Guyana Times - Wednesday, April 17, 2019

GTU hoping to fast pace negotiations for salary P14 increases Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3897

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WednESday, april 17, 2019

CH&PA must probe Minister’s husband’s multiple Govt contracts – Integrity Commission Page 3

Police do not deny plans to arrest Jagdeo

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Guyana Goldfields announces P13 36,600 ounces of gold for 2019 first quarter …represents 4% production drop

GECOM taken to court over house-to-house registration P7 …as private citizen seeks injunction against “unconstitutional” exercise

…but say no ‘political instruction’ given

Page 11

Govt Minister greeted with protesters in Berbice

After years of denial, Venezuela’s President allows aid to P4 enter

Drought, grassfires plaguing Rupununi villages Hundreds of Berbicians lined the roadways of Tain, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) in protest as Government Ministers attend an outreach in the region. The protesters expressed their dissatisfaction over the way in which the country is being governed and condemned the Government for failing the people of Berbice, despite numerous promises of a “good life”

Money changer Bandits beat, rob killed during Black Bush Polder robbery on High Street family Page 10

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CJIA hikes passenger fees to ‘support’ Page 9 – security fees, passenger US$150M expansion costs service charges increased

P12

…residents plea for Govt’s assistance

“Annoyed” P10 Baramita man chops 4 persons Region 1 man jailed for P8 killing friend

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wednesday, april 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, April 17 – a night retraction at 03:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h Thursday, April 18 – a night retraction at 04:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, April 17 – 14:50h-16:20h and Thursday, April 18 – 15:40h-17:10h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Light to thundery showers can be expected throughout the day and the evening, with overall temperatures ranging between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 03:02 and 15:24h reaching maximum heights of 2.65 metres and 2.71 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:57h and 21:18h reaching minimum heights of 0.55 metre and 0.48 metre respectively.

saturday, april 13, 2019

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he Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) must immediately investigate what level of influence was exerted to allow the husband of its subject minister to cash in on millions of dollars’ worth of government contracts, says Chairman of the Integrity Commission, Kumar Doraisami.

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) Monday called for such a probe to be launched by the Integrity Commission, but that body is currently unable to carry out investigations because it is not staffed with investigators.

Junior Minister of Communities with responsibility for the housing sector, Valerie PattersonYearwood is coming in for harsh criticisms over revelations that her husband, Godfrey Yearwood was given three contracts in 2017 to construct houses for the CH&PA. Minister PattersonYearwood has since insisted that she was unaware her husband was bidding for the projects and that she had no input in the process.

But the Integrity Commission Chairman says the public cannot take her word for it.

“The only way you can know the truth, you have to do an investigation within CHPA: those that looked at the contract, those who get to have a final say. I don’t know if the minister has any say…if it is that she has some say, then one could take it to mean that she would have known that her husband has a contract with them,” Doraisami told Guyana Times during an exclusive telephone interview.

“Terrible thing”

LUCKY 3

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CH&PA must probe Minister’s husband’s multiple Govt contracts – Integrity Commission

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From newspaper reports, Doraisami believes that the issue is a clear conflict of interest and that there is enough reason to suspect that the minister knew her husband was bidding for the projects which fall under her watch.

“There must be reasonable suspicion that she would have somehow known that he was getting this contract, she being married to him. It would appear that some form of bias would have influenced the giving of the contract, if that is the case, then it’s a terrible thing to happen,” Doraisami, a former land court judge, stated.

CH&PA Director, Lelon Saul admitted that the issue is a conflict of interest.

In brief comments to media operatives when the news first broke, Saul said “if the contractor in question is the spouse of the Minister, certainly it would be a conflict of interest.”

Chairman of the Integrity Commission, Kumar Doraisami

Housing Minister Valarie Patterson-Yearwood

Godfrey Yearwood, husband of Housing Minister

While not providing much details, the CH&PA Head called for a review of the awarding process so that there is no reoccurrence of such a situation.

“The award of contract is above my level. But I think the (CH&PA) Board should review that (awarding process) based on recommendations coming from the agency,” Saul asserted.

Breach of Integrity Commission Act In fact, he contended that if the mere fact that the husband of a minister received so many contracts from the agency which the same minister oversees, represents a case of conflict of interest, which is a breach of the Code of Conduct enshrined in Integrity Commission Act. Asked pointedly if the situation constitutes a breach of the Integrity Commission Act, Doraisami said “yes, conflict of interest is one of the Articles of the Code of Conduct.”

Under that Article, it states that “a person in public life shall declare any conflict of interest in writing to the relevant authority as

soon as possible after becoming aware of the conflict of interest.”

It is unclear whether Minister PattersonYearwood did as mandated under the Integrity Commission Act. In fact, the issue was only brought to light by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo during one of his weekly press conferences.

The Act further states that “a person in public life shall, in order to protect and uphold the public interest, take reasonable steps to avoid, resolve and disclose any material conflict of interest, financial or nonfinancial, that arises or is likely to arise between his or her personal interests and his or her official duties.”

Furthermore, the Code of Conduct has ten guiding principles, three of which relate to integrity, responsibility and transparency.

The codes state that “a person in public life and members of his family shall upon assumption of office declare their private interests relating to the duties of the public official, and as-

sets…”

It further states that “a person in public life shall have a basic responsibility to take decisions solely in the national interest without any benefit of personal gain, or material benefit for themselves, their family, friends and associates.”

The code also states that “a person in public life shall exercise his or her public decisions and actions with full and frank disclosure and shall provide when demanded by the public an explanation for his or her actions and decisions.”

From all indications, Minister PattersonYearwood is in breach.

However, the Act is silent on penalties, and this was one of the main flaws raised by the Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc. (TIGI) before the government passed it in the National Assembly in 2017.

Three contracts

Days after it was revealed that her husband was awarded a contract by the CH&PA, the Minister remained silent on the matter.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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WEDNESday, april 17, 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

Admission after exposure

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uyana has always been a country known for its high literacy rate. It was once deemed the envy of the Region, given the many eminently qualified sons and daughters it produced and who were offered Regional and international positions in various countries and illustrious organisations.

However, all put together, they are outnumbered by other Guyanese who have not achieved such status but who are extremely literate and who can think, analyse and make insightful conclusions on their own. That said, some can argue based on our politics over the decades, the independence of thought may be a fallacy.

Be that as it may, in today’s world, aided by technology and related devices, people in general have more access to information which in turn has helped them to become more aware of issues, especially those that directly impact them. Many have also been able to increase their literacy levels through this and other means, allowing for more involvement as many are becoming more vocal over social issues, not the least, politics. In other words, today, people in general are also not easily fooled.

It appears that in spite of this growing global trend, some politicians are not attuning themselves to this reality. Given what plays out in the public domain, here being a case in point, information provided and which is expected to directly address specific issues, is skilfully crafted to either avoid the issue altogether or is of little help. In doing so, officials probably desire it go unnoticed while allowing the claim that a response has been provided.

One could argue that in the general realms of politics, expecting anything else is being flagrantly naive. On the other hand, when some politicians promised to break what they deem a cycle of unaccountability, the possibility exists for naivety be traded for expectation in delivery. In other words, hope for the cycle of accountability to begin.

Take what happened recently in the case of the husband of the Housing Minister being granted contracts from an entity that his wife oversees; and a company affiliated to the Communications Minister, being awarded a contract by a Government agency.

In the first instance and after the matter was made public, the Housing Minister reportedly blamed the specific department for awarding the contract, claiming she is not directly responsible for such actions. While that may be so, it’s a difficult proposition for the Minister to think that people will believe she was unaware of the contract awarded and of its implications. A question from the ordinary man would be; how would a wife not know of such major undertaking by her husband?

It may seem a fair question in the context that spouses generally involve each other on significant matters pertaining to the advancement of the family. Even if she was unaware, with it being deemed a conflict of interest, there is expectation by the general public of particular action being taken.

On the second instance, the Communications Minister also claims she was unaware of the award of the contract and that upon her assuming the role of Minister, she relinquished any involvement in the day-to-day operations of the company. Again, that may be true, but the question of conflict of interest lingers.

Also, there is the same expectation for particular action; action which is yet to be seen. Keep in mind, in other countries, officials caught up in such scenarios, resign – either voluntary or having being told.

This is not advocacy for such action, but a reminder of the proverbial promise of the cycle of accountability by the current Government. The ordinary folk, must not be underestimated. In these changing times, they would not need any convincing that the actions in question for which the officials claim to be unaware, may be rendered unacceptable in the context of a conflict of interest it seemingly derives.

Therefore, the attempts to address directly that particular circumstance while offering what can be construed as intangible defences, can be interpreted as an insult of the intelligence of the masses. Recently, accusations were levelled against a Government Ministry for allegedly using multiple names for one person in public advertisements pertaining to the naturalisation of a foreign individual.

When it was found that indeed there were different names to the same photograph and pressure brought to bear, the State newspaper claimed it was a mistake and admitted to being responsible. While, again that could be true, such admission becomes difficult to accept especially when the said admission was only after an exposure. Just this week, a leading critic of the current Opposition stated that the Communications Minister may be in breach of the Integrity Act. While the ordinary bloke may not be fully au fait with the jargon of such an Act, they sense something not being right; something out of the norm. To them, it seems something is out of sync with the cycle of accountability; something contradictory to what was promised. Given what seems a frequent occurrence, it may be a fallacy to think that being in sync is normal. In the current context, that thinking itself could also be an insult to intelligence.

Dancers performing a cultural piece at the celebration of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations’ (ICCR) Foundation Day. The event was hosted at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, New Haven, Bel Air, Georgetown on Tuesday

After years of denial, Venezuela’s President allows aid to enter

Red Cross workers distributing water containers and purification tablets in Caracas

Patients with chronic diseases, such as those who rely on dialysis in clinics like this one in San Cristóbal, Venezuela, have been particularly affected by the shortage of medical supplies

fter denying for years that Venezuelans were suffering a humanitarian crisis, the Government allowed the Red Cross to send in 24 tons of medical equipment on Tuesday, marking the beginning of a large-scale relief campaign intended to ease malnutrition and the spread of disease in the crisis-stricken country.

An airplane landed in Caracas’s international airport transporting the first in a series of planned shipments of medical supplies and power generators for hospitals that are intended to eventually help 650,000 Venezuelans, according to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The material is expected to be distributed in the coming days.

Despite the enormity of the population’s need, the delivery of humanitarian aid has become a political battle between the President, Nicolás Maduro, and Venezuela’s Opposition.

On Tuesday, the president of the Red Cross in Venezuela said the aid should not become embroiled in a political dispute, and asked for the co-

the nation having endured the deepest economic depression in modern history among countries not at war.

As Venezuela’s revenues have plummeted, control over aid supplies became one of the main political disputes between Maduro and a parallel Government set up by Juan Guaidó. Guaidó, a Leader of the Opposition and of congress, invoked an article of Venezuela’s Constitution in late January and claimed the country’s leadership after pointing out widespread irregularities in the elections that gave Maduro a second term.

In February, an ambitious plan by the Opposition, led by Guaidó, to bring humanitarian aid into Venezuela from neighbouring countries degenerated into bloody skirmishes as the trucks ran into blockades set up by security forces loyal to Maduro.

Guaidó had hoped the plan would at once bring some relief to Venezuelans, strengthen his credibility as the country’s new leader, and convince troops to turn against Maduro rather than use force to keep food and medication beyond the reach of a needy population.

Although some military

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operation of politicians.

“It will be distributed in conformance with the fundamental principles of our movement, especially neutrality, impartiality and independence,” Mario Villarroel, president of the Venezuelan Red Cross, said of the supplies. “Don’t allow the politicisation of this great achievement.”

The agency estimates its Venezuelan campaign could become its biggest relief effort since the beginning of civil war in Syria.

A recent United Nations report found about a quarter of the country’s population is in dire need of food and basic supplies — and the need is expected to grow. The International Monetary Fund estimates the Venezuelan economy will shrink by 25 percent this year as infrastructure continues to crumble.

Around 5500 Venezuelans flee the country daily in what has become one of the world’s biggest refugee crises, according to the United Nations. The arrival of the aid shipment constitutes an about-face

by Mr. Maduro’s government, which for years had denied the existence of a humanitarian crisis despite

officials did cross the lines to join Guaidó, it was a trickle, not the sea change the opposition had envisioned. The blockade largely succeeded, with little aid entering the country.

Since then, the crisis has been compounded by the impact of American sanctions on Venezuela’s oil industry.

The measures are aimed at weakening Maduro and forcing him to cede power to Guaidó, who has the support of the United States and about 50 other countries, but the pain they inflict is felt first by the population.

Maduro’s decision to accept the Red Cross aid has hobbled this parallel effort to deliver supplies that was mounted by the opposition. Still, it was celebrated

by Maduro’s opponents as a victory brought about by their persistence.

“Today, the first shipment of humanitarian aid arrived for our people,” Henrique Capriles, a leading figure of the Opposition, posted on Twitter. “It’s a reality thanks to the pressure of Venezuelans and the support of our interim President Juan Guaidó and the legitimate National Assembly.”

(The New York Times)

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wednESday, april 17, 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

GuySuCo spent $1M on meals Dear Editor, The GAWU, through a usually reliable source, has learnt that Uitvlugt Estate during 2018 expended well over a million dollars on meals provided to visitors to the estate. Those visitors, we understand, are mainly personnel from the corporation’s head office. It, therefore, would mean that over 1000 meals would have been prepared last year, assuming that a meal costs $1000. If that is the case, it would mean that the estate had about three visitors every day of

the year. This is incredible and incredulous at the same time.

