Guyana Times - Tuesday, March 26, 2019

73-year-old man swims across Berbice River P 7

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

Issue No. 3875

THE BEACON OF TRUTH Tuesday, MARCH 26, 2019

PRICE

“Business as usual”

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Govt dual citizens to return to National Assembly – Chief Whip Page 3

…flouts Court of Appeal ruling on matter Death in Police lock-ups

Sister sues Govt for $50M over brother’s wrongful death

$80 vat included

GECOM should prepare for elections P10 despite court ruling – PPP Commissioner

Man jailed for killing drinking P8 buddy Outing turns deadly

Page 14

PAHO calls NDC moving to have operators for hefty prosecuted – Chairman taxes on fatty, salty, sugary foods

Body of missing man found at Splashmin’s P8 Resort

Excavation of Boerasirie Dam

Page 12

…operation ceased

See story on page 13

Molasses shortage points to negative impacts of downsizing sugar – former Minister Page 9

Page Misuse/abuse of Pedal cyclist 2 OTC drugs prevalent killed in hit-and in Guyana – CMO ...Public Health Ministry finding it “tough” to monitor situation Page 11

-run accident

New GCCI President expresses worry over political P7 situation

Guyana has technical P12 training gaps to fill – CTVET Director Deaths of 3 children

GPHC awaiting Medical Council’s decision before taking further P11 action

2 news

tuesday, MARCH 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Pedal cyclist killed in hit-and-run accident Crime reduced in D Division – Commander Cooper A hit-and-run accident along the Timehri Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD) has claimed the life of 50-year-old pedal cyclist Peter Billison of Lot 17 Soesdyke, EBD. Reports are that on Sunday the pedal cyclist was proceeding north along the western side of the roadway when, at about 19:15h, he was struck from behind by a motor car which reportedly sped away after hitting him off his bicycle.

Picked up in an unconscious state by public-spirited persons, Billison was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

His body is at Lyken’s Funeral Home, awaiting a post mortem examination.

An investigation has been launched as Police continue their search for the driver of

the motor car.

Last Wednesday, Rupununi resident Jennifer Williams, a 40-year-old pedal cyclist, died after she was allegedly struck down by a motor pick-up on the Wowetta Main Road in North Rupununi, Region Nine.

Based on information received, the motor pick-up was proceeding along the centre of the Wowetta Main Road when the now deceased Williams made a sudden turn into the path of the vehicle.

She reportedly fell on the roadway and received injuries about her body.

She was picked up in a conscious state and rushed to the Annai Health Centre, where she was treated and referred to the Lethem Regional Hospital, where she died while receiving medical attention.

On a Saturday afternoon in February, 41-year-

old pedal cyclist Joel Jacobs of Number 28 Village, West Coast Berbice was killed after he reportedly collided with hire car HC 8140 on the Onverwagt Public Road, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

Reports are that the vehicle was proceeding east on the northern side of a bridge whilst the pedal cyclist was proceeding in the opposite direction on the southern side of the bridge. The driver told investigators that while in the process of passing the bicycle, Jacobs suddenly swerved from south to north, and in so doing came into contact with the front right side of the vehicle.

As a result of that impact, the cyclist fell on the bridge, where he sustained injuries.

He was picked up in an unconscious condition and taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

T

he crime rate in the West Demerara/ East Bank Essequibo area has dropped considerably in comparison with reports from 2018 for the same time frame especially with regard to youths participating in unlawful activities.

This is according to Police Commander of D Division, Edmond Cooper, who in an interview with Guyana Times explained Police Force alone cannot curb the crime issue involving youths and young adults. He noted that this is so because the Polcie usually get involved only when a crime has already taken place. As such he said that the Police in the division has been working along with members of the public.

“We have been embarking upon consultations with stakeholders throughout this Division and because of the constant and consist efforts we are getting positive feedback and timely information, hence, being proactive pays off. Outreach programmes are being conducted in all areas with youths and there is even an ongoing school programme.

We teach them about the use of narcotics, traffic violations, other forms of criminal activities that they should stay away from,” Commander Cooper noted.

According to the

D Division Police Commander Edmond Cooper

Commander special in the Division is also being placed at the secondary school level with focus on sensitization of sexual offences.

He added that adolescents are taught about recognising the signs of sexual advances and what they should do if they or someone they know has been or is being sexually assaulted.

He further stated that students in all areas are frequently being given lectures by police ranks about deviant behaviours and what can and would most likely happen to them if they participate in illegal activities.

“The news in being spread because we believe that the more we sensitize them then the more they will be aware of when or if they are doing something wrong. As children, when

you tell them something serious or important, they will either tell their colleagues or go home and tell family members. So basically the word is getting out and as such criminal activities involving children have significantly decreased in the past year or so,” the Police Commander noted.

He also said while the aim of the police force is to serve and protect there should also be initiatives that are spearheaded by the police to help children and prevent them from becoming delinquents.

He added that such simple activities as holding talks in schools and hosting sensitization events for students can go a far way; they can help them build better lives and even save their lives.

news

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tuesday, MARCH 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

“Business as usual”

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

Tuesday, March 26 – 09:00h-10:30h and Wednesday, March 27 – 10:00h-11:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, March 26 – 07:50h-09:20h and Wednesday, March 27 – 08:45h-10:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Govt dual citizens to return to National Assembly – Chief Whip …flouts Court of Appeal ruling on matter

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny intervals are expected to prevail throughout the day, followed by sunny skies in the late afternoon.

Clear skies are expected in the evening, with overall temperatures ranging between 20 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 07:57h and 20:27h reaching maximum heights of 2.51 metres and 2.33 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 13:59h reaching a minimum height of 0.73 metre.

saturday, march 23, 2019

LOTTERY NUMBERS G

03 06 08

11 20 21

FREE TICKET

02 Bonus Ball

monday, March 25, 2019

DAILY MILLIONS

01 10 14 22 25 LUCKY 3

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Afternoon Draw

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

Government Chief Whip Amna Ally

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

Public Service Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

ith Parliament expected to be reconvened at any moment after the ruling of the Appeal Court on Friday, persons are questioning whether dual citizens will return to the chambers. When it comes to the Government, however, it will be business as usual for the dual-citizen Members of Parliament (MPs).

When contacted by Guyana Times on Monday, Government Chief Whip Amna Ally stated that all MPs on the Government side would be turning out for the next sitting. She noted that there was nothing impeding them from attending.

“I don’t know that there is a court action filed against anyone from attending … so all parliamentarians will be attending Parliament,” Ally explained, when asked about the fate of the dual citizens on the Government side of the House.

Already, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has made it known that it would not be attending sittings of the National Assembly, with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo announcing on Sunday that the Party would be sitting out sittings while the no-confidence cases still have to be settled.

According to Jagdeo in the announcement on his social media page, he wishes to “place on record that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) will not attend any sitting of the National Assembly”.

This, according to Jagdeo, will be in effect while the appeal of the ruling of the Appellate Court on the no-confidence motion is pending at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Following the Appeal Court’s ruling that the no-confidence motion was not validly passed, the PPP/C had announced on Friday that it would move to the CCJ. When it comes to dual citizens, the long-standing issue rose to the surface with the passage of the no-confidence motion last year. In February, acting Chief Justice Roxane George had ruled on the case filed

by Compton Reid over the dual citizenship of former Alliance For Change (AFC) MP Charrandas Persaud.

In the case it brought to the acting Chief Justice, Government had argued that Persaud’s dual citizenship status invalidated his vote in support of the no-confidence motion that brought the Government down.

This argument also formed part of the opinions presented to Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland in the hopes that he would reverse the ruling –something the Speaker ultimately refused to do.

According to the acting CJ, by swearing allegiance to another State, a dual citizen is not qualified to be elected to serve in the National Assembly. But Charrandas was not the only one. In the Opposition camp, Chief Whip Gail Teixeira (who has Canadian citizenship) has already indicated

her willingness to renounce her citizenship. And Jagdeo has publicly said that dual citizens from the Opposition camp would not return to Parliament.

In the case of the Government, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge (United Kingdom citizen) and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon (who has United States citizenship) have both failed to say if they would choose Parliament or dual citizenship when the time comes.

Article 155 (1) of the

Constitution of Guyana states that “No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who (a) is, by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state.”

However, while the Government has chosen to ignore this aspect of the ruling, they have held to the lifeline of the 34 majority required for the successful passage of the no-confidence motion.

W

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, MARCH 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

Selective matters of national importance?

D

iscussions and analyses over the Appeal Court’s decision on the now famous no-confidence motion continue, and may not abate in the near future. This is understandable, given its different impact on various sections of the society -- elation for some, profound disappointment for others; and yet, for many, a sense of confusion to be recovered from. The bewilderment pertains to how the numerical decision was derived in the context of basic mathematical principles.

That aside, the swiftness with which the matters were dealt with must be commended. From the Government’s initial appeal to the Speaker of the National Assembly, to recourse to the High Court, and then the appeal, none can argue over how much of a priority dealing with the issue was, and the need for a swift resolution. This augurs well for the much-needed urgent processing of matters of national importance.

Kudos to those directly involved in making this happen. That said, the swift process also demonstrated that our system can rise to the occasion when needed. In doing so, it must however not be perceived as being selective in what it chooses to prioritise.

This is in context of the election petition brought by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) following the May 2015 general election, which is still to be ruled upon almost four years after! The current Government won that election by less than five thousand votes. In one Region, it won by one ballot, which was directly responsible for its acquiring the one-seat Parliamentary majority.

The PPP raised numerous concerns over alleged electoral improprieties, some directly related to what it believed to be questionable processes employed in regard to counting the ballots at some places of poll. The party sought recounts in polling places where it believed incorrect calculations took place to its disadvantage.

Its requests were denied through what it deemed as frivolous excuses advanced to directly benefit the present Government. With all of its efforts made to fail before the official and final results were announced, the PPP sought recourse through the courts.

With almost half of the voting population feeling a sense of being cheated, the party was confident that the courts would swiftly hear the case and pronounce. It was, for the party and the country, an urgent matter of national importance, since it directly impacted the social fabric of society.

It must be noted that in cases where the margin of victory for a particular place of poll or district is within a certain range in terms of narrowness, an automatic recount is expected. Even if it’s not done immediately, it is expected to be facilitated following a subsequent request. The recount for that one-ballot margin was disallowed.

That, and other incidents, sowed suspicion of possible electoral fraud having been committed, which still lingers.

It begs the question as to why that petition has not been fully heard. The PPP and its supporters were positive of their case being successful, with the possibility of nullifying the 2015 results and fresh elections being held.

The National Assembly Validity of Election Act mandates that an election petition must be heard on a day-to-day basis until it is determined by the Chief Justice or any other Judge he/she appoints.

It is the only case in our legal system that the law mandates to be heard with such dispatch. In other words, it must be heard swiftly and without delay.

From all reports, that case is currently stalled in the court, following an appeal.

This is where answers are urgently needed, especially since all that transpired within the courts following the no-confidence vote were processed and concluded within three months, including the appeal. What therefore could have been the reason for the election petition not being concluded as mandated by the law?

While the PPP and its supporters will have their own answers, Guyanese would be concerned, given the impact of that case on democracy, stability and credibility.

That seemingly selective prioritisation of cases deemed important to the state gives rise to concerns regarding perceived preference of one over the other. It may even suggest that the election petition may not have been classified as a matter of national importance, when it ought to be. That could possibly create confusion in people’s minds, and can point to a lack of consistency in an institution that is held in high esteem as being impartial and completely divorced from any semblance of political allegiance. Confidence can also be impacted, given the adage of the consequence of delayed justice.

This must not happen in societies deemed to be democratic, since the executive arm must be made to answer, and be held accountable if found to be in breach of the law, in keeping with national importance. Therefore, there should be no room for confusion as to “why not”, as is now seemingly the case. The confusion appears to be twofold: the sloth in hearing the election petition, and what really constitutes a majority from a quantum that is an odd number.

It is simply uncontestable that 5 is a majority out of 9, using the number of Judges on the US Supreme Court and the impact on decision-making from its 5-4 split. What makes 33 out of 65 so different and unacceptable here? Selectiveness? Spare a thought for our schoolchildren as they are taught “new” modern mathematics!

Thousands of candles are lit in Tallinn, Estonia to commemorate the tens of thousands of victims of the deportation march when, from March 25-28, 1949, more than 22,000 people in Estonia alone were forced from their homes and deported east, many to never return (VOA photo)

“No more hope”: fresh blackout leaves half of Venezuela without power …14 of country’s 23 states affected just weeks after the country’s worst power failure in history

A woman stands in front of a closed metro station during a blackout in Caracas on March 25, 2019 [Carlos García Rawlins/Reuters photograph]

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enezuela has been hit by another major power cut, with more than half of the country reportedly affected by the latest blackout.

The El Nacional newspaper reported that Monday’s power cut had affected 14 of Venezuela’s 23 states as well as the capital, Caracas. The broadcaster NTN24 said 16 states were affected.

Information Minister Jorge Rodríguez said that the country’s main hydroelectric dam had been the subject of an “attack”, but later claimed electricity had been restored in much of the country.

Services were suspended on the Caracas metro, shop owners pulled down shutters on darkened stores while workers were sent home from offices and Ministries.

The Internet monitoring organisation NetBlocks reported that 57 per cent of the country’s telecommunications infrastructure was offline.

The blackout comes less than three weeks after virtually the entire country was plunged into darkness by what was considered the worst power fail-

ure in Venezuelan history.

Venezuela’s embattled president, Nicolás Maduro, blamed that blackout on foreign saboteurs and terrorists attempting to bring down his Government by throwing the country into chaos. However, it is now widely believed to have been caused by a bush fire that crippled a key section of Venezuela’s national grid.

Denis Mendoza, a 28-year-old call centre worker, was one of thousands of people walking home through central Caracas on Monday afternoon after being sent home because of the latest power cut.

“The lights went crazy,” he said of the moment the latest blackout began.

“It was like something was about to blow up.

“I feel frustrated, bored, resigned and I want to leave this country,” he said as he began the 90-minute trek back to his home in the Petare shantytown.

“There is no more hope. There is nothing else to do. This is getting way too common for us. It’s happening way too often and now I’m just tired.”

“I’m hoping [this won’t go on as long as last time] – but it might,” Mendoza added.

“We are out to sea. We’re like an orphaned child without a father or a mother,” said José Jaramillo, a 32-year-old construction worker, as he started walking back to the same community after his building site was closed.

Jaramillo said he felt confused about the causes of the blackouts blighting his country. “The Government said it was a cybernetic attack – and perhaps this is what it is,” he said. “[But] you just don’t know who is telling the truth, because all politicians are liars … None of them are any good. Not Maduro. Not the Opposition.

None of them.”

As he began the long hike back to Valles del Tuy, to the south of Caracas, Emilio Pérez, 47, said: “I feel in limbo.

It’s an indescribable feeling.”

Thais Coa, a 56-year-old head teacher, said she was convinced the blackouts were part of a US-backed campaign against Maduro.

“We need to stay calm and we need to have patience,” she said as she walked home with her nine-year-old granddaughter.

“This is the result of the US economic blockade,” she said. “Donald Trump will not set foot in our country.

This is a free and sovereign nation.”

Others ridiculed such claims as they made their way home to lightless homes. “No doubt they will come out tonight and say: ‘This was another imperialist act of sabotage by the Us Government,’” said Jerry Rodríguez, 19, as he left work early. “This is stupid, there’s nothing to support this.

There’s no logic to it.”

His brother, Michael, said he suspected Maduro’s Government might even have sabotaged the electricity system itself in order to blame “the gringos”. “I just want this all to end,” the 22-year-old added. “Without light there is nothing.” (The Guardian)

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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

What happened here? The greater numbers Dear Editor, For now, it appears that the Attorney General Basil Williams is right. To quote this minister of legal affairs, the “constitution is wrong.” Although it speaks of a “majority” it really means an “absolute majority.” This is so because someone put words into the mouth of the constitution.

As a result, a new era of jurisprudence has begun. An attorney can now argue that any word in the constitution lacks its intended, plain meaning. Their only challenge in court will be to sound “attractive,” which is now the most com-

pelling adjective in our legal lexicon.

It ought to be said again: someone put words into the mouth of the constitution.

Indeed, they were so anxious to do so, that in the process a few words fell into the mouths of attorneys who appeared recently before the Court of Appeal.

The public is told that these attorneys “accepted that Article 106 required an absolute majority.” If all of the attorneys accepted that an “absolute majority” was needed for the passage of a no-confidence motion, then there would not have been any litigation, because everyone would

have been in agreement.

Voila! So what happened here? The public deserves to know exactly what happened in that courtroom; or outside of it.

After all, they may have to strike the word “majority” from the constitution, because its framers had no knowledge of fractions, or the word “absolute,”.

Or that since slavery ended, a half vote or a half person is no longer allowed.

