercepted about 21:00h while he was riding his motorcycle along Princes Street. A search was conducted on his person and the illegal drug was found.

The Chief Magistrate jailed him for three years and fined him $30,000.

One of the excavators on site

coming weeks.

For the past week, predictions indicate that the tides will rise above normal

levels and the Sea and River Defence Department estimate that flooding will occur in areas which are suscep-

tible to such situations due to storm surges and overtopping of sea defence structures.

Some of the areas include the Pomeroon River banks, Sans Souci to Sarah in Wakenaam Island; Canefield/Amsterdam, Endeavour/Blenheim and Cane Garden in Leguan Island; Windsor Forest to De Willem on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD); and the Parika Market area to Salem and Sparta on the East Bank of Essequibo.

Many persons are still recovering from flooding last year, caused by a breach in the sea defence structures at several locations along the West Coast of Demerara.

(Rupa Seenaraine)

Guyanese man stabbed to death in St Lucia

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suspect is assisting St Lucia’s police with investigations into the fatal stabbing of Guyanese national, Michael Pooran at Bagatelle, Castries.

Neville Atille, a friend of the deceased, told St Lucia Times that Pooran, 27, was a very good person who was outgoing and liked to dress.

He disclosed that about 05:00h on Sunday, neighbours informed him about the fatal stabbing.

According to St Lucia Times, Atille said he and the deceased were acquainted with the suspect in the fatal stabbing.

“The last time I built my step, he asked for a job. We said ‘We don’t have any job doing – it’s for free. If you want rum and food,’ he said ‘Yeah’ he will do anything. And now he is saying that Michael owes him money.”

Atille said that according to reports he received, Pooran went to a party in the neighbourhood and the suspect started “troubling” the deceased and following him around.

“That’s what I heard. People were saying ‘Leave the guy alone’,” Atille told St Lucia Times.

He said based on his information, the two started fighting.

Dead: Michael Pooran

“Eyewitness did not see Michael stab the assailant. Michael never walks with a weapon because he is a big tough guy,” Atille stated.

He explained that a mutual friend advised Pooran to leave the scene but as he held the Guyanese, he realised that he was bleeding.

Atille said the mutual friend heard footsteps and thinking that the assailant was after him as well, he left Pooran, who had by that time collapsed, and ran.

He said Pooran went to St Lucia from Guyana in 2014.

12 news GNSC commissions new state-of-the-art warehouse W tuesday, february 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

ith the intention of improving its services and upgrading the quality, the Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC) has made a sizeable investment in constructing a new stateof-the-art warehouse that was officially opened for business on Monday.

In providing an overview of the project, Managing Director of GNSC Andrew Astwood declared that the facility was identified as a priority capital investment for the company, which cost the company $125.942 million.

He said it was the most costly investment the GNSC has ever made.

Astwood said although there were some challenges during the construction phase which led to an extension in the official period, the project was, nevertheless, successful.

“This is the first newly-built structure as a part of the modernisation process which adds to the major upgrades and rehabilitation of several other sections of the facility that we would have embarked on over the years,” the Managing Director add-

Finance Minister Winston Jordan is assisted by GNSC’s Managing Director Andrew Astwood as he cuts the ribbon to the new warehouse facility declaring it officially open

ed.

The corporation’s Managing Director said that the storage facility is 12,600 square feet with modern amenities and features. The dimensions of the warehouse are 140 by 90 feet, with a height of 25 feet, and open storage layout with stacking height up to 20 feet.

In addition to that, the facility has a concrete steel frame with side ventilation, reinforced concrete flooring,

two access ramps, two automatic roller shutter doors and an air-conditioned office with internal washroom and superior lighting. The capacity of the warehouse is up to 2500 tonnes of bulk cargo such as rice. It also has safe security features.

“The project signifies our commitment to the development of our infrastructure to better satisfy the needs of our customers and principles and position ourselves as the

perfect logistics partner for business and investment in the maritime and new and emerging oil and gas sector,” he added.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Winston Jordan who delivered the feature address at the event, spoke to the need for more investments of this nature.

He pointed to the fact that more opportunities will open up through the impending oil sector.

“As a company with many years of experience, I expect that your sagacity will cause you to experience new business opportunities in this new sector. I encourage you to take advantage of the many business opportunities that this nascent sector promises so as to ensure that your company remains profitable and competitive,” he stated.

The Minister alluded to the fact that many Stateowned companies face severe pressure. He noted that Government has, over the years, supported many State agencies, the most recent being the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), and the Guyana National Printers

The brand-new state-of-the-art warehouse facility at GNSC

Limited.

“The competition is fierce but this time go head-on with imagination, innovation, and foresight. It will require visionary leadership from the Board of Directors and management. There will be call for a motivated and skilful workforce that is dedicated to making the corporation number one,” he said.

Jordan acknowledged that the GNSC’s strategic plan, which highlights warehouse development, equipment renewal and works rehabilitation as critical to the success of the programme. He said while a lot of brainstorming may have led to that plan,

sticking it out and ensuring implementation takes places is key to the success of the company.

The grand opening was attended by several top executives of the GNSC including the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Lance Carberry, among several others.

The Guyana National Shipping Corporation Limited renders maritime transportation services to all sectors of the economy.

The company’s major role in the shipping industry is the provision of related quality services to ship owners, operators, and other customers, locally and internationally.

Police trained to interact with Guyana to get help from South Africa LGBTQ persons to develop natural resources sector

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M

Members of the LGBTQ movement and senior Police ranks at the training programme

arking World Day of Social Justice on Wednesday, Guyana’s Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD Guyana) and Guyana Trans United (GTU) celebrated a milestone in their collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Public Security Ministry with a closing ceremony of the first phase of training workshops on Gender, Sexuality and Human Rights.

The ceremony was held at the Guyana Police Force’s Officers Training Centre which saw the Manager of the Citizens Security Strengthening Programme at the Public Security Ministry, Clement Henry, delivering the feature address.

He discussed the necessity of this type of training to address pervasive discrimination in Guyana at its core. The first series of the two-day workshops entitled “Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights” facilitated by SASOD Guyana and

GTU began on January 21, 2019, and sensitised 143 officers from all the Divisions across the country.

The training was designed to educate officers on basic human rights and sensitise them to the unique needs of vulnerable populations including gender and sexual minorities. The pre/ post-test results from the first phase of the training have shown a marked improvement of the police officers’ knowledge and understanding of diversity issues.

Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Williams, DSM, spoke on behalf of the Commissioner of Police and reiterated the Force’s is commitment to continuous education for the eradication of discrimination and the protection of human rights.

Williams also sees the need for collaborations and trainings for collective progress and endorsed subsequent phases of this collaborative training programme.

He voiced optimism for an inclusive and respectful

Police Force and stated that, “there must be no discrimination”.

The Deputy Commissioner told the gathering that the GPF would welcome posters on LGBTQ+ human rights for display at every police station in the country that would remind the officers of their commitments to equality and respect for gender and sexual diversity based on this training intervention.

With ongoing support from the Public Security Ministry and the Guyana Police Force, this training programme will be extended to more members of the GPF on a broader scale in the coming months.

Also in attendance were Lead Training Officer, Senior Superintendent Fizal Karimbash, United Nations Resident Coordinator Mikiko Tanaka, members of the diplomatic corps, public officials, officers of the GPF, civil society representatives and sexual and gender minorities.

uyana’s mining and natural resources sector is expected to be enhanced following discussions with its South African counterpart on ways to develop the sector and eliminate challenges faced in obtaining resources.

South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources, Godfrey Oliphant, would have met with Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, during a meeting on Monday, which also featured officials from the Guyana Gold Board, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and the Guyana Forestry Commission.

The two countries are looking at ways to strengthen their bilateral relationship, especially in the area of mining and during the five-day visit, Oliphant is slated to interact with various officials to come up with ways through which both countries can deepen their relationship through the mining industry.

Both Ministers were briefed on how resources are extracted in each other’s country. This exchange of information was considered vital, given the fact that South Africa was once the largest gold producer in the world.

After initial discussions with his South African counterpart, Minister Trotman told media operatives that there are many ways in which Guyana can benefit from this relationship. First, the country can provide information on how to tackle some challenges which it faced. Additionally, the possibility looms for persons associated with this sector to

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman meets with Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources Godfrey Oliphant

be exposed to “first world” training.

“There are three areas which we wish to benefit from it. South Africa is a very large, complex and exciting place but it brings experiences of how they have overcome some of the challenges we’re facing so we hope to expose our staff at the GGMC, the Gold Board and at the policy level to experience first world training.”

He also noted that the mindset is to strengthen overall ties between the nations whereby agencies can strike a relationship to assist each other and investments can surface.

“We hope to deepen the exchanges between the two countries at a Government to Government level, and at the institutional level, the counterpart in the GGMC would be able to relate to its counterpart in South Africa.

Thirdly, we would want to invite investments from

South Africa to Guyana.

We believe that financially, South Africa has experience in mining gold and diamonds in particular,” said Trotman.

Apart from the mining industry, the Minister is of the belief that assistance can be provided in a number of other areas, including education.

“A number of areas are being looked at in terms of education, culture, industry. I know that those will be pursued.”

Throughout the engagement, ideas surfaced for the possibility of offshore diamond mining and other advanced techniques for mining resources.

While one of Guyana’s challenges is illegal mining, the African country is being faced with a significantly high depth of its resources, sometimes kilometres deep.

Guyana and South Africa established diplomatic relations on November 4, 1994.

13 Students allegedly sitting on floor in classrooms news

tuesday, february 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

…RDC “perturbed” over education issues in Region 10

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egion 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) Chairmain Renis Morian has said the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is “perturbed” over issues in the area of education in the

“You go at Coomacka school, a big hole in the roof... they don’t have furniture, empty space” – Regional Chairman region, and “stringent” actions will be taken this year to address those issues.

Addressing Councillors and regional administrators at the most recent statutory meeting, Morian blasted senior education officials as he brought to the fore the issue of schools with inadequate furniture, with students allegedly sitting on the floor in one instance; while he noted that furniture and equipment were “sitting” in a bond.