If the information that has reached the Union’s hands is indeed accurate then it is cause for great concern regarding the administration of the industry’s finances. At this time, as the workers well know, the corporation has relied on the excuse of lack of finance to deny, over and over, justifiable requests for improvements in working conditions and benefits.

GAWU, on several oc-

casions, has expressed concern about the management of the industry’s finances. Previously, we pointed to the hefty sums going to what the corporation deems it’s Key Managerial Personnel.

On this matter, we noted, from the most recent data available, that sums going to this group of the Stateowned enterprise’s top-echelon almost doubled between 2015 and 2016. We know too that the industry invested $61 million into its seed paddy project at Wales but realised

Police inaction leads to vigilantism Dear Editor, Let me first take the stance that I cannot prove a case against the police for the simple reason that I am not allowed by law to conduct an investigation.

The discussion herein reposed are of a meritorious allegation. The allegation I am highlighting was sent to my Facebook on Monday, April 15, by a friend to subsume my reaction. What are my reactions to the alleged robbery under arms et al of the Vilvoordeen, Essequibo Coast businessman?

Firstly, the Police Commander of G Division should be given an award for sticking to the rule book and using the word “alleged”. I say this because I doubt the businessman would beat himself and traumatise his wife and sons for motive, such things are really uncommon in Guyanese society.

Next, I recall seeing a video from the Commissioner of Police expanding on the aid of the general public for allowing police to access private CCTV cameras to help in the crime situation. One of the secondary motives behind this call by the Commissioner is for the crime-fighting unit to embrace technology. Now the big question for application to the case at discussion is: Why did the police not act in the tracking of the stolen phone? My apologies to the Commander of G Division for discontinuing to use the word “alleged”.

So the police may not have a boat to sail behind the perpetrators that the businessman tracked to Hogg Island. Why not hire a local speed boat? Even wiser, why did the police not make contact with their counterparts on Hogg Island? This case is definitely asking too many questions than the police will be comfortable an-

swering.

The question of men with high-powered rifles, even if not for the reason of bringing the men to justice, the police’s inaction has resulted in dangerous weapons staying on the streets of Guyana. For this alone, I believe the police should be incarcerated. One brave individual should conduct a citizen’s arrest on the entire response unit of the Police Force in Region Two. Yes, I pray the Commissioner of Police is reading this, for he must understand that police’s inaction leads to vigilantism.

Not only against criminals but also members of the Police Force. All for a cry for justice.

My reasoning is that the businessman should take the Guyana Police Force to court for their inaction in hopes of substantial financial compensation. If only I was an attorney, I would not hesitate to do this case for free. This is also a call to the Guyana Bar Association.

Someone please reach out to the businessman for all of Guyana’s sake.

Sincerely, Daniel Arthur

only $9 million in income, in other words, it realised a loss of $52 million. It also came to our attention that the corporation spent nearly $58 million on a feasibility study for aquaculture and not one fish was harvested. With such expenditure seemingly becoming a feature of the corporation, it was not surprising when we saw that the corporation’s head office cost rose from 9 per cent of total costs in 2017 to over 14 per cent of total costs at the end of September 2018.

This sort of expenditure is coming at the same time that the corporation is telling the public that it needs investment in the fields and factories.

Moreover, we see such expenditures taking place when the industry’s workers, whom the corporation describes as its most important assets, being denied a pay rise since 2015 and have had several important benefits suspended and ignored.

To say that the Union is disheartened by the most recent revelation is to say the least. Undoubtedly, at this time, when workers are having a most difficult time to make ends meet it is upsetting that such disturbing news is coming to light.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

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Foundation

By Robert Myers, PhD

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guyanatimesgy.com

t’s natural to want to buy toys for your new baby, but how do you know what to choose? How much notice should you pay to the age markings on toys? Are they there just for safety reasons or is there more to it than that?

It’s important to understand that play is vital for babies.

It helps them develop their social, cognitive, and physical skills and strengthen the emotional bond that’s growing between you. Playing games enables them to start to understand the world around them, but you need to take care that the toys or games are not too complex for their developmental level, otherwise they become frustrated and stop engaging with you.

In the first twelve months babies use their senses, particularly touch, to explore. It takes them a little time to work out how to make the most of those strange appendages with fingers and so much of their exploration involves the use of their mouths and tongues.

Their eyesight is still developing, but they’re able to see strong contrasts and bright colours. Their memories aren’t fully formed either, which is why they’re happy to repeat the simplest of actions over and over again.

They’re also learning about object permanence: that something can still exist, even if it’s out of sight.

Toys with different textures, colours, and sounds are ideal for babies of this age. Since all toys will inevitably end up in their mouths, you need to make sure that they are robust, don’t have sharp edges, can be easily cleaned, and are regularly checked for damage.

If you’re on a budget, you can put together some simple toys such as filling a bottle with rice and a few small objects for them to search for inside. Empty yogurt containers make ideal bath toys – you can punch holes in the bottom to make them even more entertaining. Even wrapping paper can provide endless amusement as your child experiments with its sound, taste, and texture.

Play doesn’t always have to involve toys either. Babies this age love playing peek-a-boo, and nursery rhymes are always a winner. They’re fascinated with the human face and will be happy watching your expressions. Let them see themselves in a mirror and they’ll have fun watching the “other” baby copy them. (They won’t realize it’s their reflection until they’re around six months old.)

Play is a vital way for children to develop the skills they’ll need for later life and choosing the right toy is key in supporting that development. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

By Robert Myers, PhD

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ach Christmas brings a new crop of “must have” toys and games. If your child has one of those on his/her list, check out reviews to see if it is worth purchasing. Age appropriateness and the degree a toy taps into your child’s creativity are important to consider. Toys that tap into creativity will likely keep your child engaged over a period of time. It’s always a sad experience when a parent finds that their child is more interested in playing with the box than the toy or when the toy is used for a few days or weeks and then ends up in the toy box for good.

I think it is great when the number one toy on your child’s list is affordable and makes sense to you. It’s a great feeling when parents can watch a child find the toy they have been longing for under the tree. My suggestion is that you also select toys and games your child would like that also encourage creativity, learning or physical activity in addition to being fun. These items tend to be used over and over again.

For infants and toddlers (six months to two years) items such as stuffed animals, stacking and nesting toys, building blocks, simple puzzles, early ride-on toys, musical toys, and age-appropriate books and music are great.

These choices can produce many hours of fun activity that also stimulates intellectual, language, social and physical development. Parents may need to guide the child at first to help them learn the tasks and once they get it use praise once in a while to spur them on. Read books and sing along with the music to encourage language skills.

One of the favourite things preschoolers (three years to six years) like to do is pretend play. Stuffed toys, dolls and action figures are great items for these guys. Also, play sets let them imitate adult activity. Art supplies are also welcomed along with more advanced building toys.

Continue with music for listening and more realistic instruments for playing. Preschoolers will also be able to use a more advanced ride-on toy. Other outdoor toys such as sport’s equipment, sandbox, playhouse and swing sets are great for keeping them outdoors more and having fun.

Books, card and board games, and a few video games or other digital items are great to help them develop basic learning skills as well as lead to quality one on one time with parents and family fun too!

School-age children (six to 12 years) are more likely to be influenced by their peers and advertising to as to what toys and other gift possibilities are cool. Again, check them out to be sure they would be right for your child. This stage of development is a great time to expose your child to toys and games that support the acquisition of skills and knowledge associated with what is known as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths). Again, video games and other digital items in moderation are great.

Know is a good time to expose your child to possible hobbies they might like. Sports equipment and more advanced ride on items are really helpful to motivate for exercise and being outside. Action figures and items such as vehicles or buildings that go with them encourage creativity, imagination, and social development. Games that can be played with parents, sibs, friends and family encourage the development of social skills and encourage connecting with others. Books and music, as well as educational electronics, can make learning easier and more fun. Consider a subscription to an age-appropriate magazine related to their interests or audio books can encourage independent reading but be sure to discuss them with your child as well.

I hope the suggestions provided will help you select the right gifts that will bring joy and excitement as well as encourage g r o w t h and development along with fun and spending time with others and getting outside more.

Below are some sites that can provide further guidance for you. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

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wednesday, april 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Bandits beat, rob Black GECOM taken to court over Bush Polder family house-to-house registration – as private citizen seeks injunction against “unconstitutional” exercise

GECOM Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson

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The home of rice farmers, Naziran Hussain, 60; and her 70-year-old husband, Lomas Parag

unmen on Tuesday morning invaded the home of a Black Bush Polder, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), family robbing them of over $1 million in cash and jewellery.

Reports are the gunmen entered the Lot 172 Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder home by breaking one of the windows.

The home is owned by rice farmers, Naziran Hussain, 60, and her 70-year-old husband, Lomas Parag.

Speaking with this publication, Hussain’s niece said that she was awoken at about 02:00h and confronted by the men, who ordered her not to scream.

The 60-year-old woman recalled that the men covered their faces with rags.

She said that they then woke her other relatives and tied them up before demanding that they hand over cash and jewellery.

The teen said that her aunt was beaten by the men after she refused to hand over her valuables. She recalled that her aunt was kicked by one of the gunmen, who demanded that they hand over the money they withdrew from the bank. She added that her teenaged brother was also beaten after he rebelled.

However, Hussain finally gave in to the bandits’ demand and handed over US$600 and $200,000 along with a quantity of jewellery.

The gunmen also rode away with a motorcycle which was later found abandoned.

The teenager recalled that the family endured the frightening ordeal for about an hour at the hands of the six bandits. She said that after the bandits escaped, they raised an alarm and the police were called.

An investigation has since been launched.

In December, the Guyana

Police Force had said that there was an increase in gun robberies in Berbice. Only last week, four armed men broke into 63-year-old Rene Kumarie Bhagwandin’s Bloomfield, Corentyne, Berbice, home and pushed her off of a roof-like structure while robbing her of jewellery, phone cards, and cash.

Reports are that at about 01:30h on Thursday last, Bhagwandin was in her bedroom with her husband when she heard a noise followed by banging against the door at the entrance of her home.

The woman hopped out of bed to determine what was happening and was confronted by four masked men, who by then had managed to kick down the door. The bandits robbed the woman of two gold rings, a silver bangle, $63,000 in Digicel and GTT phone cards as well as $23,000.

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fter warning the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to desist from house-to-house registration or face the law, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall has filed legal proceedings against the Commission.

In the legal documents seen by this publication and filed by Nandlall on behalf of his client, Bibi Zeenatoun, Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and GECOM are named as respondents.

In the fixed date application, the former AG sets out that the house-to-house registration is unconstitutional.

It is noted that they are seeking a declaration of this and the fact that the exercise will exclude qualified registrants currently on the National Register and the official list of electors.

In particular, the application is seeking a declaration that Zeenatoun herself will be excluded and thus, have her constitutional right to vote breached. According to the application, Zeenatoun is a retired teacher and citizen of

Guyana who is registered to vote.

The application explains that she worked in the United Kingdom from 1980 until her retirement in 2014. She then acquired property and maintained a residence in that country. Besides her citizenship, however, she has family ties to Guyana that include an adult son and his two children.

“For seven months during the year, she returns to Guyana to help care for my grandchildren and guide them in their academic studies. The Applicant has voted in elections in Guyana as recent as the 2018 Local Government Elections.”

“The Applicant, during her current stay in Guyana, became aware of conflicting statements by the

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

til the 30th of April”.

They went on to cite comments from GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander about the need to cleanse the list anyway, then Minister of State Joseph Harmon’s comments that persons who are overseas when

The Guyana Elections Commission

Respondents, through public statements transmitted in the local news, regarding the existing National Register of Registrants and plans by the Respondent to conduct houseto-house registration.”

As an example, the claimants cited Lowenfield’s comments carried in the February 5 edition of sections of the media that “the voters’ list is clean and valid, with a life un-

the enumerators pay their houses a visit cannot be a part of the voters’ list.

“The Applicant will be absent from Guyana for a period of five months commencing from the end of May 2019 and will, therefore, not be at her local place of residence [in person] during the period being proposed by GECOM to conduct the said house-tohouse registration.”

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wednesday, april 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 1 man jailed for killing friend

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fight between two intoxicated men, which left one of them dead, has now ended with the other serving 12 years in jail.

Ignatius France of Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), was on Tuesday sentenced to 12 years in prison by High Court Judge Justice Navindra Singh after he pled guilty to manslaughter. The 35-year-old man was initially charged for murder. The court heard that on May 11, 2012, at Port Kaituma, Region One, he killed Mark Ashby.

France was represented by Attorney-at-Law Maxwell McKay, who in a plea of mitigation informed the court that his client acted in self-defence since he was attacked by the deceased during an argument.

Ignatius France leaving court on Tuesday

The court heard that on May 11, 2012, France and Ashby were involved in an argument which escalated into a

scuffle, during which the accused, who was intoxicated at the time, armed himself with a chopper and dealt the deceased a chop to the neck.

Ashby was rushed to the Port Kaituma Hospital where he died while receiving medical attention.

Before handing down the sentence, Justice Singh told France to “try and live a better life” when he gets out of prison since the entire matter was the result of imbibing alcohol.

When the 12-year sentence was handed down, Justice Singh ordered that the seven years the accused spent on remand be deducted from the sentence.

