Guyana Times - Wednesday, April 10, 2019

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 38990

wednesday, april 10, 2019

PRICE

New scandal

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Minister's company awarded Govt contract

Timehri man clinging to life after stabbing P10

Page 3

Owed taxes to M&CC

“Show us the list of defaulters” – GCCI to Mayor Page 10

Despite announcement of “resignations”

Parliament office yet to receive resignations P9 from Ministers

Region 1 man jailed for P10 beating wife

People’s Progressive Party Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali on Tuesday evening visited the Number 7 Village and Blairmont mandirs, in Berbice, Region Six for Navratri services

Lack of capacity hindering tackling of drug network – US Ambassador

Page 7

2 dead, 1 critical in separate accidents

Pages 12&14

PPP Commissioners muzzled at GECOM’s statutory meeting Page 11

4-year-old accidentally sets house on P11 fire

Fire scorches RHTY&SC P13 clubhouse

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news

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wednESday, april 10, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Wednesday, April 10 – 05:00h-06:30h and Thursday, April 11 – 09:00h-10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, April 10 – 06:50h-08:20h and Thursday, April 11 – 07:40h-09:10h.

New scandal

Minister’s company awarded Govt contract

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, followed by clear skies in the evening, with overall temperatures ranging between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 07:31h and 20:06h reaching maximum heights of 2.61 metres and 2.43 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 01:06h and 13:35h reaching minimum heights of 0.72 metre and 0.61 metre respectively.

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T

he dust has not settled on revelations of a Minister’s husband getting contracts from her Ministry, when more revelations have been unearthed about another Minister whose private company is allegedly the recipient of lucrative contracts from the Department of Energy.

This time, the Minister at the heart of this controversy is Public Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes.

Guyana Times was told that Videomega Productions, a company which is owned by Minister Hughes and managed by Russel Lancaster since 2015, received contracts from the department.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, the contracts in question had to do with radio and television public service announcements (PSAs) for the department, which is coordinating preparations for Guyana’s oil and gas sector.

It is understood that the company has also been contracted to produce brochures.

It is unclear at this point of time what, if any, tendering process the Minister’s company went through to get these contracts.

Profiteering

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Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

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Addressing the matter in a video broadcast on Tuesday, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Chief Whip Gail Teixeira likened the matter to Housing Minister Valarie Patterson-Yearwood and her husband, Godfrey Yearwood.

Yearwood was awarded contracts to construct houses on behalf of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), which falls under his wife’s Ministry.

The issue of the CH&PA contract award came to the fore last week when Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed that the Minister’s husband had sub-contracted the works and the person whom he hired is complaining of not being paid for works done to date.

In fact, the construction worker, a resident of Victoria Village from the East Coast of Demerara, had written President David Granger four times over the past year for his intervention but only got acknowledgement responses so far.

“We have learnt that the Department of Energy has

issued a multimillion-dollar contract to Videomega productions to do brochure, TV and radio ads for that department,” Texieira said. “What is particularly interesting and people may not remember, is that Videomega Productions is owned by Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes.”

“Also, there are other members of the (Alliance For Change) such as Beverly Alert, who are part of that company and Russel Lancaster. So here is a company being given a major contract, multimillion-dollars, (and) to a Minister who is in charge of that company. Whether that contract was awarded by tender, one does not know.”

When it comes to the CH&PA, Teixeira also alluded to reports carried in sections of the media that the

family members and extended family members are benefiting and profiting from taxpayers’ money, in violation of the procurement laws in some cases and in other cases, by undermining and tampering with the process.”

“Videomega Productions, by the way, was given major contracts by the APNU/AFC during the 2015 elections, to produce campaign material for them,” Teixeira said.

“So one has to wonder, at this point, whether the contract for Videomega Production relates to campaign material that will be used by the APNU/AFC Government.”

When contacted, Department of Energy head, Dr Mark Bynoe declined to answer questions about the award of the contract.

However, Minister Hughes, in a statement late

Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes

in the day to day running of Videomega Productions.

Russel Lancaster was appointed Manager and is responsible for the operations of the company. I have since been informed that the contract was for the production of three sixty second

Videomega Productions main office, which is also home to the Midtown Café

Minister Patterson and another relative in the same department have been collecting money on her husband’s behalf. She expressed much concern over the two cases.

“So we have more and more now, this combination of incestuous relations within the Government, where

Tuesday evening said that Videomega Productions indeed received a contract to produce brochures, as well as Radio and TV PSA’s for the Department of Energy “In May 2015 upon my assumption of the role of Minister of Tourism I relinquished any involvement

television Public Service Announcements. The value of the contract is $ 832,200.

The award of this contract was never brought to my attention neither would I have been aware of it in the normal conduct of the company’s business,” the minister said in a statement.

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wednesday, april 10, 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

Flushing out nepotism

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ecently, the media reported that the husband of the Housing Minister received contracts from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) to construct houses on behalf of the Ministry. Immediately following that astonishing revelation, the question of conflict of interest surfaced, given the relationship between the Minister and beneficiary of the contracts.

This issue continues to feature prominently throughout the media landscape and significantly, the conflict of interest was also noted by the Head of the CH&PA. Often, reports about the awarding and signing of Government contracts are carried in the media assumedly to show that the Government is implementing development projects for the benefit of citizens.

Some are even announced at post-Cabinet media briefings.

Therefore, nothing should have stopped the public from being notified about the contracts awarded to the Minister’s husband at the time of signing. That said, it begs the question as to why this information wasn’t this made public before.

From all indications, the matter was brought to the fore during a press conference by the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo sometime last week. This begs another question; had he not offered related information; would the public have been informed at some point or at all?

In such circumstances when information seems to be withheld, there is a tendency to believe there was probably something sinister necessitating it remaining under wraps.

Given what is now known, these contracts in question, would have raised the same contentions as it is now. Hence, that may have been the deciding factor to not have the usual media engagement at the time of awarding.

Some may even ask what was there to hide when taxpayers’ monies are being used, supposedly for their benefit. That answer is now in the open. One can also argue why should any competent and capable contractor be barred from the process even if a relative is part of the decision-making entity. Again, the answer is the obvious and contentious conflict of interest.

There is the thought that in such instances, the relative could recuse his/herself from the process and the public immediately informed. This is from the standpoint of trying to remove suspicion of a conflict of interest. There is no report of that being done in the case in question, and even if it was, there may also be no avoidance of a perception of a conflict of interest.

This brings into question the CH&PA’s policy on the awarding of contracts in such circumstances. Some entities have a clear policy that staff and family members are not allowed to participate in some or even all promotional activities they may undertake. In that context, does the CH&PA has a policy that disallows relatives of officials from being awarded contracts?

That would be useful to know; if it does, then the contract in question is a breach; if it doesn’t, then an opportunity now arises to consider and implement. One report indicated that the head of the CH&PA suggests that the awards process needs reviewing. Yet another report stated that the Minister blames the CH&PA for the contract awarding since that agency is directly responsible. The Minister was emphatic that she is not engaged in the issuance of contracts. Some may see that as a poor defence and clearly putting her own agency under the bus.

That said, there are a number of other questions which can be asked, including, whether the Minister was unaware of the contract being awarded to her husband. While it is not impossible, it seems highly improbable. This incident is another of many that stacks upon accusations of cronyism and nepotism by the Government. On the surface, it may not be mere accusations.

Sometime ago, a senior official of this Government unashamedly defended preferential treatment towards someone who financed his party’s campaign and who also donated a posh office building. Similarly, a drug-bond contract, to the tune of millions of taxpayers’ dollars, was awarded, reportedly, to someone who allegedly contributed to funding of the campaign.

Since May 2015, there have been numerous reports of many party affiliates and relatives and friends of officials who have been given jobs at the expense of qualified staff and candidates. Sidelining to allegedly facilitate the political plants seems to be prevalent within the Public Sector now. The appointments of the Chairman of GECOM and its Deputy Chief Elections Officer, have also been viewed in that context.

Why is this relevant to the issue of the contract award to the husband of the Housing Ministry? The answer lies in confidence and trust. Prior to and on the assumption of office the current Government not only accused its predecessor, the People’s Progressive Party, of cronyism and nepotism, but boasted of flushing it out.

From its own actions and the many accusation made against it since May 2015, the Government may have encouraged and entrenched the said practice. For many Guyanese, it’s not a perception. For them, the loss of trust and confidence in the Government is a stark reality. The contract in question, would have fortified that sentiment. The real question is; what would the President do? Afterall, he led the campaign to stop such practices like nepotism.

A 14-year-old boy takes care of his father’s water buffalo in Terengganu, Malaysia. “He was amazing young boy who able to handle about a hundred buffalo at the same time,” says Your Shot photographer Mohd Nazri Sulaiman said.” He was really close with the animals. This was amazing moment” (National Geographic photo)

Venezuela in crisis: All the latest updates

V

enezuela has plunged into a major political crisis amid a growing row over President Nicolás Maduro’s future as the country’s leader. Maduro started a second term on January 10, following a widely boycotted election last year that many foreign governments refused to recognise.

On January 23, Juan Guaido, Leader of the Opposition-controlled National Assembly, declared himself interim President.

Shortly after Guaido took an oath swearing himself in, US President Donald Trump publicly recognised him as the country’s leader.

Maduro accused Guaido of staging a coup and ordered his arrest. Here are all the latest updates as of Tuesday, April 9:

OAS recognises Guaido appointee as Venezuela representative

The Organisation of American States’ Permanent Council on Tuesday recognised Gustavo Tarre as representative of Venezuela until new elections are held in the South American country.

Tarre was appointed by Opposition Leader Juan Guaido, who in January declared himself Venezuela’s interim President and has vowed to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro.

The Council decided to “accept the appointment of Gustavo Tarre as the National Assembly’s designated representative, pending new elections and the appointment of a democratically elected government” according to the resolution adopted by 18 votes in favour, nine against and six abstentions.

El Salvador president-elect to snub Ortega, Maduro

Incoming El Salvador President Nayib Bukele will not invite regional counterparts Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela, Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua and Honduras’ Juan Orlando Hernandez to his June 1 inauguration, a top aide said on Tuesday.

“They’re not going to be invited. El Salvador, in the next Gvernment, will be part of a group of demo-

cratic countries that believe in elections, in states where the people have to elect their governments in a democratic way,” said Federico Anliker, Secretary General of Bukele’s New Ideas party.

UN refugee chief urges open doors for Venezuelans

The UN refugee chief is appealing to Latin American countries to “keep the doors open and diminish the restrictions imposed on Venezuelans” seeking refuge. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi told the Security Council on Tuesday that 3.5 million Venezuelans have left the country and about 15 countries have received them – primarily Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Brazil.

He urged increased support for those countries, saying, “our appeal for the humanitarian crisis in that region is one of the most poorly funded globally”.

Venezuela removes 8 tonnes of gold from central bank: Sources

Venezuela removed eight tonnes of gold from the central bank’s vaults last week, and the cash-strapped socialist state is expected to sell the bullion abroad as it seeks to raise hard currency in the face of US sanctions, a politician and one government source told Reuters news agency.

With sanctions imposed

by Washington choking off revenues from exports by State oil company PDVSA, President Nicolás Maduro’s increasingly isolated administration has turned to sales of Venezuela’s substantial gold reserves as one of the only sources of foreign currency.

The Government source said the Central Bank’s reserves had fallen by 30 tonnes since the start of the year before US President Donald Trump tightened sanctions, leaving the bank with around 100 tonnes in its vaults, worth more than US$4 billion.

Monday, April 8 Pompeo to visit Venezuela border on South America tour

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will trav-

el to the Venezuela border in Colombia to highlight the plight of refugees during a four-nation trip to Latin America, the State Department announced on Monday.

Pompeo will pay a brief visit on Sunday to the Colombian city of Cucuta after stops in Chile, Paraguay and Peru – all four countries led by right-wing or centre-right leaders favourable to the tough US approach on Venezuela.

In Cucuta, Pompeo will “visit entities supporting Venezuelan refugees and assess the challenges due to the closed border,” the State Department said in a statement.

Iranian delegation travels to Venezuela to discuss direct flight route

An Iranian delegation landed in Venezuela on Monday to discuss launching direct flights between the two countries, Venezuela’s foreign minister said, as Tehran voices support for President Nicolás Maduro against the opposition backed by most Western countries.

A plane belonging to Mahan Air, a private Iranian airline accused by the West of transporting military equipment to Middle East war zones, landed in Caracas on Monday, as the two countries planned on discussing launching a direct flight “in the coming months”, Minister Jorge Arreaza told reporters.

A White House official said the US Government viewed the launch of direct flights as a “politically motivated gesture”. The nonstop Tehran-Caracas flight would take 16 hours.

Venezuela pledges to honour oil commitments to Cuba despite sanctions

Venezuela will “fulfil its commitments” to Cuba despite US sanctions targeting oil shipments from the South American country to its ideological ally, Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said on Monday.

Washington on Friday imposed sanctions on 34 vessels owned or operat-

ed by state-run oil company Petroleos de Venezuela as well as on two companies and a vessel that have previously delivered oil to Cuba, aiming to choke off a crucial supply of crude to the Communist-run island.

Venezuela has long sent subsidised crude to Cuba.

The US describes the arrangement as an “oil-for-repression” scheme in which Havana helps socialist President Nicolas Maduro weather an economic crisis and power struggle with the opposition in exchange for fuel.

Brazil’s Bolsonaro says working with US to sow ‘dissent’ in Venezuela Army

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Monday he is working with the US government to sow dissent within the Venezuelan Army.

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

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

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

Iranian carrier begins direct flights to Venezuela

Iran’s second largest airline has begun direct flights to Venezuela, as the two countries cultivate closer ties in the face of US sanctions. Iran’s official IRNA news agency says Mahan airline’s first flight to Venezuela left Tehran on Monday carrying a Foreign Ministry delegation.

The United States blacklisted Mahan in 2011 after accusing it of providing support to the Quds Force, an elite unit of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, april 10, 2019

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

50,000 jobs are justifiable, Irfaan is standing on solid ground Dear Editor, Please permit me to respond to an article entitled “Irfaan Ali has selected two of the worst planks on which to walk”, which was published in a section of the media on April 8, 2019. In the letter, the writer raised a valid point on the possibility of the creation of 50,000 new jobs. However, I beg to differ that such a figure is no nowhere close to an exaggeration. First, I would like to remind the writer that it is of public knowledge that the APNU/AFC Government, since taking office, is responsible for the extirpation of over 30,000 jobs. And in the interest of refreshing the minds of our readers, the composition of such a figure includes the direct dismissal of over 7000 sugar workers, 1974 Amerindian CSOs, hundreds of miners and loggers, and even some of our public servants. Indirectly, when accounted for the spinoff effect, the total number of jobs lost easily exceeds the 30,000 estimates.

And note also, this figure was also cited in the 201417 Global Human Capital Index Report on Guyana.

Reinstating 30,000 Jobs

Hence, these jobs could be easily reinstated with a few policy adjustments such as repeal all 200 tax measures, re-opening of the sugar industries, tax optimisation, expansion of the housing drive, FD special incentives,

and other forms of quantitative easing such as increased liquidation of our commercial banks. Essentially, the 30,000 job losses could be reinstated by simply remedying all incoherent policies implemented by the APNU/ AFC Government. In the interest of space, I will not dwell on the corollaries of such policies and since it is also well articulated in the media. Now, before I examine the origin of the remaining 20,000 jobs, I would first like to shed some light on our economy.

Job losses and deteriorating economy

Overall, the impact of the 30,000 job losses is evident in the deterioration of our economic structure.

Starting with the manufacturing sector, in the 2018 mid-year report, it has been reported that our manufacturing sector contracted by over 3.7 per cent or $23.6 billion. What this tells us is that our value-added production is on the decline.

And given the composition of our manufacturing sector, we are essentially referring here to the rice millers, sugar estates, lumber yards etc, industries that are directly engaged in the production of value-added. Hence, it now becomes clear that since the output level of the manufacturing sector is on the decline in tandem with its share of total employment, then inevitably, our econ-

omy is actually deindustrialising, an outcome that would see Guyana losing out on the opportunity of using manufacturing as an “engine of growth”. Now, given our soon to be oil-driven economy, such predisposition could become one of our greatest impediments towards a mature and successful service-driven economy.

In the long run, our economic structure could further deteriorate since a relatively small and weak manufacturing sector will become prone to crowding out. The theory in short and is as follows: increased spending in the non-tradable sector (service) would lead to an appreciation of value relative to the tradable sector (manufacturing). As prices increase, such as wages, under the assumption that the elasticity of labour substitution is less than unity, workers would move to the non-tradable sector. In layman terms, we could see, for eg, a labour choosing to drive taxi over cultivating rice. In the long run, our over-reliance will increase on oil in tandem with the import of foodstuff.