“Some of these things in the bond nine months...You got fridge in the bond, you

got over a thousand books in the bond, you got teachers’ desks, benches. These things in the bond sitting. I’m gonna come here and make a next recommendation if them things ain’t moved. I’m gonna call back the Council and we’re gonna make some very serious recommendations...Them things new till they getting old in the bond.

And it’s just by chance we go to the bond, because we were looking to do another project and we were saying this room could be used, and we were shocked (at what we discovered),” the Regional Chairman stated.

“Why are there so many problems in the education system? You go in the Berbice River, they ain’t got teachers” – Councillor He added that it was incumbent on the Regional Education Officer (REDO) to remove the items, since he is responsible for providing an account of their whereabouts.

Morian said more shocking was that no locks were observed on the door where items were stored. He went on to note that head teachers are afraid to write such reports for fear of victimisation, but he said that any senior officer found guilty of this practice could be removed.

He encouraged head teachers to write about issues, noting that the Council is going to act stringently. He also urged administrators to ensure that equipment provided by Government reaches students.

“I think the administration needs more accountability from the Department of Education. What they doing with Government money when they go out? Most times they go out is to harass the teachers...You go at Coomacka school, a big hole in the roof...they don’t have furniture, empty space, and furniture in the bond sitting...It boggles the mind to know that a school is crying out for furnishing and in the bond it got furniture... This is not acceptable,” Morian said.

He also pointed to the issue of officials allegedly not signing for retirees to re-

A section of the Council during the statutory meeting

ceive their pensions.

Additionally, Councillor Charles Sampson told the Council that reports are not being copied to the Council’s Education Committee and to the Office of the Regional Chairman, as was previously recommended. He said there are lots of complaints, and the entire system is flawed. Sampson added that the area of Education has the largest budgetary allocation, and taxpayers should get value for money.

“I’m saying that Education needs to get its act together. Why are there so many problems in the

Education system? You go in the Berbice River, they ain’t got teachers...We spend the most on education, and it’s disgusting because we’re not seeing the kind of improvement that we need to see, based on the budgetary allocations”, he noted.

Meanwhile, Councillor Vladimir Glasgow said the issues are not new, and pointed out that the REDO has been attached to the region only for a few months.

He also made the recommendation for Councillors to go into the schools to make their own observations, noting that he is ready to work

and lend support. In response, Morian said the Education Committee has already decided to conduct visits to schools.

REDO Rabindra Singh, also in his response, noted that many of the issues are managerial, and can be identified by head teachers, who are responsible for notifying the Department. He said some of the issues can also be rectified through interaction with teachers during school visits, as he urged councillors to also play a part in moving education forward in the Region.

CIIP workers picket Corentyne Shooting of cattle Senior Govt NDC for unpaid salaries official reportedly W shuts down probe F

orkers attached to the Community Infrastructure Improvement Programme (CIIP) at the country’s largest Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC); the 52/74 NDC on Monday staged a picketing exercise over unpaid salaries for January.

On Monday, the workers said that their salaries are now more than one month overdue.

“We need money and this is two months now and we aint get one month pay.

The cheque come and the Chairman can’t sign the cheque and me get children to go to school. What will happen to my children,” one of the workers on the picket line said.

The CIIP workers holding placards, which read ‘No money. ‘No Work’ and ‘NDC Chairman must go’ demanded that they are paid before returning to work.

CIIP workers are paid $25,600 monthly. They are required to work sixteen days per month and four hours per day.

The work entails cleaning drains, bushes and re-

CIIP workers picketing for their unpaid salaries

moving solid waste in some instances in the NDC area.

“It hard for us we need money right now,” another worker said.

Meanwhile, the 15 other NDCs in the region which were in existence prior to the November Local Government Elections have been able to make payments to staff in January using the same signatories from the previous NDC. All other NDCs do not have this problem since they continue with the previous signatories to the account until the ministry gives the letter of permission for the new set of signatories to be

sent to the bank.

When the NDC Chairman asked some Councillors and the Vice Chairman of the NDC about the CIIP workers demonstration, they were directed to the senior regional official who they said is the main persons that orchestrated this matter to go beyond control.

“We are waiting on the letter from the Ministry of Communities because the REO is saying that they can’t give us the letter from the Ministry so that myself and the other person who is going to be signatures to the account, can sign the

NDC Chairman Anil Nandand

cheques,” NDC Chairman Anil Nandand said on Mondau.

However, the Chairman said following the picketing exercise he was able to get the Communities Ministry officials, who has promised to have the relevant letters issued on today. Nandand says before the end of to the end of the week the workers are expected to receive their January salaries.

ollowing reports and the launch of an investigation into the shooting of close to one dozen cattle in the backlands along the Upper Corentyne, Berbice, a senior Government official has allegedly intervened and ordered the probe to be halted.

According to a senior police official in Berbice, the investigation has been shut down and the suspects have been released from custody.

This newspaper understands that Police were placing emphasis on the firearms used in the incident.

It had already been confirmed that two different firearms were used to shoot the animals.

Previous reports stat-

ed that more than one dozen cattle have been shot and killed in the backlands between Number 54 and 58 Villages, Corentyne, Berbice, in the wake of rice farmers complaining that animals have been destroying their crops.

Rice farmers have also recently reported that hundreds of acres of rice were being destroyed by cattle on the Corentyne. Both rice and cash crop farmers have been affected by the activities of cattle and other animals. They are contending that the cattle enter the fields at night.

Meanwhile, several cattle which were not in the cultivation area died after being fed bran mixed with cement.

14 news

tuesday, february 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Stena Carron drillship faces challenge over certification of local workers

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he Stena Carron drillship, owned and operated by the British, has arrived and is in the process of hiring employees to begin its operations locally; but is currently faced with the challenge of having its workers certified by the British Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

This is according to the Rig Manager, Callum Balflour.

MCA is the organisation responsible for maritime safety in the UK. Balflour made the disclosure at the launch of Strategic Recruitment Solutions Inc (SRS) on Friday evening at the Marriott Hotel.

According to him, Guyanese do not possess the certification which is required by the MCA, and this is something he plans to address with the agency.

“As a British vessel, we have some additional challenges for certification requirements for crew with the MCA, minimum safe manning and certificates that are acceptable and not acceptable; and that’s one of the challenges we face here,” he said.

The rig manager added, “There are a lot of seamen here in Guyana, but the certificates wouldn’t match what the MCA asks for, and that’s a challenge that we as company need to take up with the MCA”.

Balflour said that for him a seaman is a seaman, they do the same job and pass through the same training.

As such, the name on a certificate should have no say in whether or not that person is qualified or eligible for a specific post.

Back in 2016, when the Stena had first arrived in Guyana to begin its hunt for oil and gas, it was recognised that Guyanese did not possess any expertise in this area. Due to this, the rig manager said, the British drilling agency took it upon itself to train recruits in various areas for employment.

In this regard he noted, several persons have already been trained and hired. Doors for promotion, Balflour said, are always open to locals, as long as they demonstrate the talents required for the specific posts.

To qualify for a certificate from the MCA, applicants must be at least 17 years of age and have completed at least six months approved sea service in the deck department or engineer room of a vessel, or possess two months

Stena Carron Rig Manager, Callum Balflour

sea service if the applicant has completed an MCA-approved special college-based training programme and has completed the basic safety training, among other things.

On February 6, 2019, United States oil giant ExxonMobil announced its 12th and 13th discoveries in Guyana.

The discoveries, which were made at the Tilapia-1 and Haimara-1 wells in the southwest section of the Stabroek Block, were announced by Director of Energy Dr. Mark Bynoe in a statement. These new discoveries, he said, reinforce the country’s potential to be able to produce more than 750,000 barrels of oil daily by 2025, with at least five floating, production storage and offloading vessels (FPSO) on the Stabroek Block.

The news of the discoveries and their potential for the country has created in the minds of Guyanese hope for not only a better future, but for employment oppor-

tunities in the emerging sector. However, even as oil production is slated for a mere few months from now, the Government is yet to implement the Local Content Policy which would assure Guyanese of employment opportunities.

The Government’s Energy Department has attempted to comfort locals by assuring that that document would be ready long before first oil, due in 2020.

This commitment was given more than three years after oil was first discovered off Guyana’s coast by United State oil giant ExxonMobil.

The Local Content Policy would guide the State in guarding against local companies being bypassed for contracts and services in favour of foreign companies and workers.

War in Venezuela will affect Pandit wins case over illegal arrest entire region — Kamala T

F

resh, free and fair elections should be held in Venezuela to avert the possibility of war and end the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the strife-stricken country.

That’s the view of UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who said any war would negatively affect TT and the rest of the Caricom region.

“The majority of the nations of the western hemisphere are in support of free and fair elections in Venezuela and in support of the interim president (Juan) Guaido," she said. "We live and wait in hope that good will come out of this, that there should be no war on our doorstep.

“Any war will impact very badly on us here in Caricom, so whatever efforts have been made we wish them good luck and offer our prayers for a good outcome.”

She was speaking to reporters after the Kiddies Carnival parade organised by the Siparia Women Association, Dookie Street, Penal, yesterday.

Asked about the ongoing Venezuelan crisis which has witnessed people fleeing the country, she said the TT government could not hide

Former T&T Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar

their head in the sand and pretend it was not taking place.

“Our hearts go out, and all our sympathies, to the people of Venezuela. I have made my statement very clear: there is a humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, and it is not sufficient that you just hide your head in the sand and pretend it is not happening.”

She said while each nation has a right to its own sovereignty, its neighbours could not “stand by and allow the poverty that is taking place, the brutality and

the human rights abuses” to take place unchecked.

“If the world had turned a blind eye to what was happening in south Africa, (Nelson) Mandela would still be in jail and apartheid would still be real.

“We honour and respect them, but we feel for the people of Venezuela, and we do believe we should take steps to end the humanitarian crisis there."

It was unacceptable, she stressed, "To just sit and talk and say you are not intervening but you are in fact recognising the regime.” (T&T Newsday)

he Trinidad and Tobago Government has accepted liability in a malicious prosecution lawsuit in which a pandit complained that the police fabricated criminal charges against him.

Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh was informed of the State’s position by State attorney Coreen Findley when the matter came up for trial on Friday in the Hall of Justice, Portof-Spain.

The judge entered the consent order in favour of pandit Deodath Balliram.

Balliram was charged with assaulting an employee by beating her and resisting arrest following an incident at a clothing store on High Street, San Fernando on January 7, 2010.

According to court documents, Balliram had a dispute with the manager about him giving away his $50 discount cards.

He said she also threatened to have him locked up.

Balliram insisted he could do what he pleased with the cards because they belonged to him.

He said the manager left the store and returned with two police officers. Shortly after, two more police officers arrived. He said one of the officers started questioning him about the discount

Pandit Deodath Balliram

cards. Balliram claimed the officer ordered him out the store, grabbed his hand and began dragging him towards the exit.

The officer, however, released him after another officer intervened. Balliram claimed he went to the store to purchase a pair of pants.

He said he and the manager engaged in dispute about the price of the pants.

Court document stated Balliram insisted that the price of the pants as stated on the price tag was $230.

However, he claimed the manager claimed that was an “old price” and that the

actual price was $349.

Eventually, Balliram said the officer arrested and charged him. He complained that he was placed in a small filthy cell with six other men with nothing to sit or lie on, and a hole in the ground for a toilet. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. The matter went to trial before San Fernando Magistrate Taramatee Ramdass who upheld a no case submission by his attorney Kevin Ratiram in September 2013.

Balliram said the charges caused him emotional stress and anxiety and he was subjected to ridicule and humiliation.

He also complained that the number of religious ceremonies he was asked to perform decreased significantly after the incident.

Prior to the incident, he had never been charged with any criminal offence. The pandit asked for compensation for malicious prosecution, interests and reimbursement of his legal costs.

Ratiram informed the judge that they were engaged in discussions regarding compensation and requested additional time to continue negotiations. The parties will return to court on April 3. Attorney Dianne Katwaroo also represented the State. (T&T Guardian)

news

15

tuesday, february 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

$105M aid for displaced Venezuelan migrants in Guyana A humanitarian action for children, through the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and its Guyana office, has received Gy$105 million (US$500,000) to fund the provision of water and sanitation hardware, assist the Education Ministry to build schools’ capacity, and promote hygiene for Venezuelan migrants.

To combat issues such as child abuse and child labour among the Venezuelan migrants, Emergency Officer of UNICEF Guyana, Ian Jones is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying, “We are supporting the Ministry of Social Protection with surge capacity so that they can develop their human resources in these areas; and with the NGO Blossoms, we are looking to have one-stop shops for re-

Emergency Officer of UNICEF Guyana, Ian Jones

porting on child abuse. So it’s a case where we are looking to build up the capacity, and then the incidents will be reported through the regular systems.”

Jones added that a spike in the number of incidents reported would be noticed when the capacity is built with the number of child abuse or child labour report-

ed; but it is not necessarily an increase in such cases, just that a facility is now available for these issues to be reported.

He added that the focus is on 12,000 migrants, 4,800 of which are children living in Regions 1 through 7.

Although data-tracking metric-surveys are in place to know how many migrants

have been registered, they are unable to give a figure of how many migrants are living in Guyana at this time.

This, he said, is because all the migrants are not coming through the main points of entry at Charity, Essequibo.

Venezuelan migrants are coming to Guyana mainly from Delta Amacuro and the Bolivar state.

This information was shared at the 2018 annual review of the joint annual work between the Guyana Government and UNICEF on Thursday last, where Jones said the agency’s main focus is on capacity building for all agencies involved in addressing the issue of Venezuelan migration to Guyana.

Through this initiative, one of UNICEF’s focus is to improve host communities in light of the influx of Venezuelan migrants.

Jamaica export regulations for the medicinal cannabis industry by April

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xport regulations for the medicinal cannabis industry are expected to be finalised by the end of April. Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) Manager for Logistics and Infrastructure,

Don Gittens, made the disclosure as he addressed a Think Tank at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) in Kingston on February 21.

“Once export regulations are in place, we expect our licensees to trade medical

cannabis to other jurisdictions that have cannabis. It is an excellent opportunity for everyone, especially for those involved in the cultivation of the plant,” he explained.

JAMPRO has responsibility for investment and promotion of the medical cannabis industry.

Gittens told JIS News that based on weekly inquiries into the industry, the export regulations will be received well internationally. “Having certain regulatory environments in place, sends a signal to the international investors that Jamaica's medicinal industry is ready and open for business. It shows our in-

dustry has structures and standards in place, which is where the Cannabis Licensing Authority comes in, because it regulates the industry,” he stated.

He added that the regulations will allow the local market to fill the demand for medicinal cannabis globally.

“Internationally, there isn't enough cannabis for the market to consume, which is why it is a big opportunity for companies to capitalise on. We have seen large companies from Canada, Netherlands, United States and Israel looking to Jamaica for its product, because we have a distinct product,” he disclosed. (Jamaica Observer)

Cardinal found guilty of sexual offences in Australia

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ardinal George Pell has been found guilty of sexual offences in Australia, making him the highest-ranking Catholic figure to receive such a conviction.

Pell abused two choir boys in the rooms of a Melbourne cathedral in 1996, a jury found. He had pleaded not guilty.

The verdict was handed down in December, but it could not be reported until now due to legal reasons.

Pell is due to be sentenced on Wednesday. His lawyers say they will appeal against the conviction.

As Vatican treasurer, the 77-year-old cardinal is one of the Church’s most powerful officials.

His trial was heard twice last year because a first jury failed to reach a verdict.

A second jury unani-

mously convicted him of one charge of sexually penetrating a child under 16, and four counts of committing an indecent act on a child under 16.

The Catholic Church worldwide has in recent years faced a damaging series of allegations relating to sex abuse by priests, and claims that these cases were covered up.

Pell’s case has drawn huge interest at a time when the Pope is attempting to address the scandals, including by holding a four-day summit in the past week.

Pell was in his first year as archbishop of Melbourne in 1996 when he found the boys in the rooms of a cathedral following a mass, the jury was told.

After telling them they were in trouble for drinking communion wine, Pell forced

Cardinal George Pell

each boy into indecent acts, the court heard. case has drawn huge attention around the world The court heard testimony from one of the victims.

The other victim is no longer alive.

A jury rejected an argument by Pell’s lawyer, Robert Richter QC, that the allegations were fantasies

contrived by the victims.

He denied all allegations against him, saying in 2017: “I am innocent of these charges - they are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me.”

He has been on an extended leave of absence from the Vatican amid the court proceedings in Melbourne.

(BBC)

LM&TC signs contract with private company for waste disposal

Town Clerk Orleena Obermuller (right) and an OLT representative pose with the contract, along with Council representatives

L

inden Mayor and Town Council, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), has signed a contract with OLT Waste Solutions Enterprise for waste disposal.

The municipality, which has the sole responsibility for waste management in the community, has had some major challenges in the past.

Apart from the Council, only Cevons Waste Management, another private company, is contracted to carry out waste disposal in Linden.

In a statement, the mu-

nicipality said OLT is a private company with a mandate to uplift and dispose of solid waste, according to the guidelines of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Council’s standard practice.

The Council also made it clear that utilising the services of the company is not compulsory. “Residents can be assured that the municipality with the resources we have will continue to work tirelessly to meet the needs of the people of the township,” the statement added.

Iran’s Foreign Minister suddenly quits

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Javad Zarif

ran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said he is stepping down, in a surprise announcement posted to his Instagram account.

He apologised for "shortcomings" during his time in government.

Zarif played a prominent role in negotiating the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and major international powers.

But the future of the deal has been put into doubt after US President Donald Trump ended US involvement.

Zarif's resignation was confirmed by Iran's staterun news agency, IRNA, which cited a spokesman for the foreign ministry.

The 59-year-old was educated in the US and holds a PhD in international law from the University of Denver.

He has served as Iran's ambassador to the UN and became foreign minister in 2013 after President Hassan Rouhani was elected promising a more moderate, outward-looking Iran.

It is far from clear. His post on Instagram thanked the Iranian people and authorities but gave no reason for the resignation.

"I apologise for not being able to continue in the post and for all the shortcomings and flaws in the period," he wrote.

Unlike other major social media networks, Instagram is not blocked in Iran.

It is not clear if his resignation will be accepted by President Hassan Rouhani, although the president's chief-of-staff tweeted to deny reports it had been accepted.

Zarif has been under pressure at home from hardliners since the US withdrew from the Iranian nuclear pact, which binds Iran to limit its nuclear activities.

On Monday Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the capital, Tehran, but analysts noticed that Zarif did not attend discussions. (BBC)

16

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, february 26, 2019

Regional

Venezuela hit with new US Cubans overwhelmingly ratify new Socialist Constitution sanctions after clashes C over food aid on border

T

he United States targeted Venezuela’s Government with new sanctions on Monday and called on allies to freeze the assets of its State-owned oil company PDVSA after deadly violence blocked aid from reaching the crisis-hit country during the weekend.

The United States also took its pressure campaign to the United Nations Security Council, asking that body to discuss the situation in Venezuela, diplomats said.

The US Treasury Department’s sanctions were imposed on four Venezuelan state governors allied with the government of embattled President Nicolás Maduro, blocking any assets they control in the United States.

The new sanctions were announced in Bogota as US Vice President Mike Pence and Opposition Leader Juan Guaido met with members of the Lima Group, a bloc of nations from Argentina to Canada dedicated to peaceful resolution of the Venezuelan crisis.

Pence said the United

US Vice President Mike Pence and Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaido, who many nations have recognised as the country's rightful interim ruler, shake hands during a meeting of the Lima Group in Bogota, Colombia, February 25, 2019

States would stand by Guaido until freedom was restored to the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member. He called for all Lima Group nations to immediately freeze PDVSA’s assets and to transfer ownership of Venezuelan assets in their countries from Maduro’s “henchmen” to Guaido’s government-in-waiting.

He also said tougher measures were coming.

“In the days ahead ... the United States will announce even stronger sanctions on the regime’s corrupt financial networks,” Pence said.