Sincerely, Rakesh Rampertab

Timely financial reporting creates benefits for a nation Dear Editor, Timely financial reporting creates benefits for a nation. It is now almost April 2019 and we the people, the shareholders of this company called Guyana, still cannot receive from the Finance Ministry; the critical annual report of Fiscal Year 2018 called the “End of Year Outcome 2018 Report”. This report provides evidence on the 2018 financial performance and this is vital information.

Since the FY 2019 Budget was nothing else but a document of

guess-estimates on both 2018 and 2019, it is about time the nation learn of the real situation when it comes to 2018.

This practice of planning for the economy on such “Alice and Wonderland number” is a dangerous precedent for any country and this financial nonsense only started happening in 2015. All such a poor strategy drive is a Ministry team that is under-prepared for proper policy formulation on a more proactive basis.

I am, therefore, humbly

asking the media to inquire on the whereabouts of the end of year outcome report for 2018.

A copy of the 2017 report can be found at https://finance.gov. gy/?cat=14.

I am advised that the Bank of Guyana has completed its FY 2018 Annual Report but cannot release it because they are awaiting the Ministry to publish their document first. What kind of a nation is this where the Central Bank cannot be seen to be acting independent-

ly and is functioning as if it is a political poodle? Is this why it has allowed Central Government’s overdraft at the Central Bank to run up to close to $60 billion? Here is the evidence (see Capital and Liabilities – Public Deposits) https://www.bankofguyana.org.gy/bog/images/accounts_budgeting/assetsliabilities.pdf.

Better must come!

Regards, Sasenarine Singh

Function of the courts is only to expound, not to legislate

Dear Editor, The rules or guidelines for statutory interpretation are intended to ensure that ambiguities are avoided in order to give effect to a statute or law. However, many times, the statutes can be easily interpreted since the words have a plain and straightforward meaning, in other words, it says what it says.

Unfortunately, the courts in its endeavour to give its interpretation, sometimes obfuscate the simple literal meanings and creates an entirely different meaning from that intended by the drafters of the Constitution.

It must be borne in mind that the function of the courts is only to expound and not to legislate (GP Singh, Principles of Statutory Interpretation, page 4). However, it would seem that the Court of Appeal did just that in its interpretation of “majority” in Article 106.

Article 106 (6) of our Constitution un-

ambiguously states that “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence”.

On December 21, 2018, all the elected members voted on the no-confidence motion and 33 of the elected members voted in favour of that motion. The Constitution makes it clear that 65 members constitute the National Assembly. That is crystal clear and conclusive. Therefore, when the foregoing Article speaks about a “majority”, it is in respect of these 65 members. If the drafters of the Constitution had wanted this to be an “absolute majority”, the word “absolute” would have been inserted. Instead, they used the word “majority” which in its simple plain literal meaning means 33 or any amount above 33…34, 35, 36, etc from the total of 65.

It is, therefore, submitted that the Appellate Court by its insertion of the word “absolute” has now created a new piece of legislation not intended by the drafters.

They specifically provided for 65 members of the National Assembly to avoid any ambiguity or misinterpretation. Chief Justice George in her ruling on January 31 was absolutely correct when she ruled that, “In our 65-member National Assembly, a majority of all elected members, in accordance with the principle of ‘one over all rivals combine’, is the thirty-three (33) members”.

I do hope that the PNC flag is not once again flying high above our courts and democracy has taken a sudden flight!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor Region Six

Business people desecrate our city with garbage Dear Editor, I wish to give support to the campaign by His Worship, the Mayor of the city of Georgetown - Ubraj Narine’s decision to institute a $40,000 fine for persons who throw garbage around and about the city. In addition, I would like to add that it should be $50,000 and $50,000 per day after a notice is served if the garbage is not removed in a day. On or about the third day, the city will remove it and triple the cost of removal!

This would give the Mayor and City Council an opportunity to make some profits; to clear the cost of removal, and at the same time they need to create a fund from the legal fine they collect (from the money they collect) which will go to pay private informers, private freelance detectives who will report on anyone throwing garbage around the city. These persons will receive a reward $2500 to $5000 depending on the level of accuracy of the information and garbage dumped. Once the perpetrators are summoned, they must come in to see a person close to the Mayor’s office.

Maybe not in City Hall (because of the level of corruption and deception that is known to exist there).

Further, I would like to volunteer myself as a member of this steering committee to administrate this. Georgetown is a pride and joy for all of Guyana.

Whenever one is traversing from the end of Region Six to the end of Region One, most likely they pass through the city of Georgetown. All tourists headed to all businesses in Guyana (even in the Hinterland) wants to see Georgetown. Therefore, Georgetown must be cleaned and kept in a pristine way to display a mature City Hall, a mature Mayor. A mayor not only concerned with the vagaries of the power of office. Our Mayor, His Worship Ubraj Narine, will take a spade, a shovel, a pitchfork, then go in the streets to clean to set an example and inspire. In contrast to those former Mayors who thought it was a position of power, glory and wealth for their ego. In the Bourda Market vicinity, for example, persons, businesses and stores dump tremendous garbage. Stores and businesses need to contract persons privately on their own but by first informing the Mayor and City Council of this, otherwise, they will not get a licence to operate in the City of Georgetown.

There has to be a certain

protocol in place to get rid of the garbage in Georgetown.

Garbage must not be dumped carelessly or disorderly around and about the city. Card boxes, wooden pallets, wooden boxes and pieces of wood should be tied together, packed and placed neatly in an organised way for the Council and contractor picking them up to send them off to be recycled by the paper recycling company here in Guyana (one of which we have). In view of the oil and gas development and the mineral enrichment that will take place, and money and population coming into the country, we have to prepare ourselves to eliminate this problem of garbage buildup in our country. A three-bin collection system in every home where garbage items are collected and packaged separately for recycling, composting and reusing should be implemented. As what is done in many countries such as in Switzerland, the Netherlands and parts of India.

Sweden recycles and sorts its trash so effectively that less than 1 per cent ends up in landfills. Approximately half (47 per cent) of Sweden’s waste is recycled and 52 per cent is used to generate heat. In Hong Kung, the Sai Tso Wan Landfill, af-

ter being closed and sealed off with soil in 1981, a multi-purpose playground was created in 2004 powered by wind turbines, solar cells and energy derived from methane generated from the decomposed trash.

In India, common plastic litter is transformed into a substitute for bitumen — the main ingredient in asphalt used for road construction. In the country of Uganda, Eco Art Uganda, which is a collection of artists dedicated to promoting environmental awareness was formed. The group created an amusement park for children from discarded materials. Some of the attractions at the Eco Art Amusement Park include recycled swings and life-size board games made from discarded plastic bottles.

Individuals, City Hall, and the Government of Guyana must work together to reverse the trend of alarming levels of garbage filling up the city of Georgetown. We must be patriots of our cities and our country. We must jealously guard our honour and dignity, our city and our country as a people.

Sincerely, Roshan Khan Sr

Dear Editor, President Granger imported a Constitution specialist to come to Guyana and teach our children and people that thirty-three is not greater than thirty-two.

For the first time in my life, I am hearing that our parliamentarians are made up of fractions. Is it because Granger has enough money to waste, or because Mr Alexis is a bird of the same feather?

Everyone knows that the APNU/AFC assumed power with thirty-three seats as a majority out of sixty-five seats. They were never asked to have thirty-four seats to win the majority and assume power. All along, this country was running by the APNU/AFC with thirty-three seats in Parliament and they approved everything without any question.

So a thirty-three-seat majority was good enough for the Government but not good enough for the Opposition?

Is the Government saying that they were ruling this country illegally from 2015 until now? What a downright shame and disgrace.

President Granger should have brought in Mr Alexis a long time ago to amend our Constitution, to read that thirty-four seats were required out of sixty-five seats to obtain an absolute majority and then kick the Government out because they never obtained thirty-four seats.

Guyana’s Constitution was designed and approved

by Guyana’s parliamentarians in the National Assembly. We do not need any stranger to come here and tell us how to interpret our Constitution.

Mr Alexis’ mathematical formula of a majority is: - sixty-five seats divided by

two, equals thirty-two and a half, add one to make the majority, equal thirty-three and a half, round that off upward to the nearest whole number, equals thirty-four.

Our Court of Appeal judges used this formula to arrive at their verdict.

Now our Court of Appeal was made up of three judges. Mr Alexis’ formula must now also be applied here, so three judges divided by two, equals one and a half, add one to make the majority, equals two and a half, round that off upward to the next whole number equals three, so according to the formula used, the two judges out of three in the Court of Appeal did not make up the majority. Therefore, the verdict passed, was illegal, and totally bias. Judges in the Court of Appeal should always rule with dignity, and never take sides; they should always take pride in themselves, and respect their position. It is very shameful and a disgrace, when judges do not honour their obligations.

It is also very sad to see our President, who spent so many years in the disciplined service in Guyana, showing very little or no respect for our Constitution, the National Assembly, and our Supreme Court’s rulings. I am hereby asking our President to do the right thing, honour our Constitutions, our National Assembly, and our Supreme Courts. Remember the oath you took and swear to abide with. And always remember that we all have a limited amount of time on this planet, so please help us to make the best use of this time, and not waste any of it.

Respectfully, Eddie Singh Lethem, Region Nine

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Foundation

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t’s Friday afternoon, last period. The weekend trip you planned with a friend starts in exactly four hours. You’ve been catching up on studying and chores all week so you can enjoy the time away. And now the teacher announces a test on Monday.

You probably feel annoyed – or maybe downright angry. You might feel disappointed. You might also feel pressured or stressed about all the studying you’ll have to do.

But how do you react? What do you do and say?

You may want to jump up and yell at the teacher, “That’s not fair! Some of us have weekend plans.” But you know you need to keep your cool until class is over – then share your feelings with your friend.

But what if you’re not the calm, collected type? Don’t worry.

Everyone can develop the skill of responding well when emotions run high. It just takes a bit more practice for some people Learning to react well Managing emotional reactions means choosing how and when to express the emotions we feel.

People who do a good job of managing emotions know that it’s healthy to express their feelings – but that it matters how (and when) they express them. Because of this, they’re able to react to situations in productive ways: They know they can choose the way they react instead of letting emotions influence them to do or say things they later regret.

They have a sense of when it’s best to speak out – and when it’s better to wait before acting on, or reacting to, what they feel.

They know that their reaction influences what happens next – including how other people respond to them and the way they feel about themselves.

You’ve probably been in a situation where someone reacted in a way that was too emotional, making you cringe or feel embarrassed for the person. You also might have been in a situation where your own emotions felt so strong that it took all your self-control not to go down that path yourself.

Maybe you can think of a time when you didn’t manage your reaction. Perhaps anxiety, anger, or frustration got the better of you, It happens. When it does, forgive yourself and focus on what you could have done better. Think about what you might do next time.

Emotions 101 The skills we use to manage our emotions and react well are part of a bigger group of emotional skills called emotional intelligence (EQ). Developing all the skills that make up emotional intelligence takes time and practice.

People who react well are already good at some basic EQ

skills. But these are skills anyone can practise: Emotional awareness. This skill is all about being able to notice and identify the emotions we feel at any given moment.

It is the most basic of the EQ skills. Sometimes, just naming the emotion we feel can help us feel more in charge of our emotions.

Understanding and accepting emotions. Understanding emotions means knowing why we feel the way we do. For example, we might say to ourselves, “I feel left out and a little insecure because I didn’t get invited to the prom yet, and two of my friends already did.”

It helps to view our emotions as understandable, given the situation. We might think to ourselves: “No wonder I feel left out – it’s natural to feel that way in this situation.” It’s like giving ourselves a little kindness and understanding for the way we feel.

This helps us accept our emotions. We know they’re reasonable, and that it’s OK to feel whatever way we feel.

Accepting emotions means noticing, identifying, and understanding our emotions without blaming others or judging ourselves for how we feel. It’s not helpful to tell ourselves that how we feel is someone else’s fault. It is also not good to judge our emotions and think, “I shouldn’t feel this way” or “It’s awful that I feel this way!” The goal is to acknowledge your feelings without letting them run away with you.

Once these basic skills feel natural, you’re more able to manage what you actually do when you feel strong emotions.

Practicing the basic skills also will help you get past difficult emotions faster.

What would you do?

Imagine this situation: Your friends have received prom invites (or college acceptances, team places, etc). But you haven’t. Once you identify, understand, and accept how you feel, how might you react?

Look unhappy when you’re around your friends, hoping they’ll ask you what’s wrong.

Gossip about people who already have dates, and say you don’t even want to go to the stupid dance.

Confide in a friend, “I feel bad about not getting asked yet.

But I can still go with friends.”

Remind yourself that it’s not the end of the world. Decide to give it time and not let it ruin your day.

Consider each choice and think about what might happen next for each one. Which reaction would lead to the best outcome?

We always have a choice about how to react to situations.

Once we realise that, it’s easier to make choices that work out well.

Learning to react well takes practice. But we all can get better at taking emotional situations in stride and expressing emotions in healthy ways. And that’s something to feel good about! (kidshealth.

org)

By David Paltin, PhD

T

here are a few early signs that should cue parents that open communication about what is happening is needed immediately: * Is your adolescent more negative or critical of him/herself or others? Irritability (not due to late night texting) can be an early signal of a change in mood. Other changes such as weight gain, sleeping more than usual, or not engaging in typical hygiene or make-up routines might be signs of relationship stress. * Keeping parents at arm’s length is a normal developmental feature of being a teen, but a drastic increase in secrecy or avoiding contact with parents raises concerns.

Teens will shut the door to have private conversations in their relationships if this is allowed by parents, but keeping the door closed for hours may be more than privacy-seeking. * Constant arguing or fighting with a boyfriend or girlfriend raises some of the same concerns that it does with adult relationships. This is especially true if the arguments consist entirely of accusations or threats and ultimatums, or if they deteriorate into name calling.

Controlling behaviour is not a sign of caring. If a boyfriend or girlfriend is requiring “checking in” or other forms of control, then the relationship is headed in a negative direction. * Mine-field relationships are “closed systems” and don’t tolerate shared attention. Is your teen being encouraged to drop certain friendships entirely, or to have to choose between a boy/girlfriend and other friends? * Signs of “boundary violations” are an early indication of trouble. These might include a boyfriend or girlfriend disregarding signals your teen might be trying to communicate about limits on physical affection or sexual contact, or more aggressive violations such as punching a car window, “teasing” by hurting a pet, or endlessly calling following an argument.

Parents do need to intervene in many of these situations because teens are limited in the skills and tools they possess to stop behaviours that are frightening them. Adolescents may not have the perspective or the right words to change directions in a problematic relationship, or to counter accusations from their boyfriend or girlfriend. Should parents disallow relationships altogether until their children are older? This might be the best fit for some families, but if dating and having a boyfriend or girlfriend is permitted, then parents need to educate teens on choices and responses that are available when relationships are unhealthy.

Match the response to the situation

The appropriate intervention for parents is the one that matches the situation involved. If several incidents have already occurred, then more parental involvement is needed.

In some cases, this might include contacting the parents of the other teen and discussing concerns about the kind of communication and behaviour occurring in the relationship.

Parents should set limits on the type of communication that is acceptable, for example, requiring teens to end phone calls that involve accusatory name-calling or manipulative threats. As we have discussed, ending the relationship may be the step to take, although parents should realise that this will not eliminate feelings of attachment that occur even in abusive relationships.

You may be surprised at how submissive and reactive your child has already become in response to a dysfunctional boyfriend or girlfriend. The challenge in any limit-setting situation is to help your son or daughter understand that your decisions are a healthy response to an unhealthy situation, as your child will not see it that way.

Expressing love and support while setting limits, holding back your own anger over your child’s response, and repeating that healthy relationships make people feel good rather than depressed, are all positive strategies when setting unwanted limits. Perhaps you were able to spot trouble early in the situation, maybe finding a hurtful or abusive online chat from your teen’s boyfriend or girlfriend. In these instances, the best approach might be to encourage non-judgmental discussion about what is happening in the relationship and the feelings your teen is having in the situation.

Reading some materials or sections of a book about healthy versus unhealthy relationships together could provide the kind of support your child will tolerate. There are excellent resources available for parents and teens who are experiencing this stressful and often frightening situation.

(Excerpt from childdevelopmentinfo.com)

news

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tuesday, MARCH 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

New GCCI President expresses worry over political situation

N

ewly elected President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Nicholas Boyer on Monday told a news conference that he is worried about the political uncertainty that exists in Guyana after the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the Government to on the no-confidence motion which was passed on December 21, 2018.

According to Boyer, he as well as the entire country is in suspense as to what will

take place in Guyana should the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) rule that the motion of no-confidence was, in fact, validly passed.

“I do recognise the fact that I am taking up the presidency at a time where there was some uncertainty, there still is some uncertainty because you have the Appeal Court of Guyana handing down a decision which, it’s clear that the Opposition of Guyana did not find favour with. Now clearly they are setting themselves up to head to the CCJ to challenge

the decision of the Appeal Court,” he added.