Apropos to our balance of payment at the end of 2018, a deficit in excess of US$189 million or 239 per cent has been recorded when compared to 2017, in tandem with US$463 million or 97 per cent more when compared to 2017. Such an outcome has been furthered exacerbated by the mere fact

that in excess of US$104 million was utilised from our Net Foreign Reserve in 2018 to service our debts, taking the revised balance to a mere US$240 million or 40 per cent less when compared to 2014. Other noticeable declines, when compared to 2017, include that of export by more than US$48 million and public enterprises and Bank of Guyana revenue by more than $3.3 billion and $1.8 billion respectively. There is a slew of other indicators that could be provided but in the interest of space, I will also stick to the aforementioned. Hence, essentially what is being conveyed is that there is ample evidence of gross underperformance of our economy. And given our existing economic trajectory, our oil windfall might be more of a curse than a blessing. In order to mitigate such, urgent steps must be taken in order to remedy our existing economic framework. An outcome that is not impossible, but requires fiscal discipline, which unfortunately this Administration doesn’t seem to possess.

Getting to 50,000 jobs

The other part that I would like to quickly touch on, is how the remaining 20,000 jobs will be created.

To understand how such a plan would unfold, I would like to bring to your attention a few areas of wasteful spending. First, the com-

High-voltage shock to APNU/AFC

Dear Editor, The prospect of the creation of 50,000 jobs as envisioned and articulated by PPP/C Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali seems to have generated a high-voltage shock to the APNU/AFC apparatchiks.

The Granger Administration that has (so far) caused over 30,000 to lose their jobs and who boasts of creating 126 new jobs in four years is understandably flummoxed.

Their views were championed by the re-migrant Chairman of the Guyana Gold Board, Gabriel Lall, in his missive to the newspapers (April 8, 2019).

Lall, who came to prominence in Guyana (his prominence elsewhere is unknown) via an anti-corruption platform which he mounted to criticise the PPP Administration but swiftly dismounted rather ignominiously since his political appointment with the Gold Board. GHK Lall has not made a mention of the corruption scandals that break the surface of the bog within which he stands. He never heard of the drug bond, the D’Urban Park missing $600 million, indeed Ministers do not grant contracts to their husbands or collect monies on his (husband) behalf at her Ministries in GHK’s new world, one where a curve in the bush is worth $83 million in the hand.

Delusion, like its twin, ignorance, must be bliss.

Lall casts aspersions at Irfaan Ali’s experience, in lieu of listing accomplishments; I offer a quote from

Elizabeth Alleyne on Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson’s Facebook page “You will, I am sure, permit me to make a comparison. When a certain Mr Ali was in charge of issuing house lots, thousands of black Guyanese got house lots and were able to build their own houses. These included my black cleaner at work and my black parttime cleaner at home.” That, Editor, is the experience that matters to so many thousands of Guyanese.

Irfaan Ali presided over a system where applicants drew house lot numbers out of a bag, why? This was to ensure that the communities he created would be multi-ethnic and break the cycle of ethnocentric settlements. It has been an unheralded success because many were never aware of the purpose or design of that bag with numbers.

GHK himself, in all probability, lives in one of these areas, blissfully unaware of how it was conceived or executed.

All of his usual snide aside, GHK tackled the claim that 50,000 jobs could be created head on. GHK reasons that large-scale job creation is “another of the usual empty political soundbites” for in Lall’s opinion “the calibre of local content minds and hands is not there... the local workforce largely the youth brigade is ill-equipped mentally, educationally, spiritually, and psychologically to rise to the challenge of responding to any invitation or environ-

ment that calls for tens of thousands of jobs..The ambition, vision, and drive are just not there. The mandatory focus and dedication are absent.” This is the view of an Administration that creates 126 jobs in four years; it is a snapshot of the elitist mindset that pervades the upper-echelons of the Granger cabal. Young people should take careful note.

Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C do not share this view of any segment in our society, I have noted that there are problems with entry-level jobs and those vying for them, but we have a large base of smart, bright and well-educated youth that can be employed in the near future. The PPP/C has produced a comprehensive plan for job creation and 50,000 is the conservative number, it is not a plan that can be implemented in isolation, however, it is complex and has many moving parts that require competent manage-

ment to create opportunities and an enabling environment for investment.

All will be revealed at the launch of the PPP/C manifesto during the upcoming election campaign, until then, GHK and DAG can seek to come up with their own ideas for a change. An examination of the Foreign Direct Investment since 2015 will show the startling drop and continued absence despite claims from GO-Invest to the contrary.

Our economy continues to drift despite the closeness of ‘first oil’, the nautical term for our position is “Ahull: Lying to the wind with no sail set”. We are crawling on the weight of bare poles; Guyana needs a visionary captain like Irfaan Ali to raise the canvas and make use of the heavy winds of prosperity that blow all around us.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

bined increase of the 2019 recurrent expenditure is more than $19 billion. In other words, expenditure on drugs, rental of buildings, security, celebration etc in 2019 is expected to increase by $19 billion. Moreover, our traditional sectors such as rice, sugar, bauxite, gold and forestry, since 2014 we have lost in excess of $58 billion or 13 per cent of our 2019 GDP when adjusted for inflation.

What this means is that in addition to gross underperformance, there is a lot of economic slack within our economy. Essentially, a large share of our resources, both human and capital, lay idle. Now, if you look at the amount of revenue we have lost, and note, I have conveniently omitted to account for the increase in taxation, the figure easily surpasses $78 billion. That is additional funds we could easily amass by simply pursuing the coherent policies. And note, our economy could accommodate a massive increase in expenditure without fear of overheating because of the existing economic slack.

Macroeconomic prudential coupled with strategic investments and policies geared at enticing private investment and consumption are more than capable of delivering in excess of 20,000 jobs. The housing drive alone, which is one of Irfaan’s specialties, will deliver a sizable amount of jobs. This has been done and

is well within the grasp of re-executing. In relation to foreign direct investment, it is public knowledge that the PPP had plans, as enshrined in their 2015 manifesto, to set up a free-trade zone, and undertake massive infrastructural and transformational projects such as the Linden/Lethem road and the speciality hospital project.

In the business sector cheap credit, which again could be easily attained by simply increasing GoG deposits in our commercial banks, investment and expansion could further be spurred. Such an outcome would favour our business sector, and business once again would flourish in tandem with disposable income from the creation of the new jobs. Hence, given the massive level of underemployment and idle capital, which is an indisputable claim, Guyana is capable to absorb a huge increase in investment.

And note, we are yet to account for the oil windfall and astute local content policy that would ensure our nation fully benefits from its oil endowment. Thus, the forward and backward linkages that would ensue, including the spillover effect to other industries and sectors, will push the number of jobs well above 50,000! It is a pity that a majority of us are still oblivious, I would like to assume, of this vision.

Sincerely, Timothy Isaacs

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Foundation

By Monica Foley, Med

A

By Robert Myers, PhD

C

onnectedness is the mutual emotional bond between parents and children that lasts over time. Connectedness creates a sense of belonging and feeling safe and secure. The basics include engaging in fun and meaningful activities, creating moments of close personal one-on- one time, developing family traditions, and providing each other with space when needed.

Recent research has shown that parent-child connectedness serves as a protective factor. It seems to help prevent the occurrence of many health and social problems in adolescents. Connectedness works from the top down. Whether you’re a single parent or a co-parent (sharing parenting duties with a spouse, significant other, friend, family member, ex-spouse, etc), you can develop a parenting style that works on fostering connectedness.

Three steps to developing your parenting style Contemplate:

Either on your own or with your partner or support person, sit down and consider what type of parenting you want to provide for your children. What are your goals? How do you define a successful parent? What values do you want to instil in your children? How can you help them to be a successful adult?

Create a plan:

Consider creating what you might call a parenting mission statement, outlining the various areas that are important you and your family, and what you want to make a priority.

Establish a system that supports team parenting: Agree on how you’re going to approach parenting together. For example, a small issue can be handled at the moment. However, more significant discipline problems can be managed jointly after you’ve had a chance to discuss the situation.

Allow room for mistakes:

No parent is perfect, and both will make mistakes.

Blame, anger, and conflict doesn’t help either one of you, nor does it help your children.

Finally, if you’re struggling to agree, consider getting professional help. A parenting class or a counsellor can help the two of you to find common ground. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

nger and frustration are universal human emotions, but that doesn’t mean you have to be a victim of negative feelings. As adults, we have an obligation to our family and ourselves to avoid allowing our emotions from getting the best of us.

Let’s face it. Parenting is tough! When you simply want to pee alone or take a shower for more than two minutes without hearing little footsteps outside the curtain, it can be incredibly frustrating.

Or, when you’ve told your child for the gazillionth time to turn off the light when they leave a room, it can make you want to pull your hair out.

One way that many parents express their anger and frustration is by yelling at their kids. It’s not because they want to necessarily, but because sometimes they get so overwhelmed, they lose control.

Other times it may just be easier to holler than to learn strategies to become a calmer parent.

Studies show that yelling makes children more aggressive, physically and verbally. As a parent, raising your voice to the point of screaming scares children and makes them feel insecure. It has been shown to cause long-term effects, such as anxiety, low self-esteem, and increased aggression. A parent who is calm is reassuring, which makes children feel loved and accepted in spite of bad behaviour.

There are many responses you can choose when faced with a situation that makes your blood boil. Finding peace is possible!

Learn to manage your anger and arrive at a peaceful solution using these strategies: 1. Consider the negative consequences of expressing anger. It’s tempting to run with your exasperation in the short-term, but giving in to rage can cause even more challenges. Before lashing out at your kids or taking what you consider to be appropriate actions, consider how things will be when the smoke clears.

2. Give yourself a timeout. Timeouts aren’t just for young kids.

Adults also need timeouts or short breaks to calm down. Taking deep breaths, give yourself a few minutes to allow a level of reason to return to your mind. You’ll be in a better place to make appropriate parenting decisions.

3. When appropriate, let your family members be wrong. It’s not your job to prove that someone is wrong; just allow them to be mistaken. If you have a strong desire to show them that they’re incorrect, that’s your ego barking. Of course, it is your responsibility as a parent to educate your children between right and wrong. At the end of the day, however, you cannot control the choices they make and ultimately they will have to learn from the consequences when they experience errors in judgment.

4. Decide which is more important: being happy or being right.

Many arguments are the result of the desire to be right. If you choose to be happy over winning every heated discussion with your kids, your life will be more enjoyable, and you will become a more relaxed parent overall. Which is more important to you?

5. Take a minute to notice your anger. Instead of mindlessly reacting to your frustration, take a moment to examine it. Pretend you’re a third-party witnessing your irritation and annoyance. What does it feel like to you? Where is the emotion coming from in your body?

Is the feeling in your head, chest, or stomach? Has your breathing changed? Are your hands shaking or clenching? By disengaging from your anger, you can gain a different perspective and weaken your negative emotions.

6. Ask yourself why you’re upset. Did someone physically harm you?

Did they let you down? Violate one of your values? Figure out why you’re frustrated, and you’ll be able to take the necessary steps to discover a solution.

7. Focus on the big picture. Imagine that you knew the world would come to an end next Friday. Would you be upset if your child didn’t hang his backpack? Of course not.

8. Look for solutions, rather than trying to make yourself feel better.

Acting in anger is about making yourself feel better. Rather than yelling at your kids, for instance, work on finding a peaceful solution. The outcome will be much better and well worth your time.

9. Be sure you understand the situation. Why get angry with your kids before you know the facts? Ensure the issue isn’t a possible miscommunication.

10. Learn and practice relaxation techniques. The more relaxed you are on a regular basis as a parent, the less likely you are to become angry. Relaxation techniques can also be helpful after the fact.

Learn how to self-soothe. It’s a skill that can be learned.

11. See your annoyance as a practice opportunity to find peace. Each time you feel upset, view the situation as a chance to practice your anger-management skills. It’s a blessing in disguise. Commit yourself to manage this bout of frustration better than you did the last time.

Avoid letting anger, frustration, and annoyance get the best of you. As a thoughtful, loving human being and parent, you have options available to you. Seek to find solutions and peace rather than giving in to your immediate impulses. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

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WEDNESday, april 10, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Lack of capacity hindering tackling of drug network – US Ambassador by vahnu manichand

W

hile acknowledging that there is a willingness by authorities here to tackle the illegal narcotics trade, newly-appointed US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch believes that the lack of capacity by local law enforcement agencies is hindering efforts to dent the global societal scourge that has been plaguing the country.

“When you look at Guyana, what you see [is] great commitment but lack of capacity. And to achieve full success, you need to have both at a very high level. So that is where the US is coming in and helping on that capacity side, helping to build on the great gains that have already been made but it is a struggle. It’s a constant struggle. We have seen it throughout the region,” Ambassador Lynch told a group of journalists during her first official interview since arriving in the country last month.

According to the US diplomat, this is not an issue limited to Guyana. In fact, Ambassador Lynch said that in her previous postings she had worked with many countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region to tackle the narcotics trade. “[This] is a regional issue and cooperation among the South American and

Caribbean actors, together with the US will help us all to achieve a more stable and secure region. We are, after all, in the same neighbourhood and I think we all have the same goals of security and stability,” she asserted.

Transhipment point

Being positioned on the South American continent with strong ties to the Caribbean region, Guyana has long been identified as a transhipment point for major drug trafficking activities. It was against this backdrop that the US established an office of its Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) here back in February 2016.

According to the new US envoy, this has resulted in excellent bilateral cooperation over the years in curbing the illegal drug trade.

She noted that the DEA’s role here has been focused largely on the training and capacity-building side as well as providing equipment to local law enforcement agencies with the provision of training on the usage of that equipment.

Ambassador Lynch posited that last year there was a record number of kilos of cocaine discovered within Guyana’s borders and this was as a direct result of the “excellent cooperation” as a result of which the Guyanese military and Police Force have benefited.

US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch

The US State Department, in its 2018 report, recently cited crime, among other things, being a barrier to investment and undermining development.

Commenting on this, the US Diplomat pointed out that the report did recognise that there is tremendous political will in Guyana to advance on these efforts to tackle the drug trade.

“It is a tough battle for sure… [But] I just want to point that out that there has been great political will to make a lot of progress and we hope that continues under any Guyanese Administration, that they build on the progress and grow,” she asserted.

Ambassador Lynch’s pre-

decessor, Perry Holloway, was instrumental in setting up the DEA office here, which was done less than five months after his arrival in Guyana. During an interview prior to his departure back in December after a three-year tenure, Ambassador Holloway had said it was too early to gauge the success of the DEA here but noted that more positive results can be expected in the coming years. “...The investigation of narcotics crime and the related crime of money laundering, these investigations take years and not weeks or months. So if you’re going to bring down an organisation or a kingpin type person, you don’t do that in a week or

two weeks.

The DEA, I think, has done a great job in here, they are not policemen, there are liaison, they are here to share information, develop information, talk to people...

Now after three years with the DEA here, we are beginning to develop some stuff.

But I think in the next two or three years, you are going to see a lot more positive actions coming from your law enforcement entities and them cooperating with international law enforcement,” the US Diplomat stated.

One such development that the former Ambassador spoke about is the arrest of Guyanese hotelier, Shervington “Big Head” Lovell, who was arrested in Jamaica late last year for narcotics trafficking and recently extradited to the US where he faced additional charges.

According to reports, Lovell, who is the owner of Hotel Tower on Main Street, Georgetown, was arraigned before a magistrate in a New York court and pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to violate Maritime Drug Enforcement Law. Nevertheless, former Ambassador Holloway pointed out that he has not seen any evidence to show that transhipment has gotten worst during the three years he has been in Guyana.

However, he pointed out

that the fight against this scourge of narco-trafficking has not ended.

“It is illegal so they don’t tell you how much is shipping through or not shipping through… [But] there is still drugs shipping through Guyana, there is drugs shipping through every country in South America. So Guyana is not alone in being a transhipment point,” he had noted.

However, he too recognised the limitations of local law enforcement agencies given the lack of resources.

Asked by Guyana Times whether the DEA office has been able to tap into the drug network that it suspected was here, Holloway had explained that while they knew of certain individuals and organisations operating in Guyana, this is hard to prove. “[But] by coming here, we gathered a lot more information on those organisations and individuals. We have been working closely and can actually share information that we have with the police and CANU. I think the next three years you are going to see a little bit of an acceleration of activity. Not because people were not working hard, but eventually this information reached a point where all of a sudden, it can be tied together and something can be done,” the former Ambassador had stated.

8 News

WEDNesday, april 10, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ranks in Police brutality accusations at Charity still on the job – Top Cop

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he ranks involved in the alleged beating of four teenage boys at the Charity Police Station, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are on the job even as the matter is being investigated.