“We will work with all of you to find every last dollar that they stole and work to return it to Venezuela.”

in the city and indeed right across the country, and I am seeing a return to the level of lawlessness that existed before the declaration of the state of public emergency. Let me make it absolutely clear to those criminals who believe that by virtue of the vote in Parliament they have political cover – take no such comfort. This Government will act even if the Opposition feels that it is their duty to offer comfort to those who will cause you discomfort. We will act!”

Holness declared.

He was speaking Friday at the ground-breaking ceremony for the state-of-the-

art J$1.296-billion Closed Harbour Beach Park development at Closed Harbour, known popularly as Dump Up Beach, in Montego Bay, St James.

About the same time as the Prime Minister was speaking, a gunman reportedly invaded a restaurant at the intersection of Top Road and Middle Road in Norwood in the parish, shooting to death a woman and a man.

The two, identified as 49-year-old Assad Facey and 45-year-old Michelle Solomon, were both of Norwood. (Excerpt from Jamaica

ubans have overwhelmingly ratified a new constitution that enshrines the one-party socialist system as irrevocable while instituting modest economic and social changes, according to the national electoral commission.

Alina Balseiro Gutierrez, president of the commission, said at a Havana press conference on Monday that preliminary results showed 84.4 per cent of the 8.7 million potential voters participated in the Sunday referendum.

She said 86.85 per cent of voters ratified the charter, 9 per cent opposed ratification and 4.5 per cent spoiled or left ballots blank.

By comparison, in 1976 when the current constitution was ratified, 99.02 per cent of voters in a 98 per cent turnout reportedly ratified and just 54,000 were opposed.

There are no independent observers of Cuban elections; however citizens may observe the count at their precincts.

Election officials check the documents of a voter at a polling station during a constitutional referendum in Havana, Cuba, February 24, 2019

Scattered local reports on social media seemed to somewhat confirm the results.

Cuba’s best-known dissident and pioneer blogger, Yoani Sanchez, who runs an online newspaper from a barrio known for its support of the Government, wrote she braved insults and yelling to witness the count in her precinct of 400 yes votes, 25 no votes and 4 blank ballots.

The independent online

J

amaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has warned criminals bent on committing murders and other crimes that they will not escape the long arm of the law.

Holness' warning comes after what he describes as the resurfacing of criminality in St James since the state of public emergency (SOE), which started January 18, 2018, ended January 31 this year, following the Opposition's refusal to support any further extension.

“I am observing very closely what is happening

(Excerpt from Reuters)

New fisheries legislation coming soon, says Barbadian Minister

We will act! – Jamaican N PM warns criminals (Excerpt from Reuters)

newspaper El Toque asked readers to send in local tallies, a dozen of which showed overwhelming support for ratification.

A report from a district in central Villa Clara province had the new constitution ratified by 414 votes versus 66 opposed, and another from a district in westernmost Pinar del Rio reported 298 yes votes and 18 no votes.

ew legislation will be coming in the next few months that will give markets new autonomy to move derelict boats, as well as a market code of conduct that reflects Barbadian values.

Maritime Affairs and Blue Economy Minister Kirk Humphrey made this announcement while on a tour of the Berinda Cox Fish Market on Sunday.

Minister Humphrey also mentioned a bigger plan to build berths and jetties across Barbados and noted that this has been approved

by Cabinet. He added that they were going to start with Holetown, Speightstown, Needhams Point and Oistins, but this exercise will not be completed without the assistance of the private sector.

Maritime Affairs and Economy Minister Humphrey

Blue Kirk

The Minister explained the reason for these initiatives: “As part of our need to implement a water taxi system or ferry system, so …

Barbados can start speaking as if it is a place where we take the ocean seriously,

transportation seriously and shipping seriously.”

He also noted that there is a need to support the fishermen as well and he reported that, based on feedback from them, a lot of the boats that go out to sea are equipped for catching flying fish, but since the flying fish is so scarce these days, several fishermen have had to adapt their boats to do long line fishing and their boats were not build for that purpose.

Minister Humphrey said the Government felt that there was a need to provide funding and training to the fishermen in the industry.

“The conversation has started and the channels are open and they will remain open,” said Humphrey. (Excerpt from

Barbados Advocate)

T&T Airports Authority: Nothing Antiguan pilot feared dead in unusual about Russian aircraft

US plane crash

A

n Antiguan pilot is among three persons suspected to have died in a deadly plane crash in Houston, Texas on Saturday.

According to US news sources, the plane, which was being piloted by First Officer Conard Jules Aska of Cedar Grove, Antigua, nose-dived into five feet of water.

One source reported that the FAA confirmed the aircraft, a Boeing 767 jetliner, was heading toward Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport en route from Miami, and during its approach, it lost

radio and radar contact with air traffic controllers and crashed about 30 miles from the airport.

Observer media spoke to a close family member of the pilot who said that Aska’s family has been notified of the tragedy. She said residents of Cedar Grove are saddened by the catastrophe because the family is well known and loved within the community.

Aska, who was based in Miami, was operating the Atlas Air Flight 3591 on behalf of Amazon. According to a statement made by Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne to Cable

Observer)

News Network (CNN), the contents – cardboard boxes and packages – were scattered across the shallow water of Trinity Bay. CNN further reported that aerial images from their affiliate showed significant amount of debris as emergency responders on airboats circulated the area.

However, according to CNN, only one body of uncertain identity had been found thus far and unfortunately, Hawthorne told CNN, “There was nothing intact of the airplane…

Knowing what I saw, I don’t think anyone could survive it.” (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

T

he arrival of two Russian cargo airplanes at Piarco over the last month is in keeping with customary procedures, according to the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (AATT).

Guardian Media reported on Saturday that the Russian-manufactured Ilyushin plane, which arrived on Thursday and the other owned by VolgaDnepr Cargo Airlines which has been there for almost a month had raised concerns among various immigration and airport officials.

On Saturday, AATT corporate communications manager Zola Joseph said: “Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago wish-

es to advise that technical stops were requested for two Ilyushin cargo aircraft at the Piarco International Airport, which were facilitated by the appropriate regulatory authorities. It is customary at all airports, for international cargo aircraft to make such stops.”

The AATT added: “It is important to note that technical stops for reasons inclusive of rest, refuelling, repair or crew change have taken place for years by cargo aircraft at this country’s airports. Trinidad’s geographic location, the length of the runway at the Piarco International Airport and the routes served by some cargo companies make Piarco an important strate-

gic point. Parking and landing of cargo airfreight are a part of the revenue earning business of the Authority.”

In response to a question about whether the planes were here because of the economic crisis in neighbouring Venezuela, the AATT said: “We do not have any information that there is any relation to the current situation in Venezuela.”

In a confidential immigration document obtained exclusively by Guardian Media, the eight crew members of the Volga-Dnepr Cargo Airlines said they had dropped off cargo in French Guiana and arrived two days later in Trinidad.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, february 26, 2019

17

Around the World

Protests flare in India After Putin’s warning, Russian TV lists nuclear targets in US at eviction of a R million forest families H

undreds of indigenous people waved flags and shouted slogans in eastern India on Monday to protest against an order to evict more than one million indigenous families accused of encroaching on forest lands, witnesses said.

The Supreme Court issued a February 13 order to remove forest dwellers in 21 States where about 1.3 million land claims, each potentially representing a household, were rejected.

The case highlights the plight of India’s underprivileged lower castes and indigenous groups as the world’s second most populated coun-

try - with 1.3 billion people juggles with environmental protection, poverty reduction and economic growth.

Worried about conservation of forests, some environmental groups had filed the initial petition seeking evictions, and State Governments had disputed the families’ land claims made under a forest rights law.

A protest leader, Bhalchandra Shadangi, told Reuters by phone that the court order was “an undeclared war on tribals” and nearly 150,000 people faced eviction in Odisha.

Activists say Federal and State Governments have for

decades diluted land rights for indigenous people and bowed to pressure from mining companies in the mineral-rich central and eastern states of Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

Monday’s protests at Behrampur followed a march on Saturday by indigenous protesters in the State of Jharkhand, where more than 28,000 people face eviction, according to the order.

An activist leader in Jharkhand, Birendra Kumar, said a rally was planned for New Delhi on March 2. “The Supreme Court direction is wrong and it is anti-tribal,” he said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

ussian State television has listed US military facilities that Moscow would target in the event of a nuclear strike, and said that a hypersonic missile Russia is developing would be able to hit them in less than five minutes.

The targets included the Pentagon and the presidential retreat in Camp David, Maryland.

The report, unusual even by the sometimes bellicose standards of Russian State TV, was broadcast on Sunday evening, days after President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was militarily ready for a “Cuban Missile”style crisis if the United States wanted one.

With tensions rising over Russian fears that the United States might deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe as a Cold War-era arms-control treaty unravels, Putin has said

News presenter Kiselyov, who is close to the Kremlin, said the “Tsirkon” (‘Zircon’) hypersonic missile that Russia is developing could hit the targets in less than five minutes if launched from Russian submarines.

Russia would be forced to respond by placing hypersonic nuclear missiles on submarines near US waters.

Putin has said Russia does not want a new arms race, but has also dialled up his military rhetoric.

In the Sunday evening broadcast, Dimitry Kiselyov, presenter of Russia’s main weekly TV news show “Vesti Nedeli”, showed a map of the United States and iden-

tified several targets he said Moscow would want to hit in the event of a nuclear war.

“For now, we’re not threatening anyone, but if such a deployment takes place, our response will be instant,” he said.

Asked to comment on Kiselyov’s report, the Kremlin said on Monday it did not interfere in State TV’s editorial policy. (Excerpt

Senegal election: President Macky Sall “heading for victory” Sudan’s Bashir bans protests,

S

enegalese President Macky Sall is headed towards a second term in office, his Prime Minister has alleged.

Mohammed Dionne said preliminary results suggested Sall had secured about 57 per cent of the votes in Sunday’s elections, but an official result will take days.

Sall faced four challengers in the vote, but was accused of preventing his main rivals from running.

Two well-known opposition figures were barred from taking part, after being deemed ineligible because of corruption convictions.