The State’s case was presented by Prosecutors Teriq Mohammed, Tuanna Hardy and Abigail Gibbs.

Miner remanded for ganja possession

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hirty-three-year-old Gregory Nickels was remanded to prison on Tuesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts by Principle Magistrate Sherdel Isaac-Marcus for narcotics possession.

Nickels, of Lot 5 D’Urban Street, Georgetown, denied the charge which stated that on April 3, 2019, at the same address, Police ranks conducted a search and found 182 grams of cannabis.

The prosecution is contending that the police

ranks conducted a search on the two-storey building at D’Urban Street, Georgetown, in the presence of Nickels, when the cannabis was unearthed in the toilet area wrapped in a bag.

In court on Tuesday, the miner was represented by Attorney-at-Law Damian DaSilva, who in a bail application told the court that his client is not the lone occupant of the premises.

The lawyer further stated that five other persons reside at the building. He

Gregory Nickels

added that his client is not a flight risk and is willing to cooperate with any condi-

tion set out by the court.

DaSilva also stated that when Police ranks conducted the search, other occupants of the property were at home but only his client was arrested.

Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones objected to bail on the grounds that the defendant admitted that the narcotics belonged to him. The prosecutor further stated that the search was conducted in the presence of Nickels. Bail was refused and the case was adjourned to April 26, 2019.

Hidden…

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…spoils he Trinis just proposed an “Explain Your Wealth Bill”. What’s that? Well just that if you think it’s only the PNC that’s been doing certain things over the past four years, their counterparts over in T&T has been doing it for 50 years!!

When the PNM in T&T took office in 1956, they weren’t ousted for the next 30 years – two more years than Burnham had over here. But unlike Burnham who had sugar and bauxite, they had oil and which Eric Williams wasn’t daft enough to nationalise.

Rather he arranged for his supporters to situate themselves to take advantage of all the ancillary industries that were needed to support the oil industry.

It was LEGALISED ‘benefits’, since the folks in the Opposition camp and their supporters were left to make do in the sugar fields and such like. And boy did they get fat!! Problem is, when you’re used to easy money that’s expected to fall into your lap when the business class don’t even have to be told to pass bribes. It’s not easy to be weaned off.

Which is what the Trinis are now forced to do now that oil has stopped flowing. Oil mighn’t spoil, like Williams said, but it WILL run out!! So now we have some REAL ‘benefits’ going on over there to keep on with their high living! The big time money laundering and drug smuggling involved explains the “Explain your Wealth” Bill, which the global community has insisted on. The theory’s quite simple: if your assets and your lifestyle are way out of whack with your legal source of income, then the onus shifts to you to show where you got that wealth!! – If you can’t explain, its freeze and seize, baby!

It’s like the Big Ones at City Hall fingered in the Kennard CoI. If we had such a law over here, the Police would just have to demand the ex-Town Clerk show them the source of the funds that made him snap up all those properties. Or have all those customs and Police Officers to explain how they ended up with those humungous properties and minibus fleets on salaries that their union insists can’t even provide them with room and board.

But the PNC ‘benefits’ since 2015 has them salivating over the thought of the BILLIONS OF US oil money coming down the pipeline.

Don’t expect any “Explain Your Wealth Bill” here!!

…mafia Stabroek Market is once again in the news – for all the wrong reasons. But mainly for being a hotbed of crime: petty and not so petty and certainly never, ever pretty.

But that’s how it’s been for the last five decades, hasn’t it? And that’s because the problems of the “Big” Market is a microcosm of the city problem writ small. The mafia – and it’s a mafia…the PNC mafia! – that runs Georgetown can clean up the Stabroek area with a snap of the finger!

All they have to do is rein in their Constabulary from running one of the largest shakedown schemes in the country.

But it’s just mirroring the shakedown of the big ones of the business community as was recently exposed by the Kennard Commission. And just like how the PNC mafia promised audits and investigations would be continued to clean up of that Augean Stables, at City Hall, the shakeup that can clean up the Stabroek Market dystopia will never happen in our lifetime.

Remember the vendors that crowd the Stabroek Square? Remember the ruckus when they were cleared out for the Mash Parade of 2016? With a promise that they’d all be permanently relocated?

That, of course, is gone fuh channa!! The mafia needs them to mobilise!! …controllers The Police are denying they were INSTRUCTED by the PNC or the President to arrest the Opposition Leader – just as they denied they were instructed by the Public Security Minister to investigate Charrandas Persaud.

They were TOLD??

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

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wednesday, april 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

CJIA hikes passenger fees to ‘support’ expansion costs – security fees, passenger service charges increased

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s of April 1, arriving and departing passengers at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) will have to pay an additional US$35… all to support the ongoing CJIA expansion project.

This was confirmed by Caribbean Airlines, one of the major airline carriers at the airport. According to the airline, both the airport security fee and the airport passenger service charge will be increased.

“The total cost of the new fees to all travellers for a return trip is US$35 or $7315.

For departing passengers, US$17 and US$15 for arriving passengers payable in Guyana dollars at the prevailing foreign exchange rate.”

According to Caribbean

An artist’s impression of the expanded CJIA

Airlines, CJIA had advised all airlines that these increases were to support improvements at the airport.

According to the airline, it will be facilitating the collection of the new fees at the check-in counters and arrival hall for departing and arriving customers respectively, from April 15.

“For tickets purchased

after July 1, 2019, the fees will automatically be included in the cost of the ticket at the time of purchase,” Caribbean Airlines added in its statement.

CJIA expansion

For some time, the Public Infrastructure Ministry has faced questions over the CJIA expansion proj-

CH&PA must probe...

It was only on Monday, through a statement published on the website of the Department of Public Information, Minister Patterson-Yearwood admitted that her husband was given three contracts by the CH&PA in 2017.

She admitted that one of these contracts is still outstanding, but is expected to be concluded in two weeks’ time.

The Minister insists that her husband, Godfrey Yearwood, was subjected to the same rules and regulations as other bidders; there was no exemption.

She also took care to note

that the contracts had been awarded by the CH&PA Board of Directors, of which she is not a member.

She, moreover, denied presiding over any contracts, though she did admit to being present during contract signings.

Investigators

The Integrity Commission could have investigated this matter but it is currently without the necessary staff to do so, even more than one year after it was established.

The Chairman said the body is in the process of putting together a job descrip-

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tion and it will soon be advertising the vacancies.

The GTUC, in a statement Monday, had called for the Integrity Commission to investigate this matter.

However, the Union recognised that the Commission lacks the capacity to do so, and has therefore called on the government to address this matter urgently.

Noting that institutions cannot be put in place with no teeth to function, GTUC has called for a drive to fully staff not only the Integrity Commission, but other investigative arms of the State.

ect costs and delayed construction. The project was initially supposed to have been completed within 32 months.

But by January, with the project still not completed, Government said that China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) will have to complete the expansion project, which was set for March 31.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson had warned that CHEC would be fined more than

U$200,000 or US$7000 per day if it missed the latest deadline to complete the project.

At the time, outstanding works to be completed had included the southwest runway, extension pavement works and sections of the departure terminal namely immigration, security screening, and duty-free concession areas.

The project got underway in 2012, under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration when Guyana secured a US$138 million loan from the China Exim (ExportImport) Bank to fund the expansion and modernisation project, for which the Guyana Government was to contribute some US$12 million.

The A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), when in Opposition, had cut the funds the then Government – People’s Progressive Party (PPP) – had allocated for the CJIA

expansion.

When the coalition Government came in to power in 2015, the project was put on hold, but after some discussions, it was later announced that the project would be continued but several aspects were cut from the original design.

After the 32-month projection had passed, officials had been optimistic of the project being completed by 2017. However, the extension of works into 2019 comes in disparity to an earlier commitment by Government where it committed that the works associated with the expansion would have been completed by the last quarter of 2018.

Upon completion, the airport is expected to have four air passenger boarding bridges for arrivals and departures; a 450-seat departure area, escalators and elevators in addition to an extended runway catering for larger categories of aircraft.

10 news

wednesday, april 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Money changer killed during robbery on High Street

The area where Prince Alleyne was shot and killed

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unmen on Tuesday morning carried out a daring daylight robbery in front of the Ashmins building on High Street, Georgetown, which left a 57-year-old money changer dead.

Dead is Prince Philip Alleyne of Lot 88 Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara, who succumbed to his injuries at about 11:00h at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Reports are Alleyne,

who operates as a money changer on America Street, Georgetown, was parking his car, PMM 9512, at the Ashmins building on High Street, Georgetown, when the gunmen struck.

The two gunmen rode up to the now dead man on a motorcycle just as he was about to exit his motorcar.

The men, according to an eyewitness, grabbed Alleyne and demanded that he hand over his valuables. However, when the victim refused and attempted to fight them off, one of the gunmen shot him to his head. They then grabbed the man’s bag which contained cash and his licensed firearm. The men made good their escape as the money changer was left lying on the road. Realising what occurred,

Dead: Prince Alleyne

a large crowd gathered at the scene and Alleyne was picked up and rushed to the GPHC. According to one eyewit-

ness, she was plying her trade a short distance from where the shooting occurred when she heard a single gunshot.

The woman noted that she and others began running in the direction of the shot when she saw several persons surrounding someone who was lying on the road.

“When I reach, I was shocked to see is Prince because I does usually see he parking here every day before he walk to America Street where he does do he business,” the woman explained in disbelief.

When this publication visited the scene, Alleyne’s car was parked while his shoes were seen in a large pool of blood on the roadway. By that time, his relatives had gathered but were in too much of a

traumatised state to speak to the media.

The police have since launched an investigation into the matter.

Last year, another money changer was gunned down on America Street, Georgetown, when he refused to hand over his valuables to a lone gunman.

The man, who had been robbed just two months before the incident, was also shot to his head.

In that incident, 47-yearold Shawn Nurse was said to be sitting on a chair at the corner of Avenue of the Republic and America Street when he was approached by the gunman and shot.

The perpetrator has since been arrested and is presently on remand.

“Annoyed” Baramita man chops 4 persons GECOM taken to...

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Baramita village, Region One (BarimaWaini), man was on Tuesday remanded to prison on four counts of attempted murder when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Eddie Williams was not required to plea to the indictable charges as they were read to him by

Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus. It is alleged that between April 1 and 12, 2019, at Baramita, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Selicia Jacobs, Devon Scott, Rawle Campbell and Bergil Thomas with intent to commit murder.

The court heard that the 21-year-old man dealt the victims several chops after

he claimed that they “annoyed” him. It was also reported that Williams dealt Thomas several chops about the body when he asked him for a “Bamboo” and Thomas did not comply.

Williams, who is known to the police, was arrested and charged. The case will continue on May 7, 2019.

According to the application, Zeenatoun “fears that she will be excluded from the proposed exercise of house-tohouse registration and thereby, in effect, be de-registered and in consequence thereof, and she will be unlawfully denied her statutory and constitutional right to be registered and to vote”.

“The Applicant’s right to vote will and can be protected if the Respondents were to engage in Continuous Registration as provided for in Section 6 (1) of the National Registration Act Cap. 19:08,” the application advises.

Besides the aforementioned declarations, Nandlall is seeking from the High Court a Writ of Prohibition, injunction and conservatory order against GECOM, restraining the respondents, either themselves or their agents, from carrying out house-to-house registration. He is also seeking costs and any other orders the court awards.

First move

Previously, it had been

People’s Progressive Party nominated Commissioner Robeson Benn who had made the first move towards the law to stop house-to-house registration from happening.

In a correspondence seen by this publication, Benn threatened to move to the courts if the Guyana Elections Commission had persisted. Nandlall, who was representing Benn, had explained in an interview with this publication that this exercise could potentially disenfranchise overseas-based voters who normally return home to exercise their franchise.

“In relation to dead people, I concede readily that that process of removing dead persons from the list should be one that should be pursued, but that shouldn’t require houseto-house registration. That can easily be accomplished by an exchange of data between the registrar of deaths and the GECOM.” “Because the registrar of deaths will be able to say how many persons have been recorded as dead over the past few years. And that data can be

From page 7

juxtaposed against the list and those persons removed by a very simple engagement, with relative speed and ease in this technological age.”

Nandlall had explained that when GECOM staff go house to house and cannot find persons on the list living in Guyana, such persons will be de-registered. The former AG noted that Articles 59 and 159 provides for everyone to vote at elections once they are qualified and registered.

“What I have a problem with is the process that will remove persons on the list who are resident overseas. Our Constitution does not require residency in Guyana as a qualification to be registered to vote.

Our Constitution is very clear.

Once you are 18 years or over, Guyanese and registered, you can vote.”

“So you have Guyanese citizens, thousands of them, who are registered but when this exercise is completed, they will not find themselves in the new list and they will become disqualified through no fault of their own,” he had said.

NEWS

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WEDNesday, april 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Police do not deny plans to arrest Jagdeo …but say no ‘political instruction’ given

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

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ours after the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic called out the Guyana Police Force (GPF) over taking political instruction from the Government to arrest Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo upon his return from the United States, the Force has denied the contention. While denying taking “political instruction”, the Guyana Police Force did not, however, deny that the Opposition Leader will be arrested.

The PPP, in a statement on Monday evening, said that based on reliable information received, the GPF has been instructed by Congress Place and the Ministry of the Presidency to arrest, detain, and charge Jagdeo for wilfully inciting or attempting to incite racial hostility in relation to a speech at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, Corentyne, on March 11, 2019.