Police Commissioner Leslie James on Monday said that he has received a report of the incident from the Divisional Commander and an investigation has been launched into the matter.

The Top Cop said that while the ranks remain on duty, relevant decisions will be made based on the outcome of the investigation.

“They are still on the job… at some point some action will be taken, but they are still on the job. They are still currently where they were. They have not been removed but a decision will be taken once that is necessary,” James said.

Speaking to this publication on Tuesday, the grandmother of one of the young men; Helen Seenauth said that her grandson is at home recovering. The distraught grandmother said that the young man was shackled, stripped naked and brutalised by ranks at the Charity Police Station.

She added that the boys were

taken to the station on Monday afternoon, where they positively identified the rank responsible for the beating. However, he has denied the allegation, claiming that he has no knowledge of it and claimed that he was not the arresting officer.

There are also reports of one of the teens losing his hearing as a result of the alleged beating.

According to the grandmother, she is not aware of any offence committed by the boys or the reason for their arrest.

The reports of alleged beating surfaced last weekend when the teenagers claimed that they were stripped na-

ked, shackled and brutalised on separate occasions at the Charity Police Station. Aside from being beaten, it was also claimed that one of the boys was choked with an electrical cord.

Reports are that the teens are school dropouts, who were picked up and detained by the police for loitering. A video of one of the teenagers displaying injuries he suffered surfaced on Facebook. In the video, the teen alleged that the police covered his head with a bag and beat him which resulted in him receiving injuries to his ear.

Mason remanded on armed robbery charge

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n Albouystown, Georgetown mason on Tuesday denied that he robbed a minibus passenger of $900,000.

Edward Skeete, 32, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for the charge which stated that on March 31, 2019, at Lombard Street, Georgetown, while being in the company of others, and armed with a gun, he robbed Zayne Federson.

The prosecution’s case contended that the Virtual Complainant was sitting in a minibus at Lombard Street, Georgetown,

when the defendant approached him with a gun and relieved him of the money.

According to the prosecution, during the confrontation, the VC attempted to fight off the bandit but was shot in the leg.

The Lot 309 Independence Boulevard, Albouystown man allegedly escaped with the cash.

Skeete was represented by Attorney George Thomas, who made a bail application on his behalf but Police Prosecutor Vivian Adolph objected to bail being

granted. The prosecutor informed the court that Skeete has a pending matter in the court.

Magistrate Dylon Bess upheld the prosecution’s submission and remanded Skeete to prison. The case will continue on April 18, 2019.

Last year, Skeete along with another man were acquitted for the 2015 murder of Mocha-Arcadia resident Ryan Clementson, who was shot. Clementson succumbed two weeks later.

Policing…

I

…red herring t’s been almost four months since the NCM when Charrandas Persaud became a “Judas”, according to the State-owned Chronic. The AFC MP, as we all know, said he voted for the motion because he was fed up with his Government’s treatment of the Berbice constituency he represented. Especially the 4000+ sugar workers his party had betrayed when they uttered not a word after the PNC had unilaterally fired them and thrown them into the streets. He lived among those sugar workers in Canje.

The PNC, not surprisingly in view of their history, couldn’t believe anyone could act on principles and accused the PPP of “bribing” Persaud. Bold talk of money being transferred to the MP in some named hotel over in T&T was floated but nothing came of that. AFC’s Ramjattan and Minister of Security then said he’d received a screen shot of a call from Persaud to a gold miner from Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Sydney Allicock, inquiring to purchase gold.

Obviously stung by the criticism from the PNC that the “betrayal” came from their ranks, Ramjattan immediately took 2 and 2 and made 5 (under the new Maths!) that this meant Persaud was using his “bribe” money to purchase gold!! And passed it on to the Commissioner of Police (CoP) .Nagamootoo and others fuelled the fire against Persaud, as they struggled to prove their loyalty. The CoP promised he was launching an immediate investigation into this “lead”. Now the CoP is directly under the remit of Minister Ramjattan – who, in fact, is the person who recommends who gets the Co job.

Now even though we know, in this particular selection, Ramjattan was sidelined, surely it strains credulity for the CoP to now announce he wasn’t “instructed” to investigate the “gold” story – but was only “informed” by his boss!!

C’mon now!! Is Ramjattan, the Public Security Minister just an ordinary street snitch?? Why didn’t Minister Allicock pass on the screen shot directly to the CoP?? Because, dear reader, he knew that coming from Ramjattan, the “tip” carried much more weight. And the line between “inform” and “instruct” is a very thin one when your boss assures you a bribe was passed!!

Charrandas, offered a quite plausible explanation for the inquiry on the gold purchase from the miner – that he was doing it on behalf of an overseas client. All Guyanese know that many overseas Guyanese routinely purchase “Guyana gold”. Persaud has in fact sued Ramjattan for libel.

But most disturbing is the fact that the Police is still pursuing what is clearly a red herring across the trail of the Government’s defeat by the PPP in the National Assembly.

Shouldn’t the Police instead wrap up the SOCU scandal?? …and bribery Moving from allegations of bribery against Charrandas Persaud by his Minister, the CoP deftly moved on to the more substantial matter of bribery in the Force under his command. And your Eyewitness notes that this might be part of the reason why the “FORCE” hasn’t yet been transmuted into a “Service” – as was promised for years.

After all, Police demanding bribes from the populace has now practically become a cottage industry and this can only be sustained when folks still perceive them as a “Force”!!

You don’t expect that an institution that’s actually “serving” you will shake you down, do you?? And this highlights the disjunct between the CoP’s caution to citizens not to OFFER bribes to the Police. From this Eyewitness’ experience, it’s invariably the Police DEMANDING a raise – starting from a “fried rice” to a “Granger” ($5000) and beyond!! Whaddya do when you’re trying to get to work on time, and the Cop demands you follow him back to the station (for crossing the yellow line!).

Or give him a Granger?? …and SOPs Your Eyewitness thinks the CoP should start the transition to “Service” by issuing SOPs on how his Police talk to citizens.

How about a “Please”, or “Good day, Ma’am”? Or, “Thank you, sir” when stopping drivers to ask for “papers”??

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

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WEDNesday, april 10, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Despite announcement of “resignations”

Parliament office yet to receive resignations from Ministers

Minister of State and US citizen, Joseph Harmon

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nly days ago, Government announced that the process will be initiated for dual citizen Members of Parliament (MP) to resign from the National Assembly and that such persons had already handed in their resignations to President David Granger.

However, it has emerged that the parliamentary office has not received any resignations from these dual citizen parliamentarians – Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, Business Minister Dominic Gaskin and Public Service Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine.

When contacted by Guyana Times, Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs said the process involves the MP’s

Foreign Affairs Minister and Vice President and British citizen, Carl Greenidge

Public Service Minister and British citizen, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

resignations being handed to the Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland.

“They would have to send it to the Speaker of the National Assembly, as required by the Constitution,” the Clerk explained in a brief interview. He said to his knowledge this has not been done.

Minister Harmon had indicated weeks ago that Government would be looking to hold a sitting of the National Assembly on April 11; a sitting the Opposition has said it would not attend. When asked, however, Isaacs noted that no notice has been issued regarding the holding of any sitting.

On April 2, the Ministry of the Presidency had announced that effective April 1, Members of

Parliament (MP’s) on the Government side that have dual citizenship had resigned.

In a statement afterward, Government had said the vacated ministerial posts will be occupied by the former Ministers’ Cabinet colleagues.

According to a statement, Ministers who acted in the past for them will once more fill in.

But then in another statement the next day, the Ministry of the Presidency had announced that the resignation of four Ministers will not take immediate effect. Further, the statement had said three of the four parliamentarians who have indicated their intention to resign, plan on renouncing their foreign citizenship.

Article 155 (1) of the

Business Minister and British citizen, Dominic Gaskin

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.”

In February, Chief Justice Roxane George had ruled on the case filed by Compton Reid over the dual citizenship of former AFC Member of Parliament (MP) Charrandas Persaud.

In the case it brought to the 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.

The Court of Appeal later upheld the January High Court ruling that it is illegal for persons holding dual citizenship status to be sitting in the National Assembly.

Government has been under increasing criticism, even from its own supporters, for stating that dual citizens will return to the National Assembly despite these two rulings.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo last week said the three Opposition MPs – Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, Odinga Lumumba and Adrian Anamayah – who are also dual citizens, will also resign. He noted that they have already written to the Representative of the List, Donald Ramotar, and by next week, will all submit letters to the Speaker of the House.

However, the Opposition Leader ex-

Speaker of the National Assembly Barton Scotland

plained that only Teixeira and Lumumba will be renouncing their foreign citizenship.

“Adrian Anamayah will not renounce. He has explained to me that there are family obligations and other issues so he will not renounce because of those commitments he has…,” Jagdeo noted.

Nevertheless, he revealed that Teixeira has already commenced the process and is awaiting a response from the Canadian authorities on her application for an expedited renunciation, while Lumumba is expected to start his process soon.

10 news

WEDNesday, april 10, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Owed taxes to M&CC

“Show us the list of defaulters” – GCCI to Mayor T he Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has requested that Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine provide a list of the businesses that owe taxes to the entity after it was announced last week that over 140 city businesses owe City Hall taxes.

On Tuesday, the GCCI encouraged the Mayor to release the names of those who owe outstanding taxes while also expressing that the body is extremely disappointed by the “public and broad brush attack on the integrity of the entire business sector” by the Mayor.

In fact, the GCCI said it looks forward to being briefed on M&CC’s plan for the city as well as its financial position.

On Friday last, Mayor Narine called a press conference where he complained that over 140 city business proprietors have failed to pay taxes which results in the build-up of garbage in Georgetown.

However, the GCCI, which represents businesses in the city and on the outskirts of the country, said that the remarks shared

by Narine were rather “displeasing”.

“The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) notes the recent public comments of His Worship, The Mayor Ubraj Narine, which it finds displeasing to the intended spirit of a recent meeting convened with the new Mayor at which the Chamber extended an olive branch to discuss issues, not limited to but including those, which may be hindering the City Council’s collection of taxes,” the body stat-

GCCI President Nicholas Boyer

ed.

Further, GCCI used the opportunity to announce its willingness to work along with the Mayor in the interest of the business community and the maintenance of well-kept environs.

According to the Chamber, all of its members are mandated to adhere to its code of conduct, which includes respect and adherence to all legislative framework, inclusive of tax payments.

“The GCCI has always stood on the side of the rule of law and will continue to encourage all businesses in Georgetown, both members and non-members of the GCCI, to be responsible in their civic duty of paying taxes,” the Private Sector body assured.

It further stressed the importance of businesses, noting that they create employment and economic activities to benefit everyone.

The Chamber added that it is of the view that partnerships between businesses and regulatory bodies are vital to the success of the country as it allows both sides to express issues and concerns in an environment where a

solution can be crafted collaboratively.

In an interview with Guyana Times, President of the GCCI, Nicholas Boyer said he is cognisant of the fact that some businesses in the city may run away from paying their taxes, however, he believes that direct appeals should be made to those establishments, rather than label every organisation with the same title.

“Before you got to that stage of just calling out high-end businesses and so those comments may start to create a more contentious atmosphere…we understand why he is doing it because he may feel like these businesses have not been paying taxes over such and such a period so maybe he feels frustration,” Boyer explained.

He added that the Chamber could have played the part of a mediator between those errant businesses and City Hall and seized the opportunity to encourage businesses to pay up their dues to M&CC. The Mayor had complained on Friday last that the overflow of garbage in the city was as a result of

damages to the tyres of the lone tractor owned by the City Council.

A replacement of the tyres is difficult to obtain locally, he said, which saw the garbage bins throughout Georgetown being left unattended for the past three days. Further, it is expensive to buy new tractors, the Mayor noted.

The Mayor then lambasted some 144 “high-end businesses” in Georgetown which have failed to pay their taxes and who owes City Hall billions.

According to Narine, City Hall is willing to procure two additional tractors, however, this is difficult since the finances are unavailable.

The Mayor went on to urge those businesses to pay up monies owed, which will make the work of City Hall less strenuous since according to Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentor, the monies for the tractor cannot be obtained from the Communities Ministry.

City woes

Even as City Hall has complained against errant taxpayers, it was revealed last October during a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) that the agency has been awaiting payments from M&CC for rates and taxes dating back to 2016, while there has also been an examination of pension payments to a broker insurance company that has not been paid for the past 19 months.

Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Ron Simbhu told the Commission that City Hall is guilty of outstanding taxes, which have been owed for 2016,

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine

2017 and 2018.

While they were unable to divulge the amount as part of its agreements with the client, Simbhu positively stated that these payments were not made.

Instances of outstanding payments continued throughout the hearing as the Deputy Managing Director of Insurance

Brokers Guyana Limited, Ewart Adams, was called to the stand to testify.

“The last payment of $776,523 was in February of 2017,” Adams said.

It is estimated that over $14.5 million is unpaid for the pension plan, with an additional $9,566,304 for the fire and motor insurance payments.

Timehri man clinging to life after stabbing

Injured: Denzel Brummel

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21-year-old Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD) man is now clinging to life at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he was stabbed several times on Sunday night by a close relative of his girl-

friend.

Denzel Brummel of Lot 12 Alliance Road, Timehri, was stabbed at about 23:00h following an argument while imbibing with his girlfriend’s 65-year-old relative at a Craig Old Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home.

The argument escalated and a scuffle ensued.

The suspect subsequently left and went to a nearby house and returned with a knife. He then attacked and stabbed Brummel about his body, puncturing his lungs.

The police were called to the scene and the victim was rushed to the hospital, where he is currently in a critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The suspect has since been apprehended and is presently in Police custody as investigations continue.

Region 1 man jailed for beating wife

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50-year-old Baramita, Region One (BarimaWaini) resident was on Tuesday jailed for 18 months after he admitted to wounding, threatening and assaulting his wife.

Roopnarine Persaud appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan where he admitted that on April 5, 2019, at Barama Lane, Baramita, he unlawfully and maliciously assaulted his wife, Bhahanna Charles, and on the same day, he displayed threatening behaviour towards her.

The court heard that the couple has two children together and as a result of consistent physical abuse, several reports were made to the police. In 2018, the mechanic was charged and convicted for assault which re-

sulted in actual bodily harm to his wife.

According to Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore, on April 5, the Virtual Complainant was sitting with friends at Barama Lane, Baramita, when her husband went up to her armed with an empty drink case and dealt her several lashes about her head.

During the incident, the man shouted that he will not stop beating the VC until she dies.

The woman was assisted by her friends and taken to the Baramita Health Centre.

The Chief Magistrate sentenced Persaud to 18 months in prison for the assault and 12 months for the other charges. The sentences will run concurrently.

NEWS

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WEDNesday, april 10, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

PPP Commissioners muzzled at GECOM’s statutory meeting

PPP Commissioner Robeson Benn

PPP Commissioner Sase Gunraj

PPP Commissioner Bibi Shadick

hairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Retired Justice James Patterson has been accused of muzzling Commissioners of the People’s Progressive Party.

At Tuesday’s statutory meeting, PPP Commissioners, Robson Benn, Sase Gunraj and Bibi Shadick walked out of the meeting after Patterson refused to allow Benn to make remarks at the beginning of the meeting which was held at GECOM’s High Street, Kingston, Georgetown office.

Speaking with Guyana Times after walking out of the meeting, Commissioner Benn expressed dissatisfaction with the operations of the Commission. He stated that among the issues he intended to raise during the intervening period were the Ethnic Relations Commission’s (ERC) report and a legal letter against GECOM among other matters.

“It has been two weeks since a full meeting has taken place and we were still not allowed to say anything,” Benn remarked.

“We have a democratic right to make comments at the beginning of the meeting and there is clear inten-

tion to have us not so do,” he added.

At the previous meeting held on March 12, the three PPP Commissioners walked out after realising that the matters on the agenda for the statutory meeting had nothing to do with Regional and General Elections but rather, house-to-house registration.

PPP Commissioner Sase Gunraj had told the media that the house-to-house registration is a policy that was taken from time to time by GECOM while the requirement to hold general elections is mandated by the Constitution of Guyana.

He had noted that he along with the other PPP Commissioners, could not “sit there and suborn the violation of the Constitution” by engaging in any discussion that does not countenance the holding of elections in the constitutionally-mandated timeline.

M e a n w h i l e , Commissioner Benn had said that he requested that GECOM cease and desist from undertakings relating to house-to-house registration and to take account of the constitutional imperatives based on the no-confidence motion passed in the National Assembly on

December 21, 2018.

The PPP Commissioners have maintained that the only way of “going forward” would be to have all Commissioners at GECOM commence discussions on the

C

pressing issue of Regional and General Elections in Guyana as is constitutionally mandated.

On December 21, 2018, the no-confidence motion brought by the parliamentary Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) against the Government succeeded when former AFC Member of Parliament Charrandas Persaud broke ranks and made a conscience vote in favour of the motion.