As a result of the decision, neither the Socialist Party nor the Senegalese Democratic Party, which have dominated the country’s political landscape

President Sall looks to have secured a majority for a second term, reports say

since independence, are fielding presidential candidates.

Only five candidates were deemed eligible for Sunday’s vote, compared to 12 in the last election.

But Idrissa Seck and Ousmane Sonko, two of

Sall’s rival candidates, said they did not believe Sall had won more than 50 per cent of the vote and that there should be a second round.

With two democratic transitions of power and no coup since its independence in 1960, Senegal is considered one of the most stable countries in Africa.

More than 6.6 million people were registered to vote in Sunday’s election, including some residents living abroad.

Observers say the youth vote could have an important impact on the result, because the average age in the country is 19.

If no candidate wins a clear majority, the country will go to a second round of voting on March 24. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi: Europe cannot “teach us” about rights

E

g y p t i a n President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has defended his country’s widely criticised human rights record and told European nations not to lecture the Arab world.

“You are not going to teach us about humanity,” said Sisi at a press conference after a European Union-Arab League summit ended on Monday.

He told reporters in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh that Europeans “have your rules ethic and values. We respect yours.

You should respect ours”.

Sisi said Europe is prosperous while many Arab countries struggle simply to prevent conflicts. He was applauded by local media after his remarks.

EU leaders have avoided publicly criticising Egypt

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi addresses a press conference at the end of the first EU and Arab League summit

even amid an unprecedented crackdown on dissent and a recent spike in executions.

Sisi dismissed calls to abolish or at least temporarily suspend capital punishment in Egypt, saying the practice was “in line with the region’s laws and culture”.

“I have listened to a great debate from our European friends,” Sisi said.

“Europe’s priority is to achieve and preserve prosperity, but our priority is to preserve our country and prevent it from collapsing, as has happened to several of our neighbours in the region.”

The EU-Arab League Summit opened on Sunday and was attended by numerous European officials, despite the uproar caused

by Egypt’s recent execution of nine men in connection with the 2015 assassination of Egypt’s top prosecutor Hisham Barakat.

Since Morsi’s overthrow by then Army Chief Sisi in 2013, Egypt has cracked down on Islamists who backed the country’s first democratically elected leader. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

from Reuters)

regulates foreign currency trade

S

u d a n ’ s President Omar alBashir banned public gatherings and protests in a series of emergency decrees issued on Monday as he faces the most sustained anti-Government street unrest of his 30-year rule.

In a statement issued by the presidential palace, Bashir also announced a ban on trading or hoarding subsidised fuel products, as well as new regulations on trading and transporting foreign currency and gold.

In his decrees, Bashir authorised the public prosecutor to revoke any suspect’s immunity if they have it and set up new courts to deal with cases related to the state of emergency.

Bashir, who came to power in a 1989 coup, on Friday declared a year-long nationwide state of emergency to rein in the protest

The 75-year-old leader has remained defiant but has launched top-level changes in his Administration

campaign.

He also dissolved Sudan’s Federal and Provincial Governments as part of a major shake-up of his Administration.

But protests have carried on, with hundreds of demonstrators undeterred on Monday despite riot police

firing tear gas at crowds in the capital, Khartoum.

Later on Monday, protesters also took to the streets in the Khartoum districts of Burri, Shambat and Al-Deim, witnesses said.

Burri has become a site of almost daily rallies with protesters blocking streets and burning tyres and tree trunks.

Protest organisers, an umbrella group called Alliance for Freedom and Change, called for Monday’s “rally to challenge the emergency”.

Riot police also fired tear gas into the compound of Ahfad University for Women after students staged a sitin.

“Police fired tear gas when some students stepped out of the campus and began chanting slogans, that’s when some canisters hit the compound,” a witness said.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Labour prepared to back new Brexit referendum

L

abour has said it is prepared to back another EU referendum to prevent a “damaging Tory Brexit”.

Jeremy Corbyn is to tell Labour MPs that the party will move to back another vote if their own proposed Brexit deal is rejected on Wednesday.

Ahead of a series of votes on Brexit on Wednesday, Labour has also said the party will support a cross-party amendment, proposed by Labour’s Yvette Cooper and Tory MP Sir Oliver Letwin, designed

to rule out the prospect of a no-deal exit.

At their conference last autumn, Labour members backed a policy of keeping all options on the table, including holding another referendum, if it could not force a general election.

However, many Labour MPs believe the party has been slowly distancing itself from that commitment after it failed to win a vote of no-confidence against the Government last month.

Nine Labour MPs have quit the party in the past week, partly in protest at

its stance on Brexit.

Labour MP David Lammy, who backs a “People’s Vote” on the terms of the UK’s exit, welcomed the move by his party to “back the principle” of a referendum.

“Even if MPs can agree some sort of deal, it would be wrong to force it on the British people when we now know so many of the promises made in 2016 have been broken, and any deal will be worse than the one we’ve already got inside the EU,” he said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, february 26, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

dilbert

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

Refuse to let the drama going on around you slow you down or interfere with your productivity. If you stay focused, you will reap the rewards.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Be careful whom you trust. If someone paints a picture and makes a promise that tempts you, make sure you fully understand what you are getting into before you take part.

CANCER

You’ve got this. Trust and believe in your skills, experience and knowledge to move forward with confidence.

Participate in what works for you, not in what someone wants you to do.

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

WORD GAME

Expand your knowledge and think about the wisest ways to invest your money and time. Look for prospects that will benefit you, not someone else.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

Look around you and consider who your friends are. If someone is trying to tempt you to do something indulgent, be strong and know enough to decline.

Think before you say something derogatory.

Focus your criticism inward and work on being and doing your best. Make health and fitness priorities.

Home improvements can be made, but first get the goahead from anyone who will be affected by the changes you make. Stay within budget to avoid criticism.

Follow your heart and your dreams. Do things your way and put your energy into revamping your current living situation to suit your personality and lifestyle. Romance is in the stars.

Emotional confusion will SAGITTARIUS set in if you believe every(Nov. 23- thing you hear. Keep your Dec. 21) thoughts and feelings secret, and focus on activities geared toward personal improvements, physical outlets and a healthier mindset.

Make physical changes at

CAPRICORN home that are conducive to (Dec. 22- getting things done. Clearing Jan. 19) a workspace or getting rid of items you no longer need or use is a good place to start.

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Look at all sides of an issue before you comment. If you act in haste, you will regret it. Refuse to let your emotions take charge and cause you to overreact.

Refuse to let emotions take charge. If you show someone that you are vulnerable, you can expect to be taken advantage of. Be strong and do your own thing.

tuesday, february 26, 2019

19

Dave West Indian Imports U-15 Inter-County tournament…

Demerara trounce Berbice in opening round

By Brandon Corlette

I

n the first round of the Dave West Indian Imports Under-15 Inter-County tournament, Demerara opened their account on a winning note by defeating Berbice by 55 runs

at Bourda.

Under glorious sunshine at the historic Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground at Bourda, Demerara U-15 won the toss and opted to bat first, scoring 166-7 in 50 overs.

Opening batsmen Jadan

Player of the Match Krsna Singh celebrates

Campbell and Romeo Deonarin went out to bat, and consolidated brilliantly, playing the likes of Isiah Thorne on merit. With the score on 65, the boys from the ancient county got their first breakthrough.

The left-handed Deonarin was out via the run out route after scoring 10 runs. His fellow opener Campbell, known for hitting the ball solidly and soundly, top scored for Demerara with 35 after hitting three boundaries.

He was removed by the ‘magician’ Matthew Pottaya as Demerara were reduced to 68-2.

Then Windies U-16 star Mavindra Dindyal began steering the Demerara ship. Dindyal lost his partner Captain Alvin Mohabir for a duck when he was out trapped in front by Pottaya, who is known as ‘little Narine’.

Thaddeas Lovell then stuck around with Dindyal, but Demerara lost their fourth wicket at 112-4.

Dindyal was run out for 22, hitting one boundary in his innings. Lovell was then out caught for his composed knock of 34, which included three fours. Guyana U-15 player Zachary Jodah, bat-

ting at number six, hit 11 before he became Pottaya’s fourth wicket.

Demerara ended their innings on 166-7 on a slow track at Bourda. Bowling for the Berbicians, Pottaya claimed 4-27 in 10 impressive overs which included three maidens.

Niquan Samuels was the other wicket-taker, with 1-32 in five overs, as two players were dismissed by the run out route.

The likes of the faster bowlers in Thorne and company were less effective on this pitch.

In pursuit of the target, Berbice got off to a steady start, with Tucber Park’s Ravishkar Sobhai and Port Mourant’s Rampertab Ramnauth at the top of the innings. After adding 61 runs for the opening partnership, wickets fell at regular intervals for the Berbicians.

Sobhai was run out for 14 after facing 26 overs.

The elegant left-handed Ramnauth was the top scorer with 37 that included two boundaries. After the openers reaching double figures, only Damion Cecil batting at number 9 scored 10 runs.

Demerara were out-

standing with the ball. After several errors in the field, they eventually bowled out Berbice for 110 in exactly 50 overs.

Krsna Singh was superb with ball in hand. Bowling his off-spin, he was rewarded with 3-14 from 10 brilliant overs.

Adjudged player of the match, Singh bowled three maidens. Captain Alvin Mohabir, bowling his offspin, captured 2-13 in seven overs, while fast bowler Lovell grabbed 2-8 in 2 overs. Joash Charles had 1-16 in Demerara’s complete bowling performance.

In the other match, played at Everest, GCB President’s XI defeated Essequibo by six wickets. Essequibo took first strike and scored 116 all out. Bowling for President’s XI, Sachin Balgobin grabbed 4-13. In reply, President’s XI raced to 117-4, with opener Anthony Khan scoring an even half-century to see his team home.

The matches continue today at Lusignan and Everest.

Berbice will play Essequibo at Lusignan and Demerara will play President’s XI at Everest.