According to the PPP, the speech by Jagdeo at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, Corentyne, in March was widely covered by the media, noting that it is devoid of

any racial content and simply called upon all Guyanese to reject the Government, including the President and the Prime Minister, after March 21, 2019, “by chasing them”.

According to the party, based on the passage of the No-Confidence Motion as of March 21, 2019, “the Government would have become illegal and the President, the Prime Minister and Ministers of the Government would no longer be lawfully entitled to hold their governmental offices because of the successful passage of a NoConfidence Motion passed against the Government in the National Assembly on the 21st December, 2019, and the ruling of the Chief Justice which upheld the validity of that No-Confidence Motion.

This speech was delivered before the decision of the Court of Appeal in relation to the no-confidence cases”.

The party noted that it must be emphasised that the Leader of the Opposition directed his comments to both the President and the Prime Minister and the entire Government and his appeal was to all Guyanese. “It is therefore bewildering how these comments can be interpreted as conveying any racial sentiments whatsoever. Indeed, on the 21st March 2019, under the stewardship of the Leader of the Opposition, the PPP held protest actions in various regions across the country. These protests were peacefully and lawfully conducted and there was not a single reported incident of violence or racial hostility of any kind emanating therefrom,” the party stated.

Police Commissioner Leslie James

It added that it is also aware that television stations that carried a similar statement made by the General Secretary of the PPP at a press conference held on March 14, 2019, were served with notices dated April 11, 2019, from the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) urging that they immediately desist from broadcasting such content.

“We maintain that the Leader of the Opposition has done nothing other than exercise his democratic, constitutional and political right to be critical of a Government that has flagrantly violated the Constitution and would have been occupying governmental office unconstitutionally, tyrannically and undemocratically. In fact, the duties of the Leader of the Opposition include publicly exposing the vulgar constitutional violations being committed by the Government,” the PPP said.

According to the party, what is currently being experienced is the unleashing of State power through the me-

dium of the Guyana Police Force and the GNBA to stifle free speech, to assault democracy and abrogate political rights and freedoms. “This repeated repressive use of the criminal justice system and the State machinery is intended to restrict the Opposition’s rights and freedom to expose the authoritarian actions of this Government internationally. It is, therefore, no coincidence that these actions are being taken after the return of the Leader of the Opposition from international travels where he met with important functionaries and spoke widely with the media in both the Caribbean and the United States in relation to the despotic behaviour of the Government.”

The party also called upon the diplomatic and international community to note Guyana’s rapid descent into a police state.

Denial

In its denial, the GPF stated that it “wishes to clearly refute such statement and to inform all and sundry that the Ministry of the Presidency, the People’s National Congress/Reform or A Partnership for National Unity have not given any such instruction or advice”.

Additionally, the Guyana Police Force stated that it remains “a professional organisation and any action previously or currently being taken, is wholly pursuant to

President David Granger

legal advice obtained and/or to engage in investigations”.

Meanwhile, the Ministry

of Presidency also said that no such instruction was issued by the Head of State, any Minister of Government or any Government official to instruct the Guyana Police Force to arrest the Opposition Leader.

In the same breath, the Ministry of the Presidency stated that the Government is of the view that the Constitution, to which every Guyanese is subjected, is supreme and if a violation has occurred, then, by all means, the law must take its course.

The Guyana Police Force must carry out its functions, without fear or favour.

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WEDNesday, april 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Drought, grassfires plaguing Rupununi villages …residents plea for Govt’s assistance

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illages in north and south Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), are facing the harsh effects of the dry weather and are suffering from the loss of crops as a result of the occurrence of both shortages of water and grassfires.

Residents who reached out to Guyana Times on Monday complained that they are suffering as a result of the dry season and are pleading with the Administration to offer any form of relief it can to help cushion the impact it is having on their livelihood.

“We suffering for some aid man. Anything we can get. All our crops dry and what isn’t dried out, burn up with wildfires. Even the cassava dry can’t get anything from that. I hope they come in and help us. People suffering up here,” a businessman said.

In an invited comment,

Chairman of Region Nine, Bryan Allicock confirmed to this publication on Tuesday that residents are affected and in dire need of relief. He said that the villages faced with drought include those such as Katoka in central Rupununi and Katunarib and other villages in both north and south Rupununi.

Allicock said that he received reports on Thursday last of the challenges those villages are facing and these issues were discussed with the head of the Guyana Water Inc, Dr Van West-Charles, and Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman who were in the region at that time.

He explained that the villages that are experiencing severe drought are those that have hand-dug wells which have dried up.

He went on to say that residents have tried digging deeper to no avail. Allicock said that nothing has yet

materialised from his discussion with Trotman or Charles as he is still to receive an update on any relief effort planned for the region.

Questioned about his discussions with Trotman and Charles, the Regional Chairman said that he was asked how much money the region has, however, he advised the officials that the region has no funds to deal with an emergency and he was told that they will see what they can do to offer some relief.

Allicock said that their only other source of water in those areas is a river which is located a far distance from the villages and some residents are forced to walk at least four kilometres to get to the river for washing and other domestic purposes.

The Regional Chairman further said that farms are also being affected as a result of the grassfires destroying their crops and if this

weather persists, they will be needing aid in the form of food supplies.

He added that the Village of Simoni has a drilled well and a few of the residents with access to motorbikes have been transporting water for drinking purposes, however, a large number of residents still remain without access.

When Guyana Times contacted the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, it was related that the Permanent Secretary, Alfred King, could not offer a comment at the time. Contacted by this newspaper, Communications Officer Alethia Charles said she did not have the relevant information and could not comment on the situation and efforts to obtain a comment from either of the Ministers proved futile.

Father of 2 jumps to his death …children banned from attending funeral

Dead: Alberto De Jesus

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Fifth Street, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara resident died after he jumped over the seawall in the village.

Dead is Alberto De Jesus, 30.

Relatives told Guyana Times that the father of two children begun acting in a strange manner last Thursday before running to the seawall and jumping over.

His wife, Felisha Ramzan, told this publication that on the morning of the incident, her husband started acting in a “weird” manner and she told him she would take him to the hospital because something seemed amiss.

“He started talking to himself and so I’ve never seen him behave like this so I told him to get dressed, I’m taking him to the hospital,” she said.

Ramzan added that as they were ready to go to the hospital, she left her husband standing at the gate and returned inside to close a door, and when she re-

turned she noticed him running toward the seawall.

“I see him running and I started to scream and all the neighbours came out and started running behind him but he jumped over. I see he went down like three times,” the distraught woman said.

She related that police were immediately called to the scene and boatmen working nearby took him out of the water and made unsuccessful efforts to revive him.

“Police patrol from BV Station come…They carry he Georgetown Hospital where he pronounce dead,” the woman added.

The woman further said that a post-mortem examination was performed and revealed that he died from drowning.

However, the woman told this publication that in her grief, more worries have been piled on as her husband’s body was removed without her consent and knowledge. She said that after probing as to who collected her husband’s body she was told that his mother went and claimed the body.

She claimed that as a result of this, she and her children were banned by her husband’s family from going to his funeral. The grieving widow said that her children will not be able to see their father one last time, adding that it is causing her much distress.

“Our children and I should be allowed at the funeral. I am begging the social service or police to come and intervene in this matter. These people are taking advantage on me,” she cried.

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wednesday, april 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana Goldfields announces 36,600 ounces of gold for 2019 first quarter

…represents 4% production drop

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uyana Goldfields has produced 36,600 ounces for the first quarter of 2019, an amount the company is confident will lead to the production of as much as 160,000 ounces for the year.

The company made this announcement in its recently released 2019 first quarter summary report. According to Goldfields, this keeps it on track to produce between 145,000 ounces and 160,000 ounces of gold for the year.

The company also sold 38, 200 ounces of gold in the first quarter, earning a gross revenue of US$49.7 million.

The amount produced is, however, a drop compared to last year’s first quarter production.

It is understood that the company produced 38, 500 ounces of gold in the same period last year, making this year’s first quarter haul a 4.9 per cent decrease.

“Gold recovery averaged 90.5 per cent for the quar-

ter, compared with 91.7 per cent a year earlier. The company completed the mill expansion which is anticipated to enhance capacity and redundancy of the primary crushing circuit and expected to further lower per unit costs,” the company also informed.

Meanwhile, Goldfield said that work will soon be resuming on its underground mining decline. The decline, the company said, will be extended some 200 metres.

According to the company, this work will be done at its Mad Kiss pit, as part of the early works phase before it begins exploration.

Works are expected to last approximately three months, once the contractor is fully mobilised. These preparatory works, according to the company, are expected to cost US$2 million.

But in this summary, it also speaks of debt.

According to the compa-

ny, its total debt as of last month was US$35 million.

It explained that this debt will be reduced through quarterly payments of US$5 million. In addition, the company is pursuing ways of restructuring its debt.

In January, the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) had projected that for 2019, declarations and exportations are to be pegged at 651,000 ounces.

This estimation was established in retrospect to the outcome from 2018, which turned out to be an “encouraging year” for the organisation.

According to the Gold Board, plans are on stream to manage and enhance existing emission control mechanisms, obtain a permanent operation base and fulfilling the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force and National Risk Assessment Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism standards and reduce legacy deficit on the Bank of Guyana and the

An arial view of Guyana Goldfield’s operations

Finance Ministry.

Pending capital projects are also expected to be completed during the next 12 months as well as continued training for staffers of the facility, the entity said.

As of December 31, 2018, total declarations from all sources amount to 613,073 oz, which was 6.22 per cent lower than the figures from 2017. Additionally, the foreign exchange value of ex-

ports processed on behalf of dealers and the GGB came to US$443,961,666.

According to the Board, factors which led to the marginal differences between the two years were as a result of inclement weather, impassable roads, and depressed metal prices in the first three quarters of 2018.

In the last quarter, there was some “strength” generated by dealers which in-

creased the projection score.

While the Gold Board had blamed inclement weather, impassable roads, and depressed metal prices for the decline, Finance Minister Winston Jordan in August 2018 revealed in the Finance Ministry’s MidYear Report 2018, which was laid in Parliament, that the gold sector also suffered a decline of 9.1 per cent for the first half of the year.

14 NEWS

wednesday, april 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GTU hoping to fast pace negotiations for salary increases

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he previous negotiation process between the Education Ministry and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) took a wrong turn last year and landed thousands of teachers on strike but this time around President of the Union, Mark Lyte said he hopes the Ministry learnt its lesson and does not allow the same situation to reoccur.

Lyte was at the time speaking to this publication on Tuesday, as he gave an update on the talks the two bodies have had so far to increase the salaries of public school teachers.

According to him, GTU and the Ministry had only one discussion so far, which

GTU President Mark Lyte

has been fruitful. “It was fruitful in that we were able to set some timelines and so on that we want to get stuff done. We basically agreed to have some other submissions so I would con-

sider it as a fruitful first engagement. The negotiations have now started so we have to present our argument but we didn’t get into all of that,” Lyte explained.

He noted that the two bodies were supposed to meet on April 15, but the Union was unable to attend as it is currently hosting a conference. As such, another meeting with the Ministry has been organised for April 30, where the Education Ministry will present a counter-proposal.

The President of the Union said, “The other submissions that were required, inclusive of a counter-proposal on the part of the Ministry, and remember we did our

Education Minister Nicolette Henry

proposal, so we requested a counter-proposal and we had to submit some additional documents which we did”.

He was keen to note that the Teachers’ Union is looking forward to moving the pace a little faster than the last time. It was here that Ltye said, “It shouldn’t be the way it was the last time so we hope that lessons were

learnt and we won’t have to go down the road that went the last time. So we are positive about the outcome”.

The Union Head further noted that he is positive and is entering these discussions with the Ministry with a positive mind-set but will be assessing its moves closely.

In February, GTU submitted a proposal to the Ministry for a 25 per cent pay hike for teachers.

Lyte, in a previous interview, told Guyana Times that in this new proposal, the Union requested that some of the already existing policies be maintained such as Whitley Council for three years, instead of four, and a few others.

This proposal also requests that grants be given to schools instead of having materials supplied as complaints have been flagged in the past of sub-standard ma-

terials and cleaning supplies.

In addition to this, the President of the Union disclosed that the Union also requested the maintenance of duty-free concessions in the existing categories.

Moreover, the new proposal seeks to extend gratuity for persons leaving the profession before the age of 50 to 55, while the issue of class size for special needs schools was highlighted.

However, just mere months before, when the new school term began in September, benches were left empty as the classrooms remained unoccupied, as teachers took to the streets to protest for better wages.

GTU had initially asked the Ministry for a 40 per cent raise on teachers’ salary but later settled for a 12 and eight per cent increase for the years 2016 and 2018, respectively.

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wednesday, april 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Shocking – Shooter of Dr O’Toole allowed to leave country less than 24 hours after shooting

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t is simply shocking, unbelievable, scandalous – the shooter implicated in the shooting of prominent Guyanese educationist, Dr Brian O’Toole, was able to voluntarily leave Guyana the very next day, less than 24 hours after the shooting.

The story is simple – a man was shot with intent to kill. It was an attempted murder. And the shooter is getting a free pass because of connections and family Dr Leslie Ramsammy privilege.

Thankfully, Dr O’Toole survived the shooting but is left with an injury that may affect him for the rest of his life. The fact is that the son of a prominent Guyanese was involved in a shooting, and because of the standing of the father, the shooter is quietly allowed to escape to another country.