The new Head of the GCCI pointed out that “the curious thing is what happens if the argument that the no-confidence motion was validly passed is upheld and you have passed the constitutional deadline for elections. So now you have a successful decision, it would mean in this probabilistic scenario that the Court of Appeal was wrong and you should have had elections then by March 21 so what happens then in that scenar-

73-year-old swims Berbice River

A

73-year-old man on Monday swam across the Berbice River. The swim was to raise funds for free classes for children in East Canje, Berbice.

Ashraf Ali called “Conqueror”, a pastor, had previously swum the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers. Monday’s adventure is the third time he swam the Berbice River.

Ali, who grew up in East Canje, but now resides in the US, has been trying to assist children to receive a better education and as such free lessons are being offered to students of that community.

Recently, computers were given to several students in East Canje to assist them with homework.

Monday’s swim took him just under three hours. He was hoping to complete it in less than half that time. He went out in the river alone, without any lifeguard.

After two hours, the Coast Guard was called in after he was not seen.

Many worried supporters had their eyes affixed on the river when suddenly, Ali appeared walking from the road.

He said he did not expect

Ashraf Ali also known as the “Conqueror”

the river to be that rough, noting that the last time he swam the Berbice River, it took him 45 minutes.

“Then it was easy but this time I was not given the correct information about the tide. So it took me a longer time to reach across. I had to fight the waves in order to get across and then I walked in the mud and raised my hands but it was so far nobody could have seen me and then I set out to come back and the waves were rougher and higher,” Ali said after completing the feat.

He left from the New Amsterdam Ferry Stelling and went to the Blairmont

Ashraf Ali at the beginning of his adventure on Monday

Stelling hoping to return to the point of origin.

“I was in line with the New Amsterdam Stelling coming back but then the current washed me that side and I ended up under the Berbice River Bridge.” That location was about one and a half miles from where the former teacher had intended to hit the shore in New Amsterdam.

Police officers at the Berbice Bridge checkpoint saw Ali as he went ashore and were able to arrange a ride to get him to the New Amsterdam Ferry Stelling where supporters were waiting.

“I know I had people worried. I am sorry for that but I was aiming to do this without any safety. I am sorry that they got worried but the same thing happened when I did the Demerara River back and forth. After I passed halfway they couldn’t see me and then they were on the road but there were bushes between the river and the road, so they couldn’t see me for four hours and then I ended up seven miles away.”

The former Berbice High School student told this publication he will do the swim again if required as part of a project for his old school.

In September 2016, Ali swam the Essequibo River and at that time had said he had now conquered - having already swum the Berbice and Demerara Rivers twice - the Corentyne and Canje Rivers along with a swim for hours into the Atlantic.

He said he wants to swim in the Pacific Ocean in California where he is hoping to get the opportunity to swim alongside a shark while wearing no protective gear.

GCCI President Nicholas Boyer

io? Because I don’t have an answer for it”.

Boyer reminded that a recent survey conducted by the Chamber found that the political climate has been bad for business.

The new President also made reference to the Members of Parliament who have dual citizenship, who should be replaced according to Opposition Parliamentarian Juan Edghill.

“I am concerned that if the Opposition starts to raise arguments and does whatever they need to do to try and get the dual citizens out of Parliament that puts

us back into a state of uncertainty so my core (concern) here is anything that puts me in a state of uncertainty where I can’t plan easily,” he posited.

Meanwhile, former President of the Chamber, Deodat Indar, who will serve as a past president on the Board, informed that the business community has written to both President Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on the political status of the country.

Indar explained that the letter sought to inform the two leaders that the Chambers is ready to lend support in whatever way it can to improve the current situation, as the main objective is for businesses to have a stable operating environment.

Moments after the Court of Appeal handed down its ruling that on Friday that an absolute majority of 34 votes was needed to carry the motion of no-confidence against the Government, the Opposition said it will be taking the matter up to the CCJ. The case is expected to be filed in the CCJ later this week.

Following its passage in the National Assembly,

Government had subsequently asked the House to reverse the passage of the motion, but its Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, had declined the request. As such, Government moved to the High Court to challenge the validity of the motion, saying that a 34 majority is needed for it to be successfully passed.

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

This, however, was appealed

by Attorney General Basil Williams.

While Justice Rishi Persaud on Friday dismissed the appeal and conferred with the ruling of the High Court, his colleague appellate judges allowed the State’s appeal. Both Justices Yonette CummingsEdwards and Dawn Gregory opined that while 33 is the majority of the 65-member National Assembly, the successful passage of a no-confidence motion requires an “absolute majority” of 34, and not the “simple” majority of 33 that has been used to pass ordinary business in the House.

8 News

tuesday, MARCH 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Outing turns deadly

Body of missing man found at Splashmin’s Resort T

he body of 25-year-old Dinesh Ramdas, of Lot A Coghlan Street, West Bank Demerara (WBD), was recovered on Monday morning after he drowned at the Splashmin’s Resort on Sunday.

Guyana News understands that the discovery was made by relatives of the deceased and employees of the Resort. When this publication visited the dead man’s family on Monday, they were in a state of shock.

His mother, Shelly Ann Ramdas told this newspaper that her eldest child and a few of his friends were at a creek outside the Splashmin’s Resort on Sunday. She related that they were playing a game when the ball disappeared over a fence that leads to the private resort. The grieving mother said that her son went to retrieve the ball, but went underwater and never resurfaced. After some time, his friends noticed that he had not re-

Dead: Dinesh Ramdas

turned and began a search.

The woman said that upon learning of the incident, she, along with other family members, visited the Timehri Police Station about 18:00h and reported the matter.

“We hearing all different things. They said he and the friends went playing cricket and he went for the ball…

After, we leave and go up there, but when we reach, the Police was already com-

ing out with his friends, so we had to go and let them take the statements,” Ramdas’s mother explained.

They were then advised by ranks to check the Resort but while employees were willing to assist, the facility’s management was reportedly uncooperative.

“We went back to Splashmin’s to see if anybody can help we find his body. It had an individual there and he was willing to go if they give us a boat.

When we go to them, they said no, that they can’t do that. They don’t have no lifeguard or security on standby if something happening in the water,” she stated.

Ramdas’s mother also related that her son knew how to swim, making it difficult to understand how he drowned. “The same spot that he go down, that’s the same spot that they find him,” she said.

The 25-year-old was the eldest of three siblings.

An investigation was launched into the matter.

Over the years, many persons have lost their lives at resorts along the LindenSoesdyke Highway during outings and other activities.

Less than a year ago, the body of 18-year-old Ronaldo Gomes of Lot 8 Norton Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, was recovered from the Splashmin’s Resort, after he was believed to have drowned.

The teenager went to the creek with his cousin, a bus owner who was hired to transport some persons to the private resort. As the group was getting ready to leave, persons realised Gomes was missing.

Upon searching and making enquiries, they were informed that the water became rough as the teen was swimming and he ventured out to the deep end. The cousin reportedly said that the teen went beyond the barricade ropes and was allegedly hit by a jet-ski.

His body was found floating with injuries to the face.

Man jailed for killing drinking buddy

T

hree years after 27-year-old Ravindra Paremdass was sentenced to 57 years’ imprisonment by Justice Navindra Singh for the killing of a drinking buddy, that sentence was reduced following a retrial that was ordered by the Appeal Court.

In 2016, a 12-member jury unanimous returned a guilty verdict, hence the sentence was given by the learned judge. However,

in January 2019, the retrial commenced at the High Court before Justice James Bovell-Drakes where the accused chose to enter a guilty plea after confessing to the 2012 murder.

Before his sentencing on Monday, Paremdass was remorseful and apologised to the court and the family of the deceased. He also begged for leniency in the handing down of the sentence.

Paremdass was ac-

cused of killing Roopram Jagdeo, called “Lil Baby” and “Rabbit” between December 20 and 21, 2012, at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Back in 2016, Paremdass’s lawyer, Sanjeev Datadin had appealed the court’s decision on the grounds that Justice Singh failed to adequately put his client’s defence of self-defence to the jury for consideration.

On these grounds, the

Court of Appeal set aside the conviction and jail sentence and ordered that the accused face another trial.

The facts of the matter outlined that the two men were involved in a heated argument over a bicycle and as tension unfolded, Paremdass allegedly dealt Jagdeo several blows to the head with a piece of wood.

In the second trial, the State was represented by Tamieka Clarke.

Duo remanded for stealing bicycle

T

wenty-eight-year-old Wayne Blair of First Avenue, Bartica, and 25-year-old Ezra Evans, of Lot 57 West Front Road, Georgetown were hauled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday after they were

charged jointly for robbery.

It is alleged that the duo robbed James Walter of his bicycle and cash totalling $20,000 on March 21 at Evans Street, Charlestown, Georgetown while they were armed with a knife.

They both denied the charge

when it was read to them by Senior Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus on Monday.

The prosecution is contending that the men were apprehended by public-spirited persons and handed over to the Police after they committed the crime. Bail

was opposed on the grounds of the prevalence of the offence and the fact that one of the accused was previously charged with a matter of similar matter. The duo was remanded and the case was scheduled to continue on April 8, 2019.

Convicted felon remanded for armed robbery

M

agistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus on Monday remanded a known convict to prison when he appeared before her to answer to two counts of armed robbery.

Twenty-year-old Adam Mohammed of Independence Boulevard, Georgetown, denied the charges when they were read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The prosecution’s case stated that the mason relieved Talmattie Persaud of items valued $36,000 while he was armed with a gun and in company of others on March 1, 2019 at East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown.

In addition, the father of one was accused of robbing Andre Gordon of his passport valued $5000 while he was in the vicinity of Trench Road, Albouystown,

Georgetown on August 28, 2018. At the time, he was also armed with a firearm.

Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the offence and the penalty it attracted, adding that a gun was used during the commissioning of both robberies.

Further, the court heard that Mohammed provided Police with incorrect addresses.

The prosecution is contending that if bail is granted to the defendant, the possibility exists that he may not return to court.

The prosecution’s submissions were upheld by Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus who remanded Mohammed to prison. The case will continue on April 8, 2019.

Mohammed was previously convicted on an armed robbery charge.

Crossing…

S

…the constitutional line till can’t get over the decision by the two Appellate Court Justices on that NCM. One friend pointed out that there is such a thing as “judge made law”; so while the Justices might’ve stretched things a bit, it’s within their remit to do so.

But what he ignored was this was not just any old law -- like manslaughter vs murder -- that the Judges could extend from what their predecessors had ruled (stare decisis) by INSERTING A NEW WORD INTO THE CONSTITUTION to change the import of the original clause!!

This is just not done!! The Constitution is a fundamental document that gives legitimacy to our entire state and its institutions. Now, we know circumstances change, and the Constitution must change to deal with those exigencies, but the Constitution itself has AMENDMENT procedures to deal with that need. Judges can’t just wake up one day and decide to alter the Constitution on their own.

Our Constitution, for instance, has Art 164, which deals with the procedures for amending any or all of its contents; and in fact distinguishes the word “majority”, in front of which the Appellate Court arbitrarily inserted the word “absolute” to rule that 33 was not the majority in our Assembly with 65 seats! It stipulates that most Articles of the Constitution can be changed by “a majority of all the elected members of the Assembly”; other enumerated ones need 2/3 of all elected members’ approval; while the remaining few need a referendum, in which a majority of the voters agree.

The use of the word “majority” to involve “all the elected members of the Assembly” -- also used in Art 106 (6) under consideration -- can be juxtaposed with its use in Art 168 (1), where it stipulates: “questions proposed for decision in the National Assembly shall be determined by a majority of the members present and voting.”

In her High Court decision, Justice George alluded to the first usage as what some may call an “absolute”, and the second as a “simple”, majority; but went on to caution that what was needed to be interpreted was as USED in the Constitution in Art 106 (6).

There was no need for the two Appellate Judges to interpolate the word “absolute”, and justify it as being needed because of the IMPORTANT implications of Art 106 (6). The Constitution ALREADY acknowledged its importance by explicitly insisting that “ALL” members -- not just those present -- be counted!! The interpolation appears anomalous, making it difficult not to question the rationale offered.

When Judges extend legal precepts, they must at least SEEM sound, just and correct.

The Judicial insertion of “absolute” fails this test. …the GECOM line This Friday, we’ll get the CCJ decision on President Granger’s unilateral appointment of James Patterson as GECOM Chair. While the lower courts in Guyana had said it was okay, it’ll be hard for our apex court to deny that the INTENT of the framers of the Constitutional Art 161 (2) -- that the Chair should be from a list of 6, by the Opposition Leader, not unacceptable to the President – wasn’t to have some sort of agreement on the Chair, who’d have the CASTING vote.

If there needed to be any proof of why any unilateral appointment of the GECOM Chair was not in the best interest of the country, it was offered by the subsequent action of Patterson, to collude with Granger to delay elections and vitiate the NCM. Their decision might offer some clue as to where their collective heads may be with the just filed PPP’s Appellate Ct appeal.

Meanwhile, Patterson and crew are plowing ahead with house-to-house registration. They’re convinced the CCJ will rule for the Govt!!

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

News

9

tuesday, MARCH 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Molasses shortage points to negative impacts of downsizing sugar – former Minister – says effect devastating to small farmers too negative impacts of downsizing and closure of sugar.

Because of the pressure of meeting contractual obligations to the European Union (EU), the dramatic reduction in sugar production is now causing pressure on

decide not to.

“It is what will make the resuscitation if Wales is so difficult? In the case of Wales, it will not be simple to reopen it, as they has promised. Wales will likely be starting all over. I be-

Wales Sugar Estate

By Samuel Sukhnandan

R

ecent reports that there is a shortage of molasses in the country as pointed out by Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) which said that it had to import 14,000 tonnes of molasses last year for its rum operations, points to a shortfall in the sugar industry.

This is according to former Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy who told Guyana Times on Monday that the admission by DDL that they imported molasses at a significant cost is not surprising. Rather, he said it confirms the Opposition’s

production of molasses is increasing the cost in the livestock industry. “This latter impact is devastating to small farmers,” he told this newspaper.

The former Minister noted too that the downsizing has led to an almost instant death of the fledgeling molasses bottling initiative started in 2013. He recalled that there was a growing market for bottled molasses and Guyana not only started to make bottled molasses available in Guyana, but the country had started to export to New York.

He said, “The downsizing made this aspect of the diversification of sugar prod-

The Rose Hall Estate

warning that the closure of sugar estates will have costs way beyond the temporary subsidy Government was making to the industry.

“Unfortunately, the costly import of molasses is only one of the incalculable loss Guyana is experiencing from the downsizing of sugar.

Further, the increased cost to DDL means Guyana suffers from reduced tax generation and an increased deficit in the international trade balance because our export is reduced and our import continue to increase,” he explained.

The former Minister said when import increases it places undue pressure on the foreign currency dependency. “Because DDL must spend foreign currency for import, they compete on local market for foreign currency, driving cost of foreign currency up. This means that the foreign currency shortage is further amplified and the foreign currency exchange moved upwards.”

But DDL is not the only business affected. Dr Ramsammy noted that molasses is extensively used in stock feed and the reduced

ucts come to a screeching halt. Very importantly, the downsizing also stopped perhaps the biggest initiative in diversification of sugar products – the ethanol production. The prototype plant was established in Albion and was designed to use molasses for production of ethanol”.

This plant, he said, has been abandoned and he believes that the closure of the prototype ethanol plant was due to the pressure of molasses scarcity that forced companies like DDL to import molasses. “Of significance, this is just one of the

Former Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy

The Enmore factory

sugar availability.”

Increased cost

Dr Ramsammy said Guyana is beginning to see the increased cost for one pound of sugar in local supermarkets and groceries stores. “This will only get worse but represents the tip of the iceberg. Local manufacturers are complaining of the availability of sugar from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo),” he told Guyana Times.

According to him, when one takes these significant impacts in the downsizing of sugar and add to the cost of drainage and irrigation for residents and farmers in the closed estates, the cost to Guyana is far more costly and excessive than a temporary subsidy to GuySuCo. “This does not even take into consideration the massive cost for unemployment of more than 7000 sugar workers and the loss of an additional 4000 jobs related to sugar in the closed estates. If the downsizing has such huge impact on a large company like DDL, imagine what is happening to small entrepreneurs and to the livestock farmers.”

Another important lesson the former Minister said he hopes the Government can digest is the report that DDL considered bidding for the Enmore factory and estate but because they have dismantled large parts of the factory and scavenged so much from Enmore, the capital investment will be too high and that is why they

lieve that A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) are ensuring that the closed es-

tates cannot be easily restarted and that the close of the rest becomes the goal,” he added.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has said that the downsizing of sugar has had a negative impact on com-

munities countrywide, but more particularly, those located in the major sugar belts. Aside from that, not only has it added pressure on families and households, but production has fallen significantly and so has exports.