GECOM Commissioners, including the Chair, have been advocating for houseto-house registration to sanitise the voters’ list. On Monday, GECOM’s Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward, in an invited comment said that the necessary training for election of-

GECOM’s Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson

ficials has begun in several areas across the country in a bid to hold house-to-house registration.

“The Secretariat has commenced its preparations for the conduct of house-to-

house registration and so I think it was the weekend of the 23rd and 24th of March training for the trainers commenced. Subsequently, there was the training in Georgetown I think at 16 locations on the weekend of the 30th and 31st [of March] and of as at yesterday [Sunday] training continued on the East Coast and on the East Bank [of Demerara],” Ward explained.

She said that once the training has concluded, a proposal has been made for the house-to-house registration to commence in June.

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

4-year-old accidentally sets house on fire

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four-year-old boy was rescued after he set his aunt’s Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) residence alight while playing with a lighter on Monday.

The Lot 114 Third Avenue Bartica house owned by 42-year-old, Michelle Garraway was completely destroyed at about 11:15h.

Guyana Times understands that Garraway left the child asleep in one of the bedrooms in the wooden house.

However, sometime later she smelled smoke and went to inspect. It was then that she saw the bedroom engulfed in flames but quickly managed to save her nephew.

The duo exited the house and the fire service was called to the scene. However, by that time, it was too late and the entire house was completely destroyed.

The burnt inside of the Bartica house

When questioned, the child told Garraway that he

was playing with a lighter and accidentally set a mat-

tress on fire. An investigation has been launched.

12 NEWS

WEDNesday, april 10, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

1 dead, 1 critical after WBD accident of the Canal Number Two Public Road on motorcycle CJ 8132 when they collided with motorcar PVV 1097, which was proceeding in the opposite direction.

According to Police, following the impact, both victims

were thrown from the cycle but were quickly picked up and rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) where they were examined and transferred to the GPHC. However, Nunes succumbed to his injuries at

about 02:00h on Tuesday. A breathalyser test was conducted on the driver of the motorcar but there was no trace of alcohol. He remains in Police custody and is assisting with the investigation.

Soesdyke-Linden Highway

Street lamps to be installed before rehabilitation

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The car and motorcycle that were involved in the collision at Canal Number Two Public Road

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motorist is dead and his pillion rider is battling for her life at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) follow-

ing a collision with a motorcar on Monday night.

Dead is Neil Nunes, 47, of Lot 81 Belle West, Canal Number Two Polder, West

Bank Demerara. Injured is 35-year-old Nichola Garnette.

Reports are the duo was proceeding east along the southern carriageway

hile commuters and residents traversing the Soesdyke-Linden Highway have welcomed the news that street lights will be installed along the dark roadway, they are questioning the rationale behind the installation since the rehabilitation highway will commence shortly.

Some residents reached out to this publication on Tuesday labelling the move as “placing the cart before the horse.”

A senior official close to the project told Guyana Times that a meeting was recently held at one of the communities along the highway where villagers were enlightened on the Ministry’s plan but questioned the logic.

The official, who has experience in the engineering field, told this publication that residents expressed concern about the project as the much-anticipated street lights may just be wasted after rehabilitation works are completed to the dilapidating highway.

The project, dubbed the “Soesdyke-Linden Highway Rehabilitation Design” commenced on January 15, 2019, with site visits among others.

The scope of works includes the rehabilitation of

over 70km of the two-lane road from the Soesdyke Junction to the Wismar Bridge. Nine multi-span bridges and six culvert roads will be evaluated while design with replacements will be added to those in need.

A road safety audit, an axle load survey and weight control programme will be undertaken during the period.

It will also see a technical and economic feasibility report being prepared along with an environmental and social impact assessment.

Several calls made to the Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, went unanswered.

The dark and deplorable highway has been prone to major accidents.

Guyana Times recently visited Linden and observed that vehicles were swerving in out of their respective lanes to avoid potholes.

Also notable, was the lack of road markings.

Drivers complained of having to use high-beam lights to get through the road at nights, which in turn affects the vision of other drivers.

The road is, however, much more challenging to those who are unfamiliar with it.

Back in 2017, the then Linden Mayor, Carwyn Holland, told the media that the project was pegged at

$40 million.

He added that there have been calls for lights along the highway for many years, as he pointed out that the projects do not fall under the municipality of the Linden Mayor and Town Council but through the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

The upgrade of the highway was initially expected to be carried out in 2017, however, this did not happen.

At the beginning of the year, a young man lost his life while another barely escaped with a broken foot as a speeding car struck the two without stopping to render any assistance.

Such accidents are no stranger to the dangerous highway as several other innocent lives have been snatched in similar occurrences.

In one instance, a mother and son were killed while three other family members were listed as critical following an accident on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Subsequently, two women were killed in a bus shed while awaiting transportation.

In another incident, the body of an unidentified man suspected to be the victim of a hit-and-run accident was found along the Loo Creek, Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

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News

WEDNEsday, april 10, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Father, son on trial for Mahaica accountant’s murder – other accused died in Camp Street Prison fire

Dead: Suresh Nandkishore

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he trial into the 2015 murder of Suresh Nandkishore also called “Ravo” commenced on Tuesday before Justice Navindra Singh and an empanelled 12-member jury at the Georgetown High Court.

On trial are 54-year-old Sukhdeo Dharamdat called “Toney” and his son, 25-yearold Eshwardat Dharamdat called “Bruddow”.

The men are accused of killing Nandkishore on February 3, 2015, at Handsome Tree, Mahaica Creek. The duo denied the charge against them in court on Tuesday.

On February 6, 2015, the older Dharamdat and his two sons Eshwardat and Chaitram Dharamdat made their first court appearance at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court and were

charged with the murder of Nandkishore. However, the younger son, Chaitram Dharamdat, was killed in the Camp Street Prison fire back in 2016, leaving the two accused to stand trial.

At the trial’s commencement, the two accused were represented by Attorneys Brandon De Santos and Alanna Lall.

The State’s case is being led by Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy in association with Abigail Gibbs and Teriq Mohammed.

Taking the stand was the deceased brother, Parmanand Nandkishore, who is the prosecution’s star witness. Nandkishore, who is the older brother of the deceased, told the court that at about 11:30h on February 3, 2015, his father, Bhopaul Nandkishore, and the nowdead man asked him to assist them in repairing a fence on their plot of land in the backdam at Mahaica.

He further told the jury that about 15 minutes after arriving at the land by boat, the older Dharamdat [Sukhdeo] approached his father inquiring about what they were doing, after which he left. However, after another 15 minutes’ interval, the said accused along with his two sons returned, this time armed with cutlasses shortly after which an argument ensued.

Accused: Eshwardat Dharamdat (left) and his father Sukhdeo Dharamdat

The court heard that when the three victims decided to leave the land, the older Dharamdat attacked the deceased, pushing him to the ground where he dealt him a blow to the head using a piece of wood. The older Nandkishore went to his son’s rescue but was also hit in the head by the younger Dharamdat [Eshwardat] and fell into a nearby trench.

Meanwhile, Parmanand, who witnessed the attack on his family members, was dealt several cuffs, chops and lashes about his body with a cutlass and a piece of wood by all three of the Dharamdats, during which he pretended to be dead so the attackers would leave.

The court was further in-

Fire scorches RHTY&SC clubhouse

The RHTY&SC building which was scorched

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lert members of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club on Saturday prevented what could have been a major fire.

Reports are that at the time the fire started, three club members including the Chief Executive Officer were inside the building at Area ‘H’ Ground, which only has one exit.

According to the club’s CEO, Hilbert Foster, on Saturday members of the entity did an extensive cleanup exercise and burnt items which are no longer needed.

“To the best of my knowledge I think what happen there is that a flying piece of paper which had flames on it ended up in one of the boxes which was eventually brought back into the storeroom,” Foster told this publication.

However, as he was making final checks on his way

out of the building, ensuring that all lights were off, he noticed the flames.

The other club members were notified and attempts were made to extinguish it despite the extreme heat.

Cricketers, who were in practice, and members of the public formed a bucket brigade and were able to extinguish the fire.

Foster said that he is thankful that most of the items in the storeroom were saved but more than $500,000 worth in trophies along with gifts which the club had secured for its award ceremony, scheduled for later this month, were destroyed in addition to some items for the club’s Christmas village.

“The Rose Hall Youth and Sports Club is going to get over this. We are not asking anybody for assistance. We have gotten over

other things like this in the past where bandits broke in and stole millions of dollars in stuff and we were able to get over it. One thing we would like to do is to thank the Heavenly Father for his guidance during the twenty minutes of madness, for saving our lives,” Foster said.

Meanwhile, on Sunday four persons were left homeless after a fire destroyed a two-storey house at Number 57 Village, Corentyne.

Reports are that two persons were at home at the time.

Marcia Courtland and her daughter were attending to a GWI meter reader when smoke was seen coming from the upper flat.

Neighbours were able to save some household items.

The fire is believed to have been caused by a fault in the building’s electrical wiring.

formed that after the three attackers left, Parmanand left his father and brother behind as he managed to escape and seek help from neighbours.

Parmanand Nandkishore related that on February 5,

2015, he was present at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary where he identified the body of his deceased brother.

While under cross-examination by the defence lawyer, the witness denied that his now dead brother was armed with a cutlass after a captured video of the incident revealed that the older Dharamdat was heard shouting “why you chap meh”. Nevertheless, Nandkishore maintained that he was the last to see the accused and he sustained no injuries during the altercation.

Meanwhile, Bopnarine Singh, a neighbour, who also testified on Tuesday, said that on the day of the incident he received a telephone call from his father, after which he immediately left his home via his motor-

car. He informed the court that upon arrival at the Nandkishore’s home he observed Parmanand covered in blood and subsequently transported him to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital where he was admitted a patient.

Neurosurgeon, Dr Amarnauth Dukhi, who prepared the medical report for Bhopaul Nandkishore, during his testimony informed the court that the victim suffered from traumatic sub-haemorrhage, short for traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage, which is usually related to severe head injuries and unconsciousness resulting from a rigid hit on the head in cases of car accidents or a fall.

The matter is set to continue today with the continuation of testimonies by the remaining witnesses.

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wednesday, april 10, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 6 RDC calls out Ministers over sidelining Education Ministry hosts learning disabilities seminar

Acting Regional Chairman Dennis DeRoop

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he Region Six Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has publicly expressed its disapproval at the way Government Ministers treat the RDC. According to Acting Regional Chairman Dennis DeRoop, Government Ministers show total disregard by not visiting the RDC when they are in the region.

Several Government Ministers, DeRoop said, do not even inform the region-

al administration that they will be visiting the region.

“They just come into the region and do what they want. That is why we have taken a position now when they visit because if you are a Minister and you fail to inform the Regional Chairman office of [your] visit to show protocol, then we are not going to recognise their visit as an official visit,” DeRoop said.

He was at the time addressing the statuary meeting of the RDC. Government Ministers, he added, should respect protocol and upon entering any region contact the Regional Chairman’s office first.

“The President has been respecting the protocol.

Every time the President is coming to this region, the first contact is made with the Regional Chairman’s office but the Ministers are bent in their own ways and we need to pull them in line and let them respect protocol.”

The acting Chairman said even if they do not re-

spect the regional leadership, the Ministers should show respect to the office, and inform it of their visit.

“When a Minister is coming to a region, he or she is a Minister for all the people and not some parts of the region or a specific place within the region, so I urge that some work be done there in order to respect protocol.”

Meanwhile, the RDC said it will be writing the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) on allegations of victimisation over the awarding of contracts in the region since it has been done in a discriminatory way.

He added that the same is being done with regard to employment in the region.

“They are just selected and put into the position.

They are being employed based on political affiliation and/or ethnicity. So the region will write the Ethnic Relations Commission on these two specific matters,” DeRoop added.

Assistant SecretaryGeneral, Human and Social Development, Caricom Secretariat, Dr Douglas Slater

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he Education Ministry has made continuous efforts to promote the inclusivity of education and has embarked on several projects which will revamp the delivery of education to ensure that all students, irrespective of ability, are able to receive a quality education.

The Ministry, in collaboration with the Caricom Secretariat and the G Halley Marville Trust, host-

ed a learning disabilities seminar on Tuesday. The timely forum was lauded as necessary and will augment the work and efforts of the Ministry.

It is expected to move issues relating to children with learning and other disorders from the periphery to a central place of focus for education officials.

Education Minister, Nicolette Henry said that the Ministry is constantly looking for new ways to address learning disabilities.

“We are striving to achieve inclusive learning, teaching, and research attitude and culture to enable students, staff and stakeholders to develop their full potential and ultimately contribute to the challenges of the day,” Henry is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development, Caricom Secretariat, Dr Douglas Slater, explained that the seminar will ensure

learners are equipped with the skills and competencies needed to nurture academic and social success among learners with special needs.

“This seminar is aligned with the principles and outcomes of this agreement and is a demonstration of the region’s commitment to proactively engage the demands for the provision of inclusive education.”

The seminar serves as a part of the Ministry’s nationwide educational interventions geared at improving the quality and inclusivity of education being delivered to all learners.

The G Halley Marville Trust is a registered charity, created to address mental health issues and OCD. It also aims to raise awareness about additional needs and difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

The Trust was birthed last year and registered in Barbados.

Law Reform Commissioners to be appointed soon

– 3 candidates shortlisted from interview panel

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fter a long wait, Government seems poised to appoint the Commissioners for the Law Reform Commission with three candidates for the positions having been short-

listed from the interview panel.

This was related by Attorney General Basil Williams during an interview with the media on Monday. According to

Williams, these commissioners will be appointed after President David Granger returns from Cuba, where he is seeking medical treatment.

“We hope to activate

them. They’ve shortlisted three persons. When the President returns, it is actually for the names that were identified by the panel… so when the President the only thing left is to appoint these commissioners.”

Pressed for the names of the candidates, all Williams would say is that they are experienced individuals in drafting laws.

In January 2016, Government had approached the National Assembly, passed the Law Reform Commission Act no. 4 of 2016 and appropriated millions for the Commission’s establishment.

According to the Act, the Commission will have the duty to “keep under review all the law applicable to Guyana with a view to its systematic development and reform, including in particular the modification of any branch of the law, the elimination of anomalies, and the repeal of obsolete and unnecessary enactments.”

It is also mandated by

the law to receive and consider suggestions for the reform of the law. These suggestions, according to the Act, can be made on the invitation of the Commission and can come from Judges, public officials, lawyers and the general public.

The Commission also has to “prepare and submit to the Minister specific programmes for the examination of different branches of the law with a view to reform including recommendations as to whether such examination should be carried out by the Commission or some other body.”

In order to fulfil its functions, it is allowed to set up law reform committees that would examine particular aspects of the law to make their recommendations.

These committees, according to Section 8 (2) of the Act, do not have to be restricted to legal professionals.

During his budget presentation, Williams had argued that the Commission would undo the laws Guyana

inherited from the United Kingdom before independence, “many (of which) are archaic and irrelevant to our society.”

There are a number of legislative acts likely to be scrutinised and changed if the Commission comes on stream. This includes the laws pertaining to the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), laws criminalising same sex relations and laws regarding possession of marijuana.

The parliamentary opposition has been vociferous in declaring that nominees to the commission should be made from different groups.

In its recommendations, the People’s Progressive Party had noted that the Association of Legal Professionals, the University of Guyana, Private Sector Commission, the religious community, labour unions, human rights groups and the political Opposition should be represented.

Berbice labourer dies after falling from lorry

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olice in Berbice are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a West Berbice, Region Six labourer who reportedly fell off of a lorry on which he was working on Tuesday afternoon.

The dead man has only been identified as “Donkey Head”.

The incident reportedly took place at Rosignol Village.

Following the incident, he was rushed to the Fort

Wellington Hospital in an unconscious state and later transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

However, he died while receiving medical attention.

An investigation has been launched.

news

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wednesday, april 10, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

Blaming everyone but themselves, APNU/AFC continues to bungle everything in sight

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fter four years in Government, there are many disappointing things the Guyanese people invariably expect from the David Granger-led A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government, one prime example being its pathological blaming of others. It is never their fault, it is always someone else’s fault, no matter how preposterous their excuse seems. Whether it is the stagnation of the economy, the rampant corruption, the incompetence and Dr Leslie Ramsammy mismanagement, APNU/AFC always finds someone to blame.

The deterioration in the health sector, the spiralling crime, the daunting unemployment problem, loss of export earnings, the rising debt, the exclusion of youth, rising domestic violence, everything in Guyana is somebody’s fault, but APNU/AFC’s.

The Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, provided ample evidence exposing the brazen trafficking in people, spawned within the Ministry of Citizenship. At his press conference, the Opposition Leader presented evidence showing alleged persons, with foreign-sounding names, but all with the same picture, being granted citizenship. It is not just suspicious minds, but clearly the groundwork for fictitious names padding the voters’ list is being laid out. Caught red-handed, the Minister of Citizenship blamed the mouthpiece of the Government, the Guyana Chronicle, for putting out the wrong advertisement. The Guyana Chronicle, for their part, was not willing to admit to the “crime”. Rather, like their bosses, they blamed the computer. It was a computer glitch, nothing more they claimed.

But it is now more than a week, we see no correction from anybody. The Ministry of Citizenship has failed to prove it sent any material different from the advertisement. The Guyana Chronicle has not shown that it placed anything different in the computer than what the computer put out. Of course, computers put out what you put in, garbage in, the same garbage out. The fact is clear, the Ministry was creating ID of fake people so they could pad the voters’ list. They did not expect anyone was paying attention to the advertisement which is a requisite part of the process to grant citizenship to a foreigner.

A Police station under construction in La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, has failed several completion deadlines. The Public Security Minister refuses to take responsibility, claiming it is a “builder’s fault”. Even if it is a builder’s fault that led to the initial failure, why is it that the Ministry did not take action? The same Minister refuses to take any responsibility for the delay in the Smart City Project, a project designed to expand the CCTV surveillance capacity in Georgetown. The project already procured all the CCTV equipment, but has been plagued with several delays. The InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) has, in fact, just withdrew from funding. The Minister blamed the IDB, claiming the IDB withdrew because the contract for expanding the CCTV capacity was granted to the Chinese communication firm, Huawei. The Minister further claims he needs a supplementary budget to complete the project.

But I am confused, if the IDB withdrew because of Huawei, why did they release funds for Huawei to supply the equipment?

The Minister in the Communities Ministry with responsibility for Housing, Valarie Patterson-Yearwood, was caught red-handed in a scandalous conflict of interest issue in which her husband has had more than one contract to build homes for her Ministry.

Her response was typical of the standard APNU/AFC excuse – it is not her, not her Ministry, but the fault of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). The Minister was emphatic that she and her Ministry have nothing to do with contracts for building homes for Government distribution. Yet, there is ample evidence the Minister and her Ministry were directly involved, including newspaper pictures. In any case, CH&PA is an authority under her supervision. The buck stops with her. Compounding the problem is that the CH&PA itself raised the issue of a conflict of interest from the initial stages.

Every day, there is at least one more example of someone else blamed for wrongdoing. APNU/AFC is never responsible. This has become the hallmark of APNU/AFC’s governance in Guyana. Besides blaming other people and other agencies for their mismanagement, incompetence and corruption, APNU/AFC blames everything on the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and Bharrat Jagdeo. The examples are preposterous and troubling. They blame Jagdeo that the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Modernisation and Expansion project has long past its completion deadline, has more than 1400 defects, has been downscaled, from new terminal to rehabilitated ones, and for the Government paying US$35 million for sand worth US$5 million. They blame Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP for closing the sugar estates and for unemployment of more than 7000 sugar workers. They blame the PPP for the severe delay in payment of severance to sugar workers laid off after APNU/AFC closed the sugar estates. Now that we have drought-like conditions, APNU/AFC cries it is Bharrat Jagdeo’s fault the gods are angry.

Urica Primus: Mining formed the backbone of her family U nlike some other women who were drawn into mining, Urica Primus grew up in a family where mining formed the backbone of the family, where 80 per cent of her aunts and uncle were miners. Additionally, growing up, Urica was like a shadow to her uncle John Charles.

Now that means everywhere he journeyed to, she was there, whether that entailed purchasing engine parts, loading trucks, taking engine parts to be repaired, she was there.

By age 10, Urica was taking care of small aspects of the family business. She related that “they would send you to do things on your own, like if they were loading trucks and they had to go and collect something, they would give you the money and say, look go and collect it. Or if workers come out and they had a lot of workers paying at once, then you would start like writing the receipts and letting them sign, so you got involved, really hands-on at an early age and as you can tell, from not only our work, there is very little that would be going around me that I wouldn’t get involved in, especially if it’s something that you know affects not only your family but day to day life”.

She added that during the August holidays as children, they would go and spend time in the interior and return. The executive of the organisation pointed out that the atmosphere during the 1990s, with respect to mining, compared to the atmosphere at present, is far different.

“There was more a spirit of family and comradery and people working together to me. I could be wrong.

It was a lot safer then within the mining communities.”

Even when Primus moved from Bartica to Georgetown to attend secondary school, she still remained actively involved with the procurement of items, hiring of staff and sending staff into the interior in addition to other aspects of the business.

At just about 19, Primus got her own mining operation. That basically meant moving from managing both the finances and human resources to going into the business fully.

Subsequently, Urica became the second Vice-President of the Guyana Women Miners Organisation in 2012. She then moved up the ranks, becoming the first VicePresident. Then in 2015, she was elected the President of the organisation.

The Guyana Women Miners Organisation looks

Urica Primus

not only at the industry but the representation of women on both sides of the spectrum, including women within the extractive sector, women who live within mining communities, women who are impacted by mining and so on. The President of the organisation said there has never been an organisation offering representation to women in mining, providing services or providing assistance that would lead to the development of skills in the industry.

Looking at the work of the organisation, the President noted that there are a number of areas that the body has been addressing which are aligned with issues that she has been aware of for years. Issues she would like to play an active role in finding solutions for.

Over the years, the President of the organisation, who is currently pursuing a Degree in Psychology, has quite comfortably been able to garner the respect of members within the organisation. A major factor in support from other members, according to her, is that people often respect one’s actions as compared to tones.

She added that treating people with respect as well as acknowledging the input from every member of the organisation, whether it is time, assisting victims, going into the field or simply dropping off letters, people are more open to working with you when offered respect.

Working together as a collective would have seen the organisation growing in membership and other fronts. At 24, Primus was not only heading the organisation but also making representations on the Board of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

The President of the organisation doesn’t see age as a factor in getting things done rather, it’s the conduct that counts.

She noted that “coming from a mining background, the ups and downs in mining really humbles you and it teaches you not to take anything for granted, when it comes to how you use your time, how you allot your fi-

nances, how you plan for your future because there is nothing that is certain or you can say well within the next five months this is what I am going to do. It’s different from when you are working a 9 to 5 job, when you have a fixed salary. One of the things that most miners can tell you during the down periods, you really have a sense of how genuine some people are and how genuine people aren’t”.

She was quick to highlight too that some jokes should not be taken for granted because people often say things that they want to say while joking around. That aside, the President is a fervent believer that other members of the organisation should get equal opportunity in terms of training, whether locally or internationally.

The organisation also lends in-depth personal support to members who would have had a miscarriage to hospitalisation to business expansion and beyond.

“We have members who have small businesses, we have tried to connect them with other businesses that

they can now widen their markets, did their introduction letters for them, create social media accounts for them and teach them how to brand themselves. So there is so much you can do if you stop living in a ball or in [a] box or limiting yourself that this is your mandate and you have to stick to this.

Life doesn’t work like that.

At the end of the day, there is so much that persons need help with and there is so much that we need to develop as a country in general that you can’t forsake anyone’s needs or forsake anyone’s issues and you also have to as much as possible remember that the whole world is not about you” the President of the organisation added.

The organisation is currently conducting Project Management Training for roughly 10 women in the organisation and this is being facilitated through Cerulean Inc. This is conducted every Saturday and extends to members outside of the capital city through the use of technology.

The Natural Resources Ministry also sponsored a trade show preparation training held on February 16, 2019, for members and non-member miners who were preparing to attend Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Convention (PDAC) to market their mining properties Additionally, the selfless President of the organisation feels women need to be respected more in society and this can only start with how they are treated.

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guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNEsday, APRIL 10, 2019

Regional

US couple missing for 2 weeks Inspired by migrant caravans, new wave of Cubans seek US asylum in The Dominican Republic

A photo reportedly showing Ravenelle and Moore during their stay at the resort

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New York couple has been missing for two weeks following a holiday to the Dominican Republic, according to their family. Portia Ravenelle and Orlando Moore were to return on March 27 from a four-day trip to the resort town of Samaná, but they never boarded their flight.

The pair has not been heard from since they reportedly left for the airport in a rental car at the end of

their trip. Local Police are investigating and US officials are aware of the case.

During a Tuesday news conference, The Dominican Republic National Police spokesman Colonel Frank Felix Durán Mejia said authorities are not yet able to say whether the couple was kidnapped.

Colonel Mejia said the couple's rental car, a white Kia, has not been found, but they have confirmed

that Moore and Ravenelle passed a toll booth on the way to Santo Domingo at 01:41h on the morning they were scheduled to depart.

The US embassy in Santo Domingo did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the BBC, but a Department of State official said they are "aware of reports regarding a US couple missing in The Dominican Republic".

Moore's sister, Lashay Turner, told NBC New York that US customs officials confirmed Moore did not return to the country.

She said their car remains parked at the Newark airport where they left it on 23 March. The couple, of Mount Vernon, New York, stayed at the all-inclusive Grand Bahia Principe Cayacoa resort in Samaná from March 23-27.

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sel Rojas put his dream of leaving Cuba on hold when the United States ended a generous immigration policy for island residents. But watching coverage of migrant caravans heading from Central America toward the United States on Cuban television last year, he began to see a new path.

One morning in January, he woke up and told his wife he was finally ready. Fifteen days later, he was gone. “If they can do it, why can’t we?” said Rojas, a 48-yearold who worked in agriculture in the eastern city of Holguin, recalling the images of young men and families traveling en masse to the Mexico-US border.

Powerful, 'abnormal' rains lash Rio de Janeiro, at least 6 dead

People react at the site of a mudslide after heavy rains, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 9, 2019

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orrential rains doused Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, killing at least six people and sowing chaos in Brazil’s second largest city, which declared a state of emergency after a storm that the mayor described as “absolutely abnormal.”

A woman and her seven-year-old granddaughter were buried in a mudslide as they rode in a taxi, and the driver’s body was

also found inside the vehicle, police detective Valeria Aragao told O Globo newspaper. Two adult sisters died when their home in a slum was buried in a mudslide, while a man drowned in another part of the city, the Mayor’s office said in a statement.

The rains began around Monday evening and had not let up by midday Tuesday, with a heavy downpour forecast through

Duque asked legislators in March to review six parts of the law that regulates the Special Jurisdiction for Peace tribunal

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olombia's lower house has overwhelmingly rejected President Ivan Duque's suggested modifications to the country's transitional justice sys-

tem – the latest in a series of congressional defeats for the President.

Duque asked legislators in March to review six parts of the law that regulates the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) tribunal. The special tribunal was created as part of a 2016 peace deal between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels to try former rebels and military officials for war crimes.

Late on Monday, the lower house voted 110-44 to turn down the suggested changes. The modifications were expected to be defeated because the peace accord, signed under former President Juan Manuel Santos, is part of the country's constitution.

Any changes would require a

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place its logging regulator OSINFOR under the Environmental Ministry.

The trade deal, agreed in 2007, included a provision requiring OSINFOR to be an independent agency. Americans feared the Peruvian move could have undermined OSINFOR’s independence and hindered its ability to effectively enforce Peru’s forestry laws, USTR said.

Following technical consultations in January and deliberations by the PTPA environmental affairs council in February, Peru re-

versed course, annulling the December decision on April 9. “This shows that strong enforcement works,” USTR chief Robert Lighthizer said in a statement.

Environmentalists have long criticized Peru for not doing enough to keep wood from being harvested illegally from its forests for export. Peru controls a small piece of the Amazon, a tropical forest home to unrivalled biodiversity and vast stores of carbon dioxide that fuel global warming when destroyed. (Reuters)

(Excerpt from Reuters)

two-thirds majority in the legislature.

"This is a huge defeat for the government," Sergio Guzman, director of Colombia Risk Analysis, a political risk consultancy firm, told Al Jazeera.

"In spite of throwing all their heavy artillery, with the attorney general attending the congressional session, they were unable to amass sufficient votes which speaks volumes about the loss that the government is suffering, not just in this part of their agenda, but lately, in other areas of their agenda affecting governance, too," Guzman added.

Duque had previously said he would back the outcome of the vote but has yet to comment since the result was announced. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Wealth Bill passed in T&T after marathon sitting …compromise reached

US concludes environmental spat with Peru using trade treaty he US Government, fearing Peru had recently acted to weaken its ability to stop illegal logging, has used a 2009 trade treaty’s environmental provisions to stop Lima from eliminating its forestry regulator, the United States Trade Representative said on Tuesday.

In January, the United States requested consultations under the environmental chapter of the Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA), which went into force in 2009, to oppose Peru’s decision to

gration policies. Critics say the president’s statements about the caravans, including a series of angry tweets, have ironically enlarged the groups and publicised asylum as a possible avenue to legal status.

The addition of Cubans to those flows is adding to the pressure on already overwhelmed shelters and border authorities in Mexico and the United States. More than 100,000 people were apprehended or presented themselves to authorities in March, the White House said on Friday, calling it the highest number in a decade. Trump has threatened a border shutdown or tariffs on Mexico in retaliation.

Colombia's lower house rejects Duque's changes to peace tribunal

(Excerpt from BBC News)

the end of the day. More than 34 cm (13 inches) of rain fell on parts of the city in the last 24 hours, according to the mayor’s office.

Videos on local news showed normally calm residential streets turned into raging torrents that dragged people and cars. A coastal bike path meant to be a legacy of the 2016 Olympics that had been weakened by previous storms suffered more damage, with chunks of the path falling into the sea.

The Mayor’s office declared a state of emergency on Monday night. Major roads were closed, and the mayor’s office said 785 places were without power.

Emergency services acted to rescue people trapped in cars and on the streets.

TV images on Tuesday showed divers examining a car submerged in a flooded underpass. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Rojas is now waiting to apply for US asylum in the Mexican border town of Ciudad Juarez, which has become a magnet for Cuban migrants.

Political repression and bleak economic prospects remain the primary reasons cited by Cubans for migrating from the Communistruled island, a Cold War foe of the United States.

But some in Ciudad Juarez say news of the caravans also motivated them, giving them the impression the United States was accepting migrants.

Since early last year, the caravans have been a frequent target of US President Donald Trump as he advocates for stricter immi-

T

he Trinidad Government’s controversial “Explain Your Wealth Bill” was passed in Parliament on Monday night with amendments, unanimously supported by the Opposition United National Congress.

All 34 MPs in Parliament last night voted for the Bill, which was changed by amendments from Government and the Opposition. During the pro-

cess, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said as she was voting for the Bill, “I say ‘Aye’ for the compromise, it’s a much-improved bill!”

The bill, officially known as the Civil Asset Recovery and Management and Unexplained Wealth Bill, 2019, seeks to establish a civil assets agency and part of its mandate will be to probe unexplained wealth.

The Opposition had ex-

pressed concerns about its initial form when it was piloted last Friday. But Attorney General Al-Rawi, in winding up the bill on Monday morning, put the Opposition on notice that he intended to propose amendments. The Opposition also had amendments.

Among changes are aspects providing for Customs, Police and Board of Inland Revenue (BIR) officials to investigate matters. Government agreed to having the Comptroller of Customs representing Customs, the BIR chairman representing BIR and the Police Commissioner or inspector delegated by him representing the Police.

The Attorney General said the bill would allow the State to go after those who’d held 19 Venezuelan girls recently. Al-Rawi added that Government would provide safeguards on the tax record aspect of the bill since people couldn’t be expected to keep records longer than six years. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, APRIL 10, 2019

17

Around the World

Hong Kong “Umbrella” protesters Algeria’s interim President found guilty of public nuisance rejected by protesters

Chu Yiu-ming, Benny Tai and Chan Kin-man (left to right) were charged under colonial-era laws that carry possible jail terms of up to seven years

N

ine pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have been found guilty of public nuisance charges for their role in a civil disobedience movement that called for free elections in the city.

They could be jailed for up to seven years for their part in the “Umbrella Movement” protests of 2014.

Those convicted include

the so-called “Occupy trio” - sociology professor Chan Kin-man, 60, law professor Benny Tai, 54, and Baptist minister Chu Yiu-ming, 75.

They are seen as the founders of the movement that galvanised protesters in their campaign of civil disobedience.

Tai, Chan and five others were found guilty of two charges of public nuisance,

and Chu and one other of just one charge.

A large crowd gathered outside the court on Tuesday to support them. It is not yet clear when they will be sentenced.

The protests started in reaction to a decision made

by China that it would allow direct elections in 2017, but only from a list of candidates pre-approved by Beijing.

Many people in Hong Kong believe they should have the right to elect their own leader.

The protests became known as the “Umbrella Movement” after people used umbrellas to shield themselves from pepper spray fired by police to disperse the crowd.