What is worrisome is the almost stunned silence of the country. The newspapers appear reluctant to highlight the obvious cover-up that is playing out in plain sight. The usual commentators have lost their voices. Social media is ignoring the story. Something is not right. Am I missing something?

Dr O’Toole knew his shooter and, from the information gathered so far, told the Police who the shooter was. That very evening, information was already circulating that the shooter was the son of a prominent person with close association with the Government. In subsequent days, stories circulated that the shooter was whisked away the very next morning after the shooting to the airport and placed on a flight to another country. The story I heard was that the shooter was the son of a prominent Guyanese lawyer and that he was a gang member, with the sons of two Ministers. But no one in authority was talking and no one was prepared to respond to the circulating stories. The stories that were quietly being talked about were allowed to fall into the realm of rumours.

Dr O’Toole made it clear he was not talking to the media, he will only talk to the Police. We have to assume he did.

Now Dr O’Toole has spoken, confirming he knew the shooter and he knew the shooter was whisked out of the country the very next morning, hours after the shooting, just as the circulated stories claimed. The shooting was not a game. It was an attempted murder. Dr O’Toole believes genuinely that the shooter was inspired by a video game.

While not seeking retribution, he believes justice ought to be seen done. But he is also concerned that not holding the young man accountable is only contributing to a dysfunctional young man, creating a “monster”. This is no longer a story that falls into the realm of rumours. Surely, something is dreadfully wrong when the investigation of a shooting that could have killed a man is allowed to go cold. Following the admission by Dr O’Toole that he knows the killer and that the killer is now overseas, can the Police confirm they are still investigating this story and is there any effort to get the person of interest, back in the country?

The Public Security Minister is deafeningly silent, abrogating his duty to assure the public that the Police is investigating this case. Did he know there was a person of interest and did he know that the person of interest left the country almost instantly? Did the Police Commissioner know there was a suspect and that the person escaped the very next morning to another country? Total silence is simply unacceptable.

At a time when the public has such low expectation in the security forces, when crime is spiralling, when people have lost all confidence in this Government, the news that a young man who shot a man intending to murder him, but allowed to leave the country, must be devastating to people who value security, safety and justice. The news that the young man was allowed to escape only because of his privileged family connection must destroy all hope that the justice system can serve the interest of the people.

The total loss of trust in the Public Security Minister and the security forces is compounded by the revelation of blatant corruption at the Special Organised Crime Unit; an agency which was supposed to be combating money laundering, but which has become another political intimidation tentacle for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC). Clearly, the security forces are now beholden only to APNU/AFC, doing its dirty bidding. Corruption, cronyism and nepotism have become endemic and epidemic in our country. We definitely live in a dispensation in which the Orwellian principle that some of us are more equal than others prevail.

Region 1 woman charged for stabbing Police

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24-year-old woman was taken before Principle Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday to answer to the charge of wounding.

Natasha Henry is accused of stabbing a police officer during a dispute.

It is alleged that on April 11, 2019, Henry, of Baramita village, Region One (Barima-Waini), unlawfully wounded Princess Bentick, a police officer.

The prosecution is contending that the mother of four approached the police

officer and confronted her about a mutual male friend. During the confrontation,

Henry armed herself with a glass bottle, broke it and proceeded to attack the VC. The prosecution’s case stated that the VC turned to walk away when an angry Henry broke two more bottles and launched another attack on the policewoman. The woman received several cuts about her body and leg and she was then rushed to the medical centre in the area.

The police prosecutor objected to bail based on the seriousness of the offence.

Henry was remanded to prison and the case will continue on May 7, 2019.

GPL hosts community outreach in West Ruimveldt

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esidents of West R u i m v e l d t , Georgetown, were given an opportunity to voice their concerns to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) on Tuesday morning as the power company hosted yet another community outreach.

A large crowd turned out to the outreach, which was held at the West Ruimveldt Secondary School.

Among the concerns raised at the outreach was the ineligibility of persons to obtain services from GPL as a result of not having certain documents including land title or transport. The company’s representatives, in response, noted that accommodations are being made to assist persons.

According to the company’s Customer Service Officer, Bibi Knights, persons can now utilise legal services by using documents such as their rates and tax receipts.

“One of them in particular that stood out is that persons without documents, the right documentation to have a service. The perception is that we are only and we were indeed only accepting a title, lease, transports and so on but persons were not aware that they could submit rates and tax receipts,” Knights explained.

The customer service officer noted that this lack of knowledge has contributed to a large number of persons having illegal connections.

“A number of persons currently are having illegal supply and again it is because of documentation, so

with the alternative that is the rates and taxes receipts, we can now have them on board” Knights revealed.

Thus far, outreaches have been held in Buxton, Friendship and East Ruimveldt. However, the electrical company aims to host several more countrywide.

Persons are being asked to keep updated with press releases and to visit GPL’s Facebook page for details.

Customers and prospective customers are also asked to utilise the opportunity given to them by visiting the outreaches.

A customer speaking to a GPL representative about her issues

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wednesday, april 17, 2019

Regional

Venezuelan scavengers Man admits to threatening to vie with vultures for cut off Bermuda Premier’s head A Brazilian trash 29-year-old man who was charged a year ago with making death threats to Premier David Burt yesterday pleaded guilty.

Jared Gordon admitted in court to sending the country’s leader two threatening emails, one in which he wrote about putting a hole in Burt’s head and another in which he said he would cut off his head.

He had been offered bail since being charged in May 2018 for the October 12, 2017 and March 28,

A combination picture shows Venezuela migrants holding what they scrape on a garbage dump in the border city of Pacaraima, Brazil, April 15, 2019

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urrounded by vultures perched on trees awaiting their turn, Venezuelan migrants scrape out a living scavenging for metal, plastic, cardboard and food in a Brazilian border town’s rubbish dump.

Trapped in a wasteland limbo, they barely make enough to feed their families and cannot afford a bus ticket to get away and find regular work in Brazilian cities to the south.

They blame leftist President Nicolás Maduro

for mismanaging their oil-producing nation’s economy and causing the deep crisis that has driven several million Venezuelans to emigrate across Latin America.

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have fled the political and economic upheaval in their country through Pacaraima, the only road crossing to Brazil, overloading social services and causing tension in the northern border state of Roraima. More than 40,000 Venezuelans have swollen

the population of state capital Boa Vista by 11 percent, Mayor Tereza Surita told Reuters.

The influx has also been a headache for Brazil’s new, far-right government of President Jair Bolsonaro, who has so far resisted US pressure to take a more forceful attitude against Maduro. About 3.7 million people have left Venezuela in recent years, mostly via its western neighbor Colombia, according to the World Bank. (Excerpt from Reuters)

2018 offences, but was remanded after he was unable to find a guarantee.

After Gordon’s guilty plea, Acting Puisne Judge Juan Wolffe extended his bail pending the completion of a psychological assessment and a social inquiry report for sentencing, but she left the need for a guarantee.

If he gets the guarantee to be released on bail, Gordon, who is reported to be homeless, must stay at least 100 yards away from the House of Assembly, the Cabinet Office and the

official residence of the Premier, Camden House.

Although he admitted to the death threats, Gordon denied one count of blackmail. The prosecution indicated it would not proceed with that charge.

The first email Gordon sent to Burt stated: “Ignoring me asking for a budget is driving me to a point of wanting to tell you this to your face…I would really put a hole in your head.” It was followed by several images of guns.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Institutional thinking stifling country's growth, says PM

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rime Minister Andrew Holness says he is moving to challenge the institutional way of thinking and the current bureaucracy in Government, which he claimed are hindrances to the country's growth prospects.

The Prime Minister said a change is needed to attract greater investment.

Holness said with several projects to come on stream, there is a real risk of delays because of bureaucracy as was the case with Amaterra Hotel project.

He asserted that the Government is focused on making the process of approval and permitting easier for investors to move from “thought to realisation very quickly”. He also used

the opportunity to encourage more investment into the country.

“There are great things lined up for Jamaica and we invite all investors to participate; never mind the bureaucracy, we will fix that, and we are fixing that, and I'm seeing where a technocrat is emerging,” said Prime Minister Holness (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, april 17, 2019

17

Around the World

Gutted but ‘valiant’, Indonesia election: Widodo, Notre-Dame still stands Prabowo vie for presidency

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arisians gave thanks to see the bell towers and great stainedglass rose window of NotreDame still standing on Tuesday, after firefighters laboured through the night to douse the flames that gutted one of the most potent national symbols of France.

Authorities said they suspected the fire was caused by accident.

President Emmanuel Macron declared that the cathedral would be rebuilt. Industrialists pledged hundreds of millions of euros. Ordinary people sang, wept and prayed below the cathedral that has towered above the capital for more than 800 years.

More than 400 firemen were needed to tame the inferno that consumed the roof and collapsed the spire of the gothic masterpiece.

They worked through the night, finally quelling the blaze some 14 hours after it began.

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A view of the debris inside Notre-Dame de Paris in the aftermath of a fire that devastated the cathedral, during the visit of French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner (not pictured) in Paris, France, April 16, 2019

Paris public prosecutor Remy Heitz said there was no obvious indication the fire was arson. Fifty people were working on what would be a long and complex investigation, officials said.

Hundreds of stunned onlookers had lined the banks of the river Seine late into the night, reciting prayers and singing as they stood in vigil while the fire raged.

It was at Notre-Dame

that Henry VI of England was crowned “King of France” in 1431, that Napoleon was made emperor in 1804, and Pope Pius X beatified Joan of Arc in 1909. Presidents Charles de Gaulle and Francois Mitterrand were mourned there.

Messages of condolence flooded in from around the world. (Excerpt from Reuters)

ore than 190 million Indonesians will go to the polls today to choose their next President after a polarising election campaign that has focused on ideologies rather than policies.

The presidential race pits incumbent Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and his running mate, Indonesian Ulama Council Chairman Ma’ruf Amin, against retired general and longtime rival Prabowo Subianto and multi-millionaire businessman Sandiaga Uno. Widodo and Amin are trying to project themselves as progressive yet religious, with a campaign slogan of “Advancing Indonesia”.

The latest opinion polls in the lead-up to the election have Widodo-Amin leading by as many as 20 points, with a significant proportion of undecided voters.

Most political experts predict a closer result, however, given that 2014’s pre-election polls were similar, but Widodo ultimately beat Prabowo by

Ma’ruf Amin (second from left front) alongside President Joko Widodo with presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto and his running mate Sandiaga Uno (second from right front)

just six points.

Both sets Prabowo and his supporters have said they will protest in the streets “if the vote is stolen” from them. Some supporters have also been accusing the Widodo camp of voter fraud, claiming they are registering foreign voters and using fake voter lists.

Both Widodo and Prabowo are courting the Muslim vote.

Widodo’s running mate is a

well-known conservative voice and part of Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia’s largest Islamic organisation.

But many say they will back Prabowo-Uno not because of religion, but because of the economy, encouraged by their promise to reduce the prices of electricity and staple foods like rice within 100 days of coming into power. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Egypt’s Parliament takes steps Exclusive: US open to new path towards that could extend Sisi’s term removing Sudan from terrorism list – official

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gypt’s Parliament on Tuesday approved amendments to the Constitution that could keep President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in power until 2030.

The 596-member Parliament, which is dominated by Sisi supporters, voted 531 to 22 in favour of the amendments.

The changes would extend Sisi’s current term to six years from four and then allow him to run again for another six-year period. The amendments would also bolster the role of the military

Egypt President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

in political life and increase the President’s power over

the judiciary, critics say.

The changes still need to be approved in a referendum before they can come into effect. A date for the referendum has not yet been confirmed.

Sisi’s supporters say the changes are necessary to give him more time to complete major development projects and economic reforms. His critics say they concentrate more powers in the hands of a leader accused by rights groups of presiding over a relentless crackdown on freedoms.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

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he United States will consider new ways to remove Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism if it sees a fundamental change in its Government and a commitment not to support terrorism, a State Department official said.

The US Government added Sudan to its list of terrorism in 1993 over allegations that then-President Omar al-Bashir’s Government was supporting terrorism. The Islamist Bashir was toppled last week by the military after three decades in power.

The designation as a state sponsor of terrorism makes Sudan ineligible for desper-

ately needed debt relief and financing from lenders like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The United States agreed in November to talks with Bashir’s Government on how to get Sudan removed from the list, but no resolution was reached before his overthrow following weeks of increasing public unrest.

Sudan is currently ruled by a Transitional Military Council (TMC) that says it is working with opposition groups to form a civilian Government. But protesters say they will not leave the streets until the TMC cedes power to an interim civilian

body.

Sudan’s economy has been laid low by sanctions, corruption and mismanagement.

Consumer prices rose by 73 per cent in 2018 and long queues at bakeries, petrol stations and cash machines are now common.

In October 2017, the United States lifted separate trade and economic sanctions it had imposed on Sudan in 1997.

It kept in place the terrorism designation, which is associated with accusations that Bashir-led Sudan backed anti-Israel Islamist militant groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah. (Excerpt from Reuters)

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guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

Offer to do what’s feasible, but don’t agree to take on something that will cause a rift between you and a loved one. Learn to say no or you’ll be taken advantage of.

CANCER

Don’t let a bad mood ruin your day or allow someone you don’t agree with to set you off. Do your best to offer positive suggestions, love and a helping hand.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU TODAY’S WORD GEORGETTE (GEORGETTE: jor-JET: A sheer, strong, sik or silk-like fabric.)