Rampertab Ramnauth (Brandon Corlette photos)

Russell in Windies squad for 4th and 5th Colonial Medical Insurance ODIs

A

ndre Russell has been called up to the West Indies squad for the fourth and fifth matches of the Colonial Medical Insurance One-Day

7 make it over the line in CARIFTA qualification meet

S

even of Guyana’s most promising athletes will have the opportunity to test their skills on a larger stage when the CARIFTA Games are hosted from the 20-22 April in Grand Cayman.

Droves of local athletes from over ten clubs gathered at the Police Sports Club Ground on Sunday, not only to participate in their event of choice, but to take a shot at their CARIFTA dreams.

When the dust settled on the track late on Sunday afternoon, seven athletes were the ones rejoicing after hitting the mark in the second phase of CARIFTA trials.

Keliza Smith was the first to complete the feat in

the Girls Under-17 400M event. The Running Brave athlete clocked 56.90s.

The Under-17 800M girls’ event saw two athletes -Adriel Austin and Shaquka Tyrell -- qualifying. Hailing from Running Brave athletics club and Christianburg Wismar Secondary respectively, they clocked 2.17.01s and 2.18.01s to put two Guyanese in contention over the Easter weekend.

Tyrell later returned in the 1500M event to cop her second qualification of the day. The Lindener clocked a time of 4.55.73 to qualify, while Austin failed to do so with a time of 5.06. 45.

The lone field event qualification of the day came to Anisha Gibbons in the Girls

Under-17 Javelin event.

The teen threw a distance of 42.45 metres.

Lionel Marks of Hopetown Flames was also on fire on Sunday, qualifying for the sprint double. Marks clocked 10.55 in the Under-20 100 metres and 21.46 in the Under-20 200 metres to book his CARIFTA spot. He was joined by sprint sensation Daniel Williams in the 200 metre event. Williams, of Upper Demerara Schools, clocked 21.48 to book his spot.

The last successful athlete was Matthew Gordon of Hopetown Flames. The youngster clocked 9.13.31 in the Under-17 3000 metres to seal his qualification.

International Series. The exciting allrounder would arrived in Grenada on

Monday and will be eligible for selection for the fourth contest at the Grenada National Stadium (February 27) and fifth and final encounter at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia (March 2).

The 30-year-old has so far played 52 matches and featured at the ICC Cricket World Cups in 2011 and 2015. He has 998 runs (average 28.5; strike rate 130). He also has 68 wickets (average 32.7) with five four-wicket hauls.

He has a highest score of 92 not out against India in Antigua in June, 2011 and best howling of 4-35 against India in Jamaica in that same series.

The five-match rubber is leveled 1-1 – England won the opener by six wickets while Windies struck back to take the second by 26 runs at Kensington Oval.

The third ODI on Monday was abandoned due to rain.

Courtney

Browne, Chairman of CWI Selection Panel, welcomed Russell back into the team and also outlined that fast bowler Kemar Roach has been sidelined with a back injury. Roach will remain in Barbados and continue his rehabilitation.

“Kemar Roach had to be withdrawn from the ODI series due to injury and will be replaced in the squad by the experienced Andre Russell for the last two matches.

Kemar was magnificent leading to him winning the Player of the Series award, which helped us win the Wisden Trophy Test Series.

We want to wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on the field soon,” Browne said.

“We believe Russell will add value to the squad. We are well aware that although Andre’s bowling may be limited due to a knee problem, his tremendous batting ability to power the ball in the back end of the game will be an asset to the team. The panel takes this opportunity to wish captain Jason Holder and his team all the best for the remainder of matches in the series.” (CWI)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesday, february 26, 2019

NSC/Magnum Mash Cup 2019…

New champions to be crowned – Sparta Boss, Back Circle secure final spots

Part of the semi-final action between Sparta Boss and Gold is Money on Sunday night at the National Gymnasium

T

he ultimate prize is still up for grabs, but if Sparta Boss’s breathtaking performance against nemesis ‘Gold is Money’ is anything to go by, then fellow finalist Back Circle is in for a rough ride come Saturday when the curtains come down on this year’s National Sports Commission’s (NSC’s)/ Magnum Mash Cup tournament at the National Gymnasium.

Long considered the most successful team in the shorter format, the ‘Bosses’ produced an awe-inspiring display in their semi-final clash against ‘Gold is Money’, such that left their rivals

and supporters in a state of utter shock.

The final 9-3 score line represented the most lopsided result in the two teams’ history of bitter rivalry and sets up nicely the anticipation of more fierce battles in the future.

Playing in the second semi-final of the evening before another large crowd, the two archrivals completely overshadowed the opening last-four clash between defending champions Bent Street and Back Circle, which on any other night would have been a headliner.

The two battled end to end in enthralling fashion

before Back Circle prevailed 6-5 in a sudden death penalty shootout following a 2-2 stalemate in regulation time.

Touted as a ‘must see,’ Sparta Boss were into their stride within two minutes through a masterful display of skill from talisman Jermin Junor, who chested down a long ball and raced on to it before unleashing a cracking left-footer into the far corner of the net.

Five minutes later, ‘Gold is Money’, through an equally wonderful exhibition of skill, equalised through Hubert Pedro, who expertly evaded two tackles to fire past the opposing custodian.

However, Sparta ensured there was enough daylight between the two teams for them to slam home four unanswered goals to take a commanding 5-1 lead.

Junor added his second in the 11th minute, and his effort was followed by a quick brace from Gregory Richardson and a strike from Sheldon Shepherd after twenty-one minutes.

Randolph Wagner netted a pair then pulled one back in the 30th for ‘Gold is Money’, but recent acquisition Ryan ‘Bum Bum’ Hackett lit up the arena with three rapid goals, which were interrupted only by Shepherd’s completion of his second to put

the game beyond reach.

Wagner scored his second, but the game was already won by the ‘Bosses’.

It was fitting revenge for Sparta that had lost to ‘Gold is Money’ twice in recent encounters.

Champions Bent Street will not be defending their title. They fell to a determined Back Circle, who came from two goals down to win their place in the final.

Two magnificent strikes from Daniel Wilson in the 9th and 13th minutes had given Bent Street a wonderful cushion that lasted up to half time.

However, resumption of play saw a different Back

Circle unit clawing their way back into contention through goals from Stephon McLean in the 20th and 27th minutes, which proved enough to send the contest into penalty shootout.

That, too, provided an exciting climax, with fans bellowing support for both teams from the stands.

In the end, Back Circle, a team that has been to this stage on numerous occasions, held their nerve and won in sudden death.

Saturday night promises sizzling action in both the third place and final matchups. Trophy Stall, Insurance Brokers and Nigel Hinds are also the sponsors on board.

BCB/RHTY&SC/GBTI In-ter Secondary ICC says “no indication” India v Pakistan World Cup match will not go ahead Schools Cricket Tournament…

Port Mourant, Tagore Memorial, Corentyne Comp, Berbice High and BEI advance

T

he Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB’s) 2019 cricket season continues to roll along despite the rainy season which affected venues across the Ancient County.

The BCB recently started the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club/Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry 20/20 Inter-Secondary Schools Tournament for schools in Region 6.

Port Mourant Secondary, Tagore Memorial, Berbice High, Corentyne Comprehensive High and Berbice Educational Institute have all advanced to the next round. The tournament is being organised as part of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, “Say No to Suicide/ Drugs and Say Yes to Education/Sports” programme.

At Cumberland, Port Mourant Secondary School (PMSS) defeated Canje Secondary School by 48 runs.

PMSS batted first and reached 108 all out in their allotted 20 overs, with Nicholas Lawson top-scoring with 22 and Premchan Mangal scoring 13.

There were 44 extras bowled.

Bowling for Canje were

Javon Persaud with 2 for 18 and Zaden La Rose with 2 for 6.

Canje Secondary, in reply, were bowled out for 60 in 18.2 overs. Anthony Williams with 15 was the only batsman to reach double figures, as Matthew Pottaya tormented the Canje side, snaring 4 for 15, and Raj Persaud snared 3 for 12.

At No. 73 Ground, Tagore Memorial squeezed past Skeldon High by 7 runs.

Tagore Memorial were able to accumulate a meagre 107 all out in 20 overs. Top scoring was John Tulsi with 38, as N Singh with 3 for 13 kept the batting side at bay.

In reply, Skeldon High could not chase the score, and fell short by 8 runs, scoring 100 all out in 17 overs. Sarwan Chaitnarine’s 50 which included four boundaries and three sixes was not enough to prevent his side from losing, even butteressed by M. Felix’s 12 and B. Patrick’s 16. Inderlall Singh with 3 for 26, S. Khan with 3 for 34 and John Tulsi with 3 for 14 were able to win the match for Tagore, as Khan claimed a hat trick.

At BHS Ground, Vryman’s

Er ven

Secondary lost to Berbice High School by 51 runs. Berbice High School rattled up an imposing 201 all out in their allotted overs, with Abdul Ramsammy scoring 71, Clifferin Williams 37, Zeymul Ramsammy 29, and Rajindra Persaud 21, being the best batsmen. Tamani Ceasar took 5 for 32 and T. Sinclair 3 for 22 for Vryman’s Erven, who were eventually bowled out for 150 in 20 overs.

Tomani Caesar with 26 and Ricardo Henry with 20 were the only Vryman’s batters to reach double figures.

The Ramsammy brothers, Abdul 2 for 22 and Zemul 4 for 41, were the Berbice High School top bowlers.

Berbice Educational Institute walked over New Amsterdam Secondary School.

T

he International Cricket Council (ICC) says there is "no indication" the World Cup match between India and Pakistan in Manchester will not go ahead.

The match on 16 June is in doubt after a Pakistanbased militant group took responsibility for a suicide attack in Indian-administered Kashmir this month.

There have been calls from some Indians for India to boycott the game at Old Trafford.

"We will be monitoring the situation with our members," the ICC said.

"Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this terrible incident.

"Sport, in particular cricket, has the wonderful India Captain Virat Kohli and Pakistan Captain Sarfraz Ahmed

ability to bring people together and unite communities and we will work with our members going forward on this basis.

"There is no indication that any matches at the World Cup will not go ahead as planned."

The group game attracted half a million requests for 25,000 tickets.