Protesters accused the Chinese government of breaking its promise to allow full democracy in Hong Kong, and of encroaching more and more on the region. (Excerpt from BBC News)

A

lgeria’s interim President was quickly rejected by thousands of protesters on Tuesday after he was named by Parliament to take charge during a volatile transition period after decades of autocratic rule.

Replacing long-serving leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who resigned last week, Abdelkader Bensalah is seen by protesters as part of an ailing and out-of-touch ruling caste that has dominated since independence from France in 1962.

A long-time Bouteflika ally, Bensalah has been

re-elected as leader of the upper house since the early 2000s.

At one point, police briefly turned a water cannon to disperse protesters.

Mass protests have led to the disintegration of what has been described as the ruling elite’s “fortress” veterans of the war of independence against France, ruling party figures, businessmen, the army and labour unions.

But Algerians have been pushing for more radical change since Bouteflika’s allies abandoned him in the weeks leading up to his resignation last week.

EU to agree Brexit delay but France pushes for conditions

Sudan: Security forces crack down on surging anti-Bashir protests

I

n the latest crackdown against protests in Sudan, security services loyal to President Omar al-Bashir have killed at least seven anti-Government protesters taking part in a mass sitin outside the army headquarters in the capital, Khartoum, according to activists behind the demonstration.

Tuesday’s deaths brought the total number of people killed during the protests since it started on Saturday to 21, including five soldiers who were killed while defending the protesters, the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors

(CCSD), said in a statement.

The CCSD, which is affiliated with the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), the umbrella group at the forefront of the demonstrations, said 153 others were wounded. It said it expects the death toll to increase since some injuries were critical.

The protests - organised by doctors, teachers and lawyers, among others - erupted in December over rising bread prices before morphing into demands for the President to step down after three decades in power. More than 60 people have been killed since the demonstrations began, ac-

cording to activists.

Protesters and the opposition Sudanese Congress Party (SCP) have called on the country’s military leadership to abandon Bashir, whose power base is within the armed forces. They insist, however, that they do not want a coup but the army to join their demand for the establishment of a transitional Government.

On Monday, Sudan’s Defence Minister General Awad Ibnouf had said that the military understood the “reasons for the demonstrations” against Bashir but would not allow mayhem to take hold. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

They are unwilling to compromise in their demand for a new generation of leaders in the North African country, which has failed to create jobs and improve living standards despite vast oil and natural gas resources.

“You go means you go,” read banners at the protest in central Algiers, which ended in the late afternoon.

The critical question is how Algeria’s military - long seen as a highly effective backstage player in politics - will react to Bensalah’s appointment and any opposition that arises. (Excerpt from Reuters)

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes British Prime Minister Theresa May as she arrives for a meeting to discuss Brexit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, April 9, 2019

I

n a sign of just how far the three-year Brexit crisis has sapped British power, May dashed to Berlin and Paris to ask Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron to allow the world’s fifth largest economy to put off its divorce from April 12.

While it was not immediately clear what Merkel

and Macron, Europe’s two most powerful leaders, agreed with May, an advance draft of conclusions for today’s emergency EU summit said Britain would be granted another delay on certain conditions.

May has asked the EU for a Brexit delay to June 30 but the draft left the enddate blank pending a deci-

sion by the other 27 national leaders today in Brussels.

More than a week after Britain was originally supposed to leave the EU, May, the weakest British Prime Minister in a generation, has said she fears Brexit might never happen as she battles to get a divorce deal ratified by a divided Parliament.

After her pledge to resign failed to get her deal over the line, she launched crisis talks with the opposition Labour Party in the hope of breaking the domestic deadlock.

But as May arrived at the Elysee Palace in Paris to a guard of honour, she was unable to trumpet any breakthrough with Labour.

Shortly before she landed in Paris, an official in Macron’s office said that “in the scenario of an extended delay, one year would seem too long for us”. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Trump praises Sisi as critics Israeli election exit polls give reiterate concern for human rights Netanyahu the advantage

A combination picture shows Benny Gantz (left), leader of Blue and White party voting at a polling station in Rosh Ha’ayin and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voting at a polling station in Jerusalem during Israel’s parliamentary election April 9, 2019

P

rime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was on course to securing a record fifth term with another right-wing coalition, Israeli TV exit polls indicated after voting ended on Tuesday, as both he and his principal rival claimed victory.

Netanyahu, in power consecutively since 2009, is fighting for his political sur-

vival. He faces possible indictment in three corruption cases, in which the rightwing Likud party leader has denied any wrongdoing.

If he wins, Netanyahu, 69, will become the longest-serving prime minister in Israel’s 71-year history this summer.

Exit polls on two of Israel’s three main TV channels showed that main chal-

lenger Benny Gantz’s Blue and White Party won slightly more seats than Likud in the 120-member Parliament, while a third survey forecast a tie.

Though neither party captured a ruling majority in the Knesset, according to the exit polls, the surveys put Netanyahu in a stronger position to form a coalition Government with the help of right-wing factions.

Some political analysts, however, cautioned it was too early to determine the outcome, with many hours to go before a final tally is in.

Channel 13 forecast Netanyahu could piece together a ruling bloc controlling 66 seats compared with 54 for a Blue and White-led coalition of centre-left and left-wing parties.

Public TV Kan put the ratio at 64 to 56 in Likud’s favour, while Channel 12 predicted a tie, at 60 seats each. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US President Donald Trump welcomes Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to the White House in Washington [Carlos Barria/Reuters]

U

S President Donald Trump, welcomed Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to the White House on Tuesday, saying a lot of progress had been made with Egypt in terms of “terrorism”.

Trump, with Sisi at his side, also told reporters that the two had important things to discuss about military issues and trade.

The United States Government and US politicians are particularly concerned about Egypt’s

reported signing of a $2 billion deal with Russia to buy more than 20 Sukhoi SU-35 fighter jets as well as weapons for the aircraft.

Trump warmly embraced Sisi despite concerns among US politicians and rights advocates over human rights violations.

Rights groups accuse Egypt of instituting a widespread crackdown on dissent, including the torture of political prisoners - allegations the Egyptian Government has denied.

In a letter released on

Monday, key senators told Secretary of State Mike Pompeo there was strong support for the security relationship with Egypt but urged him to convey their concerns about democratic governance, political freedom, economic reforms and fundamental human rights in the country.

Later this month, Egyptians are expected to take part in a referendum to vote on constitutional amendments that could see Sisi extend his rule beyond the end of his second term in 2022.

The amendments would also increase the military’s political role and bring the judiciary under Sisi’s control.

In the run-up to Sisi’s meeting with Trump, Human Rights Watch urged Congress to condemn the amendments, saying the changes could “institutionalise authoritarianism”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, APRIL 10, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

Certain situations will need to be monitored to avoid leaks that could damage someone’s reputation.

Don’t reveal secrets, meddle in other people’s affairs or spread gossip.

CANCER

Get the go-ahead if needed, and start putting your ideas to good use. A contract or settlement will change the way you think about certain past situations.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Exaggeration will lead to trouble. Play things close to the vest and be careful about publicly discussing sensitive matters. Concentrate on getting things done.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Dealing with a close friend or relative will be difficult if you cannot agree on what’s right. Walk away from situations that tempt you to do something you shouldn’t.

Jealousy will probably set someone off, causing a disruption or feud, but as long as you go about your business and finish what you start, you’ll come out on top.

Experience and learn all you can. Get involved in something you’ve never done before or get together with people who inspire and motivate you to expand your mind and interests.

No one needs to know about your business. The less information you offer, the less interference you will face.

Taking a day trip or reconnecting with someone from your past will be eye-opening.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Surround yourself with people you feel comfortable with. Discuss your feelings and intentions. Love, romance and personal improvements will lead to greater confidence and stability.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Know when to walk away from a situation that isn’t good for you. Don’t let anger take charge when you should be putting your energy into personal gain.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

You’ll see things differently if you discuss something that happened with someone who shared the experience with you. What you discover will encourage you to make a positive change.

Move things around and make a space that will motivate you to revisit an activity you used to enjoy. Honing skills will lead to new opportunities.

Trust in your ability to get things done on your own, and avoid getting into an altercation with someone who always tries to take the reins. Help someone who appreciates you.

wednesday, APRIL 10, 2019

19

VIVO IPL Edition 12…

Chahar, spinners maintain CSK’s perfect home record

C

hennai Super Kings stomped all over Kolkata Knight Riders to register a seven-wicket victory at Chepauk and claim pole position halfway through the IPL season. Deepak Chahar’s early wickets and the spin trio of Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir and Ravindra Jadeja held back the Knight Riders line-up with accuracy, before the 109-run chase was dealt with quite easily by the hosts.

Knight Riders managed to get past t h e

Faf du Plessis

three-figure mark mainly due to another major contribution from Andre Russell, who was unbeaten on 50 off 44 balls. It wasn’t one of his special knocks, though, as the Chepauk pitch unsurprisingly offered more to the spinners.

Faf du Plessis, who was unbeaten on 43 off 45 balls, and Ambati Rayudu handled spin better, as they ensured an easy chase. But it was set up by how Chahar started the game, taking three wickets at the top which took the wind out of the Knight Riders innings.

Chahar blows the top

Chahar’s reputation for being one of the most effective Powerplay bowlers got further enhanced after a three-wicket burst, as Chris Lynn, Nitish Rana and Robin Uthappa were all dismissed in his first three overs, reducing Knight Riders to 24 for 4 by the fifth over.

All three fell trying the cross-batted pull-shot, with Lynn being trapped lbw while Rana and Uthappa were caught at short and deep midwicket respectively. Chahar’s initial breakthroughs provided the per-

fect platform for Super Kings’ spinners who then grabbed control.

Chawla stumped in the 16th over.

Knight Riders sink to spin

Despite walking into the middle with the score at 44 for 5 in the ninth over, Russell rallied the Knight Riders’ floundering innings right till the end. He slammed Harbhajan and Chawla for sixes in between getting dropped by the former at midwicket, when on 8.

When Knight Riders

Harbhajan had already got one wicket when Chahar was on fire at the other end during the Powerplay. He had the dangerous Sunil Narine toe-ending a slog which was caught at point.

Tahir then removed Knight Riders’ captain Dinesh Karthik and Shubman Gill in consecutive overs. Both batsmen were caught trying to play the flick, Karthik caught at short midwicket while Gill had the googly slip through his bat and pads, to be stumped.

Harbhajan added a second in his second spell, having Piyush

Russell’s lone hand

Andre Russell

slipped to 79 for 9 in the 17th over, Russell farmed the strike with Harry Gurney, ensuring he faced 16 of the 21 remaining deliveries. He managed to hit two more sixes although his arms started to hurt by all the swinging of the bat.

Super Kings undeterred by early blows

Narine removed Shane Watson and Suersh Raina

in the first five overs but du Plessis and Rayudu eased their concern with a 46-run stand for the third wicket. They hardly pressed the panic button, and were only on the lookout for a boundary when presented with a bad ball or a big gap.

Rayudu fell with 28 runs required in the last 5.2 overs, but du Plessis and Kedar Jhadav got them home with 16 balls to spare.

(ESPN cricinfo)

3

SCOREBOARD

Kolkata Knight Riders Innings (20 overs maximum) CA Lynn lbw b Chahar 0 SP Narine c Chahar b Singh 6 RV Uthappa c Jadhav b Chahar 11 N Rana c Rayudu b Chahar 0 KD Karthik (c) † c Singh b Tahir 19 Shubman Gill st †Dhoni b Tahir 9 AD Russell not out 50 PP Chawla st †Dhoni b Singh 8 K Yadav run out (Rayudu/ Singh) 0 M Prasidh Krishna c Singh b Jadeja 0 HF Gurney not out 1 Extras (lb 1, w 3) 4 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 5.4) 1089 Fall of wickets: 1-6 (CA Lynn, 0.6 ov), 2-8 (SP Narine, 1.5 ov), 3-9 (N Rana, 2.3 ov), 4-24 (RV Uthappa, 4.4 ov), 5-44 (KD Karthik, 8.4 ov), 6-47 (Shubman Gill, 10.1 ov), 7-76 (PP Chawla, 15.3 ov), 8-76 (Kuldeep Yadav, 15.4 ov), 9-79 (M Prasidh Krishna, 16.3 ov) BOWLING DL Chahar (4-0-20-3) H Singh (4-0-15-2)

RA Jadeja (4-0-17-1) SC Kuggeleijn (4-0-34-0) I Tahir (4-0-21-2)

Chennai Super Kings Innings (target: 109 runs from 20 overs) SR Watson c Chawla b Narine 17 F du Plessis not out 43 SK Raina c Chawla b Narine 14 AT Rayudu c Rana b Chawla 21 KM Jadhav not out 8 Extras (nb 2, w 6) 8 TOTAL (17.2 Overs, RR: 6.4) 111-3 Yet to bat: MS Dhoni (c) †, SC Kuggeleijn, RA Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, DL Chahar, Imran Tahir Fall of wickets: 1-18 (SR Watson, 2.2 ov), 2-35 (SK Raina, 4.6 ov), 3-81 (AT Rayudu, 14.4 ov) BOWLING PP Chawla (4-0-28-1) M Krishna (4-0-23-0) SP Narine (3.2-0-24-2) K Yadav (4-0-16-0) HF Gurney (2-0-20-0)

Son’s solo effort secures win for Spurs

I

t was the kind of epic night for which this regal stadium was built and, by the time the match was all finished, the new home of Tottenham Hotspur had already created its own memories. More than anything, there was the goal from Son Heung-min that puts Mauricio Pochettino’s side in a position of strength in this two-leg quarter-final. Or how about the penalty save from Hugo Lloris, a goalkeeper who has been under such scrutiny recently, when Sergio Agüero had a VARassisted chance to change the complexion of the evening?

These were moments the Spurs crowd will cherish, even if the victory was tempered by the grievous setback of losing Harry Kane to his latest ankle injury. Kane needed five weeks to get over the last one so it seems unlikely, in the extreme, that he will be available when the two sides renew acquaintances in Manchester next week. By which time City will surely play more like themselves.

Pep Guardiola’s team will still believe the damage is reparable but they will certainly need an improved performance if this is not to be remembered as one of the rare occasions when their manager himself may have come up short. His team selection must certainly have

- Lloris denies Agüero’s penalty shot

Son Heung-min of Tottenham scores the only goal in their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester City

been perplexing for City’s supporters were it not the fact that, by now, they ought to know he gets a lot more of these decisions right than wrong.

Bernardo Silva’s absence stemmed from a minor training-ground injury. Not many people, however, would have predicted Riyad Mahrez being selected ahead of Leroy Sané, while Kevin De Bruyne’s omission was another unexpected choice, particularly after he served up such a sumptuous reminder of his passing ability for the decisive goal in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Brighton.

Most people would conclude City are automatically a better team when De Bruyne plays. On this occasion Guardiola had put in place a different strategy featuring David Silva as the No 10 in a new-look 4-2-

3-1 system and, most intriguingly, Fabian Delph doubling up as a leftback and holding midfielder, flitting between the two positions depending on the whereabouts of the ball.

It was a bold system but there was also an element of risk to experiment with all these new plans before such a key assignment. Spurs were quick to the ball, strong in the tackle and determined not to let City build from the back. Harry Kane, in particular, chased down everything during his time on the pitch, playing with an urgency that suggested the home team knew they had to unsettle their opponents. Kane took several whacks for his troubles, particularly during one moment in the first half when Fernandinho clattered him with an elbow, and then repeated the trick while they were on the

floor.

By that stage the Spurs crowd were chanting for VAR every time they felt a major decision against their team had been missed. The speed of the game was tremendous.

So quick, indeed, that very few people seemed to notice Raheem Sterling’s shot had ricocheted off Danny Rose’s elbow for the incident that eventually led to the Dutch referee, Bjorn Kuipers, making that now-familiar rectangular motion with his fingers.

In fairness to the officials, the penalty decision was a justifiable one. To describe it as a shock, however, would be an understatement.

City’s players were getting into position for a corner when the news flashed up on the four large screens at the top of the stadium. The crowd were complaining that the ball was not properly placed for the corner.

Not even Sterling had appealed for a penalty and suddenly Kuipers was running back from the VAR monitor to point to the penalty spot – with the vast majority of the crowd still asking what had happened.

Nobody could ever doubt Agüero’s reputation as a big-game player but, fortunately for Spurs, he also has an erratic record when it comes to penalty-taking. He aimed this one to the left of Lloris but the shot lacked power and precision. Spurs desperately

needed their goalkeeper to rescue them and Guardiola, who chose not to watch, would have known from the noise of the crowd that the opportunity had been wasted.