Average mark 14 words Time limit 25 minutes Can you find 19 or more words in GEORGETTE? The list will be published tomorrow.

ultima umlaut usual last list litmus luau lust lutist tail

talus taut tilt tumult tutu imam mail maim malt mast

maul milt mist mitt mumu must mutism mutt mutual alit

alms alum atilt autism sail salt silt slam slat slim

slit slum smalt smut stat stilt suit summit

Don’t make a move before running your idea past someone who will be affected by what you do. Having approval will make it much easier to accomplish your objective.

If you want change, take the initiative and make it happen. Follow proper protocol to avoid being criticized or getting into a heated discussion that will disturb your schedule.

Speak up and show how passionate you are about someone or something. Your words matter and can make a difference to someone who is struggling. An unexpected opportunity is within reach.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

A change of pace, meeting new people and discovering different lifestyles or cultures will encourage you to rethink how you want to live your life. A romantic encounter will brighten the scene.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Gaining insight into what others want will help you negotiate a better deal.

Offer incentives and show interest in the skills, experience and information made available.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

YESTERDAY’S WORD - ULTIMATUMS

Take your ideas, flesh them out and see what happens. A journey has to begin somewhere, so consider the results you want to achieve and get started.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Don’t limit what you can do. Resourcefulness and skill will help you bypass anyone trying to discourage you from following your dream. Surround yourself with positive people who are willing to help.

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Get involved in a joint venture or check out an investment that interests you. A settlement or discussion will turn in your favor.

Celebrate your victory with a loved one.

Do something that matters.

Make an adjustment at home that will simplify your life.

Don’t share too much information. Walk away from people who promote bad habits.

Make a change for the right reason. Do your homework and ascertain that your plans are doable before you begin. A job opportunity may not be as good as it’s described.

wednesday, APRIL 17, 2019

19

Ashwin delivers the thrill as Kings XI return to winning ways

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he last time these two teams played, R Ashwin pulled off a mankad dismissal against Jos Buttler and sparked a controversy that spanned continents and lasted weeks. This time he will be in the headlines again, but perhaps for less incendiary reasons.

Although he didn’t make the top score, nor did he return the best figures in the game, Ashwin was central to Kings XI’s victory, with both bat and ball. Coming to bat in the final over, he carved a four behind point off his first ball, took a single off his second, and bludgeoned two sixes to end the innings with a highimpact four-ball 17. With Kings XI having made only 12 runs for the loss of three wickets off the previous two overs, they seemed as if they were squandering a solid platform, until Ashwin’s cameo propelled them to an imposing 182 for 6.

With the ball, he was arguably even more vital to this victory. He did not concede a single boundary, gave away only 24 runs in his four overs, and took the important wicket of Sanju Samson as well as

dismissing Rajasthan Royals’ top scorer - Rahul Tripathi.

Although Royals had good partnerships in the first 12 overs of their innings, Kings XI’s spinners squeezed them, and ratcheted up the required run rate to an unmanageable level.

This win puts Kings XI back into the top four on the table - though they have played one more match than most other teams. Royals, meanwhile, continue to languish near the bottom of the table. They have now lost six matches to the two they have won.

Ashwin’s supporting hand R Ashwin claimed the better figures, but M Ashwin’s legbreaks were arguably even more impressive, on a slow track. He also conceded only 24 from his four overs, but beat the bat more often with his big turning deliveries, and bowled beautifully in tandem with his captain, to keep Samson’s 59run partnership with Tripathi in check.

The key dismissal Royals’ batsmen were guilty of falling into a tepid scoring

period through the middle overs, but one batsman who would not have let that happen was Jos Buttler, whose hyperaggressive instincts might have saved Royals from their eventual slow death. Buttler wasn’t around to face the Ashwins through the middle overs, however, because debutant Arshdeep Singh had already dismissed him at the start of the fifth over, thanks to an outstanding catch from wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran.

Buttler attempted to crash an Arshdeep length ball through the legside, but managed only to get a big top edge to the ball. It swirled high, way towards fine leg, but Pooran tracked it down, and dived to complete the catch.

Kings XI’s solid foundation In the chase, opener Tripathi’s 50 off 45 balls seemed a poor innings for Royals, because it put undue pressure on the remainder of the batsmen to score quickly.

In the first innings, however, KL Rahul’s even slower 52 off 47 balls, seems like a halfdecent contribution, largely because the rest of the top

order batted quickly around him. Chris Gayle hit 30 off 22 balls, but more importantly, Mayank Agarwal crashed 26 off 12, and David Miller., who was only slotted in because Moises Henriques turned his ankle after the toss, struck 40 off 27. By the time Rahul was out, at the start of the 18th over, Kings XI had 152 on the board, and were well-placed for a score of over 180, even if they would stutter slightly in the next two overs.

Jofra Archer’s superb bowling England have not named their World Cup squad yet, but Archer’s outstanding turn with the ball can’t have done his chances any harm. He took the game’s best figures - by a distance - claiming 3 for 15 from his four overs. The first of his victims was Chris Gayle caught behind off an offcutter, but Archer’s best was yet to come. In the 19th over of Kings XI’s innings, he conceded only a staggering three runs, while claiming the wickets of Pooran and Mandeep Singh.

He seemed to have swung the game in Royals’ favour, until R Ashwin swung it back again.

3

SCOREBOARD

Kings XI Punjab Innings (20 overs maximum) KL Rahul c Archer b Unadkat 52 CH Gayle c †Samson b Archer 30 MA Agarwal c Archer b Sodhi 26 DA Miller c Buttler b Kulkarni 40 N Pooran † c Rahane b Archer 5 Mandeep Singh b Archer 0 R Ashwin (c) not out 17 Mujeeb Ur Rahman not out 0 Extras (b 8, lb 2, nb 1, w 1) 12 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 9.1) 1826 Did not bat: Mohammed Shami, M Ashwin, Arshdeep Singh Fall of wickets: 1-38 (CH Gayle, 5.4 ov), 2-67 (MA Agarwal, 8.4 ov), 3-152 (KL Rahul, 17.1 ov), 4-163 (N Pooran, 18.3 ov), 5-164 (Mandeep Singh, 18.6 ov), 6-164 (DA Miller, 19.1 ov) BOWLING DS Kulkarni (4-0-37-1) JD Unadkat (4-0-48-1) JC Archer (4-0-15-3) IS Sodhi (4-0-41-1) S Gopal (4-0-31-0)

Rajasthan Royals Innings (target: 183 runs from 20 overs) RA Tripathi c Agarwal b R Ashwin 50 JC Buttler c †Pooran b Arshdeep Singh 23 SV Samson † b R Ashwin 27 AM Rahane (c) c Shami b Singh 26 AJ Turner c Miller b M Ashwin 0 JC Archer c Rahul b Shami 1 STR Binny not out 33 S Gopal c Agarwal b Shami 0 JD Unadkat not out 0 Extras (lb 1, w 9) 10 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 8.5) 1707 Did not bat: DS Kulkarni, IS Sodhi Fall of wickets: 1-38 (JC Buttler, 4.1 ov), 2-97 (SV Samson, 11.4 ov), 3-127 (RA Tripathi, 15.6 ov), 4-131 (AJ Turner, 16.3 ov), 5-133 (JC Archer, 17.1 ov), 6-148 (AM Rahane, 18.3 ov), 7-160 (S Gopal, 19.1 ov) BOWLING A Singh (4-0-43-2) M Rahman (3-0-24-0) M Ashwin (4-0-24-1) R Ashwin (4-0-24-2) M Shami (4-0-46-2) M Singh (1-0-8-0)

(ESPN cricinfo)

Matthijs de Ligt’s header lifts Ajax over Juventus

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irst Real Madrid, now Juventus.

What a story this Champions League campaign is turning into for Ajax, who produced another remarkable performance to reach the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since 1997, courtesy of a goal scored by a player who was not even born when they met Juventus in that last-four tie 22 years ago.

Matthijs de Ligt, Ajax’s 19-year-old captain, ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of winning a fourth successive Champions League title and a first for Juventus with an imperious header that was no more than the visitors deserved. Ronaldo had earlier registered his 126th Champions League goal with a header of his own but little else went right for Juventus on a night that belonged to Ajax.

They played with freedom, belief and conviction, with their breathless brand of attacking football simply too much for Juventus. The outstanding Donny van de Beek brought parity shortly after Ronaldo scored and it is a measure of how well Ajax played in the second half in particular that it came as no surprise when De Ligt, another standout performer, headed home.

It had quickly became clear that this was going to be a game of fine margins.

A cagey and scrappy opening eventually gave way to produce a goal for each side in the space of six first-half minutes, levelling the tie up on aggregate and leaving Juventus with little margin for error.

Both goals were awarded after VAR checks had taken place and the significance of Van de Beek’s equaliser for Ajax was lost on nobody in Juventus colours.

Ajax’s Matthijs de Ligt rises high for the winning goal against Juventus

They would need to score twice more if they conceded again.

Ronaldo’s goal was a trademark header just before the half-hour mark, with time appearing to stand still as he bent his run to meet Miralem Pjanic’s corner before calmly nodding the ball beyond André Onana, the Ajax goalkeeper. The Portuguese was totally unmarked and Joel Veltman, the Ajax right-back, had tumbled to the ground just before Ronaldo made contact.

Replays showed, however, that Veltman was knocked to the ground by Matthijs de Ligt, his Ajax teammate, and the goal was allowed to stand after Clement Turpin, the referee, reviewed the incident.

The question was how Ajax would re-

act. They had taken 20 minutes to put together a sustained spell of possession but were starting to grow in confidence just before Ronaldo’s goal. Van de Beek, running on to a loose ball after Dusan Tadic and David Neres linked up beautifully in the Juventus area, lifted a shot over from little more than six yards out. He would not be so forgiving with his next chance.

Hakim Ziyech’s wayward shot from distance arrived at the feet of the Ajax midfielder, who was about 12 yards out.

Adjusting his feet quickly, Van de Beek took a touch before coolly dispatching a low effort beyond the reach of Wojciech Szczesny.

The first instinct was that Van de Beek must have been stood in an offside posi-

tion because he had so much space around him, but the VAR check showed that the goalscorer was played onside by Federico Bernardeschi on the far side of the pitch.

Now it was game on.

Massimiliano Allegri made a change at half-time, withdrawing Paulo Dybala, his captain, and replacing him with Moise Kean, but it was Ajax who looked far more menacing whenever they attacked.

Neres, so fluid with his movement, found Van de Beek, who shifted the ball on to Ziyech in space on the right. With only Szczesny to beat but the angle against him, Ziyech tried to steer his shot inside the near post but the goalkeeper stood tall and, to his credit, saved smartly with his left hand.

Anxiety started to grow among the Juventus fans as Ajax took control of the game. Van de Beek, who seemed to be finding pockets of space all the time, curled a splendid right-foot shot from 22 yards that was arcing towards the top corner until Szczesny flicked the ball over the bar.

Kean, running on to a pass from Ronaldo, then drilled wide at the other end but that was a rare chance for Juventus.

Only a last-ditch intervention from Pjanic prevented Ziyech from connecting with Tadic’s low centre, adding to the sense that an Ajax goal was coming.

So it proved as De Ligt, towering above Alex Sandro and Daniele Rugani, met Lasse Schone’s corner with a thumping header that gave Szczesny no chance.

Neres, set up by Ziyech, could easily have added a third. (The Guardian)

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wednesday, APRIL 17, 2019

Messi’s magic and De Gea’s blunder send United out I

f there was one tiny glimmer of consolation for Manchester United, it was that they encountered Lionel Messi on one of those nights when he appeared to belong to a different species. Messi loves the big occasion and, once again, he used the Champions League to provide yet more evidence for the already bulging portfolio that tells us nobody, not even Maradona, has ever taken football artistry to a higher level.

For United, it was simply too much. Lionel Messi versus Phil Jones? It was like watching a landscape artist comparing brush strokes with a painter and decorator. Yet, in fairness to Jones, he was not the only one in United’s colours to suffer. David de Gea, for one, will remember this as a personal ordeal. It was a night, ultimately, that should hasten the process of Ole Gunner Solskjær putting together a new defence. Mostly, however, it was an occasion to savour Messi, to be grateful the sport

has him, and hope that he plays football for as long as he is capable of sprinkling this form of precious magic on the elite occasions.

The only surprise, perhaps, was that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, did not contribute the game’s outstanding goal.

That honour fell to Philippe Coutinho shortly after the hour mark. Though Messi, naturally, was involved in the build-up and the first of his two goals was pretty special, too. Even before we get to the overhead kick he tried in the second half. Or all those other occasions when he lit up the night with his speed, thought and movement.

“Walking to Glory”‚ read the huge banner behind one goal. And, in Messi’s case, it is often that way. For a player who inflicts such damage, he ambles through large parts of each match. He is always thinking, though, and always assessing what is possible.

Then he comes alive, as he did spectacularly here, and seems

capable of turning opponents into training-ground cones.

Unfortunately for United, he was facing an obliging backline here – and, at times, they played into his hands. That, more than anything, must have been the frustration for Solskjær during that fourminute spell in the first half when, realistically, all hope for United ebbed away. Twice, his players were guilty of losing the ball inside their own half.

It is the defender’s sin at any level, let alone against a side where the wearer of the No 10 shirt gives the impression he is merely visiting this planet.