At least 46 Indian paramilitary police were killed in an attack which has sparked anger and anti-Pakistan protests across India, although Pakistan has denied any involvement.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had called on the ICC to "sever ties with countries from which terrorism emanates".

On Sunday, India captain Virat Kohli said his

team would stand by the decision of their "government and board" over whether to boycott the game.

India have won six consecutive matches against Pakistan in World Cups.

India legend Sachin Tendulkar wrote on Twitter that while it would be painful to lose potential points by not playing Pakistan this summer, he would support the decision of the BCCI. The situation has also led to the International Olympic Committee suspending applications from India to host future events after two Pakistan athletes were denied visas to compete in the country.

Two shooters were denied entry for a World Cup event in New Delhi. (BBC Sport)

21 CLASSIFIED Windies and England frustrated as rain ADS forces match abandonment T sports

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he third ODI between West Indies and England was washed out after constant rain forced the match to be abandoned without a ball being bowled in Grenada.

The covers came off the pitch briefly as England won the toss, which had been delayed by more than an hour, and elected to bowl with the series all square at 1-1. But they were put back moments later. Ground staff removed the covers briefly as the prospect of a match reduced to 30 overs each was considered, but then the showers returned and the match was

Nominations close for CWI posts of President and VP

T

he month-long nomination period for Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) election came to an end on Sunday, February 24.

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Incumbents, Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron and Emmanuel Nanthan, now, President and VicePresident, respectively, of CWI will have a challenge for the March 24, 2019 election.

President Cameron and Vice-President Nanthan were twice nominated, in the first instance by the Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control and seconded by the Guyana Cricket

Board; while the Jamaica Cricket Association also nominated the pair, seconded by the Barbados Cricket Association.

The challenge has come from Directors, Richard “Ricky” Skerritt and Dr Kishore Shallow, who were both nominated by the Leeward Islands Cricket Board and seconded by the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board.

Tottenham Manager Mauricio Pochettino remonstrates with referee Mike Dean after the 2-1 defeat at Burnley

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The election exercise will form part of the Annual General Meeting on Sunday, March 24 in Jamaica. Reports from the major standing Committees will be tabled, along with the presentation of the audited statements. The Board of Directors will meet on March 22 and 23 for their first quarterly sitting of 2019.

(CWI)

Spurs Manager charged with improper conduct by FA

T

VACANCY

eventually called off around 2.40pm local time.

England were set to be without Ben Stokes, who rolled his ankle practising boundary catches on the eve of the match. He was replaced in the named side by Alex Hales. England also recalled Chris Woakes, who was fit but rested for the second ODI in Barbados as part of plans to manage his knee problem, meaning Tom Curran was omitted.

West Indies, meanwhile, had selected an unchanged side to the one which defeated England in their last encounter. (ESPNcricinfo)

Ground staff bring on the covers as rain delayed the start of the 3rd ODI between the West Indies and England

ottenham Manager Mauricio Pochettino has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association for his behaviour at the end of the 2-1 defeat at Burnley.

The Argentine angrily confronted referee Mike Dean and also argued with the fourth official during the match.

The Spurs boss did admit he "crossed the line" and might apologise to Dean.

Pochettino indicated at

the time that he would not contest any disciplinary action brought against him.

He said: "I will accept everything that can happen from the Football Association but I hope they won't go any further."

A statement from the FA read: "Mauricio Pochettino has been charged with two breaches of FA Rule E3 following the game against Burnley on Saturday [23 February 2019].

"It is alleged the

Tottenham Hotspur Manager's language and/or behaviour at the end of the fixture - both on the pitch and in or around the tunnel area - amounted to improper conduct.

"He has until 18:00 on 28 February 2019 to respond to the charge."

The charge follows earlier news that Dean has been moved from his fourth official duties for Spurs' game at Chelsea on Wednesday.

(BBC Sport)

Arrest warrant expected for Patriots owner over prostitution claims

A

n arrest warrant for Robert Kraft is expected on Monday, as the NFL released a statement on charges against the New England Patriots owner, one of the most powerful men in the league.

Kraft is facing two counts of solicitation of a prostitute connected to a sting at a massage parlor in Jupiter, Florida.

“Our personal conduct policy applies to everyone in the NFL. We will handle this allegation in the same way we would handle any issue under our policy,” read the league statement. “We are seeking a full understanding of the facts, while ensuring that we do not interfere with an ongoing law enforcement investigation. We will take appropriate action as warranted based

on the facts.”

Kraft and the NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, have had a frosty relationship at times, notably during the infamous Deflategate investigation that led to a four-game suspension for quarterback Tom Brady, but they also powered the negotiations and CBA deal signed with players amid a lockout in 2011.

The 77-year-old Kraft is alleged to have paid for sex at Orchids of Asia Day Spa, one of 10 massage parlors shut down in the Jupiter region after a long investigation showed the women in the spas were sex workers, according to authorities. Kraft allegedly visited the spa on two occasions, according to law enforcement. Some of the women involved in the case are believed to have been vic-

tims of human trafficking.

If convicted of the misdemeanor charges, he would face a maximum of 60 days in jail and a $500 fine as a first-time offender. He also could be subject to disciplinary action by the NFL. Kraft, who also owns the New England Revolution MLS franchise, denied the accusations on Friday afternoon.

“We categori-

cally deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity,” a spokesman for Kraft said in a statement. “Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be

commenting further.”

Authorities at a news conference on Friday said much of their evidence in the investigation c o m e s

from cameras worn on officers’ uniforms and from surveillance that was conducted via hidden cameras inside the day spa. The cameras captured the alleged sexual acts being committed inside the spa, including those involving Kraft. (The Guardian) Robert Kraft (left) talks to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before a game. The two men have had a close but tense relationship Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell/AP

22

tuesday, february 26, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Lodge thrash Marian Academy as Milo continues – Annandale, President’s College secure wins

S

easoned campaigners and old rivals Lodge and Annandale Secondary led the charge on Sunday as the Milo Under-18 Football tournament continued with four games.

While there were emphatic victories, the day of school football action did not go without a stiff encounter, as St. Joseph High and South Ruimveldt Secondary played to a draw in the first game.

Although it isn’t his sport of choice, Warren Williams looked as good on the football field as he does on the hockey pitch, beginning St. Joseph’s campaign with a goal in the 4th minute. St. Joseph’s were able to hold on to their lead until the 27th, when Christopher Bovell levelled the scores.

Williams played hero again with a goal scored two minutes later. However,

Godfrey Weekes shattered all of St. Joseph’s hopes in the 40th by equalising once again. Regulation time eventually expired, and the teams had to share points.

Game two resulted in another win for the East Coast-based Annandale Secondary, keeping their record clean. Colin Henriques was the first to register a goal in the encounter, but Jenon Persaud of Canje Secondary equalised two minutes later.

Seconds before the half was called, Omari Glasow found the back of the net for Annandale’s second, and Jerome Harrigon scored in the 67th for Annandale’s 3-1 win.

Lodge Secondary took advantage of Marian Academy in the third game, scoring nine goals against a hapless opponent. A hat trick from Dorwin George, two from Marcus Bamfield,

one each from Rasheed Evans, Curt Edwards and Shemroy Myers, and an own goal were responsible

for the fireworks show that Lodge put on.

Looking as though the game would be a low scor-

ing one, the lone goal of the first half came to Dorwin George in the 7th. However, Lodge picked up the pace in

A few of Lodge’s goalscorers

the second half of play, with Rasheed Evans being the first to score in the 38th, and George added another to his tally a minute later. The 42nd and 44th saw goals from Marcus Bamfield and Curt Edwards respectively, before the pressure got the better of Marian, resulting in an own goal.

The remainder of goals came in quick succession, leaving Marian stunned and with a nine-goal deficit.

The final game swung in favour of President’s College when they met with St. Mary’s. Edran Stephen in the 15th and Vernon Lawson in the 64th were responsible for PC’s two, while St. Mary’s lone reply came from Jaheim Harsham in the 30th.

The Petra- organized Milo Under-18 tournament will continue this weekend at the Ministry of Education Ground.

Zeeburg clinch thriller Foster dedicates national award to mother despite Akshaya scare B

By Brandon Corlette

erbice Cricket Board (BCB) President and Secretary of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Hilbert Foster, was among the few awardees who were conferred with the Medal of Service award for contributions and achievements in sport.

Later, speaking exclusively with this reporter, Foster expressed how grateful he was for having been so conferred.

The victorious Zeeburg side

T

he highly anticipated West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA) T20 finals brought the heat in last Sunday’s actionpacked match played at the Zeeburg Ground. Zeeburg Sports Club walked away with yet another trophy as they defeated Cornelia Ida (CI) by 2 runs.

At the spin of the toss, Zeeburg were triumphant and elected to bat first in front of a vocal crowd, as they knew they would face an uphill task against players such as Guyana Jaguars Akshaya Persaud and Academy Player Richie Looknauth, who have all been in fine form with the ball and bat.

The Zeeburg batsmen took to the crease and blasted the ball to every part of the ground. Despite losing wickets in quick succession, they continued to press on aggressively to post 203-9 in their allotted 20 overs.

Zeeburg batters once

again proved why they are one of the best teams on the West Coast of Demerara, as they again passed the 200 run mark with ease.

Top scoring was Malcom Hubbard (66), with support from Ushardev Balgobin (29), Balbinder Shivpersaud (22) and Andre Seepersaud (21); while the pick of the bowlers for Cornelia Ida were Richie Looknauth (455), M.Wazidali (2-22) and Persaud (1-51).

Needing 204 for victory off 120 balls at a net run rate of 10.20 runs per over, CI had their work cut out for them from ball one, and lost wickets at key intervals as they attempted to chase down the challenging total.

The side rallied around the in-form Persaud, who took the bowlers to the cleaners.

Eventually everything came down to the last over, as Cornelia Ida lost Persaud for 98 in the 17th over.

Needing 6 off the last over, the task was left to Zeeburg captain Mark

Jeffers to take his side home. In the end, Jeffers was able to defend the 6 runs as CI lost by two runs. The other batsmen scoring for CI were Richie Looknauth (25) and Harrinarine Bissiondyal (26). Jamal Gomes had 3-26.