10 news

tuesday, MARCH 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GECOM should prepare for elections despite court ruling – PPP Commissioner …says house-to-house registration still unnecessary

T

hree days after the Court of Appeal announced its ruling on the no-confidence cases, People’s Progressive Party (PPP)-nominated Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner Robeson Benn believes that GECOM should still prepare for elections.

He told Guyana Times on Monday that while the matter has not yet been discussed following last Friday’s ruling, GECOM should be ready regardless of the next outcome. Benn notes that the Commission has the responsibility as laid out in the Constitution to be prepared in 90 days for any election and it ought to ensure that happens.

“Personally, I am not of the opinion that house-tohouse registration is necessary at this time and, at any event, based on the Constitution, GECOM has

PPP-appointed GECOM Commissioner Robeson Benn

to be ready for elections within a 90-day period,” he said, pointing out that this especially applied given the possibility of changes to the ruling.

Benn said he could not say definitely whether the issue would be placed on the agenda of the next statutory meeting; however, he planned to raise it. “We may

have to raise it for it to be noticed and recorded in the minutes. But as of this moment, I cannot say what will happen. And I maintain that house-to-house registration wouldn’t be necessary.”

Statutory meeting

On the other hand, GECOM Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward told

this newspaper on Monday that the Commission has not met since the Court of Appeal ruling, but noted that the regular statutory meeting would be held Tuesday (today). “So any discussion as it relates to elections preparation will have to be done at the level of the Commission tomorrow.”

Besides that, GECOM has already commenced rolling out its 2019 work programme which essentially is house-to-house registration as of last weekend. Ward said training in that regard has commenced and any discussions on advancing preparations for elections would have to be done at the level of the Commission when they meet today.

On Friday, March 22, in a 2:1 split decision, the Court of Appeal ruled that a majority of 34 votes would have been needed to validly pass the no-confidence motion brought against the Government last year. The ruling means that the motion was not validly passed, and hence the coalition Administration was not toppled as a result of the events that occurred. The judgement has since been highly criticised, since the Judges inserted the word “absolute” into the constitutional provision regarding the majority.

In December 2018, af-

GECOM headquarters

ter the vote was taken and passed, Government had subsequently asked the House to reverse the passage of the motion, but its Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, had declined the request and had advised that the court be approached. As such, Government had gone to the High Court to challenge the validity of the motion, saying that a 34-vote majority was needed for it to be successfully passed.

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George had, in January, upheld the December 21, 2018 passage of the no-confidence motion, ruling that in Guyana’s 65-member National Assembly a majority is 33. This, however, was appealed by Attorney General Basil Williams.

While Justice Rishi Persaud on Friday dismissed the appeal and concurred with the ruling of the High Court, his colleague appellate Judges allowed the State’s appeal. Both

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

Two days before the court ruling, President David Granger had written Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo through Minister of State, Joseph Harmon to inform him that he would be announcing a date soon for General and Regional Elections.

His letter came just after GECOM had recently made a decision to delay elections by some eight months by pushing for house-tohouse registration. Prior to the ruling, GECOM had ignored the constitutional requirement to have elections within three months of the passage of a no-confidence motion.

Linden man remanded on armed robbery charge

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Block 22, Wismar, Linden man was on Monday remanded to prison by Magistrate Wanda Fortune on a charge

of armed robbery.

It is alleged that Devon Campbell of Lot 245 Block 22, while being armed with a gun on October 18, 2018,

Devon Campbell

robbed Virtual Complainant (VC) Leroy Nedd of a quantity of items including a silver ring.

The incident is alleged to have occurred at Half Mile, Wismar. The prosecution is maintaining that Nedd was positively identified by the VC as one of the persons who robbed him on October 18, 2018. However, the defendant during his sworn statement in court maintained that he was not in Linden at the time. According to the prosecution, the defendant remained silent when the charge was read to him during his arrest by Police last November.

Campbell was remanded to prison until March 29, 2019 when he is expected to call two witnesses in his defence.

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tuesday, MARCH 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Misuse/abuse of OTC drugs Deaths of 3 children prevalent in Guyana – CMO GPHC awaiting Medical Council’s ...Public Health Ministry finding it “tough” to monitor situation

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he prevalence of misuse of Over the Counter (OTC) drugs continues to affect the services being provided at regional hospitals and health facilities mainly because persons are using them as a practice of self-medication – more often than not exacerbating their health conditions.

This is according to Guyana’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud, who told Guyana Times on Monday that while self-medication is a “no-no”, a number of persons who simply purchase OTC drugs end up using medications that do not treat their conditions; in fact, the wrong medicinal drugs lead to them developing additional symptoms/illnesses.

“The Ministry of Public Health provides licences for two categories; the first being for pharmacies and it is mandatory that a pharmacist always be on duty, while the second category is for patent shops. There is a separate permit here and they are limited to what they sell. However, some of them actually sell prescription drugs and, therefore, it becomes harder for us to monitor, quite tough for us to do so,” Dr Persaud said.

Guyana’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud

Dr Persaud explained that due to the fact that some patent shops are selling medicinal drugs for which they are not allowed, they do not need to be provided with a prescription from a patient/ customers, and this results in strong medication being misused and even damaging someone’s health.

To make the situation worse, there are some folks who are friends with pharmacists and even doctors whom they approach for prescriptions without actually being tested to determine if those medications are what they actually need, he explained.

In such cases, some individuals can have aller-

gic reactions to ingredients in those drugs and this, in turn, can result in the loss of lives, the CMO elaborated.

OTC drugs are medications available without a prescription at drugstores or supermarkets and are typically safe if used at recommended doses. However, like illegal and prescription drugs, they can also be abused. Although less potent than other substances, OTC drugs still pose a risk for developing an addiction.

Abusing OTC drugs can lead to health problems including memory loss, kidney failure, heart problems and death. OTC drugs have various medical uses and effects, from treating mild pain to motion sickness.

Some abuse OTC drugs to self-medicate for mental illnesses like anxiety and depression. Abusing these medications can also give users a euphoric “high” or hallucinations. Any use outside of what is recommended is considered abuse.

Some commonly abused OTC medications include: cough medicines (Dextromethorphan, or DXM), cold medicines (Pseudoephedrine), and motion sickness pills (Dimenhydrinate). (Kristen Macklingam)

decision before taking further action

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he three medical practitioners who were held responsible for the deaths of three juvenile leukaemia patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GHPC) earlier this year are still on administrative leave as the institution awaits word from the Guyana Medical Council.

When contacted on Monday, a senior official at the GHPC said that the matter “is now in the hands of the Guyana Medical Council, and until a decision is made at that level, then the GPHC will take necessary action.”

The official noted that the three staff held responsible for not following protocols when administrating the pre-chemotherapy treatment are still receiving their salaries in full until further notice.

The doctors in question had administered the drugs incorrectly in that instead of intrathecal administration of the drug vincristine, they administered it intravenously. It was this that led to the adverse reactions of the three children and ultimately their

10 students to benefit from ICT internship

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en students will be selected over the course of the next two weeks to join internship programmes with local companies to develop their Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills.

Public Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes on Monday commenced the initiative by visiting the first of five junior secondary schools, Carmel Secondary School.

During her interaction with students, Minister Hughes explained that there are many potentials and job opportunities which will emerge in the future from ICT. Turn to page 12

Three-year-old Roshini Seegobin and six-year-old Sharezer Mendonca

deaths.

Chairperson of the Board of Directors at the GPHC, Kesaundra Alves at a press conference earlier this month, had told the media that an internal investigation by the hospital’s administration into the circumstances surrounding the treatment of the three leukaemia patients and their subsequent adverse reactions has revealed that human deficiencies and systemic challenges contributed to the demise of those three children.

She stated that an inde-

pendent investigation by the Public Health Ministry was also launched and findings were similar to those of the GPHC’s; non-adherence to the hospital’s protocols led to the three young children succumbing at the GPHC. Alves said that the GPHC would have shortly commenced the process of initiating action following the findings of these two reports.

However, the GPHC is not the body that will determine the final outcome of those staff that were being investigated.

Administrative leave

Some of the students who participated in the discussions

“That matter is not within our hands. Contractually, we can determine who works at

GPHC but who is licensed to practice medicine in Guyana is a matter for the Medical Council of Guyana to handle.

So we went as far as we could, sending them on admin leave pending a review of reports by the Board of Directors of the GPHC. As I said, this report came into our possession this week and the Board hasn’t, the Chairman has not had the chance to review it,” Alves had told the media at that press conference.

CEO of the GPHC, Brigadier George Lewis had also stated that with regard to the three medical staff involved in the incidents, their administrative leave commenced on January 29, 2019, and they would remain on administrative leave pending further review of the report and possible disciplinary actions if necessary.

The first child who died was seven-year-old Curwayne Edwards on January 14, followed by three-year-old Roshini Seegobin of Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on January 18.

The third child, six-yearold Sharezer Mendonca of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, died on January 24.

Mendonca’s body was given to the wrong family for burial in what was alleged to have been an attempt to cover up her true cause of death.

Parents and other activists have been calling for the suspension of medical licences from those doctors responsible for the deaths of children.

(Kristen Macklingam)

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tuesday, MARCH 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana has technical training NDC moving to have operators gaps to fill – CTVET Director Excavation of Boerasirie Dam

prosecuted – Chairman …operation ceased

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few weeks after persons were excavating the Boeraserie Dam, West Coast Demerara, without permission, the presiding Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) has stated that it is pressing to have these persons prosecuted.

Chairman of the Tuschen-Uitvlugt NDC, Vishal Ambedkar told Guyana Times on Monday that after much persistence and engagement with officers of the Leonora Police Station, the persons have ceased the illegal excavation.

A meeting was also scheduled between the Regional Executive Officer of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), where the matter was highlighted. The REO claimed that she would have engaged the persons, putting a stop to the issue.

For now, the Chairman stated that he is certain that the police will be able to take actions against those who were responsible.

“We had a meeting with the Regional Executive Officer and she said that she had met with the individual and she asked them to stop.

At our level, we informed the REO that we were still of the opinion [that they] acted without the consent of the NDC as such, we made a report to the police and we’re hoping that the officers do their job and take the relevant actions. The police are doing their work and we were told that the police are aware of the circumstances,” said the Chairman.

One of the machines used to excavate the area

This publication had reported that some men started excavating the dirt from the dam and were retailing it to interested persons, while some were also dumped at a nearby open space.

This situation, if continued, could gravely affect persons during the high tide, given the fact that there is no structure to stop water from entering during high tides. The dam has been lowered significantly and any high tide in the future will result in mass flooding along several communities.

“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 Kindren and Zeelugt,” said one of the councillors from the NDC. “The residents and fishermen is calling for some-

...says OHS has hundreds of skills, Guyana teaching only 17

thing 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 is also aware of this,” she explained.

Ambedkar previously stated that efforts were made to stop the said persons on multiple occasions but the machinery would be turned off when officials arrive at the location. Adding to that, the work is being carried out primarily on the weekend since the Council functions only on weekdays.

This is seen as a method to evade the Council from addressing the situation.

At that time, the police were alerted of the matter and efforts were made to contact the Regional Executive Officer, who was unavailable.

uyana has some way to go when it comes to its technical vocational training, a point emphasised on Saturday during an oil and gas forum when a Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) official revealed how behind other countries Guyana really is.

According to CTVET Director Floyd Scott, one of several presenters at the forum in Albouystown, Guyana is missing hundreds of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) skills from its technical and vocational curriculums.

“There is currently in the region of Occupational Health and Safety standards, 250 skills.

In Guyana, within our TVET institutions, we only have 17 occupational skills being taught. So if there is a need for a skill outside of that 17, the foreigners will come.”

Scott also revealed that during a recent meeting of the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT), he learned that they were now issuing skilled certificates to categories of workers.

“The agriculture workers, security workers and domestic household… What was interesting is that what the skilled certificates mean, it’s a work permit to travel throughout the Caricom region. Guyanese cannot get it…because that certification is not afforded in Guyana.”

“With oil and gas, you will see tourism. You will see a lot of hotels. You will

CTVET Head Floyd Scott

see the need for people to be daycare workers. And the foreigners aren’t going to come and ask you to work for them because you look good. They want to know you are capable of doing the job.”

Local content and what it will do for Guyana has been a burning question since the announcement of oil in the Stabroek Block.

After Exxon first tempered expectations by saying that few job opportunities will be created by oil, it has since said that it will help with local content delivery.

One measure it has taken is to set up a Centre for Local Business Development (CLBD). A prevailing complaint has been that Guyanese are losing out to foreigners when it comes to local content, especially as the Local Content Policy is still to be in effect.

However, there have been steps taken to beef up Guyana’s capacity to train students in techni-

cal and vocational skills.

Last year, an agreement was signed between the Education Ministry and the Organisation of American States (OAS).

This signing ceremony was attended by a representative from the OAS, Jean Ricot Dormeus; Education Minister Nicolette Henry; Assistant Chief Education Officer Patrick Chenadu; Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, Vibert Welch; and the Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Foreign Affairs, Vanessa Dickenson.

Ricot Dormeus, in remarks, stated that along with this agreement, Guyana has also benefited from a scholarship programme established by the OAS to boost technical and vocational training in secondary and post-secondary institutions.

“It comes under the umbrella of quality, inclusive, equitable education promoted by the Development Corporation Fund managed by the OAS,” Dormeus said.

Implementation of this programme will assist in the production of skilled individuals — a necessity in today’s society – and further enhance the sustainable development factor.

“Our people need good jobs and good technical [and] vocational education.

They will be able to secure good jobs and even set up a business of their own in the future so that the [country improves and the economy grows],” Dormeus had added.

10 students to benefit...

She stated that many youths have been brought up in a technologically advanced world, where it is easier to access information.

Persons have also leapt one step further by developing apps and websites for local businesses to promote their products and reach a wider spectrum.

“Young people of today are naturally inclined to technology…Because you find using technology so easy, I want you to think about going into a career and making a living from the same technology… If you students have access to the internet, you have an opportunity to make sure that you can be the best and do anything that you want to do,” Hughes said to the students.

Stakeholders from the Education Ministry are also engaged in this partnership, but most importantly, the local ICT companies. Some of them were present during the discussion and attested that knowledge about technology can extend beyond

the formal education setting.

One student from each of the five schools will be selected to participate in a paid internship at five Guyanese companies. They will also be joined by five participants from the Ministry’s 2018 “Guyanese Girls Code” training programme. The 10 IT interns will be expected to grab the opportunity to learn from professionals in the field.

According to Hughes, all students will be given access to Information Technology (IT) labs in schools, since the advantages extend to all areas of their education. So far, 174 ICT hubs were established across the country in remote and urban regions.

“By 2025, 75 per cent of the jobs in the world are going to require some skills in using the computer, the tablet, knowing the internet [and] how to navigate it. What we’re trying to do is open your minds to all the possibilities,” the Minister related.

From page 11

As part of the ICT Access and e-Services for Hinterland, Poor and Remote Communities project, 20 out of 200 listed communities are soon to benefit.

Funded by the United Nations Development Programme, some US$608,000 has been expended so far for assessments which will see the completion of hubs across 20 communities.

This is deemed as a pilot project which will determine how the other 180 projects are executed. According to officials, these internet hotspots should be ready for commissioning by June 2019.

Through satellites, a four megabytes per second bandwidth will be used to in areas such Apoteri, Monkey Mountain, Kako, Shulinab, Kaikan, Surama, Jawalla, Phillipai, Paruima, Isseneru, Kangaruma, Tasserene, Kurukubaru, Toka, Maruranau, Karaudanau, Kimbia, Wiruni, Aranaputa and Rewa.

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PAHO calls for hefty taxes Options being explored to find on fatty, salty, sugary foods housing for Venezuelan migrants

PAHO specialist in the Health System Services, Paul Edwards

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iven that Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) is one of the main causes of death among Guyanese, specialists at the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) believe that Guyana should implement heavy taxes on unhealthy foods in a bid to reduce the high yearly deaths caused by hypertension and diabetes among others.

Specialist in the Health System Services, Paul Edwards told workshop participants on Monday at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown, that the Government should move towards implementing such taxes in a bid to motivate locals to eat healthier.

He explained that Guyana has adapted to a lifestyle of using too many unhealthy foods in their diet.

Edwards argued, “Guyana is not immune to the effects of globalisation as western lifestyles have infiltrated our culture causing unhealthy modifications to our diet. We now consume more foods high in trans fats and salts, sit in front of the television, or computer for hours at a time, in addition to having a higher per capita of alcohol consumption than most of our Caribbean and Latin American counterparts”.

It is against this backdrop that he called for new measures to be implemented. “Best buys are cost-effective interventions that are feasible to be implemented even in low resource settings have been identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for prevention and control of Cardiovascular Diseases”.

Along with increasing taxes on unhealthy foods, the PAHO representative said that healthy meals should also be provided for school children, as this plays a vital role on the children’s ability to learn and function well.