The game was brilliantly poised but it would be difficult to understate the importance of what happened, 10 minutes into the second half, when Kane threw himself into a challenge on Delph directly in front of the Spurs dugout. It was a robust tackle from Kane, in keeping with the night, and Delph’s reaction was to give his England team-mate a mouthful for what he thought was an unnecessary show of force. Kane, however, had no interest in prolonging the argument. He was holding an ankle and as soon as he rose to his feet, he never looked back at the pitch again, eventually hobbling down the tunnel with the aid of one of the club’s medics. The cheer from the City end told its own story. They knew, just as the home fans did, what a blow this could be for Spurs.

For the next quarter of an hour City looked the more likely winners.

But Spurs always carried a threat in attack, even without Kane, and in the 78th minute Son had the ball close to the byline. He cut back on himself, eluding Delph in the process, and his shot went under Ederson. (The Guardian)

20

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wednesday, APRIL 10, 2019

Liverpool cruise to victory over Porto

J

ürgen Klopp appeared to indulge in promotional duties for Uefa when giving this quarter-final a billing Liverpool’s recent history with Porto did not merit. The Liverpool manager had suggested the reunion would be awkward against an opponent with revenge on the mind. It may not have been a rout but it was another comfortable win that sets his team on course for the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Had Porto forward Moussa Marega converted even one of several presentable chances for an away goal than Klopp’s prematch prophecy would have come true. He squandered them all.

Naby Keïta, courtesy of a deflection, and Roberto Firmino, at the end of a fine team goal, converted their chances to give Liverpool a commanding first leg advantage.

It said everything about their control of the quarter-final that Klopp was able to withdraw Firmino and Sadio Mané in preparation for Sunday’s vital Premier League game against Chelsea.

Sérgio Conceição claimed “negative thoughts are in the past” when dismissing the impact of Porto’s 5-0 defeat by Liverpool last February on this tie. Klopp was equally unconvincing in his assertion that the two-times European champions were the last team he wanted to face in the last eight.

With a defining, demanding period in the Premier League title race to come for Liverpool and Manchester City, the Portuguese side were the best remaining op-

Liverpool’s Guinean midfielder Naby Keita (R) celebrates scoring with Roberto Firmino

tion available. That said, Porto’s line-up featured only four players who started the heaviest home defeat in the club’s proud European history 14 months ago. Liverpool fielded eight starters from that clinical night at Estádio do Dragão and experienced an almost identical start.

As in the first leg of the last-16 tie Porto opened confidently and sharply, with their coach showing no thought of containment away from home in his deployment of a three-pronged attack and a high defensive line. And, once again, they were two goals down and looking ripe for a hiding before the half-hour mark.

Liverpool commenced their routine win earlier this time when they punctured Porto’s optimism and tame resistance with their first attack. James Milner, depu-

tising for the suspended Andy Robertson at left-back, justified his inclusion ahead of Alberto Moreno immediately as he swept a raking pass out to Sadio Mané on the left. The Senegal striker found Roberto Firmino inside the penalty area, he teed up Naby Keïta lurking unmarked outside and the midfielder’s shot sailed into the top corner via a kind deflection off Óliver Torres. Iker Casillas had no chance but every right to question the marking in front of him. For Keïta it was a second goal in two games for Liverpool having gone 27 appearances without. Another Klopp selection had been vindicated in quick-fire fashion.

The hosts created several chances to double their advantage before Firmino eventually tapped them further ahead. Porto’s shape and composure disappeared in the

immediate aftermath of Keïta’s opener. Jesús Corona was unsure whether to persist in midfield or help Maxi Pereira stifle the threat of Mané. Liverpool prospered in the gaps around the two-man central midfield that remained with Jordan Henderson applying the cuts and the thrusts almost unchallenged. Firmino had a shot deflected wide. Mohamed Salah, who brought Anfield to its feet by chasing back to dispossess Otavio on the corner of the Liverpool penalty box, had a glorious opportunity when the Porto forward pierced his own central defence with a ridiculous pass. It would have been a great one had it been sent in the right direction, mind. Salah pounced, rode what could easily have been a foul by last man Felipe and rolled a shot beyond Casillas but also the far post.

Porto were not reprieved for long. Firmino started and finished the second when he picked out Henderson unmarked in central midfield. The captain threaded a superbly weighted pass behind the left-back Alex Telles into the run of Trent Alexander-Arnold, and his first time cross was tapped home by the Brazil international.

Liverpool were coasting as expected towards the semi-finals yet the complexion of the tie should have been altered completely when Moussa Marega had two clear sights of goal in as many minutes. The powerful Porto striker, who came into the game with six Champions League goals to his name this season, found him-

self one-on-one with Alisson when a clearance deflected into his path.

Marega had to score to give his side hope. The legs of the Liverpool goalkeeper ensured he did not. The attack stayed alive and VAR was called on to assess a handball by Alexander-Arnold after Alisson clawed the ball onto his full-back.

Porto were awarded only a corner, VAR spotting the incident occurred off the pitch, and Marega was given a second bite when the ball dropped at his feet on the penalty spot. His shot on the turn was straight at Alisson, to his obvious and understandable despair.

Henderson thought he had a second assist, and Liverpool a third goal, when he floated an inch-perfect cross over the visiting defence for Mané to volley precisely under Casillas, who was making his 176th Champions League appearance at the age of 37. The assistant referee spotted a fractional offside, however, and VAR backed him up to the audible disappointment of the Kop. It was to Porto’s credit how they refused to wilt under Liverpool pressure and the sense of deja-vu that the two first-half goals must have triggered. They continued to cause Klopp’s defence problems in the second half without crafting an opening for a precious away goal to take back to Portugal. (The Guardian)

Masters 2019: Tiger Woods US backtracks on Cuba baseball believes in ending major wait deal over Venezuela ties

T

iger Woods believes he can break his decade-long drought in the majors and win a fifth Masters title this week.

The 14-time major champion, who last won at Augusta National in 2005, has not won any of golf’s four majors since claiming the 2008 US Open.

After back surgery, he returned to form in 2018 with a “special” win at the Tour Championship after competing at The Open and US PGA Championship.

“I feel like I can win again,” said the 43-year-old American.

lead. I was making a run at the PGA. I just needed to not throw away a couple of shots, which I managed at the Tour Championship at East Lake.

“From the struggles I’ve had the last few years, to take the lead on the first day and then end up winning the tournament wire-to-wire made it more special. It was a great way to cap off the season.

“But more than anything I’ve just proved to myself that I can play at this level again.”

Woods, who has had

to pursue Jack Nicklaus’s record of 18, set when he won his sixth Green Jacket at the age of 46 in 1986.

“After I won my 14th, I felt like I still had plenty more major championships that I could win,” he said.

“I put myself there with chances on the back nine on various Sundays and just haven’t done it. Hopefully this year, I’ll put myself there again and get it done.”

With a smile, he added: “I know that I can play this golf course.

I’ve had s o m e success here.”

(BBC Sport)

“I’ve proven I can do it. I put myself in with a chance of winning the last two majors of last year.

“I was right there at The Open and had t h e

surgery f o u r times to solve b a c k i n j u ries in recent years, has climbed to 12th in the world rankings nobody in the current top 11 has won the Masters.

However, he admitted he is surprised to have not won a major in more than a decade, as he continues

Tiger Woods

T

Baseball is one of Cuba’s most popular sports

he US has cancelled an agreement that allowed Cuban baseball stars to sign with American teams.

The deal meant players no longer had to defect from communist Cuba to join Major League Baseball (MLB) teams.

Signed in December, it enabled players to reach the US without resorting to human traffickers.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the decision to withdraw was part of efforts to pressure Cuba over its support for the Venezuelan government.

The US is backing opposition politician Juan Guaidó, who has declared himself Venezuela’s interim leader in a bid to unseat President Nicolás Maduro.

The policy backtrack has been criticised on social media by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who

called it “a cynical, cruel and gratuitous act”.

Negotiations over the deal began under President Barack Obama to ease relations with Cuba, which traditionally produces some of the world’s best baseball players.

As part of the deal, Cuban players over age 25 who played in Cuban leagues for six years were free to leave and sign with MLB teams.

The Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB) had recently given permission for its first group of athletes to begin playing in the US this year.

A state department official, however, told the BBC that “based on additional information that has come to light”, the US now considers the FCB as part of Cuba’s government. As such, it is subject to ongoing embargoes.

Last Friday, the US Treasury sent MLB a letter

- seen by the BBC - saying payments to the FCB were now considered “payments to the Cuban government”.

MLB told the BBC it stood by “the goal of the agreement, which is to end the human trafficking of baseball players from Cuba”.

The BBC understands that MLB has requested a meeting with the US government but not had a reply so far.

In a statement, the FCB said the announcement only defended “political interests, without caring for the welfare and tranquillity of Cubans”.

Before the deal, Cuban players who wanted to sign with US teams had to leave the country illegally.

For decades, as a result, many Cuban players suffered kidnapping and extortion from traffickers - some with ties to drug cartels - on their journey to America.

Among those currently playing in the MLB are Aroldis Chapman, who pitches for the New York Yankees.

“I just feel bad for those young ballplayers who are probably not going to have the same chance to play here,” Mr Chapman told ESPN. “Now the opportunity’s being taken away, and some of them still want to play here at this level. And, unfortunately, they might find themselves making difficult decisions in how to get here.”

(BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, APRIL 10, 2019

21

Pan Am Boxing qualifiers…

Allicock prevented from competing after vest colour issue

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he Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) is carefully contemplating its next move after young Guyanese boxing sensation, Keevin Allicock, was unceremoniously booted from a fight during the Pan American Games qualifiers in Managua, Nicaragua.

The facts of the incident which were related to Guyana Times Sport by the GBA President Steve Ninvalle states Allicock was on Monday preparing for a fight which could have granted him entry into the semi-final of the Pan Am Qualifiers, but instead lost by ‘walk over’ to The Dominican Republic’s Alexy De Cruz after the fight supervisor deemed

Allicock’s vest colour inappropriate for competition.

The bantamweight pugilist was slated to fight out of the red corner and as such was outfitted in a red and black vest. It was said that one hour before his fight time, Allicock was inspected and given the go ahead by the International Technical Officer (ITO).

After which, he was also given passage into the ring by the referee who saw no issue with his attire.

However, moments later the supervisor intervened just before the fight was scheduled to begin with the claim that Allicock’s clothing was inappropriate. The supervisor then gave Allicock one minute to leave the ring, go

Keevin Allicock

to the changing room, find an appropriate vest and return “properly attired”.

Upon his return to the ring, it was declared that the Guyanese lost by walk over.

A protest was immediately filed but the supervisor remained “steadfast and unflinching”, the GBA President explained. The new rules of International Boxing Association (AIBA) 48.3.4 state that a boxer can compete in his national colours. “The vest and shorts/skirt can be in the Boxer’s respective national colours or in red or blue colour according to the Boxer’s respective corner allocation,” the article says.

As such, the appeal was

made on the basis that red and black are both present in Guyana’s National Flag; the Golden Arrowhead.

The GBA President was outraged with the decision which prevented Guyana’s last chance at qualifying for the 2019 Pan Am games. “The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) finds the ruling of the supervisor as unjust, unreasonable, unsportsmanlike, excessive, and unwarranted and that which goes against the grain of what the new ABIA is promoting,” Ninvalle said in a statement.

The GBA President assured that he will continue to pursue the matter until a just resolution is reached.

Furthermore, he will use

his recently acquired positions on international boxing boards to do so.

“In my personal capacity of President of the GBA and Chairman of the Caribbean Steering Committee I have dispatched protest to both the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) and AIBA for this ruling to be overturned and expect a favourable response,” Ninvalle said.

Guyana had sent three boxers to the Pan Am qualifiers; Allicock, Colin Lewis (Light welterweight) and Desmond Amsterdam (Light heavyweight). However, Lewis and Amsterdam suffered losses which prevented them from advancing in the competition.

Ramdhani siblings jet off to Pan Am training ahead of July games

D

ominating the Guyanese badminton scene for the past few years, is the duo of Narayan and Priyanna Ramdhani. The siblings who began playing from a very tender age, have been competitive against opponents, and at times each other, and will now test their skills again at the Pan

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American level.

The Pan American games is a major sporting event for countries in the Americas and is hosted quadrennially. The Ramdhani siblings are no strangers to the intense tournament, having participated in the last games, which were hosted in Toronto, Canada in 2015.

Narayan, 20; and Priyanna, 17, have now set their sights on 2019’s competition, with a wealth of experience under their belt.

Over the years, both players have been working exceptionally hard to keep their game level at a high standard. And as such, they both took time off from their studies for two weeks following a selection by PANAM sports to attend the Road to Lima 2019 high level training camp in Aguascalientes, Mexico from April 8-23, in preparation for the Pan Am Games.

At the training camp, the

Ramdhanis will have the opportunity to compete with international opponents under the guidance of top-notch coaches from the region, in state-of-the-art facilities.

After the camp, the pair will focus on their final exams, before getting into competition mode again for the Pan Am games which will run from July 26 to August 11.

Since their Pan Am participation in 2015, the Ramdhani siblings have copped a number of medals at tournaments such as CAREBACO International, South American Youth Games, ACAC and CCAA.

Regional Under-17 Championships in Suriname 2018 * 2 Silver medals and 1 Bronze at the Caribbean International Senior Championships in Suriname 2018 * 2 Gold medals at the Caribbean International U n d e r - 1 9 Championships in Suriname 2018 * Quarter-Finals at the CAC Games in Barranquilla Colombia 2018

Some of Narayan’s recent achievements include:

Some of Priyanna’s recent achievements include:

* Captain of the Team that placed 32nd at the World Juniors in Canada 2018 * 3 Gold medals – (Triple Champion) at the Caribbean

Narayan Ramdhani

* 1 Bronze medal – CCAA National Singles Championships in Nova Scotia Canada 2019 * 1 Gold medal – ACAC Singles Championships in Alberta Canada 2019

* 1 Silver medal – (Singles) & 5th Place (Doubles) – ACAC #3 Tournament in Alberta Canada 2019 * 1 Gold medal – (Singles) & 4th Place (Doubles) – ACAC #2 Tournament in Alberta Canada 2019 * 1 Gold medal – (Singles) & 4th Place Doubles) – ACAC #1 Tournament in Alberta Canada 2018 * 1 Silver medal – Kings University Open Doubles in Edmonton Canada 2018 * 2 Bronze medals – CAREBACO International in Paramaribo Suriname 2018 * 1st Round – CAC Games in Barranquilla Colombia 2018 * 1st Round – South American Games in Cochabamba Bolivia 2018 * 2nd Round – Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast Australia 2018 * 2 Gold – VCR Jack Under-Hill Open Singles & Doubles in Canada 2018

Santos wins, Police and Milerock settle Shot putter banned for 4 years for doping for draw as Elite League continues

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ootball fans were treated to two close encounters on Sunday evening as four of the country’s best clubs went head to head in the ongoing 4th edition of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Elite league.

Playing at the Guyana Police Force (GPF) ground, Georgetown, the first of two fixtures, saw Santos FC taking on the experienced Buxton United.

The encounter was a stiff one, with both sides exhibiting top-notch defence tactics in order to restrict the other’s scoring. The tight defence on both sides made for a goalless first half and an even more competitive second half.

Santos’ David George was the only player to find the back of the net in the 72nd, to hand his team the

narrow win.

The second game between hosts Guyana Police Force and Milerock FC went down to a draw after nail-biting action.

Keon Sears netted in the 29th for Milerock FC and the Linden team managed to hold onto their lead well into the second half, before Cordel Johnson equalised for Police in the 81st.

Although both teams were now in hot pursuit of a goal

and the win, the remaining time was too little for either side to find the back of the net again.

The elite league will continue this weekend with two more double headers on Friday and Sunday. On Friday night, the Guyana Defence Force Ground will host Santos FC, as they battle with Western Tigers from 18:30h.

Later on, the home team Guyana Defence Force FC will take on Den Amstel at 20:30h.

The Elite teams will have a rest on Saturday and then on Sunday afternoon Police FC will face off with Victoria Kings at 14:00h. They will be followed by home team Buxton United going toe to toe with Ann’s Grove. The league will continue every weekend until it concludes in June.

Manpreet Kaur will lose the gold she won in the 2017 Asian Championships in Bhubaneswar as well as her national record

A

sian champion shot putter Manpreet Kaur has been banned for four years by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for flunking four dope tests in 2017.

The period of suspension would begin from July 20, 2017, the date of her provisional suspension, according to an order of the anti-doping disciplinary panel (ADDP) of the NADA dated March 29.

“Yes, Manpreet Kaur has been suspended for four years,” NADA Director General Navin Agarwal said.

She has the option of fil-

ing an appeal before the AntiDoping Appeal Panel.

Manpreet is set to lose the gold she won in the 2017 Asian Championships in Bhubaneswar as well as her national record as the panel ruled that all her competitive results from the date of sample collection would be disqualified.