For the first goal, it was Ashley Young waving an apologetic hand, having got himself in a fix under pressure from Ivan Rakitic. When Messi made it 2-0 it was Fred’s turn, even before we consider that wretched piece of goalkeeping from David de Gea to allow the ball an almost implausible route beneath his body. No side at this level can make these kind of mistakes and

expect to get away with it.

Messi was waiting to pounce on both occasions and his first goal in particular was just another reminder that, on the big nights, he always wants to be the centrepiece of the show.

It was certainly difficult to know which was the more exquisite moment on that slalom through United’s defence: the close-range nutmeg to take Fred out of the equation or the body movement that sent Jones completely the wrong way.

Jones, United’s gloriously accident-prone centre-half, had a bandage wrapped round his head even before the game started. Very soon, the poor chap looked in need of smelling salts. Messi had set off on horizontally, right to left, until he had the ball just where he wanted it, pulling back his left foot and scoring with a typically elegant finish from just outside the penalty area.

Messi’s second goal originated from his right foot,

though he looked as surprised as anyone when De Gea let it beat him, and that could conceivably have wrapped up a nineminute hat-trick were it not for the VAR officials deciding, at 0-0, that the German referee, Felix Brych, was mistaken to award a penalty for Fred’s challenge on Rakitic.

At that stage United’s supporters in the most vertiginous tiers of this cavernous old bowl might actually have felt encouraged by the brisk way their team had set off. That was the huge frustration for Solskjær: early on, his team looked full of confidence.

Jesse Lingard, in particular, was finding space in a central role, running from deep, in between Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial. Scott McTominay, Fred and Paul Pogba were quick to support the front three and Rashford had a glorious chance inside

Lionel Messi wheels away after scoring his and Barcelona’s second goal with a big helping hand from David de Gea

t h e o p e n i n g minute to give the away side a dream start. No Barça player had even touched the ball at that point. But Rashford’s shot skimmed the crossbar and, given what was to follow, that should serve as a reminder that these are the kind of chances, when the stakes are so high, that have to be taken.

As it was, the second half for United was little more than an exercise in damage limitation.

All their early adventure had been punctured. They rarely emerged as an attacking force again and were in danger of it becoming a rout when Coutinho’s diagonal shot flew over De Gea for the third goal.

(The Guardian)

Djokovic survives Kohlschreiber Retired Nowitzki could see himself as coach in a few years scare in Monte Carlo Masters

R

etired NBA champion Dirk Nowitzki, who spent 21 seasons at the Dallas Mavericks, could see himself returning to basketball as coach or manager in a few years time, the German said.

The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer ended his sparkling career last week after more than two decades at the Mavericks with whom he was crowned NBA champion in 2011 and was a 14-time All Star.

“After one or two years I can see myself being happy... as a coach or a manager,” Nowitzki told Germany’s Die Zeit newspaper in an interview to be published on Wednesday.

“I would like to be a mentor for a young player and... accompany them through their career in my very own way.”

For now, Nowitzki is content to put his feet up and enjoy a glass of wine and a slice of cake, something he could not do for years as a

professional player.

“In the past week I had some cake and I also had my first glass of wine after 10 years of abstinence,” he said. “I was really warm inside after only a few sips. That felt good.”

Nowitzki holds the record for having played the most seasons for the same club and is sixth in the all-time scorers list of the NBA. Nagging injuries, however, took their toll on his body and continuing his career past the current season was impossible.

“What I did not want to happen under any circumstance was to say goodbye and be sitting at home, thinking ‘damn, you would really like to play now. Why did you do this’,” he said.

“But my body was not good. To be honest my foot where I had surgery last year was not well throughout the year. I knew it would not be getting any better.” (Reuters)

N

ovak Djokovic was severely tested before securing a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win over Philipp Kohlschreiber to survive his opening match at the Monte Carlo Masters on Tuesday.

The winner of the last three Grand Slams made eight double faults, dropped serve four times and smashed a racquet after losing the second set to his German opponent in the second-round encounter.

The world number one was relieved to avoid defeat in his first match of the clay season.

“It was a difficult match, there were lots of breaks (a run of eight straight during the second and third sets),” Djokovic said.

“There were lots of ups and downs. It was not the prettiest of matches.

“He played well, but a win is a win. This was a tough first match of the clay season.

“I had to figure out how I needed to move, this kind of match can be expected. It was probably good for me to spend so long on the court.”

Djokovic was able to avoid a second straight loss to Kohlschreiber after the 35-year-old beat him last month in the Indian Wells third round.

Djokovic, who lives in the Principality, is playing his ‘home’ event for the 13th time in 14 years, winning it in 2013 and 2015 and losing in the final on two other occasions.

Kohlschreiber lost his 12th match from

13 played against top-ranked opponents, but gave as good as he got against an out-of-sorts Djokovic, who needed five match points to go through.

In the first round, Briton Cameron Norrie advanced in his debut match at the event, with the 23-year-old defeating Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 6-3.

The 56th-ranked Norrie was impressed with the dramatic setting of the iconic Monte Carlo Country Club venue which overlooks the Mediterranean from a cliff.

“I like the conditions here. Everything is kind of on top of each other,” he said.

“It’s pretty sick kind of playing tennis on the side of a mountain with a water view.”

Canadian revelation Felix Auger-Aliassime advanced into a second-round contest with third seed Alexander Zverev after beating Argentine qualifier Juan Ignacio Londero 7-5, 7-6 (7/5).

The 18-year-old Auger-Aliassime, who reached last month’s Miami semi-finals as a qualifier, now boasts a ranking of 33rd -- up from 175th when he played here a year ago.

“I’m very happy to win my first match after Miami, because I didn’t know what to expect,” he said.

Italian qualifier Lorenzo Sonego beat Russian eighth seed Karen Khachanov 7-6 (7/4), 6-4. (HST)

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, APRIL 17, 2019

21

Sarwan accepts invitation to work with Windies Men

F

ormer W e s t Indies batting star

Ramnaresh Sarwan said he has welcomed the invitation to work with the West Indies team ahead of next month’s Tri-Nations One-day International Series in Ireland and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 England & Wales.

The 38-year-old Sarwan, who played 87 Tests,

181 ODIs and 18 Twenty20 Internationals between 2000 and 2013, will spend the remainder of the week working with the play-

ers, especially the batsmen, helping them to fortify their game.

“I have come here to act as kind of a mentor to the players and try my best to assist them in any technical ways and with any shortcomings where I think they can improve, and to offer as much help to the head coach, Floyd Reifer, and his coaching staff,” s a i d Sarwan.

Ramnaresh Sarwan

“I am very excited to be here. When I received the call from Jimmy, I was very overwhelmed at being asked to assist West Indies cricket again. I am really grateful for the opportunity and I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge with the players, even though it will just be a few days, and hoping it will help them in some way or other.”

Key batsmen Darren Bravo and Shai Hope led the group that spent long periods working with Sarwan in the nets on Tuesday, the second day of the team’s training camp currently underway at the Cave Hill campus

of the University of the West Indies.

“I know our batsmen have struggled in the past with rotating the strike, so I am trying to see how best we can get them to improve in this area,” he said. “It’s not an overnight fix, but it’s important to share ideas with them, so that they have something to build on.”

Reifer described as “beautiful” having Sarwan available to work with the batsman, as all roads lead to the World Cup. “It was very important to have him here,” he said.

“Sarwan was a player that was outstanding for West

Indies. A very good batsman. A very good ‘finisher’ in limited-overs matches.

We thought that a guy like Sarwan, coming into the camp with us whilst planning for the World Cup, would bring a wealth of knowledge.

“We are hoping he can help the batsmen get a better understanding of how to finish games, the mindset, how to approach batting first, how to approach batting last, so we thought that kind of knowledge was very important to share. He fitted in very well. He did a lot of talking and a lot of work with the batsmen.” (CWI)

RHTY&SC 29th award ceremony…

Hand-in-Hand, Parliament Office, PPDI, Bissan’s Trading and Len’s Craft on board

P

lans for the successful hosting of the 29th annual award ceremony of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation continues to be on track despite a forced delay due to matters beyond

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Howard Cox of Hand-in-Hand hands over the trophies to Hilbert Foster

the control of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC).

The Club will now be hosting a smaller version of the award ceremony on Sunday, May 12, at its head office, where $2 million worth of trophies, medals, framed certificates, prizes and gifts will be presented, instead of the usual $3 mil-

lion.

The Club recently received a major boost for the ceremony with donations from Harper’s Sports, Len’s Craft, Ronald Williams, Power Producers and Distributors Inc, Hand-inHand Insurance Company, and Parliament Office. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, along with Assistant

Secretary Simon Naidu, are spearheading the preparation for the event which will involve the honouring of 80 club members, retired teachers, outstanding teachers and students, law enforcement officers and medical personnel.

Former West Indies Vice Captain, Roger Harper donated a pair of batting gloves as a prize, while former cricket administrator, Ronald Williams of Apex Insurance Brokers donat-

CWI Regional Super50 U-15 Tournament…

Thorne, Ramnauth, Jodah star in Guyana’s win

G

uyana defeated the Windward Islands by 25 runs in their third round encounter at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, on Tuesday last.

Isai Thorne produced a Player-of-the-Match performance while Rampertab Ramnauth and Zachary Jodah took Guyana to 222-9.

In reply, Windward Islands fell short by 25 runs when they were bowled out for 197 in 47.5 overs.

Earlier, Windward Islands won the toss and opted to field first; Guyana reached 2229 in 50 overs with Ramnuath scoring 57 from 105 balls, while Skipper Zachary Jodah

scored an unbeaten 45.

Isai Thorne chipped in with 21 from Player-of-theMatch Isai Thorne receives his award

16 balls batting at number 10, to ensure the Guyanese to a respectable total.

Bowling for Windward Islands, Deshonte Thomas had 3-30 in seven overs.

In reply, Windward Islands lost three wickets inside six overs but the rebuilding came when the fifth wicket added 66 runs.

Mahid Lambert hit an even 50 for Windward Islands but the Guyanese bowlers, led by Thone, displayed a collective effort. Player-ofthe-Match Isai Thorne finished with 3-59 in 10 overs while Thaddeus Lovell had 2-35. Krsna Singh and Matthew Pottaya had one wicket each.

Guyana’s next opponent will be Leeward Islands on April 18.

ed a trophy, a collection of gifts and a large amount of cricket magazines.

Businessman Bissoondyal Singh of Bissan’s Trading handed over 14 cosmetics hampers, while CEO of Len’s Craft, Allistair Parris, handed over funds for a bicycle. Long-time sponsor Hand-in-Hand Insurance Company contributed six trophies, including those for the most committed player and most committed member. Speaker of

the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland and the Parliament Office donated the two trophies for the Cricketer-of-the-Year and runner-up Cricketer-of-theYear Awards along with a large amount of medals.

The Management of Power Producers and Distribution Inc handed over a carton of trophies valued $75,000.

Foster stated that the main objectives of the Club’s award ceremony are to recognise heroes, to inspire better performances on the cricket field, to provide positive role models to younger members and to maintain the Club as Guyana’s best. The members of the Rose Hall Town Bakewell Second Division Team will be specially honoured during the ceremony along with four doctors and nine nurses of the Port Mourant Public Hospital.

Additionally, the Club will also be making donations to several organisations including the Berbice Cricket Board, Upper Corentyne Cricket Association and several cricket clubs.

BCB distributes stipends to national players under Dr Puran Singh Scheme

T

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) under the presidency of Hilbert Foster in 2018 started a financial scheme to assist young cricketers with a stipend when they gain selection to the national team.

Under the Dr Puran Singh’s National Players Incentive Scheme, the vibrant Board provides $10,000 to every Under-15, Under-17, Under-19 Male cricketer and Under-19 Female and Senior Female cricketers who represent Guyana.

In February, the Board distributed $80,000 to eight female cricketers who gained selection on the senior teams.

On Wednesday, April 10, 2019, Foster handed over $60,000 to the five Berbice players selected on the National Under-15 team, along with Coach Julian Moore.

The presentation continued on Monday, April 15, 2019, when the Board

distributed $60,000 more to the players that are part of the Guyana Under-19 Female Team. Later in the year more stipends are expected to be given out to Berbicians elected on the National Under-17 and Under-19 Male teams.

Foster at both presentations stated that the Board was very proud of all of its players and urged the players to always strive for excellence.

He reminded them of the importance of representing the county of Berbice as ambassadors on and off the cricket field.

Foster told the selectees, Berbice cricketers are highly respected around the world for their cricketing skills, humbleness and high standard. Foster also pledged that as long as he remains President of the Board, high standards will be upheld. He expressed gratitude to Dr Singh, who resides in Barbados, for his sponsorship of the Scheme at the cost of $300,000.

22

wednesday, APRIL 17, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Athletes to depart for 2019 CARIFTA Games

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uyanese youth athletes are currently getting themselves mentally and physically ready in anticipation of the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Games that will be hosted over the upcoming Easter weekend.

After rigorous qualification meets in the earlier months of the year, a total of 18 local and three overseas-based track and field athletes have made the mark for the 2019 CARIFTA Games that will run from April 20-22.

Being hosted at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex, Cayman Islands, the Guyanese athletes were supported by corporate entities such as Grace Kennedy Remittance Services and the Government of Guyana, through the National Sports

Commission, who handed over $3 million to the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG). However, these generous contributions could not cover all the expenses that the AAG is facing to send the athletes to the Cayman Islands.