Coach of the Zeeburg side, Yutesh Dhanpaul, said after the win, “It was a thriller. The victory means a lot to our club, due to the challenges we are facing.

Victory is even more special because we came up against some really good cricketers, such as Akshaya Persaud, and Richie Looknauth who is an Academy player. We want to keep our winning ways, losing just 3 of our last 55 matches in the past three years. It's also our 47th Championship win in the last 11 years since we started our club again. We just want to be consistent and keep producing young talents.”

“ I have always (told) people that I work to make a positive difference in the lives of others,” Foster disclosed.

This award presented to the champion cricket administrator is inspirational. “I have looked forward to (receiving) this award, and I am inspired to redouble my efforts for the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club and the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB),” Foster declared.

The BCB boss told this publication that he has dedicated this award to his mother, who is ailing.

Foster and his two brothers, Keith and Alex, were raised by their mother, who played both parental roles in their lives. Keith Foster, the elder brother, is a respectable businessman and the former BCB President, while Alex Foster heads the familiar St Francis Community Developers Youth Club. These brothers have played inspirational roles in Hilbert’s life.

Foster has also dedicated this MS award to his late grandmother, who, like his mother,

had played an integral role in his life.

Foster hails the outstanding support he has always enjoyed from the executive members of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club and the BCB. He specifically thanked Ms Angela Haniff and Messrs Neil Rudder, Cycil Beharry, Simon Naidu, Kissoonlal and Hicks, among other veteran members who continue to give him immense support.

“The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club has also received an award (MS), and these individuals have continuously showed support for the club and myself in winning this award,” Foster related.

Foster also stated that he would continue to assist the elderly and less fortunate, disclosing that as long he remains President of the most vibrant cricket board (BCB) in the country, he would continue to break new barriers in Guyana and his administration would contin ue to make a difference in the lives of youths.

This Medal of Service award that Foster received recently is the fifth highest award of the Order of Service of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

Medal of Service awardee Hilbert Foster

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, february 26, 2019

23

BCB/Shimron Hetmyer Intermediate 40 Over tournament…

Swamy, Mickle demolish Edinburgh in latest round T

ucber Park outplayed the Edinburgh Cricket Club in the Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB’s) Shimron Hetmyer-sponsored Intermediate 40 Over cricket tournament, registering a 150-run victory therein.

The New Amsterdam cricket giants took first strike and scored 205-9 from their allotted 40 overs.

Kwesi Mickle led the way with the bat, scoring a responsible 55 while Garfield Benjamin and Leon Swamy

Kwesi Mickle stroked 55

played useful knocks of 38 and 32 respectively.

Benjamin and Malcolm Mickle had earlier opened the batting, but the latter was dismissed by Hope, trapped in front for 05. The right-handed Benjamin, a Berbice U-19 player, milked the bowling in his innings of 38, and former Berbice youth batsman Clifton Lindie, who is usually an aggressive batsman, scored 26 runs. The former Guyana U-15 captain Zeynul Ramsammy contributed 15, but Kewi Mickle, elder brother of Malcolm, batting at number five, scored 55 invaluable runs from an innings that included three sixes and three fours.

Leon Swamy also, a Guyana U-17 player, hit the ball with power and timing during his innings of 32.

In hot pursuit of 206 runs for victory, Edinburgh were blown away for a partial 56, with only Jevon Henry reaching double figures in scoring 18 runs.

It was the Leon

Swamy show, and the brisk right-arm fast bowler snared 6-4 in four impressive overs that included one maiden.

Gevon Schultz, former Berbice U-17 captain, bowled five overs to take 1-12. Offspinner Kwesi Mickle grabbed 1-7, Bajan leg-spinner Winslow Roberts had 1-6, while Berbice U-17 player Abdul Ramsammy had 1-7.

Tucber Park bowlers completed a stellar performance in bowling out Edinburgh Cricket Club for 56 in 20.2 overs.

In other results: At No. 73 Ground, No. 64 Fighting Marines defeated No. 73 Young Warriors by 34 runs. No. 64 Fighting Marines scored 139 for 9 in 35 overs, with Jason Itwaru scoring 51 and Shiraz Khan 21. Azad Mohamed with 3 for 23, Lakeram Lathman with 2 for 15, and M. Khan with 2 for 38 were the main wicket-takers for No. 73, who were bowled out for 105 in 29 overs.

A Moneen top-scored with 21, as Ramzan Subhan’s 4 for 20, Shiraz Khan’s 2 for 10 and Steven Embrack’s 2 for 22 were impressive bowling figures for No. 64.

At No. 43 Ground: Dukestown Cricket Club bowled out No. 43 Cricket Club for just 37 runs. For No. 43 Cricket Club, only O Baldeo with 18 reached double figures, as Jermaine Reid with 5 for 20 and Errol Byass with 5 for 13 created havoc with the ball.

Dukestown Cricket Club raced to victory in just 5.1 overs, as Clavern Beresford hit 17 not out and Clarence Beresford scored 10 not out.

At Cotton Tree Ground: Cotton Tree Die Hard defeated Achievers by one wicket in a close finish. Achievers Cricket Club scored 182 all out in 34.4 overs, with former Guyana Under-19 Player Keyron Fraser hitting a majestic 106, which included eleven boundaries and five huge sixes. Collis Noble scored 22 as Roshan Gafoor tool 8 for 24 with his off-spin.

Cotton Tree, in reply, were indebted to Nick Ramsaroop’s 26, D. Harrynarine’s 34 and Fawaz Gafoor’s 28 as they ended on 183 for 9 in 30.4 overs. Keyron Fraser completed a good match by taking 5 for 30, while Shamal Angel took 2 for 23.

At East Bank Ground:

Guymine Cricket Club defeated East Bank Blazers by 131 as former National Youth all-rounder Devon Clements stroked a brilliant 147, the highest score in the tournament to date.

Guymine Cricket Club reached 251 for 8 in 30 overs in a match reduced by rain.

Quancy Sinclair’s 46 and P. Fredericks’s 27 supported Clements.

C. Fraser with 2 for 35 and K. Grumble with 4 for 47 were East Bank Blazers’ most successful bowlers.

East Bank Blazers, in response, were bowled out for 129 in 15.4 overs, with S. Launalry topscoring with 65.

Michael Wagat with 4 for 38, Martin Singh with 2 for 10 and Kevin Ramoutar with 2 for 01 were Guymine’s most successful bowlers.

At Bus Lot Ground: Paradise Cricket Club defeated Bush Lot Rising Stars Cricket Club by 64 runs.

Paradise Cricket Club scored 131 all out in 19.3 overs, with O Bharraqat

scoring 37, Hakeem Miller 2 for 21, and Kris Ramnarine 2 for 30.

Bush Lot Rising Stars Cricket Club were all out in 17 overs.

T. Miller scored 3 for 17, and Carlson Saul scored 2 for 22.

(Brandon Corlette)

Leon Swamy was outstanding with 6-4 and 32 runs

2018-2019 CWI Regional 4-Day tournament…

Jaguars lead points table – 23.8 points ahead of 2nd placed Hurricanes

T

he Guyana Jaguars have two matches remaining in the 2018-2019 Cricket West Indies Regional 4-Day Tournament. Both matches will be played at the National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Sitting at the top of the points table, the Jaguars have scored 117.2 points from eight matches, winning five and suffering three defeats.

In second position are the confident Leeward Islands on 93.4 points, having played one match less than the Jaguars.

The Hurricanes have played seven matches this season and have recorded four wins and three losses.

Barbados Pride, Guyana Jaguars’ next opponent, are in third position with 90.6 points culled from seven matches, in which they won four and lost three.

Windward Islands are in fourth position with 80 points; Jamaica Scorpions are on 76.4 points, while Trinidad and Tobago Red Force have 67.4 points.

In the batting department thus far this season, Devon Smith leads the batting chart with 667 runs from seven matches, scored at an average of 51.30. Hurricanes star

batsman Montcin Hodge is in second position with 593 runs scored at an average of 45.61, while Jonathan Carter

left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul is in second position with 34 wickets, followed by third placed Romario

Team Guyana Jaguars

is in top form, having scored 532 runs this season thus far.

Guyana Jaguars wicket-keeper batsman Anthony Bramble is in fourth position on the overall batting chart, with 475 runs scored at an astonishing average of 52.77. Tagenarine Chanderpaul (464), Chadwick Walton (453) and Kaveem Hodge (443) are among the top batsmen this season.

In the bowling department, giant off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall leads the chart with 41 wickets in six matches, averaging 16.65. Guyana’s

Shepherd. This huge Berbician continues to impress this season. He has thus far snared 28 wickets in eight matches at

a bowling average of 21.82.

Larry Edwards (27), Imran Khan (26), Jomel Warrican (24), Nikita Miller (24) and Jerome Taylor (23) are among the leading wicket-takers.

Guyana Jaguars strike bowler Clinton Pestano is also among the wickets. He has thus far reaped 22 wickets at an average of 24.36. Pestano has a better bowling strike rate than Permaul (51.6) and Shepherd (45.7). He picks up a wicket every 43.1 balls he bowls.

Berbician Anthony Bramble continued to reign supreme with the gloves in hand this season. Thus far, he

has 32 dismissals, Barbados Pride’s Tevin Walcott has 24 dismissals, while Dennis Smith has 19 dismissals.

The next round of matches, which will commence from Thursday, February 28, is expected to be competitive, and the latter part of the season has become interesting, with other teams registering victories while Jaguars are suffering defeats. Scorpions will play Hurricanes, Jaguars will play Pride, and Hurricanes and Red Force will clash in the respective matches starting this Thursday.

(Brandon Corlette)

tuesday, february 26, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Dave West Indian Imports U-15 Inter-County tournament…

Zachary Joda and Thaddeas Lovell face the music (Brandon Corlette photo)

Page 19 Matthew Pottaya bowls

Demerara trounce Berbice in opening round Windies and England Russell in Windies squad frustrated as rain forces for 4th and 5th Colonial Medical Insurance ODIs match abandonment

Page 21

Page 19

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