Manpreet tested positive four times in 2017. The first was at the Asian Grand Prix at Jinhua, China on April 24, followed by Federation Cup in Patiala (June 1), Asian Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar (July 6) and the Inter-State Championships in Guntur (July 16). She won gold in all these meets.

She had set the national record of 18.86m at Jinhua.

She tested positive for steroid metenolone at the Jinhua Asian GP meet. In the other three meets in India, she tested positive for the stimulant dimethylbutylamine, a substance that has an almost similar structure as the more famous methylhexaneamine (MHA). (Hindustan Times)

22

wednesday, APRIL 10, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

150th Imperial Meeting of NRA…

Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc takes Braithwaite all the way

O

ne of Guyana’s tested, tried and proved full-bore top shots – who has also made his mark at the Caribbean level where Guyana has dominated for many a year – Lennox Braithwaite, has received full sponsorship to compete at the 150th Imperial Meeting of the National Rifle Association of England set for July this year.

Having been to what is commonly known as Bisley seven (7) times before, Braithwaite, who first attended in 1988 and won an event then known as “Gorka Appeal”, will make his eight rip fully sponsored, compliments of Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc, located at D’Uban Backlands.

Managing Director Harold “Top Gun” Hopkinson handed over a cheque to Braithwaite valued $1.2 million which represents full sponsorship for the July event in England which will attract all the best exponents of the sport from around the world.

Also attending the simple but significant presentation were Vice President of the Guyana National Rifle Association (Guyana-NRA), Colonel Enoch Gaskin, Secretary Ryan Sampson and Full-bore Vice Captain, Dylan Fields.

Hopkinson in brief remarks before handing over the cheque said he has always been of the view that athletes should not

Managing Director of Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc, Harold Hopkinson (second right) hands over the cheque to Lennox Braithwaite in the presence of, from right, Colonel Enoch Gaskin; Fullbore Vice Captain, Dylan Fields; and Secretary Ryan Sampson

be running around and literally be begging for sponsorship when they want to represent the Golden Arrowhead.

“The reason I am doing this is because I believe that athletes should go out there and perform, not go about the place searching and sourcing funds, begging, begging, begging, no. I do believe that corporate entities should start backing our athletes more, even through the established federations and associations.”

Braithwaite expressed delight to Hopkinson and Secure Innovations and Concepts for be-

ing fully sponsored for this historic event.

“Mr Hopkinson from time to time would have sponsored me in the past; in fact, my rifle known as “The Beast” would have been sponsored by Mr Hopkinson. I do pledge to make Guyana, Mr Hopkinson, my family and my club, proud on this occasion.”

Responding on behalf of the Guyana-NRA, Vice Captain Fields said he was very pleased that Secure Innovations Inc and Hopkinson has been able to partner with the association by taking up the tab fully for Braithwaite.

Hamilton Green 9-a-side Inter Ward Cup kicks off Sunday

T

he Hamilton Green Cup Inter Ward/Village 9-a-side Knockout Football Tournament resumes this Sunday, April 14, and will conclude on April 28, with the semi-finals and final at the Den Amstel ground, West Coast Demerara – the venue for all the matches.

Action starts at 15:00h and Coordinator Lennox Arthur, a former national football player and coach, is asking all teams to be at the venue by 14:00h to ensure that there is a prompt start to the day’s proceedings.

The opening salvo of round of 16 action will see Timehri v Bourda Blues, Soesdyke v Sophia, Mahaica v Liliendaal, Charlestown v Mocha, Goed Fortuin v Bagotsville, Pouderoyen v Sara Lodge, Uitvlugt v Zeelugt and Den Amstel Back Street v De Kindren.

The teams will be battling for a chance to claim the John Fernandes $300,000 first prize and Prime Minister trophy along with hampers from Ricks and Sari. The second placed team will take away the Courtney Benn sponsored $100,000, while the third place finisher will take home $60,000 put up by Techno mills. The fourth place finisher will take $40,000, donated by Ready Mix, along with the respective trophies. All the trophies have been sponsored by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

Also at stake are the individual rewards for the Most Goals/Most Valuable Player and the winner will take home a dinette chair from China Trading and a Lazy Boy chair from AH&L Kissoon, along with the Best Goalkeeper who will claim the Minister of Natural Resources trophy.

Trayon Bobb

Among the sponsors so far are Techno Mills, Ready Mix, Sattaur Gafoor, EC Vieira, BEV Enterprises, BK International, IPA, New Thriving, Ricks and Sari, E-Networks, Star Computers, NAMILCO, Cummings Electrical, the National Sports Commission, Star Entertainment, Alfro Alphonso, the Guyana Police Force, the Ministry of State, the Prime Minister and the Legal Affairs Ministry.

Arthur has expressed gratitude to these businesses and entities and also thanked those who have promised and are expected to come forward officially in the coming week. He has been staging tournaments in recognition of former Mayor of Georgetown and Prime Minister of Guyana, Hamilton Green, for a number of years now.

The defending champion of this tournament is Charlestown who beat Uitvlugt to claim the $400,000 prize and the Ministry of Citizenship Trophy last time around. Uitvlugt took the John Fernandes Trophy and $200,000 for their efforts back

then.

With the involvement of the leading players emerging from the various areas and villages/wards, the event is playing its part in aiding social cohesion among the citizenry.

Among some of the players on show are Deon Alfred, Trayon Bobb, Tyrone Khan, Jamal Harvey, Sheldon Toney, Ruel Charter, Leroy Halley and Kenroy D’Aguiar.

Soesdyke’s Tyrone Khan leads the goal scoring column with 2 goals, while Alfred, Bobb and Harvey, both have 1 apiece.

Teams are reminded to be at the venue for 14:00h next Sunday. Four substitutions are permitted in this format which will see the games being run for 30 minutes broken into two halves of 15 minutes.

The tournament will be played in the knockout format, with winners advancing to the next round. Sudden death penalties will be used to separate the sides in the event of a draw at the end of full time.

The no offside rule is also in effect. All other rules will come under the dictates of FIFA.

“I also would like to encourage other corporate bodies to do likewise as it is important for the nation to have its best athletes be able to focus of representing well rather than having to take on the burden of running around for sponsorship as well.”

Many of the top shooters from England would have made the long journey to Guyana two years ago to celebrate with the GuyanaNRA when it had celebrated its 150th anniversary which had also coincided with the hosting of the West Indies Full-bore Shooting Championships.

Competing at the 2014 Imperial Meeting, the last time he participated, Braithwaite ended 40th of 800 shooters and made the Queens Final which attracts the top marksmen gunning for the top prize of £250 which would have been presented to the first winner of the competition 150 years ago, 1860 to be exact. That amount has been maintained through the years.

Following is the history of competition as taken from the National Rifle Association website – the first Imperial Meeting was contested on Wimbledon Common, in South-west London, in 1860 when Queen Victoria fired the first shot and gave a prize of £250 to the best individual marksman. Originally, the

Meeting was only available to volunteers (regular and reserve military personnel) using the issued service rifle of the day.

Today the National Rifle Association hold the Imperial Meeting as an open competition with the aim to promote and encourage marksmanship throughout the Queen’s (or King’s) dominions, and has grown to include many different disciplines. The largest entry is for Target Rifle, which dominates the final week of the Meeting and culminates with the final of the Queen’s Prize.

The Queen’s Prize remains the premier award for the Meeting’s top shot, with the £250 prize still given to the winner.

Host to the competition is the National Shooting Centre – Bisley, the world renowned ranges complex covering virtually all forms of shooting from air rifle to 1200 yards full-bore shooting. Set in 3000 acres of heathland; Bisley is as unique in character as it is in the variety of ranges it offers.

The atmosphere at Bisley is second to none, with friendships made and renewed on the firing points every year, but the event does not end with the shooting: the famous Bisley clubs take over and, between shoots and at the end of each day, competitors enjoy the Bisley hospitality at its best.

East Coast Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” competition…

Uprising headlines opening night

Part of the action in the East Coast Zone of the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Tournament

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itle holders Uprising, who became the first team in the tournament’s history to win a zone as a qualifier, will headline day one action in the East Coast Zone of the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” competition which kicks off on Friday at the Haslington Market Tarmac, commencing from 19:00h.

They face Nonpareil in the final of eight games scheduled to be played on the evening.

Hosts Haslington Hypers are also set to appear in the penultimate

game, while top teams such as Buxton Diamond, Melanie A and B, Victoria Church Yard, Plaisance A and Beterverwagting A and B will make their appearance in the competition as well.

The tournament which has grown both in terms of quality and crowd support, is expected to continue in that vein, while many are already touting that the turnout this year could exceed previous years.

The organisers have already indicated that fans and the community will

be the real winners of this year’s competition, with giveaways planned for each night activity.

The night’s fixtures are:

Mahaica Determinators v Liliendaal Hustlers Melanie-B v GWI East Coast Belfield Warriors v BV-B Paradise-A v Victoria BV-A v Plaisance Victoria Church Yard v Melanie-A Buxton Diamond v Haslington Hypers Uprising v Nonpareil-B

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, APRIL 10, 2019

23

Rubis Bel Air U-17 Inter-county…

Rampersaud, Chaitnarine power Berbice to victory Story and photos by Brandon Corlette

B

erbice got their first win of this year’s U-17 inter-county when they thrashed Guyana Select U-15 by 149 runs at the Everest Cricket Club.

Sarwan Chaitnarine’s unbeaten 58 and Jonathan Rampersaud’s unbeaten 41 spurred Berbice to 254-7 in 50 overs. In reply, Select U-15 managed 105 all out after Player-of-the-Match, Jonathan Rampersaud returned with match winning figures of 4-17.

Berbice won the toss and elected to bat first under glorious sunshine on the hard and dry Everest pitch, against Select U-15. The Berbicians made one surprise change in the starting XI, omitting Vice Captain Abdul Ramsammy, who is vastly experienced at the inter-county level.

Openers Ricardo Ramdihol and Rayad Karim began in positive fashion, adding 32 runs inside five overs. Karim was the first dismissed for 10 when he was bowled by the determined speedster, Isai Thorne. The elegant left-handed Ramdihol, was partnered wth former Guyana U-15 captain,

Zeynul Ramsammy.

In a 65-run partnership, that took the Berbicians to 97-2 in 25.4 overs, Ramdihol was out bowed attempting to pull a short

Select U-15 Alvin Mohabir had four wickets

delivery through the leg-side, off the bowling of off-spinner Alvin Mohabir. The chap from Young Warriors in Cumberland Canje, Ramdihol hit six attractive boundaries in his compact innings of 42.

Berbice captain Marvan Prashad partnered with Zeynul Ramsammy; the brother of Abdul and took the score to 123-3.

Prashad played two delightful shots, smashing one six and a four in his breezy 16; he was out leg-before to multi-talented Windies youth player, Mavendra Dindyal.

The Guyana Select U-15, had two more strikes on 123, off-spinner, Alvin Mohabir gave the ball air and removed Zeynul Ramsammy for a marathon 29 that included a lone boundary and the following ball, Mohabir removed Mahendra Gopilall for a duck.

Albion’s Sarwan Chaitnarine took control after he lost his partners in Tomani Caesar (3) and Andel Miline (15). In over number 40, the boys from Berbice were 160-6; at 1677, Jonathan Rampersaud,

who was the youngest franchise player in Guyana’s league cricket, surprisingly batted at number nine. He was the perfect partner for Chaitnarine and the left-handed duo motored along smoothly.

In the last 10 overs, the Select U-15 team yielded 94 runs as Chaitnarine and Rampersaud gathered momentum, adding 87 runs in an unbroken eighth wicket partnership. Chaitnarine remained unbeaten on 58 after timing eight fours.

Rose Hall Town’s Jonathan Rampersaud scored an unbeaten 41 that included two fours and two sixes.

The Berbice U-17 team signed off in style, smashing 15 runs in the 50th over of the first innings off Isai Thorne. Bowling for the Select U-15, Alvin Mohabir finished with 4-45 in 10 overs while Isai Thorne, Matthew Pattaya and Mavendra Dindyal had one wicket each, as Berbice reached 254-7 in 50 overs.

In pursuit of Berbice target, Select U-15 lost Anthony

Khan for a duck when he was bowled by Quincy Aulder.

Jadan Campbelle and Rmpertab Ramnauth added 33 runs together for the second wicket with Rampertab playing fearless shots in his top-score of 23, inclusive of four boundaries. After

Rampertab Ramnauth top-scored for Select U-15

that partnership the Berbice spinners got into the wicket-taking ways.

From 51-3, Select U-15 lost four wickets for 19 runs; they were reduced to 70-7

in 28 testing overs. Tucber Park’s Ravishkar Sobhai revived the innings with a brave 22 that was decorated with three crisp boundaries, as he was the only the second batsman from Guyana Select U-15 to reach 20, as the team managed 105 all out in 40.1 overs.

Bowling in finesse for the boys from Berbice was Player-of-the-Match Jonathan Rampersaud who had 4-17 in 8.1 overs, including two superb maidens with his off-spin. Albion’s left-arm spinner, Gourav Ramesh and Blairmont’s Marvan Prashad had two wickets each in Berbice’s complete performance.

Speaking exclusively to Guyana Times Sport, Berbice captain, Marvan Prashad was satisfied with his team’s effort. “The guys did very well making up for the poor batting in the first game,” Prashad disclosed.

Berbice will be playing Essequibo in the third round at GCC Bourda; stating, “We are looking to bowl out the team early given the opportunity to boost out net-run rate,” the Berbice captain explained.

Jaikarran, Nandu star in Demerara’s 2nd win

By Brandon Corlette

D

emerara registered their second win in as many matches when they defeated Essequibo by three wickets at Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Bourda. Batting first, Essequibo reached 153-9 in 50 overs while Demerara crept to 154-7 in 48.2 overs.

The star performers were Matthew Nandu had a good all-round game with 4-15 and 22

Demerara’s Matthew Nandu who scored 22 and grabbed 4-15, while Brandon Jaikarran anchored the innings with 43.

Essequibo won the toss and elected to bat first at the GCC Bourda against Demerara. Both Essequibo openers – Sheldon Charles and Sunil Persaud – were sent back to the hut after scoring one each. Captain Charles was out caught

by Chanderpaul Ramraj off the bowling of rightarm quickie, Jagdesh Dowlatram.

Essequibo’s first five batsmen struggled to reach double figures; Ronaldo Scouten (6), Azizi

Christiani (2) and Wazim Mohamed (8) succumbed to Demerara. At 45-6, the boys from the Cinderella County looked far from reaching 100 runs.

With some 53 extras bowled, 43 which were wide balls, the grit a n d determ i nation of Aryan Persaud took Essequibo’s innings deep.

Orin Gibson bating at number 11 partnered with Persaud and added an unbeaten 74-run last wicket partnership. The left-handed Persaud scored a fighting 39 from 134 balls batting for 136 minutes in an innings that included two fours.

Gibson hit 28 from 48 balls, hitting three fours as the Essequibians bat all 50 of their allot-

ted overs reaching 153-9.

Bowling for Demerara, Vice Captain Matthew Nandu had sensational figures of 4-15 in 10 overs, bowling 5 maidens with his right arm off-spin.

In Demerara’s r e ply, the openers looked on sound

surviving chances, from Essequibo’s best youth player, Sheldon Charles, who bit the edge of Brandon Jaikarran.

Fellow left hander Matthew Nandu, early in the innings, looked solid in his technique.

Essequibo got their first wicket when they removed Nandu for 22 out via the run out

route, as well as Shamar Yearwood who scored 13.

Jaikarran stood firm batting for 124 balls in his marathon innings of 43 including three fours, before he was out caught and bowled off Aryan Persaud.

Arguably the most technically correct batsman, Andre Seepersaud scored 22 from 22 balls stroking two fours to ensure Demerara their second win in as many matches. Demerara won by three wickets reaching 154-7 in 48.2 overs. Essequibo’s Aryan Persaud was the best bower with 3-29 in a losing effort after he top-scored.

Demerara will play Select U-15 at the Everest Cricket Club, as both matches in the third round will commence from 09:30h.

Brandon Jaikarran top scored for Demerara

Essequibo’s Aryan Persaud top scored and had three wickets

wednesday, APRIL 10, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Rubis Bel Air U-17 Inter-county…

Sarwan Chaitnarine gathers runs during his 58*

Page 23

Player-of-the-Match Jonathan Rampersaud had 4-17 with the ball and scored 41*

Rampersaud, Chaitnarine power Berbice to victory

Jaikarran, Nandu star in Demerara’s 2nd win Page 23

Brandon Jaikarran top-scored for Demerara

Ramdhani siblings jet off to Pan Am training ahead of July games

Page 21

Priyanna Ramdhani

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