While listing a few examples of the measures which can be introduced, he outlined, “Comprehensive tobacco control policy, taxation to reduce intake of foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt, building walking and cycle paths to increase physical activity, strategies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol and provid-

ing healthy school meals for children”.

Edwards was at the time sharing remarks at the event geared at tackling the scourge on behalf of the PAHO/WHO representative to Guyana, William AduKrow.

He further shared some global statistics to support his argument. According to him, CVDs happen to fall under the list of the most popular ways to die globally.

In fact, some 17.9 million people died from CVDs in 2016, representing 31 per cent of all global deaths. The specialist further shared that 85 per cent of those deaths were caused by heart attack and stroke while three-quarters of those deaths occurred in low and middle-income countries.

The PAHO representative stressed that this phenomenon in such countries is supported by the fact that integrated primary healthcare programmes are not available for early detection and treatment when compared to individuals who live in high-income coun-

tries.

“Those persons living in low and middle-income countries suffer from CVDs and other non-communicable diseases have less access to effective and equitable healthcare services which respond to their needs,” he pointed out.

As a result of this hurdle, many persons end up dying young, Edwards stated.

On that note, he reminded that in Guyana the leading causes of death are heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), stroke, diabetes and cancer – illnesses that are all related.

The two-day workshop being hosted at the Marriott Hotel will see doctors from all 10 Administrative Regions joining forces to deal with the CVD’s which plague locals.

Facilitating the sessions which wind down today is Dr Kenneth Connel from Barbados who shared some of the popular barriers to controlling one’s blood pressure, often referred to as BP. These include limited access and poor adherence to treatment by patients and lack of adequate time with patients, by doctors.

Just last year it was revealed by Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence that Cardiovascular Diseases account for some 32 per cent of deaths in Guyana.

She highlighted that this arises from the fact that Guyanese tend to pay very little attention to their symptoms and other health-related issues.

Currently, health and well-being is third on the list of developing sustainable development goals.

Some of the Venezuelan migrants living in Guyana

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ollowing the arrival of 140 Venezuelan migrants in Georgetown last Wednesday, the Department of Citizenship in collaboration with its international partners and other Governmental agencies has been working diligently to provide the migrants with temporary accommodation, meals, medical and other services.

According to the Public Information and Press Service Unit at the Ministry of the Presidency, the majority of those who were being housed at Eve Leary has since been released into the care of their relatives.

Presently, arrangements are being made to find housing for 45 persons, including 34 males and 11 females, who do not have any family connections on the coast.

Additionally, housing arrangements are still being worked out for the 26 persons squatting along the Non Pariel foreshore.

Meanwhile, in an effort to protect the migrants from possible exploitation, the Immigration Department

has established a protocol to vet persons claiming to be family members.

At Monday’s meeting of the National Multi-Sectoral Coordinating Committee, Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix informed that a special committee is being set up to explore the option of transforming the Papaya Centre, located in BarimaWaini, Region One, into a facility for migrants; noting that “the greater the inflow of migrants, the more pressed we will be to find space”.

Additionally, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) will be seeking permission from the relevant authorities to renovate an abandoned hostel at Kumaka, Region One, to house migrants, particularly since this is a region where the inflow is greater.

The Committee was also informed that a primary school is being constructed at Eteringbang, which will accommodate about 60 migrant children. As a result of the influx of Venezuelans,

the regional health and education systems have been spread very thinly to cater to the needs of migrants.

Based on recent reports, there has been an addition of 50 students at Paruima in Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Region Seven. Taking into account the vast increases in the school system, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is working with the Education Ministry to roll out a project that will see Guyanese teachers being trained to teach English as a second language to Spanishspeaking students.

Technology is also being heavily relied upon to better manage the influx of migrants. In fact, the IOM has informed that a mobile application called “MIGAP” will be launched to make more accessible; all pertinent information regarding migrant support services that are available in Guyana.

To date, there are 5863 documented Venezuelan migrants in Guyana.

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tuesday, MARCH 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Death in Police lock-ups

Sister sues Govt for $50M over brother’s wrongful death

Dead: 39-year-old Kallicharan Sawak

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he sister of Kallicharan Sawak, the man who lost his life while in Police custody earlier this year, is suing the State for over $50 million for the alleged unlawful death in her capacity as representative of his estate.

According to the court documents seen by this publication, Shivani Sawak is claiming damages in excess of $10 million for the death and personal injuries sustained by her brother while in Police custody at the Sparendaam Police Station between January 17 and 21, 2019.

Sawak, who was granted a court order by the Chief Justice on March 14 making her the estate’s representative, also wants damages in excess of $10 million for the negligence of the Guyana Police Force, as well as another $10 million plus judgement for damages for the breach of the Force’s statutory duties under the Police Act. Sawak also wants damages “in excess of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) for the Guyana Police

Shivani Sawak

Force’s violation of the deceased fundamental right not to be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading punishment as guaranteed in Article 141 in the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana”.

In addition, she is seeking exemplary damages in excess of $10 million, as well as interest and costs and any related orders the judge grants. Representing her in the matter is former Attorney General Anil Nandlall.

Nightmare at a station

Sawak was reportedly found in an unconscious state in the Sparendaam Police Station lockups on January 21, hours after he was arrested for disorderly behaviour. A distraught and tearful mother, Ramdai Sawak, had told this newspaper that she was hoping that a thorough investigation into her son’s death can be conducted.

She explained that her son was intoxicated one evening when he started to misbehave and even broke a window in her home when

she became scared and called the police. Sawak said that Police from Beterverwagting arrived at her home shortly after she called and took him over to the Sparendam Police Station where he was placed in a cell with others.

The woman said that her daughter took food for him at the station on Sunday and she was not allowed to see him. The mother said that her daughter was told to leave the food because it was too early and they would give him the food.

It was the following Monday that they showed up at the Court where the now dead man was expected to be. When she did not notice her son, Sawak said she inquired from a magistrate who directed her to a police officer.

It was here she was told that her son was hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital in a critical condition. Shocked, the woman said she rushed down to the hospital where she saw her son in a miserable state.

“We go to the hospital and he bleeding from his eye and his head and not talking and he eye closed,” she recalled.

Sawak said she was shocked to see her son, who was a welder, in that state and tried to find out what happened from the police at the Beterverwagting Station. She said she was told, “He de behaving bad and they put he in a lock-up by heself and he de butting he head”.

The mother has long contended that her son is not mad and would never have done such a thing. She is,

Sparendaam Police Station

therefore, calling for an impartial investigation to be done. She had said, “I don’t

think he would hit he head like that but God knows.

Only God knows because

when he go to the hospital he couldn’t ah talk or open his eye”.

T&T gangster son killed in botched robbery

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llan “AJ” Martin, the son of slain gangster Allan “Scanny” Martin, was shot dead by an off-duty police officer during an attempted robbery in Chaguanas on Sunday.

Police said Martin, 20, was linked to the Unruly Isis gang of Enterprise and has a criminal record.

Police suspected that Martin, along with two accomplices, attempted to rob the off-duty officer and his 25-year-old girlfriend outside his home.

The incident occurred just under two years after police killed Martin’s cousin, Jelani Sajjad Martin.

Following Jelani’s death, several officers from the Chaguanas Police Station revealed that they feared for their lives as well as their families’ as they received death threats.

In July 2017, Jelani, 24, a member of the Unruly Isis gang, was shot dead by police along the Caroni Savannah Road. Central Division police were patrolling the area when Martin allegedly shot at them. They returned fire, hitting him several times. He was taken to the Chaguanas District

Allan “AJ” Martin

Health Facility where he died. Witnesses claimed that Jelani had no gun and police murdered him.

Reports indicated that around 12.15 am, the officer had just parked his SUV in front of his home in Enterprise and opened the gate. His girlfriend was sitting in the passenger’s seat.

As he re-entered the vehicle to park it in the yard, he noticed through the rearview mirror a SUV pull up behind.

Two masked men exited while the driver remained in the vehicle. Police said the off-duty officer shot at

Martin as he opened the passenger’s door. Martin was wearing a mask and gloves and was armed with a gun, the police report stated.

Police said there was a gunfight and the officer fired several shots at the suspects who ran off along Amow Street.

Central Division police responded and found Martin bleeding in a track nearby with a mask and glove next to him. He was taken to the Chaguanas District Health Facility where he died.

The driver, a 20-yearold man from Railway Road, Enterprise, was arrested. The SUV was impounded at the Chaguanas Police Station. Officers found a false registration plate covering the original. The third suspect, who was believed to have been injured, escaped and a manhunt was launched for his arrest.

Investigators said that the officer, in protecting himself and his girlfriend, fired 21 shots.

Investigators did not recover Martin’s gun at the scene due to the terrain and poor lighting.

Scanny, 42, was one of 12 men charged for the murder of Xtra Foods CEO Vindra Naipaul-Coolman, who was abducted from her home in Lange Park, Chaguanas, in December 2006. Although a ransom was paid by her family, she was not released and her body was never found.

In July 2015, Scanny became infamous when he, along co-accused Christopher “Monster” Selby and Hassan Atwell shot their way out of the Port-ofSpain Prison. In their getaway, they murdered PC Sherman Maynard and injured a prison officer. But Scanny’s freedom was shortlived as he killed during a shootout with police at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. (T&T Guardian)

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tuesday, MARCH 26, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GAICO Construction Inc maintains Agriculture programme being resuscitated in Region 10 schools highest standards through training and recertification T he Agriculture Department within Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) has commenced its scheduled activities for 2019 with a major focus on the resuscitation of agriculture in schools and communities across the region. This was outlined by Regional Agriculture Officer, Deryck Collins who pointed to the two-phase programme, which he explained will focus on the re-establishment of agriculture in secondary schools and community agriculture development.

“We’re re-establishing agriculture in the secondary schools and we’re looking at pushing agriculture production in the community,” Collins recently told members of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

He further outlined plans to construct shade houses in several secondary schools along with the provision of necessary farming materials, adding that the process of purchasing seeds, seedlings and materials for

shade houses has already started.

“We’re looking at the target of 20 shade houses across the region. So far the estimate-based budget allocation is about sixteen and we’re working to meet that twenty target...we’ve met with the schools so the process has been initiated...”

Collins said.

He further noted that some schools have expressed an interest in poultry and fish rearing as he explained that the Department will try to fulfil a promise of providing assistance. Collins said the Department is also trying to eliminate bottom house slaughtering and has hosted training in this regard in collaboration with the Public Health Ministry’s Veterinary Unit, Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies.

The initiative, he stated, saw forty-five farmers participating.

The Department is also slated to conduct training on sweet pepper agronomy

to assist farmers within the region. Collins noted that there are currently farmers in Region 10 engaged in a sweet pepper project with the National Agriculture and Research Institute (NAREI) and this would be of great benefit.

Awareness on poultry rearing is also in the pipeline since, according to Collins, farmers have complained of heavy poultry mortality.

“What we find is that a lot of persons rear both layers and meat birds but do not take into consideration the disease that attack these birds and a lot of persons are crying out for heavy mortality,” he said.

Monthly agricultural training and exchange visits until December and visits to the Berbice, Demerara and Upper Essequibo Rivers every quarter are also on the agenda according to the Agriculture Officer. He noted that this is in an effort to extend the agriculture programme throughout the region in an effort for it to become self-sufficient. The activities of the programme were fully endorsed by RDC Councillors.

GAICO Construction is firmly committed to creating a safe work environment for all of its employees and stakeholders

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AICO Construction continues its effort to develop and build local capacity. Over the past two weeks, GAICO Construction has conducted a series of training for its employees, who are now certified to operate cranes, forklifts, excavators, and other specialised equipment.

GAICO Construction is firmly committed to creating a safe work environment for all of its employees and stakeholders, the company noted in a press release. It also undertook the

initiative for all heavy-duty equipment to be re-certified, meeting the highest standards necessary for safe operation.

GAICO Construction Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Komal Singh is encouraging all companies and individuals to get their staff, equipment and company certified. He advises that operators and businesses in the sector should not only meet the demands of the oil and gas industry, but should also build the capacity of their employees.

The 100-percent Guyanese-owned company plans to conduct continuous training for all employees to ensure they have the requisite competence.

GAICO Construction is also a leading Private Sector organisation, celebrating over 25 years of business in Guyana. It specialises in civil works, marine, laboratory testing, manufacturing, and oil spill response services – currently the only company in Guyana offering oil spill response services.

Privy Council rules in favour of Jamaicans Scammer sent phony bills to Facebook, Google for Justice …companies paid out US$122 million

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he London-based Privy Council on Monday upheld an appeal by the human rights group, Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), challenging the decision of the Police Service Commission (PSC) to promote a former police officer despite allegations of his involvement in extra-judicial killings.

In its ruling, the Privy Council, the island's highest court, acknowledged however that the ruling was “academic” since Senior Superintendent Delory Hewitt has since retired.

The PSC had promoted Hewitt from superintendent to Senior Superintendent in 2011 and the JFJ had asked that the PSC should have made it a duty to ensure that allegations of extrajudicial killings against such an officer are fully and independently investigated before accepting a recommendation that he be promoted.

The PSC had sought a review of the allegations from the Commissioner of Police, who forwarded a brief report prepared by the Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) of the Jamaican Constabulary Force (JCF).

But the PSC did not send

the report to JFJ and later issued a claim for judicial review, seeking to quash the PSC's decision to recommend Supt Hewitt for promotion and to require it to conduct an effective and impartial investigation into the allegations of misconduct against him.

Before the Court of Appeal the focus had shifted to requiring the PSC to cause such an investigation to be undertaken by INDECOM, the independent complaints commission set up under the Commission of Investigations Act 2010. The claims failed in the courts below.

Lady Hale, who read the ruling of the Privy Council, noted that the purpose of setting up the PSC under section 129 of the Constitution of Jamaica is to insulate the JCF from political influence.

She said when recommending officers for promotion, the PSC is governed by the Police Service Regulations 1961, which allow the PSC to consult with any public officer it considers proper and desirable and require the attendance of witnesses or production of documents. (CMC)

Lithuanian man pleaded guilty to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and money-laundering charges last week after admitting to bilking US$99 million from Facebook and US$23 million from Google by sending the companies bogus invoices that they honored and paid out.

Evaldas Rimasauskas’ scam was brazen. He spoofed emails from executives at the companies and sent “forged invoices, contracts, and letters that falsely appeared to have been executed and signed by executives and agents of the Victim Companies.

These "bore false corporate stamps embossed with the Victim Companies’ names, to be submitted to banks in support of the large

A Police Officer escorts suspected Lithuanian hacker Evaldas Rimasauskas to Vilnius District court in Vilnius, Lithuania

volume of funds that were fraudulently transmitted via wire transfer,” according to the indictment.

Rimasauskas operated his big-time con from 2013 to 2015.

According to court docu-

ments, no one at Facebook or Google checked to see if the invoices and purchase orders Rimasauskas sent were legitimate.

Rimasauskas got away with it for so long by making an LLC in Latvia that had the

same name as Chinese computer manufacturer Quanta Computer Inc. As part of his plea deal, Rimasauskas will hand over US$50 million. He is also known to have laundered money in Cyprus, Lithuania, Hungary, Slovakia, and Latvia. He will be sentenced over the summer and faces up to 30 years.

“As Evaldas Rimasauskas admitted today, he devised a blatant scheme to fleece U.S. companies out of over US$100 million, and then siphoned those funds to bank accounts around the globe,” Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman wrote in a Justice Department press release containing the unsealed indictment from March 21, 2017. (Nydailynews.com)

British Airways flight mistakenly lands in Scotland instead of Germany

P

assengers on a British Airways flight from London’s City Airport to Dusseldorf in Germany were met with a surprise Monday morning when their plane touched down -- in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh.

The error was down to an incorrectly filed flight plan, leading both the pilot and cabin crew to believe the flight was bound for Edinburgh.

After landing in Edinburgh, the plane took off a second time for Dusseldorf.

Piotr Pomienski, a student at Imperial College London, told CNN his girl-

friend Zsófia Szabó was on the plane that landed in Edinburgh by mistake. “I saw on Flightradar that the flight was flying north instead of south, but I assumed it was a system error of some sort. That is until she wrote to me that they’re in Edinburgh.”

Szabó told CNN she realized something wasn’t right when she saw mountains outside the plane, instead of the “usual German industrial landscape.”

“When we started descending and I saw some taller hills/mountains, I did think that this isn’t how Eastern Netherlands/

Western Germany should look like but I assumed we took some small detour,” she said. “Then my colleague sitting across the aisle from me told me to check Google Maps -- and it showed us being around Carlisle.”

“The information then spread around quite quickly. Everyone started asking everyone else where they were going -- everyone was for Dusseldorf.”

“When we landed there was a bit of a hilarious moment when the flight attendant asked for a show of hands for the people going to Dusseldorf, which turned out to be everyone,” she said.