Speaking exclusively with Guyana Times Sport, AAG President Aubrey Hutson explained the Association’s plight. “So we would have dug a hole for ourselves because we have a position that once you were selected we would look after your airfare, so we have some creditors we will have to pay. And we’re hoping that sponsors can come on board to assist us,” Hutson disclosed.

The contingent of 18 local athletes were expected to assemble at 00:30h today, before they departed Guyana

AAG President Aubrey Hutson

in the wee hours this morning.

The athletes expected to jet off to the Cayman Islands are Brianna Charles (100 metres), Deshana Skeete (200 metres), Keliza Smith (400 metres), Adriel Austin (800 metres), Shaquka Tyrell (800 and1500 me-

tres), Sheama Tyrell (3000 metres), Princess Browne (triple jump), Jahaziah Copeland (shot put), Anisha Gibbons (javelin), Loneil Marks (100 and 200 metres), Osa Blair (100 metres), Daniel Williams (200 metres), Cordell Charles (1500 metres), Daniel Melville (800 metres), Matthew Gordon (3000 metres), Melon Lowenfield (high jump) and Tremaine Browne (long jump) and Wesley Tyndall (100 metres, 200 metres, long jump). Tyndall and Sheama Tyrell were lately added to the list of local athletes. Osrick Pellew who qualified with the team was unable to participate in the games owing to injury.

The overseas-based athletes are Joana Archer, Claudrice McKoy and Chantoba Bright.

When asked about the

prospects of the team, Hutson hinted at the progress that Guyanese athletes have been making, noting that the success of the youngsters was chiefly responsible for the larger contingent.

“We just didn’t decide to select a bigger team, these are athletes who would have worked hard and made our qualifying standards that we would have set. Our standards are very, very high and most of our athletes we select based on those standards, we expect them to do well in terms of earning medals,” he said.

As such, despite not being aware of the level of competition that the other Caribbean countries are at, the AAG head is confident that the Guyanese contingent are bringing home medals.

“However, this is a competitive sport and we know that the other countries in the region are going to preparing their athletes as well.

So we don’t know who’s coming and what level they’re at but I can say these athletes can give a good account for themselves representing Guyana and we think that every one of them is a medal prospect. There’s no passenger on this team.”

Guyana bagged nine medals at last year’s games – seven bronze, one gold and one silver.

Meanwhile, athletes for the CARIFTA Aquatic Championships and CARIFTA Chess Championships will also jet off on April 19 for their respective destinations in Barbados and Curacao, Netherland Antilles.

(Jemima Holmes)

Hand-in-Hand lends hand to Thomas RHTY&SC to host historic day of sports for Namilco’s 50th anniversary H

and-in-Hand Mutual Fire Insurance Company Ltd gave support to National Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Champion, Thuria Thomas.

Thomas was selected by the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) as one of the key players among a group of 16 most talented, disciplined and brightest young players to represent Guyana in the ongoing Caribbean Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Championship scheduled for April 11-18, in Santo Domingo, The Dominican Republic.

Over the years, Thomas has been making consistent improvements in her technical and tactical development and is one whom the GTTA believes has the potential and ability to reach the highest level.

Hand-in-Hand has always been supportive, stating that the company will continue to nurture and assist in the development of sport

T

Hand-in-Hand’s Savita Singh present Thuria Thomas with a sponsorship cheque in the presence of GTTA President Godfrey Munroe

among youths in Guyana.

In a simple presentation at the company’s head office, Savita Singh, the company’s Business Development Officer, proudly presented the sponsorship cheque to Thomas.

LTW Schools Basketball competition…

New Silvercity, LTI record wins

T

here were wins for Linden Technical Institute (LTI) and New Silvercity Secondary as action in the Linden Town Week Inter Schools Basketball Championship continued at the Mackenzie High School court on Monday.

LTI defeated Linden Foundation Secondary 3328, while New Silvercity

Secondary, who rebounded from their first game loss, won 31-14 against Wisburg Secondary.

Leading New Silvercity Secondary to the win was Delroy Belle with 18 points.

The other game ended with Linden Technical Institute coming from a 1514 half-time lead to eventually seal the deal, as Stephon

Duncan top scored with 18 points. Emmanuel Larose netted five for Linden Foundation Secondary.

The tournament continues on next Monday with Wisburg Secondary facing Christianburg Secondary and LTI battling against Mackenzie High School to decide the semi-finalists.

he Albion Sports Complex on Independence Day will be a hive of activity when the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) MS hosts a historic day of sports in observance of the 50th anniversary of the National Milling Company (NAMILCO).

The Club enjoys a cordial long-standing and successful relationship with NAMILCO which was founded in 1969. The day of sports will involve volleyball, softball and athletics events.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the entire management and membership of the RHTY&SC will be involved in the organising of the events to make sure all is successful.

The day of sports will bowl off with an opening ceremony at 09:00h with officials of NAMILCO, RHTY&SC, the Region Six Regional Democratic Council and the Education Ministry. A softball match between NAMILCO and RHTY&SC will start off the event on the field while the organisers will be working along with the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) to host a one-

RHTY&SC Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster

day volleyball tournament for teams in the ancient county.

The highlight of the day of sports will be the hosting of a historic athletics meet for students of primary and secondary schools in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). A total of 13 athletics events will be held for primary schools students, while 25 will be held for secondary schools students.

Among the events to be held will be 100 metre, 200 metre, 400 metre, 800 metre, the 4 x 100 metre relay, 4 x 400 metre relay, high jump, long jump and cycling. The top two winners

in each event will for the first time receive financial incentives along with trophies and medals. The winner of each primary school event will take home $3000 and the runner-up, $2000 while the secondary school winner and runner-up will take home $5000 and $2500, respectively. The organisers are also looking to reward the top school with a special award.

Foster disclosed that the Club is currently setting up a management committee consisting of Club executives, sport executives of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) and other stakeholders to organise the events which will be non-alcoholic.

Entrance to the venue is free. The Club which consists of 10 cricket teams, will use the opportunity to promote the Club’s Say No/Say Yes message to the thousands of youths expected to be present in the ground.

Under this highly successful programme, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club encourages youths to say no to drugs, suicide, crime, alcohol, liquor and yes to education, sports, religion, culture, life.

Lightweight world champ to fight Persoon in unification bout

I

reland's Katie Taylor will have the chance to become undisputed lightweight world champion when she fights Delfine Persoon on 1 June.

The two belt holders will meet on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's fight with Jarrell Miller in New York's Madison Square Garden.

Undefeated Taylor, 32, holds three of the four titles with Persoon in possession of the WBC belt.

The Belgian has lost just once in 44 professional bouts.

Having joined the pro ranks after a controversial defeat at the Rio Olympics, 2012 gold medallist Taylor has claimed three of the division's belts in just 13 fights.

In March, she produced her most complete perfor-

Katie Taylor defeated Rosa Volante in March to claim the WBO belt

mance to date to dispossess Rose Volante of the WBO belt in Philadelphia.

That win set up what appeared to be an inevitable showdown between the two most prominent names in the division.

"Persoon is recognized as one of the best in the world pound for pound and has been the WBC champ now for over five years, so it's the

best against the best," said Taylor.

"Madison Square Garden seems like the perfect setting for a fight of this magnitude."

Like Taylor, Joshua is in possession of three belts and will make his US debut against New York native Miller, nine months after he defended his titles against Alexander Povetkin. (BBC Sport)

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, APRIL 17, 2019

Flying with purpose!

23

Guyana U-19 Female team departs to T&T D

Cherry Ann Fraser

efending Regional U-19 female champions, Guyana, departed home soil on Tuesday last to compete in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Under-19 Female Championships. The tournament will be played in the T20 format in the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T).

The 14-member squad arrived in T&T on Tuesday, April 16, and will play their first match against Canada today from 09:30h Eastern Caribbean time, at Gilbert Park. The Canadian team is a guest team in the tournament with no age restrictions barring the players. From

14:30h on the same day, Guyana will meet hosts Trinidad and Tobago at the National Cricket Centre (NCC).

Accompanying the 14-member squad is Head Coach Bharat Mangru and Windies Women’s star Tremayne Smartt will manage the team. The Guyana squad looks a good outfit with the experienced Shabika Gajnabi, who hails from Chesny Village in Berbice, performing duties of a captain.

Among the top batters in the team is Mandy Mangru who was one of the five participants for Guyana in the recently concluded senior female tournaments. Fast bowling all-rounder Cherry Ann Fraser, top-order batter Lafona Gilgeous and big hitter Afruica Gentle are the three senior players along with Mangru and Gajnabi in the U-19 squad.

On the second day of the tournament, slated for April 18, Guyana will play Windward

CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship…

Caribbean preliminary round draw scheduled for today

T

he Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) on Tuesday announced details for the preliminary rounds of the CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship. Regional qualifiers will begin this summer, with matches in Central America and the Caribbean.

The qualification process for the CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship will kick off with an initial round in the Caribbean.

For this opening phase, set to take place July 17-21, 2019, in four venues that will be announced in the coming days, the 16 participating teams will be divided into four groups.

After round robin play, the group winners will advance to a final play-in match (1A v 1D and 1B v 1C). The winner in each play-in match will qualify for the CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship.

The 16 participating teams in the Caribbean are (in alphabetical order): Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and U.S. Virgin Islands.

The draw for the Caribbean preliminary round is scheduled for today, April 17 at 11:00 am ET. Fans will be able to follow all the action via CONCACAF.com In Central America, qualifying will be disputed in three individual home-and-away

Islands from 09:30h followed by the clash with Barbados from 14:30h. On Friday, April 19, the teams will meet for a CWI Development session and Guyana will play Jamaica on Saturday in their final preliminary match from 09:30h.

Following the preliminary matches, the semi-final will be played on Saturday, April 20, from 14:30h; while the grand final is scheduled for Sunday, April 21, at the NCC, followed by the presentation ceremony. Guyana will be among other teams that will depart T&T on Monday, April 22.

In 2018, the tournament that played in Trinidad and Tobago, with Guyana defeating the hosts by seven wickets via the Dukworth Lewis Stern method to win their maiden title.

Outstanding performances in that final match in 2018 came from Mandy Mangru who had 2-8 and scored 34 in her complete game.

The Guyanese were tasked to chase a revised

LGC looking forward to busy Easter weekend

T

he Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) is anticipating a busy and fun-filled weekend, as they prepare to tee off yet another tournament and take part in the Easter festivities.

The vast skies over the LGC will be filled with thousands of colourful and singing kites this weekend, as the Club anticipates record attendance from hundreds of families who will flock the course for the annual fun-filled event.

The action will get started on Saturday, April 20, at 12:30h when the annual Easter Eggstravaganza golf tournament is scheduled to be played. The two-day tournament will roll over to Easter Sunday. The 9-hole golf tournament is being sponsored by Rommel and Robin and is open to anyone who is interested.

The tournament will be followed by a barbecue, music and kite-flying which will act as a preview for the grand Easter Monday kite-flying activity at the LGC. Known for being the largest open space in the East Coast area, the LGC is inviting patrons to go and enjoy a space with no electric wires, room to

Neil Danns in action for Guyana

series, with the three series winners advancing to the CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship. The matchups - 1 v 6, 2 v 5 and 3 v 4 – will be determined via the FIFA World Ranking of March 31st, 2019. The matches will take place the first 3 weeks of July.

The six participating teams in Central America are (in order by ranking): Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, Nicaragua and Guatemala.

The format, host country and dates for the CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifiers will be announced at a later date. Mexico, Canada and the United States are set to participate as the North American representatives.

target of 86 in 18 overs due to rain at Lafona Gilgeous the NCC; which they achieved in 17.2 overs to clinch the title in 2018.

The full Guyana U-19 fourteen-member squad reads: Shabika Gajnabi (captain) Mandy Mangru, Cherry Ann Fraser, Lafona Gilgeous, Afruica Gentle, Lisa Charles, Ashley Ramnauth, Ashmini Munisar, Ameera Adram, Cassie Charles, Sarah Amin, Analesia D’Aguiar, Shemika Edwards and Uma Matadin.

The six teams participating in the T20 tournament include Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados, Windward Islands, Canada and Trinidad and Tobago. (Brandon Corlette)

The rolling greens at the Lusignan Golf Course

play other sports such as cricket and football and fishing. The spacious grounds can accommodate over 12,000 people and vehicles are allowed to drive and park (except on the greens).

The grounds are expected to open on Sunday from 13:00h and Monday and Tuesday from 11:00h. A small fee to assist with the cleaning is required for vehicles and walk-in traffic will be charged. Lots of food, music and games will be on hand and security will be provided along with lighting for late into the evening activities.

As per usual, members will have full access to watch the activities and of course partake in the golfing activities all weekend. However, everyone will be invited to play at the LGC regardless of membership status this weekend.

The LGC’s constant string of tournaments will continue in the weeks ahead as Assuria Insurance hosts its Inaugural Open Golf Tournament on Saturday, April 27 from 12:30h, followed by MTV, RRT, Banks DIH, Torginol Paints, MACORP Invitational, El Dorado, Kissoons and the Grand AMCHAM Open on June 15.

wednesday, APRIL 17, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship…

round draw scheduled for today

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Flying with purpose!

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Athletes to depart for 2019 CARIFTA Guyana U-19 Female Games team departs to T&T Chantoba Bright will be one of the experienced campaigners in the Guyanese contingent

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