The captain subsequently apologized to the passengers, telling them the plane would refuel before heading to Germany.

“Most of us found this situation quite funny,” Szabó said. “People were on phone calls trying to convince everyone that they’ve arrived in the wrong city.”

Another passenger on the flight, Son Tran, told CNN: “Most passengers sleep or work through this flight so no one really noticed we were not flying over the Channel. We only realized we are in Scotland once we descended on approach and asked the crew.” (CNN)

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Regional

Russian planes land in Venezuela for military cooperation – officials

An airplane with the Russian flag is seen at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas, Venezuela (Reuters/Carlos Jasso)

T

wo Russian military aircraft landed at Venezuela’s main airport over the weekend reportedly carrying dozens of troops and bringing an influx of equipment to help prop up the embattled Maduro regime.

The aircrafts arrived in Caracas as part of ongoing military cooperation between the two allies that will involve equipment maintenance, training, and strategy, a Venezuelan official, speaking on condition of anonymity told the Associated Press.

Flightradar24, a flight-tracking site, showed the flight path Saturday

of what is listed as a Russian air force plane flying across the Caribbean. The Ilyushin IL-62 passenger jet had flown from Moscow via Syria, where Russia supports President Bashar Assad.

Venezuelan journalist Javier Mayorca tweeted on Saturday that the first plane also carried Vasily Tonkoshkurov, chief of staff of the ground forces. He added that a Russian cargo plane had 35 tons of materials aboard, Reuters reported.

The cargo plane left Caracas on Sunday afternoon, according to Adsbexchange, another flight-tracking

site.

The arrival of the planes comes three months after the two nations held joint military exercises.

In December, the Kremlin sent two Tu-160 strategic bombers to Venezuela for several days in a demonstration of support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has rejected demands from the opposition and the United States and dozens of other countries that he resign.

Meanwhile, Russia has long been an ally of the socialist nation, lending it billions of dollars and backing its oil industry and military.

In the months after the US -backed opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president in January, Russia has vocally opposed the Trump administration’s sanctions against Venezuela.

Maduro has condemned the moves by the US, accusing Trump and Guaido of trying to mount a coup against him.

Last week, US and Russian officials met in Rome to discuss Venezuela but remained split on how to resolve the crisis.

Russia says it is concerned that the US is considering military intervention in Venezuela. The US says it is focusing on economic and diplomatic efforts to oust Maduro, though President Trump has said “all options are on the table.” (Fox News)

St Vincent man who drove body of murder victim in car for hours jailed

A

High Court judge has sentenced a 41-yearold man, whom a psychiatrist said suffers from chronic psychotic disorder, to 24 years in jail after he was convicted of the 2008 murder of a 73-year-old woman, whose body he kept in a car for several hours before burying it in a cemetery.

“The victim did nothing to provoke this prisoner. The attack was violent.

Even as she lay bleeding on the ground, he administered the coup de grace,” Justice Brain Cottle said as he sentenced Junior Quashie.

The accused who had pleaded guilty on February, 14, this year to the murder of retired librarian, Lorna Allen-Small, had spent nearly 11 years on remand awaiting trial.

The Court heard that in April 2008, Allen-Small, who lived alone, drove her car to Indian Bay and sat in the car reading a book for a while before coming out of the vehicle. Quashie, who was nearby, decided to rob the elderly woman of the car, approached her and demanded the keys.

When she refused and

tried to get back into the car, Quashie slammed the door on her hand, breaking it.

He then cut her on the neck and later entered the vehicle where he retrieved a bucket and some plastic sheeting, which he used to wrap the woman’s body and placed it in the back of the car. He then drove around for several hours before burying the body.

When he was questioned by police, Quashie provided them with the keys to the vehicle.

Asked if he had anything to say before being sentenced, Quashie told the Court that had he finished his education “I wouldn’t have looked like a fool, the court wouldn’t have made me look like a fool. “My thought is that you would be mindful and thoughtful and have mercy or leniency on me. Because, ahhhh — that’s all I have to say.”

Justice Cottle said that while the death penalty is still an option for murder, that option had been closed to the Court because the law says that capital punishment is reserved for the worst of the worst cases.

(Excerpted from CMC)

Prince Charles and Camilla make Kidnapped T&T men history in Cuba beaten with cutlass, iron for hours

Prince Charles met boxers training at a gym in Old Havana

T

he Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have made history by becoming the first members of the royal family to visit Cuba in an

official capacity.

Prince Charles and Camilla’s trip is being seen as an attempt to help form closer ties between the UK and Cuba, which were foes

during the Cold War. The couple attended a wreath-laying ceremony for Cuba’s national hero, the essayist and poet Jose Marti.

They are due to join the country’s president for an official dinner.

Later this week they will be joined by Commonwealth minister Lord Ahmad, who is flying to the country to represent the UK government.

His presence is an indication of how important Downing Street views the four-day Cuban visit and its potential to develop new avenues with a country that has already begun the process of opening up economically and socially.

After the couple stepped on to Cuban soil from the UK ministerial jet RAF Voyager on Sunday, there were brief handshakes from Cuban officials before they were taken to the wreath-laying ceremony. (BBC)

T&T issues health warning for US chicken products

T

he Ministry of Health has announced a nationwide recall of Tyson Chicken Strip products with a Best-If-Used-By-Date of November 30 because they may be contaminated with pieces of metal.

In a release on Saturday, officials said the directive had been issued by Tyson Foods Inc. in conjunction with the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service-to recall approximately 69,000 pounds of

frozen, ready-to-eat chicken strip products with the establishment number P-7221 on the back of the package.

Wholesalers were advised to voluntarily recall this product with immediate effect. (T&T Guardian)

The three men: Aaron Roopnarine, Sunil Roopnarine and Shazam Hosein

T

he three men released by kidnappers on Monday, after being taken from a mini-mart in Freeport on Sunday, were badly beaten for hours in a forest.

Brothers Aaron Roopnarine, 20, and Sunil Roopnarine, 24, and Shazam Hosein, 30, were dropped off in front of Aaron’s Calcutta #1 apartment shortly after 11 am today and were taken to the Freeport Health Centre where they are now being attended to by doctors.

In an interview at the health centre today, Hosein said the men were taken to a forest and beaten with pieces of iron and a cutlass.

Hosein, whose arm was in a cast, said the men repeatedly asked “Where is

the money?” but the three had no idea what they were talking about.

“I don’t know what money they were talking about.

I would never steal money from anybody. It can’t be us.

It has to be somebody else they mistook us for.”

Hosein feared the men would kill them.

On Sunday evening the men were at the mini-mart when a van and car pulled up and two men, claiming to be police took them into the vehicles. The kidnappers then drove off.

Up to this morning police were still questioning several people.

Relatives said they are still in shock and could not understand why anyone would want to hurt the men.

(Newsday)

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, MARCH 26, 2019

17

Around the World

Israel bombs Gaza, positions troops Brexit: Not enough support for Brexit deal after rocket attack near Tel Aviv

I

srael launched air strikes in the Gaza Strip and deployed extra troops to the border on Monday, promising a strong response to the longest-range Palestinian rocket attack to cause casualties in years.

Seven Israelis were wounded near Tel Aviv by the morning rocket attack.

The Gaza Health Ministry said five Palestinians were wounded by the initial wave of retaliatory strikes.

The office of Islamist movement Hamas’s leader Ismail Haniyeh was one of the initial targets hit, although he was likely to have been evacuated in advance.

The escalation appeared to be the biggest in at least four months, and potential-

Flame and smoke are seen during an Israeli air strike in Gaza City March 25, 2019 (REUTERS/Mohammed Ajour)

ly one of the biggest since Israel last went to war against Hamas five years ago.

It comes just two weeks before an election in which

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting for his political life after a decade in power, campaigning on a tough line against Palestinian militants. Beset

by corruption scandals, he faces a strong challenge from a centrist coalition led by a top general.

Netanyahu cut short a visit to the United States, saying he would fly home right after meeting President Donald Trump.

Israel has waged three wars on Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007. Israeli air strikes in retaliation for rockets from Gaza are a frequent occurrence, but Israel’s swift mobilisation of extra troops to the border area was unusual.

The two sides have managed to avert all-out war for five years, most recently with the help of Egyptian mediation after a major escalation in November last year. (Excerpt from Reuters)

India’s Opposition Congress promises dole for poorest families ahead of election

T

he main opposition Congress party will give 72,000 rupees (US$1045) to each of India’s poorest families every year if voted back to power, its chief said on Monday, launching what he called a “final assault on poverty”.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi, facing a tough opponent in Prime Minister Narendra Modi in general elections set for April and May, told reporters the programme would benefit 250 million of a population of 1.3 billion.

Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dismissed Gandhi’s announcement as a poll gimmick lacking details.

Any family earning

Rahul Gandhi, President of India’s main opposition Congress party, addresses his party’s supporters during a public meeting in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India, March 12, 2019 (REUTERS/Amit Dave/File Photo)

less than 12,000 rupees a month would receive 6000 rupees every month in its bank account, said Praveen Chakravarty, the head of Congress’s data analytics department.

The party would look to

roll out the programme nationwide within two years, and target paying the amount into the account of the family’s senior woman member, he added.

Chakravarty declined to say if the scheme would

fold in existing subsidies, but said State and Federal Government have sufficient resources to fund it without widening the fiscal deficit.

The number of Indians below the poverty line had fallen to about 65 million, or 5 per cent of the population, from 22 per cent in 2011, the BJP said on social network Twitter after Gandhi’s news conference.

In recent weeks, Congress has pivoted its election campaign back to economic issues as polls showed the BJP had gained an early advantage after hostilities last month that brought nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan to the brink of another war.

F

(US$33.94 billion).

France’s Fives and China National Building Materials Group signed a 1 billion euro deal to cooperate on energy savings in developing countries.

Shipping line CMA CGM and China State Shipbuilding Corporation signed a 1.2 billion euro deal to build 10 container ships.

CMA CGM, which is based in the southern French port city of Marseille, said the or-

der comprised five vessels powered by liquefied natural gas and five to be fitted with so-called scrubbers to reduce emissions.

CMA CGM had ordered in 2017 nine LNG-fuelled ships from China State Shipbuilding Corporation in what was the first such deal for large box-ships using LNG. In agriculture, France and China struck an agreement to lift an embargo on French poultry exports.

The accord, which set out terms for exports of frozen French chicken exports, would end an embargo imposed by China following bird flu outbreaks in France.

The move comes after last year’s agreement between the countries to end a ban on French beef exports to China, an embargo that dated back to a bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, crisis in Europe two decades ago. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Ebola cases in DR Congo exceed 1000

T

he number of people known to have contracted Ebola in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has exceeded 1000, making the current outbreak the second largest ever recorded, aid workers said.

More than 629 people have died since last August. New cases have increased sharply over the past week, with 58 new cases reported - the highest number in a week in 2019.

A leading aid group, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), said DR Congo had reached a “tragic milestone”.

“We are already almost seven months into this outbreak and at this stage we should be seeing the case rate declining, not on the rise,” it said.

“With an optimistic outlook this outbreak is predicted to last another six months - but realistically we could

T

heresa May said she does not have enough support to win a vote on her EU withdrawal deal “as things stand”.

She said she would continue trying to get MPs to back it before putting it to the Commons for a third time this week.

The PM will also order Tory MPs to vote against a bid by a group of MPs, headed by Tory Sir Oliver Letwin, to hold votes on alternatives to her plan.

The Government would give MPs time to hold such votes, but May said she was “sceptical” about the process.

She said the Government would not commit to delivering the outcome of the votes but would “engage constructively” with MPs. DUP Leader Arlene Foster told the Prime Minister her party had not changed its position and would not be backing her

deal, in a telephone call after Monday’s Cabinet meeting.

The Prime Minister said the “default outcome” remained leaving the EU without a deal.

“But the bottom line remains: if the House does not approve the withdrawal agreement this week and is not prepared to countenance leaving without a deal, we would have to seek a longer extension.”

She also confirmed that on Wednesday, the Government will seek to change the UK’s March 29 departure date through a piece of secondary legislation, which will make 11:00h on April 12 the earliest Brexit date.

But she warned MPs that even if they voted against the change, it would still happen because it was contained in a piece of international law. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Trump’s support for Israeli Golan Heights draws global anger

(Excerpt from Reuters)

France, China sign 15 commercial deals, including with Airbus, EDF rance signed 15 business contracts with China worth billions of euros on Monday, including a 300-plane order with Airbus and a 1 billion euro contract for EDF to build an offshore wind farm in China, the French presidency said.

The order from China for Airbus planes was the most lucrative of the deals unveiled in Paris, with a French presidency official saying it was worth about 30 billion euros

vote yet, says PM

be looking towards another year of fighting this disease,” the IRC added.

Insecurity and mistrust have hampered the work of health workers.

Several treatment facilities have been attacked and infectious patients have been let out.

There are concerns that some people are staying away from treatment centres, making it difficult to prevent further spread of the disease. (Excerpt from BBC News)

President Donald Trump signed a proclamation recognising Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights

U

S President Donald Trump has recognised the disputed Golan Heights as Israeli territory in an election boost for visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, drawing a sharp response from Syria, which once held the strategic land.

With Netanyahu looking over his shoulder at the White House, Trump signed a proclamation officially granting United States recognition of the occupied Golan as Israeli territory - a dramatic shift from decades of US policy.

Syria reacted swiftly to Trump’s proclamation, calling it a “blatant attack” on its sovereignty and territorial integrity and saying it had a right to reclaim the Golan.

The Syrian Foreign Minister said the United States’ recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights will lead to its isolation.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Gaza-

based resistance faction Hamas both slammed the decision.

Meanwhile, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, Ismail Haniya said the Golan Heights would “forever remain an integral part of Syria”.

A UN Security Council resolution adopted unanimously by the 15-member body in 1981 declared that Israel’s “decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights is null and void and without international legal effect”. It also demanded Israel rescind its decision.

Qatar’s Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement rejecting the US move and saying the Golan Heights are occupied Arab land.

NATO ally Turkey termed the US recognition unacceptable and said it would take action against it, including at the UN, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

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tuesday, March 26, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

dilbert

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

Look at every angle of a financial deal or joint venture before you decide to engage. False pretenses, flattery and similar means of persuasion should be warning signs.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Show everyone what you are capable of doing. Talking is not the same as taking action. If you believe in your abilities, show everyone what you have to offer.

CANCER

Don’t be shy; step into the limelight and strut your stuff. Your engaging intellect, excellent memory and way with words will lead to popularity and interesting offers.

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — DISCUSSION

Average mark 15 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 20 or more words in DISCUSSION? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — EXCRESCENT enter entree erect erne ester excrete exert exsert extern cense censer cent

center crescent crest recent rent resect resent reset rest scene scent scree

screen secern secret secrete sect seen seer sent sere serene sneer steer

stere stern nest nester next teen tense tenser tern terse tree

Make better choices when it comes to money, partnerships and your health. Don’t follow the crowd or take unnecessary risks. Work at your own speed and explore what truly interests you.

Keep your life simple, straightforward and doable.

Make changes that will enhance your mind, body and soul. Pour your energy into achieving your goals and making a difference.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Taking a day trip or having a heart-to-heart discussion will be eye-opening. Mull over what you discover and make adjustments to your life that will give you freedom and peace of mind.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Fixing up your place will give you the push you need to enjoy spending more time at home with good friends and loved ones. Incorporate changes that make your life simpler.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Don’t let your emotions run wild and your gullibility lead to costly mistakes. Dig deep, get the facts and make wise choices. Don’t let emotions interfere with common sense.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

A positive change at home will encourage you to make personal physical changes as well. Take better care of your health and emotional well-being. Change begins within.

SUDOKU

(DISCUSSION: dih-SKUSH-en: Consideration of a subject by a group.)

Take better care of your health and emotional well-being. Make positive changes that will encourage proper diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

Make a promise to a loved one.

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Take pride in what you do. Don’t get involved in an impossible pursuit just because someone is putting pressure on you. Explore your interests, not someone else’s.

Make clear choices based on truth and facts. Know what you are capable of and walk away from situations that could damage your status, position or reputation.

tuesday, MARCH 26, 2019

19

Ashwin’s mankad sparks dramatic Royals collapse

K

ings XI had never beaten Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur. But R Ashwin, at the toss, said this team didn’t carry “excess baggage” like that and they showed it. With the bat they overcame a slow start thanks to Chris Gayle’s 79 off 47, and with the ball they weathered a Jos Buttler onslaught, with Ashwin himself running the batsman out when he was out of his crease at the non-strikers’ end.

At the time, Royals were 108 for 1. Then they lost eight wickets for 62 runs, going from outright favourites to downright fumblers.

Gayle was 14 off 18 at the end of seven overs.

And that’s credit to the Royals. They started with Dhawal Kulkarni, who has dismissed the West Indian three times in 31 deliveries in the IPL. Then came offspinner K Gowtham possibly because Chris Gayle Gayle has a strikerate of 1 1 5 against them in this

tournament. And finally Jofra Archer, whose extra pace and skill at hitting a hard length (not short enough to cut nor full enough to drive) continued to keep the boss quiet.

All of that changed in the 12th over when Gayle walloped Jaydev Unadkat for four successive boundaries.

And there’s a reason why he was able to do so. Each ball gave the batsman loads of width to pounce on. And when he fell for 79 off 47 balls, there was a telling break-up based on the line where the ball arrived to him: down leg 2 off 10, on the stumps: 13 off 1 0 ,

outside off 64

off 27 Even when Gayle was at the crease, the highest score that Kings XI might reach, according to ESPNcricinfo’s Forecaster, was 180.

They ended up with 184 thanks to a superb cameo from Sarfaraz Khan.

The 21-year old may well have ended up with this team because they wanted to address the weakness that cost

them a playoff spot in 2018 a middle order that couldn’t match up to the openers and on Monday, with an array of the most audacious scoop shots, he showed he is up to the challenge. he finished unbeaten on 46 off 29, including smacking Ben Stokes over midwicket off the last ball of the innings.

Buttler bash “The idea of peaking isn’t really an idea that sits naturally in my mindset,” Buttler told reporters prior to his departure to India. “Sometimes you hear people talking about going to another level. Why can’t you just stay at peak level?”

Based on his last seven IPL scores - 67, 51, 82, 95*, 94*, 39 and now 69 - the answer to that question is a loud Y-E-S. He has a fantastic eye. He’s strong driving down the ground. And he also scoops short balls regardless of their line over the keeper. All that meant the Kings XI bowlers just didn’t know where to bowl to him. With him 43 off 22 and Royals on 64 for 0 at the end of the

Powerplay, Forecaster them winning at 72.4%

had

The gamechanger R Ashwin was about to bowl the last ball of his spell and Buttler was at the non-strikers’, backing up. The offspinner saw it, turned around and calmly broke the stumps. The event sparked visibly heated exchanges between the two players, and prompted outrage , but it was, technically, within the laws of the game.

Buttler was out of his crease before the bowler had delivered - which

Jos Butler

3

SCOREBOARD

Kings XI Punjab Innings (20 overs maximum) KL Rahul c †Buttler b Kulkarni 4 CH Gayle c Tripathi b Stokes 79 MA Agarwal c Kulkarni b Gowtham 22 SN Khan not out 46 N Pooran † c Rahane b Stokes 12 Mandeep Singh not out 5 Extras 16 (b 4, lb 4, w 8) TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 9.2) 1844 Did not bat: SM Curran, R Ashwin (c), Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AS Rajpoot Fall of wickets: 1-4 (KL Rahul, 0.4 ov), 2-60 (MA Agarwal, 8.5 ov), 3-144 (CH Gayle, 15.5 ov), 4-167 (N Pooran, 19.1 ov) BOWLING DS Kulkarni (4-0-30-1) K Gowtham (4-0-32-1) JC Archer (4-0-17-0) BA Stokes (4-0-48-2) JD Unadkat (3-0-44-0) S Gopal (1-0-5-0) Rajasthan Royals Innings (target: 185 runs from 20 overs) AM Rahane (c) b Ashwin 27 has happened before - and like then he was made to pay with his wicket. Meanwhile, Royals’ win probability dropped from 50% to 36% - all during the course of the six balls of the 13th over.

Tye gone, Curran on Andrew Tye was the highest wicket-taker in IPL 2018, but he was still in Australia and unavailable for this game.

JC Buttler † run out (Ashwin) 69 SV Samson c Ashwin b Curran 30 SPD Smith c Rahul b Curran 20 BA Stokes c sub (KK Nair) b Rahman 6 RA Tripathi c Rahul b Rahman 1 K Gowtham c Mohammed Shami b Rajpoot 3 JC Archer run out (†Pooran/ Shami) 2 JD Unadkat c & b Rajpoot 1 S Gopal not out 1 DS Kulkarni not out 5 Extras 5 (lb 1, nb 2, w 2) TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 8.5) 1709 Fall of wickets: 1-78 (AM Rahane, 8.1 ov), 2-108 (JC Buttler, 12.5 ov), 3-148 (SPD Smith, 16.4 ov), 4-150 (SV Samson, 16.6 ov), 5-157 (BA Stokes, 17.3 ov), 6-158 (RA Tripathi, 17.6 ov), 7-163 (JC Archer, 18.5 ov), 8-164 (JD Unadkat, 19.1 ov), 9-164 (K Gowtham, 19.2 ov) BOWLING SM Curran (4-0-52-2) M Rahman (4-0-31-2) M Shami (4-0-33-0) R Ashwin (4-0-20-1) AS Rajpoot (4-0-33-2) So on came Sam Curran, who was bought for over a million dollars at the auction, and was walloped for seven boundaries in his first 12 balls. With Royals needing 39 off 24 balls, the England allrounder came back for his final over, dismissed the returning Steven Smith and Shane Warner’s tip for MVP of the IPL Sanju Samson and virtually sealed the game.

(ESPNcricinfo)

Delhi Capitals host Chennai Super Kings today A fter registering a thumping win over Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals are set to host Chennai Super Kings at the Feroz Shah Kotla for another intriguing contest in the Indian Premier League. Delhi Capitals will look to carry on their winning form while the visitors will try to defend their title successfully in this campaign. Both the teams won their opening match, and we can expect another thrilling contest between the two sides.

With Ricky Ponting and Sourav Ganguly at the helm, Delhi Capitals looks a different unit in the blue outfit. The hosts must be beaming with confidence after thrashing Mumbai Indians by 37 runs in the opening match. Rishabh Pant played a sensational knock of 78(27) in Wankhede Stadium to register a massive total of 213 runs on the board. Shikhar Dhawan played an anchor role throughout his innings with rest of the players playing as a floater around him. Delhi’s batting prowess can lead them to their first IPL glory this year.

Chennai Super Kings started their campaign in flying colours when they battered Royal Challengers Bangalore in the inaugural match of IPL 2019. MS Dhoni is well on course to lead his regime to another IPL title if his team performs in such dominating fashion. The reigning champions spun a web to bundle the RCB players out for just 70 runs on the board. The spinners played their part as they took eight wickets in total to pile up RCB’s misery. With match winners like Shane Watson, Suresh Raina and Dwayne Bravo in their ranks, CSK would be eyeing to keep their juggernaut rolling heading into the fifth fixture of the IPL 2019.

Match time is 10:30 am. (Sportskeeda)

20

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Schultz hits last-minute winner as Germany beat Netherlands N

etherlands coach Ronald Koeman says he following their agonising loss against Germany, regrets not making a late defensive switch who have only played once. after Germany scored a last-minute winner Germany are looking to herald in a new era in their Euro 2020 Group C qualifying game in after a shock group-stage exit at the 2018 World Amsterdam.

Cup, dispensing with the services of experienced Nico Schulz’s goal ensured Joachim Low’s side Bayern Munich trio Thomas Muller, Jerome gained revenge over their hosts, who had scored Boateng and Mats Hummels earlier this month. two late goals against Germany in November to They were booed off by their own fans after reach the Nations League finals.

Wednesday’s 1-1 friendly draw against Serbia in “I wanted to bring in Nathan Ake for Quincy Wolfsburg and it was looking like being another Promes to get the point. Maybe I should have poor result, but Schulz’s goal gave them just their done that,” Koeman told Dutch broadcaster NOS. second victory in their past eight competitive “We got chances for 3-2 and when you are on games. the field, you can feel that 3-2 is in it. In the final They were much the better team in the first phase, the last two to three minutes, Germany half, scoring twice including ex-Arsenal winger became more dangerous.”

Gnabry’s sublime strike, and Manchester City’s Like in last year’s Nations League contest, the Sane and defender Thilo Kehrer saw efforts well Dutch again recovered from a two-goal deficit. saved by Jasper Cillessen.

Leroy Sane confidently slotted in the opener The Netherlands have struggled in recent following Matthijs de Ligt’s slip and Serge Gnabry years, failing to qualify for Euro 2016 and last curled in a superb second to put the visitors in the summer’s World Cup, and have improved since Nico Schulz watches his shot go past Jasper Cillessen for Germany’s winner against the Netherlands the appointment of ex-Southampton and Everton ascendency.

De Ligt’s header and Memphis Depay’s drilled boss Koeman, but this was a setback.

Northern Ireland top Group C after beating Belarus 2-1 at effort in the second period drew the Dutch level Fulham winger Ryan Babel should have scored Windsor Park to add to their 2-0 win over Estonia in their opening in the opening period but was twice denied by Manuel Neuer and but midfielder Schulz stroked in late on.

“What pleases me is that the team never lost the belief that they qualifier. despite getting back into the game, they were unable to hold on.

Koeman’s side, who have also played twice, drop to third place (BBC Sport) could win the game, and in the end we got our reward,” Low said.

“I thought we were men of integrity” – Cameron

F

Former CWI boss Dave Cameron (left) and challenger Ricky Skerritt ahead of the organisation’s elections

ormer president of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Wycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron has expressed disappointment with the outcome of the organization’s elections, which saw Ricky Skerritt installed as new head of the organization on Sunday.

Ahead of the election, the 47-year-old Cameron, a three-term incumbent, was confident he had at least secured six votes heading into the association’s decisive vote.

His prediction would at the very least have secured a tie and a second round of voting. At the end of Sunday’s count, however, Cameron lost by an 8-4 margin.

Although the final vote if yet to be confirmed, initial reports suggest Skerritt won the election after securing support from Trinidad and Tobago, Leeward Islands, Windward Islands and Cameron’s home nation of Jamaica. Cameron is believed to have secured support from Guyana and Barbados. Although the incumbent would not have been counting on the support

of his home nation, it was previously announced that he had secured the support of the previously mentioned teams.

“I trusted the process. I thought that we were men of integrity and I banked on that,” Cameron said.

“From where I am standing, I am very disappointed that men gave me their word and then went a different way, but that’s elections all around and I think we have a lot to be proud of,” he added.

Despite being deposed, Cameron insisted was he proud of his accomplishments and excited about the future of West Indies cricket, should it maintain its current trajectory. He believes a need for more autonomy may have contributed to the result.

“The views expressed seemed to suggest that everyone wanted to do their own thing.

My own view is we have a strategic plan and a board of directors and we have decided in a particular direction that everyone can’t go off and do their own thing.” ( Sportsmax)

Miami Open 2019…

Mick Schumacher to make Formula Federer beats Krajinovic 1 test debut for Ferrari in April

M

ick Schumacher, son of seven-time champion Michael, will make his Formula 1 test debut for Ferrari on

2 April.

The 20-year-old German, who signed up to the Ferrari driver academy over the winter, will drive for Ferrari in Bahrain on one day and the affiliated Alfa Romeo team the next.

Ferrari would not immediately confirm the test but BBC Sport has verified it independently.

Schumacher will make his Formula 2 series debut this weekend in Bahrain.

Michael Schumacher won five of his record-breaking tally of world titles for

Ferrari, and the vast majority of his all-time record 91 Grand Prix victories.

The 50-year-old, who retired from F1 for a second time at the end of 2012, has not been seen in public since suffering severe brain injuries in a skiing accident in December 2013.

His family has declined to reveal details of his condition, saying they believe he would prefer it to remain confidential.

(BBC Sport)

to reach 4th round

Roger Federer

R Mick Schumacher

oger Federer reached the Miami Open fourth round with a straightset win over world number 103 Filip Krajinovic.

The Swiss, who is bidding for a fourth title in Miami, beat Serbia’s Krajinovic 7-5 6-3.

Federer converted just two of eight break points in the opening set but became more accurate as the match progressed, finishing with 35 winners to 23 unforced errors.

He will face either American Reilly Opelka or Russian Daniil Medvedev next.

Federer hit 14 aces against Krajinovic and won 74% of first-serve points.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion has won 14 and lost two matches on the ATP Tour this season.

Earlier, Australian world number 77 Jordan Thompson beat Bulgarian 29th seed Grigor Dimitrov 7-5 7-5 to reach the fourth round.

South Africa’s Kevin Anderson continued his return from an arm injury with a 6-4 7-6 (8-6) win over Joao Sousa of Portugal.

(BBC Sport)

sports

21

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sixth goal of CNLQ to make it 1-0 to Haiti in the 26th minute, but Cuba responded in the 61st minute through Luis Paradela.

Just when it looked like things would end in a draw, Kevin LaFrance scored in the 87th minute to give Haiti the three points and first-place finish in the table.

The night ended with a thrilling finish that saw Nicaragua punch the last Gold Cup ticket with a 1-0 win over Barbados, courtesy of a Juan Barrera goal in the 65th minute.

The 2019 Gold Cup will be the biggest-ever edition of the event, with more participating nations (16, up from 12 in 2017), and more host countries (three, including first-time matches in Costa Rica and a yet-to-be-named Caribbean nation).

Meanwhile, the group drawing for the Gold Cup will be hosted on 10 April 2019 in Los Angeles, California, United States.

Guyana stormed their way into the Gold Cup for the first time ever last Saturday night, after defeating Belize by a 2-1 margin.

Hubbard’s performance defends Zeeburg’s 199

ction continued in the West Demerara Cricket Association’s (WDCA’s) 50- Over tournament with Zeeburg Sports Club battling La Grange Cricket Club at the Zeeburg Sports Ground over the weekend.

Zeeburg won the toss and elected to bat first on a tricky surface.

Having dominated many of the competitions held on the West Coast of Demerara, many expected Zeeburg to post a mammoth total. They instead were bowled out for 199 in 33 overs.

From inception of the match, Zeeburg suffered a minicollapse, losing vital wickets at key moments and failing to hold partnerships together. However, with the valiant efforts of the inform Richardo Poloram, who played a well composed 61, which comprised of five boundaries and six maximums; with support from Malcolm Hubbard, who made 41 (4x4; 3x6), and Ronaldo Renee who made 34, Zeeburg were able to literally snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Bowling for La Grange, S.Persaud bagged 4-53 and P.Shivram chipped in with 3-23.

Needing 200 runs to win from 300 balls, La Grange reveled in their fortunate circumstance, having the necessary time to play themselves in and chase the small total. Their openers came to the crease and got things off to a moderate start during the ‘powerplay’ overs, but failed to carry on, Malcolm Hubbard coming into the attack and tormenting the La Grange batsmen.

La Grange could not hold together any partnership, as the bowling of Malcolm Hubbard and Andre Seepersaud dented their hopes of attaining a victory over Zeeburg.

In the end, La Grange were bowled out for 133 in 28 overs. Top scoring for La Grange were J. Clarke with 20 and A. Ramroop with 18. No other batsman could contribute any worthwhile score, as

Richardo Poloram scored 61, while Malcom Hubbard bagged 7-31 and made a quick-fire 41

Malcom Hubbard snared 7-31 and Andre Seepersaud picked up 2-9.

WDCA/Beacons 50-Over Cricket…

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A glimpse of Guyana’s final qualifier match against Belize on Saturday last

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T

he CONCACAF Nations League qualifiers came to an end on Sunday with nine more teams sealing their fate, after Guyana had so done by staging their biggest win to date on Saturday evening at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora, WCD. The 16-team roster is now set in stone ahead of the lucrative 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Haiti, Canada, Martinique, Curacao, Bermuda, Cuba, Guyana, Jamaica, El Salvador and Nicaragua have finished in the top 10 of the 34-team table, and will join Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, United States and Trinidad and Tobago in this summer’s tournament.

The day started on a historic note, with Bonaire earning their first win since 2014 with a dramatic 2-1 home triumph over British Virgin Islands. Jermaine Windster gave Bonaire the lead in the 7th minute, only for Jamie Wilson to pull level in the 76th. Windster later rose to the occasion and scored a dramatic winner in the 88th minute to earn Bonaire the three points.

Up next was Grenada, who travelled to Puerto Rico and got the best of the Boricuas 2-0, thanks to goals from Antonio German in the 27th and Arthur Paterson in the 74th.

Things took an interesting turn in the third match of the day, when Bermuda took down hosts Dominican Republic 3-1 in a winnertake-all affair in which the victor would punch their Gold Cup ticket.

The home side had a dream start with an Enmy Pena goal in the 3rd minute, but Bermuda showed their character by scoring three unanswered goals through Zeiko Lewis (15th), Nahki Wells (64th) and Justin Donawa (74th) to clinch Bermuda’s first ever Gold Cup appearance.

Canada was back, flexing its scoring muscles in a 4-1 home win over French Guiana. Junior Hoilette got things going in the 11th minute, but French Guiana did not back down, and pulled level after a Kevin Rimane goal in the 26th minute.

The final hour of play, however, belonged to Canada, who got scores from Lucas Cavallini in the 39th and 51st minutes and Jonathan David in the 41st, to finish second in the table.

In a battle of teams that clinched Gold Cup berths, hosts Haiti edged Cuba 2-1, thanks to a late goal. Duckens Nazon scored his

McGill dominate Cornelia Ida

I

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

n a weekend packed with action, McGill Super Stars Sports Club defeated the Cornelia Ida Cricket Club in the West Demerara Cricket Association’s (WDCA’s) Beacons 50-Over competition at Wales CDC. After winning the toss, McGill elected to bat first on what was deemed a batsman’s paradise, the Wales CDC pitch having previously produced 200-plus scores on average in the past. For McGill, however, it was a different story, as they lost wickets at regular intervals and were pegged back from their free scoring.

The CICC side, as always, maintained their discipline, as they fielded and bowled with exception. At one point in the game, it looked as if McGill were not going to exceed 150, but a resistant 42 from Troy

Abdul Razack’s all-round performance of 30 and 2-25 played a vital role in McGill’s win

Persaud (2x4; 1x6) allowed them to reach 174 all out in 34.1 overs.

Persaud was ably supported by Abdul Razack’s 30 (2×4; 2×6); Keshram Seyhodan’s 23 (4×4; 1×6), and Azar Deen’s 23 (3×4). Bowling

Troy Persaud played a fine knock of 42

for CICC, Harry Bissondial took 4-27, Naveed Ali 2-17, Avinash Dhaniram 2-19, and Mohamad Wazidali 2-21.

Needing 175 for victory, at 3.5 runs per over off their allotted 50 overs, CICC appeared a definite shoo-in therefor, having

defeated McGill on multiple occasions, as the teams have a longstanding history.

McGill, however, produced something special, their bowlers bowling wicket-towicket and maintaining a proper line and length to bowl out CICC for 112 in 39.2 overs.

CICC were never in the game from the first ball bowled, as they played wild shots and allowed Mc Gill to get the best of them. Top scoring for CICC were Mohamed Wazidali with 33 (2×4; 2×6); Harry Bissondial with 17 (2×4) and Naveed Ali with 13 (1×6).

The chief tormentors produced by McGill were Keshram Seyhodan with 2-7; Abdul Razack with 2-25; Daniel Basdeo with 2-29; Azar Deen and Ganesh Puran each with 1-14, and Shafiek Deen with 1-15.

22

tuesday, march 26, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Milo Schools Football Tournament…

Christianburg-Wismar, Annandale, Vergenoegen and PC enter quarter-finals

F

our more teams have sealed their spots in the quarterfinals of the Milo Schools Football Tournament after an intense day of competition on Sunday.

Annandale Secondary, Christianburg-Wismar Secondary, Vergenoegen Secondary, and President’s College have now joined The Bishops’ High School and Charlestown Secondary as they await the final two teams that will feature in a scintillating quarterfinal round

this weekend.

Annandale Secondary maintained their dominance with a 3-0 win over Friendship Secondary in the day’s opening game. From the sound of the first whistle, Annandale were in control of the encounter, dominating ball possession.

However, Friendship Secondary surprised the East Coast team with a commendable defence, which held the rapidly attacking Annandale side from finding the back of the net for the entire first half.

H oweve r, the defence did not hold up as Annandale became determined to take the win.

Seon Haywood started the scoring in the 48th minute, and was followed minutes later by Jemar Harrigon, who fired a long shot from outside the 18yard which was too fast for the Friendship goalkeeper to hold on to.

In the 60th minute, Harrigon returned with a similar shot from a closer range, and sunk that one too, to push Annandale’s tally to 3-0 for the win.

The following encounter was contested by

Christianburg- Wismar and Canje Secondary. The game held its own set of surprises, as Canje Secondary managed to hold off Christianburg-Wismar for quite some time. The fourman Canje defence worked brilliantly in the beginning of the game to reply to every shot taken by their opponents.

Putting Christianburg-Wismar in the hot seat further, Canje’s Rivaldo Hetmyer netted the first goal of the game in the 30th minute.

It was after this that the game took a turn, with the Canje goalkeeper failing to hold on to the ball, which was nudged into the goal by Andre Meyers in the 31st minute, to equalise.

The second half saw

Christianburg-Wismar returning with fresh vigour in pursuit of the lead. Tyrese Lewis’s shot from inside the box found the back of the net in the 42nd minute, and another fumble by the Canje goalkeeper saw Lewis registering another goal in the 45th minute.

Try as they might, Canje could not equalise, and had to settle for the loss.

A clearly determined Vergenoegen Secondary took the win in the third game, as they did some last-minute scoring against a tired St Cuthbert’s Mission team.

The high-paced match-up began with both teams keenly hunting the goal, but as the time ticked by, neither side

was able to finish their plays.

After the second half began, St. Cuthbert’s Mission’s fuel had clearly run out. The Region 4 boys struggled to keep up with Vergenoegen, a factor that the latter used to their advantage.

Jemar Evans performed a one- man show for his goal in the 71st, and seven minutes later, Ronaldo Macey did the same, to push the score to 2-0.

Time eventually expired, causing St. Cuthbert’s to exit the competition.

The final game was a battle of the Colleges, as President’s and Queen’s went head to head. In the end, President’s College prevailed with a 3-1 win.

The first half passed quietly, with no goals scored, and Diarra Thomas found the back of the net in the 51st minute to give QC some hope. However, President’s College found their groove later, and netted three back-to-back goals, thanks to Edron Stephens and Jushawn Bailey, to take the quarterfinal spot.

The quarterfinal contest will be staged at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue on March 30 and 31 (this weekend).

Bakewell donates T-shirts and caps to RHTY&SC U-17 and 2nd Division teams

T

he longstanding relationship between the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club(RHTY&SC), MS, and Bakewell was further strengthened when the bakery giants donated to Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation a large quantity of white Polo cricket shirts and caps.

These items will be used by the Rose Hall Town Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division teams for the BCB 2019 cricket season.

RHTY&SC Assistant Secretary Simon Naidu expressed gratitude to Bakewell and their General Manager Rajin Ganga for the donation, which he said would ensure that the two teams are properly attired in 2019, and at the same time it would be properly promoting the club’s official sponsor.

Bakewell have been the official sponsor of the two teams since 2000.

The Rose Hall Town Bakewell Under-17 Team are the Berbice Champions after winning the BCB Ramnaresh Sarwan Under-17 Tournament, while the Second Division Team are also the undisputed Champions of the Ancient County after winning a total of six major tournaments over the last twelve months.

The Bakewell Second Division team emerged last week as champions of the countywide New Building Society 40-Over Tournament, which attracted close to 90 teams. This was the team’s sixth countywide championship title.

The two teams have produced a combined forty national players, including Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Esuan Crandon, Clinton Pestano, Abdel Fudadin, Erva Giddings, Dominique Rikhi, Mahendra Gopilall, Jonathan Rampersaud and Jeremy Sandia.

These two teams have also hosted hundreds of community projects under the sub-headings of Sports, Culture, Charity, Youth Development, Education, Anti-Drugs and Anti-Alcohol, among other things.

Rajin Ganga, Bakewell’s General Manager, has said that Bakewell have always cherished their

RHTYSC Organising Secretary Ravin Kissoonlall handing over the items to 2nd Division Captain Kevin Sinclair

relationship with the RHTY&SC and the two cricket teams. These two teams, Ganga noted, have been outstanding representatives of the Bakewell Brand, and have done remarkable jobs promoting Bakewell across every Village in Berbice.

He congratulated the teams on their status as Berbice Champions, and urged them to uphold their high standard on and off the cricket field.

Guardians battle Eagles for 2nd Division title – Guardians, Sonics advance in 1st Division I t was a weekend of action as the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association (GABA)/Let’s Bet Sports 1st and 2nd Division Knockout Tournament continued under lights at the Burnham Hardcourt on Carmichael Street, where several matches were played in both categories.

In the first 2nd Division semifinal, Vikings battled the in-form Plaisance Guardians and lost 47-53. The Vikings led 15-13 at the end of the first period, but Guardians kept on their heels, and eventually made good ground as they led

The Pepsi Sonics defeated the Ravens to advance in the 1st Division category

at the half by one possession, 28-27.

The Vikings were having none of it, and regained the lead in the see-saw encounter 39-38 going into the final quarter.

The coaches maximised their timeouts to determine the strategy and gain the upper hand, but it was the Guardians who were able to defend their territory and comprehensively take the lead.

Guardians outscored the opposition 15-8 to take the victory and book their spot in the final. Top scoring for eventual victors was Terrence

Daniels with 24, while Jared Sears turned in the same count for the Vikings.

In the second semifinal, the Eagles needled the Pacesetters 52-51 to book their spot in the finals. The Eagles were down by 9 points at the start of the second period, with Pacesetters setting a sturdy pace to lead 20-11.

Eagles clawed their way back into the matchup after shutting down the opposition’s offence, and led 27-24 at the half.

Pacesetters soon acclimatised and kept on the tail of the Eagles. They trailed

42-40 going into the final quarter, which saw Eagles -the team with fewer mistakes -- once against outscoring Pacesetters to claim their spot in the finale.

Eagles will now battle Guardians for the 2nd Division title.

Meanwhile, in the First Division matchups, Plaisance Guardians defeated the Colts 72-69 and Pepsi Sonics bested the Ravens 50-48 to advance to the next round of the league.

On game nights, matches commence at 18:30 hrs and 20:30 hrs.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, march 26, 2019

23

Colonial Medical Insurance Women’s Super50 Cup…

Dottin’s brilliance, Knights’ resistance complete B’dos title defence

Kyshona Knight anchored the Barbados innings

Rachel Vincent was the first to be dismissed, out caught and bowled for 10 by the tournament’s leading wicket-taker Hayley Matthews, who pulled off a blinder. Felicia Walters then fell for a well-made 27, as Trinidad were restricted to 79-2 in 23 overs.

Stacy Ann King and Britney Cooper added a promising 44 runs for the third wicket; but King was given out leg before for 38, after which

Team Trinidad celebrating after Barbados were 0-2 Story and photos by Brandon Corlette

L

ed by the destructive Deandra Dottin, who smashed 73 and grabbed 6-43, Barbados regained their Super50 title in defeating Trinidad and Tobago by 28 runs at the Enmore Community Centre Ground on the Demerara East Coast.

Kycia Knight and Kyshona Knight contributed 133 runs, scoring contrasting halfcenturies that revived the Barbados total to a respectable 242-7.

The Trinidad reply fell short, finishing with 214 all out.

Having won the toss, Trinidad and Tobago captain Merissa Aguilleira elected to field first. The ladies in red got off to the perfect start, removing the dangerous Hayley Matthews with the fifth ball bowled, when she played a swipe and was bowled by Anisa

Mohammed for a duck.

The Enmore pitch has been one of the slowest wickets, which suits spinners; it was the perfect scenario for the Trinidad spin attack.

The struggling Barbados opener Danielle Small fell for a duck when she was bowled through bat and pad by Karishma Ramharack in the second over.

In came the Knight twin sisters, who dealt with the spin treat from Trinidad by adding 133 runs for the third wicket partnership. Kycia, the wicketkeeper was the more fearless of the two, playing her shots with elegance. Kycia reached her half-century with a well-timed boundary through mid-wicket -- a splendid innings of 77 from 88 balls, which lasted for 125 minutes and was decorated with eight boundaries.

After Kycia Knight was out, caught by Lee Ann Kirby off the bowling of Ramharack, Deandra

Dottin came to the crease with the score at 133-5, partnering Kyshona Knight who reached her half-century in the process.

Knight’s innings of 56 lasted for 135 minutes and came from 135 balls as she anchored the Barbadian innings after she was given an opportunity on 39 in a mis-stumping.

At 151-4, Dottin found a supportive partner in Charlene Taitt, and the pair added 86 from 56 balls. Dottin, the tournament’s most consistent batter, took a liking to the bowling of Windies spin queen Anisa Mohammed, smashing her for 15 runs in an over that contained two sixes in three balls.

She also dispatched offspinner Karishma Ramharack for 15 runs, and took 18 runs off a Lee Ann Kirby over. This dominant force hit six gigantic sixes on the leg-side, and was dismissed for the first time in the tournament when her

innings came to an end with some brilliance by Britney Cooper in the deep, completing the catch diving forward.

Batting for only 44 minutes, Dottin smashed 73 runs from 43 balls, timing three fours and smoking six sixes. That innings meant Dottin finished the Super50 tournament with 299 runs.

The Barbadians were happy with 242-7, after losing two wickets without a run on the board at the inception of their innings.

Bowling for Trinidad and Tobago, Karishma Ramharack had 4-37 in 10 overs, taking her tournament’s tally to 13 wickets. Anisa Mohammed had 2-45 sharing the new-ball with Ramharack.

In Trinidad’s chase, the openers lay the perfect platform, adding 50 runs for the opening partnership.

Cooper (23) became Matthews’s 17th wicket of the tournament.

Then captain Merissa Aguilleira came to the crease, and played positive cricket with her vice-captain Reniece Boyce.

Aguilleira scored 32 from 31 balls, which included four sweetly timed boundaries.

That was the opening of the floodgates for Deandra Dottin, who picked up three wickets in her seventh over. Dottin, the world’s number one T20 all-rounder, was in top form, but Trinidad’s most consistent batter, Boyce, was standing between Barbados and an early victory.

At 193-8, the Trinidadians lost hope when Dottin proverbially rubbed salt in their wounds by finishing with six wickets, bowling Boyce for a top-score of 39.

The last six Trinidad wickets

Kycia Knight looked in good touch for Barbados

fell for 32 runs, and the ecstatic Bajans roared in delight when the ladies in red fell for 214 all out in 47.5 overs.

Bowling for the Barbados unit, Dottin had 6-43 in 8.5 overs, while Hayley Matthews had 2-31 in 10 overs, bowling two maidens.

Speaking after the match, Captain Hayley Matthews said the Barbados team are confident of taking this form into the T20 tournament. “I think the girls played well and give it their all,” she declared.

Matthews lauded Dottin for her brilliance with both bat and ball, since she had to overcome a shoulder injury prior to the tournament.

Meanwhile Dottin, who won her third ‘Player of the Match’ award, declared that this win meant a lot to her. She added that bowling straight was her aim during her sixwicket haul. In closing her remarks, she declared that Barbados would continue to play fearless cricket.

Colonial Medical Insurance Women’s Super50 Cup…

Giddings, Grimmond lead Guyana to win over Windwards

– Jamaica outplayed Leeward Islands

G

uyana may have gathered some momentum recording a 57-run win over Windward Islands at the Georgetown Cricket Club Bourda, finishing fourth in this Super50 format.

The visitors, Windward Islands won the toss and opted to field first. Guyana were bowled out for 132 in 33.2 overs with player of the match, Erva Giddings top scoring with 39 from 38 balls. In reply, off-spinner, Sheneta Grimmond grabbed 4-23 as Windwards were bowled out for 75 in 33.2 overs.

Earlier openers Melanie Henry (16) and Mandy Mangru (01) lost their wickets. The middle order collapsed and the Guyanese were 88-7 at one stage. Shemaine Campbelle scored 10 from 44 balls, while Shabika Gajnabi and Akaze Thompson were the others to reach double fig-

ures with 13 each.

However, it was Erva Giddings resistance that led Guyana to a respectable 132 all out when she scored an unbeaten 39. Bowling for Windward Islands, Afy Fletcher had 3-19 as the other bowlers shared the wickets.

In reply, Windwards were outfoxed by Rose Hall Town off-spinners and left-arm seamer. Sheneta Grimmond snatched 4-23 in 7.2 overs while Plafianna Millington had 3-12 in 10 overs. Erva Giddings had a good all-round game with 2-14 in eight overs.

Only Windward captain, Afy Fletcher reached double figures with 26 from 44 balls.

In the encounter at the National Stadium Providence, Jamaica ensured Leeward Islands remained winless in the Super50 cup. Jamaica registered an eight wicket win

after bowling out Leeward for 91 in 35.4 overs.

Leeward won the toss and opted to bat first but they were dismantled

by Stafanie Taylor who grabbed 4-10 and Chinelle Henry who grabbed 3-19.

The girls from Leeward Islands lost Jamella Mc Clure the third ball of the match for a duck when she was bowled by the lively Henry. The wickets came at regular intervals for the Jamaicans; with only Saneldo Willet crossing 20 runs. She scored 23 from 73 balls in her painstaking innings.

In reply, Jamaica achieved the target in 15.2 overs finishing with 962; Vice-captain Chedean Nation blazed an unbeaten 53 from 35 balls that included 10 fours and one six, while Stafanie Taylor scored an unbeaten 24 from 28 balls.

Guyana’s Erva Giddings delivers

tuesday, march 26, 2019

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Colonial Medical Insurance Women’s Super50 Cup…

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The winning moment: Deandra Dottin takes her sixth and the final team’s wicket

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It was the second successive title for Team Barbados

Page 21

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